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Outcasts - delivered and exalted
buildontherock
2021-04-052022-09-24

The feast of Trumpets is primarily about resurrection. After that point Christians will take over the kingdoms of the world under Christ. It also heralds and represents several other critical happenings which we can investigate in the article Outcasts_-_the_significance_in_the_shofar. So Trumpets actually represents a whole lot of things but in this article I want to show that the primary focus is the Resurrection.

Further reading is provided in the main article on the last of the three feast Seasons where there are links to the other Autumn/Fall festivals.

Outcasts - delivered and exalted

in Revelation chapters 5 to 8 the Bible speaks of seven seals that must be opened by the returning King of Kings. Breaking the first four Seals reveals the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (Revelation 6:1-8). These are general global issues harming everyone:

First seal - [Revelation 6:1-2] a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow. Understood as antichrists with religious deception.

Second seal - [Revelation 6:3-4] a red horse: and [power] was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth. Understood as World Powers and war.

Third seal - [Revelation 6:5-6] a black horse: and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. Understood as purveyors of need and economic scarcity especially in agriculture.

Fourth seal - [Revelation 6:7-8] a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. No need to interpret, Purveyors of unnatural death especially pestilence and disease.

The next seal reveals something that only harms Christians.

Fifth seal - [Revelation 6:9-11]: I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God. Understood as martyrdom.

In the following seal we can see God's first reaction to years of abuse, indicating the time of the end, only about 3 1/2 years to go before Christ comes.

Sixth seal - [Revelation 6:12-17]: the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Understood as God displaying anger through cataclysmic disasters and heavenly signs.

The final seal marks the work of the seven angels with trumpets and combined with the sixth seal is expected to begin about 3½ years before Christ comes.

SEVENTH SEAL (seven trumpets)

Seventh seal - [Revelation 8:1-6]: And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

The seventh seal is composed of the seven trumpets. The last three trumpets are in chapter 9 of Revelation and are also called woes. Do not get confused with the seven vials of Revelation 16. They are not the same but related. The Feast of Trumpets is about this final seal. The climax of this seal is the return of Christ and the Resurrection.

From Revelation 8

Seven angels are now given seven trumpets:

First angel/trumpet = the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up

Second angel/trumpet = the third part of the sea became blood

Third angel/trumpet = the third part of fresh water polluted

Fourth angel/trumpet = daylight reduces by 1/3

From Chapter 9

Fifth angel/trumpet (First Woe)= Satan and darkness from the bottomless pit and tormenting pests.

Sixth angel/trumpet (Second Woe) = Angels from Euphrates (on earth Revelation 9:14, not from heaven) produce munitions that kill 1/3 of men.

Seventh angel/trumpet (Third Woe) = the return of Christ and beginning of the Day of the Lord (Amos 5:18-20).

Based on the above layout the Feast of Trumpets is a celebration of the return of Christ and the resurrection of the saints. Confirmation comes from Revelation 11.

Revelation 11:14-19 [KJV] The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.  15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.  16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,  17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.  18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.  19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail. 

So why don't we see the Feast of Trumpets in the list of Jewish feasts? Actually we do. Rosh Hashanah means the head of the year in Hebrew, and is known in English as the Jewish New Year but it is also the Feast of Trumpets. It is the beginning of the civil year while the religious year begins at Nisan at the beginning of Spring. The Feast of Trumpets also begins a 10-day period known as the Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe) that spans the Feast of Trumpets to the Day of Atonement. Some people also believe based on Revelation 12:14, that during the time of the seven trumpets (the 3½ years) the Church would have been taken to a place of safety from what is to come upon the earth. Because of this Trumpets is also a celebration of God's protection.

Place of Safety

We can examine some scriptures relating to being protected in a place of safety during the days of God's wrath. The Day of God's wrath is different from the Day of the Lord. The Day of God's wrath is the final 3½ years of Satan's control over the earth while the Day of the Lord begins with the Resurrection. At present Satan is the undisputed master of the earth. Matthew 4:6 and Luke 4:6-7 confirm this during Christ's Temptations in the wilderness.

