We live in the tension between the evil nature of sin in the world and our natural vested interests and pleasures of this world, some of which tempt us to believe they are more satisfying than God. Revelation 19:1-19 declares God alone is worthy of our Hallelujah!

The word Hallelujah means, “Praise God.” However, the world uses the word as a sort of punch line - “Finally! It’s about time! I finally get what I want!” However, God should be the object of our Hallelujah because salvation, glory, and power belong to him. (19:1). He is in control over all things (Almighty, who reigns; 19:7); his judgments are true and just (19:2); he will bring an end to the world system that lusts after abusive power, sexual immorality, and the love of money (18:2-3, 19:2); and he delights in the worship of the great and small (19:4-5).

God is also worthy of our Hallelujah because he clothes the Church (his Bride) with righteousness (19:6-8). The Bride’s garments, John tells us, are her “righteous deeds” (vs 8). This inner beauty (character, joy, faithfulness) stands in stark contrast to the external beauty of the Great Prostitute of Babylon (18:16), who persecutes the saints (18:23-24).

As Christians, it’s easy to see Babylon, The Great Prostitute, as only something that is “out there,” outside of us. But Babylon isn’t a place, it’s the sinful nature that is in all of us, always desiring to master us (Gen 4:7). But thanks be to God! Through faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven of our sin and freed from the power of sin to worship the Lord and live according to his ways. 

So we must examine ourselves: What is the object of our Hallelujah? Is it God, or is it finally getting what we want? 

Taking it Home: What is something you deeply long for/desire strongly that may be causing you sadness, anger or fear? Speak the word “Hallelujah" out loud as a proclamation that God is control. Speak it when you live in victory and when you experience loss. Finish this declaration with regards to your longing, “Hallelujah! God is worthy of praise because…”