Attendance at a performance of ‘Messiah’ should be deeply moving for a Christian.  Different parts of the oratorio will remain riveted in his heart and mind.  The one part of the production which will live long in the memory is the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’.  ‘Hallelujah’ is a Hebrew word meaning “Praise the Lord”.  The text sung by the choir in this chorus comes from the book of Revelation.

“Hallelujah!   For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.” (Revelation 19:6)

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”  (Revelation 11:15)

“King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16)

Immediately the music starts and before the choir begins the audience stands, showing appreciation and respect for the great King whose majesty is being acclaimed.

An interesting anecdote is told about Queen Victoria by J W W Moeran: 

“in the year of her Coronation (1838) she attended a public performance of Handel’s oratorio ‘The Messiah.’  The young Queen had been …  instructed by her Court advisers, that whereas the audience would rise and stand when the Hallelujah Chorus came to be sung, it was the Royal prerogative to remain seated.  So, when the Chorus began, the great audience rose to their feet.  At first, there was a struggle in the Queen’s mind, between the wish to observe the traditions of Court etiquette and the instincts of her heart, which moved her to honour the Lord her God.   When the choir reached that noble passage of holy inspiration “King of kings and Lord of lords,” she felt as though she must forget that she was a Queen, and think only of herself as one among the rest, all equal in the sight of the Majesty which is Divine and Eternal; and so she rose to her feet, and stood up in the Royal Box, thus bearing witness to Christ her Lord.” 

Queen Victoria’s long reign of 63 years came to an end when she died in 1901.  Jesus Christ, our mediatorial king, has been enthroned to reign eternally (for ever and ever).  He is now seated on a throne at the right hand of God the Father in glory.  At the end of history, he will temporarily vacate that throne, return to earth and usher in the, “new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13) 

The concluding section of ‘Messiah’ develops the theme of Messiah’s Second Coming.  When Messiah returns simultaneous events will occur:  the resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:23); the final judgement (Matthew 25:31-46); and the restoration of the universe.  (Romans 8:22, 23) 

The question is often asked, “What about believers who are still alive when Jesus Christ returns?”  The text adopted by the oratorio to answer this question is 1 Corinthians 15:51, 52:

“Behold! I tell you a mystery.  We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.  For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.”

The word ‘mystery’ as used in Scripture is something hidden, which if God had not revealed it, it would never have been known.  The mystery in 1 Corinthians 15:51 is about those who are alive when Messiah returns in his glory.  When the text says, “we shall not all sleep”, it is using ‘sleep’ in a metaphorical sense.  It is not literal sleep but sleep as in death. (See Jesus’ use of the word ‘sleep’ with reference to the death of Lazarus in John 11:11-14)  From this and similar references (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) it is clear that not all Christians will die.  There will be followers of Jesus Christ still living when he returns.  What will happen to them?  The text puts it simply: “we shall all be changed”.

The change will take place spiritually in “those who are alive and remain.” They will be made perfectly holy for nothing imperfect can enter heaven. (Revelation 21:27)  At that moment their sanctification will be made complete.

The change will also affect the physical.  At Christ’s return those believers who are still inhabiting planet earth will be given a new body.  All disfigurements, disabilities and defects will be removed and believers will be given a new body by Jesus Christ, “who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:21)  How long will this process take?  Cosmetic surgeons anesthetize patients and then take hours to remove what are perceived to be facial blemishes.  Jesus Christ, at his return, brings about the transformation of our bodies “in the twinkling of an eye”.  That is zero time.  At creation no time was needed, only the Divine purpose; “And God said, ‘Let there be light,” and there was light.” (Genesis 1:3)   Similarly, the creation of the new heaven and the new earth and all who occupy its environs will be accomplished “in the twinkling of an eye,” in zero time, according to the Divine will.

The text of the ‘Messiah’ not only refers to those living at Christ’s return but also those who have died trusting in Jesus.  “For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised …” (1 Corinthians 15:52)  By that time their physical body will have perished, but at the sound of the trumpet their body will be resurrected.  They will be given a new body which will be perfect in every way and each identifiable with the person who died.  “For”, as the oratorio continues, “this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.  When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1 Corinthians 15:53, 54)

This is the Christian hope.  It is a hope that will never be disappointed like many of the hopes entertained by gamblers and astrologists.  This hope rests on the promise of God who will never go back on his word or violate his covenant. (Psalm 89:34)

What is the significance of the trumpet sounding?  In Scripture the sounding of the trumpet signals celebration and triumph.  How appropriate that the trumpet should sound at the consummation – when all for which Christ died has been accomplished.  Every detail of paradise will be in place.  That is the moment “when he [Messiah] delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.” (1 Corinthians 15:24)

In that context the statement is made, “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:26)  That is another significance of the trumpet blast.  At the return of Christ the enemy that Christians face throughout their lives and especially at death will be vanquished, for at Messiah’s appearing, “death shall be no more” (Revelation 21:4)  This triumph over death is captured in the words included in the oratorio:

“then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:54, 55)

Isaiah had prophesied of this victory. (Isaiah 25:8)  Christ, by his death on the Cross, guaranteed this victory.  At his return, the fruit of Christ’s redemptive work is in full flower.  The enemy, death, brought upon mankind because of sin, will for believers, be no more.

The source of this great victory is not overlooked in the oratorio for it continues with the text of 1 Corinthians 15:57:  “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  This victory is the gift of God’s grace.  The implications and ramifications of this victory for Christians are monumental in this life and in the life to come.  It is no wonder the apostle Paul speaks of Messiah as God’s “inexpressible gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15)

The victory of Jesus Christ over death has relevance only for believers.  The Scriptures that say, “death shall be no more” (Revelation 21:4) also speak of a ‘second death’.  It is the “lake of fire”, a metaphorical description of Hell.  Who will spend eternity in the lake of fire, in Hell?  Everyone who has died in unbelief will experience the “resurrection of judgement” (John 5:29) at Christ’s return.  Unbelievers will experience the ‘second death’ which is most terrible and absolutely horrific.  And it is eternal; it is for ever; the place “where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:48)

Jesus Christ came into the world “to seek and to save the lost”.  He has been offered to you in the gospel.  Have you repented of your sin and received him as your Saviour?  If not, you have urgent business to do with the Lord Jesus.  Concerning any who are complacent about the wrath of God at the judgement Scripture warns, “how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation”. (Hebrews 2:3)  There is no way of escape apart from Jesus. (John 14:6)

The ‘Messiah’ concludes most appropriately with an ascription of glory to Jesus - the words of Revelation 5:12, 13 being chosen for the purpose:

“… Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honour and glory and blessing! … To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might forever and ever!”

This is the song of the redeemed in glory.  You will be in that heavenly choir only if by grace you are truly among the redeemed on earth.

Talented musicians love to play orchestral instruments associated with the musical score of ‘Messiah’.  Gifted singers enjoy the experience of singing ‘Messiah’ in the soprano, alto, tenor and bass sections of the choir.  Thousands of people every year, in cities throughout the world, take delight in listening to the performance of ‘Messiah’.  But how many truly love and adore HIM who is the Messiah?   

When Messiah lived on earth he knew people who paid lip service to him, but that was as far as it went.  Of such he said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?”  Luke 6:46   Be counted among those who know and love Messiah, Jesus Christ, delighting to walk in his ways and to keep his Commandments.