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.
Truth to Learn
The rapture is a loud event and a time of celebration.
Behind the Words
The word “Himself” is translated from autos, meaning “self.” It is used as an intensifier which sets apart the person from everyone and anything else.
“Descend” is from katabainō, composed of kata, meaning “down” and bainō, meaning “to come” or “to go.”
Ouranos is the Greek word translated “heaven.” It is perhaps based on the obsolete word oros, referring to an elevated spot. Jewish tradition holds that there are three heavens, the atmosphere of the earth, the physical universe, and God’s dwelling place or God’s throne room.
“Shout” is from keleusma, which refers to the loud war cry of soldiers rushing into battle, both to excite their fellow soldiers into action and to frighten the enemies.
“Archangel” is from archangelos, which is composed of archon, meaning “chief” and angelos, meaning “a messenger.”
Salpinx is the Greek word translated “trumpet.” It can refer to the instrument specifically, or to the sound the trumpet makes.
The word translated “rise” is anastēmi, which we saw in verse fourteen in reference to our Lord’s resurrection. It means “to stand up” or “to rise up.”
Meaning Explained
This verse, along with the next one, gives a very succinct description of the rapture of the church. The first thing we learn here is that the Lord (Jesus Christ) will descend from heaven. In verse fourteen we learned that He will be bringing those who “sleep in Jesus” with him when He comes. The next thing that we learn is that He will come with a loud shout, a shout of celebration, to stir up His saints. This loud war cry will be “with the voice of an archangel.” This can be interpreted one of two ways: either a chief among the angels will be the one shouting, or our Lord will shout with a voice like an archangel. Since Jesus is referred to as The Angel of God throughout the Old Testament, He Himself could be the archangel spoken of. And, this battle cry is accompanied by the trumpet of God.
In 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 there is another description of the rapture. In that verse we are told that it will occur at “the last trumpet.” Because of this, some Christians believe that this is the same as the last of the seven trumpet judgments spoken of in Revelation 11:15. They believe that this seventh trumpet occurs near the middle of the tribulation period; therefore, the rapture will occur “mid-trib.” However, the trumpet sound in today’s verse is “a call to action and celebration” whereas the trumpet sound in Revelation 11:15 is a pronouncement of judgment and woe. Also, a close study of Revelation shows that the seven trumpets occur toward the end of the tribulation, not in the middle. Just because two things are described in a similar manner does not mean they are the same thing.
Application
When we hear the trumpet call at the time of the rapture, we will be filled with joy and we will be changed. Rejoice my friends, for the time of celebration is very near.
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2012 Will Krause. All rights reserved