As mentioned in the previous proposition, the 7th Trumpet heralds a period of time.  While there are also periods of time connected with the 5th and 6th trumpets, what I just said about the 7th Trumpet heralding a period of time is really quite an understatement.  Actually, the 7th Trumpet heralds one of the two most significant periods of time in all of history (the other to be told about later, below).  Beyond including the last half of Daniel's 70th Week, Christ's Second Advent, and the Battle of Armageddon, it includes Christ's Millennial Reign, the casting of Satan into the lake of fire and brimstone, and the passing away of this present world.  Last of all, and sadly, it includes the separating of the lost into Hell after the Last Judgment.  Given a little thought, when summed up, it can be seen that the 7th Trumpet heralds the period in which COMPLETE CLOSURE FOR THIS WORLD will occur.  No small thing, on any scale.

     Since the 7th Trumpet is of such significance and the last trumpet spoken of in the Bible, it would be quite natural to wonder if this is the trumpet Paul referred to in I Corinthians 15:52 as "the last trump."  While the possibility of these two trumpets being the same has proven irreconcilable to me, the question of the last trump has been a curious one, evidently to many.  Hopefully the following thoughts will be helpful concerning this question.

     The "last trump," spoken of by Paul, is also spoken of by him as being "the Trump of God" (I Thess. 4:16).  This seems to put this trumpet as one of a kind instead of one in a series, as the 7th Trumpet is.  Imagine for a moment how unique God's personal trumpet must be.  It certainly must be the Trumpet of trumpets!  The mystery, however, lies in what respect the Trump of God can also be regarded as the last trump.  We have a significant clue in the Old Testament.

     As we considered during PROPOSITION U, in Numbers 10:1-10, the Israelites are instructed to make two trumpets for the purposes of calling an assembly and sounding an alarm.  The trumpet has been used throughout much of history for the very same purposes.  I am reminded of the tradition of playing reveille and taps in the military.  Interestingly, there is coming a day in the military when reveille will be played for the last time.  Likewise, one day there will be the last playing of taps.

     Related to all of this, when the Trump of God is sounded, the greatest assembly that has ever been assembled will take place, that of all the saved at the time of the resurrection and the rapture of the Church.  Concerning this assembly, Paul makes the statement, "and so shall we ever be with the Lord" (I Thess. 4:16-17).  There will never be the need for another trumpet to be sounded to assemble God's children unto Him, for after this trumpet is sounded, we will be forever with Him!  As for the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3-12, the 144,000 sealed Jews, and those who refuse allegiance to the Antichrist, these will join the rest of the assembly later, much as the last runners in a marathon or those who arrive later at a family reunion that has already begun.

     What the above shows is this:  Whereas the Trump of God can rightly be viewed as the very last trumpet calling an assembly, the 7th Trumpet can rightly be viewed as the very last trumpet sounding an alarm.  For believers, the former could not be more blessed.  For unbelievers, the latter could not be more grave.  It will be the Alarm of alarms.  As stated above, the 7th Trumpet heralds the period in which complete closure for this world will occur.  Be very mindful of this thought as we continue.

     After Christ's Millennial Reign, we see Satan's loosing, final revolt, and ultimate doom (Rev. 20:7-10).  We then see this first universe and earth pass away (compare Rev. 20:11 with II Pet. 3:10-13 and Rev. 21:1).  Finally, we see the Last Judgment or Great White Throne Judgment and ultimate doom of those who have rejected God and His salvation since the time of creation (Rev. 20:11-15).  It is helpful to realize that what the Bible says relating to this world that we presently live in runs from Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 20:15.  Time, as we now  know it, will end here.

     When time as we now know it has ended, three major divisions of time concerning this present world will stand out.  The first division will be time as it relates to before Christ, recorded in THE OLD TESTAMENT.  It lasted approximately 4000 years.  The second division will be time as it relates to after Christ, recorded in THE NEW TESTAMENT.  So far, it has lasted some 2000 years.  The third division will be time as it relates to Christ's return and reign upon this earth, recorded in THE BOOK WITH SEVEN SEALS.  It will have lasted some 1007 years.  This means, the total years of time concerning this present world is shaping up to equal about 7000 years.  Many have noted this total.  I think it may be significant enough to be noted again.  Then, beginning with Revelation 21:1, the Bible closes with John's account of what he sees concerning God's Heaven and the new heaven (sky) and new earth that is there.  Eternity, as we will  know it, begins here.

