God's seven annual festivals picture His plan of salvation for mankind. The first three-Passover, the Days of Unleavened Bread and Pentecost-occur in the spring. These days picture the preparation, training and reaping of the firstfruits-the 144,000 called to live God's Way-into the Family of God.

The Feast of Trumpets, the first of four fall festivals that picture God working with the rest of humanity, ultimately leading to salvation for the vast majority of human beings. The Feast of Trumpets shows us that Jesus Christ will triumphantly return to earth, saving mankind from destroying itself and establishing a world-ruling supergovernment led by Him and the saints. Victory will be achieved by the living God.

The Day of Atonement is a very unique Holy Day. It a Holy Day of God with similarity to the others, yet very different (same thing only different), at the same time. It is central the true meaning of Christianity, as a true religion. . It has personal significance to us, as well as indications of future world shaping events, as symbolized by historical ceremony. So many who profess to be Christians ignore the Day of Atonement. Some who consider the Day of Atonement confuse the meaning of the Day of Atonement with the Passover.  The Passover signifies Christ's sacrifice to pay the sin debt for us and all humanity (past sins of us all). The Day of Atonement signifies Christ's delivery of that payment, in the heavenly temple of God and the ultimate removal of sin.

 So, we see that The Day of Atonement has significance to the Christian and all humanity. This Day brings forth order to the Christian and will bring forth order to all humanity.

 Where is the command to observe the Day of Atonement found in Scripture? Leviticus 23:26-31. How are God's people to properly keep this day? Verse 32. What is meant by the word afflict? Isaiah 58:3; Ezra 8:21, Psalm 35:13.

Of all the Holy Days, the Day of Atonement is perhaps the most unique. On no other specific day does God command us to fast, to go without food and water for 24 hours (Ex. 34:28; Esth. 4:16). Fasting is a form of affliction. Its purpose is to humble oneself and draw close to God. Remember that "God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble" (Jms. 4:6). Psalm 35:13 Fasting on the Day of Atonement forces us to ponder the state of mind necessary-humble, contrite, wholeheartedly seeking to live God's Way-to be close to God and ultimately to receive salvation. Most of the world will be forced into this humble state by the calamitous events leading to the Return of Christ.

Why is this day to be kept in a solemn manner? Leviticus 23:28.

Think of the word atonement as "at-one-ment." The Day of Atonement pictures the entire world being made "at one" with God, reconciled to Him through the blood of Jesus Christ-certainly a solemn event! But humanity cannot be at one-in full agreement-with God if it allows Satan to have power and influence of its ways.

The Lord commanded the Day of Atonement as a solemn annual observance of the Israelites. It's unique in that it's the only one of the annual God-commanded Biblical Holy Days in which fasting was required. The fast was such a strict requirement that anyone who failed to do so would be cut off from the community.

   

Feast of Trumpets:  Great Significance To The Plan of God 

 The Feast of Trumpets is not well known in the Christian community, but it has great significance in the plan of God. In fact, some have called it the "central, pivotal Holy Day in God's Plan" because of the events (both joyous and terrible) it pictures. By using this guide you'll see why it is so important

LEVITICUS 23:23-25 " Then the Lord spoke to Moses saying, (24)'Speak to the children of Israel, saying: "In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a Sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. (25) You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.'"

 1. When is this feast? Is there significance to the number seven?

 2. What is a holy convocation? What does this indicate about whether God thinks this is something important for man?

 3. What does this feast day commemorate?

 NUMBERS 10:2 "Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; you shall use them for calling the assembly and for directing the movement of camps."

 NUMBERS 10:9-10 "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 will be remembered before the Lord your God, and you will be saved from your enemies. (10) Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God."

 JEREMIAH 4:19-21 "O my soul, my soul! I am pained in my very heart! My heart makes a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, Because you have heard, O my soul, The sound of the trumpet, The alarm of war. (21) How long will I see the standard, and hear the sound of the trumpet?"

4. For what occasions were the trumpets used? Were they used in joyous times and in distressful times of war?

5. Does this indicate that the Feast of Trumpets pictures a time that is a mixture of joy and terror, a time of gladness but also a time of war? What could this future event be?

REVELATION 11:16-18 "And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God..."

6. Why are the nations angry? Will the reward given to the prophets and saints be something about which to be joyful?

7. Is God's wrath something to fear, something terrifying? Read Revelation chapter 16 and chapter 19, verses 11 to 21, and then list what will be terrifying.

8. Is this at Christ's return? Read verse 15 of chapter 11.

 REVELATION 11:15 "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 His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"

 9. What is the angel sounding?

 10. What did the other six angels sound? Read Revelation 8:6.

 REVELATION 8:6 "So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound."

 11. Read the remainder of chapter 8 and chapter 9, then list what happens at the sound of each trumpet.

 MATTHEW 24:30-31 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven..."

 12. What else occurs at Christ's second coming? Does an assembly occur?

 13. Weren't trumpets blown for assembly?

 I THESSALONIANS 4:16-18 "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout..."

 I CORINTHIANS 15:51 "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- (52) in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

 14. Is this a joyful occasion -- something to look forward to?

 15. Is a trumpet blown?

 16. What change(s) occur(s) at the resurrection? Describe what you think living will be like after you are changed at the resurrection.

Summary

 1. What does God want us to learn by keeping the Feast of Trumpets?

 2. What are the opinions of most people concerning this particular feast? Do they celebrate it? If so, how? If not, why not? Do they see it as a picture of what happens at Christ's second coming?

 3. What are the reasons for what you believe regarding the meaning of the Feast of Trumpets?