| Thank you for your question. It indicates you are studying
your Bible and comparing Scripture with Scripture - this is a
tremendous encouragement to me. Let us take a look at the
passage in 1 Corinthians to have some context:
50I declare to you, brothers,
that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the
perishable inherit the imperishable. 51Listen, I tell you
a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—
52in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable,
and we will be changed. 53For the perishable must clothe
itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.
(1 Corinthians 15:50-53, NIV)
This passage discusses the remarkable event called the rapture.
The Bible does not indicate any preceding events to expect before
this happens - the passage indicates it will happen very quickly,
"in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye"
(v52). It also says that
"at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound" (v52).
When the trumpet sounds, every believer at the time - living or dead
- goes through an incredible transformation:
"the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed"
(v52). Our bodies will be resurrected into the
eternal state - never to grow old or die again. It is the
coronation day for people whose faith is in the LORD Jesus.
Now the trumpet judgments in the book of Revelation are found in
Revelation chapters 8-9 and 11. These judgments are incredible
catastrophes to the people of the Earth who have largely rejected
the grace of the LORD Jesus:
Trumpet Judgments
- First Trumpet (Rev. 8:7): One-third of the Earth is burned
up by hail and fire from the sky.
- Second Trumpet (Rev. 8:8-9): A meteor-like object hits the
ocean and destroys one-third of sea creatures and ships.
- Third Trumpet (Rev. 8:10-11): A comet-like object poisons
one-third of the fresh water supply.
- Fourth Trumpet (Rev. 8:12): One-third of the sky is turned
dark.
- Fifth Trumpet (Rev. 9:1-12): Stinging locusts torture all
unbelievers.
- Sixth Trumpet (Rev. 9:13-19): Four angels released to kill
one-third of mankind.
- Seventh Trumpet (Rev. 11:15-19): Thunder, lightning,
earthquake, and a great hailstorm.
After the seventh trumpet sounds, a declaration is made from
Heaven that the Earth has once again become
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and
of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever" (Revelation
11:15, NIV). At this point, seven more judgments
are sent upon the Earth (Revelation chapter 16).
Comparison of the two trumpets
1 Thessalonians 4:16/
1 Corinthians 15:52 |
Revelation 11:15-19/16 |
| At the
rapture, a trumpet sounds and, at the last trumpet sound,
the dead in Christ and all living believers are translated
into resurrection bodies and caught up in the air to be with
the LORD Jesus. A glorious event for every believer.
|
On the
other hand, at the seventh trumpet there is a fearsome storm
that ushers in seven judgments more horrific than the last
seven. These affect the whole world. |
The rapture trumpet is for coronation while the seventh trumpet
is for condemnation. These are not the same trumpets at all.
And it should be no surprise as the trumpet is used for different
purposes in other parts of Scripture, including the book of
Revelation:
At the return of Christ to rule the Earth:
And he will send his angels with
a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the
four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
(Matthew 24:31, NIV)
With the word of the LORD on Mt. Sinai:
You have not come to a mountain
that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to
darkness, gloom and storm; 19to a trumpet blast or to such a
voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no
further word be spoken to them, 20because they could not
bear what was commanded: "If even an animal touches the
mountain, it must be stoned." (Hebrews 12:18-20, NIV)
To give revelation to the Apostle John:
On the Lord's Day I was in the
Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.
(Revelation 1:10, NIV)
To invite John into Heaven:
After this I looked, and there
before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice
I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come
up here, and I will show you what must take place after
this." (Revelation 4:1, NIV).
Some will try to tie the rapture trumpet with the seventh trumpet
of judgment in order to time the rapture event with the return of
Christ to rule the Earth. Since there are many judgments on
the Earth after the seventh trumpet and before the return of Christ,
there is no basis for claiming these are the same trumpets. Clearly
they are trumpet calls from God but for different purposes.
May God bless you with His wisdom and the courage to follow
Jesus!
Rev. Randy Lariscy :-)
Director - WordTruth Ministries
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