Crescendo Of Worship In Heaven

Scripture reveals that there will be music and singing in heaven. Most people enjoy listening and participating in both of these pleasurable skills here on earth. I don't think I know anyone who has ever said, "I hate music." They may say that they hate (or dislike) certain kinds of music, but most have their favorites that they enjoy listening to over and over again.

Personally, I like many kinds and types of music. Always have. But my favorites are Christian contemporary. For many years now, I have found myself rejecting the secular radio stations.

To borrow a line from the movie Forrest Gump, "[Secular music] is like a box of chocolates...ya never know what you're going to get!" And, what you often get is unwanted sleaze!

So, instead, I listen to Christian artist CDs or a trustworthy radio station like K-Love. Parents do not have to worry about their kids hearing something that they object to or a song that's depraved. Go to the link and listen online! I love songs that lift up the soul; songs that fill my ears, mind and heart with the glory, honor and praise of God, especially those that recognize and celebrate the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

I wonder. Might God have His favorites too? If so, I would be led to think that songs sung and music played for praise and worship in honor of Him would be favored.

In the book of Revelation, the doxology (an expression of praise to God, especially a short hymn sung as part of a Christian worship service) gradually increases within four chapters which ultimately leads to a crescendo (gradually increasing in volume, force, or intensity) of worship. Whether spoken or sung, let's take a look at the increase of worship in these verses:

Revelation 1:6 - And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Glory and dominion is expressed. A two-fold doxology.

Revelation 4:11 - Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Glory, honor and power is expressed. A three-fold doxology.

Revelation 5:13 - And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I heard saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

Blessing, honor, glory and power is expressed. A four-fold doxology.

Revelation 7:12 - Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, [be] unto our God for ever and ever. Amen

Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and might is expressed. A seven-fold doxology.

We see and feel the movement of worship in these verses in Revelation. In our churches, we like to end our worship (often with a praise song) big! We are rehearsing for our role in eternity!

The praise revealed in Revelation increases in expression, volume, force and intensity. It follows the timeline of God's purpose. The crescendo of it is a signal of nearing the end.

We experience great worship today in our churches. One day, we will be that way in heaven!

Dr. Jeremiah mentioned the contrast of worship in heaven. Everything is alive there!

In C.S. Lewis' book, "The Great Divorce," he shows the contrast between hell, earth and heaven. Hell is just "a fleck of dust." Our lives here, in this world, become smaller and smaller. Just a glimpse of heaven can be described like standing at the Grand Canyon and being speechless at the sight.

Think, again, about John. He was experiencing discouragement, exile, separation from his friends. Then, in a moment, he went to the "control room of the universe" to witness what God has in store for those who belong to Him!

Our reality is in contrast to eternal reality.

John's earthly life was transferred into the reality of eternal life and worship done there.

When we worship God, the relationship we share with Him keeps us from the ups and downs of this life. When we read and study His Word, the Bible, we see how things really are.

Satan has not won.

Evil has not triumphed.

What can we learn?

Worship is not about us; it's about Him.

Have you ever experienced the following? What should you be thinking when something happens in a service or style of worship that you don't particularly like? What should be your attitude? It's not about me, it's about Him!

Worship is not about here, its about there.

When we gain spiritual eyes and can see heaven, though we currently only see "as through a glass darkly", it still makes sense of what we are experiencing here on earth.

Colossians 3:1-3
Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.


Col 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.


Col 3:3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Worship is not about now - its about then!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

2Cr 4:16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward [man] is renewed day by day.


2Cr 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory;


2Cr 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal.

Read those verses again and take note of the contrasts. It could not be clearer!

1. Our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day!
2. Our light affliction is but for a moment, but it works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory!
3. We look not at the things which are seen that are temporal, but those that are not seen which are eternal!

Worship leads us from the emptiness of this world to the wholeness of eternity!

We were created to worship God. If we don't, then we fail to express the purpose of being here!

Worship is not about one - it's about many.

Who can really and genuinely worship on a golf course on Sunday mornings? We need the church and each other. The Scriptures reveal that there is massive worship in heaven. Did you ever notice that the term "saints" is always in the plural?

Revelation 5:11,12

Rev 5:11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;


Rev 5:12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

Revelation 14:2,3

Rev 14:2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:


Rev 14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

Revelation 19:6 -
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 omnipotent reigneth.

When John heard this, he described it as thunder!

David Guzik's commentary on Revelation 19:1-9 describes the joyous occasion of "The Marriage Supper of the Lamb."

Revelation 19 - Christ Returns As Conquering Lord

A. Praise in heaven

1. (1-5) Praise for the judgment of Babylon

a. This section is really the climax of chapter 18 - there, Babylon's friends mourned her fall; here, God's people celebrate it

b. "Hallelujah" (or, Alleluia) occurs four times here, and not again the New Testament

i. Hallelujah is Hebrew for "Praise the Lord," in the imperative (do it!) sense

ii. Some seem afraid of saying Hallelujah, but we'll all be saying it in heaven; but we should never use such a glorious word without thinking

c. A great multitude (similar to the tribulation martyrs described in 7:9,14), the twenty-four elders, and the cherubim all join in praise

d. Here, the focus of worship is on the great works of God, specifically, His work of righteous judgment

e. The voice from the throne (saying, Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great) might be Jesus, but more likely it is from one of the angels who attends the throne of God

2. (6-9) Praise for the marriage of the Lamb

a. The height of praise on earth is only a dim shadow of what is described in these verses; this approaches the consummation of God's plan through history, so we also come to a summit of praise

b. The marriage of the Lamb, who is the Messiah, is a frequently used picture throughout the Scriptures

i. In the Old Testament, Israel is presented as God's wife, who is often unfaithful (Hosea 2:19-20; Isaiah 54:5; Ezekiel 16)

ii. In the New Testament, the church is presented as the fiance' of Jesus, awaiting the day of marriage (2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:25-32)

iii. "In Biblical times a marriage involved two major events, the betrothal and the wedding. These were normally separated by a period of time during which the two individuals were considered husband and wife and as such were under the obligations of faithfulness. The wedding began with a procession to the bride's house, which was followed by a return to the house of the groom for the marriage feast. By analogy, the church, espoused to Christ by faith, now awaits the parousia when the heavenly groom will come for his bride and return to heaven for the marriage feast which lasts throughout eternity." (Mounce)

iv. The idea of marriage is also the most powerful analogy of intimacy among God's pictures of our relation to Him (creator-creature; shepherd-sheep; master-slave; father-child; husband-wife)

c. What do we do to make ourselves ready for this wedding? There is much for us to do, but it is ultimately a work God does in us (Ephesians 5:25-27) - to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright

i. "Clean (katharos) reflects purity, loyalty and faithfulness, the character of the New Jerusalem" (Johnson)

ii. "Bright (lampros) is the color of radiant whiteness that depicts glorification." (Johnson)

iii. Believers are created for divinely prepared good works; these "righteousnesses" (righteous acts) are what fill the "hope chest" of the bride of Jesus

d. Jesus Himself eagerly anticipates this marriage supper; He spoke longingly of the day when He will drink of the fruit of the vine again, with His disciples in the kingdom (Matthew 26:29)*

i. The thought is of a banquet or party; of tremendous joy. In Jewish culture, there was no more joyful occasion than a wedding. In fact, according to Rabbinic teaching, obedience to the commandments was suspended during a wedding celebration if obeying a commandment might lessen the joy of the occasion

e. These are the true sayings of God is a necessary note of assurance for us; this anticipated consummation will take place, and though it seems too good to be true, it will happen.

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*Mat 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.