THE PURPOSE OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP - Revelation 4 vs 11

INTRODUCTION

I will never forget that night at the Oceana Hotel when the late Dr. Myles Munroe moon walked across the stage singing the late Michael Jackson's "I Am Bad, I Am Bad" the moment was electrifying.  Then he stated "we have a generation that has gone bad and we are wondering why."  He then went on to outline the power of music.

Once again people, I am writing for my pleasure.  This is how I relax.  The research is challenging I get to know the Bible more and I also increase my knowledge of scriptures. Plus I get the next topic even before I have completed one blog.  So, come with me for the ride and enjoy yourselves even as I am enjoying myself. This is what you would call experiential application.  I am sure there is a term for that at Bible school. I will get there. Lord bless my Holy Ghost!!

CRITICAL DEFINITIONS

Purpose (noun) is the reason for which something is done or created or for the existence of a thing.  

Abuse (noun) the abnormal use of a thing.

Music in its simplest form is an art form and cultural activity whose medium is sound and silence.  The major point we want to extract here is that the word is derived from the Greek mousike - "art of muses'.  The word muse as a verb means to consider something thoughtfully; synonym mull, mull over or meditate. One can safely say music causes you to meditate on what you have heard.  Ever heard yourself humming a song and wondering where it came from? It is the musing.

Praise (verb) to express warm approval or adoration of.   Synonym pay tribute to, speak highly of, eulogize. Elijah on Mount Carmel I Kings 18 verse 36 and Hannah I Samuel 2 verse 2.

Worship (noun) The feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity. Synonym exultation and veneration.  Revelation 4 verses 9-11.

GOD'S ORIGINAL WORSHIP PLAN

There were three archangels in heaven:
Gabriel the Communicator - He delivered the important messages. Daniel 8 verse 16, St. Luke 1 verse 26.
Michael the Warrior - He fought the major battles. Daniel 10 verse 13, Jude 1 verse 9.
Lucifer the Worship leader - He was expelled from heaven because he wanted the glory. This angel fell in love with himself.  Revelation 12 verse 7-9. The late Dr. Myles Munroe  used to say that there are 3 things you do not touch in the kingdom of God; the gold, the girls and the glory. Ezekiel 28 verses 12-18, Isaiah 14 verses 12-14 and St. Luke 10 verse 18.
So if Satan is no longer the worship leader in heaven who or what has taken his place?

WORKING WITH WHAT HE HAS

The Bible states that Satan is the Prince of the power of the air. Ephesians 2 verse 2

Let us look at how God has ordered His business

1. Everything and everyone in the temple should be anointed Exodus 40 verses 9-34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6vyCIiqNzs
2. Proper order I Chronicles 6 verses 31 -32.  The very thread that was used to sew the ephod of the priest  was specified.  Exodus 28 verses 6-14, I Chronicle 16 verses 4-7, 37-43. The Psalm of David I Chronicles 16 verses 8-36.  Every time I read this passage of scripture I have to read it in its entirety.  Another one is Exodus 15 verses 2 - 21 They are full of gems.
3. In the last days the Lord shall raise up the tabernacle of David - Amos 9 verse 11

¹¹ In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:

THE SAYINGS OF JESUS

Let us look at Jesus' take on this whole area of worship. Remember He is the perfect example.  Jesus with the Samaritan woman by the well defining true worship.  St. John 4 verse 23 - 24.

²³ But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
²⁴ God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. 

This scripture is loaded suffice it to say that it is no longer about a location and you cant be a true worshipper of the living God if you have not confessed Him as your Lord and savior. This is how the Apostle Paul interpreted it - I Corinthians 6 verses 19-20

¹⁹ What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

The Apostle Peter - I Peter 2 verses 5-9

⁵ Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
⁶ Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
⁷ Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
⁸ And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
⁹ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; https://bible.org/seriespage/lesson-23-priority-true-worship-john-423-24

THE SEVEN LEVELS OF PRAISE

They will not manifest in any particular order just be aware that there are different levels to your praise.https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=seven+levels+of+praise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1OxpqJY_xI 

1. YAHDAH - Worshipping with extended hands. To lift hands to the Lord in absolute surrender. Psalm 9 verse 1 and Isaiah 12 verse 1.
2. TEHILLAH - To sing, to laud, a spontaneous new song, a prophetic praise..  It is unprepared, unrehearsed, singing directly to God. Psalm 22 verse 3 and 40 verse 3.
3. BARAK - To kneel, to bow, to show gratitude. Consciously giving place to God. Psalm 103 verses 1 - 5.
4. HALAL - This speaks to breakthrough praise and has its root in the word hallelujah.  To rejoice- act clamorously foolish.  I Chronicles 29 verse 13 and Nehemiah 12 verse 24.
5. TOWDAH - This is sacrificial praise, praise in anticipation before manifestation or reception.  Coming into alignment with the word of God (FAITH). Psalm 50 verse 23 and Jeremiah 17 verse 26.
6. ZAMAR - To praise God with the instruments. Psalm 150 and Psalm 92 verse 1.
7. SHABACH - This is a praise of dominion, proclamation with a loud voice, address in a loud tone, a loud adoration example shout unto the Lord.  Psalm 117 vs 1 and Psalm 63 verse 3-4. 

CONCLUSION

It's no accident that the longest book in the Bible, also with the longest chapter is the Psalms.  It is all about praising and worshipping God.  When we get to the end of the Bible, we see the saints and angels in heaven falling on their faces and worshipping God.  Revelation 4 verses 10-11, 5 verses 8-14, 7 verses 9-11.

¹⁰ The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
¹¹ Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Since worship will be our ceaseless activity and greatest joy in heaven we ought to be proclaiming it now. In fact the Bible says this is the purpose for which we have been created.  There are Christians who are sincere but the worship is man-centred.  Sometimes it's patterned more after the entertainment world than after the Bible.  It draws attention to the performers and not the lord.  On the other hand some go through ancient liturgies without being submitted to God.  St Matthew 5 verse 18 Jesus states "The people honour me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me." We need to be careful not to be led astray. 

Let us come back to worshipping God again.

 à bientôt - see you next month be blessed