Fall is officially upon us.

The leaves are beginning to change, and the chill and bite in the air is becoming more present with each passing day, and the days are getting shorter.

Of course, Pumpkin Spice everything is here too... so in case you were wondering whether it was really fall, a quick glance at a Starbucks menu will tell you everything you need to know.

We are a short couple of days from the Feast of Trumpets, a week or so from the Day of Atonement, and only a couple of weeks now from the Feast of Tabernacles. 

These fall festivals are annual reminders of the conclusion of God's plan - the process by which He plans to set up His Kingdom on this earth. 

His Son returning to the earth with power and glory, taking control of the Kingdoms of this world and putting all enemies under his feet. The putting away of Satan the devil, and the beginning of a time of peace and prosperity that the world has not seen since its inception - due in part to the removal of Satan and His influence, as well as Christ's return and reign. Then finally the 1000 year millennium on this earth, and the fulfillment of His Kingdom, when death is put away and the New Jerusalem comes down from Heaven.

The events that these days picture are hopeful, and they are incredible to consider. 

The Day of Trumpets in particular, the first of these days is a juxtaposition. It is a time of great sorrow, and great rejoicing. The events which are poured out as a result of the Trumpets sounding are terrible, they are frightening and full of sorrow for humanity. As the trumpets sound and the plagues are poured out, mankind suffers more and more, until the final trumpet sounds. 

When that final trumpet sounds, Jesus Christ returns. 

1st Thessalonians 4:14-15 record this incredible event, and describes it to those reading the epistle to Thessalonica as Paul strove to comfort them with this understanding.

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."

1st Corinthians 15:51-53 corroborates this statement.

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall 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 incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Revelation 11:15 records that at that Trumpet blast, "The Kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ... and He shall reign forever and ever."

This day in God's plan is symbolic of both the end of a nightmare of human rule and its accompanying atrocities, and the beginnings of an incredible future. 

Let us rejoice in our recognition and understanding of these days - and thank our Great God daily for His mercy and grace in calling us to be a part of it.

Happy Sabbath!