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News From Israel MagazineThe Great Hallelujah
A Proclamation of Accomplished Victory Over Evil
“And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 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” (Revelation 19:1-6).
What Does “Hallelujah” Mean?
The simplest translation of the word is “praise the Lord.” It is the Greek form the Hebrew word hallelujah, an adoring exclamation that means, “praise ye Jah”!
Because the word “hallelujah” has been used extensively in Christian circles, especially during these end stages of the endtimes, and is used repetitiously in many church services by many Christians, it is good to take a closer look at the usage of this word.
Before we go any further, I would like to explain why we are studying this important word. I believe the word “hallelujah” is being misused today. In fact, “hallelujah” has become so popularized that it is often said by people who obviously have no idea what the word even means.
In this study we will learn that this word should not be used lightheartedly in general conversation, no matter how scriptural it may be. I have attended many church services in which people have actually interrupted the pastor by shouting “Hallelujah; praise the Lord.” Apparently this action is meant to indicate that the person agrees with the message.
It is significant that this word appears in Scripture only in connection with righteous judgment on earth. Any “hallelujahs” at this time would mean the hearer of the Word is in agreement with instant judgment upon any and all sins at that moment.
Instant Judgment
Instantaneous judgment was executed upon two believers in Acts 5, where we meet Ananias and Sapphira, the notorious couple who tempted the Holy Spirit and were slain as a result. We don’t read of any “hallelujahs” during that event, but verse 11 says, “and great fear came upon all the church and upon as many as heard these things.” The spirit of judgment was present when the Church began. Only true believers were added to that Church, and of the rest we read: “And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them” (verse 13).
In other words, God’s judgments are right, and He is the Righteous One, but as a pardoned sinner I do not wish to experience His righteousness. I am completely dependent upon His grace in submission and humility.
“Hallelujah” in the Old Testament
None of the other New Testament authors included the word “hallelujah” in their writings and in the Old Testament, it is used only in the Psalms. Unfortunately, the word is not used in the KJV, and is always translated with the modern English phrase, “praise ye the
Lord.”
We will use the Jewish Tanakh, which is a translation according to the traditional Hebrew text, to dig deeper into the word’s meaning.
Psalm 106
“Hallelujah. Praise the LORD for He is good; His steadfast love is eternal. Blessed is the LORD, God of Israel, From eternity to eternity. Let all the people say, ‘Amen’ Hallelujah” (Psalm 106:1, 48).
If we read the entire psalm, we would quickly learn that this praise of God includes Israel’s history. Moses is focused upon, and Israel is exposed for its unbelief: “Our forefathers in Egypt did not perceive Your wonders; they did not remember Your abundant love, but rebelled at the sea, at the Sea of Reeds” (verse 7). Verse 24 actually says: “They rejected the desirable land, and put no faith in His promise.”
Here, a clear difference between the visible and the invisible is emphasized. Israel saw God’s mighty works, but did not understand because they did not believe His word. The difference between Israel and Moses is expressed in Psalm 103:7: “He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.”
Understanding the ways of the Lord is a great need today. We can do that simply by believing His Word. God the Father wants us to know Him. Thus, the Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him”
(Ephesians 1:17). Wisdom, revelation and knowledge. There is no mention of signs, wonders or any other visible manifestations of God.
The children of Israel did indeed experience God’s actions, but they did not understand the purpose in His ways. This psalm begins and ends with the word “hallelujah.” Israel was to confirm and attest to the fact that God is righteous and just, but also merciful. The people were to confirm this aloud: “Let all the people say Amen, hallelujah.”
Psalm 111
“Hallelujah. I praise the LORD with all my heart in the assembled congregation of the upright” (Psalm 111: 1).
Here we read the personal testimony of the psalmist and the people of Israel. Psalm 111 concludes, “The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD; all who practice it gain sound understanding. Praise of Him is everlasting” (verse 10). This psalm targets Israel’s relationship to God; His righteousness, His holy covenant and His holy name.
When we understand who we are dealing with, we will tremble with fear of the eternal God: precisely the condition we need to be in to be headed toward the “beginning of wisdom.”
We used this psalm when we dedicated our missionary printing plant on December 8, 2000. The words of this psalm should remind us that we are the work of His hand; He is in control. All we need to do is follow Him and He will gently lead us home.
Psalm 112
“Hallelujah. Happy is the man who fears the LORD, who is ardently devoted to His commandments” (Psalm 112:1).
