What Will the Trumpet Sound Like When Jesus Returns?
The return of Jesus Christ is a coming, colossal event that will usher in the eternal kingdom of God. In the Bible, there is vivid imagery used to describe Jesus’ return, and the sound of the trumpet occupies a central place. The trumpet blast is a deeply symbolic motif that threads through both the Old and New Testaments. This article will explore what the trumpet will sound like when Jesus returns and the meaning behind the sound.
The Trumpet in Biblical Tradition
In ancient Israel, trumpets–particularly the shofar (ram’s horn) and the silver trumpets–were used for a variety of purposes: to summon the congregation (Numbers 10:2-3), to signal war (Joshua 6:4-5), to announce festivals (Leviticus 23:24), and to mark the presence of God (Exodus 19:16, 19). The trumpet was a sound that called people to attention, to assembly, to action, and to awe.
The Feast of Trumpets, known as Rosh Hashanah, is especially relevant. This festival was marked by the blowing of trumpets as a sacred assembly and a call to repentance and reflection (Leviticus 23:23-25). It is no coincidence that the first fall festival day is Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets. After Jesus returns, he will judge the earth. This is the fulfillment of the next fall festival, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The trumpet, therefore, is a symbol of divine intervention and the heralding of a new era.
The Trumpet and the Return of Jesus
The New Testament picks up this rich symbolism and applies it directly to the return of Jesus. The clearest references are found in Paul’s letters and the book of Revelation. Paul writes to the Thessalonians: “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)
Similarly, in his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul declares: “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall 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 shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
The book of Revelation also describes a series of trumpet blasts that herald the unfolding of God’s final purposes (Revelation 8-11), culminating in the seventh trumpet, which announces the kingdom of God and the reign of Christ (Revelation 11:15).
The Trumpet Sound
Given these passages, what can be said about the actual sound of the trumpet when Jesus returns? The Bible does not give a detailed description of the exact sound, but we can examine several characteristics from the scriptural context.
A Sound of Authority and Command
The trumpet is associated with a “cry of command” and the “voice of an archangel” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). This suggests a sound that is authoritative, unmistakable, and commanding. It is not a gentle note; it is a call that demands attention and action. In the Old Testament, the trumpet was used to summon the people to assemble before God or to prepare for battle (Numbers 10:2-3; Joshua 6:4-5). At Jesus’ return, the trumpet will serve a similar function: to gather the people of God and to signal the final victory over sin and death.
A Sound of Revelation and Transformation
Paul’s reference to the “last trumpet” in 1 Corinthians 15:52 connects the trumpet sound with the revelation of a divine mystery and the transformation of believers. The sound will mark the moment when “the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.” This will be a transformative event. The trumpet will signal the resurrection and the glorification of the saints, ushering in the fullness of God’s redemptive plan.
A Sound of Judgment and Fulfillment
The trumpet is also a sound of judgment. In Revelation, the trumpet blasts are associated with the outpouring of God’s judgments upon the earth (Revelation 8-11). The final trumpet announces the consummation of God’s kingdom and the final reckoning (Revelation 11:15). The Bible clearly warns us that on the Day of Judgment, which is yet to come, anyone’s name not found in the Book of Life will reside in the lake of fire for all eternity (Revelation 20:15). The trumpet is both a sound of hope for those who belong to Jesus and a sound of warning for those who do not.
A Sound Heard by All
The biblical descriptions suggest that the trumpet will be heard universally. Jesus himself said, “For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:27). The return of Jesus will not be a secret or hidden event, but one that is visible and audible to all. The trumpet will pierce the silence of history and announce the arrival of the King.
Reflections on the Trumpet Sound
The trumpet at Jesus’ return is a theological proclamation. It announces the end of the present age and the beginning of the age to come. It declares the victory of Jesus over sin, death, and evil. It summons the people of God to resurrection and eternal life. It warns the world of impending judgment and the necessity of repentance.
The Didache, an early Christian document, talks about this biblical teaching: “The sign of Jesus Christ’s appearing will come, then the sound of the Trumpet, and then the resurrection of the dead. ‘Then shall the world behold the Lord coming on the clouds of Heaven.’”
Message for Believers
For those who trust in Jesus, the sound of the trumpet is a source of encouragement and hope. As Paul exhorts, “Therefore encourage one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:18). The trumpet reminds believers that their ultimate destiny is not tied to the uncertainties of this world, but to the sure promise of Jesus’ return and the resurrection of the dead.
At the same time, the trumpet is a call to readiness and holiness. Jesus warned, “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44). The certainty of the trumpet’s sound should inspire us to live in a manner worthy of our calling, to persevere in faith, and to proclaim the gospel to others.
For those who have not yet placed their trust in Jesus, the trumpet is a warning of coming judgment. The Bible teaches that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and that forgiveness and eternal life are offered to all who repent and believe in Jesus (Acts 2:38; John 3:16). The trumpet’s sound will mark the closing of the door of opportunity; now is the time to respond to God’s grace.
Conclusion - What Will the Trumpet Sound Like When Jesus Returns?
While the Bible does not provide a detailed description of the acoustic qualities of the trumpet at Jesus’ return, it is clear that the sound will be transformative, universal, and deeply significant. It will announce the fulfillment of God’s promises, the resurrection of the dead, the gathering of the saints, and the final judgment. For believers, it is a sound of hope and encouragement; for the world, it is a call to repentance and readiness. As we await that day, may we listen for the trumpet–not with fear, but with faith, hope, and love, confident in the victory of Jesus Christ.