PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE LAST DAYS

The Feast of Trumpets announces predictions about the last days of this world history.  It is the fourth annual Sabbath. And its message concerns the inhabitants living in the four cardinal points of the earth.  In addition, it calls to prepare spiritually our soul for Jesus’ Second Coming.

 

Signs as in Noah’s time

The message of the Feast of Trumpets is, first of all, a loving invitation to abandon all evil practices. The Lord is urging those that are spiritually far away from Him to turn back and do what is good. He is just and He will judge each human being according to his works . The global flood  at Noah’s time proves that GOD’s judgement on the entire humanity was real and can happen again.

Since creation, there have been two categories of people: first, the believers in GOD, second, the unbelievers. Yet, at the time of the flood, GOD brought salvation only to eight persons faithful to Him. In fact, «The LORD said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation”…. For after seven more days I will cause it to rain on the earth forty days and forty nights, and I will destroy from the face of the earth all living things that I have made.”

And Noah did according to all that the LORD commanded him. Noah was six hundred years old when the floodwaters were on the earth. So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood.» (Gen. 7:1, 4-7).

«Noah was a just man, perfect in his generation, Noah walked with God».  In addition, he warned his fellowmen for more than a century about the coming flood. Nevertheless, all remaining humanity «was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way» (Gen. 6:9,12). «The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually» (Gen. 6:5). So, He gave an end to that wicked, unbelieving, violent, and corrupt generation.

The LORD did not ask Moses to report the execution of His first executive judgment simply to satisfy men’s curiosity. Instead, He did it to inform that He has the authority and the power to execute it globally a second time. And, He will do it by, first, saving the believers, and, second by destroying the nonbelievers, this time by fire. Indeed, for our information and warning,  Jesus explained: «as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be» (Mat. 24:37,40,42,44).[i]

 

Signs as in Sodom and Gomorrah

We now see other signs warning humanity that Jesus’ Second Coming is near. Moreover, He informed, «Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all, even so will be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed» (Luke 17:28-30). Since Sodom and Gomorrah’s time, there have never been leaders of nations legitimating homosexuality, lesbianism, and other sexual perversions, as it has happened in this last decade (see Gen. 19:4-8).

Indeed, the inhabitants of those ancient cities lived just as some city-people do today. Thus, even to all modern corrupt metropolis, the LORD says, «look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthened the hand of the poor and needy… they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I took them away as I saw fit» (Ezek. 16:49-50). Truly, even the tragic end of Sodom and Gomorrah proclaims an urgent warning to  the cities’ inhabitants of our generation.

 

Wickedness in the secular world

The Feast of Trumpets is a period of reflection on our values and our relationship with God and Christ. Our society values mostly exterior appearances, what pleases the eyes, the ears and the flesh.  Yet, the evaluation performed in heaven does not only weighs exterior behavior.

In fact, GOD will judge our thoughts, beside our actions, and words (Heb. 4:12,13; see also Ps. 94:11; Mat. 9:4; 15:19; Mark 7:21; Luke 21:34; 1 Cor. 3:20). In addition, He will also evaluate our omissions to act in love, justice and truth. As a matter of fact, «who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin» (James 4:17).

Today more than ever, the three main characteristics of our generation are: violence, corruption and human idolatry. Which have nothing to do with the three main characteristics of the LORD’s government: love, justice and truth.

Let us not deceive ourselves by thinking that we can hide something to our heavenly Father. GOD knows all of all. In the times preceding the global flood, «the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually» (Gen. 6:5; 6-7). Even today the LORD sees in every man’s mind and life. He gave an end to Noah’s incurably wicked generation. Soon, He will also give an end to the wickedness and the abominations of today’s society.

 

Signs of wealth idolatry

Furthermore, our heavenly Father does not give material blessings to be put in saving accounts. Instead, He gives generously and unconditionally so that we may have, in our turn, the possibility to bless others. Therefore, if we have not been good administrators of GOD’s gifts, now is the time to correct our resource management. And drastically reduce the  expenses for vanities such as make up, nail polish, coffee, smoking, liquors, expensive recreational activities, etc… Tomorrow, it may be too late.

In fact, indifference toward those who suffer, is a sin. Avidity of material things or thirst of selfish pleasures that prevents to do good, is a sin. Greatness’ mania, selfishness, covetousness, and avarice are sins. For those who in their heart truly say: «Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your easy; eat, drink, and be marry» are sinning against God, Jesus, the Spirit and their fellowmen.

Thus, let each one do what is good, just and true. And prevent Jesus from declaring: «Fool! This night your soul will be required of you, then whose will those things be which you have provided?» In fact, «so is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God» (Luke 12:19-21).

