“The Feast of Trumpets” sermon given by Mr. Joe Greene on September 16, 2023

I'd like to have you turn over to start the service to Leviticus 23. Leviticus 23. Let's start here and see what God says specifically about this day that we are gathered here on. Leviticus 23. Let's read verses 23 to 25 to set the stage for our sermon. Starting in verse 23 of Leviticus 23, it says, Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, [That is today.] you shall have a sabbath rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets a holy convocation. [And] You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire into the LORD.’”  We are here honoring our God and His command to be here to worship Him. We've given our offering today --- and we understand that this day that we're observing --- this Feast of Trumpets --- is really just our annual reminder of some truly pivotal events in human history. And we understand though, that these events have not happened yet.

But as we think about the meaning of this day, and we try to set the stage, this day marks the end of humanity's grand experiment --- if you will --- with self-rule. We know --- and we won't spend the time looking at it back in Genesis, but we know that in the beginning God granted man with dominion over the earth. And we know that mankind would then govern and care for the planet under the watchful eyes and direction of their Creator. That was the intent. We know that didn't last very long though. We know that ……. mankind turned away from the counsel of God, and …. instead turned to the counsel of Satan. And we learned --- as humans long ago --- that  under Satan’s influence that we should make up our own mind how to best manage our affairs. Obviously, God was very displeased. He kicked them out of the Garden of Eden --- set them away from His presence --- but He didn't revoke man's dominion over earth at that time. We know history. And we can read it. We know that man's dominion over the earth is the most important thing. We know that they had that responsibility to govern and care for earth. We know that they would be allowed to make up their own minds on things --- that they would be allowed to experience then the pain of their choices --- again under the counsel of Satan. The good news though is that humanity's commission of dominion over the earth is not theirs forever. Right? The days of having it our way --- making up our own minds about what is right and wrong --- are scheduled to come to an end. And we're so thankful that that day --- this day specifically --- that end date is marked by the return of Jesus Christ (which we anticipate will happen on the Feast of Trumpets in the future).

After the dominion over the earth by the flesh and blood creation of God --- the earth will be given to us --- to the spirit-born children of God. We understand that Jesus Christ is that firstborn --- and obviously preeminent of these. But when Christ returns --- humanity will not be willing to just give it up easily. We know that things are going to happen. There's going to be no peaceful transfer of power. And we read the story. We won't spend time on it today. We know it. But goaded by Satan, humanity is going to gather their armies together --- and they're going to fight and resist Christ at His return in a large valley in central Israel. Thankfully, we also know that they won't win. They won't prevail.

As we kick off this fall holy day season --- and specifically the feast of trumpets --- I want to talk just a bit about the trumpets, Okay? See the trumpets that we associate with this first fall holy day are war trumpets --- right --- calling troops to battle. But I don't want us to miss the fact that these trumpets are also and most importantly a proclamation of rejoicing. It's a proclamation of rejoicing. It's a proclamation of victory. And that is what I want to talk about today. This rejoicing. This Feast of Trumpets is a day of rejoicing. We've read already --- we understand the Feast of Trumpets marks the beginning of the seventh month. And we also know that the date of this feast of trumpets is not really a calendar date --- right? It's determined by the specific positioning in the solar system of the earth and the moon and the sun. And we know that all the other holy days --- right? --- the entire biblical calendar were calculated by either counting backward or forward from the Feast of Trumpets.

I mentioned earlier that this day marks a pivotal point in God's plan --- literally a pivot point. The Hebrew name of the day is Rosh Hashanah --- meaning “head of the year”. We've heard that before.

But if you're still in Leviticus --- if you haven't turned from there --- notice what you don't see in Leviticus 23, verses 23 through 25. You don't see the word “trumpets”.

The blowing or the blasting of trumpets is the obvious reference that we're going to look at next in Numbers chapter 10. Numbers chapter 10. We're going to read verses 1 through 10. We're going to see here that trumpets are used to call the people of God in several ways. Numbers 10, starting in verse 1. It says, And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Make two silver trumpets for yourself; you shall make them of hammered work; [And] you shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camps. “When they blow both of them, all the congregation shall gather before you at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. [verse 4] But if they blow only one, then the leaders, the heads of the divisions of Israel, shall gather to you. [And] When you sound the advance, the camps that lie on the east side shall then begin their journey. When you sound the advance the second time, then the camps that lie on the south side shall begin their journey; they shall sound the call for them to begin their journeys. [And] when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow but not sound the advance. [Verse 8] The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets; and these shall be to you as an ordinance forever throughout your generations. 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. [And] 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.”

