By SHARON K. GILBERT
Originally Published: September 15, 2004
I OFFICIALLY became a believer in the autumn of my ninth year. Growing up in a wonderful, Southern Baptist Church in Indiana, I cut my spiritual teeth on Revelation and Daniel. Rather than study cartoon cutouts of Noah and the animals, our pastor taught any who would come on Wednesday night (no matter the age) all about the end times. I knew then, just as I know now, that we are living in those end times.
The Rapture is a teaching that is misunderstood by many. The Last Trump mentioned by Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians has become a stumbling block to many post-trib believers who equate the Last Trump with the final trumpet of Revelation. However, if you were to ask a Jewish believer, you would find the Last Trump is something far different. The First Trump, it is said and believed, was blown by God at the beginning of time. Some say it was blown on Adam’s birthday. The “trump” is a shofar horn, and it is also the left horn of the ram caught in a thicket – the offering provided by God as a substitute for Isaac. The right horn is the Last Trump, which will be blown at the time of the resurrection, for it is said that the gates of heaven are opened on that day. The Last Trump is also part of Rosh HaShana. Tradition says that on this day, the shofar would blow and call all to the temple, where a special door (opened only at this time) would be opened. Two might be standing in the field, and only one would go, since one might not be a Jew. No man knew the day or hour when the blast of the shofar would sound, for it occurred on the sighting of the new moon. Hence this celebration falls upon two days, for two witnesses would watch until both sighted the new moon sliver – then and only then would the shofar be blown. The Awakening Blast.
Will Jesus come back for His Bride at Rosh HaShana? I believe so, but we cannot know which Rosh HaShana, although certain signs can tell us that it is very near. Do you have oil in your lamp? Do you know Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior? If not, please pray the following prayer – time is short, and once the tribulation begins, it will be very hard to become a Christian. Romans 10:9 says “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
“Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and that as it now stands God will rightfully judge me and sentence me to eternal darkness. But I now know that you, Lord Jesus, paid my penalty by taking my sin upon yourself and willingly dying on a cross. I know that you rose again from the dead – leaving an empty tomb – three days later, and that you now reign in Heaven. I ask that you forgive me for my sins and that you cleanse me of all unrighteousness. I ask that you come into my heart and become King of my life. I ask that you would send your Holy Spirit to teach me and comfort me and dwell in me that I might learn to choose rightly. Make me a new creation, Lord Jesus. Thank you for loving me just as I am, so much that you died for me. Thank you for changing my life! In Your name I pray – Amen.”
If you have prayed this – or even if you haven’t, I would encourage you to read the book of John (in the New Testament). Then read the book called I John (First John). It’s near the end of the New Testament. God loves you so much – so much that he sent his only son to die for you – and for me. Don’t let The Rapture leave you behind. Jesus is coming back soon – maybe this year. Maybe today. I’d love to hear from you and pray with you. May God richly bless you and keep you in His loving hands.
To learn more about Rosh HaShana, go to http://philologos.org/bpr/files/Jewish_Feasts/js002.htm
