The Feast of Trumpets
Picturing the Coming of Christ as King of Kings!
The basic scriptures surrounding the Feast of Trumpets are relatively few and are located in Leviticus 23:23-25 Numbers 29:1-6. Yet, this day is momentous in the plan of God throughout the ages.
Note the parallel of the seven trumpets at the end time to the seven days of Israel encompassing Jericho — a type of modern-day Babylon — with seven priests blowing seven trumpets before the ark for six days as they circumvented the city. On the seventh day, the city was compassed seven times, and then the seven trumpets were blown, the people shouted, and the walls of Jericho [which can be likened to Babylon] collapsed … except for one small part where Rahab and her family resided (Joshua 6:11-21). Do these seven days of blowing trumpets parallel the seven successive trumpets of Revelation? The long blasts on the seventh day would signal the finality of the age: the resurrection and the fall of Babylon, like the chosen people (Israel), finally entering the Promised Land (the resurrection), and the walls of Jericho falling like Babylon will fall.
At the end of the age, seven angels will blow seven trumpets to initiate monumental plagues that will strike the earth.
Trumpet 1. Hail mingled with fire (Revelation 8:1-7).
Trumpet 2. A burning mountain strikes the sea (Revelation 8:8-9).
Trumpet 3. A great burning star falls on the rivers and waters (Revelation 8:10-11).
Trumpet 4. A third part of the sun, moon, and stars struck (Revelation 8:12).
Trumpet 5. A “star” falls from heaven and opens the bottomless pit, releasing “locusts” (Revelation 9:1-11).
Trumpet 6. Four angels that bind the Euphrates River are released (Revelation 9:13-21).
Trumpet 7. The earth’s kingdoms become God’s (Revelation 11:15-19).
The seventh and last trumpet is the time of the resurrection of the saints (I Corinthians 15:51-55; I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Matthew 24:29-31).
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”. Revelation 11:15 says that at the seventh trumpet the kingdoms of the earth become the kingdoms of Jesus Christ. 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).
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. The Literal restitution of Eden is forecast for the earth, something beyond our fondest imaginations. See also Romans 8:18-22.
Can Preterism Be True?
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 1,007 A.D., the millennial period if Christ returned in 70 A.D.
C. There is no record in the annals of the 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.
E. The army of 200 million in Revelation 9:16 could not have existed in 70 A.D., because the entire population of the world at that time was somewhere between 200 and 300 million.
The Parables and the Coming Kingdom
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. Matthew 13:21-30.
B. Parable of the mustard seed. This parable 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 kingship and priesthoodship 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.
A Glimpse of the Coming Age
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).
Land use and agriculture
1. The atmosphere will be free of pollutants, as will the 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 ultraviolet, 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 germplasm 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, berries, and vegetables, will be available year-round in abundance, over the entire landscape, and be of the highest possible nutritional value (Genesis 1:29; 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. Food storage facilities will be minimal 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).
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 seldom experience injury, and if it does there will be healing power everywhere.
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).
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) will be 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 of 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 and more decorative than of use for money (Isaiah 60:17). 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). 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). Even barter, which some have thought maybe 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. Christ rode on a donkey when He rode into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:7-11). The ox is praised as a beast of burden (Proverbs 14;4). Without motor vehicles, the need for 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. 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 for 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 the 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).
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,
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).
Who Will Be in the Resurrection?
A major question arises as to who will be in the first resurrection, termed a “better resurrection” by Paul (Hebrews 11:35). Many people claim that all individuals who have lived throughout history will be saved, but does Scripture teach this? It is true that our Father “wills” that all men will be saved (I Timothy 2:4; Titus 2:11; II Peter 3:9). Indeed, all of Israel shall be saved (Romans 11:26). Yet, amongst the Gentiles (non-Israelites), who must be grafted into Israel to be saved (Romans 11:17), thereby partaking of the Savior of all mankind, it is apparent that not all of them will accept Christ as their Lord, repent, and be saved. God does not force anyone to repent but pleads with men that they will.