So I mentioned there before we started reading in Numbers that trumpets were used --- it talks about here --- to call the people of God. One, it tells us to appear before God on His appointed days. Another reason [….] trumpets were used to call the people of God is to gather those people to move to a new location. Trumpets were used to gather the people for battle. And we also read trumpets were used to call upon God's protection. Notice verse 10 though. It says --- it makes a special note --- it talks about [in verse 10] days of gladness. It's talking about the Feast days. Right? Today --- also the beginning of the month Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets. And as I continue that thought, these days operate as a memorial for us --- as a reminder to us --- of God and His plan for humanity. It truly is a day of rejoicing.

Each holy day --- as we think about it --- has its own uniqueness about it. Think about that. For Passover. Passover has the lamb. Now the bread and wine in the New Covenant. The Feast of Unleavened Bread has its special diet. Atonement --- coming up soon --- has fasting. The Feast of Tabernacles has its temporary dwellings. And the Feast of Trumpets has the blasting of trumpets . Turn back to Psalm chapter 81. The Book of Psalms chapter 81. We're going to read verses 1 through 4. And this might sound familiar as […….] these scriptures are used in one of the songs we sing. But it says in verse one of Psalm 81, Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute. Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, At the full moon, on our solemn feast day. For this is a statue for Isreal, A law of the God of Jacob. So the blowing of trumpets is a shouting or a cheering for joy --- with or along with trumpets. And it talks about the reference to the new moon – indicates it is indeed the Feast of Trumpets that is being referred to here. Now if we think about it, on one hand you might think, “How can I be joyous? How can I be rejoicing when we know that these same trumpets are going to be used to declare war --- When they're going to be used to call all the armies of the earth together to fight against our returning Savior? War is awful. It's a bad thing. It's scary. People die. And they're going to die

We first have to understand, I think, why there is war --- why there is going to be war. This simply is that God is going to declare war because of sin --- right? --- because of humanity's refusal to repent --- because of their refusal to accept His rule. Now the upside of it is that He's going to intervene at the perfect time to stop us from destroying ourselves. We understand that --- right? However, at the same time God is going to offer protection to those of us who are willing to stand with Him. Revelation 9 verse 4. I can read that to you. You can turn there if you'd like. Revelation 9 verse 4 talks about this. It says, They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. God will protect those people.

Isaiah. Let's turn over there. Isaiah chapter 11 --- Isaiah 11:10 --- Isaiah 11, starting in verse 10. We'll read verses 10 through 12. It's talking about that time --- that end time --- [Isaiah] 11 verse 10, And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, And his resting place shall be glorious.” It shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, from Pathros and Cush, from Elam and Shinar, from Hamath and the islands of the sea. He will set up a banner for the nations, And will assemble the outcasts of Israel, And gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. There will be some still alive at Christ’s return --- and you could actually be one of them. We don't know. It could happen in our lifetime. But we understand in those days that leading up to the tribulation --- up to those days of tribulation (I should say) --- leading up to Christ’s return --- that this group of God's people will be specially targeted by Satan. And we know it's coming. And it's going to be a very scary time. But we can rejoice. We can rejoice --- right? They're going to be keeping the Feast of Trumpets. This group that He's talking about are prepared mentally and spiritually. They know what is happening. They know why it's happening. And they know the outcome. Brethren, at the Feast of Trumpets today we can rejoice because we know the wicked world humanity has devised will be destroyed. And finally --- finally --- it will be replaced with the rule of God. Now obviously --- this is good to know --- or will be good to know for those who are caught up in the days of tribulation --- but also for those who will pass away before that --- who died during that time. Because they have the expectation of Christ’s return. The Feast of Trumpets --- on this day we can also rejoice because it announces the time when those who are Christ’s receive eternal life. And if you've been around for a long time, you understand that we finally receive our inheritance and the full rights of sonship in the family of God. As it talked about in Isaiah 11, on that day of Christ’s return we will be gathered together with Him under His banner.

Let's look at Mathew 24 verse 30. Notice what Christ says --- what He says about this, that this gathering is for the elect. Matthew 24 and verse 30. It says, Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Look so forward to that day. I think all of us do. That day of Christ’s return. Turn back a couple books to First Corinthians chapter 15. Let's talk a little bit more about this time --- this moment. 1 Corinthians 15 --- let's read verses 51 through 54. Verse 51 of 1 Corinthians 15 it says, Behold, I tell 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 trumpet. Again, we understand [….] the time period here. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.” Brethren. Do we truly understand and believe that for the elect --- again --- this blast of the trumpet is the glorious time when there's no further fear of death?

