“A Voice for the Gathering Saints”
Duane Stewart
“Gods Trumpet Sounds”
Trumpets are sounding throughout the earth today that is shouting out a call concerning the condition of the world. These trumpets, while revealing truth in their sound, they are mostly ignored by the populace as a whole. However, among the population of the world there is a small remnant who are, in the seriousness of the present hour, awakening. Meanwhile the carnal worldly-minded people remain blind to the true condition of every arena in today’s society. However, these remnant people are aware of this truth, that the worlds condition, with all its corrupted perversions in the political, economical, educational, medical, entertainment, etc. arenas are the results of certain forces at work to destroy among all humanity any degree of God and Jesus Christ, mans savior.
It is often ask by many, why do such conditions exist when most of humanity lives in a self-survival mind-set? Here the truth when spoken, man does not accept because the truth sounds non-essential where the carnal mind is concerned. Truth nevertheless sounds out to reveal the fault in these arenas. The truth is that most of Christianity has succumbed to the mind-set of carnal religion instead of maintaining an active participation in the ways of God. Religion, the works and concepts of men has never been God’s purpose for His people. The activities of men as manufactured though the concepts and ideals of natural thinking have the tendency to separate men from the spiritual laws and orders of God, as they incorporate their own philosophies conjured up by the selfish mind. A selfish mind remains one that endeavors to fulfill only the desires of self. This speaks of a people who serve a form of their own ideals of God while refusing to accept any type of relationship that puts God as God over their life. Spirituality, in the hands of carnal men becomes but a belief in conduct and ritual. This creates a system of worship involving a code of ethics and a philosophy of carnal practices resembling a system of humanistic manifestations. Where is a true relationship with God in all those activities?
The results of the above-mentioned activities are that which must now give an answer to its failure. The failure is a world full of that which God opposes, thus, a need for judgment to come from God. This judgment is that which separates what the carnal mind of men births from that which God births within men. Who and what then is at fault. Can God put the blame upon today’s visible church? While having at its disposal the Word of God, the promises of God and the Holy Spirit that God gave to enable the church to become His light to a darkened world, meanwhile they have lost the light because of rebellion and stubbornness concerning the Word. They have also forgotten the promises, and forsaken the sent Holy Spirit. This results in a world of darkness. Rom. 1:18-25, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man – and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”
Who opened the door for such rebellion and stubbornness against God’s ways as it permeates the visible church and flows out into a world, having lost the witness God purposed for them to reveal to the world? 2 Peter 2:1-3, “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” Thus the need, a people, a remnant to turn back to God’s ways allowing faith to exercise itself in bringing forth the fullness of God’s promises. What are the promises and what kind of fruit shall they bring forth? Eph. 1:19-23, “And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him on His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
Here God is speaking of a people, His church coming forth without spot or blemish to become that for which He purposed through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ. Thus, a need to humble ourselves before God that this people might be lifted up before Him and the world. Eph. 2:1-6, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” This is the birthing of God’s remnant, His man-child company becoming the visible expression of an invisible God. This is the firstfruits remnant arising to become a loud sounding trumpet heralding and manifesting the appearing of the Christ.
Are you hearing a sounding trumpet? Unto those who have an ear to hear, the sound is gathering the firstfruits remnant to stand upon their feet. The trumpet sounds, the Word of God fulfills its purpose and the firstfruits become a sounding manifesting word bringing judgment to the apostate church. A sound for the need of repentance, which releases the work needed to complete God’s purpose. 2 Tim. 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Being equipped for every good work release the firstfruits to minister judgment to the apostate church. 1 Peter 4:17, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” Judgment brought through these firstfruits shall affect and cause some in the apostate church to repent and come into a realm of life identifying with the Garden of Eden. Those who reject this sounding trumpet shall remain in their wilderness of bondage, a life of carnality and death.
This sounding trumpet is the voice of God giving revelation concerning the true Christ as He appears. How does He first appear except through His army of firstfruits? These firstfruits have become dead to self that others might see the Christ in them. These shall come as clouds of witnesses as the apostate church begins to see God’s glory manifesting in and through them. God’s glory speaks of the Christ-in-us seen by the world through us. Note that Jesus Himself spoke of His glory seen in these saints. John 17:10, “And all mine [Christ] are yours [Gods], and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them [saints].”
