back

Yom Teruah
The Feast of Trumpets

A special season known as Teshuvah, which in Hebrew means "to return or repent," begins on the first day of the month of Elul
and continues 40 days, ending with Yom Kippur. Thirty days into Teshuvah, on Tishrei l, comes Rosh HaShanah. This begins a final ten-day period beginning on Rosh HaShanah and ending on Yom Kippur. These are known as the High Holy Days and as the Awesome Days (Yamim Nora'im, the days of awe). The sabbath that falls within this ten-day period is called Shabbat Shuvah, the Sabbath of Return. Five days after Yom Kippur is Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. Teshuvah begins on Elul 1 and concludes on
Tishrei 10, Yom Kippur. Each morning during the 30 days of the month of Elul, the trumpet (shofar) or ram's horn is blown to warn
the people to repent and return to G-d.

Teshuvah (repentance) speaks to all people. Those who believe in the Messiah are called to examine their lives and see where
they have departed from G-d. It is a call to examine the Scriptures and the evidence that the Messiah was who He said He was.

G-d has always had a heart to warn people before He proclaims judgment. G-d warned the people before the flood, and He
warned Nineveh before it was ruined. He does not want anyone to receive the wrath of His judgment (Ezekiel [Yechezekel]
18:21-23,30-32; Zephaniah 2:1-3; 33:1-7; 2 Peter 3:9).

The whole month of Elul is a 30-day process of preparation through personal examination and repentance for the coming High
Holy Days. The shofar is blown after every morning service. Psalm 27, which begins with "The Lord is my light and my salvation," is also recited at the end of the morning and evening liturgy. The message from Elul 1 to Rosh HaShanah is clear: Repent before Rosh HaShanah. Don't wait until after Rosh HaShanah, or you will find yourself in the Days of Awe.

There are idioms or phrases that help us identify the days in the season of Teshuvah (repentance). Just as unfamiliar foreigners
may be confused when they hear Americans call Thanksgiving Day, "Turkey Day" or "Pilgrims' Day," non-Jewish believers in
Yeshua can be confused by the different terms for the major feasts of the L-rd.

Rosh HaShanah: Names, Themes, and Idioms

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 (Ya'akov) trouble (the birthpangs of the Messiah, Chevlai shel Mashiach)
8.The opening of the gates
9.Kiddushin/Nesu'in (the wedding ceremony)
10.The resurrection of the dead (rapture, natza1)
11.The last trump (shofar)
12.Yom Hakeseh (the hidden day)


Rosh HaShanah: The Head of the Year (Birthday of the World)

Rosh HaShanah marks the Jewish New Year and is a part of the season of repentance. Rosh in Hebrew means "chief or head"
and shanah means "year." Rosh HaShanah is the head of the year on the civil calendar, and is also known as the birthday of the
world since the world was created on this day (Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 11a).

Jewish tradition believes that Adam was created on this day (Mishnah, San Hedrin 38b). How did they decide that this was the
day of the year the world was created? Because the first words of the Book of Genesis (Bereishit), "in the beginning," when
changed around, read, Aleph b'Tishrei, or "on the first of Tishrei." Therefore, Rosh HaShanah is known as the birthday of the
world, for tradition tells us that the world was created then.

Note: There are four new years in the Jewish calendar. Nisan 1 is the New Year's day of kings (the date for determining how
many years a king has ruled) and for months (Nisan is the first month). Elul 1 is the new year for the tithing of animals. Shevat 15 (Tu Bishvat) is the new year for the trees, and Tishrei 1 is the new year of years. It also marks the anniversary of the creation of the world.



Time of Observance

Rosh HaShanah is observed for two days. It comes on the first and second days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei (usually in
September or October), which is the first month of the biblical civil calendar. The month of Tishrei is the seventh month in the biblical religious calendar. This may seem strange that Rosh HaShanah, the New Year, is on the first and second day of Tishrei, the seventh month on the biblical religious calendar. The reason that Rosh HaShanah is the seventh month in the biblical religious calendar is that G-d made the month of Nisan the first month of the year in remembrance of Israel's divine liberation from Egypt (Exodus [Shemot] 12:2; 13:4). However, according to tradition, the world was created on Tishrei, or more exactly, Adam and Eve were created on the first day of Tishrei and it is from Tishrei that the annual cycle began. Hence, Rosh HaShanah is celebrated at this time.



Why Is Rosh HaShanah Two Days Long?

Unlike other festivals that are celebrated in the Diaspora (the dispersion, referring to Jews who live outside of the Holy Land of
Israel) Rosh HaShanah is celebrated for two days because of uncertainty about observing the festivals on the correct calendar day.
Rosh HaShanah is the only holiday celebrated for two days in Israel. As with all other festivals, the uncertainty was involved in a
calendar that depended on when the new moon was promulgated, designating the beginning of each new month by the rabbinical
court in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim) in ancient times. The problem of Rosh HaShanah is heightened by the fact that it falls on Rosh
Chodesh, the new moon itself. Therefore, even in Jerusalem (Yerushalayim), it would have been difficult to let everyone know in
time that the New Year had begun. To solve this problem, a two-day Rosh HaShanah was practiced even in Israel. Creating a
two-day Rosh HaShanah was also intended to strengthen observance of each day; in the rabbinic view, the two days are regarded
as a yoma arikhta, one long day.



Yom Teruah: The Day of the Awakening Blast

In Psalm (Tehillim) 98:6 it is written, "With trumpets and the sound of the horn shout joyfully before the King, the Lord" (NAS).
The blessing we receive from G-d when we understand the meaning of Rosh HaShanah and the blowing of the trumpet (shofar) is
found in Psalm (Tehillim) 89:15, as it is written, "How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound [blast of the shofar]..."
(NAS).

Rosh HaShanah is referred to in the Torah as Yom Teruah, the Day of the Sounding of the Shofar (or the Day of the
Awakening Blast). On Yom Teruah, the Day of the Sounding of the Shofar, it is imperative for every person to hear (shema) the
shofar. The mitzvah (or biblical commandment [John (Yochanan) 14:15]), of the shofar is to hear (shema) the shofar being blown,
not actually blow it yourself, hence the blessing, "to hear the sound of the shofar."

