The Hallelujahs in Heaven

Revelation 19:1-6 The Hallelujahs in Heaven

There are certain words that we say in church that stand out. For example, a person might say “Amen” when they agree with a certain part of the message.

Someone might say “Praise the Lord” when they witness or feel the presence of the Lord.

But there is another word that stands out, and even though it is well known, it is not well used. The word is “Hallelujah”.

Now this is an amazing word, first because no matter where you go in the world, the word Hallelujah is pronounced the same. French, Russian, Japanese, Korean, and America and all over the world the word is pronounced the same.

There were two men on a ship that left where everyone was drinking and cussing. They ran into each other, both had the Bible in their hands, but there was a problem. They didn’t speak the same language. But they saw the Bibles, and one said Hallelujah, and the other said amen, and they just praised the Lord by saying those words.

Now we have seen a lot of bad in Revelation thus far, but now we are about to see a Hallelujah moment. And this passage we see tonight has four hallelujah moments.

Now remember when a word is repeated, it is important, and this is an important text for us to study. And the reason for the Hallelujahs are because of God.

This is the first time the word Hallelujah appears in the New Testament, in our English Bible this is the only appearance of the word, as the translators chose to use the phrase “Praise the Lord” instead of Hallelujah.

Why are these Hallelujahs given to the Lord? Well the text gives us four reasons.

For the Salvation of God (1)

· Now this moment follows the fall of Babylon.

· The people in Heaven have been witnessing the rule of the Antichrist on the earth. Many of these who are there have come to be there because he executed them.

· It is like the team that is being beaten badly, there seems to be little hope.

· Well, the star player now comes in. The crowd goes crazy.

· Babylon had been dominating the earth, it had been the reason why so many believers had struggled in life.

· Babylon had become a wretched force in the world, that ultimately went against the Lord and His Word.

· Now it has fallen, there is much celebration.

· The people begin by saying Hallelujah, and the first thing they say it for, is for salvation.

· Now do you praise the Lord with a Hallelujah for him saving your soul? During this time, the people are shouting it! The Bible says with a great voice!

· In our churches today, we don’t hear much shouting and praising the Lord. We are fearful to make a sound.

· We try to keep silent opening the candy wrapper.

· Listen it is okay to give God praise!

· We are so reluctant to squeak out a word, the shyness and fear we have to say anything is mindboggling.

· Church people are quick to complain, but slow to praise. Wouldn’t it be great if that was reversed?

· We can praise the Lord for our salvation, being saved from sin. This group gets it. For the salvation that they have received they give glory, and honor and power unto the Lord.

· Now this is His already, they are just acknowledging that this comes by him.

· Do you know that you didn’t save yourself when you came to Christ, he saved you?

· Do you realize that you have no glory, honor or power? But that it is the Lord.

· These who give this hallelujah, have come to understand their place before the Lord, and they just worship him with this praise.

For the Severity of God (2-3)

· Now there is a second hallelujah that is given, and that is found in verses 2-3. And this hallelujah is for the severity of God.

· When it comes to God, we know the Lord as patient and long-suffering. And sadly we interpret that as God not caring about all the wrong that is being done on the earth.

· Babylon has been around for a long time, it has been a person, it has been a practice, and it has been a place. Throughout the Bible, we have seen Babylon appear.

· It started with Cain, murdering his brother, it became the way of life in the days of Noah, it was built as a tower with Nimrod.

· We can see it throughout history and even today, Babylon exists on so many levels.

· It ought to break our heart to see the wickedness seemingly flourishing, and we see so many of God’s people suffering for it.

· But we are reminded that God is patient and long suffering, but there will come a point where God will say enough.

· That is what takes place in these verses, God has come to the point where he acts upon Babylon.

· Now he has the authority to act on this and judge Babylon, because he is true and righteous.

· There is no other who can fill this role. No judge of earth is true and righteous. There is no one who can take the case and bring about the correct verdict, none except God.

· He will not be swayed by the seduction of Babylon. And so, he judges Babylon, known for her corruption and fornication. She has lived a wicked lifestyle.

· The far reached of Babylon will be purged from the earth, with the fall of the city. No longer are people held under her reign any longer.

· All of those who have died because of her, because of her desire to rid the earth of the Lord and place herself on her self made throne, will finally see their lives avenged.

· God is going to depose her and he will bring justice to those who have longed waited for it.

· Now when God brings judgment on Babylon, it is not a mild slap on the wrist, is not a brief time in prison and then release, God is going to wipe Babylon off the face of the earth.

