The blowing of trumpets holds profound significance in Scripture, serving multiple purposes as outlined in Numbers 10. Trumpets direct Israel's movements, call assemblies, signal war, and mark feasts, new moons, and jubilees. The Feast of Trumpets, a holy day in Leviticus 23:23-25, is a memorial of shouting or blasting, often with a shofar, symbolizing God's sovereignty and presence. Trumpet blasts accompany divine events like Sinai's law-giving and herald future moments, including Christ's return with the last trumpet, as in I Thessalonians 4:16 and Revelation 11:15. They announce judgment, liberty, and kingdom establishment, as seen at Jericho, uniting worship, direction, warning, and proclamation in Israel's life and God's plan.

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When the Trumpet Blows

Sermon by John O. Reid

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.

What Is the Feast of Trumpets, Anyway?

'Ready Answer' by Staff

The Feast of Trumpets, one of God's feast days, holds profound significance as the fourth of the seven annual holy days and the first of the fall holy days. Falling on the first day of the seventh month of God's sacred calendar, it is a pivotal day symbolizing a vast turning point in world history, marking the transition from the age of man and darkness to the age of God, the World Tomorrow, the Millennium, and the Kingdom of God. The blowing of trumpets is integral 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. God commands His people to observe this day as a 24-hour stop sign, a time to cease mundane tasks and focus on eternal matters such as Christ's return and the establishment of His Kingdom. This command applies to all in God's church, recognized as the New Testament Israel of God, and is to be kept on the first day of the seventh month, known as Tishri or Ethanim, without a specific mandated location, allowing observance in home church settings.

'I Will Come Again'

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The first day of the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar marks a holy day known in the Bible as a memorial of blowing of trumpets, which we call the Feast of Trumpets. Scripture provides limited detail about this day, with only brief instructions in Leviticus 23:23-25 and Numbers 29:1, yet God deems this description sufficient for understanding its essence. Numbers 10:1-10 elaborates on the use of trumpets among the Israelites, blown to assemble the people, signal movement, rally for war, sound alarms, and mark days of gladness, appointed feasts, and the beginning of months. God declares these trumpet blasts as a memorial before Him, emphasizing His identity as the LORD their God. The blowing of trumpets serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty, recalling significant events like His descent upon Mount Sinai amid a loud trumpet sound, where He established Himself as their Lawgiver and Ruler. The trumpet's blast continually reminded the Israelites that God orders their marches, assemblies, wars, blessings, feasts, and even their calendar, affirming His supreme authority over all aspects of their lives. Thus, the Feast of Trumpets is a day to remember that God is King. This holy day also looks forward to future events, anticipating the next significant moment in God's plan tied to His sovereignty. The apostle Paul describes the Lord descending from heaven with the trumpet of God, raising the dead in Christ. Jesus Himself foretells His return with the sound of a great trumpet, gathering His elect from across the earth. Revelation 11:15 announces the seventh trumpet, proclaiming the reign of Christ as the kingdoms of this world become His, and He shall reign forever. Jesus assured His disciples of His return to receive them to Himself, awaiting the Father's signal—the last trumpet—to return in power, resurrect the saints, defeat His enemies, and establish His Kingdom. Therefore, the Feast of Trumpets annually reminds us that God is in complete control, and soon His Son will return as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Trumpets and the Fall of Jericho

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Feast of Trumpets, as outlined in Leviticus 23:24-25 and Numbers 29:1, is marked as an annual Sabbath and a holy convocation, during which no customary work is to be done and an offering is to be made. It is specifically noted as a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a phrase that can also be translated as a remembrance of shouting or the shout of the shofar, the ram's horn, which the Hebrews described as shouting rather than blowing. This memorial aspect signifies something that keeps remembrance alive, akin to a monument or a ceremony ritually performed on a set day. The blowing of trumpets holds significant symbolic weight, often inferred in historical accounts like the story of Joseph, where trumpets and shouting likely accompanied his elevation to a high rank under Pharaoh, mirroring the anticipated return of Jesus Christ. In another account, the fall of Jericho in Joshua 6 prominently features the blowing of trumpets and shouting, despite uncertainty about the exact timing of the event. Here, seven priests blew seven ram's horns, or shofars of jubilee, during the seven-day march around the city, culminating in a long blast and a great shout on the seventh day, leading to the collapse of the city's walls. This act not only announced God's judgment on Jericho but also symbolized the proclamation of liberty for God's people, akin to the Jubilee year, where inheritances are restored. The trumpets at Jericho also signified God's presence, paralleling other biblical instances where trumpet blasts herald divine action or judgment. The Ark of the Covenant, present during the march, represented God's throne of judgment, emphasizing the divine authority behind the event. These elements collectively tie the blowing of trumpets to the broader theme of divine intervention and the establishment of God's people in their inheritance, reflecting the ultimate fulfillment anticipated on the day of Trumpets with the return of Jesus Christ.

