The Trumpet Call of Christ's Second Coming

The trumpet call is the majestic and literal sound that accompanies the second coming of Jesus Christ to awaken the sleeping saints and transform the living righteous 1 Thessalonians 4:16EW 110.1+1. This "last trump" marks the moment when mortality is swallowed up by life and the faithful are clothed with glorious immortality 1 Corinthians 15:52-54EW 110.1+1.

The Nature of the Trumpet Call

• A Literal and Universal Sound: Unlike symbolic trumpets, the trump of God will be heard by every person on earth, resounding from the highest mountains to the deepest minesLDE 277.5+2.

• The Voice of Majesty: The trumpet is closely associated with the "shout" of the Lord and the voice of the Archangel, which together form a sound so powerful it rends the heavens and shakes the entire earth 1 Thessalonians 4:16HST December 18, 1844, page 148.7+2.

• The Signal of Victory: At this sound, the "prison house" of the grave is opened, and the saints shout in triumph over death and the grave 1 Corinthians 15:55Hvn 38.2+1.

The Events Triggered by the Call

• The Resurrection of the Just: The primary purpose of this last trump is to call forth the righteous dead from their "dusty beds" to eternal life John 5:28-29Hvn 94.4+2.

• The Translation of the Living: Those who are alive and remain at Christ's coming are changed "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" and are caught up to meet the Lord in the air 1 Corinthians 15:51-52IOS 9.2+2.

• The Reunion of Loved Ones: As the trumpet sounds, friends long separated by death are reunited, and holy angels bear little children back to their mothers' arms4SP 464.1.

• A Warning to the Wicked: While it is a sound of joy for the holy, the trumpet also signals the destruction of the wicked and the utter desolation of the earth Zephaniah 1:14-16+1SITI July 27, 1888, page 456.5+1.

Historical and Type Patterns

• The Sinai Connection: The trump of God was first heard when the Almighty descended upon Mount Sinai in fire and glory; it will be heard once more at the second advent with even greater majesty Exodus 19:16-19JEO 52.1+1.

• The Typology of Elijah: Elijah stands as a representative of the saints who will hear the last trump and be translated without ever tasting death 2 Kings 2:11Hvn 102.3.

• A Call to Preparation: Every day is a time to listen to the spiritual "last call" of the gospel message, which prepares the heart for that final literal blast of the trumpetGOH 111.6+2.

Those who have followed the "meek Pattern" and lived holy lives will recognize this voice as the one that once offered them rest and forgiveness, responding with rapturous joy as they see their Savior appearing in the clouds Isaiah 25:9Hvn 94.4+2.