The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets?

By COGwriter

In the Continuing Church of God (CCOG), as well as many other Church of God (COG) groups which had leaders once associated with the old Worldwide Church of God, we keep various biblical holy days, including the Feast of Trumpets, called Rosh Hashanah by most Jews (two sermon videos of related interest would be The Last Trumpet and the Book of Life and The Trumpet Release). 'Messianic Jews' and some others also keep it.

The Feast of Trumpets is on September 16 in 2023 and October 3 in 2024 (its observance begins the evening before the Roman calendar date and runs until sunset on the Roman calendar dates shown).

How do Jews view this day? How do Christians?

Does this Holy Day have any applications for Christians? Did the ancient Jewish teachers know something about this day that most who profess Christ do not seem to realize?

The Feast of Trumpets (called by Jews, Rosh Hoshanah) begins the evening of the first of day of the seventh month of the biblical calendar (a month that almost always begins in September on the Roman calendar--for Holy Day dates check out Holy Day Calendar).

People in the COG have long kept it.

One COG leader, Herbert W. Armstrong, taught:

"AND THE Lord spake . . . saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a Sabbath, a memorial [not a shadow] of blowing of trumpets, an HOLY CONVOCATION. Ye shall do no servile work therein . . ." (Leviticus 23:23-25).

Here is pictured to us that next blessed event in God's redemptive plan, when Christ shall COME again, in clouds with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God (I Thessalonians 4:14-17). It shall be "at the last trump for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall [all] be changed" (I Corinthians 15:52).

Unless Christ returns to resurrect the dead, we would never gain eternal life if there is no resurrection "then also those which are fallen asleep in Christ have perished" (I Corinthians 15:18).

Christ directly intervenes in world affairs at the seventh or the last trump (Revelation 11:15-19). A trumpet is a symbol of war. He comes in a time of worldwide war when the nation are angry! As soon as the work of gathering in the firstfruits (pictured by Pentecost) is completed at the end of this present age, then Christ will begin to set up again the tabernacle of David (Acts 15:16) to set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people (Isaiah 11:11) to search out and to find His lost sheep that the ministers of the churches have failed to search out and save during this period (Ezekiel 34:1-14).

Notice exactly when this takes place! "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they [Israel] shall come which were ready to perish...and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem" (Isaiah 27:13).

When will Israel be regathered? At the sound of the trump at the Second Coming of Christ. Because the churches have forgotten the Festival of Trumpets, many think that the return of a part of the Jews to the Holy Land and the setting up of a nation called Israel now is the fulfillment of this prophecy!

Christ's direct intervention in world affairs will be the next event in the plan of redemption. (Armstrong HW. Pagan Holidays- or God's Holy Days-Which?).

The Feast of Trumpets certainly points to the blowing of trumpets and the Bible shows a variety of prophetic events will accompany the blasts of various trumpets.

Is there any relevance between the Feast of Trumpets, the Book of Life, and Christianity? This article will attempt to address that issue.

Here is a link to a related sermon: Trumpet Resurrection to Life.

The Old Testament and Feast of Trumpets

The Hebrew scriptures state:

2 The feasts of the LORD, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts...

24 In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation (Leviticus 23:2,24, NKJV throughout except as noted).

The old Worldwide Church of God published the following:

Notice that the Israelites were to mark this particular day as a memorial of the meaning trumpets had for their nation, both physically and symbolically.

God instructed them to use silver trumpets to gather the Tribes for assemblies and to signal when it was time to move during their migration to the promised land. The Israelites were to blow the trumpets when they were preparing to attack or to defend against an attack. Moreover, trumpets were blown during God's festivals and at the beginning of each month. Each use of the trumpets gave added meaning to the festivals as the Israelites understood them (Num. 10:1-10).

Since the Israelites, awestruck and trembling, had already experienced God's tremendous use of a blaring trumpet when God gave them the Ten Commandments at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:19), they were familiar with the use of trumpets in correlation with momentaus events in their lives!

God continued to associate trumpet blasts with important events after that era as well — and He does so for us today. (Kackos GM. The Feast of Trumpets and YOUR Future. Good News, August 1982)

Yes, they used two types of trumpets, a silver one and a ram's horn.

Here is more about the Day of Blowing of Trumpets from the Bible:

1 'And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work. For you it is a day of blowing the trumpets. 2 You shall offer a burnt offering as a sweet aroma to the Lord: one young bull, one ram, and seven lambs in their first year, without blemish. 3 Their grain offering shall be fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram, 4 and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs; 5 also one kid of the goats as a sin offering, to make atonement for you; 6 besides the burnt offering with its grain offering for the New Moon, the regular burnt offering with its grain offering, and their drink offerings, according to their ordinance, as a sweet aroma, an offering made by fire to the Lord. (Numbers 29:1-6)

The blowing of the trumpets term is teruw'ah (Strong's #8643). The Jewish Bible translates that word as shofar there and a Tanakh version says it is a horn. In Psalm 81, the actual word shofar (Strong's #7782) is used:

3 Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon,
At the full moon, on our solemn feast day.
4 For this is a statute for Israel,
A law of the God of Jacob. (Psalm 81:3-4)

This Psalm is traditionally considered for the Feast of Trumpets by Jews.

Here is something from the Book of Ezra:

4 They also kept the Feast of Tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings in the number required by ordinance for each day. 5 Afterwards they offered the regular burnt offering, and those for New Moons and for all the appointed feasts of the Lord that were consecrated, and those of everyone who willingly offered a freewill offering to the Lord. 6 From the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, although the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid. (Ezra 3:4-6)

(Note: Because animal sacrifices are past in Christ per Hebrews 10:3-10, we Christians do not offer burnt offerings--we are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). However traditionally a financial offering is taken up on this day consistent with what the Apostle Paul taught in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, as well as Deuteronomy 16:16 as Ezra is tying the first day of the seventh month in with the Feast of Tabernacles.)

There is an inscription in the ruins on the area known as the Temple Mount that somewhat points to where the trumpets were usually blown in Jerusalem (for more details, see Place of Trumpeting in Jerusalem). In our household, we traditionally have had the youngest child blow a trumpet at the start of this Holy Day as well as throughout it.

The seventh month is called Ethanim in the Bible in 1 Kings 8:2:

2 Therefore all the men of Israel assembled with King Solomon at the feast in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month. (1 Kings 8:2)

This month is normally called Tishri by the Jews as that was the name used when they were in Babylonian captivity. The Feast of Trumpets is referred to as the first of Tishri in some Jewish literature.

Although the Jews now call the festival Rosh Hoshanah, that was not its original name:

"Rosh Hashana, which literally means head of the year" {it was} "not called Rosh Hashanah until Talmudic times" (Kramer, Amy J. Rosh Hashana Origins. Copyright © 1998-1999 Everything Jewish, Inc. http://www.everythingjewish.com/RoshH/RH_origins.htm 9/16/04).

Alongside special offerings in the Holy Temple, Torah assigns one single commandment to be performed on Rosh HaShana: The sounding of the shofar. In fact, Torah doesn't refer to the first day of the seventh month as Rosh HaShana, (which is a later appellation), but merely as Yom Hatru'a - the Day of the Shofar Blast. (Shana Tova! The Temple Institute email newsletter. Elul 29, 5778/September 9, 2018)

(The time of the primary development of the Talmud was 70-500 A.D.)

Since the terms 'head' and 'year' are not in the Old Testament passages about it, it appears that the COG term for it, the Feast of Trumpets, appears to be more biblically-based that the relatively-new Jewish term 'Rosh Hashanah' (which has numerous spellings).

According to current Jewish tradition:

After Rosh Hashanah services, as the congregants leave the synagogue they say to each other ... "May you be inscribed in the Book of Life"" (The Jewish Holiday of Rosh Hashanah. High Holy Days on the Net. http://www.holidays.net/highholydays/rosh.htm accessed 9/21/16).

