A Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation
One of the most beloved of all choral pieces is the Hallelujah Chorus from the oratorio “Messiah” written by George Frideric Handel in 1741. The text is comprised of three passages from Revelation. One of those says, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). It is a challenge to read those words and not have the echoes of Handel’s music run through your mind! The kingdom that our Lord has established, which He has promised to share with His faithful people, is “forever and ever.” No wonder the Hallelujah Chorus repeats the word “Hallelujah!” some forty-seven times!