Christians generally do not celebrate the Feast of Trumpets (also known as Rosh Hashanah or Yom Teruah) because they understand its prophetic significance to have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ or to be awaiting a future, ultimate fulfillment, rendering the Old Covenant observance unnecessary in the New Covenant era.
Understanding the Feast of Trumpets
The Feast of Trumpets, or Yom Teruah, is one of the seven biblical feasts outlined in the Old Testament, specifically in Leviticus 23:23-25 and Numbers 29:1-6. It traditionally marked the beginning of the civil new year in ancient Israel and was characterized by:
- Shofar blasts: The blowing of trumpets (shofars) was central to the observance.
- Holy Convocation: A day of rest and gathering.
- Sacrifices: Specific offerings were made to God.
The feast carried multiple layers of meaning for the Israelites, including:
- A call to remembrance and repentance.
- Preparation for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) ten days later.
- A prophetic anticipation of future divine intervention or the gathering of Israel.
The New Covenant Perspective
With the advent of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant, Christians believe that many Old Testament laws, rituals, and festivals reached their ultimate purpose or fulfillment. The non-observance of the Feast of Trumpets by most Christians stems from this theological understanding:
Fulfillment in Christ and the Dawn of the Messianic Age
- The Spirit's Coming: For Christians, the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost marked the dawning of the messianic age, signifying a new phase in God's redemptive plan. This spiritual reality is seen as more significant than the continuation of Old Testament ceremonial laws.
- Jesus as Fulfillment: Christians believe Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. The rituals and feasts of the Old Testament are often understood as shadows pointing to the reality found in Him. Therefore, the specific celebration of Old Testament feasts is no longer considered necessary because the reality to which they pointed has arrived.
Anticipation of a Future Trumpet Blast
While the Feast of Trumpets pointed to a future event, Christians believe the "great trumpet blast to come" has not yet been heard. This future event is widely understood to refer to:
- The Second Coming of Christ: Biblical passages, such as 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ("For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.") and 1 Corinthians 15:52 ("...at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."), describe a future, literal trumpet call associated with Jesus' return and the resurrection of believers.
- Focus on the Spiritual: Rather than observing the physical feast, Christians focus on the spiritual anticipation of this future event, preparing their hearts for Christ's return.
Shift in Observances and Focus
The New Covenant brought a change in emphasis regarding religious observances. While Old Testament Judaism focused on specific dates, rituals, and the national identity of Israel, Christianity emphasizes:
- Spiritual Transformation: A personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
- The Global Church: The Church is seen as the new spiritual Israel, comprising believers from all nations.
- New Covenant Celebrations: Christians observe holidays like Advent, Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, and Pentecost, which commemorate the central events of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit's coming. These are seen as embodying the spiritual realities that the Old Testament feasts foreshadowed.
Why Not Celebrate? A Summary
In essence, Christians do not celebrate the Feast of Trumpets because:
- The ceremonial requirements of the Old Covenant have been fulfilled in Christ.
- The "great trumpet blast to come" that it foreshadowed is still awaited and is understood as a future eschatological event (the return of Christ), not a yearly ritual.
- The coming of the Holy Spirit and the dawn of the messianic age through Jesus make the continued observance of the Old Testament feast in its original form pointless for believers in the New Covenant.
This perspective is not a rejection of the Old Testament, but rather an understanding that God's plan of salvation progressed from shadows to reality.
