Some Encouragement.We live in a world where much encouragement is needed. If we lose sight of who Jesus is and what He is doing for us in Heaven right now it's easy to become discouraged. To many, including me, The Messiah oratorio (A large-scale biblical story and musical composition.) is one of the most encouraging pieces of praise music ever written! It's often referred to as Handel's Messiah. But while George Frideric Handel is the author of the music, it was the Reverend Charles Jennens, an English aristocrat, who wrote the words to accompany the music. His primary sources were the King James Bible (1611) supported by 1662 Book of Common Prayer for the Psalms texts. The Messiah's script quotes 81 Bible verses from 14 different Bible books. Isaiah is quoted most frequently (21 verses). Followed by the Book of Psalms (15 verses) and then 1 Corinthians 15. (10 verses). 1 Corinthians 15 highlights the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and what this means for us today, 283 years after the Messiah's first public performance on April 14, 1742, in the Musick Hall, Dublin, Ireland. The Mesiah was not instantly acclaimed on it's first performance but gradually grew in popularity with audiences to have now been performed countless times and is an annual feature in most western countries leading up to December 25. The Bible texts chosen by Jennens, set to the music by Handel, have come to life in a special way for the millions of people around the entire world since 1742, as they tell of Jesus' mission to save and rid the world from sin. At every recital of the Messiah when the Hallelujah Chorus is sung, as one, the audience rises to its feet. The most widely accepted explanation for this is that King George II of England was so moved by the music that he stood up and so those in the audience followed his example. Today, many people stand as an act of worship and in reverence for the message of the chorus celebrating God and Jesus' ultimate victory over Satan and his followers. The words for the Hallelujah Chorus are taken from Revelation 19: 6 ' Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Revelation 11: 15 ' The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and forever. Revelation 19: 16 - And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.) As the people of the world are forgetting about who the Lord God is and what He has done and is doing for them (and us), as our Creator and Redeemer, these words and this music become an end of time appeal to us all. In her book, The Ministry of Healing, Ellen White emphasises the theme of the Messiah when she writes - It was Christ. - 'Who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.' Philippians 2:6-8, A.R.V. '''' 'We have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but One that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' Hebrews 4:15, A.R.V. She goes on to emphasise the very tangible and spiritual blessings of the Messiah to us - It is through the gift of Christ that we receive every blessing. Through that gift there comes to us day by day the unfailing flow of Jehovah's goodness. Every flower, with its delicate tints and its fragrance, is given for our enjoyment through that one Gift. The sun and the moon were made by Him. There is not a star which beautifies the heavens that He did not make. Every drop of rain that falls, every ray of light shed upon our unthankful world, testifies to the love of God in Christ. Everything is supplied to us through the one unspeakable Gift, God's only-begotten Son. He was nailed to the cross that all these bounties might flow to God's workmanship'. (Ministry of Healing, pages 424 ff.). As we daily face the increasing evil/sad events the news media report on in our suburbs, cities, country and all over the world, let's remember to 'Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.' 1 John 3:1 Here is a link to a 2024 rendition of the Messiah you can listen to when you need to remember God's love and be uplifted and inspired. It's by the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra conducted by Andrew Wailes. (The Hallelujah Chorus commences at 1:43:35.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs60o3SZKK0 Kind regards and blessings from Cherryl and the Steps to Life Team Brian Way Special price 20% OFF 
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