The Calendar is Marked…
A Comprehensive Bible Study on the Season of Atonement: Rosh Hashanah, the 10 Days of Awe, Yom Kippur, and the Feast of Tabernacles
The biblical calendar is marked by a series of divine appointments—special times set by God for His people to meet with Him, reflect, and realign their lives according to His purposes.
Among these, the fall feasts hold a unique place, beginning with Rosh Hashanah (the Feast of Trumpets), moving through the 10 Days of Awe, culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), and concluding with the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).
These feasts are not merely historical rituals; they are deeply prophetic, spiritual, and practical, offering believers today a powerful opportunity for renewal, repentance, and deeper intimacy with God.
Rosh Hashanah, known as the Feast of Trumpets, marks the beginning of this sacred season. Biblically, it is a time of spiritual awakening, signaled by the blowing of the shofar—a ram’s horn that serves as a spiritual alarm. The sound of the shofar is not just a tradition; it is a call to self-examination, repentance, and a return to God.
The shofar’s blast is meant to shake believers out of complacency, prompting them to reflect on their lives, attitudes, and relationships. It is a time to ask hard questions: How are we treating our loved ones? What is the state of our hearts? Are there areas of unforgiveness, bitterness, or sin that need to be addressed?
The main theme of Rosh Hashanah is repentance—a turning back to God, a movement away from self-dependence and sin, and a return to the path God has set.
Following Rosh Hashanah are the 10 Days of Awe, a period of deep introspection and spiritual searching. These ten days are set apart for believers to examine themselves before God, to seek His face, and to make things right in their lives.
The biblical pattern, as seen in Leviticus 23 and echoed throughout the teaching, is that repentance precedes restoration. Before God restores the wasted years and brings about spiritual renewal, He calls His people to return to Him with sincere hearts. The Days of Awe are a gift—a window of opportunity to get alone with God, away from the distractions of daily life, and to allow Him to reveal areas that need change, healing, or surrender.
It is a time to remember the blood of Jesus, the ultimate atonement for sin, and to prepare for the holiest day of the year: Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is the climax of this season. This is also known as “God’s Holiest Day of the Year”. In the Old Testament, it was the day when the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people. For New Testament believers, Yom Kippur points to the finished work of Jesus Christ, who entered the heavenly sanctuary once and for all, offering His own blood as the perfect sacrifice for sin.
While we are no longer under the law and do not need to perform animal sacrifices, the principle of atonement remains central. This is a time for prayer, fasting, giving, and studying God’s Word—a season of fresh commitment and consecration.
God calls His people not to come before Him empty-handed, but to honor Him with their very best, not out of obligation, but as an expression of gratitude for the price Jesus paid. The Day of Atonement is about recognizing the depth of God’s love, the power of the blood, and the opportunity for a clean slate—a new beginning.
Five days after Yom Kippur comes the Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot, which is described as “party time.” This feast celebrates the harvest and commemorates the time when the Israelites dwelled in tents (tabernacles) in the wilderness, experiencing God’s presence in a tangible way.
For believers, Tabernacles is a prophetic picture of the ultimate fulfillment when Jesus returns and God dwells (tabernacles) with His people forever. It is a time of joy, thanksgiving, and celebration, marking the end of the season of repentance and the beginning of a new season of blessing and intimacy with God.
The Fall Feasts of the Lord:
- The Feast of Trumpets (or Rosh Hashanah Sep 22nd)
- The Day of Atonement (or Yom Kippur Oct 2nd)
- The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot Oct 6th – Oct 13th)
The importance of understanding the feasts as God’s appointed times cannot be stressed enough… These are not merely Jewish traditions, but divine appointments set by God Himself, woven into the very fabric of creation.
Genesis 1:14 reveals that God created the sun, moon, and stars for “signs and for seasons”—the Hebrew word “moedim,” meaning appointed times or festivals. These feasts are cycles of worship, opportunities to interrupt the ordinary and focus on God’s purposes. They are practical, spiritual, and prophetic, pointing to the work of Christ and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.
The call to believers is clear: do not approach these seasons legalistically, but embrace them as opportunities to honor God, remember His faithfulness, and realign your life with His will. Repentance is not a one-time event, but a continual turning back to God.
The feasts remind us of the importance of worship, dedication, and obedience. They are times to remember the blood covenant, the sacrifice of Jesus, and the hope of His return. As you enter this season, take time to reflect, repent, and renew your commitment to God.
Allow the sound of the shofar to awaken your spirit, the Days of Awe to deepen your relationship with God, the Day of Atonement to cleanse and restore you, and the Feast of Tabernacles to fill you with joy and anticipation for the future God has prepared.
In summary, the season of Atonement is a divine invitation to experience God’s grace, mercy, and power in a fresh way. It is a call to repentance, a reminder of the blood of Jesus, and a celebration of God’s faithfulness.
As you honor these appointed times, may you encounter God in a deeper way and step into the fullness of His purpose for your life.
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