ABOUT THOSE TRUMPETS

What about those trumpets? In particular, those in 1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, and those in Revelation 8-9,11. First look at what the trumpet does. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:8:

For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

The trumpet was and is still used to give messages, a certain sound signals something. In speaking of battle Paul lets us know there were different sounds made to tell the soldiers what to do. In the above case it was a preparation signal. Here are some verses that point out some of the different sounds:

Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land. Leviticus 25:9

And Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba, and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, Let the Hebrews hear. 1 Samuel 13:3

So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more. 2 Samuel 2:28

But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. 2 Samuel 15:10

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Psalm 150:3

Declare ye in Judah, and publish in Jerusalem; and say, Blow ye the trumpet in the land: cry, gather together, and say, Assemble yourselves, and let us go into the defenced cities. Jeremiah 4:5

Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. Psalm 81:3

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Joel 2:15

They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof. Ezekiel 7:14

Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. Ezekiel 33:4

So, a trumpet is used to for a number of sounds. Even today the bugle, or type of horn, is blown in the Army for wake up call and for retreat at night. It is used to make distinctions in the raising and lowering of the flag. At football games someone blows it to signal charge and the crowd roars, "CHARGE!" What if the person played, "Just as I Am?" (That would be great!) The crowd would have no idea to yell, "Charge." If a country's national anthem plays, everyone knows to stand up if they want to show their respect.

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Now, there are differences in "Paul's trumpets" and "John's." They signal different events, which are the catching away of the saints (the Rapture) and the plagues. Look at some of these differences list:

Notice that when the trump sounds in Corinthians and Thessalonians that we go up. In Revelations plagues are coming down.

We are changed and go up "in the twinkling of an eye." The plagues come down over a period of time.

The Rapture will be commanded by the "trump of God," by "with the voice of the archangel." In the plagues it is angels, not "the archangel," who I believe to be Michael.

It is "at the last trump" in 1 Corinthians 15:52. It is "the seventh angel sounded" in Revelation 11.

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven" in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. He will also meet us in the clouds! In stark contrast, the angels are pouring out plagues from heaven in Revelation 8-9, 11.

Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians 5:9:

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Those who do not believe in a pre-tribulation Rapture say that God will protect us while the plagues are coming down, that he won't allow us to suffer that wrath. Sure, God could do this -- I don't have a problem with God not being able to perform such a miracle. What I do find a problem though is two thirds of the earth's population is going to be completely destroyed, that's right killed! There are about six billion people on earth now. This would leave two billion. People will be getting saved during the "great tribulation" by the 144,000 Jews that are sent out with signs and wonders. So, scratch them from the two billion. Many, many of the survivors of physical death will suffer the plagues, so scratch them. Not that God couldn't do it, but he would have to keep the few that were left from these plagues and wars going on from being harmed. I don't know how many saved there now, but my guess would be that it would be either over the two billion mark or a large chunk out of it. Therefore, I do not believe that 1 Thessalonians 5:9 can interpreted in any other way, but for God to catch up his Bride before the great tribulation starts.

What about that "last trump" though? That is the last one we will hear signaling the Lord's appearance. It could be that there will be others sounded before it, but there is nothing in Scripture to back that up. One thing for sure, it will be the "last trump" we hear in this body. It's the big one, it's the one we're waiting and watching for. No more football game horns, prepare for battle horns, retreat horns, etc. as we know them today!

The Bible even lets us know that the "gathering together unto him" will happen before "the son of perdition," even the antichrist sets himself up in the temple of God. In order for us to be with him when he "shall destroy with the brightness of his coming" we had to of been caught up out of here first. The Bible says over there in Revelation 19:7-8 that the Lamb's Bride, his Body, will be the, "righteousness of the saints," which follows with the Lord's day of destruction in the immediate verses. He will do so with "all his saints!" (1 Thessalonians 3:13) Again, in order for this to happen, it could not possibly be at the sound of the seventh angel in Revelation 11:15.

Nay, it's like this. Soon, and very soon, even nigh at hand, "The Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

That's when this brother in the Lord is going to shoot up out of here "in the twinkling of an eye" to see my Lord, even my God FACE TO FACE for the first time. That is the day I long for. That is the day I can't wait for. That is the day that I love, even his appearing, then shall I be with him forevermore!

Amen, AMen, AMEn, and AMEN
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN
EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!