Lift Up Your Voice Like a Trumpet

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The sound of a trumpet has always been a powerful means of communication, capturing attention and conveying critical messages. In the life of ancient Israel, trumpets were essential for various purposes, as outlined in Numbers 10, where a complex system of trumpet blasts informed a widely encamped and mobile people of necessary actions. These blasts, likely initiated at the Tabernacle and relayed by other trumpeters throughout the camps, directed the movement of the camp, called assemblies, signaled war, and marked significant occasions such as days of gladness, appointed feast days, new moons, sacrifices, offerings, the Jubilee Year, general worship, and coronations of kings. The necessity of such a system is evident in a time without modern mass communication, ensuring that every Israelite was attuned to the trumpet's sound. The Feast of Trumpets, known in Hebrew as Yom Teruah or Day of Shouting, acknowledges this significance, emphasizing a memorial of shouting or blasting, which could refer to the sound of the shofar or even communal praising of God's name. This day, rich in symbolic meaning, highlights the trumpet's role in worship and communal unity. Four primary reasons for the sounding of trumpets emerge from these practices. First, trumpets were blown to offer a great shout of praise to God, used during feast days and regular worship to glorify Him, as seen in the grand processions and temple dedications where music and trumpet sounds ascended as offerings. Second, trumpets provided direction, guiding the assembly or army movements, as in the wilderness or during battles like Gideon's, where trumpet blasts coordinated actions and instilled fear in enemies. Third, trumpets served to make announcements, such as proclaiming the Year of Jubilee on the Day of Atonement, heralding significant events or the coming of key figures with profound messages. Lastly, trumpets gave warnings, alerting people to impending danger or divine judgment, as seen in calls to gather in fortified cities or prophetic warnings of God's wrath, urging repentance and preparation for critical times. Through these uses, the trumpet remains a vital instrument in Israelite life, embodying communication, worship, direction, announcement, and warning, all integral to their relationship with God and their communal identity.

The Rapture and Trumpets

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Feast of Trumpets holds a central place in understanding the return of Jesus Christ, as it emphasizes the significant event of His coming with loud, triumphant noise. This holy day, described in Leviticus 23 as a memorial of blowing of trumpets, carries the idea of a remembrance or commemoration of shouting, often linked to the shout of a shofar, a ram's horn trumpet. The Hebrew word "terua" associated with this feast means to cry out, shout, raise a war cry, sound the alarm, or shout for joy, encapsulating various forms of loud expression such as shouting, raising the voice, or blasting on a trumpet. This concept of making a lot of noise, including triumphant shouting and sounding alarms of war, is integral to the Day of Trumpets. In Scripture, the descent of God to earth is consistently accompanied by such loud noises, as seen in Exodus 19 during the giving of the law at Mount Sinai, where an earsplitting trumpet sound, fire, smoke, and earthquakes marked His presence. Similar descriptions appear in Joel 2 and Zephaniah 1, reinforcing that when God or Christ descends, it is announced with great noise, including trumpet blasts, ensuring all are aware of His arrival. In I Thessalonians 4:16, Paul describes Christ's descent with a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God, paralleling these Old Testament accounts and indicating they refer to the same singular event of His return, not multiple occurrences. Further, I Corinthians 15 connects the timing of the resurrection and transformation of the saints to the last trumpet, which aligns with the trumpet of God in I Thessalonians 4:16, signifying Christ's triumphant return to establish His Kingdom. Revelation also ties the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet to the culmination of God's judgments and the return of Christ, marking the end of the mystery of God's plan up to that point. Matthew 24 confirms this timing, stating that the gathering of the elect by angels with a trumpet sound occurs immediately after the tribulation, aligning with Christ's return, not before. These scriptural accounts contrast with alternative views that propose an earlier, secret trumpet blast before the tribulation, which lacks biblical support since the first trumpet of Revelation sounds only after the seventh seal during the Day of the Lord. The consistent biblical narrative points to one magnificent event of Christ's return, announced by the last trumpet, where the saints are caught up to meet Him in the air and immediately accompany Him to earth to establish His Kingdom, as supported by Zechariah 14 and other passages.

