|
Malachi 2:3 - No Musical Instruments in the Worship Service.
I. Introduction: The key to understanding music in New Testament worship: understanding the difference between the Old and New Covenants.
Is it o.k for a group of Christians who gather together to include musical instruments in part of their Christian worship? This question is fair and should merit consideration from all who desire to worship in pure holiness and truth. Although it is a fair question, it is one that must be addressed with the utmost sincerity and without prejudice, beacuse music, like stained glass, candles and incense, all have a certain appeal to certain individuals, but the bottom line really should be if such things are part of prescribed worship according to God's holy Word.
Before addressing the main question, I will preface this study by saying I believe a major key to understanding the subject of music in worship is to first have a solid understanding of the difference between the Old and New Covenants.
"And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire ." - Hebrews 12:24-29.
Now to understand the Old Covenant we come to a bit of a "fork in the road". By this I mean that on one hand we must dilligently search the Bible to see what from the Old Covenant does or does not apply to us today. But hold on a minute, before you take out your spiritual guns and begin to shoot me, let me explain this. It is true that the entire Bible applies to us today in a spiritual sense, but some things from the Old Covenant do not apply to us in a physical sense, thus that is why it is called the Old Covenant. These are things such as: the obsevance of the passover, animal sacrifices, new moons, dietary restrictions, the Saturday Sabbath and alike. They do not apply to us in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense they pointed to Christ, mediator of the New Covenant.
"Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." - Colossians 2:16,17.
Now on the other hand, and at the same time we cannot take every verse in the Old Testament literally. While it is true that things such as the days of creation were literal 24 hour days, we also know that the Old Testament offers many shadows, portraits and types of the New Covenant.
"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle. Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad; Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle. And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it. And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing." - Ezekiel 34:20-26.
Case in point, in Ezekiel 34:23 we read that David will be the one shepherd feeding the flock of Israel when it is restored. It is impossible to take this verse literally beacuse David was dead at this time! Here again, the David spoken of is a spiritual picture of Christ, the One Shepherd & Mediator of the New Covenant.
In the Old Testament for instance, the rock Moses (the name Moses means "drawn out") struck was symbolic of the eternal church. Moses was a "type" of Christ. Aaron, wearing the mitre on his forehead as he went about his priestly duties was a picture of our LORD Jesus Christ being set apart to be our sin bearer:
"And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD." - Exodus 28:38.
Later we will look at some spiritual pictures of end time worship from the prophets.
II. THE ORIGIN OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND THEIR USE FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME UNTIL THE LAW
I humbly ask the reader to read the whole study before rendering any judgements because what I am about to show from the Holy Bible may be highly offensive to some who have not thouroughly looked at some of the verses that I will touch upon.
"And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ." - Genesis 4:21.
In Genesis 4 we read that Jubal was the father of musical instruments. However, when we look at the entire Bible, comparing verse with verse, it becomes evident that Jubal was the father of musical instruments in the same sense that Eve & Adam were the first sinners. But this I mean, Eve & Adam were the first sinners on earth; satan had already rebelled and fallen sometime before them likewise Jubal was the father of instruments on earth, but the actual inventor of musical instruments is satan. In Isaiah 14 we read of the fall of satan and his connection with musical instruments before the earth:
That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased! - Isaiah 14:4.
The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. Isaiah 14:5.
He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth. - Isaiah 14:6.
The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet : they break forth into singing. - Isaiah 14:7.
Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since thou art laid down, no feller is come up against us. - Isaiah 14:8.
Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. - Isaiah 14:9.
All they shall speak and say unto thee, Art thou also become weak as we? art thou become like unto us? - Isaiah 14:10.
Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols : the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. - Isaiah 14:11.
Your majesty is lowered into Sheol; the noise of your harps. The maggot is spread under you; yea, the worms cover you. - Isaiah 14:11 LITV.
Note: In the both KJV & LITV "noise" is according to Strong's Concordance : Number: 01998, "Hemyah"; Noun Feminine. Definition: sound, music ( of instruments ).
