Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) – The first of the fall feasts. “Shall have you a sabbath rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a convocation (assembly) holy.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16 “Because himself the Lord with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel and with [the] trumpet of God, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17 “We remaining together with them (dead in Christ) will be caught away in [the] clouds for [the] meeting of the Lord in the air and so always with the Lord we will be.”
“will be caught away” GreeK: harpazó: to seize suddenly and decisively, catch up, snatch away properly by force—like someone seizing bounty (spoil, a prize); to take by an open display of force (i.e. not covertly or secretly).
1 Corinthians 15:52 “At the last trumpet, the trumpet will sound, for, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
The Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah, marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days and the civil new year. It is observed on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, based on the command in Leviticus 23:24, where God instructs the Israelites to observe a sacred assembly with trumpet blasts. The holiday combines themes of renewal, repentance, and the anticipation of God’s judgment, setting the stage for the Ten Days of Repentance leading to Yom Kippur.
Ancient Observances of Trumpets
In ancient Israel, the “trumpets” referred to the “shofar,” a ram’s horn, which was blown throughout the day to announce the sacred holiday. This blast symbolized both a call to repentance and an acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty. Trumpets in Israelite tradition also had significance for announcing royal proclamations, assembly of the people, or impending danger, all reflected in Rosh Hashanah observances.
The day they included special sacrifices at the Temple in Jerusalem. The priests offered burnt offerings, grain, and drink offerings, as specified in Numbers 29:1–6. While there was a festive atmosphere, the focus on repentance and preparation for divine judgment gave the day a serious tone. Ritual purification, prayer, and time in reflection likely accompanied the trumpet blasts and offerings.
Rosh Hashanah continues as a sacred day of rest, marked by shofar blasts, synagogue services, and special prayers.
Traditional and Modern Observances of Trumpets
Shofar Blasts: Central to the observance is the blowing of the shofar. Traditionally, the shofar is sounded 100 times during the service, with varying patterns of blasts, each representing different calls to introspection and action.
Prayer Services: Unique prayers, such as the “Amidah” and “Avinu Malkeinu” (“Our Father, Our King”), focus on themes of repentance, divine kingship, and the hope for a peaceful and prosperous new year. The “Machzor,” a special prayer book for the High Holy Days, contains these prayers and readings, guiding worshipers through the day.
Tashlich Ceremony: On the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, many Jews participate in “Tashlich,” a symbolic act of “casting off” sins by throwing pieces of bread or pebbles into a body of water. This act represents the verse from Micah 7:19, “You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea,” reinforcing the theme of repentance.
Festive Meals: Rosh Hashanah meals include symbolic foods such as apples dipped in honey to represent the hope for a sweet year, and pomegranates, symbolizing an abundance of blessings and good deeds. Round challah bread, symbolizing the cycle of the year, is also eaten.
Ten Days of Repentance: Rosh Hashanah initiates the Ten Days of Repentance, a period of introspection and reconciliation, ending with Yom Kippur. Observers focus on personal and communal repentance, repairing relationships, and returning to God!
Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) Dates:
- 2024: October 2-4
- 2025: September 22-24
- 2026: September 11-13
- 2027: October 1-3
- 2028: September 20-22
- 2029: September 9-11
- 2030: September 28-30
- 2031: September 18-20
- 2032: September 5-7
- 2033: September 24-26
In Parables Jesus Tells us to Watch!
In the Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) Five wise virgins take extra oil for their lamps, while five foolish ones do not. When the bridegroom arrives suddenly, the wise virgins are prepared to meet him, but the foolish ones are not. Jesus concludes: “Therefore keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour.” (Matthew 25:13)
In the Parable of the Watchful Servants (Luke 12:35-40) Jesus tells his listeners to be like servants ready for their master’s return from a wedding banquet, keeping their lamps burning and staying alert. He ends with: “You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Luke 12:40)
In the Parable of the Thief in the Night (Matthew 24:43-44) Jesus compares his return to a thief in the night, where the owner of the house would have kept watch if he knew the time of the thief’s arrival. He warns: “So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew 24:44)
In the Parable of the Doorkeeper (Mark 13:33-37) Jesus compares his followers to a doorkeeper left in charge by the master and commands them to watch. He ends with: “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’” (Mark 13:37)
A Few Key Points in Interpretation:
Day and Hour as Synonyms for Precise Timing: In biblical Greek, “day” (ἡμέρα) and “hour” (ὥρα) can sometimes function as a literary pair to convey the concept of timing rather than suggesting two distinct time units. Thus, “day and hour” might best be understood as emphasizing the total unpredictability of the exact time of Jesus’ return or general proximity but without a definitive time of day or day of the week.
Cultural Expectation of a Wedding Arrival: Jewish weddings often include a waiting period for the bridegroom’s arrival, and it is normal for this to happen later than expected. The delay in the bridegroom’s arrival in the parable leads to the foolish virgins running out of oil, showing that, although they anticipated his arrival, they didn’t know the precise moment. The five wise virgins anticipated a lengthier delay and were rewarded for their preparation. Jesus seems to suggest that we should both prepare for his immediate arrival within a general time frame but ensure we do not lose heart (oil) if His appearance seems to take longer than expected.
Readiness Over Knowledge of Specific Time: Jesus’ emphasis in the parables and in Matthew 24:36 is on the need for continual preparation, precisely because no one can predict his coming. (Fall of 2024, Fall of 2025, Fall of 2026 ….) The virgins’ waiting with lamps shows their attempt to be ready, but the distinction is made between those who were fully prepared and those who were not.
Live With Expectation
John the Baptist expected the Messiah to come during his lifetime. He was born for that purpose.
In Luke 2:25-35, we read of Simeon, a ”righteous and devout man,” who was eagerly awaiting the “consolation of Israel.” The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.
Based on the prophecy in Daniel 9 about seventy “weeks” or sets of years, many in Israel during Jesus’ time would have had a general expectation of the Messiah’s arrival. This prophecy pointed to a specific period after the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, which scholars and religious leaders interpreted as roughly 483 years, leading to the time around Jesus’ life and ministry. While they did not know the exact day or hour, many Jews would have been looking for signs of the Messiah, expecting Him to appear soon as this timeline approached fulfillment. This anticipation created a heightened sense of expectancy and hope, fueling interest in potential messianic figures during the years of Roman occupation.
Could Jesus come at any time? Yes. But it is instructive for us to consider Jesus’ words regarding his return.
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that the kingdom of God is near, right at the door.” (Matthew 24:32-35; Mark 13:28-31; Luke 21:29-33)
Don’t be like the five virgins. Do not “fall” asleep. Fall forward in anticipation of our Lord’s return.