This psalm makes the distinction between those who fear the Lord, and therefore will be blessed—“shall not be moved,” “shall not be afraid,”—and those who do not fear the Lord, who will experience the fulfillment of the last verse: “The wicked man shall see it and be vexed; he shall gnash his teeth; his courage shall fail. The desire of the wicked shall come to nothing” (verse 10).
Psalm 113
“Hallelujah. O servants of the LORD, give praise; praise the name of the LORD. He sets the childless woman among her household as a happy mother of children. Hallelujah” (Psalm 113:1, 9).
This psalm begins and ends with the word “hallelujah.” It emphasizes God’s mercy upon the rejected, the poor and the needy, who will all be elevated. Also, the barren woman will become a mother of children. We are reminded here of Elizabeth’s words: “Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men” (Luke 1:25).
Psalm 115
Psalm 115 ends with these words: “But we bless the LORD now and forever. Hallelujah.”
This distinguishes between the heathen, with their idols of silver and gold, and the God of Israel: “O Israel, trust in the LORD! He is their help and shield” (Psalm 115:9). Again, the fear of the Lord is stressed: “He will bless those who fear the LORD, small and great
alike” (verse 13).
Psalm 116
Psalm 116:17-19 also ends with the word “hallelujah:” “I will sacrifice a thank offering to You and invoke the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people, in the courts of the house of the LORD, in the midst of Jerusalem. Hallelujah.”
This psalm bridges the earthly to the heavenly, the visible to the invisible. In verse 15, we read: “The death of His faithful ones is grievous in the LORD’s sight.” We are reminded here of the Apostle Paul’s words to the Church at Corinth: “For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but lothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:4, 8).
Psalm 117
Psalm 117 is the shortest of the psalms: “Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples, for great is His steadfast love toward us; the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Hallelujah.”
The entire world is included. Indeed, we live in the dispensation of grace, when God, in His mercy and kindness, calls all people unto Himself through the Lord Jesus Christ. It is still God’s will for everyone in the world to hear the wonderful Gospel of salvation because the Bible states this about God’s intention: “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
Psalm 135
“Hallelujah. Praise the name of the LORD; give praise, you servants of the LORD. Blessed is the LORD from Zion, He who dwells in Jerusalem. Hallelujah” (Psalm 135:1, 21).
The Lord God of Israel is in total control, which is so clearly revealed in verses 6-7: “Whatever the LORD desires He does in heaven and earth, in the seas and all the depths. He makes clouds rise from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He releases the wind from His vaults.” Until this very day, the world’s top scientists remain at a loss to explain even simple things like weather patterns. They all have numerous theories, but quite often they contradict one another. Thus, we understand that such things are reserved only for God. Job 38:22-24 reveals that He possesses treasures: “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?”
If ever we desire to know the Lord’s address, it is, “the Lord…which dwelleth at Jerusalem.” To that, the Bible offers another “hallelujah!”
Psalm 146
“Hallelujah. Praise the LORD, O my soul! The LORD shall reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Hallelujah!” (Psalm 146: 1, 10).
This undoubtedly is a prophetic psalm that points to the Lord Jesus Christ: “Who secures justice for those who are wronged, gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free; The LORD restores sight to the blind; the LORD makes those who are bent stand straight; the LORD loves the righteous; The LORD watches over the stranger; He gives courage to the orphan and widow, but makes the path of the wicked tortuous” (verses 7-9). Compassion and mercy are trademarks of the God of Jacob: "Happy is he who hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God” (verse 5).
Psalm 147
“Hallelujah. It is good to chant hymns to our God; it is pleasant to sing glorious praise. He did not do so for any other nation; of such rules they know nothing. Hallelujah” (Psalm 147:1, 20). Israel’s uniqueness is prophetically emphasized in verse 2: “The LORD doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel.” That’s what is happening today despite vehement opposition from the entire world. The Jews are returning to the land of Israel and Jerusalem is being built.
Once again we read the word “fear” in verse 11: “The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.” This verse contradicts the religious philosophy of Churchianity today. The God of the Bible has been reduced to a mechanical instrument for the benefit of self.
The great “hallelujahs” recorded in the psalms are always directed toward God: He is the object of praise, the beginning and the end, and our only hope. We must stress that He deals differently with Israel because “he hast not dealt so with any nation.” We read the resounding and eternal “hallelujah” as a response to that statement.
Psalm 148
“Hallelujah. Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise Him on high. He has exalted the horn of His people for the glory of all His faithful ones, Israel, the people close to Him. Hallelujah” (Psalm 148: 1, 14).
