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'I Will Come Again'
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe first day of the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar marks a significant holy day known to the Jews as Rosh Hashanah, which means the beginning of the year. In Scripture, however, it is called a memorial of blowing of trumpets, and thus, it is referred to as the Feast of Trumpets. The biblical instruction on this day is brief, covering only a few verses, indicating that God considers the designation as a memorial of trumpets sufficient for understanding its essence. The Feast of Trumpets serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty, recalling how trumpets were used to call the Israelites together, signal their journeys, rally them to war, sound alarms, and mark times of gladness and appointed feasts. The sound of the trumpet was meant to bring to mind that God orders everything as their supreme Ruler. Additionally, this holy day is forward-looking, anticipating a future event tied to God's sovereignty, where the trumpet of God will sound, heralding the return of His Son in power and glory to reign as King.
Lift Up Your Voice Like a Trumpet
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOver the centuries, the Day of Trumpets, known in Hebrew as Yom Teruah or Day of Shouting, has taken on the name Rosh Hashanah, meaning the head of the year or the New Year. Despite this designation, God specified that the beginning of the year is in the month of Abib, not on Tishri 1, the date of Yom Teruah. Due to influences from other nations and various oppressions, the practice of recognizing Tishri 1 as a new year was adopted, aligning with the timing of this Holy Day. However, God never commanded a new year's celebration to be held on Yom Teruah, and scriptural references indicate that the Feast of Tabernacles, occurring later in the same month, marks the going out of the year, highlighting a discrepancy in this adopted tradition.
What Is the Feast of Trumpets, Anyway?
'Ready Answer' by StaffThe Feast of Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah, which means Head of the Year or First of the Year, is a significant holy day observed by God's church. It falls on the first day of the seventh month of God's sacred calendar, marking the beginning of the administrative and financial year, also called the Civil Year. As one of God's feast days, it holds a pivotal place among the seven annual holy days, being the fourth and the first of the fall holy days. The Feast of Trumpets symbolizes a vast turning point in world history, representing the changeover from the age of man to the age of God and the Kingdom of God. God commands His people to observe this feast by taking a break from daily tasks, stopping to focus on eternal matters for 24 hours. The appointed time for this observance is clearly set on the first day of the seventh month, a time to reflect on profound spiritual significance. Unlike some other feasts, there is no specific location mandated for keeping the Feast of Trumpets, allowing it to be observed in home church locations.
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 Seventh Trumpet
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Feast of Trumpets is a memorial of blowing of trumpets, symbolizing the Day of the Lord, the real war to end all wars, when Christ will subdue the earth.
How Long, O Lord? (1994)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe 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.
Coming to Know Him
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen 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.
A Memorial of Our Joyful Future
Sermonette by Bill OnisickTo the reprobate world, the sound of teruw'ah represents terror and war, but to God's called-out ones it is a time to render praises of happiness and great joy.
Psalms: Book Three (Part Five)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIf we would keep God's Feasts properly, we would be in sync with God's noble purpose for us, defending us from falling into apostasy and idolatry.
Days of Awe
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughWe should count every day as a day of awe. We also must realize that all sins are against God, and that sins against other people do not have less importance.
The Biblical New Year
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughGod gave Israel a calendar, including a starting point for the year. He tells Moses simply, "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you."
How Do We Keep God's Festivals?
'Ready Answer' by Richard T. RitenbaughHere are the foundational principles to keep in mind in observing the Feasts of God throughout the year.
Deuteronomy Opening
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Deuteronomy is addressed to the Israel of God, a group of God's called out ones who have been convicted that the Law has not been done away.