Mysterious sounds have been reported around the world, and many witnesses are likening them to the trumpet blasts described in the biblical book of Revelation.
WND reported on the phenomenon that has been puzzling people in Britain, Ukraine, the U.S., Germany and Belarus.
The reports have prompted new speculation about the end times.
But several authors who have addressed that subject in their books say a good dose of caution is appropriate, concluding the sounds may be a spiritual warning rather than a literal announcement of the end of days.
Pastor, talk-show host and author Carl Gallups, who used the symbol of the trumpets of Revelation as the basis for his exploration of the end times in "Final Warning: Understanding the Trumpet Days of Revelation," says believers should be wary of hoaxes.
"Of course, some would expect an author who has written a book about the 'trumpet days' of Revelation to be absolutely giddy about the reported phenomenon of mysterious trumpet sounds coming from the sky at various locations around the world. However, the opposite is true," he said.
"There is room for a lot of scientific, common sense and biblical skepticism in this matter. Even though I love to point out scriptural connections to current geopolitical events and their possible prophetic correlations, I am not a wild-eyed sensationalist. I consistently strive to give an objective and biblically balanced explanation of sensational and unusual claims. I approach these kinds of claims with investigative and biblical caution."
Gallups, a former law enforcement officer in Florida, suggests some of the reported incidents could be artificially created.
"I have been researching this topic for years and am still very skeptical about the authenticity of these purported 'trumpet events.' With today's technology, it would be all too simple to overlay these weird, supernatural-like sounds into a video after you have gathered up a few friends to gawk up into the sky while you film them. Couple this with the fact that two insanely popular movies, 'War of The Worlds' and 'Clash of The Titans,' have almost identical sounds in them – it is easy to approach this topic with a high level of skepticism.
"Besides, where were the many thousands of other people who certainly should have heard the same sounds at the same time and frantically reported them? Where were the instantaneous mainstream media in reporting such a stupendous and 'widely witnessed' event? Where are the multiple police reports that should exist in these cases? Why were the social media formats not virtually, and instantly, lit up with activity, questions and credible reports coming from these high-population-density areas where the sounds were reported to have been recorded?"
Numerous videos are posted on YouTube from across the globe, with people wondering just what is causing the strange phenomenon.
Here's a sampling of what's being reported:
Gallups acknowledges the Bible discusses literal, audible trumpet sounds that come from the heavens to warn of important events.
"It is a fact that audible trumpets (from the sky or heavens) do figure into several biblical events. The most important (and the biblically recorded first such event) was when God revealed the law on Mt. Sinai; his presence was accompanied by 'a very loud trumpet blast,' causing everyone in the camp to quake in terror and holy fear (Exodus 19:16). Verse 19 says the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Of course, there were over a million people who witnessed and heard the sound of this trumpet blast."
Gallups also concedes believers are not necessarily misguided when they look for a literal, audible sign of the end times.
"Jesus said that at His second coming, 'He will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds' (Matthew 24:31). Jesus also revealed that 'fearful events and great signs from heaven' (Luke 21:11) would accompany the last days."
However, he suggests larger events happening in the world are surer harbingers of the end of days.
"The bottom line is that the 'trumpets' of Revelation are not contextually presented as being audible trumpet sounds heard by humans on earth as much as they are presented as being harbingers to the last days generation – significant world events that warn that the return of Jesus Christ is near."
Pastor Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries, the discoverer of the "Blood Moons" phenomenon, points out the next prophetic feast to be fulfilled in his interpretation is the Feast of Trumpets.
The author of "Blood Moons: Decoding the Imminent Heavenly Signs" told WND: "The Feast of Trumpets is also known as Rosh Hashanah, which this year falls on Sunday, September 13. And a Feast of Trumpets will herald the beginning of the seven year tribulation."
While Biltz cannot say the tribulation will begin on the next Feast of Trumpets this September, he explains this particular Rosh Hashanah will coincide with other prophetically significant occurrences.
"On the Feast of Trumpets this year, not only will there be a solar eclipse, but it also is the beginning of a new seven-year Shemitah cycle!"
In Biltz's interpretation, the first year of the tribulation has to begin the first year of the Shemitah cycle. Therefore, Biltz believes, "If the tribulation does not begin this Feast of Trumpets, the model is it cannot begin for seven more years."
Author and Christian teacher Joel Richardson sees significance in the societal reaction to the mysterious sounds. The author of "When a Jew Rules the World: What The Bible Really Says About Israel in the Plan of God" says the worldwide reaction shows people around the globe sense something is deeply wrong with the course of current events. Perhaps, Richardson suggests, the world is expecting something.
"Many people throughout the world today have the sense that we may indeed be approaching the final period of the present age," he said. "Given that reality, it's interesting that these unexplainable sounds bear a peculiar resemblance to the sound of trumpets. The Scriptures, of course, tell us that it is at the final trumpet that Jesus will return to overthrow this present wicked system, and establish his kingdom here on the earth. One could also say that it sounds as if the earth itself is groaning under the burden of bearing the increasing sins of mankind. So also do the Scriptures tell us that all of creation itself is groaning and yearning for the return of Jesus."
Richardson believes a scientific explanation can likely be found for the strange sounds. However, he cautions, this does not mean the ominous worldwide occurrence doesn't reveal a greater, intangible truth.
"While I think it is fair to say that there is some scientific explanation for the sounds, it is also fair to say that those who have spiritual ears to hear might see in these unexplainable phenomena a divine hint as to what may be just around the corner. As Jesus and John the Baptist both said, 'Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.'"
Gallups admits he cannot explain all of the reports coming in from around the globe.
"I do not pretend to have the definitive answer to those collections of claims and 'trumpet' recordings that appear to possess a higher degree of credible validity. There has also been some coverage on the phenomenon reported by fairly reliable media sources," he told WND.
"There have been several scientific authorities that have weighed in on the matter as well – some of them have interesting possible explanations ranging from acoustic-gravity waves to solar flare shock waves and tectonic plate movement. University of Oklahoma geoscientist David Deming wrote in the Journal of Scientific Exploration about a scientific fact called The Hum – 'a mysterious and untraceable sound that is heard in certain locations around the world by 2 to 10 percent of the population.' I do not have the scientific expertise in these areas to offer a critique of these various explanations."
However, Gallups believes Christians already are surrounded by signs of what he believes could be Christ's imminent return. And Gallups urges Christians to act with a sense of urgency.
"The Bible is clear that the days prior to the rapture will be distinguished by increasing wickedness (2 Timothy 3:1-4) and prolific false teaching (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 4:3)," Gallups explained. "In the times after the rapture, the deception and wickedness will only grow worse.
"Regardless of the 'sky trumpet' phenomenon, or speculation as to their origins – an astute observer of the times in which we are currently living cannot deny … we are living in prophetic times. It is time to be right with the Lord."
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