As all my friends know, I look forward to the day when the Lord calls us to meet him in the air. I have always assumed (a dangerous word) that only Believers would hear that call. Recently, a Christian Brother proposed that all the world would hear the Voice of the Lord calling His children Home. I had never thought of that.

A search of the Word gives us a few instances of the Lord speaking to humans on earth. When the Lord first gave the Ten Commandments, He did so verbally. (Exodus 19:19) It frightened the Children of Israel so much that they asked Moses to ask the Lord not to do that anymore. Is it possible that the voice of the Lord was heard by all mankind besides the Israelites or only by those to whom it was directed?

A “voice from Heaven” told Nebuchadnezzar that his kingdom was taken from him, and he lived as a wild animal for seven periods of time. (Daniel 4:31) I doubt that this voice was heard by all the world. In the account of the immersion of the Lord Jesus, the grammar of Matthew indicates the statement by the Lord of pleasure in His son was directed to those who witnessed the event. (Matthew 3:16-17)

A most interesting account is found in John 12:28-30. Jesus said, “Father, glorify thy name.” Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” Of the people that stood by, some said they heard thunder, and others said, “An angel spoke to him.” In this instance, there is a selectiveness between hearers. It appears that Believers heard the voice, while scoffers only heard thunder.

So, when the Lord calls us with a shout and the voice of the archangel and the trump of God (First Thessalonians 4:16-17), who will hear it?

The Lord always gives us a choice. This principle is found in Genesis 2:16-17. The Lord gave Adam the choice of any tree in the garden, and told him if he chose to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, he would die. He gave Adam a choice. Personally, I hope that all the world hears the voice of the Lord, and that this voice and the “disappearance” of Believers will be inextricably meshed in the minds of the people of the world. This would fit with the principle of the Lord giving mankind one last choice.

There is also the event found in Revelation 14:6-7 where an angel preaches to all who remain on the earth, “Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.”

May all the world hear the voice of the Lord and believe and be obedient unto Salvation. May there be BILLIONS more souls gathered around the throne of the Most High God, praising Him because He deserves all honor and glory and praise!