Page 125 - Biblical Backgrounds

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mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The
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smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as
the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder.

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 the covenant, a nation that 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. 167

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). A trumpet also signals each of the judgments
in Revelation 8 and 9. 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. 168

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
Jesus does come again on the Feast of Trumpets. The Feast is normally held in September, so check the
internet for the dates of this year. We don’t know when, but if God does what He has done TO THE DAY
in the past, He may come on the Feast of Trumpets.

Day of Atonement — 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).

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

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