Teshuva For Beginners
In the book of Revelation, Yeshua speaks directly to seven assemblies. His words are both tender and severe—words of commendation, correction, and a call to return. These letters, recorded in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, are not only messages to congregations in Asia Minor nearly two thousand years ago. They remain God’s warning and invitation to His people today—both corporately and individually.
As Yeshua Himself says: “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19). This is not condemnation, but covenant love calling His people back. This calling back—or repentance—is known in Hebrew as Teshuva, and it simply means “return.” To return is to find again the path of life intended from the very beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). Teshuva is the way back to the Creator’s intent.
From the outset of the Gospels, we see how central this call to Teshuva is to Yeshua’s mission. Once He is revealed as the long-expected Messiah, both Matthew and Luke introduce the ministry of John the Baptist. John’s cry was simple yet piercing: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2). His message, preached during this period of Teshuva, was a preparation of the people’s hearts—calling them to turn from sin, hypocrisy, and covenant-breaking—and it pointed them directly to Yeshua, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). When Yeshua begins His own ministry, His first proclamation is the same: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). This is not a passing theme but the very hinge of His mission. As Paul later declared to a gentile audience, echoing his Master, “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30).
Yeshua understood His mission in the line of the prophets: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 15:24). Just as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, and others called God’s people back to covenant loyalty, so too did Yeshua. And repentance then means exactly what it means now: returning to full-hearted obedience to God’s Torah, literally His instruction, as Yeshua Himself taught it. At its core, this obedience is anchored in two commandments: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5), and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). Covenant loyalty to God always finds expression in obedience to Him and in love toward those who bear His image. Jesus said,
““If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15, NASB 95)
The theme of Teshuva flows like a river through all of Scripture—from Adam’s first hiding in the garden, to Israel’s repeated calls back from exile, to the words of Yeshua, and finally, to His last recorded appeals in Revelation. And it crescendos in His closing words to the seven assemblies: words that are still spoken to us today. To each, He says in one way or another: return to Me, and you will overcome.
Although not a popular theme in today's modern era, it was central to Yeshua's mission. Teshuvah — the continual turning toward God — is the full-time responsibility of every believer. In my previous postings I have talked about God's calendar. It is no surprise that Teshuva has a special place on that calendar, woven into the matrix of the Fall feasts.
The Sacred 40-Day Journey: Understanding the Timing of Teshuva
A Beautiful Pattern Written in Time
Teshuva is a special 40-day period observed every year during the Fall feasts. Why does this season of repentance (Teshuva) lasts exactly 40 days? There's a breathtaking story woven into the very fabric of our calendar that reveals God's heart for His people and His incredible patience with us.
Moses and the Second Chance
Picture this: Moses had just received the tablets containing God's precious words on Mount Sinai. But when he came down and saw the people worshipping a golden calf, his heart broke. In righteous anger, he shattered those sacred tablets. The people had turned away from God so quickly after promising to follow Him.
But here's where the story becomes beautiful. Moses went back up the mountain. For 40 more days, Moses fasted, prayed, and pleaded with God on behalf of the fledgling nation of Israel. He was doing Teshuva - repentance - not just for himself, but for everyone.
During those 40 days, Moses was interceding, asking God to forgive the people and give them another chance. And you know what? God said yes. On the 40th day, God gave Moses new tablets, showing that He had forgiven His people and was ready to continue the relationship.
Our 40 Days Today
This is why our season of Teshuva lasts 40 days! We're following the same pattern Moses set - those precious 40 days when God showed His willingness to forgive and start fresh. It begins in the Hebrew month of Elul and continues through the High Holy Days.
Here's how it unfolds:
Days 1-30: The month of Elul - a time for gentle soul-searching and returning to God
Day 30: Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah, Tishri 1) - Yom Teruah, the Day of Trumpet Blasts
Days 31-39: The Days of Awe - preparing our hearts
Day 40: Yom Kippur (Tishri 10) - the Day of Complete Fasting and Atonement
The Trumpet Call and the King's Return
On that 30th day, when we hear the shofar (trumpet) blowing on Rosh Hashanah, we're not just marking a new year. We're rehearsing something magnificent - the return of Yeshua as King over all the earth! Just as trumpets announced the coming of ancient kings, the shofar reminds us that our King is coming back (1 Thes 4:16).
This isn't just a nice thought - it's a reality we need to prepare for. Every blast of the shofar is like God gently saying, "Wake up! Get ready, My beloved ones. Make your hearts ready."
Yom Kippur, The Final Day - Complete Surrender
Then comes day 40 - Yom Kippur. This is the day of complete fasting, when we lay everything down before God. No food, no water, no distractions - just us and our Creator, making everything right between us.
It's the culmination of our 40-day journey, just like when Moses finally received those second tablets. It's God's way of saying, "I forgive you completely. Let's start fresh."
Ultimately this is a rehearsal for the Great White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15 - the main description of the Great White Throne Judgment where all are judged according to their deeds and the books are opened as seen by Daniel 7:9-10:
"I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated... A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened."
