As we approach the Feast of Trumpets, our exuberant mood continues from Pentecost, focusing on the return of Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords and on our resurrection to glory, which this festival depicts. Yet, we must also consider the sobering and even terrifying meanings of this holy day, for it represents a terrible time of judgment upon the people of this world. The Feast of Trumpets is named for the blowing of trumpets, symbolizing a loud, warning cry of impending danger as described by the prophets, who urge a dire warning of sudden, terrifying destruction in the end time, a day of darkness and gloominess over man's society. These warnings apply specifically to God's called-out children, as we live in the end time with understanding of His plan, having the most to lose by ignoring these stern prophecies of death and destruction, and are admonished to prepare spiritually through repentance, fasting, and prayer. The Feast of Trumpets also announces the Day of the Lord and the return of Jesus Christ through the sounding of the seven trumpets, with the resurrection occurring at the last trumpet, marking this significant step in God's plan. God's wrath, poured out on humanity, is done in love, possibly as just retribution for sin or to save character from permanent rebellion, as He desires all to repent and attain His Kingdom. The church bears the responsibility to prepare as a fitting bride for Christ, cooperating with God to become holy, righteous, godly saints worthy to marry His Son. The great mystery of God, finished at the sounding of the seventh angel, is that we will become immortal and incorruptible spirit beings at Christ's return, a vision that greatly motivates us to rejoice in this aspect of the Feast of Trumpets. While the Feast of Trumpets pictures Christ's return, we must focus on being ready through repentance, overcoming, prayer, and fasting, as His coming approaches, rather than fixating on the exact timing of that event.

Each year in the autumn, the people of God's church celebrate the Feast of Trumpets, a one-day feast that holds profound significance. The Feast of Trumpets is one of God's feast days, the fourth of the seven annual holy days, and the first of the fall holy days. It falls on the first day of the seventh month of God's sacred calendar, marking a pivotal day in many ways. Trumpets are central to this feast, as many scriptures indicate that trumpet blasts will accompany the major, tumultuous events of the end times, the return of Jesus Christ, and the resurrection of the dead. This feast symbolizes a vast turning point in world history, picturing the changeover from the age of man to the age of God, the World Tomorrow, the Millennium, and the Kingdom of God. God commands us to keep the Feast of Trumpets, urging us to stop our mundane daily tasks for 24 hours and concentrate on the truly eternal things, such as the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His Kingdom.

Few things are more attention-grabbing than the blast of a trumpet. In ancient times, trumpets were vital for communication, especially among the widely encamped people of Israel, who spread over vast areas in their tents. A complex system of trumpet sounds was used to inform them of various activities, likely originating at the Tabernacle and relayed by other trumpeters throughout the camps. Different calls signaled specific actions, such as assembling, moving the camp, going to war, or celebrating days of gladness, feast days, new moons, sacrifices, offerings, the Jubilee Year, general worship, and coronations of kings. This system was not only for the wilderness but was to be used throughout their generations in their habitations. The sound of a trumpet was a significant element of Israelite life, with their ears trained to listen for its call. One of God's holy days, the Feast of Trumpets, acknowledges this importance. Known in Hebrew as Yom Teruah, meaning Day of Shouting, it is described as a memorial of shouting or a remembrance of shouting. This could refer to the blast of a trumpet or horn, or even literal shouting by the people, possibly in praise of His name during a holy convocation. Trumpets served multiple purposes in Israel's history. They were used to make a great shout of praise to God, especially on feast days and in regular worship, glorifying Him with special sounds. They provided direction, as seen in the wilderness for calling assemblies or advancing camps, and later in battles to guide armies. Trumpets also made announcements, such as proclaiming the coming Year of Jubilee on the Day of Atonement, heralding significant events or times. Lastly, they gave warnings, alerting people to impending danger or war, urging them to gather or seek refuge, with the assurance that He would hear and respond to their call.