The prevalent practice among Ashkenazi Jews is “L’Shana Tova Ti’kateivu v’Tekhateimu,” “You should be written and sealed for a good year.” This is often shortened to simply “Shana Tova,” “a good year.” This greeting expresses a basic hope we all have on Rosh Hashanah — that we be inscribed in the Book of Life for another good year. Other greeting customs also use the metaphor of the Book of Life to convey the essence of the holiday, but use it in a different way.

Similar to the Ashkenazi custom, Kurdish Jews greet each other with a variation on this theme, saying: “T’kateiv b’sefer chaim tovim,” “You should be written in the book of good life.” Instead of focusing on a “good year,” the Kurdish greeting emphasizes a “good life.”

Rabbi Abraham Danzig, writing in 18th century Vilna, records his Rosh Hashanah greeting as “T’kateiv v’Tekhatem l’alter l’chaim tovim,” “You should be written and sealed immediately for a good life.” Rabbi Danzig references a midrash that tzaddikim, righteous people, are immediately written in the Book of Life. (Peltz M, Rabbi. What is in a Rosh Hashanah greeting? Haaretz, September 17, 2012. http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/rabbis-round-table/what-is-in-a-rosh-hashanah-greeting-1.465357 viewed 09/10/14)

Note: The term 'midrash' refers to Jewish interpretation of a commentary or scripture.

The Talmud itself essentially concludes that the fact of the three different trumpet blasts in Numbers 10:1-10, represents three books, one of them being the Book of Life. However, it appears that more than three trumpet blasts are mentioned, so somehow they must be consolidating them.

Real Christians have their names written in the Book of Life (cf. Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5).

As far as Jewish interpreation, notice also the following:

Book of Life

I heard the idea that during the High Holidays, God writes one's name in a book. Where does this concept come from, and how can this concept bring meaning to the holidays for me?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

The Talmud . . . says that on Rosh Hashana, God inscribes everyone's name into one of three books. The righteous go into the Book of Life, the evil go into the Book of Death, and those in-between have judgment suspended until Yom Kippur.

In actuality, the vast majority of us are neither totally good nor bad. We're more like 50/50, so we have a few more days until Yom Kippur to tip the scales. That's why the Code of Jewish Law recommends going out of our way to do extra mitzvot during this time. ...

So to ensure getting into the Book of Life, we need something really dramatic. For example, someone who sincerely chooses to take on Jewish observance has a 1,000-ton weight going for him. The act of coming full circle to Torah is a rare type of decision that can transform you into a different person.

Of course, wherever you're holding, it's important to do as much as you can. Don't gossip, show respect to your parents, eat kosher food. Whatever you can do, add to it. But what we're really looking for is the mega-ton weights. Look for breakthroughs - the one major decision that can truly change you. (Book of Life. Ask the Rabbi. http://www.aish.com/atr/Book_of_Life.html viewed 09/10/14)

So, basically Jews believe they need to be stricter about laws and traditions (the 613 mitzvots) so they can make it. But that is not what the Bible teaches.

The first biblical allusion to the Book of Life appears to be Exodus 32:32-34:

"Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written."

And the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin."

Moses knew that he was mentioned in this book. It also appears from the above passage that God is speaking both about a book and a day of punishment.

The apparently same book is mentioned in Psalm 69:27-28 where both concepts are also discussed,

27 Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation. 28 May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous (NIV).

Furthermore, the same book may be mentioned in three other Psalms:

7 Then I said, "Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart." (Psalm 40:7-8, NKJV).

8 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? (Psalm 56:8, NKJV).

16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them (Psalm 139:16, NKJV).

In Malachi 3:16 it states:

16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.

These verses show that those that fear the LORD are mentioned in a book, but those that are not righteous are not in it. Thus, this is another reference to the Book of Life.

Christians who are inscribed in the Book of Life, will be born-again, at the resurrection which occurs with the seventh-trumpet mentioned in the Book of Revelation (watch also Trumpets and Being Born Again).

The Book of Proverbs has many passages about what leads to life. Here are several:

Proverbs 10:16-17

16 The labor of the righteous leads to life,
The wages of the wicked to sin.

17 He who keeps instruction is in the way of life,
But he who refuses correction goes astray.
NKJV

Proverbs 12:28

28 In the way of righteousness is life,
And in its pathway there is no death.
NKJV

Proverbs 14:27
27 The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.
NKJV

Proverbs 19:23

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,
And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
He will not be visited with evil.
NKJV

Eternal life will be given at the time of the last trumpet to God's people.

In Isaiah 27:13 it is written:

13 So it shall be in that day: The great trumpet will be blown; They will come, who are about to perish in the land of Assyria, And they who are outcasts in the land of Egypt, And shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.

These passages appear to be referring to the last trumpet-the one signalling the return of Christ and the establishing of the Kingdom of God.

Perhaps it should be mentioned that the type of trumpet involved with the Feast of Trumpets in the Old Testament, as well as with most alarms for battle and judgments is often the Hebrew term, showphar, more commonly spelled shofar. This type of trumpet is some type of animal horn (normally some type of ram).

Below is a statue of someone blowing a shofar:

There are other trumpets mentioned in various verses such as a yowbel (in Exodus 19:13, which could be either silver or a ram's horn) and the frequently mentioned chatsotserah (Numbers 10:2, which was probably always metal) but they seemed to have more instrumental use, though sometimes they were also used for alarm.

Temple Institute and HWA: Choose Life

The Temple Institute had the following in its latest newsletter as a pre-Feast of Trumpets (which they call Rosh HaShana) message related to choosing life in 2020:

“Choose life!”

(Deuteronomy 30:19)

Elul 22, 5780/September 11, 2020

Moshe’s words seem to reflect and draw upon the fateful events that occurred on the very first day of the life of Adam harishon (the first Man), whose birthday we celebrate one week from tonight, on Rosh HaShana, the day of the creation of Man. Moshe directs his words to the children of Israel, who are assembled before him, to prepare them for life after his impending death, but Moshe’s words are every bit as relevant and laden with meaning for us today, as we prepare to say farewell to the Hebrew year of 5780 and ready ourselves for the incoming year of 5781. Moshe, himself, is clearly aware that his words are intended for the ages, as he states, “But not only with you am I making this covenant and this oath, but with those standing here with us today before HaShem, our G-d, and also with those who are not here with us, this day,” (Deuteronomy 29:13-14) “not here with us, this day” being a nod and a wink to future generations.

“Behold, I have set before you today life and good, and death and evil, inasmuch as I command you this day to love HaShem, your G-d, to walk in His ways, and to observe His commandments, His statutes, and His ordinances, so that you will live and increase, and HaShem, your G-d, will bless you in the land to which you are coming to take possession of it. But if your heart deviates and you do not listen, and you will be drawn astray, and you will prostrate yourself to other deities and serve them, I declare to you this day, that you will surely perish, and that you will not live long days on the land, to which you are crossing the Jordan, to come and take possession thereof.” (ibid 30:15-18) Are these words of Moshe not a direct parallel to the words first spoken by G-d to Adam on the day of his creation? “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat. But of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat of it, for on the day that you eat thereof, you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16-17) In essence, G-d was setting before Adam a choice between “life and good, and death and evil.” The choice is yours, Adam, for I, G-d, have endowed you with free will. You may adhere to the one commandment I have set before you, and thereby choose life and good, or you may defy My will and go your own way, the way of death and evil. Choose the first path and Eden is yours forever. Choose the latter and make your way, on your own, in a harsh and hostile world. …

Adam chose the path of the ego – the “I, me, mine” which is an all powerful urge that can carry us to many places in life, but ultimately leaves us alone, naked and hiding from G-d in the bushes. …

 G-d adds, via the words of Moshe, a tip, (a commandment, perhaps?), but most certainly, a heartfelt bit of insider’s advice, to Israel: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life!” (ibid 30:19) Today, one week before the start of the year 5781, G-d is talking to us: Choose life!

Adam chose Satan's way above God's. Christians are to chose God's way over Satan's.

In a radio broadcast, the late Pastor General of the old Worldwide Church of God, Herbert W. Armstrong, said the following about choosing life:

Now, there are laws, you’re going to have to choose every one of you. Now, if you neglect so great salvation, as God has offered you, you are choosing, you are choosing the wrong way and you are sentencing yourself to death!… the penalty of sin. YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE LIFE… and do it of your own will, voluntarily. Your own volition, your own FREE WILL, or you can never have salvation. No one can talk you into it, no salesman, no preacher… I don’t care how much he loves you, or how much he desires to see you saved, he can’t do it. You know long ago I learned that, and I’ve quit trying to talk people into it, I just preached the truth. I want to tell you, my friends, your whole relationship with God is a private personal relationship between you and God!! Now, I do not say for a minute that we are not influenced by circumstances, I fully understand that God can bring about circumstances that will bring us to a place where we look on things differently and where perhaps we’re going to choose the right way and be willing to do it, but still God doesn’t force you. No, He’s going to force you one way and that’s all and that is to make your own decision?.

Now,… God says in verse nineteen?… well, let’s go back to verse seventeen just a moment first, but if thine heart turn away so that thou wilt not hear — you see God allows us to turn away, He allows us to rebel, when He says, “IF”, — if He was forcing us to be saved, if He was forcing us to obey Him — He couldn’t say, ” if ” you do the other, so that wilt not hear but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely PERISH!

THERE IT IS. You are going to decide what is the outcome of YOUR life and your destiny. Are you going to inherit eternal life as God’s gift? Or are you going to perish? Are you going to die: the wages of sin is death, it isn’t eternal life, the wages of sin is death!

Now God says again in verse nineteen: I CALL HEAVEN AND EARTH TO RECORD THIS DAY AGAINST YOU, THAT I, GOD ALMIGHTY, THE RULER, HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSING AND CURSING, THEREFORE CHOOSE… God says, we have to choose and that’s an order. And God’s going to make you choose, and even if you try not to choose and neglect, you are choosing automatically. You’re choosing DEATH, you’re choosing to PERISH. You’re choosing the penalty. But you can choose life, it’s up to you.

Set Before You Life And Death

Now, God is the great ruler; He said here, I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, therefore CHOOSE life. What does He want us to choose.. life. He even commands you to choose life, but He allows you to disobey. Now, He forces you to choose, He allows you to disobey. I think we better get these words between what God forces and what He allows straighten out — I really had to get it straighten out in my own mind here a little bit, and I want to make it plain to all of you listening in.

Now He wants you to choose life that thou and thy seed may live: that thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest OBEY his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life. Ohhh, I tell you that’s wonderful when you come to see it. You know I’m glad that God has made us, free moral agents, and that God has decreed, with his SOVEREIGN rulership, that we have to make the decision. God will not make it for you, you must make it for yourself.

Now the Kingdom of God is a family, if you choose life my friends, you’ll first be begotten of God and later your going to be born of God.

Yes, God wants all to choose life and to live eternally and abundantly. More on God’s plan can be found in the free online book: The MYSTERY of GOD’s PLAN: Why Did God Create Anything? Why Did God Make You? Which is something Pope Francis’ statements last week show he does not understand (watch the short video: Does Pope Francis misunderstand the purpose for creation? Do you?).

Seventh Year of Land Rest and Debt Release

At the end of every seven years, there was a period of land rest and debt release that begin with the Feast of Trumpets.

The first day of the seventh month (Ethanim/Tishri) was considered the beginning of the civil year, similar to how the first month (Nisan) was considered to be the beginning of God's sacred year (cf. Exodus 12:2). The beginning of each month for ancient Israel was to be marked with the blowing of trumpets per Numbers 10:10.

Every seven years there was a rest for the land--starting with the first year they came in the land (2013 was the 'first year' for the Continuing Church of God to hold its own Feast of Trumpets)--and every seven years thereafter:

1 And the Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai, saying, 2 "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the Lord. 3 Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit; 4 but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. 5 What grows of its own accord of your harvest you shall not reap, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine, for it is a year of rest for the land. 6 And the sabbath produce of the land shall be food for you: for you, your male and female servants, your hired man, and the stranger who dwells with you, 7 for your livestock and the beasts that are in your land — all its produce shall be for food. (Leviticus 25:1-7)

10 "Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. (Exodus 23:10-11)

This was also the time of release of debts and was sometimes called the year of release:

1 "At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. 2 And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord's release. 3 Of a foreigner you may require it; but you shall give up your claim to what is owed by your brother, 4 except when there may be no poor among you; for the Lord will greatly bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance — 5 only if you carefully obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today. 6 For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you. (Deuteronomy 15:1-6)

There were also other admonitions to not be stingy about lending to your brethren prior to the year of release:

7 "If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, 8 but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. 9 Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,' and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the Lord against you, and it become sin among you. 10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. 11 For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.' (Deuteronomy 15:7-11)

So, the Feast of Trumpets was showing that debt would be forgiven. Christians are to forgive debts as they want theirs forgiven per Jesus' words in Matthew 6:12 (Young's Literal Translation). And the law was to be read at the Feast of Tabernacles that year:

10 And Moses commanded them, saying: "At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the Lord your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess." (Deuteronomy 31:10-13)

Also, slaves/bondservants that were brethren were to be granted their freedom that year of release if they wanted it (Deuteronomy 15:12-18). Thus, there seems to be a foretaste of the millennium here, which is a time when all will be better able to prosper (see also Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism?).

This year of release was apparently recorded as being observed in the Book of Nehemiah:

1 Now all the people gathered together as one man in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate; and they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. 3 Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. (Nehemiah 8:1-3)

28 Now the rest of the people — the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the Nethinim, and all those who had separated themselves from the peoples of the lands to the Law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, everyone who had knowledge and understanding — 29 these joined with their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse and an oath to walk in God's Law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the Lord our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes: 30 We would not give our daughters as wives to the peoples of the land, nor take their daughters for our sons; 31 if the peoples of the land brought wares or any grain to sell on the Sabbath day, we would not buy it from them on the Sabbath, or on a holy day; and we would forego the seventh year's produce and the exacting of every debt. (Nehemiah 10:28-31)

Ezra and Nehemiah restored some of what the children of Israel lost; we in the Continuing Church of God are restoring much of what the COG has lost.

Here is what one Protestant commentary mentions about the seventh year of release, followed by comments in the Jewish Encyclopedia:

The law of Moses laid a great deal of stress upon the sabbath, the sanctification of which was the earliest and most ancient of all divine institutions, designed for the keeping up of the knowledge and worship of the Creator among men; that law not only revived the observance of the weekly sabbath, but, for the further advancement of the honour of them, added the institution of a sabbatical year: In the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, v. 4. And hence the Jews collect that vulgar tradition that after the world has stood six thousand years (a thousand years being to God as one day) it shall cease, and the eternal sabbath shall succeed—a weak foundation on which to build the fixing of that day and hour which it is God's prerogative to know. This sabbatical year began in September, at the end of harvest, the seventh month of their ecclesiastical year: (Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Leviticus 25:1-7. PC Study Bible Formatted Electronic Database Copyright © 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All Rights reserved.)

The duration of the shemittah year was from autumn to autumn, beginning with New-Year's Day; but as a precaution against any infringement of the Law, the Rabbis extended the time and prohibited sowing and planting thirty days before Rosh ha-Shanah. (SABBATICAL YEAR AND JUBILEE. Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/12967-sabbatical-year-and-jubilee viewed 08/07/13):

In modern times, Jews consider that Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the civil year, and thus that would be consistent with the seven year land rest beginning on the first day of the month of Tishri, the day Christians of the Church of God tend to call the Feast of Trumpets. 2013 may or may not have been such a year (see also The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law). The following suggests that it may have been as Josiah's reign was believed to have began in 641 BC (641-18= 623 BC; which could make the next Jubilee year 2028, which is theoretically possible (but could also be related to the great tribulation of Matthew 24:21); to see a non-COG source also points to 2028 for the Jubilee go to The Day of Atonement--Its Christian Significance):

The First and the Second Temple, the Talmud says, were destroyed "on the closing of the Sabbatical year" ("Moẓa'e Shebi'it"). The sixteenth jubilee occurred in the eighteenth year of Josiah, who reigned thirty-one years; the remaining thirteen years of his reign, together with the eleven years of those of Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin and the eleven years of that of Zedekiah (II Kings xxv.), fix the first exilic year as the thirty-sixth year of the jubilee cycle, or the twenty-fifth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin, or fourteen years from the destruction of the Holy City ('Ar. and 'Ab. Zarah l.c.; see Rashi ad loc.). (SABBATICAL YEAR AND JUBILEE. Jewish Encyclopedia of 1906. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/12967-sabbatical-year-and-jubilee viewed 08/10/13)

The eighteenth year of Josiah's reign is mentioned in 2 Kings 22 & 23, and though it discusses keeping the law it does not specifically record that a Jubilee was kept.