Again, take note that God speaks of an army that He sends forth at the day of the Lord’s appearing. This army, now a sounding trumpet are those who manifest God’s glory alone, a great people who are strong with the fire of God going before them. These great people speak of those who have died to self while having Christ manifesting in them. Fire speaks of the perfecting power of God’s word consuming all that is wood, hay, and stubble while purifying the gold, His nature within man. Joel 2:1-3, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand: A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, the like of whom has never been; nor will there ever be any such after them, even for many successive generations. A fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns; The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely nothing shall escape them.”
Who are these elect, this people called Joel’s army? Are they not those who have heard the revelation of Christ and now live it? They are those whom God prepared to be His manifested sons, those creation has and is now waiting for. Rom. 8:19, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.” How can these things be when the church remains apostate and wars against such manifestations from God? They follow the traditions and carnal doctrines of man which seek to rob God and His people while establishing their own little kingdoms. Malachi 3:6-9, “For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. Yet from the days of your fathers, you have gone away from my ordinances and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you said, in what way shall we return? Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me! But you say, in what way have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed me, even this whole nation.” Robbing God is more than cheating in the arena of money but man robs God of His life being lived in and through His people. A people created into His likeness and image.
What is God’s purpose for His people? They are a people called to become His special purpose on earth, the givers of Gods light to all receiving creation. Deut. 14:2, “For you are a holy people to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” 1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”
Again, we ask, how can these things be? How is it that a people can suddenly hear words from God when a shroud of mystery rest upon them? In this, we should have understanding of God’s purpose for the hour and day in which we live. Things once hidden, with a clear sound are now trumpeted with understanding even as God gives a hearing ear to those who desire God’s way instead of the ways of men. Isa. 55:6-9, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; And to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Certain of God’s way have been reserved until the time of their fulfilling. Then, in its proper time, hungry and thirsty vessels begin to hear a new sound, a sound ringing forth with great understanding. Col. 1:26-27, “The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Herein, we must consider the failure of the church and her need as to God’s purpose. The complacency of the people has formed a mind-set that refused to entertain a God of the now. This complacent attitude always puts God far off into the future, an attitude that removes them from any obligation in becoming all that God has spoken. Heb. 5:12-14, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Being obligated requires for a people the need to overcome. Even as God spoke to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, a like-kind requirement is facing the church today. That requirement is the need to overcome all that perverts and corrupts God’s Word, His purpose, and His people. A need to return back to God’s pure Word and escape from the true proverb as spoken in 2 Peter 2:22, “But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to his own vomit, and a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.”
For this cause, a need remains for the sanctifying of the church. What is that need while knowing the sixth day of God is upon us, which speaks of a need to know purification, a time for Joel’s army to come forth and complete the purpose of God’s sixth day of preparation, the preparing of the bride? In this, we see the need and the answer. Matt. 17:1-5, “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, let them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light. And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. The Peter answered and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, Hear Him!”
From the scriptures above, we should note that the event that took place then is pointing to a greater fulfillment purposed for our time. Note that after six days a remnant (Peter, James, and John), were chosen and brought aside for the greater purpose. The greater purpose was to see Jesus in a greater light, a mountain top experience that reveals the true Christ in seeing Him face to face. This experience brings forth the transfigured Christ to know fulfillment within the remnant of God for today. These firstfruits are now dressed with Christ’ robe or righteousness. That is, a transfigured people sent forth bringing righteousness to the corrupt church. A people, a bright cloud of witnesses dressed in God’s glory, with all speaking with a common voice having one mind and being in one accord. Becoming the kingdom of God revealed to the world. Matt. 24:14, “And the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Herein the trumpet sounds throughout the land as the church receives the judgment of purification as ministered through Joel’s army. This army marches as they hear God’s voice leading them. Joel 2:11, “The Lord gives voice before His army, for His camp is very great; for strong is the One who executes His word. For the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; who can endure it?”
Note the results of God’s marching orders. A word of judgment, leaving behind them a desolate wilderness because repentance brings change, a removal of all corruption, with the realm of the Garden of Eden set before them. (Note Joel 2:1-3 again). This speaks of purification that brings restoration to the hungry desirous folks still within the apostate church. Bringing forth Gods church without spot or blemish in preparing the bride church to become the marriage supper of the Lamb. Are you hearing a trumpet sounding out? If so, how are you responding? Your requirement, from God, is to leave behind all that perverts, corrupts, and deceives. In this departure, an open heaven reveals to this people the fullness of God’s purpose that they might become. Hear, the sounding trumpet is sounding out His appearing in the earth. God’s people are now strong in the power of His might, which manifest His nature and glory to all nations.
