A Question for the Society

The following is a letter I wrote to the society regarding my question as to the sounding of the seven trumpets.

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I am a member of the Crabtree Congregation in Oregon. For the past two years I have been struggling with an issue that has become somewhat of a stumbling block for me. I have talked to the elders in my congregation, and a few others, however the elders suggested I write to the society for clarification. 

What I am about to present to you seems to be so clear from the scriptures, and yet it goes contrary to what we have been taught regarding the 7th trumpet being blown, and the establishment of Jehovahs Kingdom. As a witness, I have always believed, ever since I was taught, that 1914 was when this occurred. I firmly believed this to be true, taught it to my children, and to others. My question begins with this…

In the April 1 Watchtower of 1990, on page 31, we are told in a Question From Readers that the seventh[trumpet blast] is linked to the birth of God’s Kingdom in 1914. A portion of article is referenced here:

*** w90 4/1 p. 31 Questions From Readers ***

Q: When did the seven angelic trumpet blasts of Revelation begin to sound?

“…The final three trumpet blasts involve “woes.” (Revelation 8:13) They are different from the first four trumpet blasts in that they relate to specific events. The fifth trumpet blast is related to the release in 1919 of God’s people from “the abyss.” The sixth has to do with the “cavalry” and the massive international preaching campaign that began in 1922. The seventh is linked to the birth of God’s Kingdom in 1914.”

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Turning to the scriptures we find the following three verses which describes the seventh, or last trumpet blast, that is sounded to initiate the event of gathering the chosen ones/anointed to heaven. 

(1Co 15:52) . . .in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, during the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised up incorruptible, and we shall be changed. . .

(1Th 4:16) . . .because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first. . . 

(Mt 24:31) . . .And he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity.

It’s fairly clear that these scriptures are talking about the same event, which is the gathering/rising of the chosen ones during the last trumpet.

Revelations also tells us that the 7th, or last trumpet blast, is the moment when Jesus Christ is given the kingdom, and the sacred secret of God is brought to a finish.

(Re 11:15) . . .And the seventh angel blew his trumpet. And loud voices occurred in heaven, saying: “The kingdom of the world did become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will rule as king forever and ever…”
(Re 10:7) . . .but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to blow his trumpet, the sacred secret of God according to the good news which he declared to his own slaves the prophets is indeed brought to a finish.”  

The question I have comes down to this scripture found at Matthew 24:29, it says.

(Mt 24:29-31) 29 “Immediately after the tribulation of those days ... he will send forth his angels with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones together from the four winds, from one extremity of the heavens to their other extremity.”

We have been taught that the 7th trumpet blew in 1914, however the scripture in Matthew states that it happens “Immediately AFTER the tribulation”.

Can you see the contradiction that this creates between our current understanding?

The implications of this to our teachings are staggering, in that if the seventh trumpet does not blow until AFTER the great tribulation, that would mean that Rev 11:15 could not have happened in 1914 either.  Which would mean that Gods Kingdom has not been born yet.   Therefore, if this is true, Pauls warning at 2 Thes 2:1-2 would apply to us since the witnesses are the only group who have taught that Jesus presence has begun, and that the holy ones are being gathered up to him, and that the Day of Jehovah is here.

Either the seventh/last trumpet blows AFTER the great tribulation, or it already blew in 1914 as we are currently taught.  Please, can a clarification of this be given by the society?  

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