While one or more Jewish calculations seem to possibly support 2013 as the official year of release for all, there are many other calculations that differ, so this is not completely certain. Since the Jews have certain errors in the calculation of years (Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?), and many other sources come up with differing dates, this cannot currently accepted with certainty. What is certain is that God says that the law should be read every seven years at the Feast of Tabernacles and this is what happened at Continuing Church of God Feast of Tabernacles' Sites in 2013. Am I completely certain 2013 must have been the 'Shemitah' year? Well while that can be debated, I am certain that not proclaiming the year of release and reading the law every seven years is wrong, and 2013 seemed consistent with God's timing, and it very well may been. This occurred again at the Feast of Tabernacles in 2020 (see also The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law).

Irrespective of which calendar year is the seventh year, Christians who observe the year of release do not plant gardens during that year (since there is debate on which year is the correct one, many base this period upon their baptism year) and forgive other Christians of financial and other debts, if any. Some add other practices.

It may be of interest to note that although many of those in the Church of God base third tithe year calculations on this seven year cycle, and farmers have been encouraged to keep the land sabbath every seven years, the idea to teach the law every seven years as the Bible teaches to do at the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:10-13) or proclaim the year of release (Deuteronomy 31:10) has been overlooked and is something that almost none do. Although some accept that non-biblical tradition, we in the Continuing Church of God do not. We are striving to fulfill what the Bible teaches and proclaim it--and did so in 2013 and 2020 (see also The Feast of Tabernacles: A Time to Learn the Law).

As far as a release goes, it appears that it is at the last trumpet when the Anglo-descendant captives of Assyria will be released per Isaiah 27:13 (see also Will the Anglo-Nations be Divided and Have People Taken as Slaves?).

The Bible is clear that the good news is that Jesus will return with the sound of a trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16) and call for the return of the Anglo-peoples and others who were made slaves. Christ will establish His millennial kingdom and the world, including the Anglo-peoples, will be able to live in peace and prosperity.

Thus, there appear to be are multiple releases that the Feast of Trumpets seems to be referring to.

The Shemitah of 2022 and the Super Shemitah

According to the Jews, the "next Shmita year is 2021-2022 (5782)" (Wikipedia, accessed 08/25/21).

However, the Jews have a problem counting years as that is NOT the year 5782, but more like approximately 5991 (see Does God Have a 6,000 Year Plan? What Year Does the 6,000 Years End?).

But the Jewish Shemita year has been accepted by the Messianic Jew Jonathan Cahn and certain other  Protestants.

Their next claimed Shemitah year runs from sunset September 6, 2021 through sunset September 25, 2022. Which is the beginning of the Feast of Trumpets in 2021 and then ending with the next one in 2022.

Some see disaster.

The idea of disasters coming from/during a Shemitah year was popularized by Jonathan Cahn, who is perhaps best known for his book The Harbinger. I looked into this before and DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE ARE IN THE SHEMITAH YEAR, thus believe any claims based upon that are irrelevant.  He was wrong about what would/might happen at the end of the last one (see September ‘convergence’: a harbinger of potential disaster?)

I also never accepted Jonathan Cahn's belief that the Shemitah was from Trumpets 2014 to Trumpets 2015 (and denounced him for his inaccuracies there; e.g. 6000 years up and Jesus to return in 2016?)--but it seemingly helped him sell books.

Years ago, I saw an interview on CBN by Pat Robertson of Jonathan Cahn that was first broadcast 02/05/2013.

The interview screen at one point showed something that resembled two Power Point slides, apparently from Jonathan Cahn or one of his books. The first slide had the following information:

PARTIAL SOLAR ECLIPSE   2015 Sep 13

ELLUL 29   SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

GLOBAL COLLAPSE?

So, the above was a prediction of a possible global collapse at the end of a year that was likely NOT the Shemitah year.

The second had the following information:

TETRAD
4 BLOOD MOONS

ELLUL 29

THIS SOLAR ECLIPSE IS WITHIN THE TRIBULATION TETRAD

Now if by tribulation, Jonathan Cahn meant the Great Tribulation, I wrote that it was not at all possible to begin then. 

In September of 2015, he seemed to cautiously 'double-down' on his prediction as he stated:

I can tell you now that if Almighty God continues His pattern of judgment on the USA, the financial collapse of the US dollar, will happen on Sunday, the 13th of September 2015. http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?73382-MARKET-CRASH-DATE-PREDICTED-In-line-with-Christine-Legarde-s–Luck-7s-..

On course, that did not happen.

Before he was proven wrong on some of this, the well-known Protestant Pat Robertson said:

Jonathan Cahn wrote a book on the Shemitah, then when it was, in my view quite wrong, he updated it. The 2018 updated book is titled: The Mystery of the Shemitah Updated Edition: The 3,000-Year-Old Mystery That Holds the Secret of America’s Future, the World’s Future...and Your Future! The back cover of the book states:

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT? ... Understanding this seven-year pattern is essential for understanding the prophecy and the mysteries of the Bible that are still applicable today ... the rise--and possibly the fall--of America can be linked to the year of the Shemitah.

If this was ESSENTIAL for Christians, then, in my view, Jesus would have so stated. Instead, He pointed to various signs as well as to the Book of Daniel.

It is not just Jonathan Cahn who has pointed to the wrong Shemitah year. Notice the following from State of the Nation:

2022: The Controlled Demolition of Everything

July 26, 2021

The 2022/2023 AD time window was selected decades ago as the time frame to conduct a controlled demolition of the entire Global Economic & Financial System (GE&FS). ...

TPTB {The Powers That Be} have long planned to coordinate a controlled demolition of the GE&FS under the rubric of the GREAT RESET. ...

The year of 2022 was specifically chosen as the beginning of the “Year of Final Collapse” for various reasons, each of which mutually supports the other. ...

First and foremost, 2022 is not only a scheduled Shemitah year, it is the year of the Super Shemitah.  The indisputable 7-year pattern of Shemitah years has been long established as explained here: The Actual Timing of the GREAT RESET Laid Bare. ...

In all likelihood, the coming two to three years will make the First American Revolution look like a very tame Tea Party. http://stateofthenation.co/?p=75719

No, while I expect violence and a certain amount of chaos the next 2-3 years in the USA will NOT "make First American Revolution look like a very tame Tea Party."

What about the Super Shemitah? Well, if the above source was correct, then it would run from sunset September 25, 2022 or more properly sunset October 4, 2022 (the Day of Atonement) through sunset September 15th or 24th in 2023.

NWO GLOBALISTS AND BANKSTERS ARE ACCELERATING THE GREAT RESET TO ALIGN WITH THE SUPER SHEMITAH of 2022/2023

July 16, 2020

Make no mistake; the GREAT RESET has been planned for centuries. Yes, centuries!

The New World Order globalist banksters have essentially owned and operated planet Earth over the millennia that define the present age which began with the Mayan Long Count Calendar.  That highly accurate and predictive calendar started well over 5000 years ago which means that the true end date can be any year going forward. ...

Shemitah

It widely known that the field of banking, and particularly where it concerns the practice of charging interest, it always fell to a specific tribe which is recognized as the original international banksters. ...