We see this also in:
Daniel 7:13-14 - The Son of Man receiving dominion and kingdom
Daniel 12:1-2 - The time of judgment and resurrection
In the Apostolic Writings we see:
Matthew 25:31-46 - The sheep and goats judgment (though this may be a separate judgment, it shares similar themes)
John 5:28-29 - "Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation."
2 Corinthians 5:10 - "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ"
Romans 14:10-12 - Everyone will stand before God's judgment seat
Revelation 20:11-15 - an annual rehearsal of this final judgment where "the books of record in heaven" are opened and "the lives of all people both living and dead are examined" as described in both Daniel 7:10 and Revelation 20:12.
Prophetic Connections in the Hebrew Scriptures:
Joel 3:12-14 - "Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations"
Malachi 3:2-5 - The refining and judging work of the Lord's coming
Here is a comparison of these two holy days and their prophetic significance:
Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah) - Day 30
"The books are opened"
Talmudic tradition: The books of life are opened on Rosh Hashanah for examination
Prophetic parallel: The Rapture/Return of the King (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
Key elements: Trumpet blasts (shofar), awakening call, the King's arrival
Biblical reference: "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet" (1 Cor 15:52)
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) - Day 40
"The books are sealed"
Talmudic tradition: The books are sealed on Yom Kippur - judgment is finalized
Prophetic parallel: The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15)
Key elements: Final judgment, books opened for verdict, eternal destinies sealed
Biblical reference: "And the books were opened... And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books" (Rev 20:12)
The Critical Distinction:
Yom Teruah = The books are opened for review (examination begins, King arrives, believers are caught up)
Yom Kippur = The books are sealed with final judgment (final verdict rendered, eternal destinies determined)
So the 10 days between them (called the "Days of Awe") represent that final opportunity for repentance before the books are permanently sealed. This makes the Yom Kippur connection to the Great White Throne Judgment even more sobering - it's the final sealing, not just the opening for review.
It's Urgent: Why This Matters So Much
Dear friend, this isn't just ancient history. This pattern shows us God's incredible heart - He's always ready to forgive, always ready to receive us back in His presence. But it also shows us something urgent: He wants us to be prepared.
Just as John the Baptist came "to make a people prepared for the Lord" (Luke 1:17), these 40 days are God's gift to help us get ready. Ready for what? Ready for His return. Ready to meet Him with clean hearts and clear consciences.
The Tender Urgency
There's something both gentle and urgent about this season. God is so patient - He gives us 40 whole days, just like He gave Moses 40 days. He's not rushing us or condemning us. He's inviting us into this beautiful process of returning to Him.
But there's also an urgency. The shofar is sounding. The King is coming. These aren't just nice traditions - they're wake-up calls wrapped in love.
This 40-day journey isn't about earning God's love - you already have that! It's about preparing your heart to receive all the good things He wants to give you, and to be ready for the incredible day when Yeshua returns as King over all the earth.
What a gift these 40 days are! What a beautiful invitation to come home.
A Gentle but Urgent Warning
Yeshua’s words to the assemblies are a mirror for us. Where love has cooled, where compromise has crept in, where reputation has replaced reality, where pride has blinded—His call is the same: Repent (teshuvah) and return to covenant faithfulness. To those who overcome, He promises intimacy, authority, and eternal life.
“Whoever has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7 and repeated in all seven letters).
A Call to Teshuvah
Just as Moses interceded for Israel forty days after the golden calf, and God forgave and continued to dwell with His people (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:18), so now we are invited to a forty-day journey of repentance. Beginning tomorrow, we will walk together from Sinai through the warnings of Deuteronomy and the seven letters of Revelation. This path will mark Yom Teruah (the Feast of Trumpets) and culminate on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement—a season for turning back to God with all our heart.
This will be Teshuvah for Beginners: forty days of short daily reflections sent by email and shared on Facebook. Together, we will learn to recognize where we have drifted, and how to return. We will be invited, like the churches of Revelation, not to be overcome, but to become overcomers by the word of our testimony and the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11).
Yeshua is knocking. Will we open? (Revelation 3:20).
How Do I Begin This Journey of Teshuva?
The beautiful thing about Teshuva is that it's not complicated - God makes the path clear when we approach Him with sincere hearts. Here's how to walk through these sacred 40 days:
Making It Practical - Your Daily Rhythm
Personal Teshuva - Starting With Your Own Heart
Open your heart completely to God - Ask Him to gently show you any areas where you've drifted from His ways
Listen with a tender heart - He's not looking to condemn you, but to heal and restore you
Make this personal time daily - Even just 10-15 minutes of honest conversation with God about your own heart
Let scripture guide you - Spend time each day reading passages God brings to your attention about the areas He's highlighting
Generational Teshuva - Healing Your Family Line
Look back with compassion - Review your family history to see if there are patterns of hurt, unforgiveness, or turning away from God
Break generational cycles - Confess and renounce any family patterns that have kept you or your loved ones from growing in faith
Pray for your spose, children and grandchildren - Ask God to heal your family line both backward and forward
Remember: you're not taking on guilt - you're simply asking God to break unhealthy patterns and bring His healing
Church (Ekklesia) Teshuva - Returning to Our First Love
Here is a composite catalog of the sins Yeshua reveals in His messages to the seven assemblies of Asia, with references included.
