The connection between the last trumpet in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and the seventh trumpet in Revelation 11:15 is a debated topic among Bible scholars. On the surface, they seem to refer to the same apocalyptic trumpet blast, but when examined more closely, there are good reasons to think they may refer to separate events. In this article, we will look at the key evidence and arguments on both sides of this issue.
The Case for Equating the Two Trumpets
Here are some of the main reasons why some Bible teachers believe the last trumpet of 1 Thessalonians 4 is the same as the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:
- They are both called the “last” trumpet. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says the rapture will happen at the blowing of the “last” trumpet. Revelation 11:15 then refers to the seventh trumpet as the “last” trumpet.
- They are both eschatological trumpets that signal a major end-time event. The seventh trumpet announces the coming of God’s kingdom on earth (Rev 11:15). The last trumpet announces the rapture of the church (1 Thess 4:16-17).
- In both passages, the trumpet is accompanied by voices from heaven (1 Thess 4:16; Rev 11:15).
- Some pre-tribulation rapture teachers argue that the rapture (at the last trumpet) must come before God’s wrath, which is poured out after the seventh trumpet.
- Equating the two trumpets fits best with the post-tribulation rapture view, which sees the rapture happening at the end of the tribulation period along with the second coming of Christ.
So in summary, the fact that they are both called the “last” trumpet, the similarities in what they announce, and the eschatological nature of these trumpets leads many Bible teachers to identify them as one and the same.
The Case for Seeing Them as Different Trumpets
However, there are also good exegetical and theological reasons for seeing these trumpet blasts as referring to separate events:
- They happen at different points in biblical prophecy. The last trumpet of 1 Thessalonians seems to fit best with the rapture before the tribulation, whereas the seventh trumpet comes at the end of the tribulation judgments in Revelation.
- Revelation shows a series of seven trumpets, of which the seventh is the last. But 1 Thessalonians only mentions one last trumpet with no series attached. So they do not need to be equated.
- The seventh trumpet announces God’s victory and coming kingdom, while the last trumpet announces the rapture and resurrection of believers. Their purposes are different.
- Identifying them forces pre-tribulation or mid-tribulation rapture views into a post-tribulation position, which many see as unbiblical.
- Paul’s teaching on the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4 is drawn from Jesus’ words and Old Testament allusions that have no obvious connection to the seventh trumpet.
So in summary, the different timing, purposes, Old Testament backgrounds, and place within biblical prophecy lead many Bible scholars to view these as separate trumpets sounding at different points in the end times.
Examining the Biblical Evidence Closer
Let’s now look at some of the key biblical evidence in more depth:
The Timing of the Trumpets
The seventh trumpet in Revelation 11 clearly sounds after the great tribulation events described earlier in Revelation. After sounding the seventh trumpet, chapter 12 then recapitulates and covers the entire tribulation period again but from a different perspective. This fits best with the seventh trumpet occurring at the end of the tribulation. By contrast, 1 Thessalonians 4 seems to fit best with New Testament passages about the rapture occurring before the tribulation (1 Thess 5:4, 9; 2 Thess 2:1-3; Rev 3:10). So the last trumpet may sound before the tribulation, while the seventh trumpet sounds at the end.
The “Last” Trumpet
Both are called the “last” trumpet. However, there are good reasons to doubt they must therefore be identified:
- The seventh trumpet is called the “third woe” and the last woe (Rev 11:14), linking it specifically to the series of trumpet judgments in Revelation. But there is no series mentioned with the “last” trumpet in 1 Thessalonians.
- “Last” may simply denote that these trumpets come at the end of the age and are the final ones to sound before Christ’s coming. For instance, even if mid-tribulation rapture was true, the rapture trumpet could still be called “last” as the final one before God’s wrath.
The Origins of the Teaching
Paul’s teaching on the rapture in 1 Thessalonians 4 is drawn from the words of Jesus about being taken in the parousia (Matt 24:30-31) and the teaching on the resurrection found in Daniel 12:1-3 and possibly Isaiah 27:12-13. None of these Old Testament backgrounds include any mention of seven trumpets or fit with the seventh trumpet of Revelation. So the seventh trumpet does not appear directly connected to what Paul says about the last trumpet and the rapture.
The Purposes of the Trumpets
The purpose and meaning of the two trumpets also seems quite different:
- The seventh trumpet announces the coming of God’s kingdom on earth, His victory over the kingdoms of the world, and the vindication of His people (Rev 11:15-18).
- By contrast, the last trumpet announces the resurrection and rapture of the church to meet Christ in the air, rather than establishing the kingdom on earth (1 Thess 4:16-17).
So the seventh trumpet relates to establishing God’s kingdom on earth and vindication at the second coming, while the last trumpet relates to resurrection and rapture of the saints. These appear to be separate purposes and events.
Problem Texts for Identifying the Trumpets
Identifying the last trumpet and seventh trumpet also creates problems with other rapture passages:
- In 1 Corinthians 15:52, Paul says the rapture will happen at the “last trumpet.” But he earlier includes the rapture as an event that precedes the millennial kingdom (1 Cor 15:23-24). This does not fit if the last trumpet is equated with the seventh trumpet, which announces the coming of the kingdom.
- In Revelation 10:7, John is told that the seventh trumpet will complete the mystery of God, which many see as God’s plan for the church including the rapture. But the church is still clearly present on earth in Revelation 11:1-13 after the seventh trumpet sounds.
These issues disappear if the last trumpet and seventh trumpet are seen as separate events.
Conclusion
There are good arguments on both sides of this issue. Ultimately, one’s conclusion is tied closely to one’s position on the timing of the rapture in relation to the tribulation. Those who hold to a post-tribulation rapture position tend to equate the last trumpet and seventh trumpet, seeing the rapture happening right at the end along with the second coming. By contrast, those who hold to a pre-tribulation or mid-tribulation rapture tend to view these as separate trumpet blasts, allowing for the rapture to occur earlier.
But based on the differences in timing, Old Testament origins, purposes, and problems created for other rapture passages, there are good exegetical reasons to view the last trumpet of 1 Thessalonians 4 and the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11 as separate events that announce distinct aspects of Christ’s second coming at different points in the end-times sequence.