The Feast of Trumpets Begins Tonight at Sunset
An animal horn trumpet.
The Fall holy day season is almost upon us. Tonight, Wednesday at sunset, begins the month of Tishri, and the first day of this month is observed by the Living Church of God as the Feast of Trumpets.
Jews also have an observation, but they normally use the term Rosh Hoshanah or Rosh Hashanah. (Note there are some who disagree on the date of this Holy Day. Let me suffice it to say here that Jesus kept the Holy Days based upon the same calendar that the bulk of the Jews did in His day, which is the same calendar that the Jews mainly use now, as we also use in the Living Church of God–those interested in learning more about the calendar should study the article Hebrew Calendar and “Postponements.”)
We in the Living Church of God believe that the holy days in the Old Testament all have applications for Christians in the New Testament.
There is partial agreement of this even amongst Catholic and Protestant theologians as they accept that Christ was the Passover lamb and that Christians are to be unleavened (which is what the Bible teaches in 1 Corinthians 5:7). They also accept that God gave the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4).
These dates occur in the Spring.
However, many of Catholic and Protestant theologians seem to have a different view of the Fall holy days. And most fail to grasp the prophetic significance of them.
But all do realize that the New Testament is full of references to trumpets being blown.
We in the Living Church of God believe that two of the many things that the Feast of Trumpets pictures is the return of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of His people when the last trumpet is blown.
Notice the following scriptures:
16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words
(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed– 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed (1 Corinthians 15:50-52).
These verses will be fulfilled. And they reflect doctrines that the Christian observance of the Feast of Trumpets teaches.
Although his writings are not part of the New Testament, Polycarp was a disciple of the Apostle John and looked forward to the fulfillment of this trumpet as he wrote:
Wherefore, girding up your loins,” “serve the Lord in fear” and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty talk and error of the multitude, and “believed in Him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory,” and a throne at His right hand. To Him all things” in heaven and on earth are subject. Him every spirit serves. He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead. His blood will God require of those who do not believe in Him. But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do His will, and walk in His commandments, and love what He loved (Polycarp. Letter to the Philippians, chapter II. Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volume 1 as edited by Alexander Roberts & James Donaldson. American Edition, 1885.)
Also notice this about Polycarp:
I will give the narration in order, thus coming down to the history of the blessed Polycarp…
So also he pursued the reading of the Scriptures from childhood to old age, himself reading in church; and he recommended it to others, saying that the reading of the law and the prophets was the forerunner of grace, preparing and making straight the ways of the Lord, that is the hearts…So also he thought that the hearts of the hearers ought to be softened and yield to the impress of the Word. For he said that it unfolded and opened, like closed doors, the minds of recent comers; and accordingly the prophet was bidden by God, Cry out mightily and spare not, Raise thy voice as a trumpet. (Pionius, Life of Polycarp (1889) from J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 3.2, pp.488-506.)
We in the Living Church of God try to lift our voices like a trumpet to proclaim the truth about God’s plan of salvation, which not only was believed by the original faithful Christians, but can also still be better understood by those who actually will observe God’s Holy Days.
It should be mentioned that there are other teachings related to the biblical book of life (e.g. Psalm 69:27-28 NIV; in NT in Philippians 4:3 NKJV) that many have tied in with tonight’s Holy Day (see The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets?).
For more on the Feast of Trumpets and the Fall holy days, please check out the following articles:
Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days? Did they? Did Jesus? Should you?
The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
The Day of Atonement–Its Christian Significance The Jews call it Yom Kippur, Christians “The Day of Atonement”. Does it have any relevance for Christians today?
The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time for Christians? Is this pilgrimage holy day still valid? Does it teach anything relevant for today’s Christians? What is the Last Great Day? What do these days teach?
LCG 2011 Feast of Tabernacles’ Information Here is information on many Feast of Tabernacles locations for this year’s October feast.
What Does the Catholic Church Teach About Christmas and the Holy Days? Do you know what the Catholic Church says were the original Christian holy days? Was Christmas among them?
Is There “An Annual Worship Calendar” In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles, including one by the Tkach WCG which states that this should be a local decision. What do the Holy Days mean? Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
Hebrew Calendar and “Postponements” This John Ogywn writing explains why we in the Living Church of God use the calendar that we do and answers such questions as “Did Jesus Observe the Postponements?”
Hope of Salvation: How the Living Church of God differ from most Protestants How the Living Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants, is perhaps the question I am asked most by those without a Church of God background.
Universal Offer of Salvation: There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis Do you believe what the Bible actually teaches on this? Will all good things be restored? Will God call everyone? Will everyone have an opportunity for salvation? Does God’s plan of salvation take rebellion and spiritual blindness into account?
Did the Early Church Teach Purgatory? Is there a place called purgatory? Does God have a plan to help those who did not become saints in this life?
Holy Day Calendar This is a listing of the biblical holy days through 2012, with their Roman calendar dates. They are really hard to observe if you do not know when they occur 🙂
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