The term "last" which precedes the word "trump" seems to be of no significance to
"Rapture" crowd. For something to be called last, there has to be a first, correct? So, when is the first trumpet? Is it a coincidence that Jesus referred to his final coming to judge the nations as being accompanied by the sound of a trumpet (Matt. 24:31)? I think not! So then, are both the "Rapture" and the Second Coming, since there seems to be a distinction in your thinking, both accompanied by the sound of a trumpet?
Christopher [edited because I realized I put the wrong name here.]
You are quick to want to compare the word trumpet, yet fail to compare the entire context. In Matthew, there is a completely different context structure concerning the judgments. These same judgments are spoken of in the Revelation. While both may have trump, these trumpet sounds are completely different events. The trumpets signaled the apearance of God, for example:
Ex 19:16-17
On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
NIV
Likewise, of course, we don’t equate this trumpet with having to do with anything concerning the resurrection, why should we always assume that all trumpets will be pointing to the final resurrection? When they don’t. Paul’s reference to 1 Cor. 15:52 is the same one in 1 Thess. 5:16-17. In the Old Testament the trumpet was used in the camp of Israel to call the assembly together. The first trumpet called them to arise and be ready to depart. The second blow was the signal to march. When God descended on Mt. Sinai the people assembled at the sound to the trump of God. Likewise at the first sound the dead in Christ will be raised. At the second sound the living saints will meet in the air.
I simply was asking particularly about the "Great Tribulation." In my Bible the "g"
nor the "t" are capitalized in Matthew 24:21. I, therefore, see no distinction.
I am wondering what difference it makes if they are capitalized? Jesus was clearly speaking plainly about a time that will be so bad since the beginning of the world. These whole entire events he describes are unveiled to us in Revelation. I will never figure out how one would even go about trying to symbolize these passages away. It is clearly to be read literally and understood that way. Furthermore the Bible is its best interpreter.
Furthermore, the Rapture is not Biblical. Peter said Christians are to be "Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?" (2 Pet. 3:12). Why would Peter tell Christians to be looking for the day when God is to come back and destroy the earth if Christians were not going to be here?
Just because Peter did not expound on all of the future events, as Jesus did in Matthew and Revelation, does not mean they don’t exist. I once went to Church with a man who insisted that anything John wrote was in error. He wanted to stick with what Peter wrote! Peter was speaking to the Jews, as he was in Acts. He was not teaching on the Rapture as Paul did, who was a missionary to the Gentiles. We can read of the same events Peter described in Revelation, look at the parallel:
2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.
NIV
Rev 21:1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
NIV
I guess one would simply have to read Revelation 6 - 20 to understand the
rest of the story.
Also, this eradicates the doctrine of the "Millennium," saying the earth is going to
literally melt away when Christ returns.
No your chronology is wrong. This will happen after the millennium
Rev 20:5-6
Blessed and holy are those who have part in the
first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will
reign with him for a thousand years.
NIV
Unless any of you brethren can convince me otherwise, I stand firm on the word of
God.
Well I truly hope that you remain open minded about this, and that you would study this subject a bit more. From Samuel, to the Prophets to the Gospels (especially Matthew) to the Epistles, and to Revelation they all teach in a literal 1000 year reign of Christ. God promised this to the Israel Nation and will fulfill it.
For further reading I recommend,
Prophecy 14 Essential Keys to Understanding the Final Drama by Dr. John F. Walvoord. And by the same author,
The Revelation of Jesus Christ Also
Things to Come by Dwight J. Pentecost. There are more, but these are good.
God Bless!
[ February 26, 2002, 08:06 AM: Message edited by: Chet ]