London, 1743. "Messiah", a musical masterpiece by George Frideric Handel, was about to be performed in England for the very first time. The Biblical narrative put into music and harmony filled the air of the auditorium that day, slowly weighing over those who hear it: nobles, important members of Parliament, businessmen, even the king of England himself. As the first notes of the triumphant Hallelujah Chorus rang out, the king was so moved that he rose to his feet and stood as a gesture of honor. And as the people found the monarch standing up, everyone in the audience also followed suit and started standing up. Soon, the entire host was standing as the be series of Hallelujahs filled the auditorium. It would soon become a custom for future audiences all across the world to stand whenever the Chorus is performed Hallelujah, a Hebrew term meaning "praise the Lord", is used 28 times in the Bible: 24 of these are found in the Book of Psalms, and the remaining four in the Book of Revelation. The word has been reserved in moments of extravagant worship in the book of Psalms, mainly found at either the beginning or the end of a psalm. The word 'hallelujah' is also found in Revelation 19, where a great multitude has described to have gathered before the throne in the immediate presence of God Himself. It is the wedding supper of the Lamb. The enemies of God have been overthrown, and the gospel has triumphed. In a victory celebration, all heaven renders praise, a song of thanksgiving uttered by all who have gathered. They sang 'hallelujah' as they celebrate God’s victory over His enemies, His sovereignty, and His eternal communion with His people forever. The sound of the outpouring of praise and worship is so overwhelming that the apostle John can only describe it as “like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder”.
We can say 'hallelujah' because there will come a day when every tear will be wiped away from every eye, a day when the wars and violence would cease, a day when all of life would flourish without sickness and disease.
In the same way that Handel’s musical piece would only appear like a mere foreshadowing of that great chorus in heaven, so it is that we could only barely imagine the magnificence that will be expressed. One could only imagine that heavenly chorus as the time will come when we sing, “Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigns!” Until then, we declare "Your Kingdom come".
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