Yom Teruah Selah (Pause and Reflect) Points

The Sound of the Shofar Is Calling Us to Spiritual Revival

There are only two verses in the Bible that command the keeping of Yom Teruah.

And YHVH spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YHVH. (Lev 23:23–25)

And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you. And ye shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savour unto YHVH; one young bullock, one ram, and seven lambs of the first year without blemish: And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with oil, three tenth deals for a bullock, and two tenth deals for a ram, and one tenth deal for one lamb, throughout the seven lambs: And one kid of the goats for a sin offering, to make an atonement for you: Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto YHVH. (Num 29:1–6)

The Breath of Life and Yom Teruah

Without the life-giving breath of YHVH we are dead both physically and spiritually. As YHVH breathed the breath of life into Adam who then became a living being (Heb. nephesh), so when Yeshua breathed on his disciples (John 20:22), they came alive spiritually. Similarly, YHVH breathed on the first century redeemed believers through the wind of the Ruach HaKodesh (the Set-apart Spirit) on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:2, and the congregation of renewed covenant believers was birthed. Similarly, on the day of Messiah’s second return (Yom Teruah), the shofar (called the last trumpet in Hebraic thought, which comes just prior to the final or the great trumpet/shofar hagadol of Yom Kippur) will sound and the dead in Messiah will be resurrected (1 Cor 15:51–53; 1 Thes 4:16). It is the breath of YHVH that will revive the righteous dead. This is similar to the breath of YHVH blowing over the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel 37, which some see as a prophetic picture of the resurrection of the saints.

What can we learn from this? When YHVH breathes or blows on man, the power of the supernatural pierces the natural dimension and the supernatural breaks the status quo of the natural and supernaturally empowers one to do that which he could not do in his own power naturally. We need YHVH’s divine breath to blow on us to empower us with his power and his ability to be and act supernaturally in a natural world for his glory and the advancement of his kingdom! 

When the shofar sounded in ancient Israel, it signaled that heaven and earth were about to meet, that divine power, the supernatural forces of heaven were about to break into the human realm. It signaled that Elohim was about to do great things! 

Are you ready for this to happen again?

When Was the Shofar Blown in Ancient Israel?

The shofar is an instrument unique to the ancient Hebrews and their descendants. In the Scriptures, we see that the shofar played a highly significant role in Hebraic culture. Below are some examples this instrument’s importance:

The History of the Shofar and the Three Trumpets

The ram’s horn shofar is first alluded to in the Scriptures in Genesis 22 at the binding of Isaac and known in Hebrew as the akeidah. 

The symbolism in this historical event is tremendously significant. The ram represents Yeshua the Lamb of Elohim who died to redeem man from sin. The thicket is a biblical poetic symbol of human sinfulness. Humanity is entangled in the thicket of sin from which it needs to be freed. Yeshua the Messiah is the Lamb (or ram) slain from the foundation of the world (Rev 13:8), who, while hanging on the cross, wore a crown of thorns. Is this not a picture of the “ram caught in the thicket” (Gen 22:13) of the man’s sins? After all, the Scriptures say that the sins of man were laid upon Yeshua (Isa 53:6). The crown of thorns is a picture of this. Furthermore, in Matthew 13, in Yeshua’s Parable of the Sower, we see that some of the seed was cast into the thorns, which Yeshua explained represents the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches that choke out the word of YHVH. These references to thorns and thicket are a picture of sin. The wages of sin is death. 

In Genesis 22, Isaac was about to die, but the ram caught in the thicket that YHVH provided was a prophetic picture of Yeshua (a Hebrew word meaning “salvation”) that became a substitute sacrifice for Isaac. Isaac was set free and the ram was sacrificed instead. This ram was a prophetic picture of Yeshua’s death on the cross for man’s sins.

In Hebraic thought, the left horn of the ram signifies mercy and grace. This is also a picture of the left (or weaker) hand of YHVH, which symbolizes grace, or the feminine side of Elohim. Furthermore, the left horn of the redemptive ram signifies the purpose of the first coming of Messiah Yeshua as the Suffering Savior, as one bringing mercy and grace, and who refused to quench a smoking flax or breaking a bruised reed as a meek and quiet lamb going to its slaughter (Matt 12:20; John 12:47; Isa 53:7). 

