(Why Heaven rejoices)

by Karl J. Forehand

How does it all end? Have you ever wondered that about your life? Somehow, I got on the mailing list for a popular psychic. She is always offering to tell me how my love life, etc. is going to turn out. Have you ever skipped to the last chapter of a book to see how it’s going to turn out? Prophecy, in God’s Word, gives us glimpses of how the end of history, as we know it, will turn out. I recently skipped to the last chapter (book) of the Bible and read some of what is to come. Over the next few weeks I’d like to share with you from the 19th and 20th chapters of Revelation. Basically, they surround the Millennial reign of Christ.

Chapter 19 of Revelation begins with the words, “After these things…?” When we see a connective phrase like that, we have to look back a little. Chapter 18 tells us of the destruction of Babylon. Historic Babylon began as Babel, where you know God confused their language because they were trying to build a tower to God. You may remember that Nebuchadnezzar ruled the Babylonian empire for a time. Future Babylon, described here as the harlot, will be a political and economic system that persecutes God’s people and culminates in a worldwide apostate religious system. Heaven is rejoicing, in part, because this system will be destroyed after the tribulation.

Look at following the verses and try to pick out some key things.

After these things I heard, as it were, 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." And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. (Rev. 19:1-6)

The word hallelujah is used only 4 times in the New Testament and all four are in this passage. It comes from the Hebrew word, Halal, which means “praise” and Yah, which is short for “Yahweh” (Lord). Very simply it means “Praise the Lord.” Alleluia, which we see in some translation and in some songs is a mistranslation. It should be hallelujah.

Let me share something interesting with you. Are you familiar with the verse “Hear O Israel, The Lord is our God, the Lord is One?” (Duet. 6:4). This passage is called the Shema. The Israelites recited it every day. It has another name, though. It is called the Great Halal (and Halal means “praise.”). Why is this the Great Halal? I understand that it is a great doctrinal passage and important to our faith (because it helps explain the trinity). But, what does it have to do with praise? Let me share a very strong statement.

To worship properly and praise God effectively, we must understand WHO GOD IS. Not necessarily what He has done for us, but more specifically who He is.

This passage, in Revelation give us 6 of those things to focus upon.

Satan even uses this area to confuse worship. If understanding God is important to praise, then Satan confuses worship by making us focus on physical things that don’t pertain to who God is. He convinces us to focus on the physical side of worship, so that we forget to focus on who God is. Many times we focus on what songs are sung, what message is preached and what we DO in worship instead of what God is. A better question for worship is, “God, what are YOU like?” We might say instead, “God give me a glimpse of heaven and I’ll praise you for it.”

What problem could we possibly have with that? When God gives us a glimpse of heaven, not only do we see God’s majesty; but we also see our own sinfulness (see Isaiah 6:1-6). We see God correctly; but we also see ourselves correctly (as sinful). When we don’t like this we tend to turn towards criticizing and evaluating the physical to avoid God correctly evaluating us.

Are you allowing God to show you who He is so that you can see correctly your state?

Revelation 19:1-6 gives us a total of at least six truths about God that help us rejoice and praise Him.

1. Savlation

Salvation means “deliverance.” We need deliverance, primarily, from sin. Sin creates a barrier between us and God. First, we must be delivered from the penalty of sin. Then, we must be delivered from the power of sin. This is an item of worship, because only God can provide true deliverance (salvation). We may be able to resist for a while or do pretty well; but only God can truly deliver.

Because of forgiveness and deliverance from sin, we join heaven saying “Hallelujah (praise the Lord).

2. Power

Of course, the Greek word for power is “dunamis” where we think we get the word “dynamite.” The power God gives is explosive; but the word literally means “to be able.” In Acts 1:8, Jesus told us “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit come….” Very literally, without the power, we can’t -- with the power, we can. We can do a lot of things; but there are certain hurdles that we will never clear – we can develop the skills – God must do them by His Spirit.

For the power He gives, we say “hallelujah (praise the Lord)”

3. Glory

Glory means ‘approval.” Consider the majesty of your Savior for a minute. Realize that only God is to be viewed that way. Not your football team -- not a movie star – not any other person. When I took vows to marry my wife, I promised never to look at another woman “that” way. Jesus Christ is the only one that is approved for a worshipful look.

Aren’t you glad that your Savior is not some moldy old statue. Aren’t you glad that your Savior is alive? Aren’t you glad that you Savior is full of God glory (approval).

For the glory He possesses, we say “hallelujah (praise the Lord).

4. Judgment

Now wait a minute! We don’t like to talk about his one. Understand that God’s judgment is totally righteous. It conforms to the rules of God. It is also totally true and genuine – it has no hidden agenda.

We are NOT to judge (Matt. 7). We have ulterior motives. We use judgment to gain advantage. We judge based on feelings and emotions. We judge to get what we want.

Even though we know we are not to judge and God’s judgment is true; we often judge anyway and resist God’s judgment. We prefer to judge because it can superficially elevate us. If we put someone down, it seems to elevate us. Conversely, we resist God’s judgment because it humbles us.

When I was a computer operator, there was a guy that occupied a special office. I never saw him come to work or go home and I’m not sure what his exact title was. He designed the system we used and was considered the head nerd. One day I asked if I should enter a certain command to do something on the system. Everyone got a real serious look on their face. They said, “Oh no – only HE does that.” The command was very dangerous – if entered incorrectly it could do serious damage to the system.

Judgment is similar – it’s very dangerous. Only God should judge. He is the only one that does it righteously and true every time.

Because of His righteous and true judgment, we say “Hallelujah (praise the Lord)”

5/6 Master and Ruler

God is our master. We are the doulos (slaves). We are to be “consumed with the will” of our master. I believe submission is one of the most important things to understand about the Christian life. WE must submit to His rule. If we run things, then God can’t have control. It’s an either / or proposition. We must give up ownership.

God is also our ruler. Ruler is different and more consuming than master. A master (in this sense) is only master when we allow Him to be. But, He is always Lord and Ruler (sovereign) not matter what we allow him to do. The president is still the president whether you vote for him or not. The sovereign makes the rules and enforces the rules. HE is the boss of everything all the time.

Because He is sovereign, we say “Hallelujah (praise the Lord).

Sir Walter Scott said, “We often the praise the evening clouds And tints so gay an bold But seldom think upon our God Who tinged the clouds with gold.

May I suggest the reason we don’t praise God is because we don’t take the time to understand:
- His salvation
- His power
- His glory
- His judgment
- His soveignty

Karl J. Forehand, 2001