Every year I look forward this Hebrew festival. Not in a traditional celebratory sense but one of anticipation for what is to come. If you look historically through the years — this time of year seems to be a demarkation of something that will soon happen. Many theologians believe the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) will be the final feast Jesus fulfills with His coming (either by rapture or at the end of the age). And with each increasing year I look with greater anticipation for His coming. Rosh Hashanah is the Hebrew New Year. It is a new ‘beginning’.
Let me be VERY clear. The Rapture doctrine is never on my mind. Nor is it something I’m really interested in … as it doesn’t change a thing of how I live my day to day life. If one is a terminally committed to Christ individual EVERYDAY is His, to be led by Him, guided by Him, and lived through His Holy Spirit as the one who empowers us and directs us. So looking for the Rapture as some kind of ‘escape’ is the wrong focus. No matter what He has for us, whether it be suffering, persecution, or hardship — He will be with us. My focus should be on completing the assignments He has given me, daily, weekly, and everyday going forward .. till He brings me home whenever that will be according to His Grace and love. We need not fear what the enemy has for us — as we know what the Lord has prepared for us, and that He will be with us and give the strength we need to overcome at the time we need to.
Yet this festival of the Feast of Trumpets is an interesting one to study and learn about. I’d encourage you to dig in that well of treasure in learning about it. I won’t turn this devotional into a study / research time, for it needs to remain a beacon of light pointing you to Him in EVERYTHING you do daily.
But this time is a time for me to reflect on His return. How that excites me. My spirit rejoices at the very mention and thought of it. When you hear something like this how does it make you feel? I know many people that don’t have the same reaction to it as I do. So many have ‘fear’ associated with those thoughts. This to me that is an indicator of a need for more spiritual intimacy with Him. When He draws near to us — fear flies away and QUICK. For He is love, peace, and joy. He is hope. He implants His faith in us by His grace.
So like I so often do .. I encourage you to go to Him — asking Him to fill, strengthen, enlighten, and comfort you. Your personal walk with Him .. IS the most IMPORTANT thing in your life. So daily work on this priority in your life is so very necessary. Please spend some time in prayer with Him. Then please be patient and listen to Him in response.
If Jesus was to come and call you Home today, are you ready? Would you greet Him enthusiastically, and hug Him joyfully? Or would you be scared to see Him? How are you two doing? Are your concerns for other things than this vital relationship? None of us know when our last day will be… individually. My goal is to help people look forward to that ultimate meeting. To look forward to it with JOY and great anticipation!