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The Watchman Speaks
036 The Seventh Month and the High Holy Days
The Watchman discusses the seventh Month and the High Holy Days. There are multiple things going on this month. The Day of the Great Shout, Jewish New Year, Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles, all of which do have meaning for the modern, end times believer who is NOT Jewish! It's kind of a big deal!
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035 The Seventh Month of Tishri and High Holy Days
Welcome to The Watchman Speaks! I’m your host, Lonnie Richardson.
I am so excited that I can hardly contain myself. Why? The Seventh Month of Tishri is but four more days away. At sunset, this Friday, on September 15, 2023, The Month of Elul will be ushered out and the seventh month, or Tishri will have arrived.
The seventh month of is not named or called Tishri anywhere in the Bible. Tishri Is a name applied to the seventh month during the exilic period when Judah was in exile in Babylon. The Seventh month is however called Ethanim and you can find that in 1st Kings 8:2, “ALL the men of Israel assembled themselves to King Solomon at the feast, in the month of Ethanim, which is the seventh month.”
What were assembling for? It was Yom Teruah, the Day of the great shout that brings about the Feast of Trumpets. There are twenty seven mentionings of the seventh month in the Bible. The only month mentioned more often is the first Month of Nissan, the month of Passover or our Lord’s Death. So, why is the seventh month, the month of Tishri, mentioned so many times in the Bible, second only to the first month of Nisan or Abib?
Well, like the first month of Nisan or Abib, there is a whole lot going on during this time and season within God’s time line.
Let’s start with the first day, Yom Teruah, the Day of A Great Shout. Why is this the first day of the Month of Tishri and what is the great shout all about?
Leviticus 23:24 reads, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing trumpets, a holy convocation.’”
In the seventh month on the first day of the month, day in Hebrew is “Yom”. It goes on to say that this day is a reminder by blowing trumpets. “Yom” means day, and the word trumpets here in Hebrew is “teruah”. Therein, the day is known as Yom Teruah. Teruah is translated in the English western Bible versions as a trumpet blast. However, in the Hebrew language “teruah” is much more specific. “Teruah” means literally “great shout”. Incidently, “teruah” is the name for the third sounding of the biblical trumpets that consists of nine short and very sharp staccato blasts sounded quickly. It is the “alarm” of the watchman. It is the call to assemble, to prepare for war, the battle cry. It was a sounding that was sounded very loudly so that the entire city could hear and repeated across the countryside for all the inhabitants of the land to hear clearly. It’s meaning is to “wake up!”, “Pay attention!”, “Danger”, “Prepare yourselves for battle!”
It was a loud sounding so all could hear like a great shout.
Therefore, the first day of the seventh month is Yom Teruah. The Great Shout. But what about “a reminder of blowing trumpets”? What’s that about?
Orthodox Judaism teaches that this “reminder” is the fulfilling of the Feast of Trumpets and occurred when God called Moses and the people of Israel to Mt. Sanai before handing the law to Moses. You see, the law was but a foreshadowing of something better to come. The law was a means to provide redemption for a nation. Jesus died to fulfill the law for the sake of righteousness. Righteousness is no longer obtained by the law but through the blood of Christ.
One quick word about the law or the Torah. It’s not what many people think it is. While it is true that righteousness was obtained by the redemption methods of the law, it was meant to be more than that. The word “Torah” is derived from the Hebrew word “yareh” which means to “point out”, “instruct”, or “lay a foundation”. While the law no longer possesses any redemptive qualities in regard to obtaining righteousness, the law does lay the foundation of a moral standard. Jesus not only died to fulfill the law for the sake of righteousness, He fulfilled the law for the sake of ceremony. I’ll cover that later in the podcast. He also fulfilled the law for the right of judgement in that He maintains the right of judgement for Himself on the Great White Throne of Judgement. Think along the lines of the woman presented to Him caught in the very act of adultery. Jesus told her, “Go, and sin no more.” He postponed judgement until a later time. That’s why we don’t stone people anymore.
However, I do not see that the Feast of Trumpets has been fulfilled, at least, not completely fulfilled. Judaism sees the fulfillment of the Feast of Trumpets, as I’ve said, when God called Moses and Israel to Mount Sanai with the sound of a shofar in Exodus 19. However, I do not see the Feast of Trumpets fulfilled until there are Seven Trumpets sounded in Revelation and Christ returns with the Trumpet of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:16, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead will rise first. (NASB)
The Messianic version translates it ever so slightly different. “For the Lord Himself shall come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the blast of God’s shofar, and the dead in Messiah shall rise first.”
The NASB indicates that Jesus is bringing the trumpet of God with Him. The Messianic version indicates that the sound of God’s Trumpet will usher Jesus into the earth when He returns. I tend to like that version.
Why?
Well, Jesus was ushered out with the sound of a trumpet, it is only fitting that He be ushered back upon His return. “What?” you say. The NT says nothing about Jesus being ushered out with the sound of a trumpet.”
