Can you imagine hearing a vast choir of heavenly angels singing? They sang at Jesus’ birth, and they’re singing again at Jesus’ Wedding, when He is united with His Faithful Bride.
In Revelation 19 we have a brief preview of that wedding ceremony. The wedding opens with the angel choir singing “Alleluia!” “Alleluia” means literally “Praise God!” or “Praise Jehovah!” It is an exclamation of exuberant praise. It is found in the Bible only 4 times, and all in Rev 19. You will want to keep your Bibles open to this chapter.
I will read from Revelation 19, from the Phillips New Testament. As I read, notice what they are singing about. Rev. 19, beginning at verse 1.
Revelation 19:1-3 (Phillips NT)
1 Afterwards I heard what sounded like the mighty roar of a vast crowd in Heaven, crying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just. He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her wickedness, and he has avenged upon her the blood of his servants!” Then they cried a second time, “Alleluia! The smoke of her destruction ascends for timeless ages!”
(“Alleluia!” music)
Now, keep listening, as the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures add their part, singing “Amen! Alleluia!” By singing “Amen” they give their wholehearted support. “Amen” means, “So be it—Your will be done.”
Rev. 19:4:4 Then the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures prostrated themselves and worshipped God who is seated upon the throne, saying, “Amen, alleluia!”
Remember, the 24 elders and the 4 living creatures represent the faithful ones. This is where we can join in. Let’s join now by singing “Come, Christians, Join the Song!”
Come Christians, Join to Sing
Come, Christians, join to sing
Alleluia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ our King;
Alleluia! Amen!
Let all, with heart and voice,
Before His throne rejoice;
Praise His gracious choice:
Alleluia! Amen!
There is still more to this wedding music. Now, at the invitation of the one on the throne, the guests of the wedding join in, followed by more and more angels—John could hardly describe the sound.
I will read Revelation 19, verses 5 & 6 from the Living Bible.
Revelation 19:5-6 (TLB)
And out of the throne came a voice that said, “Praise our God, all you his servants, small and great, who fear him.”
6 Then I heard again what sounded like the shouting of a huge crowd, or like the waves of a hundred oceans crashing on the shore, or like the mighty rolling of great thunder, “Praise the Lord. For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!”
Then… at last… here comes the bride. She is dressed in her finest fine linen, dazzling white! Revelation 19:7-9. I will read from the NKJV.
Revelation 19:7-9
7 Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”
8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.
9 Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ ” And he said to me, “These are the true sayings of God.”