The Seventh Trumpet

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Trumpets stands as a pivotal holy day, central to God's plan, bridging past redemption of individuals and the future salvation of all humanity. It is a keystone among the seven holy days, with three preceding and three following, orbiting around its significance. This day, known secularly as Rosh Hashanah, marks the beginning of the civil year in ancient Israel, when kings counted their reigns and many marked their birthdays, aligning with the lunar calendar's new moon on the first day of the seventh month. It commemorates the anticipated beginning of God's reign and government on earth. God designates this day in Leviticus 23 as a memorial of blowing of trumpets, literally a remembrance of shouting, or teruw'ah in Hebrew, which translates to a shout of the shofar, a ram's horn. This term encompasses various senses, including alarm, loudness, joy, and jubilee, though it most often relates to the noise of war, characterized by shouting, clashing weapons, and the visceral, grating sound of the shofar that demands attention over long distances. Numbers 10 describes the use of two silver trumpets, alongside the shofar, for purposes like calling to war, marking gladness on feast days, and signaling the beginning of months, all of which tie directly to the Day of Trumpets as an appointed feast coinciding with a new moon. Prophetic writings, such as in Joel, associate the blowing of the ram's horn with announcing the Dreadful Day of the Lord, a time of darkness, destruction, and war led by God Himself and Jesus Christ returning in wrath to execute judgment. Psalm 47 intertwines the trumpet blast with God's reign, war, judgment, and shouts of victory and praise, reflecting a spectrum from dread to joy. Zephaniah emphasizes the trumpet's role in signaling devastation and swift judgment, while other scriptures highlight the gathering of God's people, victory, and the dual nature of judgment and reward. In the New Testament, Matthew 24 places the trumpet sound after the Tribulation, marking Christ's return with heavenly signs, mourning among nations, and the gathering of the elect. I Thessalonians 4 and Revelation 1 reinforce the trumpet's association with Christ's return, the establishment of God's Kingdom, and the reward of the saints, echoing Old Testament themes of judgment and victory. Revelation 11:15-19 specifically details the seventh trumpet, heralding the proclamation of the Kingdom, lasting for days, not mere seconds, and encompassing the seven last plagues, Christ's return, and the rewarding of the saints. This extended sounding underscores a period of intense events, including judgment and the ultimate establishment of God's reign, as a memorial of shouting that God is coming soon.

Trumpets Means War!

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Trumpets holds profound significance as a memorial of blowing of trumpets, which is literally a remembrance of shouting, often understood as the shout of the shofar. In Leviticus 23:23-24, the Lord commands a Sabbath-rest on the first day of the seventh month, marking it as a holy convocation with the blowing of trumpets and a cessation of customary work. This act serves as a memorial before God, as seen in Numbers 10:9-10, where trumpets are sounded during war to ensure God remembers and saves His people from enemies, and also during times of gladness and appointed feasts. The blowing of trumpets, as described in Psalm 81:3, occurs at the New Moon and on solemn feast days, symbolizing both a historical remembrance and an anticipation of future events. It is a call to action and a cry of alarm in times of war, as Numbers 10:9 illustrates when trumpets signal an enemy's oppression in the land. This sound not only rallies the people of Israel but also invokes God's promise to fight against their adversaries, as expressed in Psalm 81:14. The Day of Trumpets thus embodies a dual significance of joy in God's appointed times and the stark reality of war, reflecting God's role as a defender and warrior for His people. It looks forward to the ultimate fulfillment when Christ returns, leading to the establishment of God's Kingdom, the resurrection of the saints, and the destruction of opposing armies, heralding the beginning of a new era.

