2. “Ε. T.,” Stevenage. The last trump spoken of in 1 Cor. 15:52, has no connection with the seven trumpets of Rev. 8; 9 The last trumpet has reference to the call of the church; and the seven trumpets to events that will take place after the church is gone.
The expression, “last trump,” so far as we understand it, has reference to the last trump, or sound of the trumpet, at the break up of the Roman camp. “When they are to go out of their camp, the trumpet gives a sound, at which time nobody lies still, but at the first intimation they take down their tents, and all is made ready for their going out; then do the trumpets sound again, to order them to get ready for the march..... Then do the trumpets give a sound the third time, that they are to go out, in order to excite those that on any account are a little tardy, that so, no one may be out of his rank when the army marches. Then does the crier stand at the general’s right hand, and asks them thrice, in their own tongue, whether they be now ready to go out to war or not. To which they reply as often, with a loud and cheerful voice, saying, We are ready.” (Josephus, “Wars of the Jews,” book 3, 5.) They then, when they heard the trump, set fire to their camp, and every man marched in his rank.
Thus we believe the apostle uses this most striking illustration, as also in 1 Thess. 4. The first trumpet sounded and announced the coming of the Lord in the beginning of the church’s history. Then, after the sleep of centuries, again for fifty years the trumpet has sounded the second time. But, oh! when the last trump sounds, what a break up! All left to be burned up. And each redeemed saint shall rise in his rank, to be forever with the Lord.
Does not the Roman camp put to shame the church of God? Can it answer with a cheerful voice, “We are ready?” What a question to the sleeping church, Are ye ready or not to meet your Lord? How does the reader answer that question?
In reply to your other question, we see no reason whatever to suppose that the “white horse,” in Rev. 6:2, might mean the preaching of the gospel previous to the three following judgments. The voice of thunder in verse 1; and the call of one of the four living creatures, saying, “Come” (the words and see should be omitted); and the same cry for judgment in the next three, calls, “Come”—all this implies speedy judgment after the church is taken to heaven. Judgment from the throne of God must be in righteousness. Had the first been the mighty conquest of the gospel, the second would be out of place—peace taken from the earth.
3. “J. E,” Glasgow. The breaking of the bread, or loaf, at the Lord’s table, is simply following the example of the Lord Jesus. He brake it and gave it to His disciples. It was no longer to be the broken bread, or lamb of the passover; but He Himself, as taking its place.. He said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” We should not be occupied then, with curious questions, but let our thoughts dwell on Him in holy remembrance. Precious privilege!
In John 13:2 it should be “during supper.” And it is very remarkable that John does not name the Lord’s supper. It was evidently during the paschal supper, or whilst eating the passover, that Jesus took the sop and gave it to Judas. There would be no sop at the Lord’s supper. “He then having received the sop, went immediately out: and it was night.” Thus Judas did not take the Lord’s supper. But it does appear that the Lord washed his feet. See verses 10, 11, 21-30. What will it be for him ever to remember the tender hands that washed his feet? And what will it be for the mere professor to remember, in like manner, the many mercies ministered here in the same way and by the same Jesus. The remorse of Judas, and of all such, will be beyond what any words can express. It is perhaps the most solemn warning in the word of God.