· He will purge her presence and Babylon will never be able to come on the earth again.

· The scripture tells us that the Lord destroys her and her smoke rose up for ever and ever. The annihilation of Babylon will ultimately culminate with the defeat of Antichrist and the False Prophet.

· These two were the driving forces for Babylon. The work that they have been part of is now destroyed, and the smoke of her ruin will serve as a sign that she is over.

For the Sovereignty of God (4)

· Now we come to the third of the Hallelujahs and these Hallelujahs are building up to something wonderful. And we see in this verse that the Hallelujah is for the Sovereignty of God.

· And we are brought back to some familiar friends, the 24 elders and four beasts. This is our last time seeing these two groups in the book of Revelation.

· Now each time we come and see these groups we have seen a mighty worship service take place. And that is what we once again see.

· These two groups fall down and worship the Lord, why? Because he is worthy, because he is God, he is King.

· The Lord is on the throne, this is His rule, there is no one above him, he is sovereign.

· These two groups have often showed us what worship for the Lord really looks like in heaven. It is not about sitting on clouds and strumming harps.

· While there will be opportunity to play music for the Lord, one of the main and important duties we will see is giving worship unto God.

· And how do these groups worship the Lord, they worship him with the simple words Amen and Alleluia!

· Two neglected words of today, are two words of great importance. Two words that ought to be at the top of use in our lives, are the two words that these worship the Lord by.

· Worshipping the Lord is not complicated, it is not developing some elaborate phrase, poem, or passage, it is about simply being genuine with Lord and giving him praise.

· Isn’t he worthy of praise in your life? Can we not see, that God is what has gotten us through this life. All you have to do to worship the Lord, is humble yourself and pray and praise his name!

For the Supremacy of God (5-6)

· Now we come to the final Hallelujah of the passage, and again I remind you that these Hallelujahs are building up to something great.

· What is this Hallelujah for then? It is for the Supremacy of God.

· Now there is a voice that comes out from the throne, but the voice is not God. Who is this voice then?

· I believe this to be the Bride of Christ. The church. These hallelujahs are leading up to a marriage, and I believe this is where we see the church is at during this time.

· She has been preparing herself, and all of those who are in heaven are requested to come out and witness the groom.

· You see, the marriage was not so much focused on the woman as it was the man during Biblical times.

· Now, the voice tells the servants, the mighty and the weak, to all come out and give praise to God.

· Now the word here that is used says our God, listen, Jesus is not meant for one person. Jesus is your Lord and he is my Lord.

· God is supreme, and there isn’t another God for you and one for me, this is our God.

· And it doesn’t matter how important you are or someone else is. God is still in charge.

· It won’t matter if you are the President, a General, a Movie Star; it won’t matter if you are a child or adult, it won’t matter if you are rich or poor, no matter who you are, you will answer the same Lord.

· Now what do these people do? They come and worship the Lord.

· And the worship is not quiet, it is vocal. John tells us that it is a great multitude, and it is so loud that it sounds like many waters.

· The waters that flow off a cliff to make a roar, are what John uses to describe this sound. It is loud. Now if you think we ought to be quiet in the presence of the Lord, you are mistaken.

· The worship is on the Lord, the sound is for the Lord, it is a massive gathering of people that come.

· John describes it like thunder. That is powerful, it isn’t something that is quiet, it is something that shakes the house.

· It doesn’t matter where you are at, the sound carries and is heard.

· This is not amplified, this is not piped in, this is those who have witnessed and experienced God in their life. They are able to shout and worship the Lord because they know the Lord.

· And what is it that sounds like water and thunder? It is the word Alleluia, Hallelujah! They just keep saying this word and they say that the Lord is omnipotent! He is all-powerful.

· These people have come to know who the Lord is and they shout it out.

You know there is a song that choirs have sung, that bears repeating by us, even today. When Jesus saves a soul.

I will arise and go to Jesus He will embrace me in his arms In the arms of Christ my Savior Oh there are ten thousand charms

It's shouting time in heaven A sinner once lost is found It's shouting time in heaven Salvation has been brought down No wonder the angels rejoice to know My sins have been covered by the crimson flow And now I'm feeling fine I'm walking on the highway with my Lord My name is written down in courts above It's shouting time in heaven Oh yes, its shouting time

Come ye weary, heavy laden Lost and ruined by the fall If you tarry till your better You will never come at all.