Trumpets and Hope

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Feast of Trumpets holds profound significance as a day of hope, deeply connected to the blowing of trumpets, which serves as a powerful reminder of God's promises. In Leviticus 23:24-25, God commands the children of Israel to observe the first day of the seventh month as a Sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, and a holy convocation, where no customary work is to be done and an offering made by fire is to be presented to the Lord. This day, often translated as a "Memorial of Blowing of Trumpets," is literally a remembrance of shouting, interpreted as the blowing of the shofar, which sounds like a shout and was used on this occasion. The sound of the trumpet was intended to bring to mind specific memories or considerations for the Israelites, prompting them to reflect on its significance. In Psalm 47, the imagery of shouting and the sound of a trumpet accompanies the proclamation of God as a great King over all the earth, who subdues nations and chooses an inheritance for His people. This psalm, with its call to clap hands and shout to God with triumph, links the trumpet's sound to the inauguration of God's reign, pointing toward the future establishment of His Kingdom. Similarly, in Matthew 24:30-31, Jesus speaks of His return with the sign of the Son of Man appearing in heaven, accompanied by a great sound of a trumpet, at which His angels will gather His elect from the four winds, further connecting the trumpet blast to His second coming. Revelation 11:15-18 describes the sounding of the seventh trumpet, heralding the moment when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, who shall reign forever. This trumpet blast announces the commencement of Christ's eternal reign, His judgment of the nations, and the rewarding of His servants, reinforcing the trumpet's role as a signal of divine authority and victory. In I Thessalonians 4:16-18, the Lord Himself descends from heaven with a shout, the voice of an archangel, and the trumpet of God, at which the dead in Christ rise first, followed by the living saints being caught up to meet Him in the air, emphasizing the trumpet's association with the resurrection and the gathering of God's people. Finally, in I Corinthians 15:50-58, Paul reveals a mystery that at the last trumpet, the dead will be raised incorruptible, and the living will be changed from mortal to immortal, achieving victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ. This transformative event, marked by the trumpet's sound, underscores the hope and certainty of resurrection, encouraging steadfastness in the work of the Lord. Thus, the blowing of trumpets on the Feast of Trumpets serves as a pre-memorial, urging reflection on the profound events of Christ's return, the resurrection of the dead, and the establishment of God's Kingdom, filling believers with enduring hope and confident expectation.

Trumpets: Glorious Appearings

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Day of Trumpets, as commanded in Leviticus 23:24, is a significant holy day marked by a sabbath-rest and a holy convocation, specifically distinguished as a memorial of blowing of trumpets. This feast, observed on the first day of the seventh month, known as Tishri, holds a central focus on the act of teruah, which encompasses not only the blowing of trumpets but also shouting, as seen in various contexts like the shouts of joy in the Psalms or the alarm blasts at Jericho. The term teruah carries a broad range of meanings, from a loud trumpet blast to a collective shout, often associated with God's presence evoking powerful responses among the Israelites. Historically, this day also marked the beginning of the civil year in ancient Israel, a time for coronations and counting birthdays, intertwining the memorial of trumpets with themes of beginnings and remembrance. The blowing of trumpets sets this feast apart from other holy days, making it a unique day of reflection on significant past events. The most notable biblical event tied to trumpets before Leviticus 23 is found in Exodus 19, where the sound of a very loud trumpet accompanied God's descent on Mount Sinai. This blast, described as long and increasing in intensity, caused the people to tremble in fear amidst thunder, lightning, and smoke, marking a profound moment of divine encounter. The memorial of blowing of trumpets on this day serves as a reminder of God's awesome power and majesty displayed at Sinai, intended to instill a lasting fear of the Lord, test the people's faithfulness, and dissuade them from sin. Observed annually, the Day of Trumpets prompts a recommitment to the covenant, recalling the terror and reverence inspired by God's presence and the trumpet blasts that signaled His appearance. This holy day also looks forward to future manifestations of God's power, as depicted in Psalm 47, where the sound of a trumpet, or teruah, accompanies the triumphant return of the Lord as King over all the earth. Thus, the Day of Trumpets encapsulates both a historical remembrance and an anticipatory hope, urging obedience and reverence through the symbolic and literal blowing of trumpets.