The Shemitah was a sacred seven year custom that was put into practice by the Hebrew communities which had the explicit purpose of forgiving all the debts that accumulated during the previous 7 years.

In this way, all members of the community were regularly relieved of their indebtedness so they could start fresh, and then the whole community rejuvenated financially. ...

The 7-year Shemitah cycles and Jubilees have been proven — beyond any doubt — to directly correlate with uncanny precision to many of the major world events of the past 200 years. ...

Super Shemitah of 2022

Given the established timeline of every previous Shemitah calamity going back to the beginning of the 20th century, it’s clear that the upcoming Shemitah is actually the Super Shemitah. ...

Which is exactly why the upcoming Super Shemitah will be the one to end all Shemitahs.  Which is also why The Powers That Be are surreptitiously and conspicuously setting up the GREAT RESET.

---

KEY POINT: The Super Shemitah of 2022/2023 is the final Shemitah of the era that occurs after the last Shemitah Jubilee that took place in 2015. See: The Great Tribulation Of The 3rd Millennium Foreshadowed By The Shemitah Jubilee

---

The GREAT RESET ...

Clearly, the defining events of the Super Shemitah, that will start some time in 2022 and continue throughout 2023, will create a sufficient level of disorder so that TPTB feel they can impose the most draconian changes as dictated by those globalist-directed governments executing the GREAT RESET. ...

TPTB will attempt to do anything necessary to preserve their status quo of absolute supremacy for themselves while inexorably pushing the 99% into permanent financial ruin and unending economic hardship.

This is exactly what the GREAT RESET is all about as businesses around the world have been shut down forever as national economies have been destroyed pushing the whole world into a “Second Great Depression”. https://stateofthenation.co/?p=72645

The 'super shemitah' is supposed to be a 'jubilee year' above. While globalists will take steps, no, the "Great Reset" is not going to be complete in 2022 or 2023.

As far as Jubilee years go, according to the Bible, they are proclaimed on the Day of Atonement, which is nine days after the Feast of Trumpets (see also The Day of Atonement--Its Christian Significance).

The actual "Great Reset" will occur about the time of the start of the Great Tribulation and that will NOT be before 2025--and even that seems to soon.

But, yes, changes will come--and we will see massive disasters--but they are not related to Jonathan Cahn.

Related to the claimed Shemitahs, we put together the following video:

14:10

2022-2023 Shemitahs: Destruction/Reset?

Modern Jews claim that the period of time from sunset September 6, 2021 through sunset September 25, 2022 is a 'Shemitah year.' Some claim that this and the year that begins when this one ends (the claimed 'jubilee' is being called a 'super shemitah") and runs through 2023 may cause destruction or the Great Reset. Is this possible? Is Messianic Jew, Jonathan Cahn (of the Harbinger fame) a prophet of God as Pat Robertson has said or a false prophet? Was he right about the financial collapse of the USA in 2015? Are the Jews right about their Shemitah year being year 5982, or is 5991 closer? What about the beginning of sorrows? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to our video: 2022-2023 Shemitahs: Destruction/Reset?

I suspect that the last Shemitah year ran from sunset September 18, 2020 through sunset September 6, 2021. This coincided a bit with the COVID situation--which certainly has had disastrous consequences.

The New Testament and the Return of Jesus

In addition to discussing the Book of Life on that Day, Jewish tradition says Rosh Hashana:

"Rosh Hashana ... is the Day of Judgement ... It is the Day of Shofar Blowing ..." (The Jewish Holiday of Rosh Hashanah. High Holy Days on the Net. http://www.holidays.net/highholydays/rosh.htm verified 9/12/07).

The New Testament frequently mentions the blowing of trumpets (though it does not clearly appear to distinguish between shofar trumpets and other trumpets)--though shofars are probably the type most likely being referred to when prophetic matters of judgment are involved.

Jesus taught:

29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31).

This is similar to what Paul taught:

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 (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

So both Jesus and Paul taught that the saints would be gathered when a particular trumpet sound goes forth. And that Jesus will come with a trumpet blast, and that was AFTER the great tribulation begins (Matthew 24:21), hence the pre-tribulation rapturists are in error as far as when Jesus returns. (For details and many scriptures why those rapturists are wrong, check out the article Is There A Secret Rapture for the Church? When and Where is the Church Protected?).

Which trumpet?

The last trumpet:

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. ...

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:52, 58).

Because this is referring to the last trumpet, scripture clearly does not support the concept of a pre-tribulation rapture, like many evangelicals believe in. This last trumpet shows that TRUE CHRISTIANS WILL WIN. They will put on immortality as they are the ones written in the Book of Life!

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.)

Jesus taught:

35 But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; 36 nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37 But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord 'the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' 38 For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him. (Luke 20:35-38)

Yes, the resurrection from the dead brings one alive.

Jesus said:

17 ... But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. (Matthew 19:17)

14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:14-17)

The Apostle Paul wrote:

22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:22-23)

Jesus also taught:

24 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. 25 Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, 27 and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come forth — those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. (John 5:24-29)

Yes, there is a resurrection to life for those that have truly done good! This is a resurrection for those whose names are inscribed in the Book of Life.

Now let's go back to 1 Corinthians:

12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up — if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:12-27)

This resurrection to life happens at the last trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15:52. This is apparently the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11:15:

15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"

So, Jesus will return with the sound of a trumpet. And we know this is a trumpet because it is the seventh as it is part of the sequence that is discussed in Revelation 8:

1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 7 The first angel sounded ... (Revelation 8:1-6)

Now what about Jesus' statement in Matthew?

36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only...44...for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:36,44)

We do not know when this final trumpet will be blown yet, but it will be to announce Jesus' return.

Some believe that because of similarities in some of the scriptures read at Jewish weddings and Rosh Hoshana, etc. that this is additional proof that Jesus will return on Rosh Hoshanah (some have suggested that Rosh Hoshanah itself signifies the "day and hour no one knows"), but which specific year, no one who currently lives in the flesh seems to know for certain. Nor is that day certain, and may not be likely.

Whose Names are in the Book of Life?

Does the New Testament teach about whose names are in the Book of Life?

Yes it does. Actually, the translated expression appears 8 times in the New Testament in NKJV--6 pertain to Christians, and 2 are references to those who do not obey God and whose names are not listed in the Book of Life.

But perhaps the first refernce in the New Testament does not use the exact Book of Life expression, but the concept was taught by Jesus who stated:

18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:18-20)

So, true followers of Jesus have their names listed somewhere in heaven. And that somewhere is in the Book of Life.

Paul writes:

3 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. (Philippians 4:3).

Notice also:

22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect. (Hebrews 12:22-23)

John recorded that Jesus taught:

5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. (Revelation 3:5)

Thus, it is the saints are the ones who are written in the Book of Life. And the saints are those that are resurrected at the last trumpet.

Other passages in the Book of Revelation mention that those that worship the beast (13:1,8;17:8), those that are involved with abominations (21:27), and those who take away words from Revelation (22:19), will NOT be among those whose names are written in the Book of Life.

The Book of Revelation has Many Trumpets Blown

The Book of Revelation clearly teaches that seven trumpets will be blown (8:2), punishment comes upon those who are not protected by God (9:4), and then God’s kingdom and judgment will come (11:15-18; 15:1-8; 16:1-21).

Notice the following from the old WCG about Israel, trumpets, and the need for the trumpet warnings today:

The Bible shows that during Israel's later history, which was heavily punctuated with conflicts and rebellion, trumpets continued to be used as warning devices, to call to arms or as preludes to important messages — always to mark an event of tremendous import to the whole nation. God used the prophets, among them Isaiah, Ezekiel, Hosea and Joel, to warn Israel about punishments He would bring upon them for their constant rebellion against His laws. These prophets were to use their voices like trumpets to blare their warnings to God's people.

Notice, for example, God's instruction to Isaiah: "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins" (Isa. 58:1). See also Hosea 5:8 and Joel 2:1. Portions of the prophets' warnings were fulfilled, in type, by ancient Israel's captivity. Yet many of these prophecies are dual, having both ancient and modern fulfillments. Such is the case with the message of the prophet Ezekiel. God set Ezekiel as a watchman to Israel. Ezekiel, through his message, symbolically blew a trumpet of warning to God's people (Ezek. 33:1-7).

