Blow the Trumpet in Zion
Carlos J. Craig | Texas Conference President
As we look out over the landscape of the world today, there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that we are living in the prophetic toenails of the statue that the prophet Daniel visualized in the second chapter of his book.
As we look out over the landscape of the world today, there is absolutely no doubt whatsoever that we are living in the prophetic toenails of the statue that the prophet Daniel visualized in the second chapter of his book. That being the case, it is imperative that, as a church, we comprehend God’s deep desire and concern for us as we sail into the turbulent times and hideous happenings that surround us.
Notice the words from the prophet Joel in chapter 2, verse 1, “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand.”
We ask ourselves, what is the significance of the trumpet symbolism? In the Old Testament book of Numbers 10:9, it says, “When you go into battle in your own land against an enemy who is oppressing you, sound a blast on the trumpets. Then you will be remembered by the Lord your God . . .”
The New King James Version says, “sound an alarm with the trumpets.” I believe we are currently in “4 Alarm” territory as far as the seriousness of the times in which we are living. As society crumbles around us, as iniquity abounds, as the church sputters against the stark winds of corruption, God distinctly commands, “Blow the trumpet in Zion!”
Now I find this remarkable. Who is Zion? Well, that would be us. The psalmist declares in Psalm 132:13, “For the Lord has chosen Zion, He has desired it for His dwelling . . . ” Where on earth has the Lord chosen to reside? In His church. In the midst of His people. As the people of the three angels’ message, our ears should perk up at the mention of the trumpet.
Notice the words found in Revelation 8:13, “As I watched, I heard an eagle that was flying in midair call out in a loud voice: ‘Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth, because of the trumpet blasts about to be sounded by the other three angels!’” God’s call to His people in this last day scenario is two-fold. It’s individual, and it’s corporate.
The urgency is obvious. Far too many of us are completely comfortable with our status-quo spirituality. Much like Israel of old, we have sunk into apathy as far as our relationship with the Almighty.
Will Eisenhower tells of one particular experience he had while serving as a summer camp counselor. He remembers it having been a particularly exhausting day. Finally, he had all of the boys in his cabin asleep in their bunks. As he melted into his sleeping bag, he was as he recalls, “dead to the world.” As he drifted off, a sudden sensation overtook him. It seemed as if ants were crawling all over his body! He was so tired, and sleep seemed so delicious he concluded that if he were roused, even a little bit, he would have to acknowledge that his sleeping bag had turned into a freeway of ants. Not wanting to accept the truth, he told himself that sleep was the reality and the ants were simply a dream! He fell asleep and woke up the next morning completely covered in ant bites!
The warnings that God is sending our way today are meant to rouse us out of our drowsy condition. Author Ellen G. White shares “The calamities by land and sea, the unsettled state of society, the alarms of war, are portentous. They forecast approaching events of the greatest magnitude. The agencies of evil are combining their forces and consolidating,” (Testimonies, v. 9, p. 11).
May the Lord strengthen us as a church as we face the rapidly approaching storm, I pray that we remain faithful to the end.
—This is the full version of the editorial featured in the Southwestern Union Record | November/December 2018 issue.