This powerful psalm includes all of God’s creation: the sun, the moon, the stars, and even the elements: “Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word” (verse 8). They are subject to Him and do His bidding.
We must reemphasize the distinction between the people of Israel and all others, which is so uniquely stressed in verse 14: “He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD.” Who is this “horn of his people”? It is the Lord Jesus Christ, the “praise of all his saints.” Martin Luther translated the phrase this way: “All his saints shall praise the children of Israel.” What’s so special about Israel? It is “a people near unto Him.” That deserves another mighty “hallelujah!”
Psalm 149
“Hallelujah. Sing to the LORD a new song, His praises in the congregation of the faithful…executing the doom decreed against them. This is the glory of all His faithful. Hallelujah” (Psalm 149:1, 9).
This psalm is a part of Bible prophecy’s final fulfillment. In verse 2 we note: “Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.” No such rejoicing has taken place in Israel for thousands of years. Israel could not rejoice in their Maker since the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem under Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar. Israel only had small pockets of hope and glory, and even that disappeared when the rebuilt temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Roman forces. There hadn’t been any rejoicing for the children of Israel for almost 2,000 years. There had been plenty of suffering, hardship, and tragedy, but no rejoicing. When the Jews exclaimed, “We have no king but Caesar,” there was no king for them save the king of persecution. Yet we read, “let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.” That means Jesus has come back; He reigns supreme and has become their King.
Now comes the judgment upon the heathen: “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron” (verses 6-8). On one hand, we see the coming of Israel’s salvation as the King returns, and on the other hand, we see the judgment of the nations, “the vengeance upon the heathen.”
Why should the heathen be judged? The answer is found in Zechariah 1:14-15: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.” Although God handed His people over to the heathen, it is quite obvious from Scripture that the heathen went beyond their authority: they collectively rejoiced in the destruction of the Jews. Execution of judgment, based on the written Word, will be an honor to all the saints. This, too, is concluded with a powerful “hallelujah!”
Psalm 150
“Hallelujah. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the sky, His stronghold. Let all that breathes praise the LORD. Hallelujah” (Psalm 150:1, 6).
Now there is nothing left to talk about, to list, to expose or to judge; eternity has begun. This is the fulfillment of the prophecy in Revelation 5:11-14: “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;
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. 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 saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.” Notice the words “for ever and ever.” That is eternity, when all things have passed away. The One who sits upon the throne exclaims, “Behold, I make all things new.”
Summary of Old Testament “Hallelujahs”
As we have clearly seen, Israel could only exclaim “hallelujah” based on God’s righteousness and judgment upon earth. We must not forget that Israel was a tool of judgment upon the heathen. Israel was instructed to destroy all the nations that occupied the land of Canaan. That was done under the authority of God’s command and, therefore, these “hallelujahs” had been justified!
New Testament “Hallelujah”
We have learned from the Old Testament examples that the word “hallelujah” is not to be used flippantly, or repetitively as in a pagan mantra; rather, the expression is a holy matter, a fearful thing, and a serious exclamation of God’s glory, power and eternality.
We have already quoted Revelation 19:1-6, but let’s look at the passage to gain a better understanding of what these verses mean: “And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.
And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 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.”
Who Is Saying “Hallelujah”?
The text explains that this comes from “much people in heaven.” What is the motive of their exclamation? Verse 2 answers: “he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.” I must emphasize that this is happening in heaven, not on earth. They exclaim the word “hallelujah” because God has takes righteous vengeance for the shed blood of the saints.
This type of rejoicing is foreign to the New Testament saints on earth. We do not rejoice in destructive judgment because in doing so, we would condemn ourselves immediately. It is a mistake to assume that after we have been born again, we have become new people in the flesh and are thus enabled to judge other people according to the flesh. That is far from the truth.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh” (2 Corinthians 10:3). We have no right to condemn a sinful world because we are only pardoned sinners.
Often we read of Christians pronouncing strong and often nasty condemnations against political liberals, homosexuals, abortionists, and countless others. A Christian publication I receive regularly uses blatant gutter language in its eagerness to expose the error of liberals, and thereby try to elevate its own righteousness. Yet when we read Scripture, we realize that sins must be exposed and addressed within the Church, not outside it. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?” (1 Corinthians 5:12).
Oh, if only we would remember that we are nothing more than pardoned sinners who have been saved by grace, and not by our works. We live in a sinful world, but we are not of this sinful world. Our challenge is to prevent ourselves from becoming defiled by the things of this world.
