Rosh Hashanah, The Feast Of Trumpets: Awakening Hearts For The Return Of The King

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Discover the powerful meaning of Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets, through the lens of the Gospel and the Hebrew Scriptures. Learn its biblical foundation in Leviticus 23, why it's called Yom Teruah, how it became the civil new year, and how it prophetically prepares our hearts for Yom Kippur and the return of Yeshua. A Messianic Jewish guide to repentance, awakening, and the call of the shofar.

Rosh Hashanah, The Feast of Trumpets: Awakening Hearts for the Return of the King

Every year, as the golden sun sets over Elul and the first day of Tishrei arises, the heavens call to us. It’s not just a new season—it’s a divine appointment. The sound of the shofar pierces the silence of our routines, echoing a timeless invitation: Awake, you who sleep, and return to your God.

Welcome to Rosh Hashanah, also biblically known as Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets. For Messianic believers in Yeshua (Jesus), this day carries prophetic significance, emotional depth, and a spiritual urgency that cannot be ignored.

What Is Rosh Hashanah in the Bible?

Contrary to popular Jewish tradition, the term “Rosh Hashanah” (Head of the Year) does not appear in the Torah. Instead, Scripture calls it Yom Teruah—the Day of Blasting—commanded by God in the Book of Leviticus:

“Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.’”
— Leviticus 23:23–25 (NKJV)

This is not a manmade holiday. It’s appointed by God Himself, part of His eternal rhythm of redemption.

Yom Teruah literally means Day of Shouting or Blasting. The blasting refers to the sound of the shofar, the ram’s horn, used to:

Awaken the soul
Call to repentance
Signal warning or war
Proclaim the coronation of a king

In the Gospels, Yeshua speaks frequently about being watchful and ready for His return. Yom Teruah aligns with this theme perfectly.

“But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
— Matthew 24:43–44

How Did “Yom Teruah” Become “Rosh Hashanah,” the Civil New Year?

Biblically, the year begins in the month of Nisan, the month of the Exodus (Exodus 12:2). However, over time, the first day of Tishrei became recognized as the “civil new year” within Jewish tradition.

The Babylonian exile influenced how time was tracked and celebrated. By the time of the Talmudic period, the rabbis formalized Tishrei 1 as Rosh Hashanah, the "Head of the Year." Yet the Torah never refers to it that way.

For Messianic believers, we honor the biblical command of Yom Teruah—not as a secular new year, but as a divine trumpet blast calling the Bride of Messiah to awaken, repent, and prepare for the days ahead.

Yom Teruah: The First of the Fall Feasts

Yom Teruah is the first of the Fall Feasts, followed by:

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – a solemn day of repentance and affliction
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) – a joyous celebration of God’s provision and presence.

These feasts form the prophetic picture of Messiah’s return and the final redemption of Israel and the nations.

“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven… and He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds.”
— Matthew 24:30–31

Problem: Spiritual Slumber in the Last Days

Too many believers—Jew and Gentile alike—are spiritually asleep. Lukewarm. Distracted. Comfortable in religion but disconnected from the heart of God.

Yom Teruah shakes us awake.

“At midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’”
— Matthew 25:6

The shofar reminds us that time is short. That judgment is real. That Messiah is returning. That now is the time to:

Repent
Forgive
Reconcile
Return to covenant faithfulness

The Shofar: Heaven’s Alarm Clock

When the shofar sounds, heaven and earth tremble. It was heard at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19), used by Gideon to defeat the enemy (Judges 7), and will one day announce the return of Yeshua.

The shofar blast is a teruah—a cry of urgency. It echoes God's mercy and warning.

“Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand.”
— Joel 2:1

The Prophetic Meaning of Rosh Hashanah for Believers in Yeshua

For those in Messiah, Rosh Hashanah is not just symbolic—it’s prophetic.

It points to the resurrection of the dead, the gathering of the remnant, and the return of the King.

“And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect.”
— Matthew 24:31

Messianic believers understand that Yeshua fulfilled the Spring Feasts at His first coming (Passover, Firstfruits, Shavuot), and He will fulfill the Fall Feasts at His return.

Yom Teruah is the alert.
Yom Kippur is the judgment.
Sukkot is the kingdom.

How to Observe Rosh Hashanah Biblically as a Messianic Believer

You don’t need extra rabbinic traditions to honor this day meaningfully. Here’s how you can celebrate Yom Teruah in a Gospel-centered, Torah-honoring way:

Gather with community – Have a holy convocation (Leviticus 23:24)
Sound the shofar – Hear and respond to the blast
Spend time in repentance – Ask God to search your heart
Reflect on Yeshua’s return – Live with urgency and holiness
Read Scriptures aloud – Especially Psalm 27, Joel 2, and Matthew 24
Prepare for Yom Kippur – Use these 10 Days of Awe as a time of spiritual cleansing

Final Call: Don’t Miss the Sound of the Shofar

Rosh Hashanah isn’t about apples, honey, or resolutions. It’s about awakening. It’s about hearing the voice of God above all others.

Will you heed the call?

“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments.”
— Revelation 16:15

Friend, the shofar is sounding. The King is coming. Return to Him today, while mercy still speaks louder than judgment.

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