This weekend kicks off the beginning of the Fall Holy Day season. For the Jewish community it is also Rosh Hashanah or the new year. For others it is the start of the several days of observances connected with the annual Holy Day calendar. The last three Appointed Times as we know are Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles/ Last Great Day). Many Christian churches say that these days have been done away with, from Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection but the truth is they are still very much valid and much needed.

The Feast of Trumpets observed this year on September 12 was established back in the Book of Leviticus along with the rest of the Holy Days. All of them point to one thing, Jesus Christ and God’s plan for our Salvation. The Feast of trumpets is the beginning of the events in the Bible, beginning with Jesus Christ’s return. It is not something that happens in secret. As we see in scripture, the whole world will see it. And it begins with angels sounding trumpets. When Jesus Christ returns we who are believers will begin our final conversion from mortal to immortal. Even in the New Testament there is a description of what this day’s even look like when they are fulfilled:

1 Thessalonians 4:16–17: 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

The period that follows is the great tribulation, where the whole world will be in a state of upheaval. The bible shows us that these times will be like nothing this earth has ever seen or will see again. Followed by the Day of Atonement. During the time between those days all of Humanity is judged from the heavenly court as to how we lived our lives. On that day the court will be concluded.

The Feast of Tabernacles pictured the reign of God down on earth with His people. The New Jerusalem will descend from Heaven as the Holy City and the Spirit is poured out over the earth like rivers. The old Earth passes away and the new heavens and earth are restored along with Man’s relationship with God. It is the beginning of eternity.

Revelation 21: 1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.’”

If you have never observed these days, it is important to look at the prophetic road map they play in the return to Jesus. To dismiss them as not needed distorts the way most people read their bible. Scriptures give us this road map throughout the bible into the book of Revelation as to the events we need to look for. They are as important then as they are today.

In Christ,

Stephan M. Koenig

Lake Shore Fellowship