Jesus' Appearing and the Fall Festivals

Many of you who read my blog are already familiar with or knowledgeable of the seven festivals or feasts of the Lord as outlined in the 23rd Chapter of the Book of Leviticus. The word ‘feast’ is derived from the Hebrew word mo’ed meaning 'an appointed time'. It is a set time ordained by God—an appointment with humanity.

I find them fascinating and am continuing to learn more every time I delve into the topic. (For an overview of the feasts and how Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s plan for the world through them, click here.)

Currently, it is the season of Rosh Hashanah (the Feast of Trumpets) that culminates on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). Rosh Hashanah is a festival rife with spiritual significance. Here is a list of themes associated with it:

1. Teshuvah (repentance)
2. Rosh HaShanah (Head of the Year, Birthday of the World)
3. Yom Teruah (the Day of the Awakening Blast/Feast of Trumpets)
4. Yom HaDin (the Day of Judgment)
5. HaMelech (the Coronation of the Messiah)
6. Yom HaZikkaron (the Day of Remembrance or memorial)
7. The time of Jacob’s trouble (the birthpangs of the Messiah)
8. The opening of the gates
9. Kiddushin/Nesu’in (the wedding ceremony)
10. The resurrection of the dead (rapture, natzal)
11. The last trump (shofar)
12. Yom Hakeseh (the hidden day)

Above information taken from The Seven Festivals of the Lord by Edward Chumney. His excellent website can be found at: http://www.hebroots.org/
The Feast of Trumpets is a fall festival that has not yet been fulfilled by the Messiah. When will it be fulfilled?

Simply put, it is when I Thessalonians 4:16-17 occurs:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 KJV
Edward Chumney, author of The Seven Festivals of the Lord, gives us more insight:

A theme and term associated with Rosh HaShanah in Hebrew is HaMelech (the King). …The shofar blown on Rosh HaShanah is known as the last trump…which is mentioned in First Thessalonians 4:16-17. At this time, the believers in the Messiah who are righteous…according to Yom HaDin (the Day of Judgment) will escape the tribulation…on earth and will be taken to Heaven in the rapture (natzal) along with the righteous who had died before this time. [excerpt from page 107]

The gates of Heaven are opened on Rosh HaShanah so the righteous nation may enter (Isaiah 26:2; Psalm 118:19-20). Because the gates of Heaven are understood to be open on Rosh HaShanah, this is further evidence that the rapture of the believers in the Messiah Yeshua will take place on Rosh HaShanah. [excerpt from page 115]

Next I will share about the tribulation—the time of Jacob’s trouble.