When the Trumpet Sounds

“I did not see a temple in the city” (Revelation 21:22). This was the city of God, the Holy City, as described by the Apostle John in his vision of heaven, while exiled on the Island of Patmos. There was no need for a temple because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb were themselves the temple, enthroned in that Holy Place surrounded by angels and constantly worshipped. It was a place of purity, holiness and righteousness beyond any imagination. ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, Who was and is and is to come’ (Revelation 4:8).

Day and night the adoration continued, only there was no day, and no night. There was no need for the sun or the moon, for the glory of God was the Light. Nothing impure was allowed access nor anyone tainted by sin; only those whose names were written in the Lamb’s book of Life (Revelation 21:27).

A loud voice came from the throne: "God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:3-4).

We will all be changed, in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, when the last trumpet sounds and when the dead are raised. But this is not the end.

Jesus said to Mary, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended..” (John 20:17). He knew where He was going. He was returning to the Father.

Do we know where we are going?

‘For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever’ (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Jesus made the way: “Into Your hands I commit my Spirit” (Luke 23 46). He had finished the work He was called to do. ‘For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive’ (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Let’s live the new life of Christ now, life in all its fullness, as opened up for us by the Holy Spirit. And so, look forward to a glorious eternity. ‘He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him’ (1 Thessalonians 5:10). Life in Christ goes on, and on, into His glorious Presence.