That’s true the NT does not say that. But the OT does. Psalm 47:6 testifies, “God has ascended with a shout, The LORD, with the sound of a trumpet.”
But the New Testament didn’t say anything about a trumpet blast in Acts when Jesus ascended into heaven. But here’s something that I’ve noticed and it has been confirmed by the few other men that I know of whom I have walked with in spirit. Often is the time that events will play out in the New Testament as they did in the Old Testament but in reverse order. I don’t have the time to delve into that at this time, but it is a fact. Also, I have noticed that the same holds true similarly within the physical and spiritual realm.
Here's what I mean. God called Moses and Israel to Mr. Sanai with the sound of a Ram’s Horn Shofar. He was saying to the people, “Come to Me!” When Jesus returns either He will sound God’s trumpet or God’s trumpet will sound announcing to the world, “I am coming to you”.
Now either way Jesus is coming back with a trumpet sound that will be heard by the entire earth. He is descending from Heaven with a shout and the sound of the trumpet will be heard throughout the earth. Psalm 47:6 indicates that as the Lord ascended there was a shout and a trumpet sound, yet there is nothing recorded in Acts about a shout or a trumpet when Jesus ascended into heaven.
Here's what I believe. Call me crazy if you want to but this is what I believe. When Christ ascended the shout and the trumpet were heard in heaven. When He descends the shout will be heard and the trumpet will be heard throughout the earth. Same thing, just opposing realms of reality.
And while it just now crossed my mind, let me ask a question to all of you theologians out there. When the seven trumpets sound in the Book of Revelation, are those trumpets heard in the heavenlies, the earth, or both. Just a question in case any of you would like to go mining in God’s Word for that nugget or revelation.
Now what is it about this shout and the sound of the trumpet that is so instrumental in this particular season beginning the first day of the seventh month of Tishri. Well, it’s Yom Teruah, the Day of the great SHOUT. Are you beginning to piece the puzzle together? It is Teruah! It is the battle cry to gather for war! It is saying “WAKE UP!” Yom Teruah is the opening bell of the Feast of Trumpets.
I wonder, when might there be a conceivable, plausible possibility that we might identify a season when Jesus is likely to return? If I were a betting man, I’d hedge my bet during the Feast of Trumpets. I’m not saying this year mind you. But I’m inclined to believe that it will be during the fall harvest season.
That’s the neat thing about God’s Feasts. They all take place during harvests. Have you ever noticed that? I have. I’m just saying. It’s kind of a big deal.
Now there are many who will say, “Lonnie, all those Feasts, those are for the Jews!”
All I can say to that is this. I pray that it is not so. It is the Passover that brings about the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of First Fruits. Jesus took the leavening of sin that was ours upon Himself and He was the First Fruits of the Dead. I want some of that. The Feast of Weeks or Shavuot is Pentecost when Holy Spirit was poured out upon all Flesh. I definitely want some of that. The Feast of Trumpets marks the return of Messiah to set up His Kingdom on earth and the Feast of Tabernacles is when we will get to take up residence in that kingdom and claim our inheritance. Don’t you want some of that?
So don’t tell me that God’s Feasts are for the Jews only. The Jews are the natural olive tree. Those who did not believe were branches broken off so that I could be grafted in. Jesus was a Jew and He sits at the Father’s right hand. Jesus is the root of the olive tree and it is the root that sustains ALL the branches. It is not the arrogant Jewish Branch or the arrogant gentile branch that supports the root. When God makes an appointment, He keeps them.
After the Feast of Trumpets, on the tenth day of Tishri is Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur means “Day of Atonement”. It is the time each year that the high Priest would go into the Holy of Holies to sprinkle blood of the mercy seat to atone for the sins of a nation. Sometimes the sin was so great that God struck the high priest dead. But every year the nation was reminded of its sin as the High Priest went into the Holy of Holies.
The Book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus went into the Holy of Holies not made by the hands of man, one time, and offered His blood for the sins, not of a nation, but for mankind. This is a mind blowing concept. You remember a little while ago when I said that Jesus died to fulfill the law for the sake of ceremony? This is what I’m talking about. He is our High Priest and the blood of bulls and goats cannot redeem. But he blood of a King can and will because it has!
When Christ returns, He has already done all that He had to do. He’s done ALL, for the sake of righteousness and ceremony that He is going to do. All that is left to do is judgement. Jesus reserved judgment for Himself.
Which brings us to the Feast of Tabernacles.
I have been told by Rabbis and Gentile Pastors that the Feast of Tabernacles has been fulfilled. That the Feast of tabernacles is a reminder of a people wandering about in the desert before being allowed into the promised land because of their unbelief and disobedience. Some say that the Feast of Tabernacles was fulfilled when the people of Israel went in and took the promised land. Some say that the Feast of Tabernacles was fulfilled when the “WORD” that John spoke of in John 1 came and tabernacled among us. I don’t have much problem with any of those conclusions other than I do not believe that the Feast of Tabernacles has been completely fulfilled as yet.
