Why is Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur Important for Christians?

I am really excited about what is happening over the next few weeks and I want to share with you why Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are so important for Christians to honor.

This month, we are entering into the High Holy Days on God’s timetable and I don’t want you to miss out on all of the awesome things that God is doing and what is happening in the Heavens.

To be honest, this is one of my most favorite times of the year, I look forward to it as much as I look forward to Christmas.

These days are regularly referred to as the Days of Awe and they begin at sundown on September 20, 2017 as Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year) begins and they run through sundown on September 30, 2017 as Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) comes to a close.

Between these two dates rests the ten-day period called The Days of Awe in which it is said, the veil between Heaven and Earth is very thin and God leans in to be closer to humanity. The Days of Awe are also referred to in Hebrew tradition as the Days of Repentance and the Days of Return.

Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord. Say to him, “Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us, so that we may offer you our praises.”  Hosea 14:2 NLT

It is during these days that we can hear God more clearly and access levels of revelation knowledge that aren’t normally flowing. It is also during these days that God determines our fate for the coming year.

I have personally honored these holy days for about the past 10 years or so, and specifically in the past 4 years have taken it more seriously as I have gained deeper understanding about what actually happens in Heaven on these Holy Days.

I feel in my spirit that these dates are very significant this year and I want to share a little more with those who may not be as familiar with what they are or what they mean for us as Christians.

First, let me lay a foundation for what it is we are honoring, so that you are clear on the reasons this time of year is important for Christians to honor.

Rosh Hashanah (The Head of Year)

Begins Sundown September 20, 2017 and Ends Sundown September 22, 2017

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second day of the Hebrew month Tishrei and is the start of the Jewish New Year. Hebrew custom says that on this day, God opens the Books of Life and inscribes or writes His plan for us for the coming year. This is not a New Year as we in America think of the New Year, rather it is a time of deep introspection, and remembrance.

On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet.  Leviticus 23:24 NLT

Some of the customs of Rosh Hashanah include hearing the sound of the shofar (trumpet) during the Holy Days. This is symbolic of a call to repentance. It is also common to eat festive meals and sweet things such as apples or bread dipped in honey. This is symbolic of a sweet year to come. There are also special prayers that ask for God’s favor on the new year, such as:

“May it be your will to renew for us a good and sweet year.”

For Christians, this is an opportunity for us to enter into reflection with God, to celebrate Jesus and the forgiveness of our sins, but also to look inward and ask God to do a deeper cleansing in our hearts. Rosh Hashanah is a two-day celebration and festive time.

Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

Begins Sundown September 29, 2017 and Ends Sundown September 30, 2017

Yom Kippur is considered the Most Holy Day of the year. It is the day that the veil between Heaven and Earth is the thinnest and the day in which God seals our fate for the coming year. As the sun sets and night begins to fall, it is believed that God finalizes his plans for the year and seals them in the books of life, thus deciding and sealing our fate for the coming year.

On the tenth day of the appointed month in early autumn, you must deny yourselves. Neither native-born Israelites nor foreigners living among you may do any kind of work. This is a permanent law for you. On that day offerings of purification will be made for you, and you will be purified in the Lord’s presence from all your sins. Leviticus 16:29-30 NLT

On Yom Kippur, it is customary to spend the day in prayer, fasting, and repentance, searching the heart to see if there is anything remaining that needs to be cleansed. Typically, the entire day is dedicated to God and focused on purification before the window closes (at sunset) and the books of life are sealed for another year.

As Christians, we know that our sins have all been covered and atoned for once and for all by the blood of Jesus, so we do not have to participate in this to the fullest extent of the law, but it is still very important and relevant to honor the day and spend time with God in introspection, humility, and heart cleansing through repentance.

I use it as a day to worship, read my Bible, and spend the day in solitude with God to hear what He has to say to me for the coming year. I usually journal a lot on this day and just listen to what He is saying to me. As a result, I have personally had AMAZING supernatural encounters with God as Yom Kippur closes and the sun begins to set. These experiences have been life altering and unforgettable each time they happened.

Days of Awe (Days of Repentance or Days of Return)

Begins Sundown on September 20, 2017 and Ends Sundown on September 30, 2017

The Days of Awe, also known as the Days of Repentance or the Days of Return are recognized as the 10-day period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

These days are customarily used for deeper introspection and making things right with God and with others. It is a time to settle debts, fulfill promises or commitments, to purge the old and make room for the new. It is customary to give gifts of charity or make offerings to God during this time period.

It is also believed that during this 10 day period, God leans in and is closer to Earth and closer to us, His children. It is the time God draws near to us—so in turn, we have an opportunity to draw near to Him.

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Isaiah 55:6 NLT

For Christians, this is a time period to really look at our lives, to forgive others, and to seek forgiveness for ourselves. It is a time to tie up loose ends as the Holy Spirit leads and prepare our hearts for what God is bringing our way for the coming year.

I usually use this time to separate myself a little from the busyness of life and to spend more time alone. I journal a lot and write down what I hear God speaking to me. I pray and ask God for direction and guidance for whatever life situations I have going on at the time. I ask for his plan and will to become clear to me and for all weights and things holding me back to be removed so that I can move forward into what He has for me.

I find that I hear God more clearly, angelic activity around me increases, and things begin to happen a lot faster during this ten-day period. That is why I separate myself a little more than normal, during the Days of Awe because I don’t want to miss anything God is saying to me or wanting to do in me during this season. There will be plenty of time for those other life things when the Days of Awe are complete.

What About You?

I hope that something I have shared here today has inspired you to take your spiritual walk and experience with God a little deeper this month. It is not something you do out of obligation or legalism (law). It is something you choose to recognize and honor out of love for God.

I believe that God is calling many of you to separate yourselves this month to spend time with Him and to prepare your hearts to receive what He wants to deliver to you in the coming days, weeks, and months. Will you answer the call?

It doesn’t have to be complicated or complex. It can be really simple to honor these days. I have also written an article to help you know how exactly you can set aside some time this month to honor God’s holy days. You can find the 5 ways Christians can honor Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur article here.

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May God Favor You in the Coming Year!

Dr. Krista Abbott

KristaAbbott.com

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PS. Here’s a video of my “Inspire with Fire” broadcast I did on Facebook Live earlier this week. In this episode, I talked about all of this in greater detail and I also shared the 5 ways you, as a Christian can honor these Holy Days. If you haven’t seen it already, take a few minutes and watch it, then share with others.