1Co 15:52 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.
Some say that the "last trumpet" here refers to the last trumpet of the seven trumpets mentioned in the book of Revelation. That would place the Church in the Tribulation Period. Other portions of Scriptures, however, when considered, are clear on the fact that the Church will not go through the Tribulation Period.
I believe that the "last trumpet" mentioned here refers to the marching-away trumpet so commonly known in the 1st century among Roman soldiers. There were three trumpet calls for Roman soldiers.
The first trumpet was a call for them to rise and stand on their feet. The second trumpet was a call for them to fall in line. While the third and last trumpet was a call for them to march away.
1 Corinthians 15:52 is closely connected to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, the famous Rapture passage of the Bible.
1Th 4:16 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.
17 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.
1Co 15:52 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.
The last trumpet of 1 Cor. 15:52 is the trumpet of God in 1 Thes. 4:16. At the Rapture, our Commander will order the trumpet call to be made which would signal the Church of God to march away into heaven with the Lord.
It is called the "last" trumpet not because there will be preceding trumpet calls. No, rather it is a technical term that specifically pertains to the widely-known marching-away trumpet call. The term "last trumpet" was used to make it clear and plain that the call would not be for rising up and getting ready (as in the first trumpet call) or falling in line (as in the second trumpet call) but to march away.
It is not surprising that the Church of God is treated like soldiers because they ARE. Ever heard of the hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers?" Read Ephesians 6 and acquaint yourself with the Christian's battle armor.
The Rapture is the Christian's march to headquarters for rewards for his service down here.
