A trumpet (or shofar) was blown for two important reasons in Israel. One was to announce an assembly of the people. The second was to sound an alarm and call the troops together to combat an enemy attack. Rosh Hashanah or “head of the year” is also known as the Feast of Trumpets. The trumpet blown on this holy day represents the trumpet blast that will signify the end of the age. This feast is surrounded by a forty-day season of repentance known as Elul, during which the trumpet is blown each day to remind the people to repent.
The religious leaders read to the people during this time from Psalm 27 and Ezekiel 33. Psalm 27 encourages those who belong to God and are seeking to live in His will. “For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5).
On the other hand, Ezekiel 33 warns those who do not heed the trumpet’s call: “Son of man, speak to your countrymen and say to them: ‘When I bring the sword against the land, and the people of the land choose one of their men and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn the people, then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not take warning and the sword comes and takes his life, his blood will be on his own head’” (Ezekiel 33:2-4).
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I believe we are living in the time of Elul and God is calling us to repentance. The trumpet is about to sound, signifying our Messiah’s return. Those who are living for Him long for this day and will see it as a wonderful time of joy and triumph. But those who are not right with God will experience dread and destruction.
The prophet Zephaniah urges, “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger” (2:3).
The Old Testament prophet is talking about the same event to which Paul refers in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17: “For the Lord Himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”
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Are your ears attuned for the trumpet blast? Mine are. Not that I think anyone will have to strain to hear it. No person alive (or dead) will be able to avoid hearing it. Of course, there will still be an element of surprise when the trumpet blasts. For some, it will be a surprise filled with terror and regret. For others, it will be a surprise of unimaginable joy.
Alas for that day! For the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty. Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy hill. Let all who live in the Land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand.
―Joel 1:15, 2:1
Second Peter 3:10-12 describes it this way, “The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.”
How do you see this day? With terror or exhilaration? If you aren’t sure, you need to turn away from your sins and surrender your life to Yeshua. Just a simple prayer of repentance is required. You can pray that prayer right now, wherever you are. Just tell God that you realize you are a sinner and deserve punishment. Tell Him that you accept Yeshua’s sacrifice for your sins, knowing that He paid the penalty when He was crucified on your behalf. Ask Him to forgive and cleanse you, and help you to walk in righteousness for the rest of your life.
God’s grace is freely available to all who ask. And once you have stepped into His grace, you will be ready for the trumpet blast that is about to shake the entire world.
