When Will Jesus Return for us?
““Now from the fig tree learn this parable. When its branch has now become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near. Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all these things are accomplished. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” (Matthew 24:32-36 WEB)
When Jesus said “no one knows of that day and hour,” a Jewish audience who knows the Old Testament (Torah) will see the connection with the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah).
It is celebrated at the same time as Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year).
The Bible says that on the Feast of Trumpets, the shofar (a cleaned-out ram’s horn) is to be sounded.
The Jews in charge of blowing the shofar would wait until the approximate date of the appearance of the new moon in the month of September, and watch intently, ready to blow the shofar once the first sliver of new moon is seen.
See this quote about Rosh Hashanah from Wikipedia:
“Since the time of the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in 70 CE and the time of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai, normative Jewish law appears to be that Rosh Hashanah is to be celebrated for two days, because of the difficulty of determining the date of the new moon.”
In other words, no one knows the day or hour of the new moon’s appearance—just like the Rapture!
See this quote too:
“The best-known ritual of Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar, a musical instrument made from an animal horn. The shofar is blown at various points during the Rosh Hashanah prayers, with a total of 100 blasts on each day. While the blowing of the shofar is a Biblical statute, it is also a symbolic "wake-up call", stirring Jews to mend their ways and repent. The shofar blasts call out: "Sleepers, wake up from your slumber! Examine your ways and repent and remember your Creator."”
Many Christians are mistaken that the Rapture happens at the last trumpet of the seven trumpets in the Book of Revelation. This would mean that the saints go through the Tribulation and are subject to God’s wrath that will be poured out on this world. However, this is not true.
“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 will be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52 WEB)
On the Feast of Trumpets, a hundred blasts of the trumpet are sounded. The final blast of the trumpet is the “last trump”. The moment the last trump is founded, we will be transformed. Our mortal bodies will be changed into glorified immortal bodies.
Christians who have already died are called “the dead in Christ” or “asleep”. Bring asleep suggests that it is a temporary state; that they will wake up again.
It is significant that the Jews see the blowing of the shofar on the Feast of Trumpets as a “wake-up call” to awake sleepers from their slumber.
“Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2 WEB)
The resurrection of the dead will begin with the dead in Christ: all Old Testament and New Testament saints who are saved through faith in Yahweh/Yeshua (Jesus). Their physical bodies which have decayed will be formed back from the dust of the earth, and their spirit will go back into the body. Then, they will be simultaneously transformed with us who are alive and remaining.
Whether or not the Rapture of the saints literally occurs on the Feast of Trumpets or not, we understand that this feast is a picture of the Rapture. If you do not like this term, then you can also call it “the great escape”, “the snatching away”, or “harpazo”.
An archangel will sound many blasts on a heavenly shofar, and at the last blast, we will be changed and be caught up to meet Jesus in the air. It will be a great reunion to see all your loved ones who are asleep at the moment. We will embrace each other amid the clouds, and finally see the Lord face to face.
Are you ready to be receive your new body and to meet the Lord? The return of the Lord is the blessed hope for every Christian, and the signs in this world seem to show that we are in the season of the Rapture.
Once the first sliver of the ‘new moon’ appears, Jesus will stand up and come to receive His bride. Be watchful and excited, for we are not waiting for death, but for our bodily redemption!
Join me on “A Tour of Heaven and Eternity”. Learn what happens when a Christian departs from this world, and even the geographical layout of Heaven as revealed in the Bible: https://bit.ly/heavenandeternity
