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Updated 9/25/2014
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Feast of Trumpets... Part 1
Mystery of the 7 Trumpets of Revelation

"Woe, Woe, Woe..!"
What is purpose of the Feast of Trumpets?
What is the meaning of the 7 Trumpets? What are the 3 Woes?
Were World War's I and II, the two most devastating wars
in the history of the world, prophesied in the Bible?
What is the Great Tribulation? When is "Armageddon"?
Where are we now in biblical prophecy?
When will Christ Return?
How can you be ready?

"And I looked, and I heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, 'WOE, WOE, WOE to the inhabitants of the earth., because of the remaining blasts of the trumpets of the three angels which must yet sound!" (Rev 8:13).

What does this and other prophecies of the Book of Revelation mean? Do they apply to our time? Can we know? What can you do to escape the Woes warned of by these biblical prophecies?

Where are we now in biblical prophecy? World War's I and II were the two most devastating wars in the history of civilization. Were they ignored in Biblical prophecies?

World war I, the first truly global war, triggered by the assassination of the Austrian archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife Sophia by Serbian nationalists in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, was called "the war to end all wars" by British author H. G. Wells. Did he perhaps think that this was the "Armageddon" of the Apocalypse (Rev 16:14-16) in which God Himself will intervene to bring an end to war?

"And I saw the seven angels ("aggelos," meaning messengers, which may be human, such as an evangelist "euaggelistes," a messenger of the gospel (good news), or spirits whether good or evil) which stand before God; and to them were given SEVEN TRUMPETS.
"And another angel (messenger) came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
"And the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints ascended up before God (true believers of God will be praying for the Kingdom of God and peace in the world - see Mat 6:10)…
"And the seven angels (messengers) which have the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound"  (Rev 8:2-6).

This prophecy was written about 1,900 years ago by the apostle John. Did its fulfillment begin in his day, or in the past, or is it for some time yet in the future? And Why 7 trumpets, what is their purpose or meaning? Who are the 7 angels, to which are given the 7 trumpets?

The blowing of the last three trumpets is called the three Woes,

"…Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabitants of the earth, which come from the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, which are yet to sound!" (Rev 8:13).

What is the meaning of the three Woes that the last three trumpets warn of?

Do biblical prophecies give specific warnings for the times in which we live? God's word says,

"Surely the Lord God does nothing, but He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
"A lion has roared! Who will not fear?
"The Lord God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?" (Amos 3:7-8).

Conditions leading up to and though World War I were truly of biblical proportions. Was this part of the warning of the first Woe, also called the sounding of the angel (messenger) responsible for blowing the Fifth Trumpet?

"And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star (angel - Lk 10:18; Rev 1:20; 12:4,9,12) fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key to the bottomless pit.
"And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened because of the smoke of the pit…" (Rev 9:1-2).

Verse 11 reveals that "the angel of the bottomless pit" who is released is a king ("basileus," one having ruling power) whose name is "Abaddon" in Hebrew and "Apollyon" in Greek, meaning  to corrupt or destroy, a destroyer or destroying angel. This describes a demonic spirit associated with that great "fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his head" who is "that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world" (Rev 12:3,9). Satan rules over one third of the angels (who became demons) and is called "the god of this world" and "the prince ("archon," a ruler) of the power ("exousia," given authority, power to do anything) of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience" (Rev 12:4; 2 Cor 4:4; Eph 2:2). The apostle Paul reveals that demon spirits have great influence over Gentile nations who do not obey God. He writes:

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day..." (Eph 6:12).

"Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.
"But the prince (a demonic spirit) of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia...
"And now I must return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth, indeed the prince of Greece will come.
"But I will tell you what is noted in the Scripture of Truth. (No one upholds me against these, except Michael your prince" (Dan 10:12-13,20-21).

What could the "bottomless pit" and "the smoke of a great furnace," referred to in Revelation 9:1-2, possibly be referring to?

The bottomless pit, also called "tartaroo," meaning an abyss, mistranslated hell (2 Pet 2:4), is a place of restraint where demonic spirits are cast and bound for a time to keep them from deceiving the nations (2 Pet 2:4; Rev 20:1-3).

The "smoke of a great furnace" is a good description of the "industrial revolution." Was this great demonic spirit released from restraint for a time and allowed to inspire and deceive men to create an industrial revolution leading to the great wars? From the mid 1700's the smoke of the furnaces of the industrial powers of the world polluted the air with smog that literally darkening the skies and the sun.

"And there came out of the smoke locusts ("akris," meaning something pointed, or as lightning at the tip - describing what we call guns and cannons today) upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions ("skorpios," from "skerpo" meaning to pierce - as bullets have power to pierce) of the earth have power" (ver. 3).

The warning in Revelation continues,

"And command them that they not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree, but only those men which have not the SEAL of GOD in their foreheads"  (ver. 4 - [Note: The SEAL of GOD is the seal of the Holy Spirit given to God's people (those who obey Him - Acts 5:32) to protect them from being deceived - see Mat 24:24; Rev 7:3 and Eph 1:13; 2 Thes 2:13]).
"And they were not permitted to kill them (those with the seal of God), but that they be vexed FIVE MONTHS, but their own torment (torment of the perpetrators of evil) was as the torment of a scorpion whenever it stings a man" (ver.5).

