What will your song be at the Seventh Trumpet? Or even today?

Church Family:  Did you know that the most famous piece of music ever written was completed in 1742, by George Frederic Handel?  After suffering a sever stroke at age 52, Handel finished his greatest piece of choral musical work, Messiah.  There are three parts of the Messiah that cover Jesus’ birth, the Crucifixion, resurrection and all the way to His second coming as the reigning King.  The Messiah is written as an Oratorio which means “teaching by music.”  Oratorios became popular at a time when Bibles were rare and expensive and many people could not read.  So, to overcome these enormous obstacles Christian composers set these great Bible truths and stories to music so men and women of any age could remember them and get great hope and encouragement.  As Handel finished writing, Messiah, he told his assistant, “I think I saw the face of God.”  One part of this Oratorio has become the most famous piece of music ever written and I am sure you have heard of it.  It is called the Hallelujah Chorus.

Most likely you have sung the Hallelujah Chorus many times, especially during Christmas.  But, do you know what it is about?  Did you know that you were singing the climax of the Seventh Trumpet Judgment in Revelation 11:15?  Yep. I promise.  Handel’s Messiah is simply declaring with great passion and crescendo, "The kingdom of this world Is become the kingdom of our Lord, And of His Christ, and of His Christ; And He shall reign for ever and ever, For ever and ever, forever and ever,  King of kings, and Lord of lords..."  Handel is declaring what Revelation 11:15 declares, God wins!  God wins!  The world loses!  HALLELUJAH!  HALLELUJAH!  Hallelujah meaning “to boast in God.”  

But what does the term “world” mean in the Bible?  1 John 2:16 defines the world as, “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world .”  The term “world” in the Bible simply refers to the present evil systems and people that are in rebellion against God through the desire of the flesh, desires of the eyes and pride of life.  Basically, “the world” is the antagonist in the story of redemption, the bad guys.
 
In the Seventh Trumpet Judgment  what happens to the “world” - those in opposition and rebellion against God?  The seventh angel blasts his trumpet and at once the rebellious world system and its leader, Satan, are destroyed.  And at the same moment the Kingdom of God ushers in Christ’s reign and rule over all enemies.  God will have rule and reign without challenge.  When the kingdom of the world becomes the Kingdom of our Lord and of Christ there will be no more injustice, no more unbelief, no more sin, no more sorrow, no more impurities, no more sickness, no more sorrow, no more death, no more hospitals.  Everything will be the way God wants it to be.  God wins, we win!  Which leads us to sing with passion Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus, "And God shall reign forever and ever, King of kings, forever and ever, and Lord of lords, Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"  Let this be our song today.

Please take three minutes and listen to the Hallelujah chorus with the lyrics knowing that is is rejoicing in that future promise that "the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever”  - Revelation 11:15.

This Sunday we will be meeting in person at the church building if you would like to join us in person at 10am.  And for those who will be staying at home, we will  be live-streaming on our Grace Community Church Topsail YouTube Channel. Push the blue link.  We can also be found at https://www.gracetopsail.com/

I look forward to worshipping the Lion and the Lamb, Jesus Christ, with you Sunday. - Steve