The right horn of the ram caught in the thicket represents judgment picturing Elohim’s stronger right hand of power, might and judgment (Ps 89:10,13–14). Thus, this horn represents the second coming of Messiah, who is seated at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:32–33), and who will come this time in power as King of kings to rule with a rod of iron and to judge the living and the dead, and to destroy all his enemies (Rev 17:14; 19:15).

That is why the first trumpet (representing the left horn of the ram) is sounded on Shavuot representing YHVH’s grace and mercy upon his people from Abraham until the Yeshua’s second coming—a time for his people to repent and return to him.

The second trumpet occurs on Yom Teruah (called the last trumpet) and the third or final shofar blast occurs on Yom Kippur and is called the final trumpet.

Let’s now discover when the shofar was blown In ancient Israel.

Shofar Blown on Yom Teruah: A memorial day for blowing the shofar

The shofar was blown to usher in Yom Teruah. This was a call to Sabbath rest, a memorial of blowing trumpets, a set-apart convocation and marked the beginning of a ten-day period of self-examination and repentance culminating with the Day of Atonement (Lev 23:23–25; Num 29:1). 

Lesson for us: What are we to memorialize when we sound the shofar on this day? The Scriptures don’t specifically tell us. All we can do is to study how and when the shofar was sounded in ancient times, and from this deduce its significance and hence what it is we are to remember about our past and our future.

The Shofar Announced YHVH’s Presence

The shofar was blown to announce YHVH’s presence and our need to praise and worship Him (Exod 19:16,19 and 20:18; Pss 47:5, 98:6; 150:3; Isa 18:3; 27:13; Rev 1:10).

Lesson for us: Get yourself ready for his presence to come upon us.

A Call to Worship

Shofars were blown to welcome the Ark of the Covenant (representing the anointed and glorious presence of YHVH among his people) while David danced with all his might (2 Sam 6:15; 1 Chron 15:14).

Lesson for us: It is time to worship YHVH with unhindered and unrestrained passion as David, a man after El’s own heart did. It’s time to take off those things that bind and hinder us from freely worshipping El. What limits you from worshipping and serving Yah? Let go of them now!

A Call to Prepare to Receive the Torah

The very first time Scripture records the blowing of the shofar occurring was to herald YHVH’s giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai (Exod 19:16,19 and 20:18).

Lesson for us: Yom Teruah is a time for us to prepare to receive the Torah. We must put off the rudiments of this world and align ourselves within our heavenly calling as a kingdom of priest as our fathers did in Exod 19 when preparing to meet their Creator at Mount Sinai.

A Call for Israel to Renew Its Marriage Vows to Elohim

The sound of the shofar was a call to Israel to prepare their hearts and minds to meet their Creator/Bridegroom to make marriage vows to him (Exod 19:8). Under Ezra and Nehemiah, Israel began the process of rededicating themselves to love and obey YHVH and his Torah on Yom Teruah (Neh 8:1–11).The shofar was blown when the Israelites swore an oath of allegiance to YHVH under King Asa (2 Chron 15:14).

Lesson for us: Let us not be like the five foolish virgins in Yeshua’s parable who were unprepared when the bridegroom came and were thus unable to enter into the wedding supper (Matt 25:1ff), or like those who made excuses why they couldn’t come to the great supper of the Master (Luke 14:16ff). Let us rededicate ourselves to our high and heavenly calling that we will set aside the things of this world and the flesh and reaffirm or commitment to consecrate ourselves to love and obey our Creator as our ancient fathers did.

A Call for Spiritual Consecration of the Temple

It was on Yom Teruah that the Israelites dedicated the temple of Solomon. When Solomon’s Temple was dedicated, a choir of 120 priests sounded 120 silver trumpets (2 Chron 5:12; 6:6). When this occurred, all Israel stood at attention and the glory of Yah filled the house of El (2 Chron 5:14). The ark was brought into the temple on Yom Teruah, and the glory of El filled the temple or house of El (2 Chron 5:3–14).

