The Feast of Trumpets

Although Christians are NOT obligated to observe this festival, there is much in it that relates to Jesus Christ and has deep meaning for his disciples. Jews call this festival Rosh Hashanah. For them, it is the "Head of the Year" - their New Year. It is also the day which they believe that God created both the universe and Adam and Eve. (see Chabad.org: What Is Rosh Hashanah?) In Torah, it is referred to as "a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation." (Leviticus 23:24, ESV) In addition to all of this, the Israelites were instructed to "present a food offering to the Lord." (Leviticus 23:25, ESV)

Now, first, it is important to understand that ALL of the various elements of Torah (Sabbaths, festivals, sacrifices/offerings, rituals, ceremonies, clean/unclean, etc.) pointed to Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said that he came to this earth to fulfill Torah and the prophets. Likewise, Paul told the saints at Colossae that things like Sabbaths, festivals and New Moons were shadows of future things, and that Christ was the reality to which they pointed. Moreover, the epistle to the Hebrews makes clear that the Sabbath, priesthood, sacrifices, and ceremonies related to the Tabernacle, Holy of Holies, and Day of Atonement pointed to the reality found in Jesus of Nazareth.

Hence, returning to the Jewish meaning of the day, we can see how Jesus is the "Head of the Year" - the start of a new life, age, and kingdom! In similar fashion, we know that the New Testament reveals that God created all things through Jesus Christ. Likewise, we know that Christ is referred to in the New Testament as the bread of life - that his body is real food, and we know that he offered himself to God for us! Once again, we are told that Christ is the ultimate Sabbath. He is the One who makes it possible for us to truly rest from our own works. Finally, the New Testament clearly associated the blowing of trumpets with the tribulation prior to his return, the announcement of his return, and the resurrection of those whom he has already redeemed from death. Moreover, by definition, the ekklesia is an assembly of Christ's disciples. In the truest sense of the word, it is a Holy convocation!

Thus, we see that the blasting of Trumpets clearly found fulfillment in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. In short, this Festival points to Christ's creation of this world, and the fact that he will eventually do away with the very flawed human systems (religious and political) extant in our times.