This prophecy is for 5 months. But how long is 5 months in prophecy? FIVE MONTHS is 150 days, which in prophecy can mean 150 years ("each day for a year" - Num 14:34; Eze 4:5-6). The industrial revolution, beginning in the mid 1700's, changed the way wars would be fought. The "smoke" of the great furnaces of the industrial revolution, which mass-produced vast numbers and amounts of military machines, weapons and ammunitions, changed forever the dynamics, magnitude and destructiveness of wars, as described in the FIRST WOE in Revelation (Rev 8:13; 9:1-12), which was to last for 150 years, culminating in World War One.

"One woe is past. Behold, still two more woes are coming after these things" (Rev 9:12).

Feast of Trumpets...
Table of Contents:

Feast of "Blowing of Trumpets"
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The book of Revelation summarizes and expounds on "end time" prophecies of the Old Testament (see Dan 8:17; 11:35,40; 12:4,8-9; Rev 1:1-3; 10:6-7), and reveals a sequence of conditions and events including 7 successive heads of a beast kingdom having 10 horns, and also false prophets having religious authority, revealed by the opening of 7 seals and 7 angels (messengers) with trumpets sounding a series of 7 thundering messages that will take place during the eras of the 7 churches of God down through history from the apostle John's time to the return of Jesus Christ and beyond.

The meaning of many of these prophecies are revealed in keeping the Feast of "Blowing of Trumpets," but the meaning of the Feast of trumpets is a mystery to the world, even to most Christians and Jews.

Why? Because most Christians ignore the Old Testament and don't keep its observances, and most in Judaism don't understand because they ignore the New Testament and reject Jesus Christ, the Messiah, who reveals and is the focus of many of its prophetic messages.

Leviticus chapter 23 in the OT outlines 7 annual Holy Day feasts commanded by God and kept by Jesus Christ and His apostles and the true disciples of Christ. These 7 annual Feasts ("moed," meaning appointed times) reveal prophetic details of 7 stages in God's plan for the salvation of all mankind. The first two feasts are the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread (Ex 12; Lev 23:4-6 - see "Passover...The Beginning of Salvation"), and the third is Pentecost, the Feast of Harvest of the Firstfruits (who are part of God's Church also called the "church of the firstborn" - see Ex 23:14-16; Lev 23:4-18; Rom 8:29; Heb 12:23 - see also "Mystery of Pentecost…").

Pentecost in the 3rd month of the biblical calendar at the beginning of summer, and the Feast of Trumpets, the fourth feast occuring on the 1st day of the 7th month at the end of summer, represent the completion of the harvest of the firstfruits of salvation and return of Christ at the 7th trumpet, as "King of kings and Lord of lords," to rule with the saints in the Kingdom of God on the earth (see Rev 11:15; 5:10; 17:14; 20:6).

Then later, on the 10th day of the 7th month, is the Day of Atonement representing Christ's sacrifice for the redemption of the rest of humanity and the time of Satan's removal (Lev 16; 23:27-32; Rev 20:1-3), followed by the Feast of Tabernacles or Ingathering and the Last Great Day (see Ex 23:16; Lev 23:34-39), which represent the later spiritual harvest in God's plan of salvation (Rev 7:9-17; 20:5,11-13).

The book of Leviticus instructs, concerning the Feast (appointed time) of Trumpets at the beginning of the fall feast season:

"…In the seventh month ("chodesh," new moon), on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it…" (Leviticus 23:2,4,24-25).

And in the Psalms, God commands,

"Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. This He established in Joseph for a testimony…" (Psa 81:3-5 - the new moons and full moons reveal the times on the biblical calendar for the appointed feasts).

Just what does "a memorial of blowing of trumpets" actually mean?

A "memorial," translated from the Hebrew "Zikhron," means a memorial (or a reminder), remembrance, which is from "Zakhar," meaning to remember, to declare, proclaim or make to be remembered.

The phrase "of blowing of trumpets" is translated from "teruwah" meaning clangor, acclamation of joy or a battle-cry, alarm, blowing or sounding the trumpets, and is from "ruwa," which means shout (for alarm or joy), blow or sound an alarm.

In this context, in addition to its prophetic meanings, the purpose of the Feast of Trumpets is a command or "a REMINDER to blow the trumpets," either in proclaiming a message of joy or as an alarm or warning of something dreadful that will occur.

The Trumpet Messages
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The "Feasts (appointed times) of the Lord (Eternal)" are not just times of celebration as some may imply. They all have messages to impart to God's people and the messages are to promote specific actions on the part of the hearers.

What message then is the Feast (appointed time) of trumpets supposed to convey? And what purpose or action does the "blowing of trumpets" prescribe?

