A Response to Tiff Shuttlesworth’s “The Last Trumpet in Revelation”
Eli Kittim
Tiff Shuttlesworth is the President/Founder of Lost Lamb Evangelistic Association at Northpoint Bible College and Seminary. He is also a well-known pastor and Bible prophecy teacher who holds to the pretribulational view of the rapture. His videos on bible prophecy are very popular on YouTube and elsewhere. Recently, I came across a video by Tiff Shuttlesworth, entitled, “The Last Trumpet in Revelation.” In that video, Shuttlesworth took issue with the mid and post tribulation rapture views and publicly denounced them as “poor scholarship.”
In this video, Tiff Shuttlesworth says that the last (or 7th) trumpet in Rev 11:15 is not the same as “the last trumpet” in 1 Cor. 15:51-52, and that it also bears no relation to “the trumpet of God” in 1 Thess. 4:16-17, chronologically or otherwise. He is in error. They are the same. He offers some tendentious reasons why this is so, but they are all based on a basic misunderstanding and misinterpretation of scripture. He says that 1 Cor. 15 is talking about the church, whereas Rev 11 is referring to the judgments of God, and he claims that not only is the timing of these events different but also “the last trumpet” in 1 Cor. 15:51-52 is not the same as the last (or 7th) trumpet in Rev 11.15. As will be shown, this is not the case. The reason he tries to dissociate the last trumpet of 1 Cor. 15:51-52 from the 7th and final trumpet in the Book of Revelation is because Rev ch. 11 implies that the last trumpet takes place AFTER the great tribulation, not before. It is similar to Matt. 24:29-31 (NASB) in which the rapture of the elect occurs AFTER, not before, the great tribulation. Notice that the rapture will begin “with a great trumpet blast” (italics mine):
“But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. … and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with a great trumpet blast, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”
So, because Tiff Shuttlesworth is a pre-tribulationist, he obviously wants to dismiss this piece of evidence, which challenges his pre-tribulation rapture view. Naturally, he tries to argue that these passages are diametrically opposed to each other. But this is poor scholarship. As we dig deeper, we realize that they’re very much connected. Moreover, since they are inspired, we must read the books of the Bible in “canonical context,” rather than as separate books that are unrelated to each other.
It is interesting to note that Rev 11, just before introducing the 7th trumpet, mentions the rapture of the two witnesses. And it follows with a celebration of the church triumphant, in heaven, which foresees the reign of Christ. Interestingly enough, Rev 11 makes mention of the esteemed tribulation saints, otherwise known as “the twenty-four elders”——whom we know from chapter 4—-in order to inform us that the great tribulation, the general resurrection of the dead, and the rapture are in view. Revelation 11:18 reads thusly:
“and the time came for the dead to be judged, and the time to reward Your bond-servants the prophets and the saints.”
This is a direct reference to the general resurrection of the dead, that we’re all familiar with from 1 Thess. 4:15-17, which happens simultaneously with the rapture, when the faithful will be rewarded with immortality and glory (theosis). They will shine. There is no other resurrection of the dead (Dan. 12:1-2). This is it! Similarly, 1 Thess. 4:16-17 says that Christ will appear for the resurrection and the rapture with the sound of God’s trumpet:
“For the Lord Himself will descend … with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
First Corinthians 15:51-52 further clarifies that all this will take place “at the last trumpet”:
“Behold, I am telling you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
So, when is the last trumpet? According to Rev 11:15, the last (or 7th) trumpet is blown during the time period when the Lord’s Messiah begins to reign over the entire world. So, it is obviously a period that takes place AFTER the great tribulation, not before. Rev 11:15-17 reads:
“Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.’ And the twenty-four elders, who sit on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, ‘We give You thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign.’ “
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HANDLING THE STORMS OF LIFE
24. "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25. "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
26. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
27. "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
Matthew 7:24-27(NKJV)
• Figuratively, storms of life meant challenges of life.
- Storms meant the problems that one encounters in life.
- There may be storms, challenges, in your marriage, career, finances, health and whatever. Be assured, you will not perish in the storm.
• Truths about storms, challenges, of life:
1. Storms, challenges, are common to everyone; even those who are not in Christ, unbelievers, experience storms.
"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man..."
1Corithians 10:13(NKJV)
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you."
1 Peter 4:12(NKJV)
"Resist him (the devil), steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."
1 Peter 5:9(NKJV)
- The two buildings in our text, Matthew 7:24-27, were exposed to the same climatic problems.
- It means what you are passing through is not special– it is not peculiar.