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! - Isaiah 14:12.
Before the law was given, we read in the Bible that music served different uses. It was used in farewells, but still connected with mirth:
"Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp? " - Genesis 31:27.
Music was also used in the victory celebrations:
"And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea." - Exodus 15:20,21.
note: Miriam was a rebellious woman seeking woman leadership who was out of order:
"(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.) And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out. And the LORD came down in the pillar of the cloud, and stood in the door of the tabernacle, and called Aaron and Miriam: and they both came forth. And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed. And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us, wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. Let her not be as one dead, of whom the flesh is half consumed when he cometh out of his mother's womb. And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. And the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again." - Numbers 12:3-14.
If the book of Job was written before Exodus, and I believe it was, due to the absence of any reference to the Mosaic Law or the events recorded in Exodus, then Job is another of the earliest testimonies connection instrumental music with wickedness, wealth and going down to the grave as we read about in Isaiah 14 and in Revelation 18. In Job 21 we read:
"Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?" - Job 21:7.
Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes. - Job 21:8.
Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them. - Job 21:9.
Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf. - Job 21:10.
They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance. - Job 21:11.
They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ. - Job 21:12.
They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave. - Job 21:13.
Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. - Job 21:14.
What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him? - Job 21:15.
Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me. - Job 21:16.
III. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS AND THEIR USE FROM THE LAW UNTIL THE PROPHETS
After the Patriarchal period, national Israel continued to reject God and God in turn gave indication of His anger toward this by sending them many notorious mediums such as the one we read of in Endor in 1 Samuel 28. Saul had an intense interest with such charismatic prophets and mediums and the LORD sent an evil spirit to terrorize him:
"But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him." - 1 Samuel 16:14-17,23.
The effects of the harp on Saul's mental disorder acted like a narcotic. However, the narcotics soon wore off and Saul tried to kill David:
"And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward. And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand. And Saul cast the javelin; for he said, I will smite David even to the wall with it. And David avoided out of his presence twice." - 1 Samuel 18:6-11.
As in the Patriarchal period, during the historical period, instruments also were used in different ways by the Jewish nation who continued to slide into apostasy. These included processions and dedication & coronation services.
In the book of Psalms we see the connection between musical instruments and Old Testament worship.
"Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn." - Psalm 57:8 nasb.
We must keep in mind that the instrumental music in Psalms was connected with worship on the Saturday sabbath and violent, bloody animal sacrifices:
"Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar." - Psalm 51:19.
"I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows, Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble. I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah." - Psalm 66:13-15.
Are we offering young bulls and burnt offerings, keeping the Jewish feast days, new moons, buring only pure frankincense, etc.. If not why not? All these things are in the Psalms. Can we pick and choose what we feel is acceptable? Of course not, when Jesus died and established the new covenant He freed us from ceremonial laws and gave us the New Testament as a
guide for worship under the new covenant, the Old Testament, while still inspired serves as training through example and prophecy. There is no command, example or inference in the New Testament that authorizes instrumental music in Christian worship, if it is added,
it has to be added on the authority of man, just like Nadab and Abihu.
The references to musical instruments in all the Psalms, including Psalm 150 were part of JEWISH WORSHIP this is entirely different than CHRISTIAN WORSHIP.
IV. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN THE PROPHETS
1. Dates: Approx. 790-640 B.C.
ISAIAH 5
In the Prophets we see music very, very often used in entertainments. In a stunning spiritual portrait of our day, we see and understand that the leaders of national Israel led their flock to spiritual and literal death. God's vineyard of sweet aged wine turned into wild grapes:
"Now will I sing to my wellbeloved a song of my beloved touching his vineyard. My wellbeloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill:" - Isaiah 5:1.
"And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a winepress therein: and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes." - Isaiah 5:2.
One of the major evidences that the people were wild grapes was evidenced in their greed and lack of compassion toward the poor and oppressed:
"Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!" - Isaiah 5:8.