The blowing or sounding of trumpets ("teruwah") has long been used by armies to signal and direct troop movements. The biblical significance for the sounding of trumpets has several purposes. One purpose is for calling people to assembly. The Lord ("Jehovah," the Eternal) spoke to Moses and the Church in the wilderness, saying,

"Make two silver trumpets ("chatsotsrah")… you shall use them for CALLING the assembly and for directing the movement of the camps…
"The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets…
"Also in the day of your rejoicing in your appointed feasts, and at the beginnings of months ("chodesh," new moons), you shall blow the trumpets…and they shall be a memorial (a reminder to make you remember) [to turn the face to ("paneh,")] your God: I am the Lord your God" (Num 10:1-2,8,10).

God's voice is described as the sound of a trumpet (Rev 1:10; Ex 20:1,18-19). He commands His representatives to speak for Him and "Lift up your voices like a trumpet" (Isa 58:1). His people follow Him because they know His voice (John 10:4,14-16). Clearly, one purpose of blowing of the trumpets is to call people to repentance (to turn to God) and to assemble and keep God's Holy Days and hear His instruction. Psalm 81 says,

"BLOW THE TRUMPET ("shophar," a cornet or curved horn, trumpet) at the time of the new moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day.
"For this is a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob…
"Hear, O My people, and I will admonish ("udh," admonish, exhort, protest, testify, give warning, comfort, confirm...) you!" (Psa 81:3-4,8).

"That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write to you that your joy may be full" (1 John 1:3-4).

"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled ("rantizo," sprinkled with the blood of Christ's atoning sacrifice) from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
"not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day apporaching" (Heb 10:22-25).

The Sabbaths and Holy Days are "statutes of the Lord," His appointed times to assemble before God to hear His instruction and be taught from His word that He may direct our steps and give us success and blessings.

"A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps" (Prov 16:9).

"This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (Josh 1:8).

During the days of Ezra and Nehemiah when the Feast of Trumpets was kept,

"Ezra the priest brought the Law before the congregation, of men and women and all who could hear with understanding, on the first day of the 7th month (the Feast of Trumpets).
"Then he read from it... from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law...
"Also...and the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law...of God; and they gave the sense and helped them to understand the reading" (Neh 8:2-3,7-8).

In addition to teaching God's laws that reveal the way of peace, prosperity and success, the "feasts of the Lord" reveal the GOSPEL, the prophetic Good News of God's plan of salvation for all mankind. Jesus Christ came,

"preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying,
"The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe the gospel" (Mk 1:14-15).

"I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope...
"For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God.
"And the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thes 4:13,16-17).

He reveals that this will happen - "at the last trumpet. For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed" (1 Cor 15:52).

"Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever'" (Rev 11:15).

That is the GOOD NEWS! When Christ comes to rule, all evil will be put down (Isa 13:9-13; Mat 24:29-31; Lk 1:46-55; 21:25-28; 1 Cor 15:24-26). No more will evil rulers and empires rule over men and threaten the world with wars and oppression. No more will false religious systems deceive and enslave men with their false religious dogmas!   Hallelujah!!! - a Hebrew word meaning Praise the Lord ("Yah," the Eternal).

Another major purpose for blowing the trumpets is for the sounding of an ALARM, a WARNING.

"When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall SOUND AN ALARM WITH THE TRUMPETS, and you shall be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies" (Num 10:9).

"Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain!
"Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand.
"A day of darkness and gloominess...
"A fire devours before them... The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness...
"Before them the people writhe in pain...
"The earth quakes before them, the heavens tremble;
"The sun and moon grow dark...
"For the Day of the Lord is great and very terrible; Who can endure it?
"Now, therefore,' says the Lord, 'Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.'
"So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm.
"Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him...
"Blow the trumpet in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly...
"Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar;
"Let them say, 'Spare Your people, O Lord, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them.
"Why should they say among the peoples, 'Where is their God?'" (Joel 2:1-3,6,10-15,17).

The Day of the Lord is also a Day ("hemera," time or a period of time defined by the context) of Judgment. An OT prophecy reveals that Christ will come to judge the earth:

"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; and let them say among the nations, 'The Lord reigns.'
"Let the seas roar, and all its fullness, let the field rejoice, and all that is in it.
"Then the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord, for HE (Jesus Christ) IS COMING TO JUDGE THE EARTH.
"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
"And say, 'Save us, O God of our salvation..." (1 Chron 16:31-35).

"...the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment for punishment ("kolazo," meaning to chasten or correct, make pure...)..." (2 Pet 2:9).
"Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle...that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Savior,
"knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,
"and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming?...'
"For this they willfully forget...
"But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition ("apoleia," destruction, ruin, loss, perish) of ungodly men...
"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, during which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
"Therefore, since all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
"looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God..." (2 Pet 3:1-5,7-10-12).

The calling of God is a calling to repentance and obedience to His righteous laws - the way of blessings and life. The flip side of God's laws is that they also teach us the consequences of sin - breaking His laws (1 John 3:4). The Word of God says,

"The Lord your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good…
"if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul…
It continues, "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;
"that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days…"  (Deut 30:9-10,19-20 - see also Lev 26 & Deut 28).

