The Contrast of the Trumpet

Well, brother and happy Feast of Trumpets, great to see all of you with us today. Special thanks to Mr. Blakey. I have known Mr. Blakey going on 50 years. And so I've been able to enjoy the gift that God gave him for a long, long time. And may it continue for a long, long time. He's in his 80s now, even though he spry as a fiddle. And he serves our Cleveland congregation with his wonderful gift quite often. So we're very thankful to have him as part of the faith. Well, good morning again. Today we're here to celebrate the 2022 Feast of Trumpets. This day has a significant meaning, not just for us, but for the entire world. In the 1980s, I was in my early 30s, and I had a job as the national sales manager for a transformer company, my wife and family. And I lived in North Carolina, a very beautiful part of the country, I might add. And I had a job that was impossible. I was the national sales manager for the United States and Canada, so I had like 50 different sales representatives that I was to manage. And the end result of that is that I flew around the United States almost every week I was on an airplane. Now this was, thankfully, before 9-11. I can't imagine someone trying to do that job now with security and all the additional layers of stuff to get through an airport. And the thing that I found interesting about airports was the incredible contrast of the same environment. I look over here at this gate, and here comes someone in for their annual visit to Grandma and Grandpa. And Grandma and Grandpa are weeping, oh, it's so good to see you again, big hug again. They're just so happy, so elated. Look over here to this gate. Here's a young man maybe flying out to a military base, and he's leaving his parents or his sweetheart. And they're all weeping in sorrow, oh, we're going to miss you, please come home safely, God bless you. And in the same environment, you'd see this dramatic contrast in emotions. And actually, that's a tremendous metaphor for what this day pictures. Because if we have the right relationship with God, for those who do, this is going to be the most joyful, exhilarating day of our entire existence. On the other hand, for those who don't have a relationship with God, pictured by this very day, it is going to be a time of terror, of horrendous fear, and of death. But before we get to that, let's go to the Scriptures and see how this day was introduced to ancient Israel as we begin to talk about the extreme contrast that this day represents. Please help me, because I cannot think of another time in the history of the universe where there will be greater contrast, pictured, than on that literal day of the trumpet blast when Jesus Christ returns to earth. But where did it all begin? Well, let's go to Leviticus chapter 23, beginning in verse 1. My congregation has heard me jump on verses 1 and 2 for years, but they're going to hear me do it one more time, at least. Leviticus chapter 23 and verse 1, because I do believe this is so important. It says, Now let's drop down to verse 24.

Now there obviously were holy days that were listed before we get to verse 24, but for the sake of time today, I just want to focus on the instruction for this day. According to the treasury of scriptural knowledge, here's how it defines or what it says about this phrase in English, a memorial.

The festival is generally called the Feast of Trumpets. And that's end of quote. And again, that is from the treasury of scriptural knowledge regarding this verse. What the Scriptures do not call this day is Rosh Hashanah, which in Hebrew literally means the head of the year, or to many Jewish faithful today, the new year or the beginning of the year. That's why they call it Rosh Hashanah. But God instituted the first month of the year in the spring to be the beginning of the new year, the month of Abib.

That's mentioned in Exodus chapter 12 and verse 2. So the biblical name for this day is not Rosh Hashanah. We do not call this day by that invented name. The biblical name for this day is Yom Teruah, literally the day of shouting or blasting. So on this day, there were two types of trumpets that were used for ancient religious ceremonies in Israel. The first was a ram's horn. And I think it's still here. They may have done a little better than Mr.

Scapura did on this. I was just thinking when he blew into that, wow, if that's the trumpet on the day of the Lord, I'm not sure Jesus will return. I don't think he's coming back. But the first one was obviously made out of a ram's horn and a shofar. And actually, this is a pygmy shofar. If you've seen pictures, they twirl, they get quite long, quite elaborate.

This was the one that I could afford for $5. But it is a literal animal horn, and it is from a ram. And so this was the first type of trumpet that they blew. Also, as instructed in Numbers 10, there were two silver trumpets. As a matter of fact, if you'll turn to Numbers 10, beginning in Verse 1, we'll read the verses about it. There were two silver trumpets that were used to announce this day, and they were blown on all the feast, according to Numbers 10.

They were instructed to be made from silver, which is a precious metal, and fashioned into the shape of a trumpet. And here's what it says in Numbers chapter 10 verses 1 through 2. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, make two silver trumpets for yourself. You shall make them of hammered work. You shall use them for calling the congregation and for directing the movement of the camp. So that was one of the reasons those two trumpets were created. Using a different form of staccato or rhythm, they signaled to Israel to either everyone gather at the tabernacle.