However, we should discuss that this time of resurrection and gathering isn't for everyone. Notice that Paul says here. He says, “We”. He's speaking about the church of God --- not the whole of humanity at this time. He’s talking about the people who are obeying Him now and following Him. He's talking about the elect. He's talking about the elect who are faithful. Obedient to God's word. He's talking about the people who have humbled themselves before Him --- who already have submitted to His rule. He's talking about those who are converted. So what I mean by that --- he's talking about those who have rejected evil and have freely chosen God's way over their own. I want to be part of that group that he's talking about --- and I think you all do as well.

First Thessalonians chapter 4 --- 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 verses 13 and 14. This is addressed to those who are who are brothers and sisters with us --- and tells us this victory is for those --- again --- who are in Christ’s return. We should get there instead of talking. First Thessalonians 4, verses 13 and 14. He says, But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

And you can write down Revelation chapter 3 verse 21. It's appropriate to read that to you at this time --- because it talks about those who he's describing --- these people. He says, To him that overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. You see --- the victory that we're talking about --- the rejoicing that we have to look forward to is for those --- for that person who overcomes --- for that person who masters and controls his own spirit --- who regulates everything that they do by god's command. He's talking again about that person who truly submits themselves to God.

Turn back in your Bible a few pages here --- a couple chapters I guess --- or a couple books. Revelation 20 verse 4. Again, as we read through these, think about the joyous time that we're talking about. That return of Christ --- what it's going to be like for those people who have been faithful to God --- who have submitted themselves to God. It talks about that group here. Revelation 20. Let's read verses 4 through 6. It says, And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. I can't wait. Again --- we're talking about the Feast at this point. But the rest of the dead did not live again until a thousand years were finished. We're going to rehearse this over the next few weeks even more. It says, This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in that first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. We understand that the first resurrection occurs at the last trumpet. And then we also understand that everyone else will not be resurrected until much later. See brethren --- this is an opportunity that we can't let slip through our fingers --- that we can't let pass us by.

Do we do we understand the meaning, or the symbolism of the Feast of Trumpets?  I hope we all say “Yes”. But I also want to say just because we understand --- that it's not enough. It's not enough to understand what this day means. We have to act on the knowledge that God has given us. We have to act on what we know. Not acting on it puts us in a very precarious position.

Colossians 3 verse 15. To understand that God won't raise up anyone in the resurrection of life whom He does not rule. Colossians 3 verse 15 simply says And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, [Let it control everything you do. Your thoughts, your actions every day.] to which also you were called in one body; God has hand-picked you, and He wants us to do something with it.  Which you are also called and be thankful.  You see, God's will is for us to keep His commands.

Matthew 6:10. We won't turn there. It's a familiar scripture. It simply says Your kingdom come. Your will be done [not my will] Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. You see, I think about this in my life as I sometimes struggle. I think why did I do that? What was I thinking? And I'm sure you all have been to that point. But God wants us, and He wants to see that that it's not --- that we don't make it too much of a struggle. What I mean by that is He wants to see that we freely choose to submit ourselves to His will --- that we freely choose to do so. And one of the commands is that it directs us in the will of God --- is to be here today --- to keep his Feast of Trumpets. It tells us to do no work on that day --- to participate in a holy convocation. I thought about this question when I was putting this together. I said, “How can a person who doesn't obey God's instruction to keep this day have any realistic expectation that they will be gathered to Him at Christ’s return --- and goes without saying, obviously, to be a part of the resurrection into life? Something to consider.

So I mentioned earlier --- let's talk about the trumpets just a little bit more. I mentioned earlier that we don't actually blow a trumpet on this day. We read back in numbers 10 that the priest --- that high priest, the sons of Aaron, that the high priest I should say --- the son of Aaron --- was the one who blew the trumpet. But understand that with Christ’s death and resurrection --- He took over all of those functions. He took over all the functions of the high priest. And so we wait for Him to blow that trumpet at the appointed time. In the meantime, we have each other. In the meantime, we have the church of God --- which we understand is under Christ. And we see the work that's trying to be done. We sound the message of warning of what is coming. I just received my Beyond Today Magazine. I haven't got a chance to read it yet. But we talk about that time that's coming --- a time of war. We publish magazines. We reach I don't know how many million through our website. We're on TV. We're on YouTube. We're streaming. Millions of people hear God's warning. But look around. There are very few who are acting right now. They're like the people in the parable who say “My lord delays his coming.” And then when the master returns they find themselves not ready --- unprepared truly. We have to prepare now. We can't say, “Well it won't happen in the next few years. I still have a few years to get my act together.” No. For those who are alive in those days, who have been unprepared, they're going to miss out on God's protection in that time of tribulation. For those who live out their life and die before that time --- who haven't taken seriously what they know --- the truth of what's coming --- they're going to miss out on the greatest opportunity ever offered a human being.