Matthew 4:6 [KJV] And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Luke 4:6-7 [KJV] And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.  7 If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

Satan is the god that man has chosen over God. During the day of God's wrath Satan is allowed to desecrate the planet and we see a glimpse of what life on earth would be like if God did not intervene to abate the consequences of living Satan's way. In just 3½ years life on earth is brought to the point where God says this.

Matthew 24:21-22 [KJV] For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.  22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

Now don't be alarmed by that scripture from Matthew being quoted here. It is quoted here to show the extent to which things degenerate during the day of God's wrath but it is talking about conditions just before the Day of the Lord. It is confirmed by Mark.

Mark 13:20 [KJV] And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect’s sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

However God does intervene and in the interim those faithful to Him are protected. The promise to save is provided early on in the book of Revelation as God talks in His message to the Philadelphian Church.

Revelation 3:10 [KJV] Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

In speaking of the day of God's wrath Zephaniah records this.

Zephaniah 2:1-3 [KJV] Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired;  2 Before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the LORD come upon you, before the day of the LORD’S anger come upon you.  3 Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.

In response Luke records this:

Luke 21:34-36 [KJV] And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.  35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.  36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

As I said before, don't become confused with the Day of the Lord and the Day of God's wrath. There is no mistaking about the day of the Lord but the day of God's wrath can sneak up on you.

The Return of Christ and the Resurrection

The main details of the Resurrection are pretty easy to find because they are all in one place, 1 Corinthians 15. It starts with the resurrection of Christ in verse 1-9. That is pictured by the first Omer and comes in the Passover season.

Next it deals with our resurrection. It refers back to Christ's resurrection as a forerunner of ours. This is covered in verses 12 to 34. Here we begin to have the interest of the feast of Trumpets but it actually covers more than trumpets because it covers the resurrection of all dead for all time.

Finally it covers the nature of the resurrection from verse 35 to the end. Let us pay some attention to that. By the way, in the old English of king James quickened does not mean speeded up, it means given life.

I Corinthians 15:35-58 [KJV] But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Paul makes the argument that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. In order for that to happen we need a different type of body. That body is given at the resurrection which for Christians occurs at the last trump. It does not matter if you are alive at the time or dead. In any case we will be transformed and meet with the returning Christ in the air. That is what Trumpets is primarily about. Those remaining details are filled in by I Thessalonians 4:15-18. For those who might not have come across this before, the word prevent actually means precede in the old English of king James.

I Thessalonians 4:15-18 [KJV] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 

JOSHUA

The best association that I know of relating to trumpets and the Feast of Trumpets is Joshua and the fall of Jericho, but that was in the spring. How do I account for that? It is not an exact match with the events of Revelation but there are parallels. I want to put things in context by explaining that the whole thing started with Abram and it is the same essential things that are being represented in the symbolism but there are complications with Joshua. The Children of Israel had already covered the first part of the symbolism by completing the Spring festivals. It is very reasonable to conclude that the next leg of the trip would focus on the Fall festivals. The problem arose because they had despised the word of the Lord and rebelled against God's intention for them to occupy it and were doomed to die in the wilderness. Because of that God had to restart with a new group and so He started again and covered the whole process in the Spring. This time they were already at Jordan and did not need to traverse a wilderness and God saw no value in keeping them just waiting for Fall to come, so He condensed everything to be completed in the Spring but occupying the land was intended to be a Fall event.

