A man named Mark Moring has advice on how to stay safe. After doing some research, he suggests the following.
- Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20 percent of all fatal accidents.
- Do not stay home, because 17 percent of all accidents occur in the home.
- Avoid walking because 14 percent of all accidents occur to pedestrians.
- Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16 percent of all accidents involve these forms of transportation.
- Of the remaining 33 percent, 32 percent of all deaths occur in hospitals. Above all else, avoid hospitals!
However, he says, .001 of a percent of all deaths occur in worship services in church, and of those deaths it’s usually related to a prior physical condition. Therefore, his logic tells us that the safest place for you and I is at church!” (Mark Moring, Elburn, Illinois; www. PreachingToday.com)
Now, obviously, this is all said tongue-in-cheek, but it does raise an important question: Why are you at church? I trust that you are here to praise and worship Jesus with your brothers and sisters.
I invite you to study Revelation chapter 19 with me, where we see a time of worship and praise to Jesus that eclipses all others.
Worship plays a major role in the book of Revelation in fact, more than any other book of the New Testament. Chapter 19 can be considered one of the wealthiest chapters for worship in the New Testament. One famous composer influenced by this chapter was George Friedrich Händel. The lyrics in Handel’s famous “Messiah Hallelujah Chorus” are composed out of Revelation 19. In chapter 19 all of heaven and every voice of the saints unite to praise God. Look at 19:5 “Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!” They are all rejoicing because they are witnessing the reality of God’s salvation and authority.
A principle we learn while studying Chapter 19 is that Christians praise Jesus because they know the end of the story! Therefore we…
Worship Jesus because of His Salvation.
I hope that you are glad to be in the company of brothers and sisters in the Lord and to participate in public worship. This is a wonderful chapter to learn about praising Jesus.
Revelation 19:1-2 “After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are His judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries.”
We have a glimpse into a future day in chapter 19. We just studied how the world’s system is crushed in chapter 18. Now we read about a wonderfully joyful day.
It’s kind of like Liberation day in Europe after World War II, yet dims in comparison. During WWII the people of France were exuberant to be freed from the cruel rule of Germany! From crumbling buildings and homes people ran into the streets to celebrate.
This chapter is sandwiched between the destruction of a global culture of sin, in chapter18 and the destruction of Satan and the demonic world in chapter 20. It’s an explosion of jubilation! There is great rejoicing after the tribulation is over.
When reading chapters 18 and 20 there is the staggering account of Satan and people eternally doomed, destroyed and dammed. In fact, reading these two chapters can make us sad and discouraged because so many people are so foolish to accept that fate. However, the message according to chapter 19, is that a believer is not to react sadly to the judgment of God.
Their praise in verse 1 and 2 recognizes Jesus Christ for what He has done.
There are four instances of the word “hallelujah” in chapter 19. This is the only occurrences of this word in the New Testament. The English translation means “praise to God.” This phrase means a triumphal shout in recognition of what God has done. (Ed Hahn “praise God!”)
The praise of the great multitude in verse 1 begins with the word, “Hallelujah.” Their praise contains the word “Hallelujah” which is a transliteration of the Hebrew word hale˘lû-yah because there is not a Greek or English word comparable. It literally means “praise Yah(weh).”
Also notice with me in verse 1 the use of the word Hallelujah is in the front of the statement. In the Hebrew language this term is a preemptive call for others to join in praise to God. In Hebrew culture this word is used in the front of statements about God. Today, the use of this term has shifted to mean the conclusion of all. For example we use it at the end of statements about God like the word Amen! Both of these words are an exclamation of praise for an experience of the goodness of God. Today, when we say Amen or Hallelujah it is because we believe God and His Word. So Let’s…
Worship Jesus with Thankfulness.
In verses 3 and 4 note how their statement of praise is really a public outbursts declaring God’s justice, power and salvation. Let’s look at these praises in verses 3 and 4…
Revelation 19:3-4 “He has avenged on her the blood of His servants.” And again they shouted: “Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever.” The twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God, who was seated on the throne. And they cried: “Amen, Hallelujah!” – which means, “Praise the Lord!”
When we praise an object, it is a form of communication and what we praise communicates a message! Please notice verse 3, “Again they shouted hallelujah.” This great multitude communicates a powerful message. And the repetition serves to emphasize this important information about what Jesus has done.
In chapter 19, all these heavenly beings and people are communicating ‘when you say “Praise God” you’ve said it all!’
Maybe I can help you understand the reason of all of this corporate praise in chapter 19 by two rhetorical questions:
- What causes you to praise Jesus?
- What would Christianity be without praising God together?