Let's look at Nehemiah. The book of Nehemiah, in chapter 8. We're going to start reading in [verse 2] of Nehemiah --- Nehemiah eight starting in verse 2, it says, So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month. So the people he’s talking about are hearing the law on the day of Trumpets. Verse 3, Then he read from it in the open square that was in front of the Water Gate from morning until midday, before the men and women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of Law.  So he's delivering a message to them --- a sermon to them. They're listening. So Ezra the scribe stood on a platform of wood which they had made for the purpose; and beside him, at his right hand, stood [several people whose names I don't --- you can read]. Verse 5, And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; when he opened it, all the people stood up. And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And then the people answered, “Amen, Amen!” while lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. And another group of people were talking about here and the Levites helped the people to understand the law. Those who had questions --- they were explaining it. And the people stood in their place. So they read distinctly from the book, in the law of God; and they gave the sense,  and helped them to understand the reading. So we're talking about God's servants here, right? They're not only presenting the word of God, they're helping explain it --- breaking it down to those people who maybe don't have that much knowledge yet, but are wanting to learn --- who are eager. They're probably adding detail to it and adding background. They're adding context --- which is kind of what we're doing today. We do this on this Feast of Trumpets. We do this on every Sabbath. And it says --- for those of you who have dozed off --- they were paying attention. Nehemiah 8 verse 9 it says, And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people [taught the people] said to all the people, “This day [Again, this is the Feast of Trumpets.] This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Why were they weeping?  We'll talk about that. And, Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” In verse 11, So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them. Why were they weeping? Because they were moved. They were upset --- learning how much they had fallen short of the Bible's instructions --- how much they'd fallen short of what God expected them to do. But as Nehemiah says, “Calm down. Calm down and rejoice.” At the Feast of Trumpets rejoice in the understanding of this day. And so we know they also went on and kept the Feast of Trumpets --- and all the other feast days too. See God wants something from you and I. That's no surprise. He wants our commitment. He wants our genuine love for Him. He wants us to obey Him. And if we think about all the holy days that even have built up to this point. He wants us --- as we did already this year to keep the Passover. As part of that He wants you to understand that without that sacrifice of Jesus Christ that you --- none of us here --- have no hope of moving forward with God's plan for life. He called us to keep the feast of unleavened bread --- which we did earlier this year --- and helped us to understand that we have to change who and what we are. We have to remove that sin from our life once and for all --- get rid of the old ways --- get rid of the attitudes --- get rid of the past practices --- and instead replace them with something that is lasting. We are asked, in a sense, to unleaven our lives. And we had the Feast of Pentecost --- which again we observed --- and we came to understand that without the holy spirit in us there is no promise of life. Without the Holy Spirit, there's no hope for us to attain that resurrection into life. And we learned how we receive that Holy Spirit. And it's through the laying on of hands after baptism. And we know and we believe that without the Holy Spirit we will not share in the joy of victory at Christ’s return --- and that it's only with the Holy Spirit in us that we can fulfill our purpose for existence --- which is only and simply to be born into the family of God.

As we start to wrap up this morning, you might ask how can I move forward? How can I move forward? It's not that different than when we were first discussing baptism --- if you think back in that time --- we have to understand truly what repentance means. We have to understand the significance in the importance of water baptism. If we want to move forward, we're going to talk about those steps that you take --- that you took --- towards baptism --- so that we could receive the promises of protection in that last day of trouble that's coming --- and in your inheritance on the day of Christ’s return. Brethren, the feast of trumpets is truly a day to rejoice. It is a day of war and turmoil --- we know that. But for those who are in Christ --- to the people I’m speaking to today --- it's also a great day of rejoicing. It's a day of reminder. It's a day of victory. It's a day of new beginnings. The Feast of Trumpets marks the pivotal day in human history. The preceding millennia of suffering and confusion caused by man's desire to decide what is right --- caused by man's desire to self-rule will be over. The future days that follow the Feast of Trumpets will be an amazing journey that puts the wildest of science fiction to shame. So don't miss out. Join me, and let's rejoice together on this Feast of Trumpets.