It is very likely that God originally intended for Israel to occupy the promised Land either by the Fall of that same year that they left Egypt or perhaps 3½ years after they left Egypt based on the parallels with Revelation and Daniel. The seed of Abraham would have been in wandering for 430 years and finally come out of severe bondage in Egypt into the relative safety of the wilderness (a place of safety), expecting to soon be in the Promised Land. This is similar to the plight of those who fear God through the ages and particularly those who go to the place to be protected for 3½ years during the seventh seal: Revelation 12:14 [KJV],  And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. Because of the various developments in the wilderness Israel was given the first opportunity to enter the Promised Land after the spies brought back an evil report. In Numbers 13:17 Moses sends them to spy out the land. Then Numbers 13:23 [KJV], And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs, proving that the land was very fruitful. They spent 40 days checking out the land (vere 25). Upon their return in Numbers 13:27-29 [KJV], ...they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. [28] Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. [29] The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. So far so good. The problem was how they dealt with this new information, Numbers 13:32-33 [KJV] And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. [33] And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. They poisoned the minds of the people. How did the people react

Numbers 14:1-4 [KJV] And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! 3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? 4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt". 

In other words God can't look after us. If we follow His instructions it will kill us. We would rather rely on the mercy of the state. God became fed up, Numbers 14:29-34 [KJV], Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, [30] Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. [31] But your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, them will I bring in, and they shall know the land which ye have despised. [32] But as for you, your carcases, they shall fall in this wilderness. [33] And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness. [34] After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.

Because they refused, God then restarted the whole project to the beginning of His year in Abib forty years later, and so some adjustments were made. The first and most obvious adjustment is that they were now entering in spring, around Passover. You can read about that in Pentecost timing - the Problem with Joshua. Passover to Pentecost are feasts set before Trumpets in the annual plan. After completing those God turns to the last phase of the plan and that should begin with Trumpets in the Fall, but because of reasons to be explained later it is now all condensed in to the Spring.

Joshua was the elder brother who led God's people into the promised land. By the time they went through the flooded waters of the Jordan (Joshua 3:17) all of the others of his generation except Caleb were dead. On the other side stood the walls of Jericho and the concentrated power of the enemy. At the sound of the trumpet they all fell before him (Joshua 6:20). Joshua completely conquered the land of Canaan and restored it to God (Joshua 11:16). Every dominion crumbled whether in the mountain or in the valley and all power was subdued by him (Joshua 12:7-8). He divided the land according to the tribes (Joshua 11:23; 18:10) and established the covenant of giving them a land. In the plan revealed in Revelation the trumpets come over an extended period and are completed with the return of the king when the people receive the Promise.

I Corinthians 15:51-54 [KJV] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

In the situation with Joshua all of the trumpets are concentrated in one week but with the final blast at the end they all become official inheritors of the promise for the first time, by conquering Jericho.

Joshua 6:15-16 [KJV] And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. 16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
Joshua 6:20 [KJV] So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

But depending on how you look at that one week it may well support the alignment of the two books. In both cases there are 10 days to account for (don't get days mixed up with trumpets). There are 3 days to search followed by 7 days to take over the Promised Land. Rahab was discovered in the 3 days while the walls were brought down in the 7 days but because of timing differences imposed on the time-line of Joshua the trumpets are out of sync. So at first glance they may appear to be very different but on a closer look they are more similar than they appear to be at first. As an aside there were seven last trumpets in Joshua (Joshua 6:8, 13) too. Their names are recorded in Chronicles (1 Chronicles 15:24).

THE THREE DAYS

The plan by Joshua, not God, was to begin the conquest in three days.

Joshua 1:11 [KJV] Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.

But Joshua's plan was delayed by three days because of the spies and Rahab.

Joshua 2:16 [KJV] And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.

Why is this important? Jericho unexpectedly contained people who feared God and it is only because of those three days that they were saved. The three day reprieve only saw its concluding value after the trumpets when Rahab's house was actually spared. The three day reprieve happened but then the value of the reprieve had to wait until the conquest to be realized.

Joshua 6:17-18 [KJV] And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent. 18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
Hebrews 11:30-31 [KJV] By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Joshua 6:22-23 [KJV] But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlots house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. 23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.

Rahab becomes a symbol of people of faith. In the New Testament we are reminded to come out and not touch the unclean thing because it is cursed.

Touch not the unclean thing

God warns us about being too attached to the material things.