Teruah means "an awakening blast." A theme associated with Rosh HaShanah is the theme "to awake." Teruah is also
translated as "shout." The Book of Isaiah (Yeshayahu), chapter 12, puts the shouting in the context of the thousand-year reign of
Messiah, the Athid Lavo. The Messianic era and shout is mentioned in Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 42:11; 44:23; Jeremiah (Yermiyahu)
31:7; and Zephaniah 3:14. The first coming of Yeshua is associated with a shout in Zechariah 9:9. The ultimate shout is the rapture
(natzal) in First Thessalonians 4:16-17.

Whether it is by the blast of a shofar or the force of a supernatural shout, G-d's goal is to awaken us! For this reason it is
written, "... Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you" (Ephesians 5:14 NAS). The Book of Ephesians
has many references to Rosh HaShanah and the High Holy Days. For example, in Ephesians 4:30, being sealed unto the day of
redemption refers to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. G-d gave this festival to teach us that we will be judged on Rosh
HaShanah and will be sealed unto the closing of the gates (neilah) on Yom Kippur.

Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 26:19 speaks of the resurrection. The word awake is associated with the resurrection, as it is written, "Your
dead will live; their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, for your dew is as the dew of the dawn, and
the earth will give birth to the departed spirits" (Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 26:19 NAS).

The theme of awakening from sleep is used throughout the Bible. It is found in John (Yochanan) 11:11; Romans 13:11; Daniel
12:1-2; and Psalm (Tehillim) 78:65. In Isaiah 51:9 it is written, "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake as in the
days of old, the generations of long ago..." (NAS). The arm of the L-rd is used as a term for the Messiah in Isaiah (Yeshayahu)
53:1. The word arm is the Hebrew word zeroah. During Passover (Pesach), a shankbone, known as the zeroah, is put on the
plate. So, "awake" is a term or idiom for Rosh HaShanah. In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 51:9 quoted earlier, the awakening is associated
with the coming of the Messiah.

The shofar is the physical instrument that G-d instructed us to use to hear (shema) the sound of the shofar teaching us to awake
from spiritual slumber (1 Corinthians 15:46).

In the days of old, the shofar was used on very solemn occasions. We first find the shofar mentioned in connection with the
revelation on Mount Sinai, when the voice of the shofar was exceedingly strong and all the people who were in the camp trembled
(Exodus [Shemot] 19:16b). Thus, the shofar we hear on Rosh HaShanah ought to remind us of our acceptance of the Torah
(Bible) and our obligations to it. The shofar also used to be sounded when war was waged upon a dangerous enemy. Thus, the
shofar we hear on Rosh HaShanah ought to also serve as a battle cry to wage war against our inner enemy -- our evil inclinations
and passions as well as the devil, Ha Satan, himself. The shofar was also sounded on the Jubilee Year, heralding freedom from
slavery (Leviticus [Vayikra] 25:9-10).

Spiritually (halacha), this refers to freedom from the slavery of sin, the desires of this world, and serving the devil (Romans
6:12-13; James 4:4).

Another reason for sounding the shofar is that Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the birth of creation G-d began to rule over
the world on this day. When a king begins to reign, he is heralded with trumpets. That is why Psalm 47 precedes the blowing of the
shofar; it is a call to the nations: "..... Sing praises to our King, sing praises. For God is the King of all the earth..." (Psalm [Tehillim] 47:6-7 NAS). It also precedes because of the reference to the shofar in the previous verse (Psalm 47:5), as it is written "God has ascended with a shout, the Lord, with the sound of a trumpet" (NAS).

In Jewish tradition, many reasons have been offered for the sounding of the shofar: The ram's horn is identified with the ram that
became the substitute sacrifice for Isaac (Yitzchak) in Genesis (Bereishit) 22:1-19. The giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai was
accompanied by the sounding of the shofar (Exodus [Shemot] 19:19). The proclamation of the Jubilee was heralded by the blast of
the shofar (Leviticus [Vayikra] 25:9-11); and the commencement of the Messianic age is to be announced by the sound of the great
shofar (Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 27:13). The book Gates of Repentance cites Maimonide's call to awaken from spiritual slumber:

Awake, you sleepers, from your sleep! Rouse yourselves, you slumberers, out of your slumber! Examine your
deeds, and turn to G-d in repentance. Remember your Creator, you who are caught up in the daily round, losing
sight of eternal truth; you are wasting your years in vain pursuits that neither profit nor save. Look closely at
yourselves; improve your ways and your deeds. Abandon your evil ways, your unworthy schemes, every one of
you! (Yad Hichot Teshuva 3.4).

When the rabbis saw the phrase, "Awake, O Israel," they would identify those verses with something concerning Rosh
HaShanah. The blowing of the shofar took place at the temple (Beit HaMikdash) on Rosh HaShanah (Nehemiah 8:1-3).

The shofar was also blown at the temple to begin the sabbath each week. There are two types of trumpets used in the Bible:

1.The silver trumpet, and
2.The shofar, or ram's horn.

On the sabbath, there was within the temple (Beit HaMikdash) a sign on the wall that said, "To the house of the blowing of the
trumpet [shofar]." Each sabbath (shabbat), two men with silver trumpets and a man with a shofar made three trumpet blasts twice
during the day. On Rosh HaShanah, it is different. The shofar is the primary trumpet. On Rosh HaShanah, a shofar delivers the
first blast, a silver trumpet the second, and then a shofar the third. The silver trumpets and the gathering at the temple are specified in the Book of Numbers (Bamidbar) chapter 10.

According to Leviticus (Vayikra) 23:24 and Numbers (Bamidbar) 29:1, Rosh HaShanah is the day of the blowing of the
trumpets. According to the Mishnah (Rosh HaShanah 16a; Rosh HaShanah 3:3), the trumpet used for this purpose is the ram's
horn, not trumpets made of metal as in Numbers (Bamidbar) Chapter 10.