In a certain tone or staccato or way, only the leaders were together at the tabernacle. Done a little differently than the east side camps would begin to march. Those who were camped on the east side, done a little differently than those who were on the south side camps would march. Another different reason they were used, verse 8, they were used as a sound for war. So as you could see, these trumpets were used on one hand for very joyful things, and on the other hand, a war is never pretty.

They could be used as an alarm for war. Dropping down to verse 10. Also, so here was another use. Also, in the day of your gladness, you're in your appointed feast. At the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and the sacrifices of your peace offerings, and they shall be a memorial for you before the Lord your God, I am the Lord your God.

Again, this word memorial in English is from that Hebrew word zikron. One translation, God's word for today, translates the latter part of this verse. It's a reminder for you in God's presence that I am the Lord your God. So these two trumpets signaled a time of rejoicing and celebration for the nation. But on the other hand, and as another extreme, they also were blown as an alarm for war. And as I said, war is never a pretty thing. It's always very difficult. It's always very gruesome. So these two trumpets here, we use this as a time for rejoicing and celebration for the nation.

And anciently, according to the Holy Scriptures, it was proclaimed by a series of blowing of trumpets. Here's what happened according to tradition later on, including when the temple was built. Here's what they say happened. First, the trumpets were blown in the temple by the priest. People heard that on the Mount of Olives. It was their turn.

They blew the trumpets. Five miles or so, there were people poised. When they heard the trumpet blast, they blew the trumpets. And ultimately, a wave of that trumpet sound even went out through the desert, the Judean desert, and out to the outskirts of Israel. That's how important these trumpet blasts were to these people, according to tradition. It was a time of joy, elation. And it's a time also for those of us who are in the faith of understanding the resurrection, because we have a relationship with God. So again, it's going to be a time of great contrast. First, let's look at an example of joy in Psalm 47 and verse 1.

If you will kindly turn there with me. Psalm 47 and verse 1. A highly resonant scripture about the return of Jesus Christ, including how we will feel as we are changed in the twinkling of an eye, from mortal to immortal. Psalm 47. O clap your hands, all ye peoples. Isn't clapping hands a universal human in motion for joy? Alright! For joy and appreciation, we just can't help ourselves. Sometimes, I've noticed, particularly at the feast, where special music is incredibly inspiring, and people are sitting out there.

They don't want to literally do it, but they're showing their appreciation and their joy. So clap your hands, all ye peoples. Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is a great king over all the earth. He will subdue the peoples under us and the nations under our feet. He will choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob, whom he loves.

Selah, meaning pause, and just think about that for a few seconds. God has gone up with a shout. The Lord, with the sound of a trumpet, sing praises to God. Sing praises. Sing praises to our king.

Sing praises, for the God is the king of all the earth. Not just the king of the Jews, the king of the descendants of Abraham. He is the king of all the earth. Sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations. God sits on his holy throne. And all of those things occur because of the sound of that trumpet, what this very day represents. The sound of the trumpet picturing the literal return of Jesus Christ to this earth. And in Christ's second coming, there will be joyful shouting. There will be exaltation. There will be people praising the awesome glory of God.

This is exactly how we will feel when Jesus returns. And as our feet leave this earth and we are transformed in the blink of an eye from a physical subsistence to immortal, eternal existence, meeting Jesus Christ in the air. And then returning with him to this earth to rebuild and create a new world and a new godly civilization. Well, we'll see some other very positive examples later on as we get closer to the end of the sermon and we turn to the New Testament.

But again, as I said earlier, there's another horrific side to the celebration of this day at the return of Jesus Christ. It's one of the consequences of human sin, 6,000 years, and layers upon layers of civilizations and false education and false religions and all of it coming to a boil. And God is going to lance that boil in a very painful and dramatic way. Let's go to Zephaniah, one of the minor prophets, chapter 1 and verse 14.

Zephaniah, chapter 1 and verse 14. Now, some of the things I'm going to say the next 10 or 15 minutes might be rated PG because they're going to be rather graphic. And I don't like it personally. I don't like to talk about difficult things, what the Bible says are going to happen to human beings and happen to humanity.

I take no delight in that, but I do feel a responsibility as one of God's servants to make sure that we understand that though this is a day that represents tremendous joy and fulfillment, and a culmination of millions of prayers in which people prayed, thy kingdom come, it's also going to be a time of incredible devastation, carnage. And I think that I have an obligation to talk about that a little bit as well.