Sins and Warnings from the Seven Assemblies (Revelation 2–3):
Abandoning covenant love and loyalty – Turning away from the wholehearted love for God and love for neighbor that Torah commands (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18). This includes neglecting the ordinances (chukkim) and judgments (mishpatim) that show fidelity to God in daily life. (Matthew 5:17-19) • Revelation 2:4 – “You have abandoned the love you had at first.” • Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37-39
Tolerating false teaching and lies – Allowing counterfeit doctrine to remain unchallenged, leading some astray. • Revelation 2:14–15 – Balaam’s teaching; Nicolaitan teaching • Deuteronomy 13:1-5; Isaiah 1:10-17; 1 John 4:1
Compromise with sexual immorality and idolatry – Mixing holiness with practices God forbids. • Revelation 2:20–21 – Tolerating Jezebel’s teaching • Leviticus 18:3-30; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Spiritual deadness despite reputation – Outward appearances of being alive, but inwardly lifeless. • Revelation 3:1 – “You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” • Matthew 15:8-9; James 1:22
Incomplete obedience – Starting works but not completing them fully before God. • Revelation 3:2 – “I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.” • Luke 6:46; James 2:17
Self-sufficiency and pride – Believing you are rich (self-reliant) and need nothing while being spiritually poor. • Revelation 3:17 – “You say, ‘I am rich…’” • Proverbs 16:18; Luke 18:9-14
Casual, Indifferent, Lukewarm faith – Neither fully devoted nor openly rejecting; half-hearted devotion. • Revelation 3:15–16 – “You are neither cold nor hot… I will spit you out of my mouth.” • Colossians 2:18-23; Romans 12:11
Additional items for modern application / corporate Teshuva:
Confess where tradition has replaced relationship – Ask God to reveal where religious routines have taken the place of genuine love for Him. • Mark 7:8,13; Matthew 15:3-9
Confess divisions and denominational pride – Repent where traditions or affiliations have taken precedence over unity in Messiah. • 1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:3
Repent for losing sight of the two great commandments – Love God and love your neighbor as yourself. • Matthew 22:37-40; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18
Acknowledge where the Church has drifted from Torah’s heart – Ask forgiveness for viewing God’s instructions as burdensome rather than expressions of His love. • Matthew 5:17-19; Psalm 119:97-104
Pray for the Church to rediscover its Jewish roots – That Yeshua’s followers understand He came to fulfill — to do them whole heartedly — not abolish, the Law. • Matthew 5:17; Romans 11:17-21; Acts 21:20-24
Repent for lukewarmness – Ask God to rekindle that first love and passionate devotion to Him and His people. • Revelation 3:19; Joel 2:12-13
Pray for leaders to return to biblical foundations – That pastors and teachers would prioritize God’s Word above popular opinion. • 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Titus 1:9
Ask forgiveness for neglecting the poor and marginalized – Where the Church has failed to be Yeshua’s hands and feet to those in need. • Isaiah 1:17; Matthew 25:31-46; James 1:27
Confess anti-Semitism in Church history – Acknowledge ways Christians have hurt the Jewish people, God’s chosen ones. • Romans 11:28; Genesis 12:3; Galatians 6:10
Pray for restoration – That the Church would return to the vibrant, Torah-observant community of early believers. • Acts 2:42-47; Nehemiah 8:1-12
Pray for leaders to seek and follow the Spirit in conformity with God’s truth – That ministry is Spirit-led and aligned with the Word. • John 16:13; Galatians 5:22-25; Acts 1:8
National Teshuva - Your Country and Community
Follow Moses' heart of intercession - He pleaded for his nation even when they had turned away from God
Pray for your leaders - Ask God to raise up men and women in government who will honor Him
Confess your nation's turning away - Not with condemnation, but with the same love Moses showed
Pray for revival and awakening - That your country would return to God's ways
Teshuva for Israel - The Apple of God's Eye
Pray for Israel's spiritual awakening - That they would recognize their Messiah, Yeshua
Confess the Church's failures toward Israel - Times when Christians have not loved or supported the Jewish people as God intended
Pray for godly leadership in Israel - Leaders who will seek God's heart for their nation
Pray for peace in Jerusalem - As we're commanded in Psalm 122:6
Start small and stay consistent - Better to spend 15 minutes daily than 2 hours once a week
Create a simple rotation - You might focus on personal repentance daily, then rotate through generational, national, and Israel throughout the week
Keep a journal - Write down what God shows you - it's amazing how He builds on these revelations
Don't rush the process - These 40 days are a gift, not a burden. Let God work at His pace in your heart
Remember, this isn't about earning God's love or trying to be perfect. This is about positioning your heart to receive all the good things He wants to pour out, and preparing yourself to be part of His great work in the earth when Yeshua returns as King.
40 Days
For the next 40 days, I will send a short daily Teshuva Guide. You should also be able to find it on my facebook page each day.
