ASLC Devotions - Friday

Friday, April 8

 

Revelation 11:15

 

The seventh angel sounded his trumpet and there were loud voices in heaven which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever."

 

I love Handel's Messiah.  Probably the most favorite section of the Messiah is the Hallelujah Chorus.  It's so grand, majestic and triumphant.  It's actually not the end of the Messiah as is our text not the last chapter of Revelation.  The Hallelujah Chorus is the best known section.  My favorite part of the Chorus is when they sing this line from verse 15 and the voices get real soft and legato.  "The kingdom of this world . . ..”  Then you hear strings.  The voices still sing softly ". . . is become."  And then the voices and the instruments jump back in full throttle and punch it," . . . is becomes. . . the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ.  And he shall reign for ever and ever."  The music captures so well the theology of the text.  The kingdom of the world is small and fading and lilting when compared to the majestic kingdom of our Lord of his Christ who burst on the scene in triumph power and royalty  and reign forever and ever.  Hallelujah!  It's gospel text put to gospel music.

 

Carole Graesser

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