Zephaniah, chapter 1, we'll pick it up in verse 14. The great day of the Lord is near. It is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the Lord is bitter. There the mighty men shall cry out. That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of devastation and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, a day of trumpets and alarm against the fortified cities and against the high towers.

I will bring distress upon men, and they shall walk like blind men because they have sinned against the Lord. People will be in shock, PSTD. They will be walking around numb, just like someone who is blind. I can't believe that this has happened. They'll be totally numb on the inside. That's what it means when it says they'll walk like blind men. Because they have sinned against the Lord, their blood shall be poured out like dust and their flesh like refuge, like a garbage, like just garbage thrown outside.

This is discussing the great armies who are going to be gathered together to war against Jesus Christ in a great battle that we know of in Revelation as the Battle of Armageddon. The remaining armies of the earth that survived the great tribulation are deceived by demons into attacking Jerusalem and thinking that Jesus Christ, as he begins to arrive in this earth, is an evil invader who has come to reset the world order.

Well, any good lie has an element of truth. Jesus Christ is coming to reset the world order. But he is not an evil invader. He is the creator who is once again coming back home to his creation to establish a wonderful new kingdom on this earth. Let's put together Zephaniah with Revelation chapter 16 and verse 12. Revelation chapter 16 and verse 12.

Again, I know this can get kind of gruesome, but I think it's important that we are aware of it. And perhaps just by understanding it a little better, it can help us to appreciate our calling and the fact that we're going to have opposite experiences to this on the day of the return of Jesus Christ.

Revelation chapter 16 and verse 12. Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water dried up so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared. Now, if you go back to Revelation 9, it mentions a 200 million-person army crossing the Euphrates. Let's continue verse 13.

And I saw three unclean spirits, like frogs, coming out of the mouth of the dragon, representing Satan himself. Out of the mouth of the beast, it'll be a politically dominant power emanating from Europe. And out of the mouth of the false prophet, which will be a religious power, also dominating out of Europe. Verse 14. For they are spirits of demons, performing signs which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to battle of the great day of God, Almighty.

Come and save the world! All of you armies that are left from this tribulation, the earth has experienced. We're being invaded, and evil invaders coming to earth. Come and join us in a great battle to defeat this one who calls himself the king of kings. And that's exactly what will happen at that time. Verse 15. Behold, I am coming as a thief. Some will be totally unprepared for the arrival of Jesus Christ, because we'll see in a few minutes it comes quickly like a lightning bolt.

Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments. Blessed is he who is prepared, who's reading the word of God, who's fellowshiping with his brothers and sisters, and Christ who's continuing to observe the Sabbath, who's continuing to stay awake and understand what's going on in the world. Lest he walk naked and see his shame, and they gather them together to the place in Hebrew Armageddon.

Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven from the throne, saying, It is done. I'll give you a modern phraseology of that for the 21st century. It's showtime.

Big things are about to happen. So again, this is a time of great joy for the children of God. But at the same moment, it's also a time of unprecedented terror in the godless. Perhaps part of this army that will be assembled at Armageddon will be the 200 million who cross the Euphrates coming from the east, mentioned in Revelation 9.

So I want you to realize that, as one scripture says, the slaughter will be so great that blood will be up the horse's bridles for like 200 miles. We're talking about a lot of carnage. There are a lot of people assembled, a lot of armies, a lot of human bodies assembled in Armageddon ready to fight Jesus Christ. So with this background in mind, now let's go to the New Testament scriptures, including what Jesus Christ himself stated. And we'll see what he said about his return. He also said, by the way, it would be a time of great contrast.

So let's go to Matthew chapter 24 and get a New Testament perspective on this battle of Armageddon. And on the other hand, the great joy that will be experienced by people whom Jesus calls the elect. Matthew chapter 24 and verse 21. Matthew chapter 24 verse 21. For then there will be great tribulations, such as not been since the beginning of the world, until this time no nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.

I want you to picture this. The world has been at war with itself. And the world is on the verge of self-annihilation, either through nuclear weapons or biotechnology, perhaps of some technologies we're not even aware of yet. Because maybe the militaries are hiding them. But the world will be on the verge of self-annihilation. It's been destroying itself. The only unifying factor that it has temporarily is this invader coming from heaven to change the world. That's the only unifying factor they have.

