I once heard an able servant of God make a statement similar to this: 'you may disagree with me but I want to make you sure you don’t misunderstand me.' I concur.

I find this language used in the definition of the word Trumpet. (Proclaimed loudly or widely) based upon this, I don’t think it would be improper to use the term gospel trumpet. It would seem to be appropriate to refer to the preaching of the gospel as blowing the gospel trumpet.

There is, in my understanding, a warning given to God’s servants in 1st Corinthians 14:8 “for if the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” We will try to discuss the battle under consideration a little later.

Having spent some time in the military, I experienced the use and effectiveness of the trumpet (bugle). First of all, it can be heard and recognized above sound of the battle. There are particular sounds (tunes) assigned to different events. For example, reveille, (to awaken and a rise). Taps, (to put out lights at night). Charge (to rush at). Retreat, (withdraw). If you were unable to hear a command being given by voice, you would recognize the command, (order) being given by listening to the sound given forth from the bugle. You can imagine the mass confusion in the heat of battle if an unfamiliar or false sound went forth from the bugle. Do you think we may have witnessed some false and or uncertain sounds coming forth from the perverted gospel trumpet with the effects of confusing God’s children?

I am sure the apostle Paul was instructing the Corinthian brethren as he taught them about tongues, that it was certain there should be some understanding. The message should be clear. We only need to take notice of what is happening in the religious world today to see the confusion caused by uncertain and false sound given on the trumpet.

Let us illustrate what is meant by the term uncertain sound (Matthew 28:18) “and Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, all power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” That seems pretty clear to me. He gave no exception to that emphatic statement, that there is no time or place when he would not have all power. (Roman 11:6) “And if by grace then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” I have heard men stand in pulpits and wonderfully describe the power of God. I most certainly believe that. They ended their discourse by telling me that God does not have the power to save me without my consent. Brethren, there is an uncertain sound given by the trumpet. I want to believe that he has the power to save me, however, according to this man’s teachings, I can deny God the authority to save me. This sounds near to blaspheming, can we believe Matthew 28:18? If we could not believe Matthew 28:18, then how could we believe the rest of the Bible? Let us simplify this query. Either he has not all power in heaven and earth and the Scripture is wrong there by not being able to save whom he will, or he has all power in heaven and earth, the Scripture is true and he saves whomsoever he will, which is all that the father gave him. So many, unaware, are questioning whether God has all power. The trumpet should not give an uncertain sound concerning God’s power.

Another example is found in Roman 11:6.  We have to conclude without any doubt that the apostle is telling us clearly that salvation is by grace. He proves to us in his text that salvation cannot be by both. It must be by works or by grace. I hear men stand in the pulpits of America and declare salvation is by mixture of both. Paul says it cannot be and I believe him. Our works were tried under the law and they fail to justify us so God made a new covenant and now we are justified by his perfect work. He makes it clear in (Galatians 2:16) that by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. The trumpet is giving an uncertain sound when works of man are mixed with grace. I thank the Lord He has a people still sending forth a clear message on the trumpet. Not confusing. Salvation is by grace. Some fail to tell them the Lord Jesus Christ has won the battle for eternal salvation and the victory is ours through him.

In Numbers 10:2-10 God instructed Moses to make two trumpets of silver. “Make the two trumpets of silver; of a whole piece shalt thou make them: that thou may use them for the calling of the assembly and for the journeying of the camps.” These trumpets were given Moses for the benefit of Israel as they marched through the wilderness. They were made of one piece of the silver, relating to us they have one in the same origin. They were blown by the priest, the two sons of Aaron. Later there were many more trumpets.

The blowing of the trumpets was used to assemble the whole assembly to Moses at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. I think it would be correct to say, under the present dispensation, (gospel) that the blowing of the gospel trumpet is still used to assemble the Lord’s people to Christ and his Church. These trumpets appear to be an emblem of the gospel ministry.

In one instance only one trumpet was to be blown. In this case only the Princes, the heads of thousands, was to assemble to Moses. It would be easy to see Jesus, being the only trumpet, as he assembled his disciples to him by saying, follow me. God’s children receive instruction at the house of God as to how to live their lives in an honorable way to praise God. Israel received its marching orders by the sound of the trumpet.

We can possibly see two dispensations represented here, law and grace or gospel. The grace or gospel dispensation was pointed to while still serving under the law. As Andrew Fuller led the way and those who followed him in this gross error, you can see how the mixing of law and grace and outright denial of God’s power to save whom he will has been an uncertain sound to God’s children.

It is clear, based upon Ephesians chapter 6, God’s children have a warfare to war. (Ephesians 6:11) “Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Notice who the enemy is. This gospel trumpet when blown and giving a certain sound, will warn the children of God to prepare to the battle. Notice, God has provided his children with a full set of defensive armor and one offensive weapon, which is the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. This warfare is not to obtain eternal life, Christ obtained that victory for us, but to live a life that will oppose Satan and all his devices but honor God and manifest our love for him.

As the trumpets were blown for the whole assembly to assemble at the door of the tabernacle, they received instructions through Moses. Likewise, when the gospel trumpet is blown today it is to assemble God’s children to the house of God, which is the Church of the living God for to worship and receive instruction. (Revelation 14:6) “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.” Brethren that everlasting gospel is still being preached to us that dwell on the earth. God’s name is glorified when no uncertain sounds are given.

Isaiah 27:13 refers to a day when the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish. Brethren I realize I am using this out of context, however it illustrates my point of the trumpet of God. (First Thessalonians 4:16) “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.” The Lord’s shout in with the blowing of great trumpet shall awaken all the dead and God’s children will assembled for all eternity in ever be with the Lord.

To my beloved brethren who are laboring so faithfully in the ministry, continue to blow that silver trumpet that God has blessed you to have, and be careful that it gives no uncertain sound either in our efforts to preach or our walk in life. It may be that God’s children would heed what we do more than what we say. I believe that God will be pleased if we continue to preach to God’s little children that we are all sinners but God, in his mercy, toward us, sent his darling son to save his people from their sin and is now on the right hand of God, making intercession for his people. We are passive in this work, being made free, completely by the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ and now look for Jesus to return and gather up his purchased possession. That silver trumpet polishes my hope and makes it brighter. I am convinced God will cause his children, whom he has called, to recognize that certain sound. They may not understand it all but they will recognize the sound. Prepare for the battle!