Teshuvah - a season of return

Teshuvah

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 is Elul 1, 5784 on the Jewish calendar. This begins a season of return and repentance leading up to the first fall Feast of the Lord, Rosh haShanah. Because the fall festivals are prophecies of the days of the Lord’s return to the Earth, these days of Teshuvah have a special significance to believers. These are days to remind us that the Lord’s return is coming soon. These are days to make sure that we have accepted Jesus as our savior and Lord, and the gift of His righteousness. These are days to motivate us to tell others the good news of the Gospel. These are days to prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord. Prophetically, these days may speak of a season of revival and ingathering.

o        The Fall Festivals – The Latter Rain

o        TESHUVAH - A season of repentance and return from Elul 1 to Tishri 10 (Sept.-Oct.)

The season of the fall festivals begins with a period of repentance and a call to return. It is called Teshuvah. Teshuvah literally means to return or repent. The last 10 days are the “High Holy Days” (Rosh haShanah – The Feast of Trumpets to Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement). It is the universal desire of God that all repent and not face the penalty of sin (2 Pet 3:9; Ezek. 18:21-23; 30-32). The Torah requires two sacrifices, the "asham" or guilt offering to restore relationships between men, and the "hataat" or sin offering to restore relationship with God (Matt. 5:23-24). The days of the month of Elul, are a national call for Israel to repent before Rosh haShanah, the Day of Judgment (Zeph 2:1-3; Ps 27). Each day of Elul the shofar is blown to warn the people that Rosh haShanah is approaching and that this is the season for repentance. Psalm 27 is read aloud, and in many Jewish communities Ezek. 33:1-7 is also read. Yom Kippur is the mo'ed for the Messiah to return to earth and is the conclusion of Teshuvah. The 10 days between Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur teach on the testing or tribulation (Time of Jacob's Trouble) and are called “Yamim Nora-im” or “The Awesome Days” (Joel 2:11).

According to Jewish tradition and religious practice the days of Elul preceding Rosh haShanah re days to repent of one's sins before Rosh haShanah so that your name may be inscribed in the book of the Righteous and escape the time of the "Awesome Days". This is accomplished by accepting the righteousness of the Righteous One, the Messiah, remembering that man's righteousness is not acceptable to God (Isa. 64:6; Jer. 33:15- 16). The Day of Rosh haShanah represents the beginning of the Messianic Kingdom. Judgment has been passed and those that have repented and accepted the Messiah have been written into the Book of Life. They are sealed and protected from the cleansing and purging to come during the Days of Awe or Jacob's Trouble. For the majorities who have not made a decision for or against God, Rosh haShanah is a final warning to them. They have ten days to return to God. The days between Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur are the "Yamim Nora-im" or the Awesome Days. During this period, it is still possible to repent and be redeemed by God on the day of redemption or atonement. The Jewish greeting used during this period is "May you be sealed until the day of redemption". These ten days of tribulation may be a prophecy related to the ten days of trouble spoken of in Rev. 2:10 in the letter to Smyrna. This prophecy could then be a prophecy of ten years of tribulation between the breaking of the first seal of the great scroll in Rev.6 and the seven years of the great tribulation.

 The day of Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement or the Day of Redemption. It teaches the second coming of the Messiah. At this time, He saves and redeems Israel (Rom. 11:25-27; Zech. 12; 13:1-9; 14; Isa. 59:20), reestablishes His throne in Jerusalem, and reigns from there for 1000 years.  

 

Given the conditions and events of the days we are living in, I believe that all true believers in Jesus as the Messiah should take the words of Ezekiel 33 very seriously.

[Eze 33:1-7 NLT] 1 Once again a message came to me from the LORD: 2 "Son of man, give your people this message: 'When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose one of their own to be a watchman. 3 When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he sounds the alarm to warn the people. 4 Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die. 5 They heard the alarm but ignored it, so the responsibility is theirs. If they had listened to the warning, they could have saved their lives. 6 But if the watchman sees the enemy coming and doesn't sound the alarm to warn the people, he is responsible for their captivity. They will die in their sins, but I will hold the watchman responsible for their deaths.' 7 "Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.

We should also be comforted by, and proclaim the words of Psalm 27.

[Psa 27:1-14 NLT] 1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? 2 When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3 Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident. 4 The one thing I ask of the LORD--the thing I seek most--is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple. 5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. 6 Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music. 7 Hear me as I pray, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! 8 My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." 9 Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don't leave me now; don't abandon me, O God of my salvation! 10 Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close. 11 Teach me how to live, O LORD. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me. 12 Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I've never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence. 13 Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.