The Use of the Shofar in the Bible

The shofar or ram's horn, has always held a prominent role in the history of G-d's people in the Bible:

1.The Torah was given to Israel with the sound of the shofar (Exodus [Shemot] 19:19).
2.Israel conquered in the battle of Jericho with the blast of the shofar (Joshua 6:20).
3.Israel will be advised of the advent of the Messiah with the sound of the shofar (Zechariah 9:14,16).
4.The shofar will be blown at the time of the ingathering of the exiles of Israel to their place (Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 27:13).
5.The shofar was blown to signal the assembly of the Israelites during war (Judges [Shoftim] 3:27; 2 Samuel 20:1).
6.The watchman who stood upon Jerusalem's walls blew the shofar (Ezekiel [Yechezekel] 33:3-6).
7.The shofar was blown at the start of the Jubilee year (Leviticus [Vayikra] 25:9).
8.The shofar is a reminder that G-d is sovereign (Psalm [Tehillim] 47:5).
9.The ram's horn, the shofar, is a reminder of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac and God's provision of a ram as a substitute
(Genesis [Bereishit] 22:13).
10.The shofar was blown to announce the beginning of festivals (Numbers [Bamidbar] 10:10). The shofar was blown to
celebrate the new moon on Rosh HaShanah (Psalm 81:1-3).
11.The blowing of the shofar is a signal for the call to repentance (Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 58:1).
12.The blowing of the shofar ushers in the day of the L-rd (Joel 2:1).
13.The blowing of the shofar is sounded at the rapture of the believers and the resurrection of the dead (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
14.John was taken up to Heaven in the Book of Revelation by the sound of the shofar (Revelation 4:1).
15.Seven shofarim are sounded when G-d judges the earth during the tribulation (Revelation 8-9).
16.The shofar was used for the coronation of kings (1 Kings [Melachim] 1:34,39).



Yom HaDin: The Day of Judgment

Another name for Rosh HaShanah is Yom HaDin, the Day of Judgment. It was seen that on this day, G-d would sit in court and
all men would pass before Him to be judged. Three great books will be opened as each man is weighed in the balance and placed
into one of three categories (Talmud, Rosh HaShanah 6b). It has been taught that the school of Shammai says that there will be
three classes on the final Day of Judgment, one of the wholly righteous, one of the wholly wicked, and one of the intermediates. The
wholly righteous are at once inscribed and sealed for life in the world to come; the wholly wicked are at once inscribed and sealed
for perdition (Talmud, Rosh HaShanah 16b-17a).

The righteous are separated and will be with G-d. This is known to Bible believers as the rapture, which in Hebrew, is the
natzal. The wicked will face the wrath of G-d during the tribulation period (Yamim Nora'im), known in Hebrew as the Chevlai shel
Mashiach, and will never repent. The average person has until Yom Kippur till his fate is sealed forever. In other words, the average
person will have until the end of the seven-year tribulation to repent and turn to G-d. The average person on Rosh HaShanah is
judged by G-d and is neither written in the book of life or the book of the wicked. His fate is yet to be decided. The average person
and the wicked have to go through the "Awesome Days," the tribulation, until they reach Yom Kippur (the end of the tribulation when
their fate is sealed forever). Once you are written in the book of the wicked, you can never get out of it (Revelation 17:8). These are
people who never, ever, will accept the Messiah Yeshua.

There are 12 months in the year and there are 12 tribes in Israel. Every month of the Jewish year has its representative tribe. The
month of Tishrei is the month of the tribe of Dan. This is of symbolic significance, for when Dan was born to Bilhah, Rachel's maid,
Rachel said, "God hath judged me [dannani], and hath also heard my voice..." (Genesis [Bereishit] 30:6). Dan and din (as in Yom
HaDin, Day of Judgment) are both derived from the same root, symbolizing that Tishrei is the time of Divine judgment and
forgiveness. Similarly, every month of the Jewish calendar has its sign of the Zodiac (in Hebrew, Mazal). The sign of the Zodiac for
Tishrei is Scales. This is symbolic of the Day of Judgment.



HaMelech: The Coronation of the King

The recognition of G-d as King is vividly pictured in the Jewish view of Adam's understanding of his Divine Creator being King
over all the Universe. It was late on the sixth day since G-d began the Creation of the world, when Adam opened his eyes and saw
the beautiful world around him, and he knew at once that G-d created the world, and him too. Adam's first words were:

"The L-rd is King forever and ever!" and the echo of his voice rang throughout the world. "Now the whole world will
know that I am King," G-d said, and He was very pleased. This is the first Rosh HaShanah! The first New Year. It
was the birthday of Man, and the Coronation Day of the King of Kings!



Messianic Understanding

A theme and term associated with Rosh HaShanah in Hebrew is HaMelech (the King). It was mentioned earlier in this chapter
that the shofar blown on Rosh HaShanah is known as the last trump, which Rav Sha'ul (the apostle Paul) mentioned in First
Thessalonians 4:16-17. At this time, the believers in the Messiah who are righteous (tzaddikim) according to Yom HaDin (the Day
of Judgment) will escape the tribulation (Chevlai shel Mashiach) on earth and will be taken to Heaven in the rapture (natzal) along
with the righteous who had died before this time. What happens to the believers in the Messiah when they are taken to Heaven at
this time? One of the events that will take place is the coronation of the Messiah Yeshua as King, which will happen in Heaven
(Revelation 5). Yeshua, who had come to earth during His first coming to play the role of the suffering Messiah, Messiah ben Joseph
(Yosef), will be crowned as King over all the earth in preparation for His coming back to earth to reign as King Messiah (Messiah
ben David) during the Messianic age, the Millennium, or in Hebrew eschatology, the Athid Lavo (Revelation 19:16; 20:4).

Daniel 7:9-14 speaks of this in the Tanakh.

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit...the judgment was set, and the books
were opened. [This is Rosh HaShanah, Yom HaDin, the Day of Judgment. The books are the book of the righteous,
the book of the wicked, and the book of remembrance] ... I saw... one like the Son of man [this is understood to be
the Messiah Yeshua (Matthew 24:30; 26:64)] coming with the clouds of heaven [the clouds are the believers in the
Messiah (Hebrews 12:1; Revelation 1:7)]...And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all
people, nations, and languages, should serve Him: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass
away, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed (Daniel 7:9-10,13-14).

John (Yochanan) saw this same thing in the Book of Revelation.

After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven [the gates of Heaven are opened on Rosh
HaShanah, according to Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 26:2 and Psalm (Tehillim) 118:19-20]: and the first voice which I
heard was as it were of a trumpet [Rosh HaShanah is known as the last trump] talking with me [Rosh HaShanah is
known as Yom Teruah, the Day of the Awakening Blast or loud shout(1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)]..And immediately I
was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne [this is HaMelech, the
coronation of the Messiah; the coronation ceremony is described in Revelation 5] (Revelation 4:1-2).

The description given here in Revelation matches the account in Daniel 7:9-14.

The Enthronement Ceremony of a King

There are four parts to the enthronement of a Jewish king.

