We have established from Scriptures that the blowing of the shofars on Yom Teruah is first and foremost aimed at the people of Yahweh as a wake-up call to repentance, in the light of some form of future judgement. Just because we have made a choice sometime in the past to put our trust in Y’shua does not mean we do not need repentance any more. It also does not mean that we have altogether been relieved from any obligation to take responsibility before Yahweh for our words and actions and will never be subjected to any form of judgement.
In this context, people are quick to grab hold of a verse like Romans 8:1 “There is, then, now no condemnation to those who are in Messiah Y’shua, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” They love to stress the part that says “there is NO condemnation” but they are not too quick to mention the part that says “those who do not walk according to the flesh”. In Galatians 5:19-21, Shaúl clearly says that those who practise the works of the flesh shall not inherit the reign of Elohim. It is therefore clearly implied that even believers in Messiah will be subjected to some form of evaluation or testing or judgement in order to determine whether they have walked and lived according to the flesh or according to the Spirit.
Against this background it is most revealing to draw a comparison between one of the most explicit end-time passages in the Old Covenant Scriptures, Daniel 7 and another important end-time passage, Revelation 11. There is a clear parallel between these two passages that can not be overlooked.
1. The first point of agreement between these two passages is the clear mentioning of the fact that Yahweh, the Almighty is supremely enthroned or seen by many as taking his place on a very powerful throne, among other thrones.
Dan 7:9 I was looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days was seated. His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like clean wool, His throne was flames of fire, its wheels burning fire.
Rev 11:15-17 And the seventh messenger sounded (the trumpet), and there came to be loud voices in the heaven, saying, “The reign of this world has become the reign of our Master, and of His Messiah, and He shall reign forever and ever!” And the twenty-four elders sitting before Elohim on their thrones fell on their faces and worshipped Elohim, saying, “We give You thanks, O Yahweh El Shaddai, the One who is and who was and who is coming, because You have taken Your great power and reigned.
2. The second point of agreement is the description of a very distinct and decisive heavenly judgement. In this judgement many thousands of people are involved, some of whom will be condemned to destruction and some of whom will receive everlasting reward.
Dan 7:10-12 A stream of fire was flowing and coming forth from His presence, and a thousand thousands served Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him, the Judge was seated, and the books were opened. I was looking. Then, because of the sound of the great words which the horn was speaking, I was looking until the beast was slain, and its body destroyed and given to the burning fire, and the rest of the beasts had their rule taken away. But a lengthening of life was given to them, for a season and a time.
Rev 11:18 “And the nations were enraged, and Your wrath has come, and the time of the dead to be judged, and to give the reward to Your servants the prophets and to the set-apart ones, and to those who fear Your Name, small and great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth.”
3. The third point of agreement is the coming of the Son of Man to establish the kingdom, which is clearly described in both passages as an everlasting kingdom or a reign forever and ever. This is the beginning of what is usually referred to as the “Millennial Kingdom”.
Dan 7:13-14 I was looking in the night visions and saw One like the Son of Enosh (Son of man) coming with the clouds of the heavens! And He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him. And to Him was given rulership and preciousness and a reign, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His rule is an everlasting rule which shall not pass away, and His reign that which shall not be destroyed.
Rev 11:15 And the seventh messenger sounded, and there came to be loud voices in the heaven, saying, “The reign of this world has become the reign of our Master, and of His Messiah, and He shall reign forever and ever!”
4. The forth point of agreement is the exalted position granted to the set-apart ones – who have also gone through the process of judgement and have been assigned for reward – to reign with (and alongside) Messiah as kings and priests in the newly established kingdom.
Dan 7:18 ‘Then the set-apart ones of the Most High shall receive the reign, and possess the reign forever, even forever and ever.’
Rev 11:15 And the seventh messenger sounded, and there came to be loud voices in the heaven, saying, “The reign of this world has become the reign of our Master, and of His Messiah, and He shall reign forever and ever!” – together with: Rev 5:10 “and (Y’shua) made us sovereigns and priests to our Elohim, and we shall reign (together with Him) upon (or over) the earth.”
So, very clearly in both these passages do we hear the message that there is going to be a very important session of judgement, at the same time when Messiah will be revealed towards the end of this age. Even in the Messiah’s own prophesy concerning these days in Mattityahu (Matthew) 24, there are clear indications that his coming will introduce an event of judgement. Among other things, He said, “And then the sign of the Son of Adam shall appear in the heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth shall mourn …” (Mat 24:30 … Why would they mourn if there was not going to be a judgement?). Moreover, He said that the coming of the Son of man would be like the days of Noach (when the righteous ones were saved and the unrighteous were destroyed); that out of those in the field and those at their work places some would be taken (for punishment) and some would be left behind (for reward) and there would be weeping and gnashing of teeth (the typical description of what happens when heavenly punishment is inflicted). This judgement, coinciding with the coming of Messiah, does not seem to be the same as the judgement spoken of in Revelation 20 that will take place at the end of the millennial (1000 year long) kingdom, when those who have lived and died during the millennium, and also those who had died in their sin, before the millennium, will appear before the great white throne and will be judged according to their works.
Now, the striking resemblance between Mattityahu 24 and Revelation 11 is the very clear reference to the blowing of shofars or trumpets. These trumpets, as we have seen, are trumpets of judgement. What we should remember however, especially during this time of the year, is that Yahweh has been planning and working towards this time, since the foundation of the world. This is the great climax of history! And the One who had been in charge of the whole process leading up to this time, is Yahweh Himself – the One we came to know as the Righteous One, the One who is full of mercy, the One whose love and kindness and forgiveness is beyond measure. The One who will execute judgement through Y’shua his Son, is not on the look-out to wipe people from the face of the earth, as we sometimes find with the rulers of this world. No, He has prepared the set-apart ones for this day from the very beginning and the sound of weeping and the gnashing of teeth on this day will be deafened by the overwhelming sound of joy and jubilation, not only uttered by those who will be saved, but also also by the hosts of heaven and by the messengers before the throne of Yahweh. Let us not forget to remind one another about this wonderful and hopeful message of Yom Teruah.
