Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
We’re to sing about our hope of heaven to bolster our faith and encourage each other (Ephesians 5:15-21; Colossians 3:12-17).
So while my wife’s dear friend was dying recently, without knowing whether her friend could hear, my wife played hymns on her phone. We’ll also sing in heaven and some of the family present wondered what kind of songs we’d sing when we get there, we’ll no longer need faith because we’ll be living by sight (2 Corinthians 5:1-10, especially vs. 7; 1 John 3:1-3).
The Book of Revelation provides some insight into present and future happenings in heaven (Revelation 1:19). The NIV Bible describes several Revelation passages as statements that have now been put into songs for us to sing here on earth to give us hope, but in this article I’ll concentrate on passages that are described as being sung beginning with the last one because I think it gives the reasons behind the songs written earlier in Revelation.
The song in Revelation 15:1-4 was sung by those who didn’t give in to the beast and took place after Jesus’ second coming to earth when all people, dead or alive, were gathered and judged (Hebrews 9:27-28; Revelation 14:14-20; Matthew 24:29-51; John 5:24-30; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). It’s called the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb stating that God’s righteousness, holiness and justice are great and have been completely revealed.
The original song of Moses was sung by all God’s people at the time, the Israelites, and described the great works of God in rescuing them from Egyptian bondage and mentioning the future when God would bring all those he bought to his sanctuary on his mountain where he’ll reign forever as described in Revelation (Exodus 15:1-18; Hebrews 12:22-29; Revelation 11:15).
The first heavenly song, recorded in Revelation 5:6-10, was to the Lamb and describes how he was slain to purchase people for God from throughout the earth to be his kingdom. That song was followed by another in Revelation 5:11-12 sung by myriads of angels numbering over 100 million and described what was due to the Lamb for his sacrifice: power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and praise. Those seven items symbolize complete perfection, summing up everything there is to be had.
After that song, every creature sings a tribute of praise, honor, glory and power forever to the Lamb and to God, who sits on the throne (Revelation 5:13). The four items in that song also symbolize completeness. Another list of four items includes our heart, mind, soul and strength with which we’re to express our complete love to God for the great things he’s done for us (Mark 12:28-34; Luke 12:25-28).
Are you singing praises to God now for his great blessings and committing your all to him, living so others can see your example and be encouraged in saving faith in this life so they’ll sing with the hosts in heaven when their faith becomes sight?
Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at