The Resurrection at the Sound of the Trumpet – Matthew 24:29-31

The next passage we want to examine in regard to the resurrection at the sounding of the Trumpet is in the Olivet Discourse. Be sure to read the previous article.

Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem in classic Jewish apocalyptic language. In vs. 30-31 he said, “they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Jesus is speaking of judgment, the trump of God, and the gathering of God’s elect from the four corners of the world. Would any Jew even halfway conversant with the Old Covenant fail to think of Isaiah’s prediction of the sounding of the great trumpet when he heard Jesus’ words? We think not.

When did Jesus say that great trumpet was to blow and gather the elect? Read verse 34: “Truly I say to you this generation will not pass away until all things take place.” (As a correlative study one should consult a concordance on the “shout” of God.)

Now, consider the following:

If Isaiah 27:13 was a prediction of the resurrection of the dead at the sounding of the Trumpet (as the ancients and the commentators agree), and,

If Jesus in Matthew 24:31 was anticipating the fulfillment of Isaiah 27:13 as many, many commentators agree, then,

It must be true that in Matthew 24:31 Jesus was predicting the resurrection of the dead at the sounding of the trumpet.

But wait…

In Matthew 24:31 Jesus was predicting the resurrection of the dead at the sounding of the trumpet.

But, Jesus said that the events of Matthew 24:29-31 – which is inclusive of the resurrection of the dead at the sounding of the trumpet, would be in his generation (Matthew 24:34).

Therefore, Matthew 24:31-34 was a prediction of the resurrection of the dead at the sounding of the trumpet, and it would be fulfilled in his (Jesus’) first century generation.

Unless one can prove definitively that:

1. Isaiah 27:13 was not a prediction of the resurrection at the sounding of the Trumpet, or,

2. That Jesus was not citing Isaiah 27:13 in Matthew 24:31, then,

3. It follows inexorably that Matthew 24:31 was a prediction of the resurrection of the dead at the sounding of the trumpet, at Jesus’ coming in the judgment of Jerusalem in AD 70.

Needless to say, this is devastating to the Amillennial and Postmillennial world, both of which tell us that Matthew 24:29-34 is absolutely about Christ’s coming in AD 70! Essentially, by acknowledging this, they have surrendered their futurist eschatology.

More to come! In the meantime, be sure to get a copy of my book, Seventy Weeks Are Determined… For the Resurrection. It is a powerful, convincing study that proves that the resurrection was indeed at the end of the Old Covenant age, that took place with the dissolution of the city and the temple.

Source: Don K. Preston