Hallelujah

Heaven rejoices at the just action of God – “Babylon” is destroyed, and the people of God are vindicated. But the text also begins a turn that reminds us of the purpose of this book – it is not to point to judgement and destruction, but to the goodness of Jesus! Pay close attention to the end of today’s text and consider all we have read in Revelation in light of verse 10, which tells us the purpose of this prophecy.

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REFLECTION

Hallelujah! God Be Praised!

By Katie Borden

Several years back, I had the opportunity to worship with brothers and sisters in Christ at a large church in Seoul, South Korea. That experience was powerful, as the whole sanctuary was overwhelmed with the ringing of voices bellowing a hymn of praise to our God in many languages. I was moved to tears by the realization that those of us gathered were of many tribes, tongues, and nations, and yet we were united in praise to God. The hymn we were singing was “Holy, Holy, Holy”—and those hymn lyrics come straight out of the book of Revelation, depicting exactly the kind of vision we read about today. 

I’m reminded of that moment as I read about the “great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder” shouting “Hallelujah!” This cry of “Hallelujah!” (meaning “God be praised!”) in Revelation 19 is in stark contrast to the deafening silence of the end of chapter 18, where all was stilled as Babylon was destroyed. There was no music. There was no dancing, no celebration. But here, in these verses we read today, we see great celebration and worship of our God. And isn’t that good news? This image in Revelation 19 is not wholly independent of the vision of Babylon’s fall. Rather, this revelation of John bears witness to the finished work of Christ and his victory over sin, evil and death.

This truth gives me great hope today. We do not enter into worship ignoring the realities around us. We worship a God who has heard our cries, and who lived and walked this earth, facing evil head-on and emerging victorious through his death and resurrection. It is in the finished work of Jesus that we have our hope. And that is the power of this revelation, of this prophecy. We read in verse 10 that it points to Christ—it “bears testimony to Jesus.” This passage demonstrates both the GREATNESS and the GOODNESS of our Lord. These “Hallelujahs”—these declarations of praise to God—testify to who he is and what he has done. 

So, when you are tempted to despair, dear friends, do not think that heaven has forgotten you, or me, or the plight of our world in this current age. Rather, take heart in the person and work of Jesus Christ—he has the victory! Hallelujah! May God be praised! 

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER

WEDNESDAY WISDOM – Pray for wisdom in these times as we all work toward protecting lives and consider the livelihoods of millions hurt by the economic impact.