God has given the responsibility to His servants in the OT and NT - His Church ("ekklesia" - His called out ones) to lift up their collective voices like a trumpet, as Noah did before the flood, and to call "all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30), to proclaim the gospel (good news - the message of hope of salvation and of God's coming Kingdom - Mk 1:14-15; Eph 1:13), and to warn the world of the consequences of sin. God says through the prophet Isaiah,

"Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a TRUMPET; Tell My people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins…" (Isa 58:1; see also Jer 35:15 and Mat 24:29-39).
"If you [turn back from trampling over] the Sabbath, from doing your own pleasure on My Holy Day, and call the Sabbath a delight, the Holy Day of the Lord honorable, and shall honor Him, not doing your own way, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words (the Sabbath is a test to see 'whether they will walk in My law or not' - Ex 16:4-5,23-28),
"Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; and I will cause you to ride on the high places of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken" (Isa 58:13-14).

The pagan holidays adopted by the Roman Catholic (Latin meaning Universal) Church (established by Roman Emperor Constantine at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D.) and kept by traditional "Christianity" have deceived men into ignoring God's Sabbath Holy Days and even persecuting those who have kept them in past ages. Keeping of God's Holy Days teaches the true way of peace and blessings and warns of the consequences of sin. God's Word says,

"Moreover by them (keeping God's laws and Feast days) Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward" (Psa 19:8,11).

Why 7 Trumpets?
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The 7th trumpet, which clearly signals the return of Jesus Christ and the beginning of the "Day of the Lord," is understood by many biblical scholars. But what specifically is the purpose of the other 6 trumpets?

The mystery of the 7 trumpets of Revelation can only be understood in the context of God's plan of salvation as revealed by the 7 annual Holy Day Feasts (appointed times), which are part of the laws, testimony, statutes, commandments and judgments given by God in the OT as a blessing to mankind (see Deut 10:12-13; 30:15-16; Psa 19:7-11). God's Word reveals the key to understanding is in keeping them:

"A good understanding have all those who do His commandments" (Pas 111:10).

So why 7 trumpets?

The answer can be understood in the meaning and purpose of the Feast of Pentecost, the Harvest of the Firstfruits and the 7 churches in Revelation.

Remember, God's Holy Days reveal God's plan of salvation for all mankind. Pentecost, the harvest of the firstfruits of salvation, reveals the One and only True Religion and True Church of God and the first spiritual harvest into the Kingdom of God. This spiritual harvest began with the wavesheaf offering during the days of Unleavened Bread and was to continue for 7 weeks or periods of time to the 50th day (see "Mystery of Pentecost…"). The Lord instructed Moses:

"When you come into the land which I give you, and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it" (Lev 23:9-11).

The wavesheaf offering was a prophecy representing Jesus Christ who was the first of the firstfruits.

"Now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
"For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
"For as is Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
"But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward (next) those who are Christ's at His coming"  (1 Cor 15:20-23).

After the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (see Rom 1:3-4 & Heb 9:11-12,24), the spiritual harvest of firstfruits was to continue for another 7 weeks or periods of time, until Christ returns.

"And you shall count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed.
"Count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall offer a new grain offering to the Lord.
"You shall bring from your habitations two wave loaves… They are the firstfruits to the Lord" (Lev 23:15).

The two wave loaves represent the firstfruits of the Old and New Testaments. One loaf represents those called, chosen and faithful in the OT times and the other represents those called chosen and faithful in NT times up to the return of Jesus Christ (Heb 11:13-16,39-40; Rev 17:14). They will all be in the first resurrection at Christ's return, as the firstfruits of salvation (Heb 9:28; Rev 20:4-6).

The 7 weeks (periods of time) to Pentecost, which completes the spiritual harvest of firstfruits, began over 1,900 years ago with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who, as the wavesheaf offering and first of the firstfruits, ascended to heaven to obtain redemption for us with His blood (Heb 9:11-12).

But what do the 7 weeks to Pentecost, which is the 50th day, represent? The 7 weeks to Pentecost (meaning count 50) represent 7 periods of time or eras to the completion of the spiritual harvest of the firstfruits. These 7 weeks are prophetically similar to the 7 Sabbath years to the Jubilee in Leviticus 25.

The seventh year or Sabbath year law is a time in which debts were released and those who became slaves for their debts or crimes were to be released in Israel (Lev 25; Deut 15:1-2,12-18). These 7 Weeks to Pentecost and the 7 Sabbath years to the Jubilee both represent the 7 eras of the NT churches of Asia in Revelation 2 and 3.

God ordained that there would be 7 church eras in NT times in which He would call many to the spiritual harvest of the firstfruits. Those called to Christ (see John 6:44,64-65) in each of the 7 church eras would be released from their debts and slavery to sin and the death penalty under Satan's overpowering influences (Rom 6:10-18; Eph 2:2-8). Jesus said when He began His ministry on earth:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel (Good News) to the poor.
"He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the (spiritually) blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to preach an acceptable year of the Lord.
And He continued, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing!" (Lk 4:18-19,21).

