Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Story behind the Hallelujah chorus.

Who wrote the song, Joy to the World?

Pretty famous, right?

Well, it turns out that Joy to the World was not the most well-known song written by this composer.

We are going to see the text and hear the song that beats out Joy to the World in just a bit.

The Third Woe Begins (15a)

The final trumpet.

The end of the interlude.

The Final Mission Proclaimed (15b)

The most famous song written by the composer of Joy to the World, George Frederick Handel, is Hallelujah, or as we usually call it, The Hallelujah Chorus.

In 1741, Handel composed Messiah and what we know now as the Hallelujah Chorus.

While designing and composing Messiah, Handel was in debt and deeply depressed; however, the masterpiece was completed in a mere 24 days.

Despite his mental and financial state, the Hallelujah Chorus’s birth story is a glorious one.

After Handel’s assistant called for him for a few moments, the assistant went to Handel’s work area because he received no response from Handel.

Upon entering the room, the assistant saw tears emerge from Handel’s eyes.

When the assistant asked why Handel was crying, Handel proclaimed, “I have seen the face of God,” while lifting up the composition of the Hallelujah Chorus, which ended up being the crowing achievement of his career.

The lyrics in the Hallelujah Chorus are derived from three passages of the New Testament of the Bible, Revelation 19:6, Revelation 19:16, and Revelation 11:15.

Revelation 19:6 reads, “And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omipotent reigneth.”

Similarly, Revelation 11:15 states, “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”

Lastly, “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords,” is from Revelation 19:16.

The Hallelujah Chorus has its own tradition that has emerged over time.

A standard practice is for the audience to stand while this portion of Messiah is performed.

This tradition began by the example of King George II.

It was understood that whenever the King stood, everyone else was supposed to as well.

For over 200 years, this tradition has remained.

Few people know exactly why the King stood at this time.

Speculations for this standing ovation range from King George II showing respect for the piece and its importance to the King seeking relief from his gout.

Upon his death on April 14, 1759, George Frideric Handel was largely known and recognized by many famous composers, such as Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven.

His fame lives on in his masterful compositions.

Play: Hallalujah Chorus

The use of the singular term kingdom of the world instead of the plural “kingdoms” introduces an important truth.

All of the world’s diverse national, political, social, cultural, linguistic, and religious groups are in reality one kingdom under one king.

The Final Mission Explained (16-19)

See the pattern here of how the end comes about.

The nations rage.

The wrath of God comes.

The dead are judged.

The righteous are rewarded.

The destroyers of this earth and destroyed.

This is the fulfillment of several of the most powerful prophecies in all of Scripture.

Look at the last verse - it is God giving a little glimpse of what is to come.

The ark represents God's covenant with man.

Here he pulls back the veil of heaven and shows that soon the fullness of God's covenant with Israel, and by extension of His promises to us, will be fulfilled.

Our response - holiness and godliness.

Discussion Questions

How does knowing that all the earth is currently living in one kingdom ruled by Satan affect the way you interact with the world?

What seem to be the rules that Satan wants his followers to obey?

Is it easy or hard to avoid living by those rules?

Why or why not?

What did you think of the Hallelujah Chorus?

If you were going to write a song about a theme in Scripture, what would it be?

How would you want the song to affect people?

What can you be doing to grow in holy conduct and godliness?

Any specific examples beyond just general principles?