When does “the last trump” sound? The Rapture, the Second Coming, or some other time?
Dr. Renald Showers: According to 1 Corinthians 15, “the last trump” will be sounded, and then according to Matthew 24 there will be the sound of a great trumpet when the Lord Jesus comes out of Heaven in His glorious Second Coming. And so some say, “Look, you obviously have a trumpet blown at the Rapture. It’s the trump of God. It’s the last trump. And you obviously have a trump being blown at the Second Coming of Christ after the Tribulation Period, therefore, the Rapture and the Second Coming must take place at the same time. And if it’s the “last” trump at the Rapture, which is what 1 Corinthians 15 says, then this has to be at the Second Coming of Christ. It couldn’t be before because if the Rapture is taking place before the Second Coming and there’s a trumpet there which is supposedly the “last” trump, but then later on, maybe seven-years later, you have a trumpet at the Second Coming of Christ, then how could the trumpet at the Rapture be the last trump when you’ve got a trump supposedly seven-years later at the Second Coming of Christ?
Well, let me point something out to you with regard to this. Even the trumpet that will be blown at the Second Coming of Christ will not be the absolute last trumpet blown here on planet Earth. When you go to Zechariah 14, we are clearly told there that during the Lord’s reign upon the earth—this would be during the future Millennial Reign—that the Feast of Tabernacles is going to be observed every year here on the earth. And we’re told in verse 16, “It shall come to pass that everyone that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. It shall be that whoso shall not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of Hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.” And He goes on to indicate that, verse 18, “if the family of Egypt go not up and come not that have no rain, there shall be the plague wherewith the Lord shall smite the heathen that will not come up to keep the feast of tabernacles,” indicating that every year throughout the Thousand Year Reign of Messiah upon the earth the people of the world will be required to observe the Feast of Tabernacles.
Now, when you study what’s involved with the Feast of Tabernacles, you have the blowing of trumpets in the Feast of Tabernacles. This means you will have the blowing of trumpets every year throughout the Thousand Year Reign of Christ. So the trumpet that’s blown at the Second Coming of the Lord will not be the absolute last trumpet that’s blown on planet Earth. Neither can you automatically equate the trumpet at the Rapture with the trumpet of the Second Coming of Christ.
Then, why is the trump of the Rapture called “the last trump”? Well, it’s not indicating the absolute last trump; it’s got another significance to it and there are several possibilities with regard to this. For one thing, it’s interesting that Paul refers to the last trump in 1 Corinthians 15 and in the immediately preceding chapter, 1 Corinthians 14, he refers to the blowing of a trumpet and there he’s referring to a military trumpet. In light of that, it would appear that he has military trumpets in mind when he’s writing 1 Corinthians 15. So it could very well be that when he refers to the last trump which will be blown at the Rapture, he has a military trumpet in mind. What’s the significance of that?
When you study the Roman army and some of the Greek armies and even the Jewish army back in Bible times, when they went into war, they had a “last trump” that would be blown that would tell the fighting men, “Your time of fighting is over. It is time for you to go home and rest.” A “last trump” ended their time in the warfare.
By analogy, the Scriptures teach that Christians today are involved in a spiritual war while they live out their lives in this present age in this present world. When the Rapture takes place and the trumpet is blown at that time, that will be a signal to them that their part in the warfare is over; their fighting in this present age is done in this spiritual war. It is time for them to go home to be with the Lord and rest together with Him in Heaven.
In addition, when you read about the use of trumpets in the military of the ancient world, particularly with the Romans, they had a first trump that signaled when a man was to start his watch on guard duty, but then they had a “last trump” which signaled that his time on guard duty was over and again it was time for him to go home. In other words, before that last trump he’s on watch; he’s watching, watching, watching to be on guard. But when the last trump is sounded, that tells him his watching is done, he can go home.
Scriptures also teach that while Christians are living in the world in this present age, we are to continually be watching, watching, watching and the idea again could be that when the Rapture takes place and that trumpet is sounded, it’s a signal to them, “this is the last trump signaling that your tour of duty on the watch is completed and now it’s time for you to go home.”
So the expression “the last trump” there in 1 Corinthians 15 in conjunction with the Rapture does not mean the absolute last trump in a sequence but it’s tied in apparently with military terminology back in Paul’s day. And the fact that Paul, when he mentions the last trump, doesn’t explain to the Corinthians what he meant by that indicates that they understood what he meant by “the last trump.” And they were very familiar, being part of the Roman empire, with that terminology of “the last trump” signals used for Roman soldiers, whether their fighting is done or their tour of duty on the watch is over for that day. So that would have a tremendous significance to them in light of those military uses of the day.