The people were obsessing over new wine, women leadership and musical rituals to the point where God again sent judgement this time in the form of a famine spiritual in nature:
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! - Isaiah 5:11.
And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands. - Isaiah 5:12.
Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. - Isaiah 5:13.
Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. - Isaiah 5:14.
According to Strong's Concordance, Pipe here is the same word translated "players" in Psalm 87:7. It is from the prim. root "Chalal", Strong's Number: 02490. Definition: to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin. to profane oneself, defile oneself, pollute oneself ritually, sexually; to be polluted, be defiled. to profane, make common, defile, pollute. to violate the honour of, dishonour. to violate (a covenant). to treat as common. to profane (name of God). to let be profaned. to begin. to be begun, to wound A (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore. to pierce. to be slain. to wound, pierce. to be wounded. to play the flute or pipe.
The same word the inspired prophet Isaiah used elsewhere is translated in the KJV as:
The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. Isaiah 23:9.
Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reproaches. - Isaiah 43:28.
I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke. - Isaiah 47:6.
For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted ? and I will not give my glory unto another. - Isaiah 48:11.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. - Isaiah 53:5.
ISAIAH 23
In Isaiah 23 we see another another dynamic spiritual picture of end times worship. The king of Tyre (satan who is a transexual) comes as the king of tyre/harp playing whore.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king : after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot. - Isaiah 23:15.
[And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And all the kings of Tyrus, and all the kings of Zidon, and the kings of the isles which are beyond the sea. - Jeremiah 25:11,22].
Take an harp, go about the city, thou harlot that hast been forgotten; make sweet melody, sing many songs, that thou mayest be remembered. - Isaiah 23:16.
And it shall come to pass after the end of seventy years, that the LORD will visit Tyre, and she shall turn to her hire, and shall commit fornication with all the kingdoms of the world upon the face of the earth. - Isaiah 23:17.
And her merchandise and her hire shall be holiness to the LORD: it shall not be treasured nor laid up; for her merchandise shall be for them that dwell before the LORD, to eat sufficiently, and for durable clothing. - Isaiah 23:18.
note: The King/ harp playing whore of Tyre wanted to be REMEMBERED for his/her musick.
During the time of Amos, the social life of national Israel was characterized by adultery, robbery and murder. Extereme luxury and wealth was, like it is today, built upon injustice and severe oppression of the poor, see Amos 2:6-8; 3:15; 4:1; 5:7-12; 6:3-6; 8:4-6 also Hosea 4:1-3; 6:8,9 and 12:7,8.
The second verse (Amos 1:2) immediately sets the tone for the book. That message is judgement and that the LORD will be heard in Zion from judgement. Corruption was rampant in religion (Amos 5:12-21) and the leaders responsible for the deterioration were subject to severe rebuke (Amos 2:7,8); in 2:6 the prophet exposes their total lack of humanity. The people would not look to the LORD (Amos 5:14,15) and therefore their only future was destruction (Amos 9:1-8). The events of Amos are actual historical events; but the book is also a spiritual portrait speaking to the very day in which we live.
AMOS 5
Amos 5, 6 and 8 are all chapters that paint a spiritual portrait for our day concerning end time worship. In Amos 5, the LORD declares to the rebellious people: "seek Me that you may live":
"For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live" - Amos 5:4.
The people were not seeking the LORD, but rather MUSICAL festivals and assemblies.
NOTE: God rejected and did not delight in musical assemblies, instead He wanted righteousness in their hearts and life:
"I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies." - Amos 5:21.
"Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts." - Amos 5:22.
"Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols." - Amos 5:23.
But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. - Amos 5:24.
AMOS 6
In Amos 6 we again have a picture of false religion in the end times, again instrumental music and a spiritual famine are connected:
"Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!" - Amos 6:1.
Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border? - Amos 6:2.
Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; - Amos 6:3.
That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; - Amos 6:4.
That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; - Amos 6:5.
That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. - Amos 6:6.
Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed. - Amos 6:7.
Just as God loved Jacob and hated Esau, God afforded special graces to David. For example, in the book of Numbers we read of a man who God commanded be stoned to death for simply picking up a few sticks on the sabbath. David, comitted adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband; surely the sins of adultery topped off murder is much more grievous than picking up a few sticks on the Sabbath. Under the law, David should have been killed, but lived because of God's grace. Now note that after the death of David, the prophet Amos declares that they were invented or used without authority and woe to those who invent to themselves such.
AMOS 8
In Amos 8 we gain have a chapter that again speaks of end times false worship and how the songs in the temples (a spiritual picture of places of worship) will be howlings.
In 1877 Benjamin Franklin in a sermon against the use of mechanical instruments in worship declared:
"There are still whole States that have not an organ in the Church. We think there is not one in use in Canada, not one in Virginia, Tennessee, nor Texas, that we have heard of; scarcely any in Kentucky, West Virginia, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, and many other States. The organ is still the exception, not the rule; and the party is small.".
Look at churches and fellowships today, what percentage would you use musical instruments in worship? Would you say the number is increasing as we go further into end times? This is what Amos 8:3 speaks of:
"Thus hath the Lord GOD shewed unto me: and behold a basket of summer fruit." - Amos 8:1.
And he said, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A basket of summer fruit. Then said the LORD unto me, The end is come upon my people of Israel; I will not again pass by them any more. - Amos 8:2.
And the songs of the temple shall be howlings in that day, saith the Lord GOD: there shall be many dead bodies in every place; they shall cast them forth with silence. - Amos 8:3.
Again later in the chapter we see the connection between musical worship and spiritual famine:
"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again." - Amos 8:11-14.
2. Dates: Approx. 875-444 B.C.
EZEKIEL 26
In Ezekiel 26-28, like Isaiah 23 we read of Tyre and the overthrow of it's king. We also read of the connection between the harps of Tyre being heard no more - a divine interpretation and cross reference being found in Revelation 18 where we read of the doom of Babylon:
For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people. He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee. And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers. By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach. With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground. And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water. - Ezekiel 26:7-12.
"And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard." - Ezekiel 26:13.
EZEKIEL 33
In Ezekiel 33 we again see musical influence playing a major role in false worship. Jerusalem continued to remain unfaithful and their assemblies showed that their worship was coming out of empty heads. The people would declare lip service to one another by trying to impress one another with words such as "come and hear the message from the LORD"; however, the message was only heard with their physical ears, not their spiritual ones as they would hear the word but not do it. Their mind was set on filthy gain and their own beautiful voices and instruments of music, but NOT on doing God's will:
"Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD." - Ezekiel 33:30.
"And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness." - Ezekiel 33:31.
"And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.". - Ezekiel 33:32.
The Book of Daniel looks into the future, to the end time.
DANIEL 3
In Daniel there is an image of a man to be worshipped it was 60 cubits high, 6 cubits wide and was to be worshipped with 6 musical instruments:
"Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon." - Daniel 3:1.
"Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:" - Daniel 3:4,5.
Note the 6 is repeated three times:
6 .... 60 cubits height
Also note, the list of instuments are mentioned four times in the chapter, yet in one of the lists one instrument is left out.
6 - Daniel 3:5 cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer
DANIEL 11
THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION/INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC CONNECTION
The proof text that music is part of the abomination of desolation can easily be found. Daniel 11 prophesies of the Abomination of Desolation and speaks directly to the POLLUTION of the temple. The word is CHALAL as we have noted, it is the same word found in Isaiah 5 and it can be translated as: dishonor, profane the name of God or play the flute or pipe:
"And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate." - Daniel 11:31.