Several scriptures indicate that salvation can be lost if one rejects the calling of the Father (John 6:44) and refuses to repent, and then lives a life of habitual sin. Note the following scriptures.
1. Those that add to or take away from God’s words will be removed from the Book of Life (Revelation 22:18-19).
2. Paul kept his body in subjection lest he be, a castaway (adokimos = “rejected or disapproved” (I Corinthians 9:27).
3. David acknowledged that he could have the holy spirit removed from him (Psalm 51:10-11).
4. The Father indicates He has predestined from the foundation of the world those who will inherit salvation. This implies many, but not all, will receive eternal life (Ephesians 1:4-12; Romans 8:29-30).
5. Only those written in the Book of Life will be saved. Would this fact even be mentioned unless there would be some who would not be in the Book? (Revelation 20:14-15).
6. Some vessels were made for destruction (Romans 9:14-23).
Total annihilation, not everlasting pain and suffering, is prophesied for those who do not attain eternal life. Note that the wicked will be ashes under our feet (Malachi 4:3). The tares (children of Satan) will be cast into the furnace and burned up (Matthew 13:37-42). We know that Satan and the demons will be burned up and destroyed (Revelation 20:10; Ezekiel 28:18), as will the beast and the false prophet (Revelation 19:20). It is apparent that, if one does not process the holy spirit which imparts eternal life beyond the flesh, the whole being, including the spirit (nephesh) that gives him physical life can be destroyed by fire. Note Matthew 10:28. Fear the Father who can destroy both body and soul (nephesh)) in gehenna fire.
It is of interest that in mythology the “gods” were very careful when they were manifested as physical, not to damage their bodies. They knew they were vulnerable in that state.
There apparently can come a point in one’s life when he becomes so inclined to habitual sin that he cannot be turned back to repentance and seeking after God. This may include the “unpardonable sin”, a refusing to repent (Hebrews 10:26). The tribes of Cannon were destroyed because of their terrible sins; some assume they had progressed beyond the point of no return and would not repent even if made aware of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. God endures “vessels fit for destruction with much longsuffering”, showing that He is patient even with them despite the fact that they will ultimately be destroyed (Romans 9:22). This is contrasted with vessels “made beforehand prepared for glory” (Romans 9:23).
A Vast Change in Government
Our heavenly Father does not force anyone to become His servant, and He will not force the nations to follow Him. As the Perfect Leader, He will lead individuals to Him through the gentle, loving nature that is His, as He says in Exodus 34:6-7,
“And the Lord passed by before him [Moses], and proclaimed The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin ….”
Jesus stated in John 6:44 that no person can come to Jesus Christ except the Father. who sent Him, draw that person, and in the last day he will be resurrected. The word draw. from the Greek helko (Strong 1670), literally means to “drag”, or to draw someone or something, like a fishnet behind a boat (John 21:6, 11). Indeed, some of us may have been literally “dragged” away from our past lives and lifestyle to become His followers, though to us it seemed as if we were making the decision to follow Him on our own. The spiritual battles we have endured — and will endure — are in reality a mighty conflict with spirit powers
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high [heavenly] places.” Ephesians 6:12.
Our heavenly Father may have had to literally drag us out of our associations with the demonic world because we were so intertwined with it, in order to bring us to Himself and to Christ, a process we could not accomplish ourselves, and could not be very aware of because it was taking place in the unseen spiritual realm. The process did not involve the Father forcing us to accept His calling, but He certainly extended His hand to us that we might latch on to it and be pulled away from our past lives.
The Father draws us to Him and to His Son by His example. Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father continually during His life showed others the great benefit of living His way of life As He said in Matthew 11:28-30,
“Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and you shall find rest unto your soul, for My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
Jesus came to heal the sick, cast out demons, show the same way of daily living concerning diet, exercise, and the laws of the health of body, mind, and spirit. He also preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God, the coming of which is pictured by this Feast of Trumpets. As a result of these activities, He drew large crowds of world-weary citizens of Judea, even as today those who hear His true message are drawn to Him by the incredible hope He extends: healing, casting out of demons, fellowship with the brethren in the faith, revealing His laws to live by, and ultimately granting the resurrection and kingship in His realm. His government will finally bring peace, prosperity, and beauty throughout the earth, an Eden for 1,000 years (Acts 3:19-21; Revelation 20:4-6).