[Notice He said "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing!" This was the beginning of a Sabbath-Jubilee year, which begins on the Day of Atonement (Lev 25:8-9). This was the year 27 A.D. fulfilling the first part of the 70 weeks prophecy in Daniel 9:24-25. Jesus was proclaiming liberty to those being called by God to become part of the Harvest of the Firsfruits of salvation and be freed from the burden of debt of their sins (Lev 25:10; Deut 15:1; Mat 11:28-30; John 8:31-36).]

It is significant that the Sabbath year law did not require foreign slaves and the debts of aliens to be released in Israel unless they became citizens (Lev 25:44-46; Deut 15:3). Under the new covenant in the NT forgiveness and release from sins and slavery through Jesus Christ are available only to those who are drawn by God and repent and become part of His church ("ekklesia," called-out ones), which is the "Israel of God" (John 6:44,64-66; Acts 2:38; 4:10-12; Rom 9:6-8; Gal 6:16; Eph 2:11-13,19-22; 3:9-21). The covenant to OT Israel to become a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:5-6) represents God's covenant to His church in the NT (see Rom 9:4-5; 1 Cor 10:1-12,18; Gal 6:16; Heb 8:10; 1 Pet 2:9-10).

Prophetic details of the 7 weeks or eras to Pentecost and completion of the spiritual harvest of the firstfruits of salvation are revealed in Revelation to the 7 churches of Asia. Jesus Christ revealed to John, the last surviving apostle of the original twelve of the first era:

"The Revelation…which God gave Him to show His servants - things which must shortly come to pass…
He said to John, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea…
Then (John) turned and saw seven golden lampstands (the "menorah" of the OT - Ex 25:31-40), and One in the midst like the Son of Man…
"He had in His hand seven stars…
And He said to John, "Write the things you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.
"The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels ("aggelos," meaning messenger, to bring a message, announce, proclaim - may be a human or spirit being) of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches" (Rev 1:1,11,16,19-20).

The 7 church eras were to shine the light of the God's Word and the gospel (Good News) to the world from Christ's time down through the ages to His return. Jesus instructed His disciples:

"You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" (Mat 5:14-16).

The first era of the NT church, began after Christ's resurrection and the giving of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost in 31 A.D (see Acts 2). This era, called the apostolic era by some, was during the time of the original apostles and began in Jerusalem and soon spread throughout the Roman Empire and to other nations. It continued for almost 40 years to just before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. when the headquarters church in Jerusalem fled and scattered to Pella and other areas of Asia Minor. Later John wrote the book of Revelation in about 96 A.D. as a prisoner on the Island of Patmos (Rev 1:9) and then after his release continued as chief apostle over the church at Ephesus, until his death in the early 2nd century during the reign of Roman emperor Trajan. The first of the 7 eras Church of God therefore was called in Revelation, "the church of Ephesus" (Rev 1:11; 2:1).

Smyrna and the other "churches in Asia" represent succeeding eras of the church of God down through the ages to the return of Jesus Christ (Mat 25:14-15,19,31; Lk 19:12). The apostle Paul established a church in Rome about 60 A.D., but Rome has never represented the true church of God in Bible prophecy.

Before returning to God the Father in heaven Jesus gave His church a commission to perform. He instructed His disciples in Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives:

"This gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached (and published) in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end shall come" (Mat 24:14; Mk  13:10).

"All power is given to Me in heaven and in earth.
"Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them...
"teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Mat 28:18-20).

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel (good news of the Kingdom of God) to every creature.
"He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believes not shall be condemned ("katakrino," to judge against, adjudge to punishment, be worthy of condemnation)" (Mk 16:15-16).

"Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ (Messiah) to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day,
"and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
"And you are witnesses of these things.  Behold I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on High" (Lk 24:46-49).

"You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

God gave His disciples, His True Church (called-out ones - see "Mystery of Pentecost…The One True Religion & Church of God"), the power of the Holy Spirit and the responsibility to be His witnesses, for the blowing of the 7 trumpets in Revelation.

The 7 angels (messengers) of the 7 churches were given the 7 trumpets.

"And I saw the seven angels (messengers) who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets" (Rev 8:2).

Each of the 7 churches were given a trumpet to blow. That is why there are 7 trumpets, one for each era or period of time till Christ returns.

The Feast of Trumpets is an annual reminder to each era of the church to perform their responsibility, and to be found so doing God's work, "of blowing of trumpets" (Mat 24:45-47; Lk 12:42-44). God admonished His servants through the prophet Joel:

"Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand" (Joel 2:1).

The apostle Paul wrote,

"woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!" - part of blowing the trumpets (1 Cor 9:16; see also Rev 2:4-5,14-16,20-23; 3:1-3,15-19).

God's Watchmen
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God is faithful and has never neglected this world and man, He has always had His witnesses and watchmen to proclaim His messages of warning of the consequences of sin and of His plan of salvation.