 

Confusion in religious beliefs

Regrettably, today, there are people who, on one hand, profess to believe in the inspiration of Scripture. And on the other, they manifest a faith that contradicts its testimony. Some no longer believe in a Creator and in the creative process as explained by GOD and reported by Moses. Others are no persuaded that man is a creature in the image and likeness of His Creator (Gen. 1:26). And they uphold man’s evolution, instead of believing that humanity became prey of a process of involution and degeneration.[iii]

These believers do not recognize that this is the same presumption and arrogance of the Flood’s, Babel’s and Babylon’s society. Neither comprehend that it is also the most cunning deception of Satan, to get our Creator and Redeemer out of the picture and history of our world, and to blind minds on the project of redemption that Jesus is bringing to an end. Indeed, it is the old mice’s trap. Modern humanity has already fallen prey of it, even the many poor that run to and fro in search of a chimera in wealthier nations.[iv]

Solomon, the second most intelligent man that ever existed (the first is Jesus), knowing  that all men will be judged, concluded: «Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil» (Eccl. 12:13-14).

 

The seven trumpets

Christ provided the messages of the seven trumpets of Revelation 8:7-11:18, to help us believers identify the times preceding the end. And these messages contain predictions about enormous disasters that will become a reality.

1st trumpet
Devastation of one third (1/3) of the earth, trees and grass.

2nd trumpet
Extinction of one third (1/3) of the creatures living in the sea.

3rd trumpet
Pollution of one third (1/3) of the rivers and springs of water, causing the death of many people.

4th trumpet
Darkening of one third (1/3) of the sun, the moon and the stars.

5th trumpet
Fall of a star from heaven to earth (meteorite?), causing an opening from which ascends a smoke that darkens the sun and pollutes the air.

6th trumpet
Death of one third (1/3) of humanity, but the others not killed, do not repent and do not cease from worshipping demons, and idols.

7th trumpet
Fall of huge hailstones from heaven on unrepentant people.

Summarizing,«The seven trumpets of Revelation 8 to 11 portray warning and judgment, like the plagues on ancient Egypt (Exodus, chapters 7-11). The earlier trumpets indicate partial judgments (they were mixed with mercy so that they brought only a portion, spoken of as one third, of the punishment possible). They graphically portray God’s patience with, and mercy for, those who turn from Him. But in addition, the series culminates under the seventh trumpet in the real “Atonement Day,” that final judgment of men, which the yearly Jewish ceremony symbolized».[ii]

 

Signs in heaven

There is an urgent message to proclaim to our generation with a loud voice. It is that the light of the sun will «be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD» (Joel 2:31, see also all the three chapters of Joel for a clear description of the last events).  «“It shall come to pass in that day,” says the LORD God, “that I will darken the earth in broad daylight”» (Am. 8:9).

Moreover, Scripture does not inform on the hour of the end (Mt 24:36; 24; 25). Nevertheless, this earth, heaven and humanity have very short time left.  Most of the last-days evil features and events predicted by Jesus and the seven trumpets (Rev. 8-14) are already reality. Logically, our earth is now agonizing in the last years of its desolate existence.

Never before, the atmosphere had been damaged to the point of changing the global climate. Today, the air of cities is so polluted to put at risk the health of billion of people and animals. And the higher air temperature is reducing the sources of water and cereals, causing starvation and suffering as never before.

 

Sign on earth

Never before, the earth’s interiors had been robbed of its mineral riches to the point of convulsing the ecosystem. And its surface depleted of its vegetable cover, and predated of great part of its animal residents.

Never before, the rivers, seas, and oceans had been so polluted.  And the most vulnerable of humanity so abused and damaged, under the eyes of a powerless majority.

Never before, had statistics told that our planet is overpopulated and that its resources are rapidly diminishing.  That there could be a worldwide recession and an earthly resources’ collapse bringing even more famines, and pestilences (See Mat. 24:6).

And all this, at present, is the most evident warning that God is deeply grieved. And that the day of His judgment of condemnation on those that are destroying His earthly creation is imminent as never before (Rev. 11:18).

 

Believe in Christ’s Predictions 

God truly is in control of everything in the least detail. The predictions already fulfilled prove it. His good purpose for us repentant believers and the earth strands firm and inexorable against all evil woes. He will fulfill at the perfect time all His prophecies.

At this point, it should be said that Jesus established the essential purpose of prophecy when He stated: «Now I tell you before it come, that, when it come to pass, you may believe that I am he» (John 13:19). This declaration indicates that we need only to study prophecies with a humble mind and continually, in order to keep them in mind. And then, we need to watch carefully the global signs that are and will be objectively evident.