1.The giving of the decree. Associated with this is a declaration. This can be seen in Psalm (Tehillim) 2:6-7, as it is written,
"Yet have I set my king upon My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree...." Next, a rod/scepter is given, which is an
emblem of a king. Scriptures that refer to the scepter include Genesis (Bereishit) 49:17; Numbers (Bamidbar) 24:17; Esther
4:11; 5:2; 8:4; Psalm 45:6; and Hebrews 1:8. Scriptures that refer to a rod are in Psalm (Tehillim) 2:9; Isaiah (Yeshayahu)
11:1,4; and Revelation 2:27; 12:5; 19:16. The scepter is an emblem of a king or royal office and a rod refers to the king ruling
and reigning righteously in all matters (Isaiah 11:1,4-5). Yeshua is the King Messiah (Isaiah 11:1,4-5; Jeremiah 23:5-6;
Zechariah 9:9; Luke 1:32-33; John [Yochanan] 1:47-49).

2.The ceremony of the taking of the throne (Revelation 5). The king sits on the throne and is anointed as king. The word
Christ in English comes from the Greek word Christos and in Hebrew is Mashiach, meaning "the anointed one." Yeshua
came as a prophet during His first coming (Deuteronomy [Devarim] 18:15), was resurrected as the priest (John [Yochanan]
20:9,17), and is coming back to earth again as King. Kings in Israel were anointed (2 Samuel 5:3-4; 1 Kings [Melachim]
1:39-40, 45-46; 2 Kings 9:1-6).

3.The acclamation. During the acclamation, all the people shout, "Long live the king!" (1 Kings [Melachim] 1:28-31). Next, all
the people clap (Psalm [Tehillim] 47:1-2). Psalm 47 is a coronation psalm. Psalm 47:5 is the shout and trumpet of Rosh
HaShanah. Verse 6 is the shouting and praising of the king. Verse 8 is the ceremony of the throne. In verse 9, the believers in
the Messiah Yeshua are gathered in His presence.

4.Each of the subjects coming to visit the king after he has taken the throne. In this, they will acknowledge their
allegiance to him and receive their commissioning from him as to what their job will be in the kingdom (Isaiah [Yeshayahu]
66:22-23; Zechariah 14:16-17; Matthew [Mattityahu] 2:2).



Yom HaZikkaron: The Day of Remembrance

Rosh HaShanah is known as Yom HaZikkaron, the Day of Remembrance. Leviticus (Vayikra) 23:24 calls the day "a
memorial" (zikkaron). Remembrance is a major theme in the Bible. We can see by examining the following Scriptures that G-d
remembers us and that we are to remember G-d in all of our ways.

There are two elements of remembrance:

a) G-d remembers us (Genesis [Bereishit] 8:1; 9:1, 5-16; 19:29; 30:22; Exodus [Shemot] 2:24-25; 3:1; 6:2,5;
32:1-3,7,11,13-14; Leviticus [Vayikra] 26:14,31-33,38-45; Numbers [Bamidbar] 10:1-2,9; Psalm [Tehillim] 105:7-8,42-43;
112:6). In fact, G-d has a book of remembrance (Exodus [Shemot] 32:32-33; Malachi 3:16-18; Revelation 3:5; 20:11-15;
21:1,27).

b) We must remember G-d (Exodus [Shemot] 13:3; 20:8; Deuteronomy [Devarim] 7:17-19; 8:18; 16:3; Numbers [Bamidbar]
15:37-41).


In Daniel 7:9-10 it is written:

I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow,
and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, its wheels were a burning fire. A river
of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him; thousands upon thousands were attending Him, and myriads
upon myriads were standing before Him; the court sat, and the books were opened (Daniel 7:9-10 NAS).

Since the court was seated and the books were opened, it is understood to be Rosh HaShanah. The books are the book of the
righteous, the book of the wicked, and the book of remembrance. The third book that will be opened is the book of remembrance
(zikkaron). This is why the common greeting during Rosh HaShanah is, "May you be inscribed in the Book of Life."

Spiritual Application (Halacha). In Romans 14:10 it is written, "But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why
do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God [Christ]" (NAS). In Second
Corinthians 5:10 it is written, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his
deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (NAS). This is also discussed in First Corinthians 3:9-15.
The works of the believers in Messiah will be judged by G-d, but not their salvation. This is a judgment of the believers in Yeshua
only. All people in this judgment are the believers in Yeshua only. All people in this judgment will be saved. This is not a judgment of
your salvation, but a judgment of your rewards based upon your works. On this day, G-d will open the Book of Life and hold a trial
(Talmud, Rosh HaShanah 16b). This is known as the Bema judgment.



The Time of Jacob's Trouble: (The Birthpangs of the Messiah)

The English phrase, birthpangs of the Messiah, or the Hebrew Chevlai shel Mashiach, is a major theme of the Bible. It is
commonly known as the seven-year tribulation period. In Matthew (Mattityahu) 24, Yeshua describes the signs of the end. "And as
He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, 'Tell us, when will these things be, and what will
be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age [Olam Hazeh]?' "(Matthew 24:3 NAS) Yeshua said that these days are the
beginning of sorrows (Matthew [Mattityahu] 24:8. The Greek word translated as sorrows here is odin. This word means
"birthpangs." The birthpangs of the Messiah are also spoken of in Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 30:4-7, as it is written:

Now these are the words which the Lord spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah, "For thus says the Lord,
'I have heard a sound of terror, of dread, and there is no peace. Ask now, and see, if a male can give birth [travail
with child?]. Why do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth [odin]? And why have
all faces turned pale? Alas! for that day is great, there is none like it; and it is the time of Jacob's distress
[trouble], but he will be saved from it' "(Jeremiah [Yermiyahu] 30:4-7 NAS).

The birthpangs are also mentioned in First Thessalonians 5:1-3:

Now as to the times and the epochs [seasons], brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For
you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night While they are saying,
"Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like birth pangs [odin] upon a woman with
child; and they shall not escape (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 NAS).

It can also be seen in Revelation 12:1-2, as it is written:

And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her
head a crown of twelve stars [this is Israel (Genesis [Bereishit] 37:9)]; and she was with child; and she cried out,
being in labor [odin] and in pain to give birth (Revelation 12:1-2 NAS).

The Scriptures reveal two synonyms:

1.The birthpangs = the time of Jacob's (Ya'akov's) trouble.
2.The time of Jacob's (Ya'akov's) trouble = the seven-year tribulation.

