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The 4 Hallelujahs of Revelation 19!

I read a passage in Revelation that made me think of an old children's chorus.  Do you remember singing this: "Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah!  Praise ye the Lord!"?  Those 4 hallelujahs just kept getting louder and louder!  And, if we're honest, don't we still like seeing the kids do it in church?  And maybe wish we could join in again?  We may not jump up like we used to, but our spirits leap within us when we sing those 4 hallelujahs! 

My mind goes to another song; one I first heard sung by Pentatonix - "Hallelujah." 

Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen

Now I've heard there was a secret chord

That David played, and it pleased the Lord.

But you don’t really care for music, do you?

It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth

The minor falls, the major lifts.

The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

The song is by Leonard Cohen.  It was originally released in 1984.  It has quite an interesting story, but not all of it is repeatable in church.  This song wasn't even the lead song of the album.  It was on the back side of the album.  And, though it was rejected by Cohen's original label, it has been sung by many, many artists in the last 38 years.  It seems to be timeless.  Something about the melody and the repeating of Hallelujah is gripping. 

So, let's get to the scripture that brought this whole thing up to begin with: Revelation 19:1-9.  Listen for the 4 hallelujahs, and ask yourself which one you just might need to say today:

After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”

And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!”  And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”

Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

As in the children's chorus or as in Cohen's 1984 release, here in Revelation 19, there are 4 hallelujahs.  And today, we can praise the Lord for these four things:

1. The Hallelujah of God's Salvation (Verses 1-2): 

“After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just...”

God's salvation, glory, power, and judgments.  God is worthy of praise just because he is God!  He is true and just. His power and authority are unstoppable and irresistible!

2. The Hallelujah of the Saints' Vindication (Verses 2-3):

“for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”

The saints' vindication is seen in the judgment of sin (v. 3).  How can we ever praise God enough for Jesus, the Savior?  We have been set free from sin's dominion! Have you ever needed to be vindicated? The accuser of the brothers.

3. The Hallelujah of a Universal Invitation (verses 4-5):

“And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”

Here we see the universal invitation. Small and great can be his servants, whether we are small or great in the eyes of man (v. 5).  We do not need the praise of man who perishes, but that of God which lasts for eternity!  I want to please him! The humble shall be exalted and the exalted shall be brought low.

           4. The Hallelujah of the Final Consummation (verses 6-9):

“Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

The final consummation - The marriage of the Lamb which is to come when we will reign with him in righteousness forever and ever! (verses 6-8).  One day we will be transported from the veil of tears and we shall join the hosts of heaven singing his praises forever and ever.  Hallelujah!

I recently listened to an address given by Canadian Psychologist, Jordan Peterson to a group of college students, faculty, and staff.  He said something like this: May it be fulfilled to each one of you that you come to the end of your life and look back and say, "That was hard!  But God it was worth it!"

The final stanza of Hallelujah says...

Now, I've done my best, I know it wasn't much.

I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch.

I've told the truth, I didn’t come here just to fool you.

And even though it all went wrong,

I'll stand right there before the Lord of song.

With nothing, nothing on my tongue, but Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah.

Rev. Scott Wade, President of Momentum Ministries, author, publisher, and pastor (www.momentumministries.org)