Death Row Example
Think about a murderer on Death Row. This man may have murdered someone, and, based on the laws of the land, deserves to die. He has been tried, found guilty, and convicted. His execution date has been set. But the governor of the state grants him a pardon just before his execution. Not only does this pardon spare his life; it provides his
freedom. What would you think of this man if, after the governor spared his life and set him free, he became an ardent supporter of the death penalty for other Death Row inmates?
Although he has the legal right to support the death penalty, surely his former fellow inmates would protest because he had been a murderer who had received an undeserved pardon. Shouldn’t he also seek pardon for his fellow prisoners on Death Row?
Shouldn’t we as believers seek to guide our fellow “prisoners,” who are dead in their sins and trespasses to the way of truth, to receive a pardon instead of continuously condemning them?
Judgment or Forgiveness?
Our Lord Jesus teaches the following lesson in Matthew 18:23-34: “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.”
This is a story about undeserved grace. The Lord’s compassion to forgive debt is not based on righteousness but upon grace. Don’t ever forget that we are sinners who have been saved by grace, and are in precisely the same position. The moment we stepped out in faith and accepted the Lord’s payment for our sin, we became free because Jesus paid it all. All to Him we owe!
Hallelujah at the Wrong Place and Time
When we use the word “hallelujah” from a New Testament perspective, we are pronouncing judgment upon this world, which, according to God’s will, is still subject to salvation. We read in 1 Timothy 2:4: “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” Therefore, to condemn the world now, while we are in our flesh, does not correspond to the gospel of grace that we are proclaiming during this dispensation of grace. Of course, the story will be different when we are in heaven, where we will utter “hallelujahs” with the heavenly host.
The Second “Hallelujah”
This “hallelujah” is repeated by the heavenly choir: “And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever” (verse 3). This two-fold “hallelujah” in heaven confirms God’s righteous judgment upon evil, but it also is a testimony of the corruptness we have been redeemed from by the blood of the Lamb. I think that will be the time we fully realize what Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God has accomplished on Calvary’s cross when He exclaimed, “It is finished.”
"Hallelujah" at the Wrong Place and Time
Another group joins the “hallelujah” chorus: “And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia” (verse 4).
Who are these 24 elders? Scripture provides no clear answer about their identities. Midnight Call Ministries founder Dr. Wim Malgo believed they represent Israel and the Church. There were 12 tribes of Israel and 12 gates by which the temple compound could be entered. There were also 12 apostles as 12 foundations: “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14). Incidentally, this corresponds with Ephesians 2:20-22: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together growth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”
We read this about the 24 elders in Revelation 4:10-11: “The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 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.”
“And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever” (5:14).
Who Are the Four Beasts?
The word “beast” is a negative description of an animal, which is different from man in that he has no spirit. An animal lacks intelligence and does not have the capacity to perceive and learn things. Although evolutionists say that animals can learn and do possess a certain degree of intelligence, this has never been proven. In most cases, when exceptional talent in an animal has been presented, it is not the animal who has learned, but the trainer who has trained the animal to perform repetitious acts.
Therefore, I venture to say that the word “beast” is not a fitting translation in this instance. Dr. J. Vernon McGee made this statement: “‘Four beasts’ are literally ‘four living creatures.’ The Greek word is zoa, from which we get our English word zoo. It doesn’t mean a wild beast as we might think” (Volume 5, pg. 931).
Dr. Wim Malgo wrote the following about these four beasts: These four living creatures are in the midst of the throne. That means they are very closely united with God. They belong to God, and they have the characteristics of the Eternal. The first of these living beings was like a lion. The lion is a picture of the majesty and power of God, that is, of the creating power of God for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. “Of him, and through him, and to him, are all things” (Romans 11:36). “He is the one who is upholding all things by the word of his power” (Hebrews 1:3).
The second beast, or living being, is like a calf.According to the oldest manuscripts available, it says “bull” This is a picture of His power, but it simultaneously tells us that God and His power gave Himself as an offering in that He permitted the sacrifice of Jesus.
The third living being has a face like a man. That is a typical illustration of His abasement, His surrendering, but simultaneously it tells of His glory and His incarnation into the world. This happened and was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In Philippians 2:7 we read, “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”
The fourth and last beast is like a flying eagle. This means that in spite of His self-sacrifice and self-limitations in becoming man, He keeps, nevertheless, the end result, the goal of creation, and does not diminish or withdraw Himself from His original intention. Thus, in these four living creatures God expresses Himself as to how He turns to the world, how He addresses the world, and how He sacrifices Himself for the world. These four living beings are the characteristics of eternity (The Rulership of Heaven, p. 19-20).