So it says here, as Jesus mentions, unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. So I want you to notice why Jesus Christ returns. He returns because the world is in deep crisis. It's a hair-breath away from total self-annihilation. And as Jesus approaches the earth, the first thing that he does is to remove his chosen elect from the crisis as he changes them in the incorruptible spirit upon their gathering together in the sky. This great tribulation is a result of 6,000 years of man's inhumanity to man, and that's only going to snowball in coming years.

We're to a point in our culture where we have a war on children. First of all, we exterminate them in their mother's wombs. And then if that's not bad enough, if they're lucky enough to be alive, then we mutilate them, chemically castrate them under some warped idea of gender, and then we go ahead and mutilate our children and change them biologically. We are in a culture that is a war on children, and sadly it's only going to get worse.

It won't be too long until they decide that the euthanasia of older adults is a kind way to end their existence. And it'll also save a lot of money, too. So we are in a highly diseased world that's going to get worse and worse in the coming years. Brethren, even though God's people will be given protection, we must understand that it is because of his precious people, you, his elect, that he will return in the nick of time, or else this world would literally destroy itself with nuclear and biological warfare.

There is greatly entrenched evil in this present world that has to be destroyed before the Kingdom of God can be established. It can't be tweaked, can't be simply upgraded, can't be modernized like any disease. It literally has to be exterminated. Or else it'll come back. Sometimes people ask me, we talk, people come in with various conspiracy theories. I tell them I only believe, personally, in one major conspiracy theory. And that is that Satan the Devil has complete control of all of this world's governments, all of this world's educational institutions, all human cultures, and all human religions are controlled by Satan the Devil.

That's the one conspiracy that I believe in, rather than focusing on a lot of others. This world system controlled by Satan the Devil must be overcome and must be eliminated totally and completely so the Kingdom of God has the opportunity to be successful. Drop down now to verse 23.

Jesus is saying, when I come back, I'm not making a limited appearance. I'm not showing up in some building somewhere. I'm not showing up in some regional center. I'm not showing up at some church building in Wadsworth, Ohio, recently one particular false prophet, who for months has been saying, Jesus is coming on the Sabbath. The Sabbath goes by. Oh, Jesus is coming Tuesday at two o'clock. Tuesday at two o'clock. Oh, and at the same time, he's saying, we believe in the doctrine of common.

That means what's mine is mine and what yours is mine. That's common. So send me your money. Sell your homes. Mortgage your properties. Send me the money. Show me the money. Jesus is coming on this feast day. The feast day goes by. Nothing happens. Then it's another prediction. Jesus Christ is not making a limited appearance on earth. He's not going to be in some building somewhere. He's not going to be in the desert. Here's where he says he's going to be. Verse 27, for as the lightning comes across the east and flashes to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.

Like lightning crossing the sky. Everyone will be aware of it and see it. Because Jesus Christ is coming with power. And he's not making some cameo appearance in some part of the world. Verse 28, for wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. Some translations, rather than using eagles, say there the vultures will be gathered together.

So what is this carcass? We'll talk about this a little bit more in a few minutes. This carcass is the stinking mass of human civilization that's left when it decided it wanted the war against the returning Jesus Christ. That's who this carcass is. And who are the eagles? But we'll let the book of Revelation tell us who these birds are in just a few minutes.

Let's continue, although in verse 29. Immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give up its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Very similar to what we read in Zephaniah chapter 1, just a few minutes ago. Verse 30. Now the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

So again, this is not some limited appearance. Why is that if someone says, oh, he's in the desert, oh, he's in our church building in the basement, in the janitor's closet. Whatever people tell you about the return of Christ, he says, it's all who we, because like a lightning bolt, everyone is going to be aware and see the dramatic and sudden return of Jesus Christ.

And he's also coming with power and great glory. This is in contrast to his first appearance. He came as a humble servant to live a perfect life, to allow himself to be crucified in his blood to be shed so that he could be the Passover Lamb of God. That was his first appearance. This time he comes quite a bit differently. Continuing here, verse 31, and he will send his angels and a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his elect from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other.

By the way, this word heaven here is from a Greek word, orranos, which means sky, not heaven. Many translations like the New American Standard Bible translate it sky. Some people would want you to believe that Jesus is bringing these immortal souls from heaven with him to unite with these earthly bodies who are being resurrected, but Jesus is gathering people from the sky. He's not bringing immortal souls with him from heaven. So for most people alive on earth at this future time, the return of Jesus Christ will be traumatic. It will be fearful. After all, they've already experienced, they've already lived through at this point, the Great Tribulation.

