A trumpet has several different uses. It can sound an alarm; it can be a call to war; or it can draw attention to a special announcement or event. Feast of Trumpets is the first of the annual sabbaths which come in the autumn. It calls attention to the fact that the most solemn of all the feasts, Day of Atonement, is just ten days away.

Feast of Trumpets is the only yearly feast that falls on a New Moon day.

• Then Yahuwah spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.'" (Leviticus 23:23, NKJV)

Day of Atonement holds out the promise of a tremendous blessing, but only those whose hearts are prepared will receive that blessing. This work of heart preparation, while begun at Passover, really begins in earnest on Feast of Trumpets. It is a time of deep heart searching and repentance.

A good way to prepare for Day of Atonement is to spend each day from Feast of Trumpets to Day of Atonement in contemplation of the ten commandments. On Feast of Trumpets, one should prayerfully examine the heart to see where the principles contained within the ten commandments may be being broken in the life.

The Comforter, received by faith at Pentecost, is given for the express purpose of convicting the individual of sin and then inspiring faith in the Saviour to forgive, cleanse and restore from that sin.

• Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. . . . When He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew [show] you things to come. (John 16:7, 8, 13, 14)

Feast of Trumpets is the call to war against sin and self in the heart-work necessary to prepare for the great Day of Atonement.