This period of time will be Israel's most trying time ever. This period of time is known as the tribulation. Jacob (Ya'akov) is
Israel. There shall be great tribulation in Israel such as never was since there was a nation (Daniel 12:1). It will also be a time when
G-d will ultimately judge sin and all the nations on the earth. Through it, the nation of Israel will be physically saved from total
destruction by G-d, and will, as a nation, accept Yeshua as the Messiah "...But he shall be saved out of it" (Jeremiah [Yermiyahu]
30:7). In Hosea (Hoshea) 5:15 it is written, "I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek My face:
in their affliction [the Chevlai shel Mashiach /tribulation] they will seek Me early."

Israel will face genuine crisis during the time of Jacob's (Ya'akov's) trouble. The prophet Zechariah prophesied that two of every
three inhabitants of Israel will perish during this time, with a remnant of only one third of the population being saved (Zechariah
13:8-9). In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 13:6-8 it is written:

Wail, for the day of the Lord is near! It will come as destruction from the Almighty. Therefore all hands will fall
limp, and every man 's heart will melt [see Luke 21:26]. And they will be terrified, pains and anguish will take hold
of them, they will writhe like a woman in labor; they will look at one another in astonishment, their faces aflame
(Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 13:6-8 NAS).

Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 13:10 corresponds to Matthew (Mattityahu) 24:29; Mark 13:24; and Revelation 6:12. Other passages that
speak of the birthpangs include Genesis (Bereishit) 3:16; 35:16-20; 38:27-28; Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 26:16-21; 54:1; 66:7-9;
Jeremiah 4:31; 6:24; 13:21; 22:23; Micah (Michah) 4:9-10; and John (Yochanan) 16:21-22.

There are several stages to Israel's birthing the Messiah.

1.Isaiah 66:7 is a birth before travail. "Before she [Israel] travailed [received the Messiah (Mashiach)], she brought forth;
before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child" (Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 66:7). Isaiah 66:7 is a birth before travail. This
happened during the first coming of Yeshua, the Messiah. The birthpangs that Israel experienced during Yeshua's first coming
came after Yeshua's death with the destruction of the temple and the dispersion of the Jewish people out of Israel by the
Romans in 70 C.E. (Common Era).

2.Isaiah 66:8 is a birth after travail. Isaiah 66:8 says, "...as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." This will
happen before Yeshua returns to earth to set foot on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:4) as Israel experiences the hardest
time she has ever experienced since she was a nation (Daniel 12:1) in the period of time known as the birthpangs of the
Messiah, the Yamim Nora'im, or the tribulation. The tribulation and the birthpangs of the Messiah are one and the same thing.
What we are seeing in these days is the woman (Israel) becoming larger and larger, coming closer and closer to the time when
she is about to give birth.



The Opening of the Gates

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



Rosh Hashanah: The Wedding of the Messiah

The Bible is a marriage covenant. Both the Tanach (Old Testament) and the Brit Hadashah (New Testament) describe how
G-d through the Mashiach (Messiah), the Bridegroom, is in the process of marrying His bride, the believers in Him who will
ultimately live and dwell with Him forever.

G-d ordained and established marriage and its divine sanctity in the Torah, the very first book of the Bible, Genesis (Bereishit),
when He brought Adam and Eve together to become one flesh (Genesis 2:21-24). In doing so, we have a vivid foreshadowing of
the Messiah being married to those who would believe upon Him. Let's examine this closer.

Adam is a type of the Messiah Yeshua. Adam was made after the likeness of Yeshua (Romans 5:14). Yeshua (Jesus) was made
in the likeness of Adam (Philippians 2:8). In fact, Yeshua is called the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45-47). In Genesis 2:21, G-d had
a deep sleep fall upon Adam. Sleep is synonymous with death (Daniel 12:2; John [Yochanan] 11:11-14; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54;
Ephesians 5:14). The deep sleep that G-d caused to fall upon Adam is a picture of the crucifixion and death of Yeshua, as Messiah
ben Joseph. G-d brought a deep sleep upon Adam so He could take a rib from the side of his flesh. This required the shedding of
blood. This is a picture of Yeshua who was pierced in the side of His flesh, shedding His own blood when He hung on the tree (John
[Yochanan] 19:34).

From the rib of Adam, G-d made Eve. Likewise, by the death of Yeshua and faith (emunah) in Him, G-d established the
assembly of believers known in Hebrew as the kehilat. The believers in the Messiah, His bride, become wedded to Him by faith
(emunah). This marriage can be seen in the Tanach (Old Testament) as well as in Jeremiah 23:5-6, as it is written, .... this is His
name whereby He shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah [Yermiyahu] 23:6). In Jeremiah 33:15-16, it
is written, "...this is the name wherewith she shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah [Yermiyahu]
33:16). So from these passages in Jeremiah, we can see that a wedding is taking place. Therefore, by accepting, trusting, and
believing in the Messiah, the bride of Messiah, His followers, become one with Him. These people would include both Jew and
non-Jews who have lived since Adam and would include Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon as well as the
prophets.

G-d gave the wedding customs, service, and ceremonies to the Jewish people (Romans 3:2; 9:4) to teach us about the Messiah
Yeshua (Colossians 2:16-17). With this in mind, let's examine the biblical wedding ceremony that G-d gave to the Jewish people.
The ancient Jewish wedding ceremony G-d gave to the Jewish people to teach us about the wedding of the Messiah consisted of 12
steps.

1.The selection of the bride.

The bride was usually chosen by the father of the bridegroom. The father would send his trusted servant, known as the
agent of the father, to search out the bride. An excellent example of this can be seen in Genesis 24. In this chapter, Abraham
(a type of G-d the Father) wishes to secure a bride for Isaac (a type of Messiah) and sends his servant Eliezer (a type of the
Holy Spirit [Ruach HaKodesh]) to do this task (Genesis [Bereishit 24:2-4; 15:2). It is the role of the Holy Spirit (Ruach
HaKodesh) to convict the world of sin and lead them to G-d (John [Yochanan] 16:7-8). Just as the bride was usually chosen
by the father of the bridegroom, so the believers in the Messiah are chosen by G-d (John [Yochanan] 15:16). The
bridegroom chose the bride and lavished his love upon her and she returned his love. This can be seen in Ephesians 5:25, as it
is written, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself of it." In Genesis (Bereishit)
24, Rebekah (Rivkah) consented to marry Isaac (Yitzchak) even before she ever met him. Today, the believers in the
Messiah Yeshua consent to become the bride of Messiah even though we have never seen Him. First Peter (Kefa) 1:8 speaks
of this, as it is written, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with
joy unspeakable and full of glory."