I believe, just as Israel wandered about in a desert for forty years before a new generation was allowed to go into the promised land that we are wanderers in the earth looking for something. However, I’m not looking forward to an inheritance of a piece of land as Israel was. No indeed! I’m wandering this earth looking for a city whose foundations were not laid by the hands of man. I’m looking for an inheritance in a kingdom, My Father’s Kingdom. It’s kind of a big deal.
The month of Elul is almost over. Remember Elul? It is a time, as Haggai put it, to remember your ways. It is a time of temple building. 1st Corinthians tells us our bodies are temples. It is a time of retrospect, self evaluation, and turning back to God with one’s whole heart to prepare our temple for the Day of the Great Shout, Yom Teruah when I believe Christ will return with the voice of the arch angel, a great shout, and a sounding of the trumpet of God. The time for the Feast of Trumpets will have arrived. But the time of teshuva or turning back to God is still ongoing.
Why? Well, if you will remember, when I discussed the Month of Elul and this season of teshuva I mentioned that the Kings of the time would come down from their throne, out of the palace, to mingle with the common man. Elul is such a time of preparation to meet with the king. Teshuva is such a time to prepare for meeting with a King. Teshuva is a 40 days long event. Kind of like Noah’s forty day flood. It’s kind of like Moses’ 40 days spent on Mt. Sanai time three.
Teshuva runs through the Feast of Trumpets right up until the 10th day of Tishri which is Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement. Here’s the catch. When Jesus returns with the trumpet of God know that it is too late to surrender. Just like Jericho in the Book of Judges. Jericho could possibly have surrendered to Israel and escaped total annihilation. But when the seven trumpets were sounded by seven priests it was too late to surrender. Their fate was sealed. So it shall be when the trumpet of God sounds.
But after the Feast of Trumpets is the Day of Atonement. Well, Jesus took care of that. The redeemed have been atoned for. But the Feast of Tabernacles is the season in which Christ will establish His Father’s Kingdom and the elect will reign with Him. It’s an inheritance.
Look at the book of Hebrews, chapter 11. Therein you will find what is commonly referred to as the “Hall of Faith” and it goes all the way back to Abel. Enoch is mentioned. Enoch was the first of two who never tasted death. The other was Elijah. They never died. God merely took them. But pay attention to verse 13 of chapter 11, “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”
What were the promises that they did not receive? What was the faith in which they died? What promises did they see and welcome from a distance? What distance did they see them from? Was it a distance in linear distance? No, it was a distance in time. What time were they looking for? It was a time that will transpire during this season that is rapidly approaching. The high holy days, the first twenty one days of the seventh month of Tishri.
Notice the last phrase of verse 13, “and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.” They were not looking for the promise of a land. The land is on the earth. They were looking for something greater.
The “Hall of Faith” continues, but did their faith accomplish anything on this earth? Yes, it did.
Beginning in verse 32 of Chapter 11 in Hebrews, “And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”
Wow! Their faith accomplished all that? Yes, it did. But it was not all so glamourous for the “Hall of Faith” members. Let’s continue, beginning with verse 35, “Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword; they went about I sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, and ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.”
The ”Hall of Faith” accomplished great things through their Faith. They also suffered greatly because of that faith. What was such a faith grounded upon? Boiled down to the essence, their faith was in this season that is approaching. They never saw it, but they knew it was coming. Some of us may never see it, but I know that it is coming.
Hebrews 11:39-40 is perhaps one of the most sobering passages that I know. “And all these, having gained approval through the faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.”
NONE of these giants of the faith received what was promised! Yet, they had gained approval through faith. God has something better for us and for them. And the season and time approaching will be, I believe, the season in which it will come to fruition.
No, I’m not saying that the rapture is days away. I’m not saying Christ will return within the week with the trumpet of God. I am saying that I have reason to believe that those things will happen during this time of year but I cannot say which year.
That is why I celebrate the High Holy Days. Teshuva, turning to God is still in effect. It’s not too late to accept Jesus Christ, Yeshua Ha-Mashiach, as your Lord and Savior. It’s not too late to surrender all that you are and all that you have to God. It’s not too late as of now. I know that Jesus is coming back. I know a kingdom is going to be established. I know that I have an inheritance in that kingdom. Why would I not celebrate that?
The month of Tishri is a month of expectancy and anticipated joy. Much has been promised and the promises will be fulfilled. If I’m wrong about all this, hey, no big deal. But what if I’m right?
I’ll have the lamps filled with oil. My worship, praise, and thanksgiving shall rise like a fragrant aroma unto the Lord.
I am The Old Watchman, Ezekiel. You have been put on notice.
I know. The King is coming?
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