What is the last trumpet of 1 Thessalonians 4? Is it the same as the seventh trumpet of Revelation?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The trumpet in 1 Thessalonians 4 is the call for believers to be gathered to Christ, while the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11 signals judgment during the tribulation. Whether these are the same trumpet depends on one’s view of the rapture’s timing, with midtribulationists seeing them as the same and pretribulationists viewing them as distinct, which is the view we hold. The trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15 aligns with 1 Thessalonians 4, as both describe the resurrection and transformation of believers. Revelation’s trumpets occur during the future tribulation and have to do with judgment coming, while the rapture can happen at any moment, making it unlikely they refer to the same event. Since Christ’s return will be sudden, we must live in readiness, keeping eternity in mind and living faithfully for Him.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The trumpets in question are not mentioned in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• A trumpet is sounded in Revelation 11:15, 1 Corinthians 15:52, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Knowing whether or not these passages are referring to the same trumpet depends on the view one holds about the timing of the rapture.
• Those who believe all three of these passages refer to the same trumpet hold to a midtribulation rapture, meaning the belief that Jesus will come for His followers at the three-and-a-half-year point of the seven-year tribulation. Those who believe that Revelation 11:15 refers to a different trumpet than the other two passages hold to a pretribulation rapture, meaning Christ will come for His followers before the tribulation begins.
• A look at Revelation 11:15 clearly notes this trumpet's sounding in connection with the midpoint of the tribulation. The two witnesses had just finished their three-and-a-half-year ministry during the first half of the tribulation, marking the end of the second woe (Revelation 11:14).
• First Corinthians 15:51–52 states, "Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed." The trumpet mentioned here is not associated with a particular time, but it could take place at any moment. The trumpet is associated with the raising of the bodies of dead believers and the transformation of believers who are still alive.
• First Thessalonians 4 speaks of the same event mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15. First Thessalonians 4:16–17 shares, "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord." Other details are noted here, specifically that the Lord will descend from heaven. This is an activity not mentioned in Revelation 11. The Lord's return, or second coming, is only directly mentioned in Revelation in chapter 19, when He comes with believers to victoriously end the battle of Armageddon and begin His 1,000-year reign.
• Revelation also describes seven different trumpets regarding different judgments. These all take place during the tribulation. However, the rapture (described in 1 Corinthians 15 and 1 Thessalonians 4) takes place at any moment and before the tribulation. Therefore, these events cannot be referring to the same trumpet sounding.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Just as alerts and alarms warn us of what is coming, the trumpets in Scripture signal significant events in God’s plan, calling us to be ready. We must recognize what we are to be ready for, so we can live accordingly. The trumpet of 1 Thessalonians 4 reminds us that Christ will return suddenly, and we must live in eager expectation, faithfully serving Him in all we do. Unlike the trumpets of judgment in Revelation, which announce God’s wrath, the trumpet of the rapture is a call to joy for believers, gathering us to be with Christ forever. Knowing this, we should not be complacent but live with urgency, prioritizing what has eternal value. Let us stay alert, walking in obedience, so we will not be caught off guard when the trumpet sounds.

UNDERSTAND

• The trumpet in 1 Thessalonians 4 calls believers to Christ, while the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11 signals judgment for unbelievers.
• The 1 Corinthians 15 trumpet aligns with 1 Thessalonians 4, signifying the rapture, but Revelation’s trumpets are tribulation judgments.
• Christ’s return will be sudden, so we must live in readiness and faithfulness.

REFLECT

• How does knowing that Christ could return at any moment affect the way you live daily?
• How can you keep eternity in mind while facing challenges in this life?
• What steps can you take to stay spiritually ready and faithful as you wait for Christ’s return?

ENGAGE

• How do the different purposes of the trumpets in 1 Thessalonians 4 and Revelation 11 shape our understanding of the rapture and tribulation? What can we agree on even if we have a different interpretation of the timing of end-times events?
• What biblical evidence supports the view that the rapture happens before the tribulation, and how does this impact how we approach end-times prophecy?
• How can we encourage one another to live with urgency and faithfulness in light of Christ’s imminent return?