Topical Bible: Praise: The Heavenly Host Engage In

◄ Praise: The Heavenly Host Engage In ►

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The concept of praise is deeply embedded in the fabric of biblical theology, and the heavenly host's engagement in praise is a profound testament to the glory and majesty of God. Throughout Scripture, the celestial beings, including angels and other heavenly entities, are depicted as offering continuous praise to God, reflecting His holiness, power, and eternal nature.

Biblical Instances of Heavenly Praise

1. Creation and the Morning Stars: The book of Job provides a glimpse into the praise offered by the heavenly host at the creation of the world. In Job 38:7 , God describes the scene: "while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy." This passage illustrates the joy and adoration expressed by the heavenly beings at the manifestation of God's creative power.

2. Isaiah's Vision: In Isaiah 6:1-3 , the prophet Isaiah recounts his vision of the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with seraphim attending Him. The seraphim call out to one another, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; His glory fills the whole earth." This thrice-holy declaration underscores the perfection and otherness of God, as acknowledged by the heavenly beings.

3. The Heavenly Host at Christ's Birth: The Gospel of Luke records the angelic announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds, accompanied by a multitude of the heavenly host praising God. Luke 2:13-14 states, "And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests!'" This event highlights the significance of the Incarnation and the heavenly response to God's redemptive plan.

4. Revelation and the Worship in Heaven: The book of Revelation provides a vivid portrayal of heavenly worship. In Revelation 4:8-11 , the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fall down before the throne, proclaiming, "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." This scene emphasizes the continuous and eternal nature of heavenly praise.

5. The Angelic Proclamation of the Gospel: Revelation 14:6-7 describes an angel flying in midair, proclaiming the eternal gospel to every nation, tribe, language, and people. The angel calls out, "Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come. Worship Him who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and the springs of waters." This passage reflects the role of the heavenly host in directing humanity to worship and glorify God.

Theological Significance

The engagement of the heavenly host in praise serves as a model for earthly worship. It underscores the centrality of God's holiness, sovereignty, and creative power. The heavenly praise is characterized by a recognition of God's worthiness and an acknowledgment of His divine attributes. This celestial worship invites believers to join in the chorus of praise, aligning their hearts with the eternal adoration offered by the heavenly beings.

In summary, the praise of the heavenly host is a recurring theme in Scripture, illustrating the rightful response to God's majesty and the eternal nature of His glory. Through their example, believers are encouraged to participate in the worship of God, both now and in the age to come.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 6:3
And one cried to another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 2:13
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 4:9-11
And when those beasts give glory and honor and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who lives for ever and ever,
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Revelation 5:12
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Heavenly Contemplation Assisted by Sensible Objects, and Guarded ...
... who saw and heard the heavenly host singing, Glory ... know, and love, and rejoice, and
praise in the ... reasoning, self-considering duty of heavenly meditation, is ...
/.../the saints everlasting rest/chapter xv heavenly contemplation assisted.htm

The Angel's Message and Song
... any thing that might previously engage their attention ... shepherds, a multitude of
the heavenly host expressed their ... Their highest praise was excited by a view of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon x the angels message.htm

Hymns of Praise and Worship.
... below, Praise Him above, ye heavenly host, Praise Father ... sweets, Before we reach
the heavenly fields, Or ... tongues Shall fill Thy courts with sounding praise. ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter i hymns of praise.htm

Family Prayer.
... God, must attract the notice of the heavenly host, and receive ... you will be admitted
into that heavenly home where ... one unbroken voice of prayer and praise to God ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter xv family prayer.htm

The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual ...
... and well ordered array, of the heavenly host; and, therefore ... God, is dull and blind
in heavenly mysteries ... Some praise the answer of Simonides, who being asked by ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the knowledge of.htm

Of the Incapacity of an Unregenerate Person for Relishing the ...
... of the moon, and all the numerous host of heaven ... acknowledge it in their hymns of
praise, that Christ ... 4. The excellency of the heavenly kingdom will further ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/discourse v of the incapacity.htm

God Seeks Intercessors
... In them Christ placed the powers of the heavenly world at ... And we may praise God that,
in our days too, there ... day and night." He looks to the great host of the ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xiv god seeks intercessors.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
... The question which is now to engage us is not the extent of the Holy Spirit's
power-on that point there can he no doubt ... Praise Him above ye heavenly host,. ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter four the sovereignty of.htm

Full Redemption
... bones of his people, and as the whole host shall go ... together, and made us sit together
in heavenly places in ... of being an orchestra for God's praise, has become ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/full redemption.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... That hellish was, did fiercely me engage: But blessed ... to him let me give lasting
praise, And thank ... to their own country, which was the heavenly Jerusalem; and ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the pilgrims progress.htm