"I did think I did see all Heaven before me, and the great
God Himself." George Frideric Handel, after writing "Hallelujah Chorus"
Have you noticed tension and tragedy in the national and world news?
This Christmas and beyond we desperately need a compelling vision of something larger than us and our differences, that puts our problems into perspective. Handel caught a glimpse of such a vision as he wrote his musical masterpiece "Messiah". The vision was so overwhelming that, according to a friend who visited during that time, Handel sobbed with intense emotion as he composed it. Later, as Handel groped for words to describe his experience, he quoted St. Paul,
saying, "Whether I was in the body or out of my body when I wrote
it I know not. God knows". (1, 2)
Oh that we would be overcome by the beauty and power of that vision.
Grasping the Vision
The lengthy vision embodies a love story of powerful intervention into the sufferings of humanity, the eventual destruction of death and evil, and the renewal of all things.
Specifically, it is a journey through many prophesies about the Messiah (Jesus Christ), His birth, sufferings, death, and resurrection, and His promised return to wipe away sorrow, destroy death, and make all things new. (3)
It is a vision about love, mercy, forgiveness, and redemption, encompassing the incomprehensible sacrifice and sufferings of Christ to intervene for all who accept His payment on their behalf. (4) 'He came to pay a debt he didn't owe, because we owed a debt we couldn't pay.' His work gives us great hope and joy even in the midst of pain. It reinstates our place in His Kingdom, now and forever.
The vision is also about justice, judgement and vengeance. ' king of kings and lord of lords', a prominent line in 'Hallelujah Chorus', is from Revelation amidst a description of Christ and his armies destroying the forces of evil. (5)
At first, that may not sound like peace. But think of it. All the murder, rape, theft, and injustice of history, and even death itself and the enemy behind it all will be judged, avenged and destroyed.
Jesus warned things will get worse before they get better. (6) This Lord of the Rings video gives a glimpse of what that day may look like.
We need this vision. It is much larger and more powerful than any troubling headline of our day.
Peace on Earth?
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." So the angels declared as they announced the birth of Christ that first Christmas night many years ago. (7) Dare we believe it?
I believe we can. The book of Revelation in the New Testament proclaims that countless people from every nation will praise God, (8) and that the "the leaves of the 'tree of life' will be for the healing of the nations." (9)
Have you noticed tension and tragedy in the national and world news?
 |
George Friderick Handel (1685-1759), composed
Messiah in only 24 days. During that time he rarely ate or left his room. |
Oh that we would be overcome by the beauty and power of that vision.
Grasping the Vision
The lengthy vision embodies a love story of powerful intervention into the sufferings of humanity, the eventual destruction of death and evil, and the renewal of all things.
Specifically, it is a journey through many prophesies about the Messiah (Jesus Christ), His birth, sufferings, death, and resurrection, and His promised return to wipe away sorrow, destroy death, and make all things new. (3)
It is a vision about love, mercy, forgiveness, and redemption, encompassing the incomprehensible sacrifice and sufferings of Christ to intervene for all who accept His payment on their behalf. (4) 'He came to pay a debt he didn't owe, because we owed a debt we couldn't pay.' His work gives us great hope and joy even in the midst of pain. It reinstates our place in His Kingdom, now and forever.
The vision is also about justice, judgement and vengeance. ' king of kings and lord of lords', a prominent line in 'Hallelujah Chorus', is from Revelation amidst a description of Christ and his armies destroying the forces of evil. (5)
At first, that may not sound like peace. But think of it. All the murder, rape, theft, and injustice of history, and even death itself and the enemy behind it all will be judged, avenged and destroyed.
We need this vision. It is much larger and more powerful than any troubling headline of our day.
Peace on Earth?
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." So the angels declared as they announced the birth of Christ that first Christmas night many years ago. (7) Dare we believe it?
I believe we can. The book of Revelation in the New Testament proclaims that countless people from every nation will praise God, (8) and that the "the leaves of the 'tree of life' will be for the healing of the nations." (9)
The nations at peace. No more death or mourning or crying or pain. All things made new. All injustices undone and made right.
That's something to hope for.
Hallelujah Chorus!
Andres Rieu directed the choir in the video below, telling his audience "no matter what last year brought to you, I know of no music that brings more joy and more hope than this song". The optics of his choir are powerful too, an illustration of the nations praising God.
As you listen, ponder the vision Handel and others have experienced.
May you experience the King of Kings this Christmas season and for all eternity!
HANDEL - Messiah (Johann Strauss Orchestra and Harlem Gospel Choir) from Joe Orgill plus joe.orgill.slcc on Vimeo.
From Andre Rieu's "Live From Radio City Music Hall" in New York City 2004.
Hallalujah Chorus Lyrics
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah!
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah!
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world is become
The kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ!
And he shall reign for ever and ever!
The kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ!
And he shall reign for ever and ever!
King of kings and Lord of lords!
King of kings and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever!
Forever and ever!
King of kings and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever!
Forever and ever!
Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Footnotes:
1. https://www.christianity.com/church/church-history/timeline/1701-1800/messiah-and-george-frideric-handel-11630237.html
http://www.gfhandel.org/handel/anecdotes.html
2. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4
3. For a list of verses in Messiah, see website: http://opera.stanford.edu/iu/libretti/messiah.htm
4. Without the intervention of Christ, no one could stand in the presence of God and live, for we are imperfect and sinful. Isaiah understood this when, in a vision similar to that in Revelation, he cried "“Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and...my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” (Isaiah 6:5) See also Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:13.
5. 'I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war...He is dressed in a robe soaked with blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords.' Revelation 19:11-16
6. Matthew 24:3-9
7. Luke 2:14
8. "...there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:"
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9-10
9. Revelation 22:1-2
