COMFORTING LYRICS OF HANDEL’S MESSIAH

Last evening Christine and I attended the Bell Centre performance of Handel's Messiah with the Surrey City Orchestra and the Vancouver Bach Choir and select soloists. No doubt you are very familiar with this oratorio. The oratorio is a marvel when I think that George Frederik Handel accomplished this 53 movement, 3-Part masterpiece, musical score and theological assembly of scriptural themes in about a month. For believers the sound of the words unites us immediately to the heart of God and the history of his dealings with humanity through all of the Old and New Testament times. And now in our time, His word has not changed. Part Three is shortest, the finale and I have placed here the movement numbers and titles and the scripture used because as I listened last night my heart was so gladdened, so uplifted, so confident that my Saviour lives. I know these recitations will lean so much to you too. 

45. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day
upon the earth. And though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall
I see God. (Job 19:25-26) - For now is Christ risen from the dead, the first fruits of them that sleep. (I Corinthians 15:20)

46) Since by man came death
Since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (I Corinthians 15:21-22)

47) Behold I tell you a mystery
1Corinthians 15:51,52 - 51. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep; but we shall all be changed, 52. In a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet;

(48) The trumpet shall sound
1Corinthians 15:52b-53 - 52. the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

(49) Then shall be brought to pass
1Corinthians 15:54b (Isaiah 25:8) - 54. then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, 'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 

(50) O death where is thy sting?
1Corinthians 15:55-56 (Hosea 13:14) - 55. O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? 56. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

(51) But thanks be to God
1 Corinthians 15:57 57. But thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. -

(52) If God be for us
Romans 8:31, 33, 34 - 31. If God be for us, who can be against us? 33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.

(53) Worthy is the Lamb
Revelation 5:12, 13 - 12. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 13. . . . Blessing, and honour, glory and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. Amen.