God made a covenant with Adam, which he broke (Gen 2:8-9,15-17; 3:6-24), but God then called Abel and others to be His witnesses to His plan of salvation (Heb 11:4-5).

In the Old Testament, God called individuals such as Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) out of their societies to represent Him, to teach His truth as His ambassadors and witnesses - as His priests, prophets and watchmen (Jer 49:14; 2 Cor 5:18-20; Eph 6:20) to the world. Noah was God's witness to those both before and after the flood.

Those faithful to their calling who fulfill God's purpose will be rewarded as the firstfruits in the Kingdom of God. They will be in the first resurrection, the better resurrection, and reign with Christ at His return in the Kingdom of God to teach the world God's ways (Heb 11:35; Rev 2:7,11,17,26-27; 3:5,12,21-22; 5:10; 11:15-18; 14:4; 17:14; 20:6).

God called the children of Israel, descendants of Abraham, out of slavery in Egypt to become His Church (called-out ones) and His watchmen to the world in the Old Testament. Israel was called-out and chosen to become a "holy nation" to demonstrate and teach the nations of the world God's laws and the gospel (good news) of the coming Kingdom of God as a blessing to all nations of the world, as God had promised through Abraham (Gen 12:2-3; 22:18). God made a covenant with them. The covenant was:

"Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.
"And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…" (Ex 19:5-6).

And God gave them His laws (Ex 20; Deut 5), the laws of the Kingdom of God, as the conditions of the covenant. The moral/spiritual laws of the Kingdom are summed up in the two great commandments of the law:

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
"And...You shall love your neighbor as yourself," (Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18; Mat 22:36-40) which Jesus summarized in what many call the "Golden Rule," "whatever you want men to do to you, do you also to them..." (Mat 7:12).
"On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Mat 22:37-40; Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18).

Israel thus became God's One True Church ("Ekklesia," called-out ones) in the Old Testament - beginning as the "Church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38).

God established the Levitical priesthood from Aaron and raised up prophets who were made responsible for blowing the trumpet (Num 10:8; Isa 58:1). God spoke to the prophet Ezekiel, saying,

"Son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them: 'When I bring the sword upon the land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman,
"when he sees the sword coming upon the land, he BLOWS THE TRUMPET and warns the people,
"then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head.
"He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life.
"But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand" Eze 33:2-6).

Most in Israel failed to live up to their covenant and turned away from God in the following centuries. They flourished during the times of king David and king Solomon, but in Solomon's reign began to turn to multicultural idolatry and rebellion. Israel then became divided into two nations - Israel, the northern 10 tribes, and Judah, the southern tribes. Time after time they broke their covenant with God and God sent them prophets to warn them to repent and return to Him. But they killed many of the prophets whom God sent (Mat 23:29-39). He said through the prophet Hosea,

"Hear the word of the Lord, you children of Israel, for the Lord brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land: 'There is no truth or mercy or knowledge of God in the land...
"Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I will forget your children...
"The more they increased, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame...
"Because they have ceased obeying the Lord" (Hos 4:1,6-7,10).

What happens when the watchmen sleep on the job or the people ignore the warnings of the watchmen? Think of what happened on 9/11/01, or what happened from hurricane Katrina though there were many warnings.

In ancient times the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered and became dispersed in captivity beginning in 736 to 718 B.C. by the Assyrian Empire, as God had repeatedly warned would happen if they would not obey (Lev 26:14-17,33; Deut 28:15,25,49,64; 2 Kgs 15:27-29; 17:1-24; 1 Chr 5:26; 2 Chr 30:1,6-10).

And God raised up prophets to warn Judah. Through the prophet Zephaniah, God warned,

"Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, to the violent city (Jerusalem)!
"She has not obeyed His voice, she has not received correction; she has not trusted in the Lord, she has not drawn near to her God...
"Her prophets are insolent, treacherous people; her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law...
"I will cut off nations… Their cities shall be destroyed, so that there is no one, no inhabitant.
"I said, 'Surely you will revere Me, you will receive instruction; so their dwelling should not be cut off... But they rose up early and corrupted all their deeds.
"...I will take away from your midst those who rejoice in their pride, and you shall no longer be haughty in My holy mountain.
"I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord" (Zeph 3:1-2,4,6-7,11-12).

God therefore eventually rejected both Israel and Judah from being His priests to the world. Judah was also taken and dispersed into captivity by the Babylonian-Chaldean Empire in 605-585 B.C. (2 Kgs 23:26-27; 24:1-20; 25:1-21). Because Israel failed to fulfill its covenant and commission as God's holy nation and kingdom of priests, God said through the prophet Jeremiah,

"Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;
"not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke..." (Jer 31:31-32).

After 70 years (Jer 25:11; Ezra 1:1-4; Dan 9:2) a remnant of Judah and the priesthood were allowed to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple destroyed by the Babylonians (see Ezra & Nehemiah) to prepare the way for the first coming of the Messiah as prophesied by Malachi.

"Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me.
"And the Lord ("Yahweh" or "Jehovah"), whom you seek, shall suddenly come to His temple (the spiritual temple is the Church of God - 1 Cor 3:16-17; 1 Pet 2:5),
"even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight.
"Behold He is coming, says the Lord of hosts" (Mal 3:1).

God earlier revealed to Daniel when the Messiah should come.

"Seventy weeks are decreed upon your people and upon your holy city to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.
"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until the Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks (69 weeks = 483 years in prophecy with a day for a year - Num 14:34; Eze 4:6)..." (Dan 9:24-25).

The command to restore and build Jerusalem was given in 457 B.C. by Artaxerxes, king of Persia, in the 7th year of his reign (Ezra 7:1,8,11-28). Sixty-nine weeks of years (457-483 = 26 + 1 for there was no year 0) brings us to 27 A.D., which is the year Jesus Christ formerly began His ministry on the Day of Atonement beginning a Jubilee year (Lk 4:17-21; Lev 25:8-10).

"When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons" (Gal 4:4).

"He came to His own (the priesthood He had established in Israel), but His own did not receive Him" (John 1:11).

"By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" (Mat 21:23).

"…a certain Landowner (God) who planted a vineyard (Israel - Isa 5:1-7) and set a hedge around it, and dug a winepress in it and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen (the priesthood) and went into a far country (heaven).
"Now when vintage-time (spiritual harvest) drew near, He sent His servants (prophets) to the husbandmen that they might receive the fruits of it.
"But the husbandmen took His servants, beat one, killed another, and stoned another.
"Again He sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them.
"Then last of all He sent His Son (Jesus Christ) to them, saying, 'They will respect My Son.'
"But when the husbandmen saw the Son, they said among themselves, 'This is the Heir. Come, let us kill Him and seize His inheritance.
"And they caught Him, and cast Him out of the vineyard, and killed Him.
"Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will He do to those husbandmen?
"They (the chief priests) said unto Him, 'He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let His vineyard out to other husbandmen who will render to Him the fruits in their seasons."
The priests didn't see that the parable was about them, Jesus then said to them,
"Therefore I say to you, the Kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people bearing the fruits of it...
"Then when the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they perceived that He was speaking of them.
"But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitudes, because they (the multitudes) took Him for a prophet" (Mat 21:33-46).

If the priesthood of Israel was rejected, who then would become God's watchmen? Who would "blow the trumpets" to proclaim the GOSPEL (Good News) and reveal God's prophetic warnings for the "latter days" to our times? Many false messiah's and false prophets have come, claiming to be God's representatives. Jesus warned,

"Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ (Messiah),' and will deceive many" (Mat 24:4-5).

Priesthood given to New Testament (Covenant) Church!
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"He was the true Light, which gives light to every man...
"He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, but the world did not know Him.
"He came to His own, but His own (the OT priesthood) did not receive Him.
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right (power) to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name (authority)" (John 1:9-12).

Because His own (the OT priesthood) were unfaithful and rejected Him, the OT priesthood covenant became obsolete (Heb 8:13) and that priesthood was rejected (Hos 4:6). God then through Jesus Christ established the new covenant priesthood and Church (called-out ones - Mat 26:27-28). Jesus said:

"I will build My church, and the gates of hell (the grave) shall not prevail against it" (Mat 16:18).
And that it would be, "...built on the foundation of the apostles (ones sent by God) and prophets (those who were the faithful writers of the OT), Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone,
"in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple (the NT church is the spiritual temple of God - 1 Cor 6:19-20; 2 Cor 6:16-18; 1 Pet 2:5) for the Lord…" Eph 2:20-21),
which became His, "royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that they should proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
"who were once not a people, but are now the people of God…" (1 Pet 2:9-10).

The unfaithful of Israel are called "Israel of the flesh" (1 Cor 10:1-12,18-21; Gal 4:22-31). The NT Church became the "Israel of God" (Gal 6:16 - see also Rom 9:4-6,24-33) called to become God's representatives and watchmen to the world from the time of Christ's coming as the Son of Man to the time He would return to restore the Kingdom of God on the earth (Acts 3:19-21). Jesus said to His disciples,

"...I will build ("oikodomeo," to build a house or temple) My Church (called-out ones)..." (Mat 16:18).
"For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
"This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose none, but should raise them up at the last day.
"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day...
"But there are some of you who do not believe...
"Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father " (John 6:38-40,44,64-65).

"Because (they) rejected knowledge (of God), I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God…" (Hos 4:6).

The apostle Paul wrote, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
"For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
"For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
"For Christ is the end ("telos," goal, objective, fullness, fulfillment - Christ is our example - 1 Pet 2:21-24) of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" (Rom 10:1-2).

The OT covenant to Israel making them God's priesthood therefore became obsolete, replaced by Jesus Christ and the "royal priesthood" of the NT, which He is building as the New Covenant Church.