2.A bride price was established.

A price would have to be paid for the bride. The agreed upon price was called a mohar in Hebrew. Yeshua, being our
bridegroom, paid a very high price for His bride, the body of believers. The price He paid was His life. Yeshua considered
the price He had to pay for His bride before His death as He went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray in Matthew
(Mattityahu) 26:39, as it is written, "And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it
be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt." Yeshua was, in essence, saying, "Father,
You have chosen this bride and I have agreed to the terms, but do you realize the price that is being asked for her?" Our
mohar, our bride price, was His life. First Peter (Kefa) 1:18-19 says, "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed
with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; but with the
precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." In First Corinthians 6:20 it is written, "For ye are
bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

3.The bride and groom are betrothed to each other.

This is the first stage of marriage known as kiddushin. I have spoken at length of betrothal in Chapter 6, concerning
Shavuot. Remember, betrothal is the first of two steps in the marriage process. Betrothal in Hebrew is known as erusin or
kiddushin. Betrothal legally binds the bride and the groom together in a marriage contract, except they do not physically live
together. Historically, G-d betrothed Himself to Israel at Mount Sinai (Jeremiah 2:2; Hosea 2:19-20). Whenever you accept
the Messiah into your heart and life, you become betrothed to Him while living on the earth.

4.A written document is drawn up, known as a ketubah. This betrothal contract is called, in Hebrew, a shitre erusin.

The ketubah is the marriage contract that states the bride price, the promises of the groom, and the rights of the bride.
The word ketubah means "that which is written." The groom promised to work for her, to honor, support, and maintain her in
truth, to provide food, clothing, and necessities, and to live together with her as husband and wife. The ketubah was the
unalienable right of the bride. The ketubah must be executed and signed prior to the wedding ceremony. The Bible is the
believer's ketubah. All the promises that G-d provided for the believers in the Messiah are legally ours, as it is written in
Second Corinthians 1:20, "For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen...."

5.The bride must give her consent.

As we saw in Chapter 6, which dealt with Shavuot (Pentecost), G-d betrothed Himself to Israel at Mount Sinai as stated
in Jeremiah 2:2. Israel consented to the marriage proposal from G-d and said, "I do," as it is written in Exodus (Shemot) 24:3.
Likewise, the personal application (halacha) to those who desire the Messiah to come into their hearts and lives is to accept
His invitation to do so by faith (emunah), as it is written in Romans 10:8-10:

What, then, does it say? The Word is near you in your mouth and in your heart: that is the word about trust
[emunah] which we proclaim, namely, that if you acknowledge publicly with your mouth that Yeshua is
Lord and trust in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be delivered. For with the heart
one goes on trusting and thus continues toward righteousness, while with the mouth one keeps on making
public acknowledgments and thus continues toward deliverance (Romans 10:8-10 Jewish New Testament
Version).

So, even today, to become the bride of Messiah you must still say "I do" to Him.

6.Gifts were given to the bride and a cup called the cup of the covenant was shared between the bride and the
groom.

The rite of betrothal (erusin) is completed when the groom gives something of value to the bride and she accepts it. The
gift most often given today is the ring. When the groom places the ring on the bride's finger, the rite of betrothal is completed.
This completed rite is known in Hebrew as kiddushin, which means "sanctification."

The gifts to the bride are symbols of love, commitment, and loyalty. The gift G-d gives to those who accept the Messiah is
the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) (John [Yochanan] 14:26; 15:26-27; Acts 2:38; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22). When Yeshua
ascended to Heaven, He gave gifts to men (Ephesians 4:7-8). These gifts included righteousness (Romans 5:17-18), eternal
life (Romans 6:23), grace (Romans 5:12,14-15), faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and other spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1,4).
These included wisdom, knowledge, healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, the discerning of spirits, tongues, and
interpretation of tongues (1 Corinthians 12:8-11), as well as the gifts of helps and administration (1 Corinthians 12:28).

In addition, at this time the cup of the covenant was shared and sealed between the bride and the groom with the drinking
of wine. In doing so, the couple drinks from a common cup. The cup is first given to the groom to sip, and then is given to the
bride. This cup, known as the cup of the covenant, is spoken of in Jeremiah 31:31-33, as it is written:

Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the
house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by
the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an
husband unto them, saith the Lord: but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel;
After those days, saith the Lord, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will
be their God, and they shall be My people (Jeremiah [Yermiyahu] 31:31-33).

Yeshua spoke of the cup of the New Covenant (Brit Hadashah) in Luke 22:20.

7.The bride had a mikvah (water immersion), which is a ritual of cleansing.

Mikvah is a Hebrew word that means "pool" or "body of water." Mikvah is a ceremonial act of purification by the
immersion in water. It indicates a separation from a former way to a new way. In the case of marriage, it indicates leaving an
old life for a new life with your spouse (Genesis [Bereishit] 2:23-24; Ephesians 5:31). Immersing in the mikvah is considered
spiritual rebirth. The reason is that a mikvah has the power to change a person completely. Concerning the marriage to Israel
at Mount Sinai, G-d said in Ezekiel 16:8-9, as it is written, "...I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee...
and thou becamest Mine. Then washed I thee with water...." The washing, or immersion, here refers to that of Israel before
the people received the Torah when G-d betrothed Himself to Israel at Mount Sinai (Exodus [Shemot] 19:14-15). Yeshua
spoke to the Pharisee, Nicodemus (Nakdimon), that he must be born anew (immersed) to enter into the Kingdom of G-d
(John [Yochanan] 3:1-7). The believers in the Messiah are to be immersed in the name of Yeshua (Acts 19:4). The Holy
Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) is the immerser of G-d (Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5; 11:15-16).

8.The bridegroom departed, going back to his father's house to prepare the bridal chamber.

At this point, the bridegroom leaves for his father's house to prepare the bridal chamber for his bride. It was understood
to be the man's duty to go away to be with his father, build a house, and prepare for the eventual wedding. Before he goes,
though, he will make a statement to the bride. "I go to prepare a place for you; if I go, I will return again unto you." This is the
same statement Yeshua made in John (Yochanan) 14:1-3 before He went to His father's house in Heaven, as it is written:

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Fathers' house are many
mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare
a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself that where I am, there ye may be also (John
[Yochanan] 14:1-3).

