The community of Bible prophecy watchmen are following the fall feasts of 2017 very closely. That the year 2017 may be a Jubilee year has spread like wildfire among the watching community. This would add a possible “loud trump” to this year’s Yom Kippur celebration, and people are speculating if this could be the “last trump”.
Let’s examine what scripture says about the Jubilee in Leviticus chapter 25:
You shall count seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, so that the time of the seven weeks of years shall give you forty-nine years. Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land. And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan. Leviticus 25:8-10 ESV
The Israelites, as well as property, were to be freed from their slavery and debts every 50th year.
Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and the Jubilee
The Hebrew calendar is a little bit tricky. The MONTHS are counted starting in Nisan (Exodus 12:1-2), the month in which the Exodus began. However, the civil year, how the YEARS are counted, starts in Tishrei (the 7th month – Ezekiel 40:1). Rosh Hashanah, or the Head of the Year, coincides with Yom Teru’ah (Feast of Trumpets – 1 Tishrei) on non-Jubilee years. Rosh Hashanah, or the head of the year, coincides with Yom Kippur (10 Tishrei) on Jubilee years.
Because of the association of Feast of Trumpets as a possible rapture feast, many are wondering if the Jubilee trumpet could be the “last trump” mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15. Instead of the “last trump” of a specific Feast, could the “last trump” be the final trump of a year?
An interlinear examination of the “loud trumpet” that announces the start of a Jubilee in Leviticus 25 is just that – a loud trumpet blast. If this trumpet of God is to sound in 2017, then this Yom Kippur would have to START (not end) a Jubilee. This would proclaim the year as a Jubilee year and set the captives free! From what I have seen, most people are claiming 2017 ENDS a Jubilee, which isn’t when the “loud trumpet” of the Jubilee is sounded based on Leviticus 25.
A Note on Rabbi Judah ben Samuel
The main excitement over the Jubilee cycle has come from a so-called prophecy by a Rabbi named Judah ben Samuel. This prophecy is *HIGHLY SUSPECT*, since there is a singular internet source for it. Breaking Israel News thoroughly researched this prophecy and identified three main problems:
The Problems
First, a number of Internet articles sceptical of this prophecy have pointed out that the Ottoman empire mentioned in the prophecy did not even begin until 1299, more than 80 years after his death. The term “Ottoman” comes from the man, Osman I, who was not even born until 40 years after Judah Ben Samuel. More generally, the “Turks” were segmented, scattered and in continuous decline at the time Judah Ben Samuel lived! This begs the question of exactly how is the original prophecy is worded in its original language and context? That question leads us to a bigger problem.
Second, the available works of Judah Ben Samuel do not contain any reference to this prophecy as far as we are aware! Had there been such reference, it would certainly have garnered the attention of Jews given the respect paid to him.
Third, the announcement of this prophecy was not made until a few years ago, essentially after most or all of its events were completed. Predictions that are released after-the-fact immediately raise concerns.
It was these problems that caused us to discover that there is exactly one original source for everything written on the subject. This prophecy comes from an article published in Israel Today magazine, March 2008, page 18, by Ludwig Schneider.
They subsequently contacted the source author, and had an interview with his son. There have been no articles located that would attribute this prophecy to Judah ben Samuel.
I would strongly advise against using your rationale for believing in a Jubilee based on this supposed prophecy. Additionally, the prophecy states that 2017 would be the ending of the Jubilee not the start. The Jubilee trumpet sounds at the START year of the Jubilee, not the end.
Is 2017 A Jubilee?
It could be, although it can’t be conclusively proven or determined. The Jubilee hasn’t been celebrated in Israel for millenia. Although there are several instances in Scripture that indicate a possible Jubilee year being celebrated (Ezekiel 40:1 comes to mind), there is the issue with possible missing years in the current Jewish calendar. There is no way to verify when the last Jubilee was celebrated.
Looking at significant dates in Israel’s history would indicate there is a strong possibility that 2017 could indeed start a Jubilee. The notable dates referred to are the Balfour Declaration in 1917 and the 6-Day War in 1967, both of which had great impact on Israel as a nation. (I would argue, though, that Israel becoming an official nation in 1948 is the most significant date in her modern history). Dan Matson has done his own mathematical calculation of the Jubilees and has determined that Yom Kippur 2017 will be the start of a Jubilee year. His YouTube is HERE and his study is HERE at WatchForTheDay.
I have received some second-hand reports that the Jubilee is indeed being celebrated in Israel this year, but I have not been able to prove that.
120 Jubilees?
When God states “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years” (Genesis 6:3 ESV), this may have dual application – both in the days of Noah and in the days of humanity. In Noah’s day, it seems that the global flood came 120 years after God issued this statement. At the time of the end, which is described “as in the days of Noah”, will 120 Jubilee cycles be completed? 120 x 50 = 6000, the number of 1000-year days of humanity’s rule over the earth.
My own thoughts on the subject surround where we fall in the 6000 years of human rule. I believe we are either at, or approximately 7 years away from, the completion of 6000 years of humanity. After this, the 1000 year Millennial Reign of Christ begins.
So in considering if this is a Jubilee year, it depends where we believe the 7 years of “Tribulation” fit into place. If they fall within the 6000 years allotted to human rule, then the Jubilee (120 Jubilees of man) should fall at the END of the Tribulation, at the Second Coming of Christ on Yom Kippur. However, if the 7 years of tribulation fall within the 1000 year Millennial Reign of Christ, then the Jubilee should occur at the start of the Tribulation period. The Jubilees are about Israel, and releasing her from slavery. While gentile believers have been freed from our slavery to sin, I’m wondering if the Jubilee has more to do with the fulfillment of Daniel’s 70th week than it does about the snatching of the Bride of Christ.
From this perspective, I would suggest it makes more sense for the Jubilee cycle to be located at the end of the Tribulation (i.e. in approximately 7 years from now). However, I don’t believe it is completely clear either way. However, I believe that Yom Kippur is a possible rapture contender REGARDLESS of whether or not it is a Jubilee year.
Further Resources:
Are you CERTAIN of your Salvation, beyond a shadow of a doubt? Do you KNOW that no matter when the rapture occurs, you will be counted worthy to escape? If not, please read What Must I do to Be Saved.
Dan Matson’s study is The Tetrad and the Jubilee
The Last Trump of the Jubilee – Heather MC
The 8th Moedim – A Jubilee Rapture
Unsealed has also written about the 2017 Jubilee
Breaking Israel News – 15 Part Study on the Jubilees
The Bible is infallible. I am not. Be a Berean – examine the scriptures for yourself to see if these things are so!
Red Moon Rapture 