- It is not something God cannot handle– He can handle it, and He is abundantly able.
2. Know that your problems or challenges are not new for: "...there is nothing new under the sun."
Ecclesiastes 1:9(NKJV)
- Whatever you are passing through is not new, some have experienced similar thing in the past, and they came out of it successfully.
3. Know that the storm is not meant to kill you, but to expand or increase you.
- The storms of life make you strong.
- Persecution does not destroy the people of God, it only expands and increases them.
- The more the Israelites were oppressed in Egypt, the more they increased in number, and their increase was a threat to Pharaoh and all the Egyptians (Exodus 1:7,11,12).
4. Know that there is a way out of the storms– the problems.
"... but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."
1 Corinthians 10:13(NKJV)
• Benefits of Storms
- Learn how to derive benefits in every difficult situation (Romans 8:28).
- Every problem has a purpose and the benefits you can derive from it – if you care to know.
a. Storms, challenges, move you closer to God (Psalm 119:67,71).
b. Storms, challenges, make you grow– they lead to maturity.
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
2 Corinthians 4:17(NKJV)
c. Through storms, challenges, you see farther (Genesis 13:14).
~ In fact when you face challenges, it may be God calling your attention to something you have not seen before (Exodus 3:1-10).
~ If God wants to move you to another level in your walk with Him, He may touch your comfort – allow challenges.
d. Storms make you wait on God, thus you have encounter with Him, and that gives you a fresh vision – it reveals the plan of God to you (Habakkuk 2:1-3).
~ It is in the process of waiting on God, at the time of tribulation, that you receive direction, vision – God's plan for your journey in life.
~ God used the Burning Bush to beckon to Moses i.e. to call him; and He told him about the assignment He had for him (Exodus 3:1-10).
~ The truth is, God wants to get your attention through that prolonged problem – He wants to draw your attention to Himself, and to a particular assignment He has for you.
• At times God uses storms, problems, as instruments of direction.
• When you face challenges– the storms of life:
- Always remember the storm is not meant to kill you, but to expand you.
- Know that God loves you, and He will not reward you with evil, because you seek Him.
"... and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6(NKJV)
You will come out of every storm victoriously in Jesus name.
• Precautions:
(I) Do not speak against God or the delegated authority over your life – your pastor.
~ God is not the cause of your problems neither your pastor (1Corinthians 14:33).
~ Devil is the author and the cause of evil (John 10:10).
(II) Do not compromise your faith, do not lower your standards (Hebrews 10:35-39).
~ Do not allow sin in your life because of your predicament.
(III) Be faithful in your commitment in God's vineyard– your assignment in God (2Corinthians 4:16-18).
~ Be faithful in your services: in your work in the vineyard of God, in using your time, and in giving of your substance.
~ Do not stop working for God, and do not work with levity, triviality, because of the problem you are passing through (1Corinthians15:58).
(IV) Do not run after false prophets (2Corinthians 11:5,13,14; Hebrews 13:8,9).
- Do not believe there is one eminent apostle or prophet somewhere that can help you out of your problems.
- Stay where God has divinely planted you (Ephesians 4:14).
5. "For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles.
13. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ,
14. And no wonder! For satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."
2 Corinthians 11:5,13,14(NKJV)
(V) Do not murmur, complain, or wear mournful look; that people may pity you (1Corinthians 10:10,11).
- Murmurings and complaints prolong captivity.
- Israelites journey in the wilderness was prolonged, because of murmurings and complaints (Exodus 16:2; Numbers 14:2,26-29).
(VI) Do not go back to your unbelieving friends for help, they may introduce you to another god– idolatry (Hebrews 3:12; 10:23,35,36).
(VII) Do not leave your spouse– do not break your marriage because of challenges. Stay together, you will overcome (Hebrews 13:4).
• Wisdom is needed
- For you to stand against the storms of life and prevail, you need the wisdom of God.
~ Be a student of the Word and a doer of it (James 1:22-25).
~ The Scriptures make wise (2 Timothy 3:15).
~ Live in line with the word of God (James 1:25).
~ Reading, studying and meditating in the word of God is the only way out (Joshua 1:8).
- Some think the way of the Word of God is too slow, they are looking for a quicker way to get solution to their problems.
- The truth is, there is no shortcut anywhere except the way of the Word.
• Conclusion
- Whoever hears the sayings of Jesus and does them is a wise person, and one who does not do them is a foolish person (Matthew 7:24,26).
- You overcome the storms of life by doing the sayings of the Lord Jesus Christ– the Word of God.
Peace!
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