Hallelujah!

Christians say it often. You will hear this word expressed in a church’s worship service, at a bible study, during a message, and especially when something good occurs. But here is a little background on this word in terms of how it is used in the Bible.

“Hallelujah” only occurs four times in the New Testament – all four times in Revelation 19. When it is used in Revelation 19, it is used with reference to judgment on the wicked.

Let me show you: Rev. 19 –

vv. 1-2: After this I heard what seemed to be the loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, crying out, “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, 2 for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”

Notice heaven is crying out, Hallelujah! Why? V. 2 – “for (because) God’s judgments are true and just and He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” The great prostitute is religious and commercial Babylon that received all the religions and secular systems of the world into one ecumenical movement that comprises a New World Order funded and operated by the Antichrist (the beast).

At the Second Coming of Christ (Rev. 19), this harlot is being judged and heaven is crying out “Hallelujah!”

Verse 3: Once more they cried out, “Hallelujah! The smoke from her torment goes up forever and ever.”

Religious Babylon that deceives the nations is going to be perpetually tormented and the response to that from heaven is “Hallelujah!”

vv. 4-5: And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who was seated on the throne, saying, “Amen. Hallelujah!” 5 And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”

God is being worshiped for who He is (just and righteous) and what He has done (judged the wicked), therefore all people, great and small are told to “fear Him,” but the command to fear is preceded by “Hallelujah!”

Then in verse 7: Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

Because God has shown His greatness by judging the ungodly, He also displays His right to rule and reign. This also is preceded by the word, “Hallelujah!”

The word, “Hallelujah” is a Hebrew word and it mean, “Praise the Lord.”

Again, the word “Hallelujah” is never used anywhere else in the New Testament accept here in Revelation 19 with specific reference to God’s judgment and rule.

It is as if the Holy Spirit saves this word for the very end! But we tend to use it all the time, most of which it loses its real contextual meaning.

Now to further support how the word “Hallelujah” is used with reference to judgment, let me also point out that the word is used for the first time in Psalm 104:35, and here is how it reads: “Let sinners be consumed from the earth, and let the wicked be no more! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Hallelujah!”

How is that? The first time “Hallelujah” is used in the Old Testament, also places it in context with severe judgment.

When a preacher speaks against sin and coming judgment upon the unrepentant, that’s the times to shout “Hallelujah!” When you go to a prophecy conference, seminar or at a Bible study, and you hear the speaker say, “God will judge the nations and establish His rightful rule and reign, that’s time to let it fly – “Hallelujah!”

But when you come across an empty parking spot at a mall, or get a raise on your pay check, don’t misuse the word for such small matters. Remember this: Don’t simply pay close attention to what is in the Bible. Pay also close attention to where things are found in the Bible and the context in which it occurs.

Don’t weaken the word “Hallelujah” with an overuse on petty matters. Save it for times of justice and judgment on those who shake their fist at the righteousness of God.