The Hallelujah Judgment

Posted 9/17/13 by Donald Barnhouse

Image previewThe Hallelujah Judgment

"The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15).

We are familiar with the strains of the "Hallelujah Chorus."  Handel took the words from the apocalyptic scene of judgment.  "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever . . ." (Revelation 11:15).  All Heaven breaks forth into worship: Hallelujah!  But it is a scene of judgment, and our redeemed hearts are glad to join in praise when it occurs.  We are convinced that it is fully necessary; we have seen from experience and from revelation that nothing else will do.  God must judge this sinful earth and all its iniquity, and sinners would be brought down to hell because they had not repented.

What a change this is!  It is the first great announcement that the rejection of the Lord Jesus Christ by any individual means rejection of that individual by God the Father and God the Son.  The cross of Jesus Christ is the touchstone of eternity.  He had not yet come to the day of His death, but the principles which were leading to His rejection and His crucifixion had already been announced and these cities would have none of them.  That is why judgment was pronounced upon them.  They were ignorant of the righteousness of God and were confiding only in a false righteousness which had its source in their own efforts.  The result was that they would be lost.

Later, in the epistle to the Romans, this verdict is put into words: "They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Romans 10:2-3).

Dr. Barnhouse reminds us that when this great chorus is sung all hope of salvation will be gone.  This event such motivate us to take advantage of every opportunity to present the gospel to the lost.

Further Reading: Revelation 11