Very well said Mr. John, thank you for explaining.
I have read this three times and I am still not understanding. How can YOU know for sure your opinion is right. I thought since throughout the Bible it always refers to trumpets or trumpet but when it speaks of the last trumpet 1 Corinthians 15 it says when the last Trump sounds therefore I took it as maybe the present. The bible never refers to the trumps as trumps but TRUMPETS OR TRUMPET only is it spoken as in 1 Corinthian 15 when the last TRUMP sounds. I wondered to myself what the significance was for the way it is written.
You did good until you got to the part where you used the feast of the tabernacle in the millennial kingdom. The last trumpet which is the rapture, is the last trumpet to sound in this “world”. The Millenial kingdom is not the same world is our world is today. The two are different “worlds”. The millenial kingdom is reigned only by Christ and is considered New and Holy by God. Those trumpets in the New kingdom will be blown in a different world. The Rapture is the last thing to take place in this world before God wipes it out and starts a new.
The Last Trumpet is the last trumpet. The teaching of the secret rapture is a deception that birthed out of the Roman church’s counter reformation teaching of fururism/dispensationalism. It is not what the Bible teaches. I ask that you reconsider your views and begin researching the teachings origins. A study of historisicm will enlighten your eyes my brother. You can also look into the doctrines of the SDA churches interpretation of prophecy, tye Mark of the beast, hell, death, judgement, the millennium, and the second coming
You should look up what the disciples of John the apostle and Paul the apostle taught in the first century, before there was a Roman church. Yup, Rapture, pre-trib.the SDA seems to blame a lot on the Roman church, but that doesn’t mean they are correct.
It’s really hard to explain away a literal and clear truth. You need to go around using unrelated things to justify what is obviously wrong. The word last is not there to confuse and make conflict with other related texts but to emphatically explain more clearly.
The event in 1 Corinthians is the ‘first ressurection’. So you have another resurrection of the just after the tribulation , how can you again explain away?
Please consider to think that your secret rapture theory is alien to the apostolic church teachings. It was only crafted many years after.
Can you please explain the ‘ glorious appearing in Titus 2:13? If with power and great glory how can it be secret?
In 1 Corinthians 1:7 it is said there that we eagerly wait for ‘ the revelation of Jesus Christ.’
Our gathering unto Him is explicitly described in 2 Thessalonians 2: 1. That gathering is the same as in 1Thessalonians 4:17. Where can you find clear text to support a secret gathering of the saints before these clear except from inference?
Exactly who says that the rapture is a secret. Millions of people missing is not a secret. That is a slur made up by detractors. The Rapture was taught in the first century by the disciples of John and Paul. It is prefigured by Lot. It is preached by Paul in Cor and Thess and John to the Philadelphia church in Rev. There is a book called No Fear of the Storm which explains it and it’s references clearly.
I am not saying that you are from the devil. It’s just that we should be careful on our teachings especially when it is between life and death. Why am saying this!
The devil wants confusion. The pretribulation theory tells the saints NOT to care to prepare for any trouble. ‘We will escape it’. But this is wrong. In fact today many are already losing their lives for their faith in Jesus. Yet you are saying that the saints are not to be troubled?
People are losing their lies because of their faith in Christ but they’re losing them to evil forces not God’s Wrath how can you people get this so screwed up when the Bible is so clear we are saved by grace and faith and mercy not works
The great tribulation and trials and tribulations that Christians go through us different. Yes Christians will go through tribulations like Jesus said in His word but we will not go through the great tribulation which is the time of Jacobs’s trouble and God’s wrath on an unbelieving world.
The “theory” of a secret rapture started around 1830 as did numerous false religions. Orthodox teaching for nearly 2000 years agreed that the Second Coming with the Last Trump heard by ALL and the saints would then be taken up to be with the Lord. The rapture theory is another ploy of the evil one to weaken the saints and help put the church at ease(asleep).
The flesh needs a “rapture” because it is weak, cowardly and not taught.
Elder dan that’s some sick theology that you have signed up for
Let me summarize for you and say that Jesus Christ work on the cross was not complete and it is not finished as he said it was so to suggest that we must suffer and die to show our love for Christ is preposterous we are not cowards we are saved by grace and his Mercy
The tribulation is known ad the time of Jacobs’s trouble . This ki the countdown to Daniels’s 70th week. The Lord now deals with Israel. The great tribulation begins and it is a time of God’s wrath on earth. Look and see that God has always removed his people before he rained judgment on the earth. Take a look at Noah, Lot. Look at what God told Abraham read Genesis 18:23-25. The rapture is removing of the saints before God’s wrath. This is not the same as Christians going through trials and tribulations. Yes we may suffer before Christ comes for his church but the great tribulation is God’s wrath on an unbelieving world. You need to research the bible and see that first we meet Christ in the air and then His 2nd coming He comes to earth with his saints to set up His kingdom. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and give you understanding. He is the spirit of truth.