Lesson for us: You and I are now that temple, the body of Yeshua. He is our head, and by his strength we can follow his Torah, and his power, presence and glory will fill us when we are filled with his Set-Apart Spirit. Let us now rededicate ourselves to our Creator, YHVH Elohim, the Elohim of Israel, and resolve by his grace and glory living in us through his Set-Apart Spirit to serve and love him by obeying his Torah with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.

A Call to Anoint a King

The shofar was blown when a king was anointed (1 Kgs 1:34,39,41; 2 Kgs 9:13).

Lesson for us: Is Yeshua the undisputed king over your life? Let’s proclaim Yeshua as king and rededicate ourselves to serve our King and Master! Our king is coming. Are we ready to meet him? Don’t be too quick to answer yes. 

A Call to Welcome the Bridegroom/King and Our Being Raised Up in Glory

The shofar was blown to announce the coming of a Jewish bridegroom to fetch his betrothed — a picture of Yeshua returning for his bride, the saints. All the righteous living and the righteous dead will receive glorified, resurrected bodies and will meet him in the air at the sound of the shofar. (Compare Matt 24:31; 25:6; 1 Cor 15:52; 1 Thess 4:16; Rev 11:15–18).

Lesson for us: Again, are we ready to meet Yeshua?

A Call to New Beginnings

It marked the beginning of the monthly cycle/Rosh Chodesh: a time for a fresh start (Ps 81:3).

Lesson for us: Let this Yom Teruah the first day of the seventh month, the beginning of the fall feast season, be a new beginning for you. It is time to take stock of our lives, and to make a new start if necessary. This occurs as we make teshuvah (repentance) before our Creator, call out to him for forgiveness and mercy and realign our hearts and minds with his Word and Yeshua, our Master, King and Bridegroom. We must be set free from all those things of the world, flesh and the devil that are holding us down spiritually.

A Call to Set the Captives Free

The shofar was blown to herald the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to announce the Year of Jubilee. Every fifty years slaves were freed, debts were forgiven and land returned to the original owner (Lev 25:9–10 [verse 10 says, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants” and is inscribed on the Liberty Bell.”])

Lesson for us: Have you been set free from the things of the world, the flesh and the devil that are holding you down spiritually? What are the spiritual, mental and emotional strongholds that still keep you captive from which you need to be set free?

A Call to Repentance and Fasting

The shofar was blown to call people to repentance or fasting (Isa 58:1; Hos 8:1; Joel 2:1)

The shofar was blown by YHVH (Zech 9:14).

The shofar was blown by the angels (Matt 24:31; Rev 8:2,3; 9:1,13–14; 10:7; 11:15).

Lesson for us: Freedom from the world, the flesh and the devil comes only as we pray, fast and repent of sin, and then seek him with all of our hearts. Sometimes, we won’t experience victory over our enemies and freedom unless we first pray and fast (Matt 17:21).

A Call to Warfare

Israel sounded the shofar in the time of war to be remembered by YHVH, to be saved from its enemies, and rout the enemies of Israel by sending fear into their hearts and confusion into their camps (Num 10:9–10; Judg 7:20–22).

Shofars were blown continually by seven priests before the Ark of the Covenant, as part of the battle plan to take the city of Jericho as the Israelites were entering the Promised Land (Josh 6:4–20).

The shofar was blown to sound the alarm of war (Jer 4:19,21; 6:1;17; 51:27; Joel 2:1,15).

The shofar was blown to sound the warning of danger (Amos 2:2; 3:6; Zeph 1:16; Hos 5:8, 8:1; Ezek 33:2-9; Isa. 58:1). The sound of the shofar is compared to a prophet’s voice.

Shofars were blown by Gideon to rally the Israelites soldiers against the Midianites and again by his 300 soldiers in their battle against Midian (Judg 6:34 and 7:8,16,20).

The shofar was blown to rally the troops (Num 10:9–10; Neh 4:18, 20).

