Why are the "last trumpet" and the "seventh trumpet" not the same trumpet?

Ted’s Response:

Before I answer your questions, I need to tell you a few things. First of all, as you may or may not know, Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, as well as the Holy Spirit's appearance at Pentecost, revolve around the four Spring Jewish festivals and holy days. Thus, Jesus' second coming is expected to revolve around the three Fall Jewish festivals and holy days. In case you have not read about this at my website, you might be interested in reading Chapter 4 and Chapter 5 of my online Bible overview

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, about the "mystery" of the Rapture (1 Corinthians 15:51), not long after the middle of the first century; whereas, John recorded his great revelation near the end of the first century. Thus, those to whom Paul wrote could not have been expected to know about the seven Trumpet Judgments (described by John) and would not have associated Paul's "last trumpet" with John's "seventh trumpet."

The term "last trumpet," in Jewish tradition, is an eschatological term connected to Rosh haShanah, the Jewish New Year. It is my belief that Jesus will return in the clouds, at the Rapture, on a future Rosh haShanah. The trumpet blown on that day will indicate the last chance—thus, the term "Last Trumpet"—for people to be removed from the earth, prior to God's wrath being dispensed upon the earth (beginning with the first trumpet judgment, after the opening of the Seventh Seal). Yom Teruah means "Day of the Awakening Blast." More details about this can be found in my two sections "Rosh haShanah, Yom Teruah, or Feast of Trumpets" and "trumpet blast." You also can read these two email responses to other people:

How is it that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Jewish Spring and Fall feasts and holy days?
If the "day and the hour" of Jesus' coming are unknown, how can we know when it will happen?

• Jesus' appearance in the clouds,
• a loud trumpet call, and
• the gathering of the elect.

I also agree with those who embrace the "Post-tribulation" view that Jesus' second advent to earth will take place in association with the blowing of the Seventh Trumpet. I even agree that there will be a catching up of believers at this time, just prior to Jesus' descent to earth (see secondary rapture events and Is it possible that there will be multiple Rapture events?).

However, Matthew 24:29—a picture of some of the Sixth Seal events—is followed immediately and directly by 24:30,31—a picture of the Rapture. Jesus describes nothing else in between. Yet, if Jesus does not return back to earth until the blowing of the Seventh Trumpet, where in Jesus' Olivet Discourse is any portrayal of the opening of the Seventh Seal or of any of the first six trumpet judgments? They are not there, and that is because the Rapture occurs imminently after the opening of the Sixth Seal, but prior to the opening of the Seventh Seal.

I believe that once the Seventh Seal is opened, a year of God's wrath will ensue (see The Seventh Year), poured out upon the earth in the form of the trumpet judgments. Then, immediately before the Seventh Trumpet is blown, at the end of the 70th Week, Jesus will return to earth to rule and reign as its King. The Seventh Trumpet actually will be the Great Trumpet of Yom Kippur (Leviticus 25:9; Isaiah 18:3, 27:13; Zechariah 9:14; Revelation 11:15).

Pertaining to your second question, if the trumpet (actually, shofar) blown on Rapture day is the "last trumpet," and if the Rapture will take place on a Rosh haShanah as I propose, then perhaps the "first trumpet" was blown on the first Rosh haShanah, as decreed in Leviticus 23:23-25. (Note that the beginning of the religious calendar was changed to be in the Spring, as per Exodus 12:2. The seventh month of the religious calendar is the first month of the civil calendar, which is why Rosh haShanah is considered to be the Jewish New Year.)

It also may be that since Rosh haShanah is known as the Feast of Trumpets, a series of trumpets (shofars) will be blown on that ultimate Rosh haShanah of the future. If so, then I would expect for the Rapture event to take place at the blowing of the last of those trumpets.