9.The bride was consecrated and set apart for a period of time while the bridegroom was away building the house.

Before the bridegroom could go and get the bride, the groom's father had to be satisfied that every preparation had been
made by the son. Only then could he give permission to the son to go and get the bride. In other words, while the bridegroom
was working on the bridal chamber, it was the father who "okayed" the final bridal chamber. The bridegroom did not know
when his father would declare the bridal chamber fit and send him to go get his bride. This is exactly what Yeshua was
referring to in Mark 13:32-37.

Meanwhile, the bride was to wait eagerly for the return of the bridegroom. In the mind of the bride, the bridegroom could
come at any time, even in the middle of the night or at midnight. Therefore, she had to be ready at all times. Yeshua referred
to this in Mark 13:32-37 and Matthew 25:1-13. While waiting for her bridegroom to come, the bride had to have thought to
herself, "Is he really coming back for me? Is he really going to keep his word?" This was the thought that Peter (Kefa)
answered in Second Peter 3:1-13.

10.The bridegroom would return with a shout, "Behold, the bridegroom comes" and the sound of the ram's horn
(shofar) would be blown.

The time of the return of the bridegroom was usually at midnight. When the bridegroom did come, he came with a shout
(Matthew 25:6) and with the blowing of a shofar (trumpet) (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17; Revelation 4:1). The marriage between
the bride and the groom will take place under the chupah or wedding canopy. Since Heaven is a type of chupah, we can see
that when Yeshua gives a shout for His bride, accompanied by the blowing of a shofar (trumpet), the marriage between
Yeshua and His bride will take place in Heaven.

The marriage ceremony will have a sacred procession. For this reason, the bridegroom (Yeshua) will be led to the
chupah first. When the bridegroom approaches the chupah, the cantor chants, "Blessed is he who comes." "Blessed is he
who comes" is an idiomatic expression meaning "welcome." Yeshua said that He would not return for His bride until these
words were said (Matthew 23:39). The groom is greeted like a king under the chupah. During this time Yeshua, the
bridegroom, will be crowned King under the chupah, which is Heaven.

11.He would abduct his bride, usually in the middle of the night, to go to the bridal chamber where the marriage would
be consummated. This is the full marriage, known in Hebrew as nesu'in.

The bride and groom will go to the wedding chamber, or chadar in Hebrew, where the marriage will be consummated.
They will stay in that wedding chamber for seven days, or a week. At the end of the seven days, the bride and groom will
come out from the wedding chamber. This can be seen in Joel 2:16.

The word week in Hebrew is shavuah. It means a "seven." It can mean seven days or seven years. An example of the
Hebrew word for week (shavuah) meaning seven years can be found in Daniel 9:24, as it is written, "Seventy weeks
[shavuah, 490 years] are determined upon thy people..." and in 9:27, "And he [the false Messiah known as the antichrist]
shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [shavuah, seven years]...." The week referred to in Daniel 9:27 is known
to Bible believers as the tribulation period. The Jewish people understand this time to be the birthpangs of the Messiah known
in Hebrew eschatology as the Chevlai shel Mashiach. This is taken from Jeremiah 30:5-7. From this we can see that the
believers in the Messiah will be with the Messiah in Heaven for His wedding while the earth will be experiencing the
seven-year tribulation period, or the Chevlai shel Mashiach, in Hebrew.

12.Finally, there would be a marriage supper for all the guests invited by the father of the bride.

The bride and the groom would be in the wedding chamber for seven days. When the bride and the groom initially went
into the wedding chamber, the friend of the bridegroom stood outside the door. All the assembled guests of the wedding
gathered outside, waiting for the friend of the bride-groom to announce the consummation of the marriage, which was relayed
to him by the groom. John (Yochanan) the Immerser (Baptist) referred to this in John 3:29. At this signal, great rejoicing
broke forth (John 3:29). The marriage was consummated on the first night (Genesis [Bereishit] 29:23). The bloodstained linen
from this night was preserved. It was proof of the bride's virginity (Deuteronomy [Devarim] 22:13-21).

On the wedding day, the bridegroom is seen as a king and the bride as a queen. During the consummation of the
marriage, the bridegroom (Yeshua) will be crowned King over all the earth and the bride (the believers in Yeshua, the
Messiah) will live with Him and rule with Him forever. The crowning of the King and the marriage can be seen in Isaiah
62:3-7. At the end of the week (seven-year tribulation, or birthpangs of the Messiah), the marriage supper will take place.
The marriage supper will not take place in Heaven. After the marriage, the bride and Groom will return to earth. The marriage
supper will be taking place on earth and only the invited guests of the Father of the Groom (G-d the Father) will be present at
the banquet meal. This can be seen in Revelation 19:7-16 and 20:4. Yeshua spoke of the marriage supper and the banquet in
Luke 12:35-38 and Matthew 8:11. The wedding supper is a theme of the festival of Sukkot, which will be discussed further in
a later chapter. During Sukkot, the people were instructed by G-d to build a temporary shelter. One of the things G-d
instructed the people to do is eat there. When they eat, they are to set a plate for seven different people. Among the seven
whom a plate is set for are Abraham (Avraham), Isaac (Yitzchak), and Jacob (Ya'akov). This is what Yeshua was referring
to in Matthew 8:11.

The unbelievers in the Messiah will attend a separate banquet where the fowls of the air will eat their flesh. This can be
seen in Revelation 19:17-18.

The home of the bride was Jerusalem and it was the bridegroom who came to the bride to dwell with her. It is from
Jerusalem that the believers in the Messiah during the Messianic age, or Millennium, will reign with the Messiah. This can be
seen in Revelation 21:1-3; Ezekiel 43:1-2,7; Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-5; and Zechariah 2:l0-12.

In concluding this section on the wedding, whenever anyone hears the message of the basar (gospel), it is a wedding
proposal by G-d to accept Him and be a part of His bride. G-d desires that we accept His invitation and give Him our
response of "I do." In fact, Revelation 22:20 is a proposal by Yeshua Himself to accept Him and be a part of His bride. His
message in this verse is "Come." Will you say, "I do" to the Messiah's proposal to you?