If you’d take the time to study the ancient Jewish wedding your understanding of a catching away of the Bride of Christ ( or rapture of the Church) will change . Jesus said I go to my fathers house to prepare a place for you and if I go I will come again ( and gather you) to that place. So many parts of the puzzle fell into place when I studied this out. I hope it will help you as well. Blessing !
Oh, don’t know where anyone came up with a secret catching away.ITS GOING TO BE LOUD ! Loud Trumpet Blast ! And everyone left on earth will see it and mourn on that day.
You are incorrect. Study the disciples of John and Paul..Iraneus, Tertulion, Shepherd of Hermès, Cyprian, Ephraim the Syrian. There is nothing secret about the rapture of the church. The disappearance of millions of people would be anything but secret. That is a slur created by people who have a different opinion. The church fathers clearly taught this doctrine for hundreds of years, so you are wrong about the 2000 years of orthodox teaching. You might enjoy reading the words of the disciples of the apostles.
I believe GODALMIGHTY PLACED DONALD TRUMP as President ,The last trump means to me , Donald Trump is the LAST military leader and I think he is the last President of America before Obamanation becomes the Secritary General ie President of the New World Order this seat was given to him from Sean Claude Juncker the seat of the ANTICHRIST ABOMINATION OBAMANATION , WW3 starts and Gab blows his Trumpets to call up the Dead in Christ and those whom are BORN AGAIN THE REAL SAINTS to home in Heaven , John 3 :3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 .
Thank you Karl, for the info on Obama. I wasn’t aware that he was already appointed to that seat. Very good to know!
Karl, I think you need to read your Bible again, last time I checked God frowned upon adultery. And sin is sin, doesn’t matter who you are, I don’t know where you get your information, but I don’t believe God PLACED him there, I believe God allowed him to become President, are you sure you serve God and not the man in office? Regarding Obama, again, you must be privvy to information we ordinary folk don’t get, but since you are on a nickname basis with the Angel Gabriel, (You guys must be best buds, because you call him Gab) I wouldn’t be surprised if you think he hand delivered a special message to you. Personally I believe the Archangel Gabriel has bigger tasks at hand, i.e. following God’s orders. And please learn how to spell, it’s secretary not secritary, how can you convince people of this fable if you can’t even spell. Just my 2 cents.
King David committed adultery. There’s only maybe one, maybe two men in the Bible, aside from Jesus Christ, that have not fallen short of the Glory of God. Please dont start your replies with “I think you need to read your bible” if you dont read yours. Have you read that one verse in the Bible about the plank in your eye????? Well, yeah, be careful of that plank in your eye before you go pointing out a spec in your neighbors. I know that I, personally, have a huge plank in my eye and I also know that Donald Trump is no angel and although I do not agree with everything Karl has typed, I do know that Trump’s name is no coincidence and God has raised many a men throughout time to do certain things – all of which (aside from one or two) were big time sinners. Trump could very well be THE anti-christ. I have no idea. I’m just a spec of dust in the grand scheme of things. But I pray to God for guidance and ask that He keep me and my family safe and I use discernment at every turn, being careful not to be haughty to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We can have a dialogue without acting snobby. I might have started my reply to Karl by asking him why he thinks these things and also, Karen, I really do not think Jesus Christ would want us to be so haughty when someone makes a simple spelling mistake. It is possible for us to be kind.
Remember the anti-Christ is suppose to be charasmatic. He will perform miracles. He is the big deciever.
I know for a fact that President Trump is being used by God for a purpose to do His will. It is so obvious. God has used people throughout history of dispicable character to do His will . That is how He gets our attention and how we know that He is in on it. President Trump is nowhere near as dispicable as some of the other presidents. But, take a look at Saul who became Apostle Paul. He murdered thousands of Christians and fed them to lions. If a mechanic were fixing your car would you care what wrench he used to fix it. It really surprises me that some people don’t get that . Karen, you might want to check into that.
Very well said Lee… I agree, Trump is being used by God!
