The Sound Of The Trumpet
In the Old Testament, when people heard the sound of a trumpet, it could mean one of many things. The New Testament only has two meanings: the gathering of the church and disaster.
In the Old Testament, the sound of the trumpet either came from a ram’s horn called a shofar or one made of metal. The ram’s horn produced a loud sound.
The one made from silver or brass gave a more direct and focused sound. In the Book of Numbers, God instructed Moses how to make and use the metal horns.
Make two trumpets of hammered silver for calling the community to assemble and for signaling the breaking of camp. Numbers 10:2
Each sound of the trumpet or trumpets conveyed specific instructions. Using trumpets as a signaling device may have begun in the Book of Numbers. But it has caught on through the years.
In the history of our country, the cavalry used different tunes on the trumpet to convey different messages. When soldiers heard the trumpet sound, they knew exactly how to respond.
Moses told the Israelites how God wanted him to communicate with them by using the sound of the trumpet. Some signals used one trumpet sound, while others used both trumpets.
When both trumpets are blown, everyone must gather before you at the entrance of the Tabernacle. But if only one trumpet is blown, then only the leaders—the heads of the clans of Israel—must present themselves to you. Numbers 10:3-4
People Had to Pay Close Attention to the Trumpet Call
So, the people had to pay close attention each time they heard the sound of a trumpet. They also needed to decipher whether the sound came from one trumpet or both.
- When you sound the signal to move on, the tribes camped on the east side of the Tabernacle must break camp and move forward.
- When you sound the signal a second time, the tribes camped on the south will follow.
- You must sound short blasts as the signal for moving on.
- But when you call the people to an assembly, blow the trumpets with a different signal. Numbers 10:5-7
God’s instructions to Moses about the trumpets went beyond moving the camp and meeting together. They could also use them to their benefit when they got to the promised land.
When you arrive in your own land and go to war against your enemies who attack you, sound the alarm with the trumpets. Numbers 10:9
The Lord also wanted them to use trumpets in their celebrations and festivals. Their sound added to the gladness of the occasion and reminded God of His covenant with them.
Blow the trumpets in times of gladness, too, sounding them at your annual festivals and at the beginning of each month. And blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings. The trumpets will remind your God of his covenant with you. I am the Lord your God. Numbers 10:10
We Should Listen for the Sound of the Trumpet
I am waiting and listening for a trumpet sound to come blaring out of heaven. The Apostle Paul reported that a shout, the voice of the archangel, and a trumpet will call the church home.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
God used the trumpet sound in the Old Testament for various purposes. Paul told us twice that God will only use that one trumpet sound to gather His church.
It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 1 Corinthians 15:52
The Sound of the Trumpet During the Tribulation
The earth will experience seven years of tribulation with the church safely in heaven. During that time, the trumpet will sound seven more times.
Seven angels will each blow a trumpet one at a time. With each sound, the earth and its inhabitants will suffer some kind of devastation or disaster. We find them in Revelation 8-11.
The First Four Trumpets
The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood were thrown down on the earth. One-third of the earth was set on fire, one-third of the trees were burned, and all the green grass was burned. Revelation 8:7
Then the second angel blew his trumpet, and a great mountain of fire was thrown into the sea. One-third of the water in the sea became blood, Revelation 8:8
Then the third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch. It fell on one-third of the rivers and on the springs of water. Revelation 8:10
Then the fourth angel blew his trumpet, and one-third of the sun was struck, and one-third of the moon, and one-third of the stars, and they became dark. And one-third of the day was dark, and also one-third of the night. Revelation 8:12
The Last Three Trunpets
Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen to earth from the sky, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. When he opened it, smoke poured out as though from a huge furnace, and the sunlight and air turned dark from the smoke. Then locusts came from the smoke and descended on the earth, and they were given power to sting like scorpions. They were told not to harm the grass or plants or trees, but only the people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. Revelation 9:1-4
Then the sixth angel blew his trumpet, and I heard a voice speaking from the four horns of the gold altar that stands in the presence of God. And the voice said to the sixth angel who held the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great Euphrates River.” Then the four angels who had been prepared for this hour and day and month and year were turned loose to kill one-third of all the people on earth. I heard the size of their army, which was 200 million mounted troops. Revelation 9:13-16
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices shouting in heaven: “The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign forever and ever.” “The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to judge the dead and reward your servants the prophets, as well as your holy people, and all who fear your name, from the least to the greatest. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.” Revelation 11:15,18
Focus on Hearing the Trumpet Sound from Heaven
I realize not everything in these verses in Revelation makes sense to you. But then you really don’t need to understand them. You just need to be ready for when the following happens.
- You hear the commanding shout from heaven,
- The voice of the archangel,
- And the sound of the trumpet call of God.
That is when the Lord will come down from heaven and meet you in the air!
Lord, you have used the sound of the trumpet throughout human history. We are waiting for you to sound the trumpet, calling us to join you.im?
I believe You will enjoy reading these posts on the return of Christ
- Is The Church Ready Now For Christ’s Return?
- Are You Ready For A New Beginning?
- Be Ready, No One Knows when Jesus Will Return
- Are You Ready To Meet Jesus In The Air?
Lord, I’m ready to hear your trumpet call. Therefore, today would be a great day to meet you in the air.
Read an excellent post on Worship called, How To Worship God With All Of Your Life.
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