Lesson for us: Yom Teruah is a time to engage in spiritual warfare. The end times prior to Yeshua’s coming will be a time of physical and spiritual warfare against the forces of Satan who are committed to preventing Yeshua from taking his place as King of kings. As Yeshua’s emissaries, we are Satan’s chief targets on earth. We must not be ignorant of his devises, so that when he attacks we will a) recognize it as such, and b) be spiritually strong and prepared to oppose him spiritually. As Satan attempted to prevent the children of Israel under Joshua from possessing their promised inheritance in the land, history will repeat itself in the last days.

Conclusion

When the righteous hear the sound of the shofar these things should be called to remembrance. The shofar is a powerful reminder of the powerful right arm of YHVH outstretched on behalf of his people. The sound of the shofar sends tremors of fear throughout the camp of the enemies of YHVH and his people and rallies the righteous to take courage and to rise up against evil knowing they will be victorious through faith in YHVH Elohim.


Living Out the Garden of Eden in a Chaotic and Desolate World

Elohim created an idyllic, paradise garden and put the first humans into it. Sadly, man sinned and got kicked out of the garden. We now have the world as it is; it’s anything but a garden of peace! The world is a mess and what decent and loving person doesn’t know this? There is meanness, ugliness, combativeness, strife, contention, division, hatred, suffering, persecution, greed, lust, murder, hatred for what is good and righteous, unholiness, evil and darkness all around us, and it seem to be overtaking us like a tsunami. What can be done about this?

Most of us feel powerless to do anything about the state of conditions the world is currently in. A wise man once said that when the world is falling apart all around you, all you can do is to tend your own garden. In that  way, you’re making your little corner of the world a better place. If enough good people do this, who knows what might happen? It might be the mythical lever that’s big enough to move the entire world. 

The Word of Elohim is that lever. It shows us how to help transform the earth back into the Garden of Eden one life at a time starting with our life. So there is something we can do after all to combat spiritual evil and darkness and to help to make the world a more beautiful place. HalleluYah!

It all starts with having a spiritual relationship with Yeshua the Messiah and loving him by keeping his commandments including his sabbaths and feasts, which are the skeletal framework of his glorious plan of redemption and salvation for all humans. 

Today is the Yom Teruah or the Day of Trumpets or Shofar Blowing. What does that have to do with turning evil on its head and making the world a better and more beautiful place? Let’s find out…

Yom Teruah (the Day of Trumpets or Shofar Blowing) is all about awakening from spiritual sleep, repenting of sin and spiritual lethargy and returning to YHVH and to his Torah covenants all in preparation for the second coming of Yeshua the Messiah, our heavenly bridegroom. Are you ready to meet Yeshua the Messiah, the King of kings who is coming back?

Revelation 3:14–21 is Yeshua’s wake up call end time saints who think that they’re all right with Elohim, but, in reality, they spiritually asleep and lukewarm. Behold, Yeshua stands at the door of our lives and is knocking. He wants to come into our lives, but our spiritual lukewarmness, smugness and pride prevents him from doing this. We all have areas of lukewarmness in our lives. Each person who is wise will examine themselves under the magnifying glass of the Word of Elohim.

YHVH has allowed us to remain free moral agents, so we have to choose what we will do or not do. What are the real priorities in our lives where we are spending the bulk of our time and energy? What choices are we making in our lives and where are these choices leading us spiritually? Toward Elohim and Yeshua or away from him?

YHVH desires that we choose to incline our hearts to him, and when we do this he will respond by inclining his heart toward us. This is because he made us in his image and desires to spend eternity with us, his spirit-born children, but he will not give out the gift of immortality willy-nilly to anyone and everyone, but only those who come to him through the way that he has set out. There is no other way to enter the kingdom heaven. Are we walking the straight and narrow way that leads to eternal life, or the broad way that leads to destruction? Many people have one foot on each path. That is an unstable place to be, and eventually, each will have to choose one path or the other. Yeshua is clear on this issue; it is an unsustainable spiritual position for one to choose both Elohim and mammon (money and the riches of this world). Are you serving both? In reality, most of us, to one degree or another are doing so.