Why Trumpets?

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

The Feast of Trumpets depicts a time when angelic beings sound an alarm, warning God's saints to prepare to put themselves under His sovereign rule.

Do Not Sound a Trumpet

Sermonette by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

To call attention to one's prayers, fasting, and offerings is a display of hypocrisy. We are warned about showing off our piety and righteousness.

Coming to Know Him

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

When the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets occurs, we will see God directly when Jesus Christ returns, an event which will get everyone's attention.

How Long, O Lord?

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

The Seventh Trumpet is a call to assemble, a call to battle, and announces the arrival of a new ruler, Jesus Christ, separating the wheat from the tares.

The Fall Holy Days

Article by John Reiss

The four autumnal holy days - Trumpets, Atonement, Tabernacles, and the Eighth Day - generally represent God's plan of salvation for humanity.

Jesus in the Feasts (Part Three): Divine King

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The trumpet blast is both a memorial and a proclamation that Almighty God is present, powerful, and personal, reminding us how we must respond.

Reconciliation (Part Two): Christ's Work

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

After reconciliation, there can finally be a meeting of minds as we are fashioned into a new creation, invited to sit in heavenly places, created for good works.

The Shout of a King

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The prophecy in which the daughter of Jerusalem must shout to her king riding on a donkey was fulfilled when Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem.

Who Is on the Lord's Side?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Feast of Trumpets is a day of decision, a time to determine whether we are on the Lord's side. We must loyally fulfill the role to which God called us.

Purpose-Driven Churches (Part 8)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God has to know whether we will be loyal and our convictions are anchored in His law. The tests we are going through now are preparing us for His kingdom.

How Long, O Lord? (1994)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The references to trumpets suggest an announcement of a specific event or an alarm of what is to follow. Typically, the events themselves are figurative trumpet blasts.

The Patterns of God

Sermon by John O. Reid

The Seven Bowls or Vials of God's Wrath represent the culmination of divine judgment upon a disobedient world, as depicted in the sequence of catastrophic events following the sounding of the seventh trumpet. These seven last plagues, comprising the third woe, are poured forth on mankind as a final act of correction. They come after a series of devastating trumpet plagues that bring immense suffering, including vast military conflicts and natural disasters orchestrated by God to demonstrate His authority. Despite the horrors of preceding events, mankind remains unrepentant, filled with hatred and defiance against God's will. The pouring out of these vials signifies God's ultimate response to this rebellion, ensuring that every people, race, and nation finally listens to Him as everything else is stripped away. The last punishment within the seventh trumpet includes a great plague of hail, with hailstones weighing from 75 to 130 pounds, symbolizing the complete attention of the world to God's power. Through these vials, God brings an end to the wars and false beliefs that have plagued humanity for millennia, ushering in a time of unprecedented peace and national repentance.

The Shout of a King

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

The Day of Trumpets had a first century, Messianic fulfillment that most of the Jews, then and now, completely missed.

Psalms: Book Four: He Is Coming!

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Feast of Trumpets is like the opening salvo of the fall feasts, beginning with a blast of the trumpet or shofar, reminiscent of the event on Mount Sinai.

Do You Recognize This Man? (Part Five)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

In Exodus 19, there are 12 parallels with Christ's dramatic return illustrated in Matthew 24. All of these events will culminate in a blast of a trumpet.

Zephaniah (Part One): The Day of the Lord Is Near!

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Zephaniah's prophecy is sharply focused on Judah and Jerusalem because they should have known better. They are ordered to keep silent and consider their sins.

Jesus on His Second Coming

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Only the Father knows the precise time of Christ's return, but the message to all Christians is to be vigilant and busy overcoming that we may see Him in glory.

Would Our God Do That?

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The distorted perception of Jesus as an effeminate and ineffective Savior fails to understand that He is the so-called stern God of the Old Testament.

The Temptations of Christ: Behold, the Lamb of God

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Christ's baptism possibly occurred after His return from temptation, leading His Father to praise Him as a victor, returning on the anniversary of Trumpets.