Dr. Harold & Myrna
Carpenter

The Hallelujah Chorus

by Dr. Harold R. Carpenter

1 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,
2 for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants."
3 And again they shouted: "Hallelujah! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever."
4 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!"
5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!"
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 (Revelation 19:1-6, NIV).

George Frideric Handel the great composer of the Messiah and the Hallelujah Chorus which forms one of its parts was born in Halle Germany in 1685. Halle was the center for the Pietist movement, a great revival movement within a decadent Lutheran Church. It was at Halle that the 100 year prayer meeting started in 1727. Handel became chapel master in Hamburg and then moved to London in 1712. Some years later Handel suffered a stroke and was afflicted with cataracts.

A crude surgical method of that day involved taking a blunt instrument and pushing the cataract back into the eyeball to allow more light to enter it. Because of his poor health and failing eyesight Handel lost his position in the court of England and found himself near destitute and in a state of depression and despair. Struggling to earn a living in London, he knew days when he could not afford to buy meals. One night in 1741, depressed and defeated, he wandered the lonely streets; it was almost dawn when he returned to his shabby room. On a table was a thick envelope. it was from Charles Jennens, the man who wrote his librettos. Examining the pages, he found them covered with Scripture texts.

Comfort ye, comfort ye, my people, saith your God ... The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light ... For unto us a Child is born ... Glory to God in the highest ... Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The composer was at his piano, sheets of music strewn around him, tears streaming down his face. "I do believe I have seen all of Heaven before me, and the great God Himself," he exclaimed.

Millions of people have been able to believe that. The first audience to hear the composition -- in Dublin in 1742 --gave it the greatest ovation in the city's history. Weeks later, London heard it for the first time, and again it was a triumph. The King was so impressed during the Hallelujah Chorus that he rose to his feet -- a custom that still prevails.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! 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 of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever:

King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

King of Kings,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
and Lord of Lords,
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,
and He shall reign for ever and ever
and He shall reign for ever and ever

King of Kings
for ever and ever. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

and He shall reign for ever and ever,
for ever and ever,
King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords,
King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords,
and He shall reign for ever and ever,

King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

A. John, the Son of Thunder, was called to follow the Master.
B. John, the intimate friend of the Master, was:

1. Present on the Mount of Transfiguration.

2. Present in the Garden of Gethsemane.

3. Present at the foot of the Cross.

C. John, the last of the apostles, was:

1. Presbyter of Ephesus.

2. Prisoner on the Isle of Patmos.

3. Chosen to be the revelator of the Master's ultimate and complete victory.

D. John describes the final judgments:

1. The seven seals

2. The seven trumpets

3. The seven bowls

4. The fall of Babylon

E. The Hallelujah Chorus of Revelation 19

1. Hallelujah! A great multitude in heaven declaring, "Salvation and glory and power belong to our God" (Revelation 19:1)
2. Hallelujah! Her smoke arises forever and ever (Revelation 19:3).

But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD (Psalm 104:35).

9 A third angel followed them and said in a loud voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image and receives his mark on the forehead or on the hand,
10 he, too, will drink of the wine of God's fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of his wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb.
11 And the smoke of their torment rises for ever and ever (Revelation 14:9).

3. Hallelujah! Twenty four elders cry, "Amen! to all of the above." He said he would do it, and he has done it, Hallelujah! (See Revelation 19:6.)
4. Hallelujah! The great multitude in a unanimous voice (like many waters and thunders) declares, "For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns!" (Revelation 19:6b).

The heavenly choir of the redeemed of every kindred, race, tribe and tongue will join in a mighty Hallelujah Chorus of victory. The crowd will not stand to its feet. It will already be on its feet when the Lord of Glory claims his final victory and carries out the final judgment on the wicked.

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it {is} called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war.
12 His eyes {are} a flame of fire, and on His head {are} many diadems; and He has a name written {on Him} which no one knows except Himself.
13 {He is} clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white {and} clean, were following Him on white horses.
15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.
16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:11-16, NASB).

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