II Corinthians 6:15-18 [KJV] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Those are the same instructions given to Israel about Jericho and the instructions which Rahab actually followed. There is no evidence that she spoiled her people.

On the other hand Achan brought a curse upon Israel that separated them from the providence of the Lord.

Joshua 7:1 [KJV] But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.

Because of one man the Canaanites began to defeat and kill the Israelites until he was removed in Joshua 7:25. We break into the story at verse 10.


Joshua 7:10-12 [KJV] And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? 11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff. 12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

Jouhua began a search and found Achan

Joshua 7:18 [KJV] And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.

We have to be careful that in the last days, just before our reward comes, we are not enticed by the things of the world that are disappearing.

The Salvation of Rahab

In Revelation the three day reprieve appears to occur immediately after the last trump. It is brought out in Revelation 14 beginning at verse 8. My understanding of the passage shows that these three angels appear on three consecutive days but I am not prepared to go into that now. Because of their warnings some last minute converts get a chance.

Revelation 14:6-9 [KJV] And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

In Joshua it does happen before Babylon is fallen (as that applies to Jericho) and after the saints are resurrected from the Jordan but there are also complications.

Jericho was the beginning of the conquest and that was completed with seven trumpets and a shout. That is when Rahab was actually spared but it came about because of the three day delay of the spies.

Joshua 6:6 [KJV] And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark of the LORD.
Joshua 6:12-17 [KJV] And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. [13] And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. [14] And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days. [15] And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times. [16] And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city. [17] And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

During the seven trumpets in Revelation (not the total time of the Last Trump) there was still the possibility of repentance and escape. In Joshua only Rahab had demonstrated that type of fear of God hence only the remnant of Rahab, who had previously professed loyalty to God, escaped. In Joshua the trumpets and the inheritance AND THE CONQUEST are rolled into one but it is not so in Revelation where the conquest (Atonement) and the inheritance (the resurrection at the last trump) are separated by ten days. The three days allotted to last minute repentance are still accounted for. SO BY FAITH SOME (like Rahab) ARE ABLE TO TAKE HOLD OF THE PROMISES AT THE LAST MINUTE WHILE SOME (like Achan) CAN LOSE EVERYTHING AT THE LAST MINUTE BY GRASPING THINGS OF THE WORLD.

THE SEVEN TRUMPETS

In Joshua 6 and in Revelation 8 we are presented with seven trumpets. In both cases there are seven trumpets but in Joshua they all sound simultaneously while in Revelation each sounds separately and over a period of time. It actually represents the same thing but in Joshua it is out of time. There is a period of terror before the Lord takes over the world. I would rather not get deeply into Revelation because much of it is disputed and it would distract from this subject. In order to clarify I must however explain that the seven days in Joshua where the city is circumnavigated has no exact match in Revelation but appears to represent the 7,000 years of man. They got up at dawn (Joshua 6:15) indicating that it was at the beginning of the final 1,000 years. In Joshua 6 there is no sound of a voice from God's people during those first six days but on the final day there is a resounding shout. Revelation indicates that the reason there is no sound may be because they are in a place of safety or because God's people are oppressed and have no voice during those first 6,000 years. That shout parallels the last trump and the shout of the archangel when the dead in Christ will rise and take possession of their reward. In Revelation the seven trumpets occur almost simultaneously too, compared to the previous 6,000 years of man's existence. They all occur during the period of the Seventh Seal which is a short time. Don't get mixed up here with the trumpet that was blown on each of the six days that they circled Jericho. I am talking about Joshua's priests blowing seven trumpets on the seventh day. The other trumpets indicate that God has been blaring a warning to mankind for all of its existence but it has gone unheeded, no sound of His voice or the voice of His people was heard.

CROSSING THE SEA

Israel crossed the Red Sea first and then had to cross Jordan, another sea to enter the Promised Land. This is intended to demonstrate our Christian journey. They would have had to roam between seas for a time and endure the austerity of the wilderness to completely picture a Christian's life. From one perspective they have never left off being buried in the sea with Christ until they come out at Jordan. In other imagery they were waiting on the sea at the end because it was one symbolic trip from Egypt to Canaan.