Satan’s Government: Fear and Force
In contrast to the leadership of almighty God in setting an example, and then drawing those He calls to Himself, the devil attempts to force people into following himself … a totally selfish approach despite the fact that he himself owes his existence to the Father. To view Satan’s government in action, read the forward of the book Witness by Whittaker Chambers and referred to in Living to Win (August 15, 2011), in an article written by Allie Dart called “A Mask of Evil.” Chambers, himself a Communist at one time, revealed why he turned 180 degrees to become a vehement anti-Communist. Communism, of course, is a framework of horribly repressive, totalitarian government authored by Satan himself.
“How is it possible that Marxism (or something very much like it), still holds sway among the intelligentsia of this nation? In reading Whittaker Chambers’ letter to his children, Ron [Dart] came to at least a partial answer. In some degree, it is revealed in the experiences of ex-communists — defectors. From Whittaker’s book:
“‘Yet there is an experience which most sincere ex-Communists share …. The daughter of a former German diplomat in Moscow was trying to explain to me why her father, who, as an enlightened modern man [and] had been extremely pro-Communist, had become an implacable anti-Communist. It was hard for her because, as an enlightened modern girl, she shared the Communist vision without being a Communist. But she loved her father and the irrationality of his defection embarrassed her. “He was immensely pro-Soviet”, she said, “and then — you will laugh at me — but you must not laugh at my father — and then — one night — in Moscow — he heard screams. That’s all. Simply one night he heard screams.”‘
“‘What Communist has not heard those screams? They came from husbands torn forever from their wives in midnight arrests. They came, muffled, from the execution cellars of the secret police, from the torture chambers of the Lubyanka, from all the citadels of terror now stretching from Berlin to Canton. They came from those freight cars loaded with men, women, and children, the enemies of the Communist State, locked in, packed in, left on remote sidings to freeze to death at night in the Russian winter. They came from minds driven mad by the horrors of mass starvation ordered and enforced as a policy of the Communist State. They came from the starved skeletons, worked to death, or flogged to death (as an example to others) in the freezing filth of sub-arctic labor camps. They came from children whose parents are suddenly, inexplicably, taken away from them — parents they will never see again’.
“It was the image of the freight cars that hit me, Ron says. For a moment I actually felt confused, as though I was reading about Nazi Germany instead of the Soviet Union. And in point of fact, the evil is pretty much the same at the core. The Communists and Nazis hated each other, not because they were different, but because they were rivals for the same wicked vision. Notice what Chambers said as he continued: ‘What Communist has not heard those screams? Execution, says the Communist code, is the highest measure of social protection. What man can call himself a Communist who has not accepted the fact that terror is an instrument of policy, right if the vision is right, justified by history, enjoined by the balance of forces in the social wars of this century? Those screams have reached every Communist mind.”
Trumpets: Pointing Towards New Government
More than anything else the Feast of Trumpets points out the coming of Jesus Christ to this earth to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, stamping out the evil which Satan the devil has ordered upon it (Zechariah 14:1-9; Revelation 19:11-21). Nearly all governments on earth are presently ordered with an oppressive top-down pyramidal structure, so unlike the brotherly association we have with Christ, and the Father-son relationship we have with our heavenly Father (Matthew 12:49; Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 1:5).
We have so very much to be thankful for on this first high day of the fall festival season. Let us rejoice to the full as we see that perfect day coming, when Jesu Christ sits on the throne over all the earth, with His saints — translated to spirit — reigning with Him. Let us take Peter’s advice in II Peter 1:5-11:
“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge, and to knowledge temperance, and to temperance patience, and to patience godliness, and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacks these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”.