"For if that first (priesthood) had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.
"But finding fault with them, He said: 'Behold the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah" (remember the old covenant was to make them "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation" - Ex 19:5-6);
"not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, [but also made light of it], says the Lord.
"For [this reason] this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
"Then none shall teach their neighbor or anyone their brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them.
"For I will be merciful, their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will be remembered no more.
"Therefore when He said, 'A new,' He makes the former one obsolete. Now that which is made obsolete (the OT priesthood) also becomes old and ready to vanish away" (Heb 8:9-13; Jer 31:31-34).

"Christ came As High Priest... Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (Heb 9:11).

"...obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.
"For if that, the first (priesthood covenant), had been faultless, perhaps no place would have been sought for the second.
"But finding fault with them (the OT priesthood), He says: 'Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah..." (Heb 8:6-8; Jer 31:32).

"made it also necessary to change the law (of the priesthood)...
"For it is evident that Our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning a priesthood...
"For He (God) testifies: 'You (Christ) are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.'" (Heb 8:12,14,17).
"who has come, not according to the law of a carnal commandment, but according to the power of an endless life" (ver. 16).

"to wait for the Promise of the Father, that...
"you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit…" (on the Day of Pentecost) "you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be WITNESSES to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:5,8; 2:1-4; Lk 24:49).

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
"Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them...
"teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always" (Mat 28:18-20).

And He made them His watchmen, commanding them, saying,

"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Lk 21:36).

The OT priesthood then became irrelevant and obsolete in 70 A.D. when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed by the Roman army, and was scattered - even to this day.

"As You (God the Father) sent Me into the world, I also send them into the world" (John 17:18).
"He gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. And He sent them to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick" (Lk 9:1-2).

"Now when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they (the disciples) were all with one accord in one place.
"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
"Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-4).

"And He gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
"for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry..." (Eph 4:11-12; John 21:15-17).
To "turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God...
"to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" (Lk 1:16-17; Mal 4:5-6).
To "Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you..." (Mat 28:19-20).
For "this gospel of the Kingdom...must first be preached...in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then shall the end ("telos," conclusion, goal, end - the fulfillment of God's purpose) come" (Mat 24:14; Mk 13:10).

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them.
"But it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.
"And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave;
"Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mat 20:35-28).

In His final days on earth, Jesus warned His disciples of the coming destruction of the temple, and of other things that would happen, when they asked Him:

"Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the the sign of Your coming, and the end of the age?
He said to them: "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down (This happened in 70 A.D. when the Roman army under Titus destroyed Jerusalem and the temple).
"Take heed that no one deceives you.
"For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.
"And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there shall be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes ("seismos," meaning commotion, a gale, storm, tempest, earthquake, from "seio" meaning to rock, vibrate, tremble - which also causes tsunamis) in varioua places.
"All these are the beginning of sorrows.
"Then they shall deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you shall be hated by all nations because of My name.
"And then many shall be offended, and will betray one another, and will hate one another.
"Then many false prophets shall rise up and deceive many.
"And because lawlessness shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold.
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
"And this gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end shall come...
"Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming...
"Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom His Master appointed over His household, to give them food in due season?
"Blessed is that servant whom His Master, when He comes, finds so doing!" (Mat 24:1-14,42,45-46).

Keeping the Feast of Trumpets
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Today there are many religions and churches in the world teaching contradictory ideas, doctrines and beliefs, for there are many false prophets in the world (1 John 4:1) - but there is only One True Religion and One True Church of God. How can you know what is the truth? (see "Mystery of Pentecost… The One True Religion & Church of God"). Jesus Christ said,

"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32).

The True Church of God keeps the Feasts (appointments) commanded by God. Jesus set an example for us to follow by keeping God's commandments and Holy Days in both the letter and the spirit (Mat 5;6;7; Lev 23:23-25,37,41; Psa 81:3-5; 1 Pet 2:21-25; 1 John 5:1-4).

When is the Feast of Trumpets?

The "memorial (reminder) of blowing of trumpets" is always on the first day (the new moon) of the 7th month on the Hebrew Calendar. For those who do not have a copy of the Hebrew calendar, the Feast of Trumpets for 2014 occurs from sunset September 24 to sunset September 25th.

For those who want to keep the Feast of Trumpets with others near you and hear Gods instructions expounded from the Holy Scriptures, you may contact a minister of the United Church of God at the website www.ucg.org.

Next - Coming Soon!
Part 2: The 7 Trumpets & 7 Church Eras!

©Copyright: September 7, 2007, 2014 Serf Publishing, Inc.

Calendar Year	Trumpets - 1st of Tishri	Atonement - 10th	Tabernacles & LGD - 15th-22nd
2007	Sept. 13	Sept. 22	Sept. 27-Oct. 4
2008	Sept. 30	Oct. 9	Oct. 14-21
2009	Sept. 19	Sept. 28	Oct. 3-10
2010	Sept 9	Sept. 18	Sept. 23-30
2011	Sept. 29	Oct. 8	Oct. 13-20
2012	Sept. 17	Sept. 26	Oct. 1-8
2013	Sept. 5	Sept. 14	Sept. 19-26
2014	Sept. 25	Oct. 4	Oct. 9-16

*All Feast Holy Days begin at sundown of evening before. Back