The `last trump' is another controversy which causes confusion for Christians. There are trumpets blown all the way through the Tribulation. How can the last trump be before the Tribulation? To answer that question one would have to know something of the Jewish feasts. Sooner or later, believers who are interested in the Rapture, touch base with the Jewish feast, Rosh HaShana, because many tie the Rapture to this feast. The expectations of the Rapture rise every year in September/ October, when the feast
days approach.Rosh Hashana had its beginning about 500 B.C. The Jews began celebrating this feast during the previous month by blowing a ram's horn trumpet for twenty nine days. On the last day the blowing stopped. Then on the first day of Tishri (Rosh HaShanah), one more blowing of the trumpet occurred which consisted of three distinct series of thirty blasts each and then concluded with a blowing of ten blasts. At the end of all these
blowings, there was one last, long sounding of the trumpet.These trumpet blowings are used in the Old Testament for gathering people. Rosh HaShanah ushers in the new year. Being symbolic of the "last trump" it has implications to Christians in reference to the Rapture. The last trump for this feast day Rosh HaShana has a connection to the ram's horn that replaced Isaac as a sacrifice. (see Genesis 22:1-14) The right horn was blown when Isaac was set free and replaced with a ram and the left is considered to be the last trump (shofar) at the final Rosh HaShana, a day of judgment, a call for repentance, and a time of regathering for the nation.
There are three stages of judgment seen by Jewish scholars expressed in the opening of three books, one for the wicked, one for the righteous and one for the in-between. They refer to the book of life, book of death and the verdict of the in-between which is suspended until Yom Kippur {Day of Atonement, second coming for the Jews}. (Bloch, op.cit. p.24) The scriptural origin of this belief: "And I will cause you to pass under the rod {referring to the sorting the sheep from the goats}, and I will
bring you into the bond of the covenant." (Ezekiel 20:37)Nehemiah involved in rebuilding the temple and reestablishing the annual atonement wrote: "Also we made ordinances for us, to charge ourselves yearly with.. the sin offerings to make an atonement for Israel, and [for] all the work of the house of our
God." (Nehemiah 10:32..33) The term `scapegoat' came from this tradition, as two goats were used, one was killed and the other carried the sins of Jews into the wilderness and disappeared. Yom Kippur includes a face to face confrontation with God and seven day period seclusion to mend their ways and prepare themselves spiritually for the Great Day of Atonement which reminds us of the seven year tribulation.The fate of the whole nation of Israel hangs on this day. A temple is necessary for the
high priest to enter the Holy of Holies to offer a sacrifice for sins of the nation. If the sacrifice is accepted by God, then the nation of Jews rejoices because they have been given another year to live. What Jews have yet to accept is that Jesus Christ, as
mankind's great High Priest, entered the Holy of Holies in heaven to present His sacrificial blood to God the Father. God has already accepted this offering and provided eternal salvation for all who trust in Christ's sacrifice.The final Jewish celebration in the year is the Feast of Tabernacles, five days after Yom Kippur. Zechariah in 14:16 tells those who are still alive after Armageddon about the feast of tabernacles in the Millennium. "And it shall come to pass, [that] every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles."
Since there are two resurrections of believers, the first one including the Rapture in which Jesus does not reveal Himself, demands that Scripture referring to His Second Coming has to be carefully divided to ascertain which event it belongs to. The Rapture can also be called a translation, as Enoch experienced in the Old Testament because he believed that it was a possibility. "By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." (Hebrews 11:5)
The story of Noah reveals the concept of the Rapture and the flood came seven days after the door was closed behind Noah and his family, pointing to the seven year Tribulation.
THE RAPTURE IS THE BEGINNING OF THE END
The Rapture is the signal ushering in the Tribulation, the Gospel of `man is god'. After the seven year peace agreement is completed between Israel and it's neighbors, someone of great authority takes control of the region. Because he has to prove himself worthy of greater authority, he will declare war and overwhelm three leaders. The effect on the people is devastation, fires, plagues, natural disasters and death of 25% of the population results in a financial collapse causing inflation.
Every problem needs a solution and Satan moves in with the solution: promises of prosperity if people will take the `mark' . Unbelievers fall down and worship him. Man becomes god. The Jews because of the devastation have built a third temple to resume the Aaronic priesthood and temple rituals and sacrifices. The Antichrist assumes throne in the temple to make Jews believe that the longawaited Messiah has finally returned.
Antichrist entering the Holy of Holies angers God and the great day of the wrath is come.. "And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondsman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" (Revelation 6:15-17)
The third phase is about to begin: The Gospel of the Kingdom goes into effect. "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.." (Matthew 4:17) At the time He preached that, Jesus was referring to Himself at a future date on earth. This time of the tribulation will be God's dealing with the nation of
Israel. "And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." (Matthew 24:14) The end referred to would be Armageddon, the end of man's world order.
All who believe the Gospel of the Kingdom that God will be forming with Israel in mind, will be brought into the Millennium who are martyred will be resurrected according to Ezekiel 37. Only those who have not accepted the Mark of the Beast are eligible for this offer into the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. The only formal prayer the Lord Jesus left with us in Matthew 6:9-13 refers to the kingdom to come. "..thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.." On the resurrected the second death has no power. (see Revelation 20:6)
Thomas Ice in his article April 1995, Israel/ Church Distinction: The Fourth Foundation refers to Fruchtenbaum's article "Israel and the Church. The term Israel is viewed theologically as referring to all descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, also known as Jews, the Jewish peoples, Israelites, Hebrews, etc." He notes that national election distinguishes Israel from those peoples who were not chosen that we know as
Gentiles." .. chosen to be the recipient of His revelation and record, was to propagate the doctrine of One God (Deut. 6:4), was to produce the Messiah.. (Romans 9:5; Hebrews 2:16-17; 7:13-14)
"Israel is not interchangable.. with the church.. reasons.. First: the church was born at Pentecost.., .. Second.. the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to become head of the church.. third..{are} four characteristics.. the Jewish and Gentile believers as one body.. Christ indwelling every believer.. the Church is Bride of Christ..{in} the Rapture.. Fourth.. the unique relationship between Jews and Gentiles, called one new man.. and last both Israel and the church exist simultaneously.." A distinct plan for Israel and a distinct plan for the church emerges which sets up a scriptural foundation for the Rapture.
There is no doubt that we are at the end of the church age, which means any moment believers may be snatched out of their present surroundings and abandon families and friends. Homes and contents, cars, jobs, some hospital beds and many other things
would be left behind. Time, space and circumstances will not matter. "Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." (1 Thessalonians 4:17)Jesus said in John 16:13, that they will know: "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, [that] shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come." The Spirit of truth is the Holy Spirit who is or should be our teacher. The Bible states that He will bring Scripture necessary for the moment to our remembrance. "That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise." (Ephesians 1:12,13)
"And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask {referring to `that day'} the Father in my name, he will give [it] you." (John 16:22,23) He states this promise as a truth because we will be with Him in a different place and time.
The Apostle Paul taught a behavior pattern for us in 1 Thessalonians in anticipation of the Rapture. "For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord... And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you." (1 Thessalonians 3:8,12) "For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel {practice self discipline} in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence {strong sexual desires}, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no [man] go beyond and defraud his brother in [any] matter: because that the Lord [is] the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit. But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and [that] ye may have lack of nothing." (1 Thessalonians 4:3-12)