For the Jewish nation the blowing of a trumpet in those days was of great significance and meaning: Alarm of war, a call to assemble or a command to march. So when Jericho was about to be destroyed, it was through the soundings of the trumpets according to the Lord’s instruction, that its walls were destroyed. The seventh day marked the seventh time the last trumpets were to be sounding, followed by a shout. This shout was one of victory, for the Lord had given Israel Jericho. Jericho fell down. The complete destruction followed the blasts of the trumpets and the people’s shout. Amazing it was for me to see for the first time the picture of the rapture in the destruction of Jericho. After all was done according to the Lord’s instruction, the promise of salvation given to a harlot in the time when the spies were saved by her was implemented and she and her family were saved. She with her family represents those in the tribulation who will accept the Lord.
When the Jews heard a long trumpet blast, they knew what to do, for they understood the requirement of the meaning of that blast. There will be in the future a blast of a trumpet calling to assemble all those who are the Lord’s, calling the bride of Messiah to meet Him on the air (I Thess. 4:16). Only those who know the meaning of that blast will be raptured, while unforeseen destruction will fall on those who will not know and will not be prepared.
The release of Joseph happened on the Feast of Trumpets, a sign pointing into the future of the rapture of the Bride of Messiah. Before the seven years of famine came, Joseph was delivered and he became second after Pharaoh to govern the affairs of those days. It is seen in the end time’s prophecies that a trumpet sounding will precede the Day of the Lord, as it is also seen as a symbolism in the destruction of Jericho. The first resurrection will follow a trumpet sounding, which is registered in I Corinthians 15:52: In the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet call, for a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable. This is the same trumpet of I Thessalonians. This trumpet sounding is not for alarm of war, but for the deliverance of YAHSHUA’S bride from the coming tribulation. This last trumpet mentioned by Paul is not to be confused with the tribulation trumpet in Revelation 8:2-11:15. The Revelation’s last trumpet is the last of the seven judgment trumpets bringing down the wrath of God upon the wicked people, those who are left behind. Inasmuch, Revelation had not yet been written for Paul to make reference to. It was without a doubt, in reference to the blowing of the trumpets in their meaning found in Leviticus 23:24 – the Feast of Trumpets, or the fourth Jewish annual holy day. Trumpet soundings were of great significance in the lives of Israel. The Lord God instituted the Feast of Trumpets while the nation of Israel pilgrimaged through the wilderness. It was to be observed on the first day of the seventh month [almost October]. He said, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial day announced by blowing of trumpets, a holy assembly (Lev. 23:24). There is another significant trumpet blowing found in Exodus 19. This chapter is complete in its significance of the bride of Christ’s preparation to meet Him. It also pictures the rapture. Before God came to Mount Sinai to covenant with the people, He instructed Moses how to prepare the people. He told Moses, Go and sanctify the people today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day for the third day the Lord will come down upon Mount Sinai in the sight off all the people Vs. 10-11. Moses’ work here symbolizes the work of the promised Holy Spirit in the life of every believer in Him. (John 16). Paul writes to the Ephesians that those who have believed in YAHSHUA are stamped with the seal of long –promised Holy Spirit. He is the guarantee of our inheritance, in anticipation of its full redemption and our acquiring possession of it- to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1), so then when the time comes, He will present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things (Ephesians 5:27). The result of the work of the Holy Spirit will be that of sanctified people. We are now on the third day, waiting for the calling up of the bride of Christ to come up through God’s trumpet call.
I Thessalonians 4:16: It is through a loud cry of summons, with a shout of an archangel and with the blast of the trumpet of God that His church will rise to meet Him in the air; and so always we shall be with the Lord! The difference between this last trumpet mentioned by Paul and the last trumpet mentioned by John, is that the one in Revelation will come in a series of seven judgment trumpets, with the last one being different than the others. When the seventh angel will blow [his] trumpet, and there will be mighty voices in heaven, shouting, the dominion of the world has now come into the possession and become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He shall reign forever and ever. This announcement does not end the tribulation as yet, for there will still be judgment bowls coming. In spite of these terrible judgements, God’s mercy will still be active in the lives of men. He will give them another chance to repent to be saved. John relates this in chapter seven of Revelation: then, addressing me, one of the elders said, who are these [people] clothed in the long white robes? And from where have they come? I replied, Sir, you know. And he said to me, these are they who have come out of the great tribulations, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His sanctuary; and He Who is sitting upon the throne will protect and spread His tabernacle over and shelter them with His presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; neither shall the sun smite them, nor any scorching heat, for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to the springs of the waters of life; and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes (Rev. 7:13-17).
Like Rahab, who was saved from the destruction of Jericho and given a place among the Jewish people for believing and protecting the spies, the tribulation saints will have a position in the presence of God. They are not the bride, but they will be servants of God in His sanctuary day and night. Before the walls of this world will be tumbling down, there will be salvation for God’s people, as He has not appointed us to incur His wrath, but that we might obtain His salvation through our Lord YAHSHUA the Messiah, according to the words of Paul in II Thessalonians 5:9. May our spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete blameless at the coming of our Lord YHASHUA the Messiah (vs. 23b), as we wait for Him to call us up to our eternal and heavenly home.
Light from the Word 