The Feast of Trumpets and The Rapture: Connections and Assumptions
Each year, the end of summer means the Jewish High Holy Days are just around the corner. Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) are upon us. These Fall feasts are very meaningful to the Jewish people and have great significance, prophetically speaking. When we look at Leviticus 23, we can see all the feasts of the Lord given to the children of Israel in a particular order. All six feasts (or seven feasts, since some people separate Passover and Unleavened bread) are called yearly convocations and are divided into two distinct categories:
Spring Festivals
• Pesach - Passover: Leviticus 23:4-8
• First Fruits: Leviticus 23:9-14
• Shavuot - Pentecost: Leviticus 23:15-21
Fall Feasts
• Rosh Hashanah: Leviticus 23:23-25
• Yom Kippur: Leviticus 23:26-32
• Sukkot: Leviticus 23:33-44
We can also derive a prophetic significance from these festivals, as they pertain to the redemptive career of Yeshua the Messiah. This can be both a blessing AND a curse depending on how we establish the prophetic connection and how much we assume. The study of biblical prophecy can suffer from friends and foes, and yet, it is critical that as modern-day disciples of Yeshua, we study the prophetic words of the Bible. The connections exist, and they are strong.
The Spring Festivals have been fulfilled by the First Coming of Yeshua the Messiah:
• Passover: Leviticus 23:4-8 - Death of the Messiah (Isaiah 53:5-8; 1 corinthians 5:7-8)
• First Fruits: Leviticus 23:9-14 - Resurrection of the Messiah (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 20-24)
• Pentecost: Leviticus 23:15-21 - Birth of the Body of Messiah (Exodus 19:1, 3-8, Acts 2:1-4)
Prophetically speaking, these festivals are behind us, and there are three more to look forward to. They are known as the Fall Feasts and,
The Fall Feasts will be fulfilled at the Second Coming of Yeshua the Messiah:
• Rosh Hashanah: Leviticus 23:23-25 - The Regathering of the Saints (Isaiah 27:12-13 - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians. 15:15-58)
• Yom Kippur: Leviticus 23:26-32 - The Great Tribulation (Ezekiel 36:24-25; Zechariah 13:8-9, 12:10, 2 Corinthians 5:10)
• Sukkot: Leviticus 23:33-44 - The Ingathering of the Messiah and the Believers (John 7:38-39, 8:12; Zechariah 14:16-19; Matthew 17:4)
Based on several biblical reasons–the Levitical Feasts of the Lord not being the least of them–I adhere to a pre-tribulational, pre-millennial view of the end times. In other words, Rosh Hashanah comes before Yom Kippur, which comes before Sukkot, so logically and biblically, we can look at the Regathering of the Believers, the Great Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom in that order. These connections can be made on a biblical foundation, but how does that help us with the timing of the Rapture, or does it?
More books, articles and videos have been produced to prove that the Rapture will take place on Rosh Hashanah that I can count. There is no doubt that people are very interested in the Rapture, and they should, but can a date be set? The extent to which people go to calculate the date of the Rapture is mind-boggling. Let's try to connect some dots.
• Connection between Rosh Hashanah and the Rapture:
The Blowing of the Trumpet in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Paul's Jewish audience couldn't have known about the trumpets of Revelation since the book had not been written when he addressed the Corinthians. They would know about the last trumpet of Rosh Hashanah, known as the "Tekiah Gedolah." When God brings an end to the Church age–which is the fulfillment of the interval of several months between Shavuot and Rosh Hashanah (Leviticus 23:22)–He will send Yeshua to gather the saints (dead and alive.) Shofars were used to call to battle, announce a new moon or call a gathering of people. So, there is a thematic connection between the Last Trump and the Rapture since it will be the time chosen by God to regather the Saints to Himself.
• Assumption between Rosh Hashanah and the Rapture:
Because of the Last Trumpet connection, many have come to place the Rapture on Rosh Hashanah, using other "proofs" from numerology, Talmudic writings and other sources. Could the Rapture happen on Rosh Hashanah? ABSOLUTELY! But, if it does, it will not be BECAUSE it is Rosh Hashanah, but because that will be the day God has picked in His infinite wisdom.