Again, we emphasize that this is happening in heaven. The four living creatures and the 24 elders totally endorse God’s righteous judgment with their heavenly “hallelujah” exclamation.
The Fourth “Hallelujah”
And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 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” (Revelation 19:5-6).
This seems to be a different group of people, not “much people” but a “great multitude.” These are the occupants of heaven who always express the being of the Lord God. In contrast, the Church—that is, the saints—expresses what He has done. But in all four cases, we see that the center is always the Lord God Omnipotent: the One who was,
who is and who is to come. He is the eternal One.
We will hear the four-fold “hallelujah” in the presence of the saints, the 24 elders, the four living creatures and the population of heaven. This will be after the great whore has been judged: “Mystery Babylon the great, the mother of harlots and abomination of the earth.”
This brief study makes it clear that neither the word “hallelujah” nor the Greek translation “alleluia” are exclamations that should be uttered by pardoned sinners.
The Right Name at the Right Time
Let us now consider the usage of words and titles relating to our Lord while we are on earth. In Matthew 15 we read about a heathen woman who asked the Lord for help: “And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil” (verse 22). How did Jesus react? “He answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.” That behavior seems rather strange, for Jesus, the compassionate One, the Messiah of Israel, the King of the Jews, and the Savior of the world had come to fulfill Bible prophecy.
Interestingly, neither do the disciples seem interested in the suffering of this poor woman. Instead of asking the Lord to help her, they say, “Send her away.” Then we hear Jesus explain: “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (verse 24).
This corresponds to His previous statement to the disciples: “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:5-6). Thus, the door was closed for this Canaanite woman who cried, “O Lord, thou son of David.”
But then she changes her tactic, as we read in verse 25: “Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.” No longer does she address Him as “Son of David” because Jesus came as the son of David for the Jews and not the Gentiles.
Now she simply cries out, “Lord, help me.”
The Dogs
Next comes an extremely insulting statement from our Lord against each one of us from among the Gentiles: “It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs” (verses 26). In these modern times, we may not realize what it means to be called a dog in Jewish culture during biblical times. We have elevated our pets to the level of humans, and some actually claim their pets understand them. But such was not the case then. Dogs were the most despised of animals during biblical times, particularly due to the fact that they return to their own vomit. But Jesus plainly stated that Gentiles are dogs. Our Lord is truthful no matter how much it may hurt, and He has never apologized. This statement is as true today as it was almost 2,000 years ago.
But then grace breaks through because the woman humbles herself: “Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answeredand said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (verses 27-28). This teaches us that we don’t have to become Jews or follow Jewish laws, customs and rituals; we can come directly to Him with our burden and pray, “Lord, help me.”
“Hallelujah” Conclusion
I am fully aware of the controversy this article will cause. After all, the word “hallelujah” has been used for many centuries. Hundreds, if not thousands, of hymns and songs include the word “hallelujah.”
What about the following hymn being sung in churches around the world? “Hallelujah, thine the glory, Hallelujah, Amen,
Hallelujah thine the glory, revive us again.” What’s wrong with that? Based on our study of the Old and New Testament, the word “hallelujah” is not used in Scripture for the Church on earth. I do believe we are safe in following the Scripture’s guideline and to do likewise. It is not used by the Apostles nor the early church.
One day when we are in His presence along with the heavenly chorus, we will exclaim “hallelujah.” But while we remain in our sinful vessels of flesh and blood we cannot pronounce the “hallelujahs” that are used exclusively to reconfirm, endorse and anchor God’s righteous judgment upon a sinful world.
The Marriage Supper of the Lamb
After the fourth “hallelujah” has been sounded, John continues with one breath: “Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.
And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:7-10). How can we participate in the Marriage Supper of the Lamb? Only by being arrayed in fine linen, clean and white, which can be received through grace alone. It is the righteousness of God that is only obtained through faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. This powerful truth divides one from the other, light from darkness, truth from lies, eternity of joy to eternity of damnation. There is no in-between; it is one or the other. The last two verses of Revelation 18 state: “And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.” What will be their end? “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14-15).
The other group includes those who have been saved based on the shed blood of the Lamb of God. They will experience the fulfillment of Revelation 19:9: “Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb.” Dear friend, do not postpone your decision; it may be your last chance to belong to the group that can one day shout “hallelujah” in the presents of the Lamb of God. May the Lord grant you the grace you need to make your decision today!
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