Page 84 - Prophetic Word Newsletters Archive 2006 by Pastor Randy Shupe

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A total of forty years separates the writing of First Corinthians and the book
of Revelation! In fact, Paul was dead and buried 28 years before John
wrote the book of Revelation, for he was martyred in 68 A.D.

PAUL WROTE HIS REVELATION 40 YEARS! JOHN WROTE HIS REVELATION
OF “THE LAST TRUMPET” IN OF “THE 7 TRUMPETS” IN
1CORINTHIANS IN THE YEAR REVELATION IN THE YEAR

Neither Paul nor the early church of his day, could have drawn the conclusion that “the last trumpet” of the
rapture is one and the same as the seventh trumpet of Revelation. This conclusion has been solely drawn
by “the latter-day saints,” and I don’t mean the Mormons! It is the Christian church today that makes the
hasty assumption that Paul’s reference can be none other than the seventh trumpet of Revelation. Why is
this so? I believe it is because of the general disdain for and rejection by the church of for anything that is
in the Old Testament that is associated with the Law of God. Paul has no such disdain, but rather makes
the following positive expressions about the contents of the law such as:

“FOR THE LAW, HAVING A SHADOW OF THE GOOD THINGS TO COME, AND NOT THE VERY
IMAGE OF THE THINGS…” Heb. 10:1

“…REGARDING A FEAST DAY, OR A NEW MOON OR SABBATHS, WHICH ARE A SHADOW OF
THINGS TO COME, BUT THE SUBSTANCE IS OF CHRIST” Col. 2:16-17

The church today does not ask of God as did the psalmist of old:

“OPEN MY EYES, THAT I MAY SEE WONDROUS THINGS FROM YOUR LAW.” Psm. 119:18

Because the church will not doctrinally look backward for revelation and insight through the type and

shadow of God’s law, they can only leap forward to the contents of Revelation for the meaning of “the last

trumpet.” It is significant that Paul makes no attempt to clarify or explain what the revelation of “the last

trumpet” might be. It is stated so simply that it appears that all understood what was meant by it. This is

due to the teaching methods of the apostle Paul. He taught Gentile believers, like those in Corinth, with

Old Testament type and shadow. There is a greater underlying theme in First Corinthians than just the

resurrection of the dead and the rapture, and it has to do with the Levitical Law of the Feasts. Paul makes

this illuminating statement based on God’s law:

“CHRIST IS RISEN FROM In describing Christ’s resurrection
THE DEAD AND HAS from the dead, Paul refers to Him as “the
BECOME Firstfruits.” This is a direct reference back to
the type and shadow of the seven feasts of the
THE FIRSTFRUITS…. Lord given in Leviticus 23. The third feast listed
is Firstfruits. Jesus Christ raised from the
…ALL SHALL BE MADE grave not on the pagan day celebrated as
ALIVE. BUT EACH ONE “Easter,” but rather on the very biblical and
propheticalyl appointed day of Firstfruits stated
IN HIS OWN ORDER. in the Levitical Law. As the Old Testament
CHRIST priest would wave the Firstfruit offering from
the harvest before the people on this appointed
THE FIRSTFRUITS, day, Jesus Christ, the true Firstfruits offering,

AFTERWARD THOSE was raised from the dead.
WHO ARE CHRIST’S
AT HIS COMING…”

1Cor. 15:20-23

Notice that Paul, after making the statement “Christ the Firstfruits,” then makes reference to the
resurrection of the rest of the dead that is to take place (1) “each one in his own order” and (2) “afterward,
those who are Christ’s at His coming.” The revelation of the mystery of the rapture with its “last trumpet”
follows these comments. Paul has in mind the next feast that is in chronological order that will (1) raise
the dead and (2) rapture the living. It is the feast of Trumpets that Paul has in mind in addressing “the last
trumpet” that heralds in the rapture of those believers found faithfully living in Christ at His coming.