The Day of Trumpets stands as a pivotal holy day, central among the seven, with three preceding and three following. It bridges the past focus on individual redemption and the future salvation of all humanity, acting as a keystone that holds the other holy days together, central to God's plan. This day, known secularly as Rosh Hashanah, marks the beginning of the civil year in ancient Israel, where kings counted their reigns and many marked their birthdays from this first day of the seventh month with the new moon. It commemorates the anticipated beginning of God's reign and government on earth when fulfilled. God designates the Day of Trumpets as a memorial of blowing of trumpets, literally a remembrance of shouting, derived from the Hebrew term "teruw'ah," which can imply alarm, loudness, joy, or jubilee, often associated with the noise of war through the shout of the shofar, a ram's horn. This sound, visceral and grating compared to silver trumpets, travels far and demands attention, historically used to call people to war, direct the camp of Israel, mark new moons, and signify appointed feasts, especially this day where the new moon and feast converge. The trumpet's call, particularly the seventh trumpet, heralds significant events, often tied to war and judgment, as seen in prophecies of a time of darkness and destruction. It announces the return of Jesus Christ as King in great wrath, leading an army in judgment, executing His Word upon the earth. This sounding, described as lasting for days, underscores a prolonged period of divine intervention, not a mere momentary fanfare, signaling both alarm for some and joy for others awaiting God's reign. The seventh trumpet, detailed in Revelation, encompasses the seven last plagues, unfolding over an extended time, not instantaneously, as events of judgment and wrath prepare for Christ's return and the establishment of the Kingdom. Loud voices in heaven proclaim this transition as if already accomplished, reflecting the certainty of God's plan. This trumpet also signifies the gathering of the elect, the reward of the saints, and the punishment of the nations, embodying a dual proclamation of judgment and reward, echoing through both past and future as a call to war, victory, and divine sovereignty.

The Feast of Trumpets, observed on the first day of the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar, is designated in Scripture as a memorial of blowing of trumpets. God provides specific instructions on the use of trumpets in Numbers 10:1-10, where they were blown to call the people together, to signal movement or halt during journeys, to rally men for war, or to sound alarms of danger. Additionally, God commands the trumpets to be blown in times of gladness, at appointed feasts, and at the beginning of months, serving as a memorial before Him. The sound of the trumpet is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty. A notable instance of this connection occurred at Mount Sinai, where the loud blast of the trumpet caused the people to tremble as the LORD descended upon the mountain. This event underscored His authority as their Lawgiver and Ruler. The trumpet's blast continually reminded the Israelites that God orders everything—directing their marches, calling them to assemble, sending them to war, granting blessings, appointing feasts, and providing a calendar. The Feast of Trumpets also carries a forward-looking significance. It anticipates the next major event in God's plan, revolving around His sovereignty. The apostle Paul describes the Lord Himself descending from heaven with the trumpet of God, at which the dead in Christ will rise. Jesus prophesies that the Son of Man will come on the clouds with power and glory, accompanied by the great sound of a trumpet, as His angels gather His elect from across the earth. In Revelation, the seventh trumpet heralds the reign of Christ, proclaiming that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, who shall reign forever. Thus, the Feast of Trumpets serves as an annual reminder that God is in complete control, and soon, His Son will return in power as King of kings and Lord of lords to establish His Kingdom.

In the context of biblical imagery and history, the sound of trumpets carries profound significance. For many, it evokes the longing to hear the trumpet that heralds the return of Jesus Christ, signaling the end of man's misguided rule influenced by satan, and the cessation of the pain inflicted on humanity. Biblically, in Israel's history, the trumpet often served as an immediate warning of imminent war, death, and destruction. It also recalls the intimidating blast that grew in intensity as the Ten Commandments were about to be given, and the commands in Numbers 10 where the sound of a trumpet directed the movement of tribes. Furthermore, there is a revealed insight among God's Family that a final trumpet will be blown, marking a critical moment of change and judgment, though the world remains unaware of the utter devastation that awaits until that sound is heard.