Ezekiel's warning, however, did not reach the house of Israel, because they had already gone into captivity! Ezekiel's visions of Israel's impending destruction were given "in the fifth day of the month, which was the fifth year of king Jehoiachin's captivity" (Ezek. 1:2). Jehoiachin went into captivity in 597 B.C., or about 125 years after the removal, to Assyria, of the last of the northern tribes, which occurred from 721-718 B.C. If Ezekiel's message did not reach ancient Israel — could not have reached them — for whom was it intended?

God's warning through Ezekiel was intended for the modern descendants of the ancient Israel — the peoples of the United States, Britain and, in general, northwestern Europe today! ... they are identified in Bible prophecy ... Ezekiel's message is reaching the modern Israelites. God has set a modern-day watchman to thunder to our peoples the impending consequences of their sins. (Kackos G. The Feast of Trumpets and YOUR Future. Good News, August 1982)

We in the Continuing Church of God are working to perform as that modern-day watchman today. We boldly tell of sins of society and how world events are aligning with properly understood prophecy--which we also explain (see the free online booklet Where is the True Christian Church Today? and/or the article The Laodicean Church Era).

Many trumpets are blown in the Book of Revelation, and a lot were to be blown on the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24)--hopefully many can see the connection.

But the most important, in a sense, could be the last, the seventh one as it pictures the resurrection of the Christians.

The coming Kingdom of God is some of what Jesus wants His servants to proclaim now and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).

Did Early Christians Observe the Feast of Trumpets?

Although the observance of the Feast of Trumpets was not specified as such in the New Testament, in addition to teaching about what it meant, both Jesus and the Apostle Paul kept it.

The Bible teaches that Jesus kept the Law and did not sin (Hebrews 4:15), hence He kept all the Fall Holy Days including the Feast of Trumpets.

Perhaps it should be noted that the Apostle Paul must have observed the Feast of Trumpets after his conversion to Christianity.

Notice some statements from the Apostle Paul:

17 ... Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers (Acts 28:17)

4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3:4-6)

Since Paul kept the customs of his people, he, too, kept all the Fall Holy Days including the Feast of Trumpets. If not, he could not have made that statement which is in Acts 28:17 nor the one being blameless in the law in Philippians 3:4-6.

Some may wonder if after the time of Paul, whether early Christians observed the Feast of Trumpets. And the answer is yes, the faithful Christians did. And they did in Gentile-dominated areas.

For example, the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Church of God Saint Polycarp of Smyrna kept the Fall Holy Days:

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, which are like tablets whereon certain harsh beliefs and conceptions that were written before perfect knowledge came, are through the inculcation of the Old Testament, and the correct interpretation following thereupon, first smoothed and levelled, that, when the Holy Spirit comes as a pen, the grace and joy of the voice of the Gospel and of the doctrine of the immortal and heavenly Christ may be inscribed on them. And he said that they could not otherwise receive the impression of the seal which is given by baptism and engrave and exhibit the form conveyed in it, unless the wax were first softened and filled the deep parts. 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. What must one say, when even He that was gentler than all men so appeals and cries out at the feast of Tabernacles? For it is written; And on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried saying, If any man thirsteth, let him come to Me and drink. (Pionius, Life of Polycarp (1889) from J. B. Lightfoot, The Apostolic Fathers, vol. 3.2, pp.488-506.)

Polycarp, according to the above, seems to have endorsed the Fall Holy Day season which begins with the Feast of Trumpets, includes the Feast of Tabernacles, and ends on The Last Great Day.

A late first/early second century document called the Didache teaches:

16:6 And "then shall appear the signs" of the truth. First the sign spread out in Heaven, then the sign of the sound of the trumpet, and thirdly the resurrection of the dead: 7 but not of all the dead, but as it was said, "The Lord shall come and all his saints with him." 8 Then shall the world "see the Lord coming on the clouds of Heaven." (Didache. Translation by K.Lake. In Apostolic Fathers, Kirsopp Lake, 1912--Loeb Classical Library)

While that does not prove the Feast of Trumpets must have been observed, at least part of the message was taught.

In Asia Minor, it is recorded that late into the fourth century, John Chrysostom condemned professors of Christ who observed the Feast of Trumpets:

The festivals of the pitiful and miserable Jews are soon to march upon us one after the other and in quick succession: the feast of Trumpets, the feast of Tabernacles, the fasts. There are many in our ranks who say they think as we do. Yet some of these are going to watch the festivals and others will join the Jews in keeping their feasts and observing their fasts. I wish to drive this perverse custom from the Church right now…If the Jewish ceremonies are venerable and great, ours are lies…Does God hate their festivals and do you share in them? He did not say this or that festival, but all of them together. (John Chrysostom. Homily I Against the Jews I:5;VI:5;VII:2. Preached at Antioch, Syria in the Fall of 387 AD. Medieval Sourcebook: Saint John Chrysostom (c.347-407) : Eight Homilies Against the Jews. Fordham University. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/chrysostom-jews6.html 12/10/05).

The wicked and unclean fast of the Jews is now at our doors. Thought it is a fast, do not wonder that I have called it unclean…But now that the devil summons your wives to the feast of the Trumpets and they turn a ready ear to this call, you do not restrain them. You let them entangle themselves in accusations of ungodliness, you let them be dragged off into licentious ways. (John Chrysostom. Homily II Against the Jews I:1; III:4. Preached at Antioch, Syria on Sunday, September 5, 387 A.D.).

Now, while many of John Chrysostom's arguments are in error, the fact is that he would not have given at least two messages related to it if none who professed Christ did not observe the Feast of Trumpets and the other Fall Holy Days. (For more on John Chrysostum himself, please check out the article John Chrysostom, Bishop of Constantinople and Antisemite.)

An article of related interest (which explains more of John Chrysostom's arguments/comments) would be Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days?

Additionally, comments by Jerome and Epiphanius near that time concerning the Nazarene Christians would also seem to support that those who kept the Holy Days, such as the Feast of Trumpets, were located in several areas at that time (see Nazarene Christianity: Were the Original Christians Nazarenes?).

Furthermore, notice that the Sabbath-keepers in Transylvania in the 1500s (and probably later) kept the Fall Holy Days such as the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Trumpets (called Day of Remembrance below):

The Sabbatarians viewed themselves as converted Gentiles ... They held to the biblical holidays. ... The Day of Atonement was a day of fasting, although they emphasized that pentinence is more easily acheived by a peaceful and quiet meditation on the law and one's life than by fasting. The Day of Remembrance (New Year, which they celebrated in the Fall of the year) was the day on which they thanked God especially for the creation of the universe. (Liechty D. Sabbatarianism in the Sixteenth Century. Andrews University Press, Berrien Springs (MI), 1993, pp. 61-62)

The "Day of Remembrance" is a reference to the Book of Life, which is called the Book of Remembrance in Malachi 3:16.

People attempting to be faithful to the Bible have observed the Feast of Trumpets and we in the the Continuing Church of God continue to do so in the 21st century.

The 'Intermediate' Are in Another Book?

Jews teach that there are three books related to judgment and have tied them in with the Feast of Trumpets:

The story told by R. Kruspedai in the name of R. Johanan, that "on New Year's Day books are opened," etc., is taken from the Boraitha which teaches: "Three books are opened on the day of judgment." This Boraitha, however, does not refer to the New Year's day, but to the day of final resurrection, as explained by Rashi, and that R. Kruspedai quotes his story in the name of R. Johanan proves nothing; for in many instances where teachers were desirous of adding weight to their opinions, they would quote some great teacher as their authority. R. Johanan himself permitted this method. (Tractate Rosh Hashana: Introduction. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Talmud/introrh.html viewed 09/10/14)

The term Boraitha (normally spelled Baraita) refers to an external source which tends to be a tannaite tradition not incorporated in the Mishnah. Probably from an unknown writing by a rabbi--some believe that they came from teachings from private and/or preparatory schools as opposed to the more formal Jewish academies.

The Jewish Talmud itself teaches, allegedly based on various biblical passages:

R. Kruspedai said in the name of R. Johanan: Three books are opened [in heaven] on New Year, one for the thoroughly wicked, one for the thoroughly righteous, and one for the intermediate. The thoroughly righteous are forthwith inscribed definitively in the book of life; the thoroughly wicked are forthwith inscribed definitively in the book of death; the doom of the intermediate is suspended from New Year till the Day of Atonement; if they deserve well, they are inscribed in the book of life; if they do not deserve well, they are inscribed in the book of death.

Said R. Abin, What text tells us this? — Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous. {Psalm 69:27-29}‘Let them be blotted out from the book — this refers to the book of the wicked. ‘Of life — this is the book of the righteous. ‘And not be written with the righteous’ — this is the book of the intermediate.

R. Nahman b. Isaac derives it from here: And if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written {Exodus 32:32-33}, ‘Blot me, I pray thee’ — this is the book of the wicked. ‘Out of thy book’ — this is the book of the righteous. ‘Which thou has written’ — this is the book of the intermediate. It has been taught: Beth Shammai say, There will be three groups at the Day of Judgment — one of thoroughly righteous, one of thoroughly wicked, and one of intermediate. The thoroughly righteous will forthwith be inscribed definitively as entitled to everlasting life; the thoroughly wicked will forthwith be inscribed definitively as doomed to Gehinnom, as it says. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to reproaches and everlasting abhorrence. The intermediate will go down to Gehinnom 17b and squeal and rise again, as it says, And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried. They shall call on my name and I will answer them.

Of them, too, Hannah said, The Lord killeth and maketh alive, he bringeth down to the grave and bringeth up {1 Samuel 2:6}. Beth Hillel, however, say: He that abounds in grace inclines [the scales] towards grace, and of them David said, I love that the Lord should hear my voice and my supplication {Psalm 116:1}, and on their behalf David composed the whole of the passage, I was brought low and he saved me. Wrongdoers of Israel who sin with their body and wrongdoers of the Gentiles who sin with their body go down to Gehinnom and are punished there for twelve months. After twelve months their body is consumed and their soul is burnt and the wind scatters them under the soles of the feet of the righteous as it says, And ye shall tread down the wicked, and they shall be as ashes under the soles of your feet. But as for the minim and the informers and the scoffers, who rejected the Torah and denied the resurrection of the dead, and those who abandoned the ways of the community, and those who ‘spread their terror in the land of the living’, and who sinned and made the masses sin, like Jeroboam the son of Nebat and his fellows — these will go down to Gehinnom and be punished there for all generations, as it says, And they shall go forth and look upon the carcasses of the men that have rebelled against me etc. Gehinnom will be consumed but they will not be consumed, as it says, and their form shall wear away the nether world. Why all this? Because they laid hands on the habitation [zebul], as it says, that there be no habitation [zebul] for Him, and zebul signifies the Temple, as it says, I have surely built thee a house of habitation [zebul].

Of them Hannah said, They that strive with the Lord shall be broken to pieces {1 Samuel 2:10}. R. Isaac b. Abin said: And their faces shall be black like the sides of a pot. Raba added: Among them are the most handsome of the inhabitants of Mahuza, and they shall be called ‘sons of Gehinnom’" (Talmud - Mas. Rosh HaShana 16b, 17a. (Babylonian Talmud, Book 2: Tracts Erubin, Shekalim, Rosh Hashana, tr. by Michael L. Rodkinson, [1918], p. 26. http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/t02/ros03.htm#page_36 viewed 09/10/14)). Note: 'R." stands for "rabbi" above.

Both the Bible (the COG position) and Jewish tradition state that the righteous have their names written in the Book of Life and that they will apparently be rewarded related to a trumpet or the Feast of Trumpets.

The Bible (and the COG) agrees with the Jewish position that others will be also have their names in it later: Revelation 20:11-15:

11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Jewish tradition also teaches that those that are not truly wicked (the intermediate) will not be saved or destroyed at that time, but that they will have a ten day period until the Day of Atonement (which they call Yom Kippur) for judgment.

While this time of judgment is mentioned in Revelation 20:11-15, the COG position has tended to be that those who have not rejected God (blasphemed the Holy Spirit), will have an opportunity for salvation later, the period of which may last 100 years (Isaiah 65:20, and is discussed more in the free online book: Universal OFFER of Salvation, Apokatastasis: Can God save the lost in an age to come? Hundreds of scriptures reveal God’s plan of salvation), and that this is shown by the last Holy Day, the Last Great Day, which happens on the twenty-second day of Tishri.

Revelation 20:4-5 states:

4 "Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection."

Because of this, the COG position is (and has been) that there is at least 1,000 years between when the righteous (those whose names are now written in the Book of Life) and the others being resurrected, thus the New Testament disagrees with the Jewish idea that the wicked are handled on the same Feast of Trumpets that the righteous are (it also disagrees with the 10 day position for those the Jews called 'intermediate'--not righteous, not wicked).

Actually, one of the most significant ways that the COGs differ from the Protestant world is that the COG's believe that nearly all will be saved and that the biblical holy days (which Protestants tend to teach are done away) picture this. (More information is found in the article, Hope of Salvation: How the COGs Differ From Protestantism.) Those who do not observe God's Holy Days simply do not fully understand God's plan of salvation.

Herbert W. Armstrong wrote,

This eighth day, technically a separate feast, is called "the last day, that great day of the feast" (John 7:37). What does this final holy day represent? Notice what Jesus preached about on that day: "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink . . . out of his belly [innermost being] shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive . . .)" (John 7:37-39).

This was Jesus' sermon giving the meaning of the last great day!

Now turn to Revelation 20. After the Millennium, what happens? A resurrection! The dead stand before God. This couldn't include true Christians today, as they will appear before the judgment seat when Christ returns...

Pictures the Day of Judgment

This is that judgment day mentioned in Matthew 10:15. It is a time when Gentiles who died in ignorance will be given an opportunity to receive salvation. Ezekiel 16:53-55 makes this very plain. Even those in Israel who died in their sins will be given their first opportunity to understand the truth of God and His way (Ezekiel 37). The prophet wrote that God would pour out His Spirit on those resurrected (verse 14). This is precisely the salvation that Jesus mentioned in His sermon on that great day of the feast in the autumn of AD 30. This eighth day, which immediately follows the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles, pictures the completion of the plan of redemption. It is just prior to the new heaven and the new earth. All parents and children, young and old will be resurrected. Notice that the "book of life" typifying salvation is opened (Revelation 20:12).

Revelation presents the final view of the "judgment day" as the present material heaven and earth are perishing and the faithful are receiving their eternal reward at the throne of Christ. The wicked those who disobey are seen perishing in the lake of fire! What a marvelous plan! All will have an equal opportunity" (Armstrong HW. Pagan Holidays- or God's Holy Days-Which?).

Perhaps I should mention that Jewish tradition specifically suggests that all the wicked are punished on the first of Tishri, which is not quite what the COG's teach. The COG's teach that the wicked are destroyed at the 'second death' (20:14-15) which is after the white throne judgment, and also that the wicked on the earth will endure the trumpet plagues.

However, since this feast is a memorial of the blowing of trumpets (Leviticus 23:24), seven trumpets will be blown in the future (Revelation 8:2), and most of them will bring destruction and punishment to those not sealed by God, it is conceivable that Jewish tradition has properly understood at least the physical side of punishment related to the Feast of Trumpets. Though, apparently not the ultimate punishment of the wicked (which even if it occurs later on a first day of Tishri), it will not occur within a thousand years of the first day of Tishri that the seventh trumpet symbolizes.

