The Meaning of Trumpets

The beginning of the Kingdom of God on a new earth

What will that new world be like?

A Study Outline

I. Scripture is emphatic that the end of this age, the beginning of the next age, and the return of Jesus Christ to this earth all occur with the sound of a trumpet, specifically the “last trumpet”.

A. Revelation 11:15 says that at the seventh trumpet the kingdoms of the earth become the kingdoms of Jesus Christ.

B. Several scriptures corroborate Revelation, showing that the resurrection occurs at this “last trumpet” when Christ returns: I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians 4:15-17; Matthew 24:29-31.

II. This great turning point in the history of the earth is the focus of Scripture, as outlined by Peter in his address in Acts 3:19-21. A literal restitution of Eden is forecast for the earth. See also Romans 8:18-22.

III. Claims by preterists, that Jesus Christ returned in 70 A.D. at the time that Titus overthrew Jerusalem and stopped temple worship — and that the Kingdom was established then — are proven false by many scriptural references. Note just four below.

A. The book of Revelation was written by John in 94 A.D., according to the best scholarship. This was long after Titus overthrew Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Thus, John’s prophecies of these calamitous events in Palestine would postdate the events that occurred!

B. Revelation 20:1-3 states that, during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ and the saints, Satan is bound in the bottomless pit so that he will not deceive the nations. One can hardly say that there has been no war, suffering, famine, and pestilence from 70 A.D. to 1,0007 A.D., the millennial period if Christ returned in 70 A.D.

C. There is no record in the annals of history of Christ’s return in 70 A.D. If He had, then every history book would record it, and its veracity would be etched into the histories of all nations because of the ferocity of events to occur at that time. Matthew 24:30. Besides, Revelation 1:7 says that, when He comes with clouds, “… every eye shall see Him”. Most nations have legends of the great Flood, but none have any of Christ’s return.

D. None of the great Trumpet Plagues and Bowl Plagues of Revelation have yet occurred.

IV. The return of Jesus Christ and the setting up of a Kingdom (government) here on earth is prophesied in many parables of Christ. Here are some from Matthew.

A. Parable of the wheat and tares: this tells who will be in that realm.

B. Parable of the mustard seed: this shows how the Kingdom starts small, but all nations will come into it: Matthew 13:31-32; compare with Daniel 2:34-35.

C. Parable of the leaven: eventually all of the earth will be filled with Christ’s government. Matthew 13:33.

D. Parable of the buried treasure: it is worth ridding oneself of everything in this world to attain being a king and priest in the Kingdom of God. Matthew 13:44.

E. Parable of the pearl of great price: see the comment for D, above. Matthew 13:45-46.

F. Parable of the fist net: only the righteous will be in the new world to come, for the wicked will be cast away. Matthew 13:47-50.

G. Parable of the laborers: it matters not when one is called to be a part of the new government, when young or when old, or whether a “hireling” or one invited later without set pay. Matthew 20: 1-16.

H. Parable of the wicked husbandman: Christ will return to His people (vineyard) and give rulership to those who do His will. Matthew 21:33-44.

I. Parable of the wedding banquet: the Father will call many “outcasts” into His government. Matthew 22:2-14.

J. Parable of the faithful servant: that servant will be made a ruler in the Kingdom. Matthew 24:45-51.

K. Parable of the ten virgins: the five wise virgins, who prepared for the Kingdom, were allowed into it. Matthew 25:1-13.

L. Parable of the talents: those called in this age who use and expand their God-given talents will receive great rewards in the next age. Matthew 25:14-30.

M. Parable of the sheep and goats: those who serve others in need in this age will reap great rewards in the coming age. Matthew 25:31-46.

V. Let us glimpse the nature of the coming Edenic age, for without vision of this hope of ours we will perish. Proverbs 29:18; Romans 8:24. The present culture and all of its trappings will be utterly destroyed by the events at the close of this age, and upon these ruins will arise the new Eden built upon God’s plan. Daniel 2:31-35.

A. Land use and agriculture

1. The atmosphere will be free of pollutants, as will water.

2. A water canopy will again be above the atmosphere, to moderate the climate all across the earth. Genesis 1:7. This canopy will filter sunlight so that harmful radiation, especially ultra-violet, will be screened out.

3. Soils will have a new layer of highly fertile ash from volcanic and cosmic activity during the last days. Revelation 8:6-11; 16:17-21. With less water in the oceans, and mountain ranges lowered, there will be much land exposed with fertile seafloor minerals. Since foods will be produced and consumed locally, nutrients will be recycled to the land that produced it, requiring no commercial fertilizer industry.

4. Perennial plants will be the rule. Genesis 2:9. With food being produced by perennials, much less work will be required to produce food. No longer will mankind have to always live with the threat of starvation and working with the “sweat of your brow”. Genesis 3:17-19. Useless “weeds” will no longer exist, for all plants will serve a purpose and not interfere with useful types of plants. No longer will the soil be “cursed”. Seed companies will not control the germ plasm of food crops, and reduce food quality to promote sickness and death.

5. Tillage of soils will involve only planting, not disrupting the whole body of the soil and destroying its organic matter, structure, and organism population. Thus, farm machinery companies will not reappear.

6. Rainfall will be replaced by a mist watering the earth. Genesis 2:6. Soil erosion from tillage and pounding rains will not occur.

7. With moderate moisture and temperature distributed across all land areas, the earth will truly “blossom like a rose” and produce prolifically. Isaiah 35:1-2, 7; Amos 9:13.

