Question

Pastor Daniel [Holstege]: I saw “The Transformation of Our Body at the Last Trump” sermon online and wondered if you believed the last Trumpet was the 7th Trumpet of Rev 11:15.

Answer

Your question was whether I believe the last trumpet of I Corinthians 15:52 is the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15. First, I wish to make clear that I am an amillennialist in my eschatology, as are the Protestant Reformed Churches in which I am a pastor. From your question I gather that you are probably a premillennialist, am I right? Our general principles of interpretation and beliefs on eschatology are going to shape the way we explain texts.

Second, I do not think I would simply identify the last trumpet and the seventh trumpet. But I do believe they refer to almost the same event. The trumpets referred to in Matthew 24:31, I Corinthians 15:52, and I Thessalonians 4:16 all refer to the same event: the second and final coming of Christ on the clouds of heaven with His angels when He raises all the dead and brings the final judgment. The seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15 refers to voices in heaven declaring at that same moment that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ. So the former trumpet will be a sound that is heard in the world on the last day of history, and the latter will be a sound that is heard in heaven on the last day of history. All of these trumpets, though, refer to the last day of history when Christ returns, raises the dead, judges all men, and creates the new heavens and earth.