THURSDAY 21 July, 2016
Sounding the Trumpet of Victory
So Joab blew the trumpet, and the people returned from pursuing Israel. For Joab held back the people. And they took Absalom and cast him into a large pit in the woods, and laid a very large heap of stones over him. Then all Israel fled, everyone to his tent. - 2 Samuel 18:16-17
The battle was won! Joab blew the trumpet, the signal of victory; he held back his men from fighting any further. Those in Israel who came against their king were vanquished and those who remained returned quickly to their tents––what would happen when the king returns? For Absalom there would be no honorable burial. As a traitor he would be dishonored in death, thrown into a pit with heaps of stones placed on top of him.
The last trump will sound at the rapture––when the Church, believers in Jesus Christ, will be taken from the earth before the great tribulation––the time when God’s wrath will be poured on the earth. First Corinthians 15:51-55 describes this incredible departure:
Behold, I tell you a mystery… in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed... then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, whereis your victory?”
That last trumpet will signify the amazing victory over death, won through Christ when He died on the cross; the fulfillment of what was written in the Scriptures (Isaiah 25:8; Hosea 13:14). When Christ the King returns His enemies will be vanquished and we shall have the amazing honor to rule and reign with Him, …but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).
Will you be ready when the last trump sounds? Or will you be left behind?
"He Came; He Is Coming."
~C. H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!