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The crucifixion of Jesus Christ occurred on the eve of the Feast of Passover. In fact the record says that he died in the very hour (the ninth hour, or 3:00 p.m.) when the Passover Lambs were being slain by the priests in preparation for the evening celebration of God's deliverance. Paul recognized this by saying that Jesus Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
The descent of the Holy Spirit, as He was commissioned by the Father and the Son, occurred when the Day of Pentecost was fully come.
Because these major events occurred on the very days selected by God as the days which prophesied the events, we have some reason to believe that the Rapture of the Church will also occur on the day assigned to prefigure the event: the Feast of Trumpets. This feast occurs, as we have already pointed out in earlier articles, at Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. So, as Rosh Hashanah approaches each fall, the hearts of faithful believers beat a little faster--will this be the year of the fulfillment of one of the most fantastic prophecies found in the Bible?
This year [1993], Rosh Hashanah began on September 16th. It did so amidst the most phenomenal event we have seen in some time: the signing of a covenant of peace between the leader of the PLO and a seasoned warrior of Israel. This event is also of more than passing interest because of the prophecies surrounding it. In the Old Testament book of Daniel we are told that the beginning of the last seven years of human history prior to the coming of Jesus Christ in great glory and power will occur with the signing of a peace covenant between Israel and a major world political leader. The peace accord between the PLO and Israel is not likely the prophesied event--Arafat does not have the stature necessary to fit the biblical prophecies--but the fact that such a peace accord has been signed indicates the movement of history according to the dictates of divine prophecy. One of these days history is going to catch up with prophecy and the world is going to be plunged into its darkest hour. Afterward, its brightest dawning will take place: the Sun of Righteousness will arise with healing in His wings. Jesus Christ is coming again!
The Feast of Trumpets is the first of the Fall Festivals. It begins the prophetic announcement of the coming of the Kingdom of God on the earth in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said that when that day came it would catch the people of this world completely off guard. His words were be on the alert.
Are you ready? No one knows the day or the hour when they will be summarily called to give an answer to God for the life they have lived. One man suffers a heart attack and dies suddenly. He stands before God to give his answer. Another lives a long life and dies a lingering death. He stands before God to give his answer. But one day Jesus will suddenly appear and all who witness His appearance will suddenly, in the midst of their pursuits, be called to give their answer.
What will your answer be? That you believed the Word of God about Jesus Christ and lived in hope of your calling? Or that you ignored the Word of God and lived your life without Him?