Paise is a response to what Jesus Christ has done. We owe this to Jesus. In verse 4, the act of worship and praise to Jesus in heaven is symbolized by “smoke rising forever and ever!” For we should…
Worship Jesus because He loves Us.
Chapter 19 verses 1-4 has two groups of worshippers. The first group are those who know God, the angels and the 24 elders. They praise God for they have experienced the truth! The second group is in verse 5.
Revelation 19:5 “Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you His servants, you who fear him, both small and great!”
The second group are those who crave the experience of being with God for eternity. The phrase ‘small and great’ gives it away, it’s a reference to believers. It’s about believers who now know salvation and are in heaven and experiencing the truth of physically being with God forever.
But notice this is a command to praise God from God! There is a great principle: Praising God is a vital activity for believers.
There are two major reasons that all believers are commanded to praise Jesus.
- We should praise Him because He saved us from His wrath.
- We should praise Him because He loves us and defends us.
The Apostle Paul proclaimed to believers that we will have tension waiting for that day. Allow me to read you Romans 8:24-25 “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” So what are we to do until our complete salvation and redemption happens? We should praise God while we wait! As one hymn title states “What a Day that Will Be!”
As said in verse 5 this is God’s command for all “all who fear Him, small and great” to join in the worship and praise of God with their voices. That means Jesus Christ desires a believer’s praise and worship.
Revelation 19:6 “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns.”
Notice the end of verse 6 the phrase “Hallelujah! For our Lord God almighty reigns!” Jesus deserves our worship because He is the king of Kings.
In chapter 19, they are praising Jesus in the midst of a world that was dominated by corruption and sin. Their praise “for our Lord God Almighty reigns” is a powerful statement of faith. Sin and Satan are defeated! It is easy to praise God in good times but it’s very powerful during bad times. Remember this is between the judgment of the earth and the judgement of Satan. Yet for us today, while we wait for this day of salvation and redemption we should…
Worship Jesus because of our invitation to the Wedding.
Revelation 19:7-8 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. For fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.”
In verse 8, there is another reason they praise the Lord. It’s tucked away in the phrase “was given.” Every believer is given clothes of righteousness by God so we all can attend the wedding.
Notice that receiving this invitation causes great joy. We are joyful because receiving His righteousness is a gift and receiving this wedding invitation is a privilege. It’s the greatest invitation ever. It’s like being obnoxiously glad for getting tickets for some event. But this is the greatest event of all time!
The imagery of a wedding and a wedding feast convey the mood of the kingdom of God. God’s kingdom is filled with joy and celebration, happiness and intimacy with Jesus Christ forever. What does that look like? No more tears, sin, harm or fear! This is a great reason to worship but it’s not the only reason to worship Jesus!
Our praise isn’t just for the good things we receive. Notice this last verses of our study.
Our chapter calls for our praise and worship of Jesus:
- because of Salvation.
- out of thankfulness.
- because He loves us.
- for the marriage supper of the Lamb and.
- because He reigns supreme…
Worship Jesus because He Alone is Lord.
Revelation 19:9-10 “Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”
There is nothing that should distract us from our praise and worship of Jesus Christ. Yet, we are distracted from our praise and worship, because it is easier than you think.
Notice even the Apostle John was tempted in this error. While John is visited by this mighty angel, even though He knew Jesus and lived with Jesus on earth, he still slipped.
Notice the angel’s response is quick and decisive in verse 10, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!
These words are a reminder that nothing, or no one, is deserving of worship but God.
This means that who we worship is a form of our witness. Believers have the privilege to show how important Jesus is by our public praise and worship to Him. One of the best witnesses we can display is our faithful worship and praise to Jesus Christ. In fact, that is what the angel is telling John in verse 10:“I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God!”
This final statement of verse 10 has a very important lesson. No one and no thing other than Jesus Christ should be worshipped. The last phrase at the end of verse 10 means “Jesus Christ is prophecy fulfilled”…so worship Him.”
While we were on our recent vacation to Florida last month, we visited a restaurant named Goatfeathers! I found out that goatfeathers is a term that means the distractions, sidelines and deflections that take a man’s attention from his own business and keep him from moving forward.
– Ellis Parker Butler 1913
Might this be our main lesson from verses 1-10. It’s a believer’s business to praise God. Let’s not let anything distract us, for He is worthy!
So, if you haven’t put your faith in Jesus Christ, make today the first day that you can truly praise and worship Him for all eternity because He saved you from the consequences of your sin.
Believers, let’s leave our corporate time in the Word with a renewed focus to publicly praise and worship Jesus Christ…
- because of the salvation He provides.
- because we are thankful.
- because He loves us.
- because we are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb and.
- because He reigns supreme…
And all God’s people said: Hallelujah!