This week begins the biblical fall feasts starting with Rosh Hashanah or the head of the year on Tuesday. It is also called Yom Teruah or the Day of Trumpets. It begins on Monday evening and is the day that spans two days.
Some believe that in whatever year our Heavenly Father determines, the rapture will occur on this day. This should give us pause, followed by Yom Kippur when the books are opened, and judgment occurs.
The Lord gives people many times to consider their relationship with Him. His mercies are new every day; we should think about how we are living. Each week is another new beginning as we reflect on how we have obeyed and disobeyed Him.
Then there are many times during the year when we are called to change direction if needed or reaffirm our walk with Jesus.
Central to our Lord’s earthly ministry was the call to repentance. The main message of the Gospels is repentance, and we see it in each of the parables and teachings of Jesus.
To repent means to do an about-face, stop practicing evil, and return to the goodness of the way of the Lord found in His word.
When we started our study in Revelation, we learned that many in the church needed this message of repentance. Here is a sample of this call.
“Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19). “Bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). “Repent and do the [good] deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent” (Revelation 2:5). “So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent” (Revelation 3:3).
As we observe the world spinning out of control because of the belief that sin is good, we should remember that it is the church that should be leading the way in returning to God.
This is not crucifying Christ again when we call for a return to sound doctrine and a fresh rejection of sin and the ways of the world.
Now more than ever we need a fresh start. We need the white garments Jesus provides, the eye salve to cure our spiritual blindness, and the gold refined in the fire.
We should not consider ourselves above the need to repent but reflect on how we are living and challenge ourselves to change where needed and walk with Him.