I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies
I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief
I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody
I raise a hallelujah, heaven comes to fight for me

I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the king is alive!

(Songwriters: Jake Stevens / Jonathan David Helser / Melissa Helser / Molly Skaggs; Raise a Hallelujah lyrics © Bethel Music Publishing)

THIS is the stuff believers were, are, and forever created to be—worshippers!  We worship God with our brothers and sisters amassed in the unity of praise to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit, the Three in One as one choir in perfect harmony for eternity!

Imagine the church of Jesus Christ devoted solely to God. Imagine the church forever grateful to Jesus who died and rose again to defeat death forever!  Imagine the sound of the choirs singing in tune to the purest of all melodies. All the words are known by the worshipers because the Song was given to them by the Singer, Himself!  What a beautiful sound it is to worship His Name, Jesus—King of kings and Lord of lords! 

What a beautiful Name it is, what a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ, my King
What a beautiful Name it is, nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is, the Name of Jesus

You didn’t want Heaven without us
So Jesus, You brought Heaven down
My sin was great, Your love was greater
What could separate us now?

Death could not hold You, the veil tore before You
You silenced the boast of sin and grave
The Heavens are roaring, the praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again

You have no rival, You have no equal
Now and forever, God, You reign
Yours is the Kingdom, Yours is the Glory
Yours is the Name above all names

What a powerful Name it is, what a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ, my King
What a powerful Name it is, nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is, the Name of Jesus

(Songwriters: Ben Fielding / Brooke Ligertwood; What A Beautiful Name lyrics © Hillsong Publishing, Hillsong Music Publishing Australia)

Imagine singing in a place where there is no sin of division, envy, pride, jealousy, arrogance, comparisons, or anxious thoughts!  ALL fear is gone because He lives, indeed!  Pain, tears, gossip, agony of wars, betrayals, sicknesses, along with all our sins– banished. They do not exist in God’s Kingdom of Heaven—only peace, joy unspeakable and full of glory.  Those who know God and love like God so loved us, who have stood the tests of faith and still believe in Him are filled with glorious Hallelujahs!

Revelation 19, The Message

The Sound of Hallelujahs

19 ^1-3 I heard a sound like massed choirs in Heaven singing,

Hallelujah!
The salvation and glory and power are God’s—
    his judgments true, his judgments just.
He judged the great Whore
    who corrupted the earth with her lust.
He avenged on her the blood of his servants.

Then, more singing:

Hallelujah!
The smoke from her burning billows up
    to high Heaven forever and ever and ever.

⁴ The Twenty-four Elders and the Four Animals fell to their knees and worshiped God on his Throne, praising,

Amen! Yes! Hallelujah!

⁵ From the Throne came a shout, a command:

Praise our God, all you his servants,
All you who fear him, small and great!

^6-8 Then I heard the sound of massed choirs, the sound of mighty rapids, the sound of strong thunder:

Hallelujah!
The Master reigns,
    our God, the Sovereign-Strong!
Let us celebrate, let us rejoice,
    let us give him the glory!
The Marriage of the Lamb has come;
    his Wife has made herself ready.
She was given a bridal gown
    of bright and shining linen.
The linen is the righteousness of the saints.

⁹ The Angel said to me, “Write this: ‘Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.’” He added, “These are the true words of God!”

¹⁰ I fell at his feet to worship him, but he wouldn’t let me. “Don’t do that,” he said. “I’m a servant just like you, and like your brothers and sisters who hold to the witness of Jesus. The witness of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”

A White Horse and Its Rider

^11-16 Then I saw Heaven open wide—and oh! a white horse and its Rider. The Rider, named Faithful and True, judges and makes war in pure righteousness. His eyes are a blaze of fire, on his head many crowns. He has a Name inscribed that’s known only to himself. He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and he is addressed as “Word of God.” The armies of Heaven, mounted on white horses and dressed in dazzling white linen, follow him. A sharp sword comes out of his mouth so he can subdue the nations, then rule them with a rod of iron. He treads the winepress of the raging wrath of God, the Sovereign-Strong. On his robe and thigh is written, King of kings, Lord of lords.

^17-18 I saw an Angel standing in the sun, shouting to all flying birds in Middle-Heaven, “Come to the Great Supper of God! Feast on the flesh of kings and captains and champions, horses and their riders. Eat your fill of them all—free and slave, small and great!”

^19-21 I saw the Beast and, assembled with him, earth’s kings and their armies, ready to make war against the One on the horse and his army. The Beast was taken, and with him, his puppet, the False Prophet, who used signs to dazzle and deceive those who had taken the mark of the Beast and worshiped his image. They were thrown alive, those two, into Lake Fire and Brimstone. The rest were killed by the sword of the One on the horse, the sword that comes from his mouth. All the birds held a feast on their flesh.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Sing a little louder (in the presence of my enemies)
Sing a little louder (louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder (my weapon is a melody)
Sing a little louder (heaven comes to fight for me)
Sing a little louder (in the presence of my enemies)
Sing a little louder (louder than the unbelief)
Sing a little louder (my weapon is a melody)
Sing a little louder (heaven comes to fight for me)
Sing a little louder!

I’m gonna sing, in the middle of the storm
Louder and louder, you’re gonna hear my praises roar
Up from the ashes, hope will arise
Death is defeated, the king is alive!

Lord,

For now, the enemy seems to be winning but I know in my heart that this is not true.  I believe what your Word says and I believe that you came to seek the lost and save us from our sins.  I was lost but now I’m found.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  I’m singing your Hallelujahs now and look forward to raising our hallelujahs in grateful praise forever.  May praise become my lifestyle of choice and habit.  May your love guide and sustain me.  May your forgiveness of me cause me to readily forgive others who sin against me.  May your will be done, Your Kingdom come!

In Jesus Name, Amen