Topical Bible: Music in Heaven

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Introduction

Music in heaven is a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures, offering a glimpse into the celestial worship and the divine order of the heavenly realms. The Bible provides several references to music as an integral part of heavenly worship, reflecting the glory and majesty of God. This entry explores the biblical portrayal of music in heaven, its participants, and its significance.

Biblical References

1. Heavenly Worship and Music:
The book of Revelation provides the most vivid depiction of music in heaven. Revelation 5:8-9 describes the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders falling down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sing a new song, proclaiming the worthiness of the Lamb to open the scroll. This passage highlights the use of music as an expression of worship and adoration in the heavenly realm.

2. Angelic Choirs:
Angels are often depicted as participants in heavenly music. In Revelation 5:11-12, John describes hearing the voice of many angels around the throne, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" This angelic choir emphasizes the grandeur and scale of heavenly music.

3. The Song of the Redeemed:
Revelation 14:2-3 presents another scene of heavenly music, where John hears a sound from heaven like the roar of many waters and the sound of loud thunder. The voice he hears is like harpists playing their harps, and they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. This song is unique to the 144,000 who have been redeemed from the earth, signifying the special role of the redeemed in heavenly worship.

4. The Role of Instruments:
Harps are specifically mentioned as instruments used in heavenly music. The use of harps, as seen in Revelation 5:8 and 14:2, suggests that instrumental music is a component of the worship in heaven, adding to the richness and depth of the celestial praise.

Theological Significance

Music in heaven serves several theological purposes. It is a means of glorifying God, expressing the joy and reverence of the heavenly hosts. The new songs sung in heaven signify the ongoing revelation and celebration of God's redemptive work through Jesus Christ. The participation of both angels and the redeemed in heavenly music underscores the unity and harmony of all creation in worshiping the Creator.

Conclusion

While the Bible provides only glimpses of the music in heaven, these passages collectively portray a scene of profound worship and adoration. Music is depicted as a powerful and integral part of the heavenly experience, reflecting the glory and majesty of God and the joy of the redeemed in His presence.

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Revelation 5:8,9
And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.
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Revelation 14:2,3
And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps:
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Revelation 15:2,3
And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.
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Library

Music (Christmas Day. )
... Why is there music in heaven? Consider St. ... First"There is music in heaven, because
in music there is no self- will. Music goes on certain laws and rules. ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xvii music christmas day.htm

The Jerusalem Climate.
... So man failing, the lower creation shared room with Him. Above, was the
sweetest music, the music of heaven. Three times the music ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the jerusalem climate.htm

The Open Door.
... of a stone most precious. Once again, as we gaze through the open door,
we hear of music in Heaven. Those who have wrong ideas of ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xxxv the open door.htm

John I.
... the like, for he effects all with his tongue, uttering a voice which is sweeter
and more profitable than that of any harper or any music. All heaven is his ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily i john i.htm

Under his Shadow.
... last and loveliest of our modern poets, when her tones were most mellow, and her
language most sublime, has been caught up to swell the music of heaven. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/under his shadow.htm

Heavenly Worship
... sweet the melody. Such is the music of heaven. No jarring notes there,
no discord, but all one glorious harmonious song. You will ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/heavenly worship.htm

Several Errors to be Avoided in Our Meditations on Heaven.
... social intercourse with the saints, and the pure joys resulting therefrom, the meeting
of our kindred and friends in heaven, the ravishing music which resounds ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter viii several errors to.htm

Rest.
... "Darling, do you know you will soon hear the music of heaven? You will
hear a sweeter song than you have ever heard on earth. You ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/rest.htm

The Two Effects of the Gospel
... Her ear had suddenly opened, and that rough sound seemed to her like the music of
heaven, because it was the first she had heard for so many years. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the two effects of the.htm

The Tragic Break in the Plan.
... 3. The Tragic Break in the Plan. The Jerusalem Climate: the contrasting receptions,
Luke 2.. the music of heaven, Job 38:6, 7. Luke 2:13, 14. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/3 the tragic break in.htm