The apostle John writes about Jesus’ voice sounding like a trumpet (Revelation 1:10). Jesus wanted John’s attention. He had something of great importance to say. His message is urgent. John must hear, he must know … so Jesus wants to make sure he has John’s attention.

This is something like the experience of Moses in the desert when he saw the burning bush. God ignited that bush to get Moses’ attention. God had something of great importance to tell Moses, so God called out to him from the burning bush.

The message of Revelation is not for wimps. The revelation is about the things that must shortly take place (Revelation 1:1). It is an urgent message. Jesus is saying, something is coming, get ready. Jesus wanted John’s attention, and He wants our attention today.

The trumpet sound indicates a warning message. It is a call to the lost and a warning to the saved. We all need to hear the sound of the trumpet. Remember that the trumpet sound is the sound of the voice of Jesus. Jesus loves us and wants our attention. Have you heard the sound of the trumpet? Do you hear the sound of the trumpet?

God told Isaiah “Cry aloud, do not hold back; lift up your voice like a trumpet; and declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)

Jeremiah heard the trumpet, and he cried, “My soul, my soul. I am in anguish. Oh, my heart. My heart is pounding in me; I cannot be silent … because you have heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. (Jeremiah 4:19)

Jeremiah 6:17 records the sad commentary “And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet.’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’”

And again in Jeremiah 42:14 the people answered saying,

‘No, but we will go to the land of Egypt where we shall see no war, nor hear the sound of the trumpet, not be hungry for bread, and there we will dwell.’”

But the Lord does not give up. In His mercy He urgently tries to get the attention of His people. (Hosea 8:1) “Put the trumpet to your lips. Like an eagle the enemy comes against the house of the LORD, because they have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law.”

In the time of Joel God’s people are in extreme danger and the Lord instructs his prophet, “Blow a trumpet in Zion. And sound an alarm on My holy mountain. Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; surely it is near.” (Joel 2:1)

The apostle Paul understood those Old Testament allusions, and he said to the Corinthians, “For if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?” (1Corinthians 14:8)

We need to remember that the last words of Jesus to the church were not the great commission registered in Matthew. The last words of Jesus to the church are right here, in Revelation. It is a call to repentance. It is a call to wake up. Jesus wants our attention, something is coming and we better be ready.

The apostle John knew the Jesus of Galilee, but now he must know the flaming Christ of the candlesticks. Jesus is now the great High Priest of the heavenly sanctuary, who ever lives to make intercession for His people.

Seven times in His messages to the churches, Jesus says, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” And many times in the gospels Jesus says, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear…” Some will respond, some won’t.

Have you read Christ’s seven love letters to the churches lately? They are found in Revelation chapters 2 and 3. If we would respond correctly to the seven letters of Christ, we would rid ourselves of everything that Jesus condemns and we would focus on everything that He commends. Any response less than this would mean that we didn’t really hear.

Pastor Alvaro Sauza can be reached at the Sandpoint Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2235 Pine St., or by phone at 208-263-3648.