Revelation 15:1-2 [KJV] And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

In the original plan these would have escaped Egypt and the crossing of Jordan would have been the final leg.

In Revelation we have people waiting on the sea to reach the promise. From the rest of that chapter we can tell that God is about to do something spectacular and it is imminent. That alone should tell us that these have not yet inherited the promise but it will be soon. In Joshua they had crossed the Red Sea but were now anxiously waiting on the far side of the Jordan. God made it plain that He was continuing the work that he started with Moses.

Joshua 3:5-7 [KJV] And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you. 6 And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people. 7 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee

The ark represented the presence of God that was also with Moses. God makes it clear that this is a continuation of what He was doing with Moses. This is not to be a new baptism but a continuation. All of the time between they were dead in Christ with no home in this world. It was one trip and a one-way trip. It represents the same thing as we can see if we go back to Abraham in Genesis 15.

It actually began with Abraham

All of what happens in with Joshua and what happens in Revelation actually goes back to the covenant with Abram.

Genesis 15:9-18 [KJV] And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon. 10 And he took unto him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each piece one against another: but the birds divided he not. 11 And when the fowls came down upon the carcases, Abram drove them away. 12 And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. 13 And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; 14 And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance. 15 And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age. 16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. 17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

The Red Sea and Jordan was the path between the animals. God does not drop words carelessly so when He specifies three years we know that it is significant. Abraham killed the animals on behalf of God so the offering was not Abraham's but God's. God made a covenant and commitment that what was done to those animals would be done to Him if He failed in His word. God also showed that He was willing to go through what was done to those animals in order to fulfil His word. In Revelation the period is identified as 3½ years. Now consider that 3½ years is the middle of three years old. An animal 3½ years old is a three year old animal. 3½ years is actually the average age of a three year old animal. Christ's work was in 3½ year periods. It is easy to identify the first 3½ years as His earthly ministry which ended in death. Baptism is the trip. A smoking furnace, and a burning lamp, both representing Christ, went between the pieces from one end to the other. We follow Christ through those pieces in the same covenant at Baptism. We imitate Christ at Baptism in our commitment to make that promise a reality and so are given the right to be called Abraham's children and inherit. Abraham was not perfect so we do not imitate Him. We imitate the perfection in Christ or YHWH and are counted perfect by grace. That is the trip from the Red Sea to Jordan. Because of the ministry of Christ and the implications from three year animals it seems to me that it was always intended to be three and a half years. Three and a half years is exactly the middle, or the mean age, between three and four. None of the creatures were expected to be three years to the hour, hence the average between the extremes ends of three i.e. the average between on hour less than four and one hour past three, brings us to 3½ years, so a set of three year old animals is on average 3½ years old. 

When the priests reached the middle of the Jordan they picked up some stones to seal the Promise that started at the Red Sea and took them to the other side of the Jordan as a memorial to show that the trip was now complete, but the promise was not realised until they had taken over some land. The first land that they took was Jericho at the last trump.

THE CLOCK IS RESET

As Joshua 4 begins we get the sense that God is resetting time. The original Israelites that died had completed the trip to Sinai. The Ten Commandments were given at Sinai and that is reported to have been on Pentecost. God does not continue by starting with the Fall season, He restarts with the new group and that means beginning in Spring.  It appears to have begun with Lamb Selection Day (Joshua 4:19). He arranges for Joshua to have the priests stand in the middle of the Jordan while the others cross over and on the spot where they stood Joshua set twelve stones as a marker.

Joshua 4:9-10 [KJV] And Joshua set up twelve stones in the midst of Jordan, in the place where the feet of the priests which bare the ark of the covenant stood: and they are there unto this day.  10 For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over.

In the same manner God had them remove twelve stones from the Jordan and set them up the at place that they named Gilgal as a memorial.

