The Final Amen

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Are you familiar with the Messiah oratorio?

For many years I was part of a community choir that started practicing in October for two performances during the Christmas season. I've also been so lucky to be a part of the Do-It-Yourself Messiah at Orchestra Hall in downtown Chicago - now that is an experience not for the faint of heart especially when you're a soprano sitting in the bass section!!

The Messiah begins with a lament of comfort for the people who are longing for the Messiah, it continues on a journey of proclamation of the coming Christ, through his suffering to the end of time when the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised and all will sing worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive honor, and power, and wisdom, and strength until the whole thing comes to a spectacular ending of just one word repeated over and over, ebbing and swelling throughout all the parts until there is a big pause and the final utterance of this word - AMEN.

No matter what we're facing - what the troubles of today or dreams of tomorrow. No matter how evil seems to be winning throughout time or across the globe there will come a day when there is only one word - a word of finality - a word of victory - a time when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that JESUS IS LORD no matter how the name of God comes from their mouth now.

There will be a final Amen and at that time there will be only one victor - one standing tall as the rest of creation is bowed in worship. The outcome is not in question - victory is assured - the plans God put in place at the beginning of the world will  finally come to their conclusion and God will reign victorious over all!

AMEN.

Illustrations taken from Messiah by Timothy Botts Tyndale House Publishing 1991


Comments

Unknown said…
Amen!!! I love this - "There will be a final Amen and at that time there will be only one victor - one standing tall as the rest of creation is bowed in worship." That gets me excited! Amen!
January 13, 2011 at 8:55 AM
the johnson crew said…
I would LOVE to sing in the Messiah someday... maybe just in heaven!
January 13, 2011 at 10:28 AM
Unknown said…
The Do-It-Yourself Messiah was always on my bucket list. I love listening it performed because I really feel those words.

Won't it be great to sing it in front of the King Himself? I wonder if the words will be able to come out.
January 13, 2011 at 5:18 PM
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