Karl, I think you nailed it…. I too believe that Donald Trump is our last President. I stay so mentally stressed (working on letting it go) sad for the billions of people that will not except Jesus Christ as Lord of Lord and King of Kings.
satan is truly at work here. I just tried to post a nice long message to everyone about being kind to one another and cannot do so because the beast is telling me that my message contains spam words. Well, I just checked on the internet for what those words can be and the list is enormous. Pretty soon, satan will make it impossible for us to say anything kind to one another here on the net.
I believe in what happened to you. For I have seen some strange evil occurances that happened to me. I know it had to of come from the devil. Whether it was an electric toothbrush that wouldn’t stop turning itself on when I was exhausted or an alarm clock that went off when the alarm was shut off. I also have other bizarre things happen. I notice people getting meaner and lying become more abundant. This world and people are definitely changing. It scares me to think of what will happen next. Hardest thing to do is forgive and love thu enemy! Best to try to be good as you can. Though people try my patience. Pray for goodness. Good to know their are still good people out there. Think what would Jesus do!
For us dispensationalists that are also pre-tribers, is the “Mid-Trib” theology based on this scripture? are they believing that the rapture happens at the mid-point of Tribulation? In other words at the sounding of the “Last Trumpet?”
Possible,
If we consider Israel becoming a country in 1948 the parable of the fig tree, then the generation of year of Jesus return (because it doesn’t say we wouldn’t know the year, would be between 2018 – 2028. If we look at 2028 as the return year the. The tribulation runs from 2021 – 2028, then mid tribulation would be sometime in the middle of 2024.
If trump regains office, his second term ends at the beginning of 2025 but the election is in November of 2024.
Either or, whichever year is trumps last day/year, it coordinates with the end of 2020/beginning of 2021 or mid-end of 2024/beginning of 2025.
We also have to remember, what is described in 1 Corinthians 15 is a different event than Matthew 24. 2 different people speaking, 2 different groups being addressed, 2 different actions of Jesus and 2 different descriptions and the fact that one described coming himself and the other with an army
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First trump of the two is donald. Then the last trump, probably seven years later. By last it doesnt mean his last name is trump but that its the last leader of Gods nation before the collapse and rapture. Watch out for the left communistic hordes. It will be soon
I went through all this as well, and what really helped was understanding the difference between Trump of God, and the ‘angelic trumpets of revelation. Not the same. God bless.
I enjoyed reading what you had to say but I believe you entirely missed the obvious. The “Last Trump ” spoken of does have to do with the first resurrection of the righteous (or the catching away of the Church) but just as important is that it’s connected to Gods appointed time,The Feast of Trumpets,not the Feast of Tabernacles.During the the Feast of Trumpets the trumpet or shofar is blown a number of times but the last blast is known as “The Last Trump”. One long continuos blast. There are seven main God appointed feasts. Jesus fulfilled the the first four spring feasts. The next to be fulfilled are the three fall feasts and the first is The Feast of Trumpets. Revelation has no mention of any Last Trump at Jesus’ second coming on the horse with with the multitudes following Him. Matthews account of a loud trump has do with the rapture as he sends his angels out to gather his elect from the whole earth. Jesus is coming in the clouds to rescue His Church Matt 24:30-31, 1Thess 4:14-17, Rev 14:14-16 Notice these vs. have to with Jesus in the clouds gathering his elect.Theses are not his coming to earth as a Warrior/King followed by multitudes with white robs(the saints) as depicted in Rev 19:11-14. I believe if you look up all the other Hebrew names for the Feast of Trumpets you will be amazed and say, how come I never saw this before. Blessings !
The author of 1 Corinthians 15 is not the same author of Matthew 24. 2 different people speaking, 2 different time periods, and 2 different groups addressed. Therefore it’s 2 different events.
Saint Paul is speaking to the corinthians whom are gentiles. Jesus is speaking to his disciples in Matthew 24 whom are Jews.
The rapture is before the 2nd coming of Christ, and is either before the tribulation or before mid tribulation.
In 1 corinthians 15, it’s described as Jesus descending BY HIMSELF, and in Matthew 24 he descends with an army of church and tribulation saints. In 1 Corinthians 15 he doesn’t touch down, in Matthew 24 Jesus touches down on mount olive. 2 different events.
Maybe think about Israel leaving Egyptian slavery. God didn’t really save them until the very end of the Exodus escape. Just when the Egyptian army was about to destroy them at the Red Sea, the Lord parted the water, Israel crossed, and the army was destroyed. This to me is a preview of the final days of man and Israel’s revival. I believe we will all have to suffer through the tribulation, but faithful righteousness believers will be spared. And then at the last trump we will be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:52
King James Version
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.
No rapture. Acts 1:11 and Zechariah 14:4