Monday, April 22, 2013

Hallelujah - Revelation 19:1-6

Revelation 19:1-6 NASB
The Fourfold Hallelujah
After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying,
“ Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God; because His judgments are true and righteous; for He has judged the great harlot who was corrupting the earth with her immorality, and HE has avenged the blood of His bond- servants on her.” And a second time they said, “ Hallelujah! Her smoke rises up forever and ever.” And the twenty- four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, “ Amen. Hallelujah!” And a voice came from the throne, saying,
“ Give praise to our God, all you His bond- servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying,
“ Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

The harlot has finally met her end. The temple is once again open to receive those who would worship God. The bowls have been poured out, judgement has been dispensed.

Heaven celebrates the fulfillment of God's plan. There is a great multitude which gives voice in thanksgiving and praise to God the Father. This is the first hallelujah that rises from several sources in heaven. They say it twice as if to confirm it's joy as the truth.

The third hallelujah is one of agreement which comes from the living creatures and the elders around the throne. Amen to the Great Amen. All of creation in the form of the living creatures shares in this exultation of praise. The elders, which may reflect the church and the Bride of Christ, join with the living creatures to add their assent.

Then a voice calls out from the throne. The voice is unidentified, but coming from the throne, one would think it is The Lord. The words that are spoken speak of "our God". This might be something uttered by the elders, or the church. They are a royal priesthood and sit with Christ on His throne. They lead the great multitude in praise of God Almighty. The sound is likened to roar of a mighty rush of waters, perhaps like the sound of a large waterfall beyond any found on earth. The nations of the new earth join in the fourth hallelujah. Again we note the fourfold structure which may be associated with creation.

Our Lord reigns!

Psalms 106:1-3
Psalm 106
Give Thanks to the Lord, for He Is Good
Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord,
or declare all his praise?
Blessed are they who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times!

Psalms 149:1-2
Sing to the Lord a New Song
Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
his praise in the assembly of the godly!
Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!

Psalms 150:1-2
Psalm 150
Let Everything Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!

Isaiah 25:1-2
God Will Swallow Up Death Forever
O Lord, you are my God;
I will exalt you; I will praise your name,
for you have done wonderful things,
plans formed of old, faithful and sure.
For you have made the city a heap,
the fortified city a ruin;
the foreigners 'palace is a city no more;
it will never be rebuilt.

Revelation 15:7-8
And one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God who lives forever and ever, and the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished.

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