Are the waning years of the twentieth century the last days? Many in the greater church of God ponder this question, with varied predictions on the timing of Christ's return to establish His Kingdom. Some suggest a few hundred years remain, while others believe it could be within twenty to fifty years, or even sooner. Skeptics and scoffers, as warned by Peter and Jude, attempt to convince God's people that His return is not imminent, pointing to world events like the slow rise of Europe, peace in the Middle East, and the absence of a massive eastern army as evidence of normalcy. Yet, Peter cautions that such reasoning is flawed, for when God's time arrives, sudden and terrible changes will occur, and we, as His children, must be ready. The term "last days" appears throughout the Bible, first in Genesis 49:1, where Jacob prophesies the future of Israel's tribes before the Messiah's coming. Isaiah 2:2 and Micah 4:1 describe the latter days as the time when the mountain of the Lord's house will be established. In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles use the term frequently, often linked to the first resurrection or the Great White Throne period. Generally, "last days" refers to the period before the return of Jesus Christ, though its meaning can vary by context to include the day of the Lord, the time of God's wrath, the Millennium, or the entire Christian era. Herbert Armstrong often highlighted Matthew 24:22 as a key sign of the last days, stating that unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect's sake, they will be. Another significant sign is the falling away, or apostasy, a departure from the true faith and revealed truth of God, as warned by Paul, Peter, John, James, and Jude. This deception, termed the mystery of lawlessness by Paul, promotes the lie that God's law need not be obeyed. In recent times, many brethren have faced this apostasy, turning from God's truths to twisted doctrines. Paul urges us to stand fast, hold to the traditions taught, and love the truth to be saved. The need to hold fast to sound words further confirms that these are indeed the last days.

As complex and anxious as our lives are, the first four seals can seem somewhat impersonal as signs of the end. Wars, famines, disease, and death may happen to others in distant places, often not hitting close to home. These signs are frequently just intellectual knowledge, not experiential, believed because they are known to occur, not because they have been directly encountered. To gain a better sense of how deep we are into the last days, we should examine something closer, something we are part of or closely associated with. Just as the signs of Matthew 24 give indications of the last days, so do the attitudes listed by Paul in II Timothy 3:1-5. Jesus Christ is coming back soon, and we have no time to waste. It is crunch time, the gun lap, the last hurrah. We must now commit ourselves, as Christ did, to work the works of Him who called us while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.

Millions of people drowned in the deluge God brought upon the earth in the days of Noah. The Flood destroyed the flourishing but corrupt civilization that mankind had built apart from God, and only Noah and his family survived. Jesus alluded to the Flood in relation to His second coming, highlighting the sudden and unexpected nature of that event, much like the days of Noah. People will be involved in their normal activities, not realizing such a momentous event is about to occur. Paul writes that the day of the Lord comes as a thief in the night, bringing sudden destruction when men think they have a handle on society's problems. Peter speaks of scoffers in the last days who will question the promise of His coming, believing all things continue as they always have, ignoring the sudden disruption of the Flood as a precedent. These warnings urge readiness for Christ's return, which will come as a snare on all who dwell on the earth, though not unexpected to those who remain vigilant and heedful, avoiding being mired in sin.

In the last days, as foretold by Jesus Christ in His Olivet Prophecy, the world will mirror the conditions of Noah's time. He indicates that His return will come unexpectedly, catching many unaware as they engage in their daily routines, just as the Flood surprised the people of Noah's era. Life will proceed with normalcy—eating, drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage—until sudden catastrophe strikes, echoing the unforeseen deluge that swept away the unprepared. Jesus Christ emphasizes a dual meaning in likening the last days to Noah's time. Beyond the element of unexpectedness, there is an implication of moral decay. The activities of eating and drinking suggest gluttony and excess, while marrying and giving in marriage hint at corrupt and promiscuous practices, reminiscent of the spiritual corruption described in early Genesis where humanity had fully given itself over to fleshly desires. Additionally, an attitude of uniformitarianism will prevail in the last days, much like before the Flood, where people assume that life continues unchanged since creation, ignoring the possibility of divine intervention or catastrophe. This mindset dismisses the reality of past judgments and the potential for future cataclysms, such as the wrath of God that will jolt the world out of its complacency. The last days will also see heightened demonic influence, paralleling the pre-Flood era when satan sought to corrupt all of humanity spiritually. This pervasive deception will infiltrate even the church, sowing tares among the wheat, as warned by Jesus Christ. The enemy remains active, aiming to deceive and devour, making vigilance and readiness paramount for those awaiting Christ's return.

The concept of the last days is central to understanding the significance of the Feast of Trumpets and its profound impact on our lives. The last days, also referred to as the latter days, the last time, or the last hour, are often equated with the Day of the Lord in the Old Testament. This period can signify a specific day when Christ returns, the entire year of the Day of the Lord, or the general era of His rule. Most commonly, it denotes the time just before and after Christ's return to establish God's Kingdom on earth. A critical sign of the last days is mankind's ability to annihilate all life on the planet, a capability that has existed since the advent of nuclear weapons. With over 40,000 nuclear weapons still available to major powers, alongside chemical and biological weapons, the potential for total destruction is evident. This unprecedented capacity for genocide marks our era as unique in history, fulfilling the signs Christ spoke of regarding the end times. Further signs of the last days include the intensification of religious deception, wars and rumors of wars, famine, diseases, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. These events, though sometimes distant, underscore the reality of the end times. Additionally, societal attitudes, particularly among newer generations, reflect the characteristics described in scripture as prevalent in the last days, marked by self-centeredness and a departure from traditional values. Christ's teachings emphasize the urgency of these times, urging repentance and readiness for His return. The generation that witnesses these signs is the one He will return to, narrowing the timeframe significantly to those who have seen the development and stockpiling of weapons capable of eradicating life. This generation has also endured global conflicts, pestilence, famine, and increasing natural disasters, further confirming the proximity of the last days. The Feast of Trumpets encapsulates both the joy of Christ's return as Lord, Savior, King, and High Priest to establish God's government and the solemnity of judgment, war, destruction, and death that accompany this period. It is a call to repentance and preparation, a reminder of the relief and transformation that will follow these terrible last days, when we will be changed into immortal spirit beings to assist Him in governing the earth.

In the context of biblical imagery and history, the sound of trumpets carries profound significance. For many, it evokes the longing to hear the trumpet that heralds the return of Jesus Christ, signaling the end of man's misguided rule influenced by satan, and the cessation of the pain inflicted on humanity. Biblically, in Israel's history, the trumpet often served as an immediate warning of imminent war, death, and destruction. It also recalls the intimidating blast that grew in intensity as the Ten Commandments were about to be given, and the commands in Numbers 10 where the sound of a trumpet directed the movement of tribes. Furthermore, there is a revealed insight among God's Family that a final trumpet will be blown, marking a critical moment of change and judgment, though the world remains unaware of the utter devastation that awaits until that sound is heard.