Sadly, many are spiritually dead or asleep and will miss out on the next greatest happening of the ages. We need to sound the bugle, blow the trumpet. The United States Army, particularly the Cavalry, has been known for its bugle call of rallying the troops. Armies of ancient history blew trumpets to signal the troops and to initiate royal announcements. Moses went up God’s holy mountain to receive the Ten Commandments and meet with God as celestial trumpets sounded. Joshua led the Israelites around the city of Jericho as trumpets blared. Gideon’s army blew trumpets and broke lamps as they marched in triumph. The Jewish Priests were to blow rams horns as they ushered in each new feast that looked to the coming Messiah.

One day soon the last trumpet will sound summoning God’s people, the church, made up of all born again blood-washed believers, home to heaven. Then will come the Great Tribulation of God’s wrath and judgment on those who reject the salvation of His son. Then shall the King of Kings and Lord of Lords come back with the armies of heaven to defeat satan, the antichrist, and his followers.

Many are asking, “Are we living in the end times?” Politicians talk about a “New World Order”. Scientists warn us of doomsday. Many magazines and books have headlined prophetic and end of the age themes. Newsweek in the November 1, 1999 issue had on its front cover along with an artist’s illustration of millennial events “Prophecy – what the Bible says about the end of the world!” Many wonder if scenes described by what some call “the four horseman of the Apocalypse” is about to come upon the world as portrayed in the book of Revelation. Many view the attack on America on September 11, 2001 as a wake up call.

Whatever one’s theological views may be concerning end-time events, one thing is certain – Jesus, who died on the cross for the sins of the world, who was buried, arose on the third day and ascended back into heaven, said He would come again. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3, 28). Christ’s coming is the believer’s “Blessed Hope” - our comfort and joy.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, an angel reminded the disciples “He will come again” (Acts 1:11). At the close of the book of Revelation, Jesus repeatedly said, “And behold I am coming quickly. . . “ (Revelation 22:7, 12, 20). The Apostle Paul prophesied “With regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him”,

(II Thessalonians 2:1). “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air and thus we shall always be with the Lord” (I Thessalonians 4:15, 16 NASB).

No one knows for certain when Christ will return. But Christians living today have more reason than those of any generation before us to believe that Christ could come in our lifetime. (See Matthew 24:32-24.) When you examine all of the “signs of the times” that have been fulfilled in our lifetime, you have to believe the coming of Christ is very near. As Jesus said, “Near, even at the door.”

The last trumpet is soon to sound announcing the coming of Christ and the gathering of His “children” to Him. Are you ready or would you be left behind? No one has a guarantee of tomorrow. For some the last trumpet could sound tonight. Paul said, “If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed (doomed). Our Lord, Come! (Maranatha)”
(I Corinthians 16:22 NLT).

You can be sure that when the last trumpet sounds you can be ready to go.
A - Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

B - Believe in Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

C - Confess and leave your sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)