Next Monday is the Feast of Trumpets. One of the great festivals God gave to mankind. This festival described in Leviticus 23:24 occurs "in the seventh month, on the first day of the month". This festival always occurs at this time in the early fall of year in the northern hemisphere. It is a "sabbath-rest"  and a time of a "memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation". God's people have been observing this festival, and all other Holy Days, for generations.

The Feast of Trumpets is a unique festival. The sounding of the trumpets mark the intervention of God into the history of mankind. This event, the coming of Jesus Christ, marks the time when man's rule over his own affairs comes to a crashing conclusion. "The 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!" (Revelation 11:15)

Reading this verse reminds me of the world changing event this will be. The kingdoms (nations) of this world become, or belong to, Christ. He will reign over the nations. Everything changes. Everything. It is easy to speed read through this verse and miss its implications. If this verse is true, and you should understand it is, then it explains a lot of what tends to happen every year at this time.

This week, on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America, violence exploded in Libya with the murder of four United States diplomats, including the sitting ambassador, Christopher Stevens. Other United States embassies in Egypt, Yemen and Tunisia have come under attack as the violence spreads through the region. Annually there are critical events occur during this early fall period, coinciding with God's fall Holy Days. The near collapse of the American financial markets four years ago is another example. Last night I listened to an economist discuss the current world economic situation in the same terms. He noted how key world events often occur at this time of year. We are watching another period of crisis rise.

This is not coincidence.

The Feast of Trumpets reveals the time ahead when Christ intervenes in world history and establishes His rule. This means the rule of Satan over the nations will end (Revelation 12:9). Satan knows his time is short and he stores his wrath among people and events at this time in unique ways. Unrest in the streets of the Middle East or increased financial pressure are indicators of a greater turmoil in the unseen, but very real, spiritual realms. One prominent characteristic of Satan is his wrath (Revelation 12:17). When I watch these types of events, especially at this time of year, I am sobered. I know there is much more to understand than just what we can see with our eyes. There are titanic forces at work, behind the scenes in another dimension, shaping the world we see.

Those who observe God's holy days understand world events in light of what God is bringing to pass in His plan for the nations. His festivals are a little known key of understanding todays world and where we are in Bible prophecy. When our life is anchored in this knowledge it gives an assurance and comfort that God is in control and the world is not operating in a random chaotic vacuum.

Study God's festivals. Determine to start observing them in the nature and manner God commands.