It’s with a bit of trepidation that I address the buildup of excitement regarding the possibility of the Rapture occurring on September 23 or 24, 2025, during the Feast of Trumpets. I recognize it’s a sensitive subject for many and sadly, it has caused controversy and even division within the body of Christ.
Let me begin by saying that based on what I have read or seen on social media, most of us who are excited about the possibility of a September Rapture are not saying it will happen during this year’s Feast of Trumpets. We avoid date-setting and agree that it’s wrong to do so. We recognize that such failed predictions in the past have placed an unwelcome stigma on those of us who yearn for Jesus’ soon appearing.
On the other hand, this month’s UN activities have unmistakable implications in terms of Bible prophecy. There’s already been a vote with the wide majority of nations favoring the recognition a Palestinian state, which would divide the Land that God gave to the descendants of Jacob. The Bible long ago said that such activity would mark the last days as well as spark the Lord’s anger (Joel 3:1-3; Zechariah 12:1-3). A year or two ago, I thought that the current determined and widespread clamoring among the nations to divide Israel and Jerusalem would not happen until after the Rapture, but it’s already here.
Besides that, the words “peace and security” will repeatedly reverberate through the chambers of the UN building during its September 2025 assembly. In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, Paul wrote that the “sudden destruction” of the Day of the Lord would fall on the unbelieving world while people are saying “peace and security.”
Is it possible that the Lord might visibly respond to this year’s rancor at the UN, which will reach its peak next week beginning on September 22? Could the Rapture happen during this year’s celebration of the Feast of Trumpets?
The Rapture and Rosh Hashanah
Jesus fulfilled the first four “feasts of the Lord,” recorded in Leviticus 23:4-22, during His first appearing. As such, many students of Bible prophecy believe He will fulfill the remaining three festivals during His future return to the earth. Rosh Hashanah, or the Feast of Trumpets, is next in line awaiting fulfillment.
Several prophecy experts believe that the Rapture will fulfill Rosh Hashanah. Bible prophecy scholar and author, Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, wrote the following in his comprehensive work, The Footsteps of the Messiah, concerning the “last trump” of 1 Corinthians 15:52:
“The last trump refers to the Feast of Trumpets and the Jewish practice of blowing shofars during the feast. There are a series of short trumpet sounds followed by one long trumpet blast which is called the tekiah gedolah, “the great trumpet blast.” As such, it says nothing concerning the timing of the rapture; only that the rapture, whenever it occurs, will fulfill the Feast of Trumpets.”
I agree with Dr. Fruchtenbaum. It’s my belief that whether or not the Rapture occurs during God’s set time of this feast, Jesus will fulfill Rosh Hashana when He comes to take us home. As such, I understand the excitement and anticipation that Jesus might come for His Church during Israel’s celebration of it. There’s also a precedent for such an anticipation.
Jesus fulfilled the previous feasts during the appointed time God set for them. And since the Day of Atonement and Feasts of Booths await a future fulfillment, we do not yet know if the Lord will fulfill them at the time set for them in Leviticus 23:26-43.
I believe Zechariah 12:10-13:1 records what will happen during the future fulfillment of the Day of Atonement when the Jewish people see Jesus for who He is, their Messiah, and repent. Could this happen, or perhaps begin, on the day set for this observance in the Old Testament? I think so.
For those who agree that the Rapture fulfills the Feast of Trumpets but tell us it’s unlikely to happen this month, please understand the perspective that says it just might happen during the Feast of Trumpets. There is a precedent for Jesus fulfilling the feasts during the time God set for them.
If you expect to meet to Jesus in the air later this month, please do not conclude that it must occur on September 23 or 24. Even if it’s the Lord’s intention for the Rapture to happen on Rosh Hoshana, we do not know if it will be this year or even if the current Jewish calendar matches God’s.
Even so, is it not a time for heightened watchfulness?
A Time for Heightened Watchfulness
Regardless of whether the Rapture happens later this month or not, we surely live in the season of Jesus’ appearing. Based on all that’s happened in the world during the past several years, I thought we would’ve been in Heaven watching Jesus opens the seal judgments long before now. The only explanation for the delay, from our perspective, is the restraining force of the Holy Spirit and God’s patience as He continues to warn of the devastation that’s already at our doorstep.
Along with the Lord instructing His followers to always watch and be ready for His return (Matthew 24:36-25:13), He also spoke of a future time of heightened anticipation in Luke 21:28, “But when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.”
In the context of instructing His disciples about the many signs that would mark the days leading up to His return, Jesus referred to a time when these signs would become so pronounced that believers would recognize the nearness of their “redemption” and watch for it all the more intently by lifting up their heads in anticipation of Jesus’ appearing. Without a doubt, we live during that time.
There has never been such a convergence of signs pointing to the nearness of the Tribulation such as we see today. The multitude of signs, all happening at once, signifies that we are ever so close to the time we will meet Jesus in the air. We may not even have tomorrow let alone the remainder of September. It is a time for added vigilance in watching for our Lord’s return, just as He said in Luke 21:26.
The shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk underscores the nature of the widespread lawlessness and violence in our world, which the Bible long ago predicted would mark the days leading up to Jesus’ appearing. The stunning news of Charlie’s murder shouts with the message that we live in the fleeting moments leading up to our sudden departure. In the hours and days after hearing about his death, I felt a deep sadness along with what I might describe as a gnawing feeling deep in my soul.
Regardless of what we believe about Rosh Hoshana or its fulfillment in the Rapture, we all agree that the time is exceedingly short until Jesus takes us, His true Church, home to glory. We know that the Rapture will happen before the Tribulation period, and that day of wrath is approaching faster than few of us can even imagine. It’s not easy to fully grasp just how quickly our world will change in the twinkling of an eye.
If the calendar flips to October in a few weeks, I will continue to watch for Jesus’ appearing as though it could happen at any time. I hope and pray that the Rapture happens in 2025, but I have no guarantee that it will.