If we seek passages about Yeshua's return to get us, we cannot find a specific date, so the Rapture is signless. Nothing needs to happen before the Rapture takes place...NOTHING! We know that Yeshua is preparing a home for us and that He will return to get us all as we read in Yet, the Bible doesn't tell us when by date, but it tells us that it will be before Yom Kippur since Rosh Hashanah always comes ten days before the Day of Atonement.
Rabbis teach that the fate of all Jews is decided on Yom T’ruah (The Day of Trumpets), but it isn’t sealed until Yom Kippur. This is a time of introspection and repentance when Jewish people go out of their way to seek forgiveness from anyone they might have hurt throughout the year. The sabbath that falls within these ten days is known as Shabbat Shuvah (the Sabbath of repentance.)
An event in Yeshua's redemptive ministry doesn't have to happen on the exact day of a feast to fulfill that feast, but the event's meaning and symbolism suffice to fulfill one of the Levitical feasts. That will be true for the Rapture, the Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom. If Rosh Hashanah, the Great Tribulation and the Millennial Kingdom are the fulfillment of the last three Fall feasts, while they do not require to happen on the exact day of each feast–but they could–they still will occur in the immutable order of the feasts found in Leviticus 23: Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot...That we know!
So, the real question is not "When will the Rapture take place?" but, "When the Rapture takes place, am I going to be taken up or left behind?"
If you have placed your trust in the death and resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah for your sins, you have eternal life in God's presence and YOU WILL BE RAPTURED. Don't speculate on dates that cannot be calculated, but invest your time in boldly sharing our hope in Yeshua with the lost. You never know... The Rapture could happen before, during, or after Rosh Hashanah, but after it happens, our influence on those who don't know Yeshua will be gone. Let's use the time we have left wisely.
NOTHING? Paul says differently: [2Th 2:3 KJV] 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
The rapture/resurrection happens the same day: [2Th 2:1 KJV] 1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and [by] our gathering together unto him,
2 "that you not be quickly shaken from your fncomposure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come."
This is the previous verse. Put in context, Paul here is talking about "the Day of the Lord", a more technical term describing the great tribulation and not the rapture.
“That day” in verse 3 is referring to “The Day of the Lord” in verse 2. It’s not referring to the rapture. So when it says “that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction,” it’s saying the Tribulation will not start until the rebellion occurs and the Antichrist is revealed - these two things are the markers on knowing that the Tribulation (Day of the Lord) has indeed come.
That word for rebellion or apostasy can be translated "departure," which would refer to the rapture.
I agree that this word translated "rebellion" or "falling away" should be "departure" since the subject of the letter is "our gathering together unto him". A following verse states that "the restrainer will be taken out of the way", The only entity restraining evil is the Set-Apart Spirit - WE are the temple of the H.S. in this world restraining evil. (not that it can't work w/o us tho)
The Day of the Lord (the Tribulation) will not come until the rapture (departure) happens, and the man of lawlessness in revealed.
Hope I am not one of the foolish virgins with no oil. That I am not Laodicean.
Relax, Craig...you're not one of the foolish virgins. In fact, you're not ANY of the virgins. Stop and think for a moment:
Q. While the 10 virgins/bridesmaids (plural) are fumbling around checking their oil supply, where's the Bride (singular)?
A. She has already been suddenly snatched away by the Bridegroom and is in heaven getting married.
Later, she is with Him in at the wedding feast that follows on earth. THAT is what the five wise virgins are granted entrance to, and what the foolish virgins are denied entrance to.
Or think of it this way: Do you think the Bride is trying to gain admittance to her own wedding feast, and half of her is allowed in, and half of her is excluded? Really?!
The Parable of the 10 Virgins is NOT about the Church, which is never even mentioned. It is about Tribulation believers, some of whom will maintain a faithful witness and be ushered into the Millennial Kingdom following the Second Coming, and some of whom will falter and fail to maintain a faithful witness and will be denied entrance.
The eternal security of Church Age believers is due to being sealed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit the moment we believe, and it is a blessing unique to the Church.
