Did you hear the one about the long-awaited Messiah finally arriving in Jerusalem? The Mayor of Jerusalem goes out to meet him and welcomes him to Jerusalem. But the mayor says: “I just have one question. Is this your first or second visit?”
Jews believe he has not come yet. But Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah who came 2,000 years ago to become the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world to all who receive Him, especially the Jews. But both believe the Messiah is coming soon!
Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. Matthew 24:34-36
Which generation will not pass till all is fulfilled? If you study Matthew 24 and Luke 21 you will find the only time specific reference is the status of Jerusalem. Jesus prophesied its downfall: “It will be trodden down (ruled) by the gentiles.”
And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Luke 21:24
So, Jerusalem’s fall would last UNTIL. That is a timing word. We now know when the “until” happened. It was June 1967 that Israel regained sovereignty over Jerusalem from the gentiles. This restoration followed the scattering to all nations. This is all now in our rear view mirror. It’s history. Therefore we are the generation that will not pass away till the Messiah comes!
Jesus said exactly when He would come. Most Christians believe He was obscuring the timing with His answer. On the contrary, He actually specified the timing. The phrase “no man knows the day or hour” was almost a cliché’ in Jesus’ day. It was a common expression among the Jews of that day referring to the timing of the Fall Feasts of Yehovah. These were: Trumpets, Yom Kippur and Tabernacles. (For my teaching on the Feasts, please listen to my radio interview for ten minutes on each of the seven Feasts.)
The Fall feasts begin with Trumpets or Yom Teruah This year it is officially Sunday sundown to Tuesday sundown, September 9-10. This is an arbitrary fixed date set by Rabbinic Judaism. However, the Biblical commencing of Yom Teruah or Trumpets, begins on the first sighting of the new moon in the seventh month from Jerusalem. (Using the Biblical method to figure it is a characteristic of Karaite (Bible believing) Jews. Here is a link to Nehemiah Gordon, a leading Karaite).
So what? Well, I believe Jesus was telling His disciples He would come during the Fall Feasts, specifically Trumpets.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52
There are five elements that make the actual day or hour unknowable.
- The confusion caused by the arbitrary Rabbinic calendar.
- The actual day of sighting the new moon could vary by weather conditions, cloud cover, etc.
- Even the hour could vary if the evening started cloudy early and cleared up later, for example.
- The “last trumpet” could refer to the last shofar during Yom Teruah (trumpets) beginning the Fall feast.
- Or, the “last trumpet” could even refer to the trumpet sounded at the end of Yom Kippur.
Therefore, even though the day or hour is unknown, I believe Jesus was speaking clearing to His disciples that He would come during the first ten days of the Fall Feasts, which then leads to Tabernacles where God will live with men and celebrate the great Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
May it be this year, Yeshua ben Yehovah – Jesus Son of God – Yeshua haMashiach – Jesus the Messiah!
Yehovah has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. Again I will build you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You shall again be adorned with your tambourines, and shall go forth in the dances of those who rejoice. You shall yet plant vines on the mountains of Samaria; the planters shall plant and eat them as ordinary food. For there shall be a day when the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, ‘Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to Yehovah our God.’ ” Jeremiah 31:3-6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and pray for rain.
Les Lawrence, Voice of Christian Zionists
One Week Till Jesus Comes?
30 08 2021That blog title is what is known as clickbait. However, I do have a point. The Fall Feasts of Yehovah start next Monday night on the Jewish calendar, although Biblically it could be the next day or so and not necessarily at sundown.
Confused? Because of several references to Jesus coming at the sounding of the trumpets, I believe it refers to that specific time on God’s calendar. The first Fall Feast is known as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of trumpets). It is also Rosh Hashana, the new year, 5782.
When Jesus was talking to His disciples about His return, He made an intriguing statement.
Most interpret that verse as an absolute conclusion that there is no clue when He will come. However, the Jewish culture at the time of Jesus had a saying about Yom Teruah starting as “No man knows the day or hour.” That is because it starts Biblically at the actual physical sighting of the new moon from the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. If it was cloudy you might not see it till midnight or later, or may not until the next night. Thus the saying.
Now, I am not stating a doctrine, just a little food for thought. So, what if Jesus used that common Jewish phrase as a hint, a clue, that He would return during the sounding of the trumpets on Yom Teruah? Even Jesus did not know at that time what the weather would be at His return, but we can know the season.
I could be wrong, and we should be ready to meet him every day. But, I must say it is just a little more exciting at this time of year. And wouldn’t this be a great year for Him to come? Next week?!
This year also happens to be a Shmita year; when observant Israelis leave their fields fallow (one year every seven) to allow the land to rest and restore its nutrients for better crops the other six years. Some even believe it is a Jubilee year, (although it seems like somebody says that every year).
With all the shaking in the whole earth, wouldn’t this be a good time? Are you ready to meet Him? If it is not, then we we will carry on with His business until He comes.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and rain for Israel.
Les Lawrence, a voice of Christian Zionists. (Read more)
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Tags: Feast of Trumpets, Jerusalem, Jesus, Rosh Hashana, Second Coming, Trumpets, Yom Teruah
Categories : Israel Commentary