YHVH has given us his seven feasts as literal spiritual stepping stones to guide us to him. They’re the spiritual check points on a road map to guide us through the desolate, confusing and obscure wilderness of this life. The feasts keep us grounded, spiritually centered and on course and pointed toward the kingdom of Elohim. In school, you go through twelve steps called grades and then you graduate. Similarly, in YHVH’s plan of salvation, there are seven steps and then you reach your ultimate goal. Yom Teruah is the fourth step in that plan. How seriously do you take walking out these steps in YHVH’s plan of salvation?

At the center of Yom Teruah is the blast of the shofar. That’s what the very name Yom Teruah means—the day of shouting or the blast of the ram’s horn shofar. Why would YHVH use such a simplistic even primeval object as the center of this, the fourth step, in his plan of salvation for humans? What’s so significant about the shofar that he would require his people to stop their daily work routine, rest on that day, call it a Shabbat, and dedicate a whole moed or divine appointment day around this instrument and where he wants to meet with his people? What deep spiritual mystery or truth is the Almighty Creator trying to convey to his people—things that seem foolish to the natural mind of man? 

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isa 55:9; see also 1 Cor 2:6–14)

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. (Matt 11:25)

The Spiritual and Prophetic Significance of Shofar

In ancient Israel, the shofar was sounded at important times—

  • To call Israel together
  • To warn of impending danger
  • To announce the coronation of a king
  • To call the people to repentance
  • To signal the arrival of the new moon and the feast days
  • To announce the arrival of a bridegroom coming for his bride
  • The beginning of the jubilee year when the captives were set free and debts were forgiven
  • And most importantly, the shofar announces when…
  • Yeshuas second coming
  • The saints being rewarded with immortality

How many of the times when the shofar was sounded relate to events that prophetically and allegorically point to Yeshua’s second coming and, by implication, speak of our need to prepare ourselves for this momentous event? How do these things relate to us, and what should we be doing in our lives in response to this?

YHVH is a very interactive Elohim. His plan of salvation is interactive and involves his people learning about deep spiritual mysteries by acting out certain things. Any good teacher knows that people learn best by doing something that they’re learning about. You can read a book about rebuilding a car engine, building a house or painting a picture, but until you actually do it, you really don’t understand it. YHVH’s feasts, including Yom Teruah, are action-based steps and about doing something to help us to understand the deep spiritual mysteries of heaven and to help us to relate to them and orientate our lives around them. The feasts, including the weekly Shabbat, are the skeletal structure of YHVH’s Torah-instruction in righteousness. They are for our blessing and guidance. They help to keep us on the path that leads to Elohim. The Torah helps us to keep our spiritual garden clean and beautiful and to make world a better place, so that people will be drawn to us for the spiritual lights that we are.


The Good Ancient Paths Are Stepping Stones to the Future

Following Torah is an ancient river path that leads back thousands of years to the beginning of humanity and forward to eternity. It’s a true path that won’t lead us astray, because it’s divine Truth. At the same time, it’s a path that is greatly disparaged and hated by the devil and those who wittingly or unwittingly follow him. Why? Because it leads to Elohim and to eternal life. The biblical feasts are like the skeletal framework, blueprint or outline of the Torah and the whole Bible. They’re Elohim’s ancient plan of salvation and redemption for humans.

 Thus saith YHVH, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old/ancient/eternal [Heb. olam, also everlasting, perpetual, unending future] paths [Heb. nathiyb, also footpath, trodden, traveller] where is the good way [Heb. derek, also journey, direction, manner, habit, way, of course of life (fig.), of moral character (fig.)], and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jer 6:16)

Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity/worthless idols, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in pathways and not on a highway, to make their land desolate and a perpetual hissing… (Jer 18:15)

Elohim’s ways are high ways as opposed low ways or to the other lower paths that most humans find themselves walking on.

Don’t Forget!