I cannot believe how much errant teaching there is about the 10 Virgins out there--all three parables of Matthew 25 (the 10 Virgins, the Talents, and the Sheep and the Goats) take place at or shortly after the Second Coming, which occurs in Matthew 24:29-31.
The Church is long gone.
It's like I always say: As soon as you read the Church anywhere into the Olivet Discourse, the wheels begin to come off.
https://www.alittlestrength.com/articles/2023/2304-parables.htm
Wow! I've never heard this take! It makes so much sense! Thank you
People who pin the Rapture to the Feast of Trumpets area making an assumption. It's an easy, natural assumption to make, but it is nonetheless an assumption.
You are assuming that what occurred on the Day of Pentecost two thousand years ago completely fulfilled the Feast of Pentecost, so next up is the Feast of Trumpets...right?
Not so fast.
https://www.alittlestrength.com/articles/2020/2010-shavuot.htm
I just love the subject of eschatology.
The feast of trumpets is so interesting. It occurs on the first day of the Hebrew month, Tishri. It always occurred when the new moon would appear. Only the slightest crescent of the moon would be visible. Sometimes clouds would obscure the moon and witnesses would be required. There was a sense of watchfulness and the feast was over two days to ensure they didn’t miss it.
I believe this is why our Lord said, “Watch, therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” Matthew 24:42
Interestingly, all the other feasts occurred on a full moon.
Look it up yourself.
Absolutely amazing when you think about it.
Teachers such as Amir Tsarfati (whom I highly respect) also seem to be arguing that not only should we be careful about 'date setting' but he also seems to indicate that the Fall Feasts are for Israel only. If that is the case, then the Spring Feasts were not for gentile believers either?
On the other hand, if all of GOD's appointed times are for all believers, then Rosh Hashanah can well be for Christians AND Messianic Jews (i.e. all believers.)
There is much Biblical evidence and scripture to point to Rosh Hashanah as the Rapture event and many solid Biblical teachers agree such as J.D. Farag, Jimmy Evans et al.
The question should be "Which year?"
The time of the gentiles is 'two days' and a day to the Lord is like a thousand years. When did the 2,000 years start? At Christ's resurrection? What year was that on the Hebrew and Gregorian calendars?
We are close, so keep looking up, especially at Rosh Hashanah, for we are told that we will NOT be caught like a thief in the night. Study to show thyself approved. God is not the author of confusion.
Great point on the Amir opinion. How can the feasts be only for Jews when CHRIST fulfilled many already!? I would be interested in how he answers that.
The seven feasts are not about the Jews or Gentiles. They are depicting what Christ is doing on earth. At Rosh Hashanah Christ is taking His bride to His Father's house. Paul said that we would be caught up at the last trump. The Feast of Trumpets is the only groupings of trumpet blasts in his day that would have an official last trumpet blast. Jesus fulfilled His major events of His first coming on the days of the spring feasts. It would stand to reason that He will fulfill the major events of His second coming on the days of the fall feasts. Rapture on one of the two days of Rosh Hashanah, Second coming on Yom Kipper, and the Kingdom established on Succoth. We don't know the day or hour or the year of the rapture but it more than likely will be on of the two days of Rosh Hashanah.
Thank you for such a clear explanation!
The rapture will ONLY be POST-tribulational, and ALL who claim otherwise, do NOT understand biblical prophecy truthfully or correctly.
^^^^^
EYEROLL
Respectfully that is highly debatable.
Look at the works of Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum. There are many free resources on Ariel.org
Also Dr Andy Woods is excellent. He has so much on this topic. Worth investigating.
Hope this helps
If you understand the Jewish wedding motif the pretrib rapture only makes sense. BTW, when Christ administers the judgments He will not be beating His bride. She will be at His Father's house.
Is this trolling? Is this Satanism? This attempt to deflect hope.
Unfortunately it sounds like Gnosticism has made a comeback with escapist rapture thinking. Paul was looking forward and had a great hope in the ressurrection of the dead. We have a totally foreign doctrine based on some obscure 19th century make-it-up-as-you-go doctrine. There needs to be a look back at what the Church Fathers and Apostles really had to say about the ressurrection - the Orthodox Church has some good things to teach us on these things. Unfortunately evangelicals are deluded in this matter.
