Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah)Watch and Pray

Yom Teruah is the biblical name for what is widely known as Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year). This holiday occurs on the first day of Tishrei and marks the beginning of the Fall biblical feasts. God instituted this holiday and commanded the Israelites to observe it annually (Leviticus 23:24-25; Numbers 29:1).

The words, Yom Teruah mean, “day of shouting or blasting.” The blowing of the shofar (trumpet made from a ram’s horn) became the distinguishing characteristic of this special day. In fact, Yom Teruah is also called, “Feast of Trumpets.”

Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah) begins the High Holy Days

On Yom Teruah, the shofar is blown loudly and alarmingly—not only to ring in a new year but as a wakeup call. The trumpet blast begins the countdown, among the Jewish population, to the holiest day of the year—Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement).

The first ten days of Tishri are called the “Ten days of Repentance” or the “Days of Awe.” This period is a time of introspection, repentance, and acts of charity among the Jewish population. Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), marks the end of the Days of Repentance. According to Jewish tradition, it is on Yom Kippur that God decides each person’s fate for the coming year. Afterwards, He seals His judgment and closes the Book of Life for another year.

Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah) and the return of Christ

According to Jewish tradition, Yom Teruah symbolizes the rapture of the Church and the coming of the Messianic age. Yom Teruah is not specifically mentioned in the New Testament. However, at least two prophetic events are described as beginning with a trumpet blast. First, the Bible describes Jesus Christ’s return for His Bride, the Church (1 Corinthians 15:51-52 ; I Thessalonians 4:16-17). The dead in Christ will be raised first. Then, all living Christians will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. Following this, the great tribulation period begins.

Secondly, a trumpet will sound at the end of the Great Tribulation. The blowing of the trumpet reaffirms God’s sovereignty and kingship over the world. Jesus Christ will return with the hosts of heaven, as well as the Church. Then, He will establish His Messianic Kingdom on earth (Matthew 24:29-31). Moreover, Christ will appear as the King of kings, and Lord of lords, and as the Judge of the whole earth.

All of the Spring Feasts were fulfilled at Christ’s first coming. Moreover, the interval of time between the last of the spring feasts (Pentecost) and the first of the fall feasts (Trumpets) corresponds to the present Church Age. In other words, we are presently living between Israel’s fourth and fifth feasts. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit, at Pentecost, started the Church Age. Trumpets, which will signal Christ’s second coming to rapture the Church and judge the wicked, will end the Church Age.

Also in the month of Tishrei: Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement