Summary of "How To Celebrate The Feast Of Trumpets For Christians - Jim Staley"

Summary of "How To Celebrate The Feast of Trumpets For Christians" by Jim Staley

Main Ideas and Concepts

Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) Overview:
- The Feast of Trumpets, known in Hebrew as Rosh Hashanah, is deeply connected to Christ and His second coming.
- It marks the beginning of the end times and is associated with the rapture of the church.
- The feast is part of God’s prophetic calendar, consisting of seven feast days: four in spring (related to Jesus’ first coming) and three in fall (related to His second coming).
Biblical and Theological Foundations:
- These feast days are not exclusively Jewish but are God’s appointed times for all His people (Leviticus 23).
- Understanding the feast requires a Hebraic perspective, as the Bible was written by Jewish authors in a Jewish cultural context.
- The Feast of Trumpets is a “high Sabbath” — a day of rest and holy convocation intended for communal gathering and worship.
Themes of the Feast of Trumpets:
- Kingship: The day when every knee bows and Jesus is crowned King of the earth, fulfilling ancient Israelite traditions of kingly inauguration.
- Remembrance: Reflecting on God’s covenant faithfulness.
- Repentance: Part of the 60-day period of repentance leading up to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), with intensified focus during the “Ten Days of Awe.”
- Awakening: The blowing of the ram’s horn (Shofar) serves as a wake-up call to repentance and recognition of God’s kingship.
- Hope and Resurrection: The trumpet blast signals the resurrection of the dead in Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:52).

Practical Instructions and Suggestions for Celebration

General Observance

Treat the day as a Sabbath and a holy convocation.
Gather with others if possible; if not, celebrate with family or alone.
Read key scriptures about the feast (Leviticus 23:23-25, Numbers 29:1-6).

Worship and Rituals

Shofar (Ram’s Horn) Blowing:
- Family members take turns blowing the Shofar.
- The Shofar symbolizes the voice of God calling His people to awaken.
Scripture Reading:
- Passages related to kingship, remembrance, and trumpet blasts (Psalm 47, Psalm 93, Genesis 8:1, Leviticus 26:42, Jeremiah 31, Exodus 19, Isaiah 27:13, Joel 2, Matthew 24:30-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Revelation 11:15).
Candle Lighting:
- Light two candles symbolizing Yeshua (Jesus) as the light and believers reflecting His light.
Songs and Worship:
- Sing kingship-themed songs and worship videos.

Traditional Foods and Symbolism

Round Challah Bread: Symbolizes the eternal cycle and the beginning of eternity for believers.
Apples Dipped in Honey: Symbolizes sweetness and blessings for the new year.
Pomegranates: Represent the 613 commandments; associated with the high priest’s garment.
Honey Cake and Other Fruits: Symbolize blessings and sweetness for the year.
Fish Head (optional): Symbolizes the prayer “may we be the head and not the tail.”

Blessings and Family Traditions

Lay hands on family members and bless them for the coming year.
Write personalized blessings for children or spouse.
Use the feast as a time to renew covenantal relationship with God.

Symbolic Acts of Repentance and Renewal

Tashlikh Ceremony (Casting Off):
- Write sins or struggles on a piece of paper.
- Cast them into flowing water (river, creek) or dissolve in water as a symbolic release and cleansing.
Acts of Charity and Service:
- Volunteer at shelters, food pantries, or help neighbors.
- Perform acts of kindness to embody the spirit of repentance and renewal.

Dress and Symbolism

Wear white clothing to symbolize purity, renewal, and readiness for the Messiah’s return.
Connect the white garments to biblical imagery of salvation and righteousness (Isaiah 61:10, Revelation 3:4-5).