It Begins

3 October 2024 / 1 Tishrei 5785 / Rosh Hashanah

This year Rosh Hashanah begins on Tuesday, 2 October 2024, and ends on the evening of Friday, 4 October 2024. The exact date of Rosh Hashanah varies every year since it is based on the Hebrew Calendar, where it begins on the first day of the seventh month.

This Holy Day, is one of Judaism’s holiest days. Meaning “head of the year” or “first of the year,” the festival begins on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which falls during September or October. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world and marks the beginning of the Days of Awe, a 10-day period of introspection and repentance that culminates in the Yom Kippur holiday, also known as the Day of Atonement.

According to tradition, it is during these “High Holy Days” that God judges all creatures during the 10 Days of Awe, and will determine whose names will be inscribed in the “book of life,” and who will be condemed to death. Observant Jews believe that they have until Yom Kippur to perform “teshuvah,” or repentance, which is why they consider Rosh Hashanah and the days surrounding it a time for prayer, good deeds, reflecting on past mistakes and making amends with others.

Sadly, Jewish folks who have not accepted Jesus Christ and His great sacrifice will not have their names inscribed in the Book of Life, regardless of what good deeds they perform. Salvation comes only through the LORD Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.

I am reminded of what Jesus said about the danger of trusting in the traditions of men, without a sincere and repentant heart towards God, which applies to Jew and Gentile alike.

Mark 7:5-7 “Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Why walk not Thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”

False teachers are proliferating, just like God said they would in the Final Days, and only by walking in the True Light can we genuinely see the reality before us all. It is my sincere prayer that God will open the eyes of His people to see the Truth, and I pray they will call out to Him!

Romans 10:1-13 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

In this desperate and very dangerous time for God’s people, let us earnestly pray for the people of Israel, that they will call out to the true Messiah, the LORD Jesus Christ, the Son of the One, True, and only Living God! Only through Jesus Christ, the “Prince of Peace,” can true and lasting peace ever be achieved, especially in our hearts.

One last Scripture I want to encourage you to think about:

Philippians 4:6-8 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”