No This isn’t about President Trump. Though I do find it interesting that we have a situation, in these last days of our current age, of a leader of the free world with such a resounding name.
I want to speak about another “trump” that is supposedly set in stone. What I am about to do is shake a foundation that is so prevalent in “Churchianity” today.
Is the “Last trump” actually last?
What I am referring to is the “Last trump” of 1Corinthians 15:52.
When is the last trump? The reason this is so important is because it is at this trump that an “end time” event is hinged upon.
1Co_15:52 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.
The companion verse that testifies of this is found in 1 Thessalonians.
1Th_4:16 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:
In both verses there is a “trumpet” and a resurrection. Therefore this is the same event, but it is 1 Cor that expounds on which trump is to be sounded.
Lets take this expounded knowledge and look at the trumpets in Revelation.
The trumpets are first mentioned in Revelation chapter eight.
Rev_8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
Rev_8:6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
It is not until the opening of the 7th seal that the trumpets are prepared to sound. Even the first trumpet is not mentioned until the end of the seals. It is not presumption to say that this is not the beginning of the tribulation, as the six seals, with their judgments, have been opened prior to this point.
The trumpets are sounded in the following order with their particular judgment.
Rev_8:7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
Rev_8:8 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood;
Rev_8:10 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;
Rev_8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.
Rev_9:1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
Rev_9:13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,
When reading about the first six trumpets it is evident that much is taking place. God’s judgments are happening even up to the sounding of the seven trumpet.
So, is our theory that the last trumpet of 1 Corinthians chapter fifteen is the same seventh trumpet of Revelation?
As with any theorem or idea, if true, than we should be able to predict, with confidence, what will happen when applied elsewhere. If the theorem is incorrect that will be evident as well. So our theory is this:
If the last trump, mentioned in 1 Cor 15, is truly the seventh trump of Revelation then we should see, at least two predictions, or events, happening.
1) a resurrection.
2) a judgment of, at least, believers.
Remember it is the passages in 1 Thessalonians that mentions the coming of Christ along with the departed Saints.
“..even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him”; 1 Thes 4:14.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout..”; 1 Thes 4:16
1st Corinthians chapter 15 speaks of the dead being raised at the last trump.
“..at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible..”;15:52.
Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.
Rev 11:15-18
(15) And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
(Note: the kingdoms are taken away from the nations and Christ sets up his kingdom at this juncture in time:
[2Ti_4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;]
)
(16) And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
(17) Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
(18) And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
Revelation, when compared to 1 Corinthians 15, is complimentary to our theory that the last trump is indeed the 7th trumpet.
The rewarding of both dead and alive believers, mentioned in verse 18, can only happen if there has been a resurrection. For how can one receive “..the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. ” without first having received one’s resurrected body? As in a court of law a “body of evidence” is used to present the case before any judgment can be issued. Without evidence you have no case.
I find in scripture no mention of any other trumpets, nor the number being anything other than seven and yet on any given Sunday you will hear “Pre-Millennial” teachers speak on a rapture that happens before the tribulation using both the 1st Cor and 1st Thessalonians verses to justify such a teaching.
Those that believe in a “post trib” rapture will look to such errors to justify that their belief is better suited.
Though our “post trib” brothers are correct in pointing out this error, I believe they also fall into a trap of not being more diligent in their pursuit for truth; missing passages that do teach a “taking away” of faithful believers from the “hour of temptation”.
Though space will not permit me to expound on a “pre-trib”, “mid-trib” or “post-trib” rapture in this article, I will leave you with a final thought concerning them.
Our Lord stated that The end of the world is the harvest; Mat 13:39. The harvest in the old testament is given to us, by the Lord, as a key to unlock prophecy. I leave it to the reader to further study on their own just how the “Jewish” harvest is a type in end time prophecy.