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. (Deut 32:7)

Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of YHVH: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Mal 4:4–6)

Humans tend to forget their past history and YHVH’s ancient Torah-ways, which is why humans continually repeat the same mistakes of the past. Each present generation thinks that it’s wiser and smarter than the previous one and that they won’t make the same mistakes of the past, but they invariably do. This is because of human pride and ego. The feasts and Sabbath help to keep us on track spiritually, so that we won’t keep making the same mistakes over and over again. They help man to evolve spiritually to a higher level. The feasts are essential in that they help us so that we don’t forget who we are, where we’ve come from and where we’re going.

Choose the Upward, Less Travelled Path, Not the One of the Majority

Tell me, O thou whom my soul loveth, where thou feedest, where thou makest thy flock to rest at noon: for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the flocks of thy companions? (Song 1:7)

Each of us is continually confronted with two choices; we have to make a decision many times every day. Will I choose to go up to where my heavenly bridegroom feeds his flocks on the mountaintops, or am I going to hang out with my companions and peers? The former is a highway; the latter is a low way.


The Biblical Feasts—The Aerial View

The biblical feasts are moedim or divine appointments when Elohim meets with his people—when heaven and earth meet at a high place spiritually and kiss each other. When this happens, the mundane, secular, earthly or horizontal plane meets or bisects the heavenly, divine vertical plane. This is the place of the holy of holies, heaven on earth and the way of the cross (two beams meeting—a horizontal and vertical one).

The biblical feasts and weekly Sabbath are when YHVH gathers his sheep together to restore, refresh, encourage, energize, correct, unite them and to point them to the higher way. The feasts are like a mini Garden of Eden as well as a New Jerusalem, heaven on earth events. They keep us in touch with our sorry past and our potential glorious future.

The feasts and Sabbath help keep us on track spiritually (since they are the seven steps in Elohim’s plan of redemption or salvation for mankind) and are links to connect us to our corporate past and to the future. They help to provide us with a greater context to our lives, so that we will better understand the present—who we are individually and collectively, where we’ve come from, where we’re at and where we’re going. The fall feasts especially help us to understand where we’re going and what the future holds for us. Everyone wants to know what the future holds for them. Celebrate the feasts and find out!

The feasts reaffirm and reestablish the special relationship that man has with Elohim. Only men who were made in Elohim’s image have that relationship. Plants, animals, rocks, fungi and atoms don’t.

The feasts make us remember that we’re dependent on Elohim as our sustainer and creator and that Elohim has chosen in his sovereignty to be dependent upon us because he has allowed us to make his presence known and felt in the world. Without us, Elohim, in a sense, couldn’t exist on this planet, so our mutual relationship is a very big two-way street. We are Elohim’s light to the world, the ambassadors of his kingdom. We reflect him in the darkness of this world, which is why it’s important that we stay on his path of light, and in his ancient river of life that flows from the distant past into eternity. Since we represent the Creator, we need the Creator to show us the upward path, and the Creator needs us in the this world not only to represent him, but to reveal him to the world. It’s impossible for him to just come into this world with all of his power and glory without instantly destroying it. Imagine the earth being a few degrees closer to the sun. Now imagine this by a gazillion percent! That’s what would happen to the earth if Elohim were to show up as he is. That’s one reason he, in a certain sense, “needs” us in order to fulfil his purposes on this earth.

Yom Teruah—The Aerial View

The bottom line of Yom Teruah is that it points us to two very important things that are our great hope for humanity and the future: the coming of the Messiah and resurrection and glorification of the righteous dead. Until Yeshua the Messiah actually comes, Yom Teruah points us to the third most important thing: teshuvah or repentance. We need to stay humble and repentant, so that when he comes, he will find us in a spiritual state that will qualify us either to be resurrected from the dead or, if we’re alive at his return, to be immortalized and glorified in the moment of a twinkling of an eye as we meet him in the air.


Combatting Our Innate Normalcy Bias That Engenders Spiritual Complacency

We’re all victims of a condition called a normalcy bias. We’re all addicted to the status quo of our lives and the world around us. We like our lives the way they are — okay, maybe with a few improvements, but nothing major — just a bigger house, a newer car, a fat and lucrative retirement, so we can travel the world in our motor home. Just a couple little things like that! That’s all. Change is inconvenient and uncomfortable. Sometimes change even hurts — badly! Therefore, complacency sits in. This is one of our greatest spiritual enemies. Spiritually, the Bible likens it to being lukewarn.