     A question that might be asked at this point concerns this present world and what the real purpose for it is.  In other words, what is the reason why for it all, seeing that it is going to be destroyed?  To me, the reason why for it all has to do with our Creator's desire to love and have communion with an entity made in His likeness and image or mankind.  For that love and communion to be mutual and on the level of God's desire, it was necessary for mankind to have a free will.  An alternative to godliness, with the ability to choose, is a necessary element in such a plan, and this was the reason for the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Mankind's first parents, Adam and Eve, did not have to choose to disobey God, but they did.  God did not have to provide a means of salvation for fallen humanity, but He did.  He did this in the person of Jesus Christ when He put on a robe of flesh (Isa. 9:6;  Matt. 1:23;  John 1:1, 14;  I Tim. 3:16;  etc.) and gave Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sin.  This was accomplished for us by His crucifixion on the cross at Calvary and affirmed for us by His resurrection.

     What God did for us through Jesus Christ is referred to in the Bible as "the Gospel" (e.g., I Cor. 15:1-4), which means "the Good News."  In the first paragraph of this proposition, I stated that the 7th Trumpet heralds one of the two most significant periods of time in all of history.  The other period is here represented, when God manifested Himself on the earth some 2000 years ago in the person of Jesus Christ to carry out His work of redemption for mankind.  What our Creator did for us is the greatest demonstration of love that can be conceived.  What our Creator did for us is the greatest story of love that will ever be told.  We do not have to accept God's love and offer of salvation, and many don't, but some do.  Knowing that with such a world, most would not, but some would, for the eternal communion of those who would, God created this present world.  Again, this, to me, is the reason why for it all.

     This brings us back to the 7th Trumpet.  It cannot be emphasized enough that this trumpet heralds the period in which complete closure for this present world will occur.  After this, God's grand purpose for the creation of this world in the first place will become a reality.  This consummation of His grand plan is revealed as Revelation chapter 21 opens.  Notice the first seven verses:

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  1   And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:  for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away;  and there was no more sea.

  2   And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

  3   And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God.

  4   And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;  and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:  for the former things are passed away.

  5   And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  And He said unto me, Write:  for these words are true and faithful.

  6   And He said unto me, It is done.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

  7   He that overcometh shall inherit all things;  and I will be his God, and he shall be My son.

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     The Bible certainly conveys that we are all a part of something that is so very huge and wonderful, yet so few seem to realize this or take it to heart.  We are now in the framework of time, and closure for this is coming.  So much more could be said.  What is mostly on my heart at this point concerns you, the reader.  Are you going to be a part of what God has desired for you from the foundation of this world?  If you are not sure and you feel that God is trying to get your attention about this or calling you to Himself, why not open your heart in repentance and faith toward Him, and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior?  Christ's desire for you (and all!) to do this, is reflected in His invitation in Revelation 3:

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 20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock:  if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

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     Many have quite complicated both the matter and the manner of salvation.  Really, it is as simple as reflected above, as simple as opening the door of your heart to the Lord when He is knocking.  The simplicity of salvation is reflected in many ways throughout the Bible.  The last time is near the end, in Revelation 22:

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 17  And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come.  And let him that heareth say, Come.  And let him that is athirst come.  And whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely.

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     Another time, the most renowned time, is in John's account of the Gospel, in chapter three, a verse many of us learned as a child:

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 16  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

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     Time and again the simplicity of salvation is reinforced in the scriptures.  One other time I would like to call to the reader's attention is another verse I learned as a child.  It is from Paul's writings, in Ephesians chapter two:

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  8   For by grace are ye saved through faith;  and that not of yourselves:  IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD:

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     What a gift---the Gift of gifts!  If you have not received God's gift of salvation and you feel that He is now trying to get your attention about this, I hope that you will ask Him to come into your heart and life and save you.  If you have further questions or concerns about this, I would invite you to consider my page entitled, ONE MORE THING.

     For those who have received God's gift of salvation, realize that Jesus desires for you to walk with Him in the fellowship and strength of His presence until the day that He calls you home to be with Him in glory.  Also, realize that He has a special purpose for your life, which is best fulfilled when you abide in Him daily as a disciple of His.  Again, so much more could be said.  I appealed to the following verse to close the preface of my book.  Somehow it seems to also be a fitting verse for here.  Once more, from I John 2:

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 28  And now, little children, abide in Him;  that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

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