8. Food crops, mostly fruits and berries, will be available year-round in abundance, over the entire landscape, and be of the highest possible nutritional value. Revelation 22:1-2; Micah 4:3. Supermarkets will be totally unnecessary, and the transport of foods long distances from production areas to consumers will be a thing of the past. No food storage facilities will need to exist, since food crops will always be available fresh.

9. Animals will be tame. Genesis 2:19; Isaiah 11:6-8. Fences will not be needed, except perhaps to keep animals out of an area.

10. The millennium type of life is typified by the Land Sabbath, whereby there was no tillage, planting, and reaping of grain and fruit crops. Leviticus 25:4.

B. Health and nutrition

1. Afflictions will be healed for all survivors that God will preserve from the various nations. Matthew 10:5-8; Luke 4:18-19.

2. Food, water, air, light, thoughts, exercise, and freedom from accidents will all conspire to give limitless lifespans, likely a thousand years in length. Isaiah 65:20; Genesis 2:17.

3. People will not live in fear, but have perfect peace of mind, and freedom from the captivity of other people. Amos 9:14; Micah 4:4; Hebrews 2:15. Hope for the future will abound! Luke 4:18.

4. Without dangerous machines and cars, airplanes, and other means of rapid transport, out of step with man’s natural biorhythms, the human body will not experience injury.

5. With an outdoor, vigorous lifestyle among the trees, birds, and animals in full sunlight, fresh air, and optimum food there will be no need for doctors and their practices. Any “medicine” will be from plants. Revelation 22:2.

6. No animal flesh will likely be eaten, but rather herbs and fruits as given at the beginning of this age. Genesis 1:29.

C. Economics, Politics, and Religion (they are hard to separate)

1. The Land Sabbath and Jubilee year instructions — types of millennial life — teach us that there will be no tillage, planting or reaping, debt accumulation, or buying and selling of land. Leviticus 25:4-14, 23.

2. The message of the entire system of God is peace, safety, and security in one’s procession. Leviticus 25:18; 26:3-6.

3. No usury (interest) was allowed. Leviticus 25:36-37. Thus, banks and the currency system will not exist. Neither will debt in an economy of true spiritual and physical wealth.

4. Slavery will not be allowed, i.e. one person having possession over another person. Leviticus 25:39-43.

5. It is highly likely that no money system will exist, since the items that money represent will be readily available and abundant. Even gold and silver will likely be plentiful. Isaiah 60:17.

a. So many of today’s evils are due to the fact that we have money, and can accumulate it … not just as gold or silver, but now as numbers or even digits in computers. The love of money is very much the root of evil. I Timothy 4:10.

b. God alludes to a moneyless system in Isaiah 55:1-2. The really valuable things are spiritual in nature, and these will constitute the nature of the next age: peace, joy, love, humility, kindness, gentleness, moderation, faith, and so forth. Galatians 5:22-23.

c. Even barter, which some have thought may be the millennium system of exchange, does not qualify as the ultimate system, for that requires equal return for what is given. God’s system of love, to the contrary, is directed towards serving the needs of others, total outgoing concern. Luke 6:30-31.

6. Wars will be a thing of the past as love of God and of neighbor — doing to others as you would have others do to you — becomes the byword of all citizens on earth. Matthew 7:12; Micah 4:3. Therefore, the military and the industrial complex that supports it, and the oppression of populations by others, will be eliminated.

7. Worship of the true God of creation, and Jesus Christ and the saints (now immortal), will be worldwide. As people obey His laws and live by His spirit there will be unparalleled joy and prosperity in every nation. Deuteronomy 28:1-13; Exodus 20:2-3; II Chronicles 7:14; Matthew 4:10.

8. Transport by car, truck, rail, airplane, and other rapid transit will be gone. These are out of synchrony with the creation. Rather, God encourages the use of man and beast for transportation and labor.

a. Christ rode on a donkey when He rode into Jerusalem, Matthew 21:7-11.

b. The ox is praised as a beast of burden. Proverbs 14;4.

c. Without motor vehicles, the need of roads, runways, and parking lots to cover prodigious areas of land will be gone, and roads and paths that conform to the landscape will be used. Pollution from engine exhaust will be eliminated.

d. Some rapid means of transport that do not endanger lives may be possible — such as antigravity devices — but these would still challenge the natural biorhythms of the body.

9. Energy to power the new age will come from the sun, from muscle power, and very possibly methods that tap into the “sea of energy” present all around us.

10. Communications such as radio, telephone, and television will not be necessary in a civilization where families and friends are nearby, and can be reached easily. Instant communication today is a sign of impatience amongst a population that is very insecure, and is out of touch with their Creator.

11. People from the various nations will be transported to the lands that the Eternal has appointed for them. Acts 17:26; Isaiah 27:123-13.

D. Music, Entertainment, and Work

1. All music was meant to glorify God, not the Adversary. James 5:13; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; compare with Genesis 4:21. Rock, heavy metal, jazz, and other forms of sensual music invented to glorify the flesh with be replaced by music that honors the Creator.

2. Rather than being involved with sedentary functions like watching movies and television, activities will take the place of so-called entertainment, where one’s work will be enjoyable as never before. This work will be in line with people’s abilities, and be centered around “tending and keeping” the creation, the joyful responsibility given to Adam and Eve. Genesis 1:28; 2:15. “Spectator sports”, in stadiums with gladiator-type athletics, with find no place in this new system,

VI. Within this society the resurrected saints, brothers of Jesus Christ, will help guide the building of a world beautiful, productive, and joyful beyond comprehension. Revelation 5:10; 20:4.

VII. To be in the incredible Kingdom of God, to sacrifice ourselves totally to this high calling, should sober us each day to serve our Father with unending zeal. The suffering we must endure today is well worth the glory that shall be revealed in us at the end of days. Romans 8:17-18.