Paul the Poke

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. –Jesus

Jesus is talking to His disciples about the end of the age and His second coming. In western culture, we take this passage literally. “Nobody knows, not even Jesus, Jesus said!” Okay, we are done here, moving forward.

Wait a minute, Jesus is a Jew. Matthew, the author, is a Jew. This verse is also quoted by Mark, who is a Jew. Mark 13:32 But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Culturally, the Bible is a Jewish book. It is not to be viewed from a western culture perspective.

There is one Jewish Holiday by definition, of that day or hour no one knows. Because, this day is a new moon holiday. Of all the God appointed holidays, this is the only holiday occurring on a new moon. It is the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. Jews call it Yom Teruah (literally means “day of blowing” in Hebrew). It is referred to as the “Hidden Day” in Jewish culture. It is called the Day of Judgment. Christians call it the Feast of Trumpets.

According to Jewish tradition the purpose of the trumpet blasts is to awaken the dead, resurrection.

The Apostle Paul, the ultimate academic Jew, tells us in 1 Corinthians 15, the resurrection of the dead in Christ is associated with the rapture of believers in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. These verses also point to the Feast of Trumpets (see previous blog posts).

How is a new moon or a new month determined? God operates on a lunar calendar. Jews have utilized the following procedure every month for thousands of years. It is called Rosh Chodesh which means “head of the month”. At the end of a lunar cycle, the moon is dark and is not seen for 2-3 days. So, the new moon could be identified during this 2-3 day period …of that day or hour no one knows…By definition, a new moon is proclaimed when the first little sliver emerges from a darkened moon. It is a tiny crescent that is noted briefly at sunset on the western horizon. The month begins at the sighting of the new moon. Two witnesses have to confirm the sighting. Upon agreement, the two witnesses report to the high priest. When the new moon is confirmed, the trumpet (shofar/ram’s horn) is blown.

Who is our high priest? Jesus (Hebrews 2:17, 3:1, 4:14). What is the role of the high priest? The role of the high priest is to intercede to God on behalf of the people. Only the Father knows the day or the hour to confirm the new moon. Notice, this language is also consistent with ancient Jewish wedding customs. The father sends the son or groom to get his bride. Only the father knows the day or the hour of the wedding.

Jewish cultural customs provided by: www.torahcalendar.com, Festivals of the Jewish Year by Theodore Gaster, The High Holy Days by Herman Kieval, El Shaddai Ministries, The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times, God’s Final Jubilee by Dan Goodwin, Our Father Abraham Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith by Marvin R. Wilson.

Yom Teruah is the new moon holiday. Rosh Hashanah is the only Jewish holiday that falls on the first day of a month. The Feast of Trumpets is the only new moon holiday. But of that day and hour no one knows…It is a “Hidden Day”. Investigate, think about it.