Until this happens there can not be dogmatic interpretations, but only human hypothesis. Which will be proved right or wrong when the events they predict will occur in all their characteristics. No need, therefore, to content with people for formulating a different hypothesis than the main stream. At the fullness of times GOD Himself will give the proofs that are needed for the verification and exact identification of an event. For if prophecy’s interpretation «is of men, it will come to nothing» but if it is by the Spirit of God «You cannot overthrow it» (Acts 5: 38).

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[i]  It is interesting to notice that Jesus mentions all the times that we will not know the  exact  hour and the day He will come back, (Mat. 25:13), never the month or the year! It’s no by chance that He does so

[ii] Seventh-Day Adventist Church, These Times, Special Issue, The amazing prophecies  of Daniel and Revelation, (Nashville, TN: Southern Publishing Association of SDA, 1979), Volume 88, No. 4, April, 1979, p. 42.

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The last acclamation

GOD will fulfill the prophetic message of the Feast of Trumpets perfectly on time. He will act with His own extraordinary trumpet. Exactly in «the seventh month, on the first day of the month», of the last sacred year of our present history we will hear His trumpets sound. His true worshippers will understand that this appointment is also for the last-day people on earth. So that they may rejoice exceedingly as they see their final and complete redemption approaching in ten days.

Do not doubt. The Feast of Trumpets will be real. Christ respected the appointment’s dates of the first four feasts of the LORD. And He completely fulfilled them, making their blessings an eternal reality, about two thousand years ago. In the same manner, He will respect the date and completely fulfill the message of this annual Sabbath day.

As usual, the LORD Himself will help sincere and faithful believers to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets. They will meet in a most «holy convocation» and their heart will be unanimously united in prayer, repentance, confession and anticipation.  In that annual holy day, they will «not do customary work». Moreover, they will dedicate their time and energies to prepare for welcoming their soon coming King.

It will be the «day of blowing the trumpets» more extraordinary and spectacular that the world has ever heard, seen and experienced (Num. 29:1, 2-6). It will be the last acclamation of the LORD that only ten days of probation are remaining to repent and be saved.

 

A period of tribulation

The ten days between the Feast of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement remind also of the ten plagues that stroke Egypt. Which served as partial judgments on the Egyptians who didn’t want to let Israel go to worship GOD. Consequently, the ten days of the Feast of Trumpets will serve as signs of the end. Firstly, they will be signs of the imminent deliverance of the last-day people believing in the Lamb of GOD.  Secondly, they will be signs of the judgment of condemnation for the incredulous, rebellious and unrepentant.

In ancient times, the Father sent Moses and Aaron to tell pharaoh, «Thus says the LORD God of Israel: “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me”», (Ex. 5:1). Similarly in the last Feast of Trumpets soon to come, the Father will send two holy spiritual messengers[ix] to Satan, and they will tell him, «Thus says the LORD God of Israel: “Let My people go, that they may hold a feast to Me”». Satan will resist and will refuse, as did pharaoh.

Then, the two witness of God (see Rev. 11: 3-11) will target all Satan’s human partners on earth with the seven plagues that the LORD will send by the agency of seven holy angels. These seven plagues will produce tremendous pain to the unrepentant transgressors of God’s law, and the unbelievers in His Son. And finally, they will also destroy “Babylon”, the spiritual and moral “Confusion”, the deceptive and oppressive government of Satan. Which prevented many from acknowledging who is the true King of heaven and earth (see Rev. 15:6-18:24).

 

Wicked nations will fall

In that ultimate Trumpets Day, GOD’s people will watch astonished in anticipation of the wonders of their almighty GOD. Among the predictions about the last days of this world history there are signs in the heaven. And it seems that the astronomers have identified a great meteorite that has the potential to intersect with the Earth’s orbit around the year 2027. If this great meteorite will strike the earth, our globe could convulse and life cease to exist. Only getting too close, it could devastate our ecosystem forever. Because of this risk, scientists are elaborating a strategy to explode this meteorite in space or to change its course before it strikes our globe.[x]

But human efforts will be in vain if this meteorite is in reality the “stone”  Daniel saw in vision (Dan.2). The one «which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces» (Dan. 2:34).  The “feet” and the “toes” that prophetically represent the last wicked nations of the world. Those that Christ will destroy at His Second Coming. After which, finally, the «God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people;… it shall stand forever» (Dan. 2:44).