And they are going to be stunned by the dramatic return of Jesus Christ, again, with power and great glory. They certainly will be feeling dread. But to the elective God, called by the Father for thousands of years, this will be the event that so many of us prayed for through our whole lifetimes.

When we said, Thy kingdom come, please, Father, make it soon. Have you ever had a prayer like that? Like today, maybe? Lord, please, Thy kingdom come.

In this prophecy that we just read, Jesus mentions the first resurrection composed of the elect, both dead and alive, upon his return. But what will he and his elect do next? What is the carcass? Who are the eagles that he mentions here in verse 28? And what does Christ mean when he states that he's coming in power and great glory? Let's go to the book of Revelation and find out, chapter 19. Revelation, chapter 19 and verse 11.

John's vision of Jesus Christ arriving on a white horse. As a warrior, Revelation, chapter 19 and verse 11. Now I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse. And he who sat in him was faithful and true. And in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, representative of his early sacrifice in 31 A.D. when he walked on earth, representing that's what this robe dipped in blood represents. He is the Passover Lamb of God. And his name is called the Word of God. John said in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Verse 14, And the armies in heaven clothed in fine linen, clean and white, followed him on white horses. These are the resurrected saints who are returning to earth with Jesus Christ. Verse 15, Now out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that he should strike the nations. And he himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Thankfully, there's not a tremendous amount of detail. It uses phrases like makes war and slays individuals with a sharp sword, but it doesn't give us all of the gruesome details of what happens to these individuals. Zachariah 14 gives us a little bit of an indication where it says in verse 12, And this shall be the plague of which the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem. And Megiddo is about 70 miles northwest of Jerusalem. So these armies that were attacking Jerusalem will all assemble and march up north to Megiddo. Here's what the prophet says, quote, Their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet. Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets, and their tongue shall dissolve in their mouths.

The only thing that humanly we have that could do something like that is a form of radiation. But we have no idea the powers that Jesus Christ has at his disposal as he fights these armies. Verse 16, And he has in his robe and on his thigh a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven. Remember the eagles mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 24, 28? Here's what is said, Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings. Remember Jesus' reference to the carcass in Matthew 24? That you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses, and of those who sit on them in the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great. And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth, and their armies gathered together to make war against him who sat on the horse, and against his army. Against Jesus Christ and the elect who assembled with him, and themselves are dressed in white. Verse 20, Then the beast, that's the political power, was captured, and with him the false prophet, that's the religious dominating power, who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast, and those who worshipped his image. These two were cast alive in the lake of fire, burning with brimstone, and the rest were killed with the sword, which proceeded from the mouth of him, who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh. Remember what Jesus said in Matthew 24-28, For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together. So any and all resistance of the nations of the earth will be instantly annihilated by Jesus Christ at his return. He comes in righteousness to judge the earth and to make war. As his resurrected saints, we will serve in his army, his support team, as he returns. Well, that's enough gruesome stuff for a while. Let's now focus more on the joy that this day pictures, the contrasting experiences and emotions for those who have a relationship with God, like you do, like I do. 1 Thessalonians 4 and verse 13. If you'll turn there with me.

I think it's time to talk about a few joyful things.

1 Thessalonians 4 and verse 13. Paul said to the congregation at Thessalonica, But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, those who have died, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. As a pastor, I've done a few funerals of people that were not in the church. People who don't have faith struggle with death. Sometimes they don't know if they'll ever see their loved one again. Sometimes they're not even sure that their loved one is in heaven. Maybe their loved one is in the great barbecue pit down in the center of the earth. Not in heaven. Joyful. And it's easy for them to be depressed, anxious, fearful. And Paul said, I don't want any of you to be that way. I want you to be hopeful and know what's going to happen. So in verse 14, For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and we do, even so God will bring with him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord that we, of course Paul believed that he would be alive at the return of Jesus Christ, we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. And I'm amazed at how many Protestant ministers stop right there. That's all they read. Because if you only read that, it implies that Jesus is bringing people from heaven with him. The inconvenient truth is that there are a couple of other verses that follow what I just read. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. The dead aren't coming back with Jesus out of heaven. But again, if we just conveniently stop at verse 15, oh, it just sounds so heavenly.

