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2015 Eclipse
Commentary by John W. RitenbaughA set of astronomical events like these will not occur for another 500 years. Consequently, this could be a significant year prophetically.
Why Does the Jewish Calendar use Different Years?
Bible Questions & AnswersThe Jews count their years from 3761/3760 BC. That is the year of the commencement of the lunisolar calendar, not the year of Creation.
The Biblical New Year
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughTishri is the seventh month, coinciding with the beginning of autumn, and its new moon may seem to function as a New Year. Several phrases point that way: Ezekiel 40:1 speaks of "the head of the year" in connection with the tenth day of the month, which Judaism identifies as Tishri and the Day of Atonement; Exodus 23:16 and 34:22 place the Feast of Ingathering (Tabernacles) at the "end" or "turn" of the year; and today's Jews use rosh hashana for the Feast of Trumpets on the first day of the seventh month. Scholars therefore argue for two calendars in simultaneous use, with Tishri 1 beginning a civil or secular year and Abib 1 beginning the sacred year. Each of these indications can be disputed. The month is not named in Ezekiel 40:1, and Ezekiel consistently uses the Babylonian reckoning with a spring New Year, so "head of the year" is the tenth day of Abib, making Abib 1 the true rosh hashana. Tabernacles falls at the end of the agricultural year, and the context concerns Israelite farming, not a calendar. Although surrounding cultures may have kept a Tishri 1 New Year, Israel adhered to Abib 1 on the basis of God's clear statement in Exodus 12:2. Grounded in that definition verse, the apparent Tishri 1 New Year indications are explainable and fall away.
The New Moons
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughTishri 1, the new moon of the seventh month, is the Feast of Trumpets, and it is the one new moon God designates as holy time. Numbers 29:6 gives its instruction, adding the new moon offerings to the regular burnt offering and the special sacrifices of the day. Every other new moon is elevated above an ordinary day by added sacrifices, but none is a holy day. Tishri begins the fall festival season, which arrives six new moons after Abib (Nisan), the month that begins the sacred year. Atonement, Tabernacles and the Last Great Day fall ten, fifteen and twenty-two days after it. Because the festivals fall on different days of the week from year to year, their dates must be calculated from the new moons, so the new moon of Tishri anchors the timing of the autumn holy days. A possible, though small, chance exists that the new moon in Amos 8:5-6, when the wealthy waited for it to pass so they could sell grain, was the Feast of Trumpets.
The Lunar Sabbath or the Seventh-Day Sabbath: Which?
'Ready Answer' by Charles WhitakerThe recent Lunar Sabbath phenomenon is unbiblical and unworkable. The weekly Sabbath, observed every seventh day, is correct and in line with God's Word.
Lift Up Your Voice Like a Trumpet
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughHardly anything is more dramatic than the blast of a trumpet. Alarm or warning is a primary function, and its other uses likewise culminate in the Feast of Trumpets.
Trumpets and the Fall of Jericho
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOne major incident involving the blowing of trumpets occurred at the outset of Israel's incursion into Canaan, when God brought down the walls of Jericho.
The Year of Release
Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)The land Sabbath is a type of the weekly Sabbath, wherein the land is given time to regenerate, and all debts (and grudges) are forgiven and slaves set free.
Trumpets: Glorious Appearings
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod spoke audibly to Moses and the people, intentionally testing their faithfulness, to instill the fear of the Lord in them, and to keep them from sin.
God's Promises Are Sure!
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe story of Joseph offers lessons and encouragement regarding God's dealings with men during the time of the Feast of Trumpets.
When Is the Year of Release (Shemitah)?
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe anchor point of both the Shemitah and Jubilee is the Day of Atonement. Deuteronomy should be read at the Feast just after the year of release begins.
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.
The Unknown Deadline
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeWe do not know how long the project (our sanctification process) will take. Each day is critical in doing our part to be of the same mind as God.
The Unknown Deadline
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeGod gives His elect two unknown deadlines: Christ's return and the Christian's lifespan. They focus His people on becoming spiritually rich toward God.
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.
Remember When
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaGod wants us to remember when we were called out of bondage into virtue, when He gave us the power of His Holy Spirit to do what ancient Israel could not.
Faith and the Calendar (Part Five): Summary
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod assigned the tribe of Judah to be the caretakers of the oracles. The real issue in this controversy is faith in God's sovereignty and His faithfulness.
A Reminder and a Warning to Be Prepared
Sermon by Clyde FinkleaThe Feast of Trumpets signifies a spiritual alarm, admonishing us to repent, reflect, and prepare for the Day of the Lord, a horrendous time of judgment.
John 7:37 Examined (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)All of the events in John 8-10 occurred on the Eighth Day. Christ was crucified in 31 AD, and the postponement rules of the Hebrew calendar are accurate.