The Last Trump and the Hope of the Rapture: A Biblical Look at Christ's Return

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
—1 Thessalonians 4:18 (KJV)

Confusion surrounds the return of Christ, particularly regarding the "last trump" mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 4. Yet when we carefully study Scripture, using Scripture to interpret Scripture, a clear, hope-filled message emerges: Jesus will come for His Bride before He pours out His wrath upon the earth.

The Last Trump: A Voice Like a Trumpet

In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the Apostle Paul writes:

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
—1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (KJV)

Notice carefully: The Lord Himself descends—with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God. No mention here of other angels sounding their trumpets. This is not the series of trumpet judgments in Revelation 8-11, blown by angels to initiate devastating events. Rather, it is Christ's triumphant call to His Bride.

This “trump of God” is a voice, not a physical trumpet blast. Revelation 4:1 echoes this:

“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
—Revelation 4:1 (KJV)

John’s personal rapture experience mirrors what believers will experience at the true gathering of the Church.

Distinguishing the Rapture from the Second Coming

The Rapture (1 Thessalonians 4) and Christ’s Second Coming (Zechariah 14:4) are separate, distinct events:

  • Rapture: Christ meets us in the clouds; His feet do not touch the earth.

  • Second Coming: Christ descends to the earth, standing on the Mount of Olives.

At the Rapture, Jesus comes alone to gather His Church. At His Second Coming, He returns with all His saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 1:14).

The Rapture is a rescue mission. The Second Coming is a righteous take over to judge and reign.

God's Wrath Begins at the Opening of the Seals

Many believe God's wrath starts with the bowl judgments later in Revelation. Yet Scripture shows wrath begins as soon as the Lamb opens the first seal:

“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals...”
—Revelation 6:1 (KJV)

The very act of Christ opening the seals releases judgment. When the first rider—the Antichrist—emerges (Revelation 6:2), the end-times tribulation and God's judicial wrath have already begun.

Later in Revelation 6:16-17, even the unbelievers recognize:

“Hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”
—Revelation 6:16-17 (KJV)

Wrath is not delayed. It starts immediately when Christ executes judgment.

Patterns of Rescue Before Wrath

Throughout Scripture, God consistently removes His faithful before unleashing judgment:

  • Noah was protected before the flood (Genesis 7:1).

  • Lot was removed before Sodom’s destruction (Genesis 19:22).

  • Rahab was secured before Jericho’s fall (Joshua 6:25).

This pattern testifies that God's people are not appointed to wrath:

“For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.”
—1 Thessalonians 5:9 (KJV)

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
—Revelation 3:10 (KJV)

The tribulation is Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7)—a time designed to bring Israel back to their Messiah—not to punish the Church, who has already believed.

The Comfort and Certainty of the Blessed Hope

The Rapture is called a comfort, not a terror:

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
—1 Thessalonians 4:18 (KJV)

Paul did not warn believers to brace for the Tribulation’s horrors. Instead, he encouraged them with the promise of Christ’s imminent return to take them home.

Yes, Christians have faced persecution for millennia. But persecution from men is not the same as wrath from God. The Tribulation is uniquely defined as the outpouring of divine judgment upon a rebellious world.

Final Call: Be Ready

Jesus is coming for His Bride. The trumpet voice will sound. The door will open. Those alive in Christ will be caught up to meet Him in the clouds.

Today is the day to examine your heart. Are you ready?

The Gospel is simple:

1. Recognize you are a sinner (Romans 3:23).
2. Believe Christ died and rose for you (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
3. Repent and trust in Him alone for salvation (Acts 16:31).

Do not harden your heart in these final moments. The hope of the Rapture is for those who belong to Jesus.

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.”
—Titus 2:13 (KJV)

Stay ready. Stay hopeful. Stay in Christ.

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