FEAST OF TRUMPETS (YOM TERUAH)
THE FEAST OF AWAKENING
Scriptural Reference:
“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD.” (Leviticus 23:24–25, KJV)
1. Meaning and Timing of Yom Teruah
The Feast of Trumpets, known in Hebrew as Yom Teruah (“Day of Blowing” or “Day of Shouting”), falls on the first day of the seventh month (Tishrei) in the Hebrew calendar. It marks the beginning of the Fall Feasts and serves as a prophetic and spiritual wake-up call to God’s people.
The blowing of the shofar (ram’s horn) was not merely ceremonial—it carried deep spiritual symbolism:
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A call to awaken from spiritual slumber (Romans 13:11).
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A reminder of God’s kingship (Psalm 47:5–8).
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A summons to repentance in preparation for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
2. The Prophetic Significance
Yom Teruah points to the future return of the Messiah and the resurrection of the dead in Christ:
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, KJV)
The feast is also a rehearsal for the final trumpet of 1 Corinthians 15:51–52, when believers will be transformed.
3. Spiritual Themes of the Feast of Trumpets
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Awakening from Spiritual Sleep
“And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11, KJV)
Yom Teruah calls God’s people to shake off complacency, awaken to His voice, and prepare for the coming King. -
Repentance and Preparation
The 10 days between Trumpets and the Day of Atonement (Ten Days of Awe) are a time for self-examination, confession, and turning back to God.“Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation…” (Joel 2:15–16, KJV)
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Coronation of the King
Ancient Israel recognized the Feast of Trumpets as a time of proclaiming the reign of the Lord.“God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.” (Psalm 47:5–6, KJV)
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Hope of the Resurrection
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52, KJV)
4. Application for Believers Today
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Live Watchfully: The trumpet reminds us to live in readiness for Christ’s return (Matthew 24:42–44).
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Walk in Repentance: Keep short accounts with God, allowing the Holy Spirit to search the heart.
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Declare God’s Kingship: Live in a way that honors Jesus as Lord in every area of life.
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Encourage One Another: Just as Paul told believers to “comfort one another” with the hope of the Lord’s coming (1 Thessalonians 4:18), we should strengthen each other’s faith.
5. Historical and Church Insights
Historically, the Feast of Trumpets prepared Israel for the solemn Day of Atonement. In early Christian teaching, it came to represent the believer’s readiness for the return of Christ. The early church fathers often connected this feast with the Second Coming and resurrection.
6. The Church in the Light of Yom Teruah
The body of Christ is living between Pentecost (empowerment by the Spirit) and Trumpets (the return of Christ). Our present mission is to sound the trumpet of the Gospel, calling people to repentance before the final trumpet call from heaven.
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1, KJV)
✅ Summary:
The Feast of Trumpets is God’s prophetic alarm clock—calling His people to wake up, repent, and prepare for the coronation of King Jesus. It is both a memorial of God’s faithfulness in the past and a rehearsal for the coming Kingdom.
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