The Resurrection of the Dead

One of the reasons for blowing the shofar is to proclaim the resurrection of the dead. In addition, the thirteenth principle of the
Jewish faith is belief in the resurrection of the dead. The resurrection of the dead will take place on Rosh HaShanah (Talmud, Rosh
HaShanah l6b). In First Corinthians 15:52, the apostle Paul (Rav Sha'ul) tells us that the resurrection of the dead will be "at the last
trump." Earlier, in First Corinthians 15:14, he wrote that without the Messiah rising from the dead, our faith is in vain.

We cannot go to the Book of Revelation and say that the voice of the seventh angel (Revelation 11:15) is the last trump. In the
first century, the last trump (shofar) meant a specific day in the year. In Judaism, there are three trumpets (shofarim) that have a
name. They are the first trump, the last trump, and the great trump. Each one of these trumpets indicates a specific day in the Jewish year. The first trump is blown on the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) (Exodus [Shemot] 19:19). It proclaimed that G-d had betrothed Himself to Israel. The last trump is synonymous with Rosh HaShanah, according to Theodore Gaster in his book, Festivals of the Jewish Year, in his chapter on Rosh HaShanah. Herman Kieval also states the same thing in his book, The High Holy Days (Volume I, Rosh HaShanah, Chapter 5, Footnote 11), in the chapter on the shofar. The great trumpet is blown on Yom Kippur, which will herald the return of the Messiah Yeshua back to earth (Matthew [Mattityahu] 24:31).

The first and last trump relate to the two horns of the ram, which according to Jewish tradition, was caught in the thicket on
Mount Moriah when Abraham (Avraham) was ready to slay Isaac (Yitzchak) and offer him up as a burnt offering (olah). This ram
became the substitute for Isaac (Yitzchak) even as Yeshua became the substitute for us and provided life for us through His death.

In Pirkei Avot (the sayings of the fathers), Rabbi Eliezer tells us that the left horn (first trump) was blown on Mount Sinai, and its
right horn (the last trump) will be blown to herald the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 18:3 and First Thessalonians
4:13-18 speak of the resurrection of the dead. First Thessalonians chapter 5 continues with the day of the L-rd and the birthpangs of
the Messiah. The festivals will, beyond a shadow of a doubt, tell you that the resurrection of the dead precedes the time of Jacob's
trouble (also known as the tribulation). First Thessalonians 4:16-17 says that the dead in Messiah will rise first, and that the catching away of the believers will immediately follow.

The term rapture comes from the Greek word harpazo, which means "to seize, catch away, catch up, pluck, pull, take by
force" (1 Thessalonians 4:17). The Hebrew equivalent is the word natzal. Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 26:2-3, 19-20 and 57:1-2 all speak
clearly of the resurrection of the dead, the taking of the believers, and the hiding of the believers from the indignation (the tribulation).
Daniel 12:1-2 also speaks of the resurrection of the dead, the tribulation, and the salvation of Israel through the tribulation.
Zephaniah 1:14-18 and 2:2-3 tells about the terrible times during the day of the L-rd, the birthpangs of the Messiah, and issues a
decree to repent and turn to G-d before that day to be hid from that time. Psalm (Tehillim) 27:5 says the righteous will be hid in the
time of trouble. This psalm is read every day during the 40-day period of Teshuvah. Second Thessalonians 2:1 says, "Now we
beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him." The phrase, "gathering
together" comes from the Greek word episunagoge, which means "an assembly." In Numbers (Bamidbar) 10:2-3, the trumpet is
blown to assemble the people. The blowing of the trumpet and the assembling of the people also appear together in First
Thessalonians 4:16-17 and First Corinthians 15:51-53.



Yom HaKeseh: The Hidden Day

In Psalm (Tehillim) 27:5 it is written, "For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret of His tabernacle
shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock."

Yet another name for Rosh HaShanah is Yom HaKeseh, "The Day of the Hiding" or "the Hidden Day." The term keseh or
keceh is derived from the Hebrew root kacah, which means to "conceal, cover, or hide." Every day during the month of Elul, a
trumpet is blown to warn the people to turn back to G-d, except for the thirtieth day of Elul, the day preceding Rosh HaShanah. On
that day the trumpet is not blown, and is therefore silent. This is because much about Rosh HaShanah is concealed and shrouded in
mystery. The mystical aspect of Rosh HaShanah is indicated in Scripture: "Sound the shofar on the New Moon, in concealment of
the day of our festival" (Psalm [Tehillim] 81:3). Satan, the accuser, is not to be given notice about the arrival of Rosh HaShanah, the Day of Judgment.

Rosh HaShanah is called Yom HaKeseh, or the Day of the Hiding, because it was hidden from satan (Ha satan), the adversary.
The Bible says that satan comes to rob and to steal (John [Yochanan] 10:10, and to confuse (1 Corinthians 14:33). Because it is the
Day of Judgment, it is symbolically hidden from satan (satan did not know and understand the plan of the cross [tree], First
Corinthians 2:7-8). This was hidden from him as well. Believers never said when the day of Rosh HaShanah was; they simply said,
"Of that day and hour no one knows, only the Father."

One of the reasons most often given to disclaim that the resurrection of the dead and the catching away of the believers is on
Rosh HaShanah is the statement given by Yeshua in Matthew (Mattityahu) 24:36, as it is written, "But of that day and hour
knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only." Because Rosh HaShanah was understood to be the hidden
day, this statement by Yeshua is actually an idiom for Rosh Hashanah. Thus it should be given as proof that He was speaking of
Rosh HaShanah because Rosh HaShanah is the only day in the whole year that was referred to as the hidden day or the day that
no man knew.

Spiritual Application (Halacha). Rosh HaShanah takes place on the new moon. Colossians 2:16-17 says that the new moon
will teach about the Messiah. The Jewish (biblical) month is based upon a lunar cycle. The moon can barely be seen as the cycle
begins. But then the moon turns toward the sun and begins to reflect the light of the sun. The sun in the sky is a picture of Yeshua
(Malachi [Malachie] 4:2), and the moon is a picture of the believers in the Messiah. The sun has its own light, but the moon's light is a reflection of the sun. When we first become believers in Yeshua, we can hardly be seen spiritually, and we know very little about
G-d. But then our lives begin to revolve around the Messiah as the moon revolves around the sun. As we begin to turn more and
more toward the center of creation, we begin to reflect that light (Yeshua) more and more, just as the moon reflects the light from the center of the solar system.

this article was excerpted from Ed Chumney's book The Seven Festivals of the Messiah