 

The three angels’ message  

Predictions about the last days of this world history include also the message of three angels of GOD. John foresaw what theese messengers would do during the last Feast of Trumpets.

The first angel will address to humanity the last invitation: «Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water» (Rev. 14:6-7).

Following, a second angel will acclaim: «Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication» (Rev. 14:8).

And finally, a third angel will warn with a thundering voice: «If anyone worships the beast, and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wrath of God which is poured out…in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb» (Rev. 14:9-10).  The «beast, and his image» are two evil invisible entities which oppress, kill and destroy humanity.

There is an urgent need to study seriously the precious predictions reported by Daniel and John. As it is important to enclose them within the scenario and time frame of the seven annual feasts. This because only those people that deeply study GOD’s Word will fully understand GOD’s plan for the salvation of believers. Indeed, only the spiritually «wise»  will comprehend  that Christ is now performing the evaluation of each person (Dan. 12:10).  And He is writing in the Book of Life the names of who will be in GOD’s Kingdom (Dan. 7:10).

 

Signs preceding Jesus’ return

The real and ultimate Feast of Trumpets will warn that the end will be coming in ten literal days. We know that «surely the LORD does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servant the prophets» (Am. 3:7).

Here is another prediction of GOD about the Last Day of this human history. «Behold the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it waste, distorts its surface and scatters abroad its inhabitants. And it shall be: as with the people, so with the priest; as with the servant, so with his master; as with the maid, so with her mistress; as with the buyer, so with the seller; as with the lender, so with the borrower; as with the creditor, so with the debtor».

«The land shall be entirely emptied and utterly plundered, for the LORD has spoken this word. The earth mourns and fades away, the world languishes and fades away; the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left» (Isa. 24:1-6).

 

The trumpets of the King

Confirming the testimonies of the prophets, Jesus said: «Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven… So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near – at the doors! » (Mat. 24: 29-33).

Summarizing, for GOD’s people, the Feast of Trumpets is «God’s solemn call to attention in prospect to the very special causes for joy», the seventh and last month of our world’s history will bring with it.[xi] In fact, this feast which starts the «ten days of awe»[xii] precedes the happiest days of all. These are the Day of Atonement and the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Looking forward to that ultimate joy, let us celebrate, year after year, the Feast of Trumpets. Very soon, «the LORD Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God» (1 Thes. 4:16). And He will call His chosen and saved saints to be «always» with Him.

 

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[i]  Seventh-day Adventists, General Conference  Ministerial Association, Seventh-day Adventist Believe… A Biblical Exposition of Fundamental Doctrines, (Boise, ID: Pacific Press Pub. Asso., 2006) , p. 356-360.

[ii] J.L. Porter, p. 586.

[iii] See on internet: youtube.com “evidence for giants nephilim rephaim  Anunaki” for the discoveries of giant humans that lived before the flood (Gen. 6:4,5). They were evolved intelligent beings, giants that lived more or less the age of Adam, 930 years! (Gen. 5:5, 6-32).       It is recommended the reading of  Evolution… Fact or Fallacy? Published by the Stewarton Bible School. This free booklet is available at: www.sbs777.org.uk .

[iv] On the other side, thank God He is using the great immigrations of the poor to make the knowledge of His Son’s sacrifice for our salvation increase in all corners of the earth (see Dan. 12:4).

[v] Seventh-Day Adventist Church, The Gospel, 1844 and the Judgment, p. 143.

[vi] Ibid., p.145.

[vii]  It is interesting to notice that Jesus mentions only that we will not know the exact  hour and the day He will come back, (Mat. 25:13), never the month or the year! In fact, with the rotation of the earth, believers may find themselves in a different hour and day at His return.

[viii] Seventh-Day Adventist Church, These Times, Special Issue, The amazing prophecies  of Daniel and Revelation, (Nashville, TN: Southern Publishing Association of SDA, 1979),Volume 88, No. 4, April, 1979, p. 42.

[ix] There are various interpretations concerning the two witnesses «standing before the God of the earth» (Rev. 11:3-11). They could be the two universal group of people proclaiming GOD’s Law and the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, (prophetic fulfillment).

[x] More information can be searched on internet under the title: Meteorite 2027. Remarkably, the Lord has always used His heavenly and earthly creation and natural laws to act, either for blessing and warning, or  punishing and correcting men (rain – drought, plagues in Egypt, etc.).

Some may think that the «stone» reported in Daniel 2 is just symbolic.  Yet, only when this prophecy will «come to pass», we’ll be sure of its meaning.

[xi] C.M. Laymon, p. 81.

[xii] Holman, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, TN, 2003), 572.