Last week, we looked at Charles Jennings, the compiler and arranger of the biblical passages for Handel's Oratorio, the Messiah.

I briefly mentioned John Newton's sermons, 50 of them, on those biblical texts. And some years back, we did an

episode on sermon one, the consolation. This week, let's look at Newton's three sermons on the

hallelujah course. The first is sermon 36. Newton titled it, the Lord reigneth. The book of Revelation can be a little confusing and perplexing.

In fact, Newton begins this sermon by saying that the book, being chiefly prophetical,

will not perhaps be fully understood until the final accomplishment of the events shall draw near.

But while the learned commentators have been hitherto divided and perplexed in their attempts

to illustrate many parts of it, there are other parts of this book well adapted for the instruction

and refreshment of plain Christians.

Newton is talking about those passages that give us a vision of heaven, such as the passage before us,

Revelation 196. Of course, Revelation 19 is preceded by Revelation 18, and there we have the destruction of Babylon,

which paves the way for this song of triumph, and Newton picks it up from there.

The performers are all interested in the subject.

They fear God. They are devoted to his service and glory.

Their united voices are here compared to the voice of many waters, of mighty thunders.

And this is the solemn close, the chorus of their song, Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

But then Newton turns to the earthly choirs in the singing of this passage

from the oratorio. He says, the impression which the performance of this passage in the oratorio

usually makes upon the audience is well known. So many people are moved by this, but do they really know that beyond a moving musical

performance is truth, is the living God? Newton goes on to say, but do the professed lovers of

sacred music in this enlightened age generally live as if they really believed that the Lord God omnipotent

reigneth. This leads Newton to end his sermon with an invitation. Jesus must reign. He will reign.

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