Joshua 4:20-24 [KJV] And those twelve stones, which they took out of Jordan, did Joshua pitch in Gilgal.  21 And he spake unto the children of Israel, saying, When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean these stones?  22 Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land.  23 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of Jordan from before you, until ye were passed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red sea, which he dried up from before us, until we were gone over:  24 That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever. 

The twelve stones appear to strike back to the covenant with Abraham. The people crossed Jordan on Lamb selection day.

Joshua 4:19 [KJV] And the people came up out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and encamped in Gilgal, in the east border of Jericho.

The next thing was to circumcise the people.

Joshua 5:3 [KJV] And Joshua made him sharp knives, and circumcised the children of Israel at the hill of the foreskins.

Then they kept the Pasover as prescribed. They ate old corn on the day following Passover which is the first day of unleavened bread and the following day they were able to eat of the land signifying that they celebrated the first Omer.

Joshua 5:10-12 [KJV] And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.  11 And they did eat of the old corn of the land on the morrow after the passover, unleavened cakes, and parched corn in the selfsame day.  12 And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

God started over. In doing so He seems to condensed the events of the Fall season into the spring season so that Israel would not just idle there for six months without accomplishing anything. He allowed them to conquer the land, a Fall season event, in Spring and so He adjusted symbols to compensate.

THE CAPTAIN OF THE LORD'S HOST

Joshua 5:13 [KJV] And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? 15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

There are two possible meanings of the presence of the captain of the Lord's host. In the first case the archangel is present at the day of the Lord and his voice is heard  (1 Thessalonians 4:16). In addition Michael is also shown to fight against the dragon during the last days (Revelation 12:7). The captain of the Lord's host could represent this presence of the archangel, but bear in mind that Joshua worshipped the person so it is unlikely that it was an angel. In the second case, Passover and the First Omer covers the death and Resurrection of Christ. Once the first Omer is completed Christ makes Himself available as the comforter. It is between Passover and Pentecost that we are betrothed to Christ and He begins to be our comforter. The union is completed in symbol at Pentecost. So Christ would have been there representing both the resurrection of the saints (in the Fall) and His own resurrection (in the Spring).

Even though the symbol of the union is represented at Pentecost it is not until Trumpets that we symbolically meet Christ at His return. This is the resurrection. At Trumpets we meet with Christ. We meet Him in the air.

I Thessalonians 4:16-17 [KJV] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

To me this meeting in Joshua demonstrates that Christ will be present, even though the situation is not an exact parallel with Revelation. The captain that was actually leading the charge was God. The reason that He appeared was because it was past the first Omer leading into Pentecost. In the New Testament we recognise that Christ and the Church are married at Pentecost. The Church is now betrothed to Christ but when He returns He and the Church are to be married. Pentecost and Trumpets overlap at that Point. This series of events in Joshua pictures the resurrection and marriage followed by moving into their inheritance. Emerging from the Jordan also implies resurrection hence the resurrected Church meets with Christ the captain of the Lord's host as He is to be married at Pentecost. Everything gets compressed. The story of Jericho does not record that it happened around Pentecost but it was certainly past the first Omer and that makes it quite possible. Joshua would also have waited until the circumcised men healed before charging Jericho and the fifty days would account for the healing. In the New Testament, Christ appeared after the Resurrection to selected people and spoke with them. At that point He promised to never leave them.

Joshua 1:5 [KJV] There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Joshua 1:9 [KJV] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Matthew 28:20 [KJV] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 

It therefore seems that they came out of the Jordan going into Passover. They were met by someone representing the resurrected Christ during the Days of unleavened bread and probably around the first Omer. Because these events represent a condensation of all the activities leading to the inheritance of the land, things seem somewhat jumbled, but all of the essential elements are there. The story of Trumpets begins with Abraham who received the Promise of the Promised Land but Trumpets represents how we rise with Christ after death and begin our new lives with spirit bodies in the company of the Captain of the Lord's Host.