Peter talks about this in 2 Peter 3.

1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

A day is coming when the fall feasts will be fulfilled starting with Yom Teruah. Are we ready? How do we get ready?

The first step to getting ready is mental conditioning. We need to get our thinking lined up with the Bible and the fall feasts. These aren’t just holidays — they’re literally our future and that of the world!

Man celebrates holidays that commemorate notable past or historical events (birthdays and anniversaries fall into this category). There isn’t a single human holiday that commemorates a future event, since no man can predict the future with any degree of accuracy. Only Yehovah’s biblical feasts commemorate events that not only happened in the past, but that will happen in the future. Think of it! When we celebrate YHVH’s feasts, we’re celebrating our future destiny! Unless you believe Elohim, the Author of Scripture, is a liar, these events will come to pass at some point in the future. Eventually, the present generation will be that future generation when these things will come to pass. So again, how do we get ready for them, since we could be that generation?

As noted above, we must combat that the normalcy bias to which we’re addicted and consider the possibility that we could be the last generation. This is what Peter was trying to get the first century believers to consider in chapter three of his second epistle. In this regard, in verse 11, he asked them and us an important questions: “What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conduct and godliness?”

We must ask ourselves the same question:  “What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conduct and godliness?” Here are some steps to take to become a holy or set-apart person. 

First we have to change our thinking and stop being addicted to the normalcy bias. 

Next we must repent of lukewarmess, and start seeking first the kingdom of Elohim and righteousness more than all the things of this physical life (Matt 6:33). We must love not our lives unto death (Rev 12:11). 

After that, we must make some hard changes in our daily lives to get ourselves ready for Yeshua’s second coming. As Peter says, it involves our conduct and walk of holiness and living godly lives. This involves what we say, do and think. How we use our time. How we treat those around us and every other aspect of our daily lives.

Before Jerusalem was destroyed as YHVH’s judgment against sinful Judah, Jeremiah warned the Jews:

If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith YHVH, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove. And thou shalt swear, YHVH liveth, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in him, and in him shall they glory. For thus saith YHVH to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to YHVH, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. (Jer 4:1–4)

Hosea the prophet to the Northern Kingdom of Samaria or Ephraim similarly warned that nation on the eve of its destruction:

Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek YHVH, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. (Hos 10:12)

May me those who hear and do!

 

6 thoughts on “Yom Teruah Selah (Pause and Reflect) Points

  1. Tonight should be the night! If you can, watch for the little sliver of the moon about 40 minutes or so after sunset low in the western sky. We will see!

  2. I feel like blowing a trumpet to remind everyone of Adonai’s mercy and grace.
    He has shown great mercy towards us.
    About 2 1/2 weeks ago, John suffered a hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding inside the brain) and was on High Dependency Ward for 2 weeks. 3 days ago, he was moved to a normal ward and seems to recover exceedingly well. Praise to our Elohim.
    John said he was ready to die, but I wasn’t ready to be without him.
    Thank you Natan and Sandy for your prayers. I feel the Lord has greatly supported me during this time of uncertainty and sadness. I am sure, as soon as John comes home, he will be on the blog again; this will be a testimony to the recovery of his brain.
    Love to all the bloggers. Elohim is good all the time!
    Sonja

    • This is wonderful news. WE PRAISE OUR YAH IN HEAVEN FOR THIS!!

      For the record, I have no problems with anyone posting their urgent and more important prayer requests on this blog, so that the community of believers who read this can lift up their voices in unity to the Almighty in heaven on another’s behalf. I realize that some of us have little or no opportunities for fellowship other than online situations like this one, so let’s use this medium to its fullest possible potential for the encouragement of the brethren and the glory of YHVH Elohim and our Messiah Yeshua.

  3. Natan great job writing this up also! This is very rich. Im like yes,yes,yes. So thankful for people like you that put this all together. Yes the Appointed times have more meaning then anyone can fully understand. So sad I have missed them most my life! Praise Yah for them! Julie

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