There have always been varying views on the rapture. There’s certainly some mystery to the topic, as well as the timing. And all the viewpoints make at least some good points. I don’t see any of the views as heretical, as all of them use scripture to back there view. Based on the whole counsel of scripture, I believe we have hope for a pre-tribulational rapture, but I rest in knowing that the timing is ultimately in God’s hands. I appreciate these wise words of Charles Ryrie: “If His coming should be pretribulational, then we will praise Him because we missed that terrible time. If it is postribulational, then we will gladly suffer for His sake. Either way, we still have the blessed hope of His coming.”
The seven feasts are not about the Jews or Gentiles. They are depicting what Christ is doing on earth. At Rosh Hashanah Christ is taking His bride to His Father’s house. Paul said that we would be caught up at the last trump. The Feast of Trumpets is the only groupings of trumpet blasts in his day that would have an official last trumpet blast. Jesus fulfilled His major events of His first coming on the days of the spring feasts. It would stand to reason that He will fulfill the major events of His second coming on the days of the fall feasts. Rapture on one of the two days of Rosh Hashanah, Second coming on Yom Kipper, and the Kingdom established on Succoth. We don’t know the day or hour or the year of the rapture but it more than likely will be on of the two days of Rosh Hashanah. No date setting intended.
I PREACH THE WORD TO MYSELF AND ASK JESUS WHAT IT MEANS
Hey Marc ... I noticed that so far YOU have not stretched out
in prayer before Christ the King and asked him about all these moving prophetical parts. There is only one answer, Marc - to all these questions and one truth ... the Lord Jesus Christ. You read the Word, but where is HE in all your debating? We are simply to be planting seeds ... that's ALL he is impressing upon you. Prophesy is important. It is part of the full counsel. Use this as your "answer" and your flesh will not grow weary with dates. He did not give us prophecy to wear us out. He gave it to us as the only out. I think myself arrogant to believe i can endure the tribulation. I have given up the notion the rapture is at the end of the tribulation. Have you Marc, considered the condition of those who survive the tribulation? Every person breathing after those "Days of Horror" will be severely damaged. How could they not be? Marc, the tribulation is the "King of Horrors". You believed on the Lord Jesus years ago before prophecy was a thing. The tribulation is death and destruction on a scale you can not dream up in your wildest imaginations. Even specially trained soldiers will faint with fear. All men will faint with fear. The survivors? Jesus will have to recover them and the earth. Otherwise the earth would just continue to die and the people with it. It is arrogant to think I can endure such a time. For what purpose? How easy is it to talk to people about Christ when the whole earth is exploding and burning? Yes, it can be done, but its going to be very rough. God has already appointed people for this task. And He has prepared them. Even right now our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world are being beaten, tortured and killed for His sake. You Marc, can honor them by reaching out to the lost right here with the time you have left. Jesus is imminent. Our freedoms are evaporating by the hour. This is as it should be as the planet is preparing for the tribulation. Right now, the entire earth is rapidly changing into its final form - a sadistic political prison headed up by Satan. Making ready for the Anti-Christ to make himself king. This is why Jesus wants to rescue all those who have put their trust in Him. To stop all persecution of believers and hand over the earth, for a time - to complete his program with Israel. He knows what is coming in perfect detail. So lets get out there and fight the good fight while there is still time. Marc - right now, if you plant seeds they will multiply quickly. Why? Because on the one hand the Holy Spirit is moving quickly ( Lets stay in step! ) because time is running out, but on the other hand everyone can see what's going on around them and they are searching for an answer. Tell them the hard truth. If they want to live, trust in the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior - right now. Tell them why Jesus died for them. The Spirit will bring them to Jesus. Only Jesus can change hearts. We are just the sounders of the Word and the welcoming crew. The Word goes out. That's about it. It will not come back void.
persecution is from men (satan's followers) the final wrath is from God.
God has never subjected the faithful to his wrath, ie: noah and family and also lot. they were removed prior to judgement. it will be no different at the time of our being caught up to be with him.
dont worry about the time or date. just keep your eyes on Jesus !