But unfortunately, it's not true. Again, verse 16, For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, and with the voice of an archangel, with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive again, Paul believed that Jesus would return in his lifetime. And who doesn't want to believe that? I want to believe that! The people that I met in the Church of God in 1971, they certainly wanted to believe that. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. These words are encouraging. These words are talking about what will happen as a fulfillment of the day of the festival of trumpets, when that trumpet blast announces the return of Jesus Christ. And as he comes down to this earth, he assembles all of his saints, for those who have been dead for thousands of years, to be raised immediately followed by those who are still alive at that time. Again, some like to read this, and they will say, and we will always be with the Lord, well, we're going to go back to heaven with Jesus. But again, that's not what the Scriptures tell us. Zechariah 14, verse 4, and it says, And verse 5 says, And all the saints with you. So certainly Jesus Christ is coming back to this earth, with his elect, to rule in a new kingdom. At the last trumpet, all the faithful children of God, throughout history, who previously had died, will be raised from the dead. And so many that I've known, when I was a young teenager in the 1970s, who since had died, they're faithful, and they're waiting for this time, they're waiting for the resurrection of the dead, to meet the returning Jesus Christ, and join him as he returns to earth to rule. And at this time, these folks, including us, will be followed by the elect who are still alive, if we're still alive at that time, to meet the returning Christ, and at that moment, we'll be changed.

We will become spirit, incorruptible, and we'll feel a sense of joy, and an elation that we have never felt before, as all these things that we longed for come to pass, and finally come to fruition. So Paul tells the church that in spite of what's going on in the present world, and what is prophesied to come, and we read Zephaniah, and we read Revelation, and we know there are some terrible and fearful events yet to come, but in spite of that, we should be encouraged, because the return of Jesus Christ for us is a time of hope, of comfort, of the expectation of literally being changed from mortal to immortal into a new spiritual existence.

Okay, I'm going to read. I actually have a few more scriptures, but I decided to allow Mr. Hall to have a scripture to read this afternoon. That's my goal when I do this. Let's see. How many scriptures can I use up in my sermon? Let's go to 2 Timothy chapter 2 and verse 11. I'll leave 1 Corinthians 15 for Mr. Hall this afternoon. 2 Corinthians chapter 2 verse 11. Paul writing to Timothy to encourage him and strengthen him through his letters. Paul says to Timothy, and this is 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 11, for this is a faithful saying, If we died with him, we shall also live with him. We died with him during our baptism. We were plunged under that water that represents a grave, a watery grave. And then we came out of that water to live a newness of life. Are we living for Jesus Christ? Are we daily ambassadors for Jesus Christ? By our conduct? By the way that we act? Here's the hard part. By the way that we think? Are we living for Christ? For if we died with him, we shall also live with him. If we endure, we shall also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us.

So, brethren, are we willing to live for Christ through our conduct and by our personal examples? Are we willing to endure our own cross as a burden? And Jesus said that his disciples would have to burden and carry their own cross. For some of us, it may be some mistakes we've made from the past, a personal struggle, a handicap. It may be a severe illness. It may be struggling with aging. It may be unemployment. It may be abandoned by loved ones. It may be financial issues. But each and every one of us has our own cross to bear. Are we ready to endure it so that we can reign with him? Jesus said in Matthew 24, verse 12, And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold, but he who endures to the end will be saved. Well, brethren, this happens to be my 50th feast of trumpets that I've observed. I've been doing this for a while. And I hope that God gives me the strength to continue to observe many, many more. But we have to endure to the end. Whether we keep 10 feast of trumpets in our lifetime, from the moment God calls us until the end of our days, or whether we keep 80 feast of trumpets in our lifetime, we have to endure and remain faithful. Let's support one another, because the sound of that trumpet is not very far off. Let's stay close to God. Let's stay close to our spiritual family. Let's stay close to one another. Don't allow the devil to discourage you. Don't lose your faith or your commitment to Jesus Christ. It's always darkest before the dawn. Have you ever heard that expression and that saying? Well, the Scriptures tell us it's going to get as dark as it possibly can before the good news comes to fruition. So again, don't get discouraged. Don't lose your faith. Don't lose your commitment to God or your way of life that he's called you to. When the Lord returns, it's going to be the most beautiful dawning of a new age, one that humanity has needed for 6,000 years. And we have the privilege as his elect to be part of that new world, to help build it. And we have to be there. The world is counting on us to do our part as the servants of Jesus Christ, as the elect. Because it's because of our lives and our dedication that God is even going to save this earth, that it's worth saving because we are his people.

So as we continue through this festival of trumpets, I encourage you to rededicate yourself, your level of commitment, and ask yourself, on that day, when a trumpet blast occurs, which of the two emotions do I want to experience? The answer to that is the great joy of the resurrection and being part of the eternal family of God for all eternity. So have a wonderful feast of trumpets.