The seven trumpets in Revelation are essentially sounding during the day of the Lord and Jesus is prophesied to return on the last one (cf. Revelation 11:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

Since this article is discussing the Book of Life as well as the Feast of Trumpet, here are the last two passages of the Bible discussing the Book of Life:

1 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband . . . 22 But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24 And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26 And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it. 27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. NKJV . (Revelation 21:1-2, 22-27)

18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. I Am Coming Quickly 20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Revelation 22:18-20)

The Feast of Trumpets helps picture Jesus' return and the Book of Life is something all should want to be written in.

Continuing Church of God Statement of Beliefs on the Feast of Trumpets

In its Statement of Beliefs , the Continuing Church of God states:

The Feast of Trumpets helps picture the blowing of the seven trumpets in the Book of Revelation announcing events taking place during the ‘Day of the Lord’ (Revelation 8,9,11:15-18; 15:1-8; 16:1-21; 19:1-20). The last trumpet signals the resurrection of the saints and the second coming of Jesus, “For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52) “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” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).  Every seven years, a year of land-rest and debt release begins with this Holy Day (Leviticus 25:1-7; Deuteronomy 15:7-11).

Thus, because of its New Testament fulfillements, the Feast of Trumpets is something that should be highly relevant for Christians. Jesus is coming on the seventh trump. In spite of this, a least one fourth century leader, who had antisemetic tendencies, condemned this day and other Fall Holy Days (see article Did Early Christians Observe the Fall Holy Days?)--however, the Bible itself shows that the Feast of Trumpets is important for Christians.

The Feast of Trumpets From A Greco-Roman Catholic

Although he did not truly observe it, the fourth century Greco-Roman Catholic Bishop Ambrose of Milan understood something about the Bible and the Feast of Trumpets as he wrote:

105. But it is now time, I think, to speak of the trumpets since my discourse is nearing its end, that the trumpet may also be the sign of the finishing of my address. We read of seven trumpets in the Revelation of John, which seven angels received. And there you read that when the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, there was a great voice from heaven, saying: “The kingdom of this world is become the kingdom of our God and of His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever.”. The word trumpet is also used for a voice, as you read: “Behold a door opened in heaven, and the first voice which I heard, as of a trumpet speaking with me and saying, Come up hither, and I will show thee the things which must come to pass.”We read also: “Blow up the trumpet at the beginning of the month [the new moon]”;and again elsewhere: “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet.”

106. Therefore we ought with all our power to observe what is the signification of the trumpets, lest, accepting them, like old women, as part of the story, we should be in danger if we were to think things unworthy of spiritual teaching, or not befitting the dignity of the Scriptures. For when we read that our warfare is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual hosts of wickedness, which are in high places, we ought not to think of weapons of the flesh, but of such as are mighty before God. It is not enough that one see the trumpet or hear its sound, unless one understands the signification of the sound. For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, how shall one prepare himself for war?. Wherefore it is important that we understand the meaning of the voice of the trumpet, lest we seem barbarians, when we either hear or utter trumpet-sounds of this sort. And therefore when we speak, let us pray that the Holy Spirit would interpret them to us.

107. Let us, then, investigate what we read in the Old Testament concerning the kinds of trumpets, considering that those festivals which were enjoined on the Jews by the Law are the shadow of joys above and of heavenly festivals. For here is the shadow, there the truth. Let us endeavour to attain to the truth by means of the shadow. Of which truth the figure is expressed in this manner, where we read that the Lord said to Moses: “Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a rest unto you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, it shall be called holy unto you. Ye shall not do any servile work, and ye shall kindle a whole burnt-offering unto the Lord.” And in the Book of Numbers: “The Lord spake unto Moses, saying: Make thee two trumpets of beaten work, of silver shalt thou make them, and they shall be to thee for calling the assembly and for the journeying of the camp. And thou shalt blow with them, and all the congregation shall be gathered together at the door of the tabernacle of witness. But if thou blow with one trumpet, all the princes and leaders of Israel shall come to thee; and ye shall blow a signal with the trumpet the first time, and they shall move the camp forward, and place it on the east. And ye shall blow a signal with the trumpet the second time, and they shall move the camp forward, and place it towards Libanus. And ye shall blow a signal with the trumpet the third time, and they shall move the camp forward, which shall be placed towards the north [Boream]. And ye shall blow a signal with the trumpet the fourth time, and they shall move the camp forward, which shall be placed towards the north [Aquilonem]. They shall blow a signal with the trumpet when they move forward. And when ye shall gather together the assembly, blow with the trumpet, but not the signal. And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow with the trumpets, and it shall be for you a statute for ever throughout your generations. But if ye shall go out to war into your own land, against the adversaries who resist you, ye shall sound a signal with the trumpets and ye shall be remembered before the Lord, and have deliverance from your dead. Also in the days of your gladness, and on your feast days, and on your new moons, ye shall blow with the trumpets, and at your whole burnt sacrifices and at your peace-offerings, and it shall be for you for your memorial before the Lord, saith the Lord.”

Let us, then, seek the body of Christ which the voice of the Father, from heaven, as it were the last trumpet, has shown to you at the time when the Jews said that it thundered; the body of Christ, which again the last trump shall reveal; for “the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven at the voice of the Archangel, and at the trump of God, and they that are dead in Christ shall rise again;” for “where the body is, there too are the eagles,” where the body of Christ is, there is the truth. The seventh trumpet, then, seems to signify the sabbath of the week...Therefore the shadow of the future rest is figured in time in the days, months, and years of this world... and therefore the children of Israel are commanded by Moses, that in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, a rest should be established for all at the “memorial of the trumpets;” and that no servile work should be done, but a sacrifice be offered to God, because that at the end of the week, as it were the sabbath of the world, spiritual and not bodily work is required of us. (Ambrose of Milan. Book II. On the Belief in the Resurrection, sections105-107, 108. A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church: Socrates, Sozomenus: Church histories. Schaff P, Wace H, editors. Christian literature Company, 1896 Original from the University of Virginia Digitized Nov 11, 2008).

Ambrose also believed that God would offer salvation to all (see Hope of Salvation). Actually, those who wish to base their doctrines on Sola Scriptura may wish to read the article Universal Salvation? There are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the True Doctrine of Apocatastasis.

Concluding Comments on the Feast of Trumpets

The Feast of Trumpets is important and should be considered to be highly relevant for those who profess Christ.

Jesus Christ will return in power and resplendent glory to seize control of this world (Revelation 19:11-21).

The Bible clearly teaches that Jesus will come with the sound of a trumpet blast (Matthew 24:30-31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), and calls that the "last trump" (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

Those that do not observe the biblical holy days, simply cannot properly understand biblical prophecy, and many who call themselves evangelicals have accepted a pre-tribulation rapture theory that cannot occur, as 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 cannot occur until the last trumpet is blown (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)..

The saints, those whose names are written in the Book of Life, will be resurrected to eternal life to rule with Christ (1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 5:10).

And although it differs from certain Jewish traditions, in that the Book of Life is also mentioned as being related to the Last Great Day (Tishri 22), the Bible does agree with those traditions that say that at least a type of physical judgment (the trumpet plagues of Revelation) will be upon those that do not have their names written in the Book of Life (watch also the video sermon Feast of Trumpets and the Book of Life).

It is interesting, that even without having the benefit of relying on the New Testament, some of those Jewish teachers who all kept the biblical Holy Days listed in Leviticus 23, do seem to have a better picture (though blurred in major ways) of God's plan of salvation than those who allegedly believe in the New Testament, but who fail to observe those days.

Early professors of Christ, even in Gentile regions, observed the Feast of Trumpets. We faithful in the Continuing Church of God still do so to this day.

Those of us in the Continuing Church of God are blessed as we believe the New Testament and observe the biblical Holy Days--thus we can have a more accurate (cf. Acts 18:26) understanding of what God's plan truly is.

Here is a link to a related sermon: Trumpet Resurrection to Life.

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Is There "An Annual Worship Calendar" In the Bible? This paper provides a biblical and historical critique of several articles which state that this should be a local decision. Also you can click here for the calendar of Holy Days.
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The Book of Life and the Feast of Trumpets? Are they related? Is so how? If not, where not?
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