Page 135 - Advanced Biblical Backgrounds Student Textbook
P. 135

This cataclysmic event was to be stamped indelibly upon the memory of the people of Israel. Every year,
               at the Feast of Trumpets, those same-sounding trumpet blasts reminded Israel that they were a people
               under covenant; a nation who had accepted the responsibilities of being God's people. By doing so, the
               nation also prepared herself for the Day of Atonement, eight days later, when they would repent and
               find atonement for all they had done to break this covenant. 165

               This feast brought the people of Israel face to face with God at the Mount of Sinai.  It is God’s reminder
               that before the people can come to God, trumpets will blow, showing that God is presenting Himself to
               His people.

               The Feast of Trumpets, along with the other six festivals of the LORD, foreshadowed certain aspects of
               the ministry of Jesus Christ. The prophets linked the blowing of trumpets to the future Day of Judgment:
               “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the
               day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand” (Joel 2:1; see also Zephaniah 1:14, 16).

               In the New Testament, we see that the Lord’s Second Coming will be accompanied by the sound of a
               trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Each of the judgments in Revelation 8-9 is
               also signaled by a trumpet. Just as the shofar called the Jewish nation to turn their attention to the Lord
               and ready themselves for the Day of Atonement, so will the “trump of God” call us to heaven and warn
               the world of coming judgment. 166

               It is no accident that the sound of a trumpet is associated with the rapture, or the time Jesus will return
               for his bride (1 Corinthians 15:52). It is Jesus presenting Himself to His bride, the church.  Once he
               returns, there will be a wedding feast of celebration. Revelation 19:9 says, “Blessed are those who are
               invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb” (NLT). He’s preparing us to celebrate!  Be not surprised if
                                                                                         th
               Jesus does come again on the Feast of Trumpets.  In 2021 that would be Sept 6 – 8 .  In 2022 it would
               be Sept 25 – 27.  We don’t know when, but if God does what he had done TO THE DAY in the past, He
               may come on the Feast of Trumpets.

               #6 Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) — Leviticus 16, 23:26-
               32
               To make “atonement” is to make restitution for wrongs
               committed. As a day of humility and repentance to God, it was a
               time for the Jews to get their hearts, consciences and lives right
               before him. The observance involved the sacrifice of animals as
               the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies. What the High Priest
               did there couldn’t offer more than an annual payment for their
               sins. However, hiding in plain sight was the promise of one who
               could atone for their sins permanently (Hebrews 9:12).

               Where is Jesus in these sacrificed animals? The bull and one of the goats were an offering of thanks, but
               the “scapegoat” took on their sins (Leviticus 16:10). The scapegoat was to be burdened with all the sins
               of Israel and sent into the wilderness.


               165  https://jewsforjesus.org/publications/newsletter/newsletter-sep-2000/the-feast-of-trumpets
               166  https://www.gotquestions.org/Feast-of-Trumpets.html

                                                             134
   130   131   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140