Again Chalal: "Chalal", Strong's Number: 02490. Definition: to profane, defile, pollute, desecrate, begin. to profane oneself, defile oneself, pollute oneself ritually, sexually; to be polluted, be defiled. to profane, make common, defile, pollute. to violate the honour of, dishonour. to violate (a covenant). to treat as common. to profane (name of God). to let be profaned. to begin. to be begun, to wound A (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore. to pierce. to be slain. to wound, pierce. to be wounded. to play the flute or pipe.
V. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IN MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, JOHN & ACTS
MATTHEW 9:23,24
In Matthew 9 we read of some of Jesus' miracles of healing, one of these was the raising of the daughter of a synagogue official. There is no authorization for the use of musical instruments in New Testament worship at all, we do however read that the flute-players (minstrels) and noisy crowds that were gathered around the girl Jesus was about to raise from the dead were laughing Him to scorn:
"And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn." - Matthew 9:23,24.
"And Jesus coming into the house of the ruler, and seeing the flute-players and the crowd causing a tumult, He says to them, Go back, for the little girl has not died, but she sleeps. And they laughed at Him. - Matthew 9:23,24 LITV.
MATTHEW 26:30 & MARK 14:26
In Matthew 26 we read that after Christ instituted the LORD Supper on the night before His crucifixion, He and His discples sang a hymn beforegoing to the garden of Gethsemane.
"And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." - Matthew 26:30.
"And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." - Mark 14:26.
They sang a hymn. nothing more, nothing less. None of the four gospel accounts of Matthew. Mark, Luke of John, or any place else in the Bible for that matter speak of any instrument being in the upper room yet alone being used.
While this is in itself enough proof from this verse that it does not to warrant musical instruments in New Covenant worship, it should also be noted that this happened on the night of the passover:
"And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover. And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born. And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take,
eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many." - Mark 14:16-24.
It was a custom among the Jews, although the law did not require it, to sing Psalm 113-118 & 136 during the paschal supper. These Psalms are known as the "Hallel" identifying in the Hebrew with "hallelujah".
"They sang a hymn or psalm; whether the psalms which the Jews usually sang at the close of the passover-supper, which they called the great hallel, that is, Ps. 113 and the five that follow it, or whether some new hymn more closely adapted to the occasion, is uncertain; I rather think the former; had it been new, John would not have omitted to record it." Matthew Henry, Commentary on Matthew 26:30.
"The passover was observed by the Jews by singing, or chanting, the 113th, 114th, 115th, 116th, 117th, and 118th psalms. These they divided into two parts. The 118th and 114th psalms they sung during the observance of the passover, and the others at the close. There
can be no doubt that our Saviour, and the apostles also, used the same psalms in their observance of the passover." Albert Barnes, commentary on Matthew 26:30.
"As to the hymn itself, we know, from the universal consent of Jewish antiquity, that it was composed of Psalms 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, and 118, termed by the Jews llh halel, from hy-wllh halelu-yah, the first word in Psalm 113. These six Psalms were always sung at every paschal solemnity. They sung this great hillel on account of the five great benefits referred to in it; viz. 1. The Exodus from Egypt, Psa. cxiv. 1. When Israel went out of Egypt, &c. 2. The
miraculous division of the Red Sea, Psa. cxiv. 3. The sea saw it and fled. 3. The promulgation of the law, Psa. cxiv. 4. The mountains skipped like lambs. 4. The resurrection of the dead, Psa. cxvi. 9. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. 5. The passion of the Messiah, Psa. cxv. 1. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, &c. See Schoettgen, Hor. Hebr. p.231, and my Discource on the nature and design of the Eucharist, 8vo. Lond. 1808." Adam Clarke, commentary on Matthew 26:30.
LUKE 15:25
Here we have the parable of the prodigal son.
"Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing." - Luke 15:25.
This verse in no way justifies musical instruments in New Testament worship. It is a parable in which music is used in entertainment and celebrating. The context in no way hints to a worship service. Furthermore, this was still during the old covenant as the New Covenant did not take effect until the veil of the temple was rent (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45).
ACTS 16:25
In Acts 6 we read of the imprisonment of Paul and Silas.
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." - Acts 16:25.
Once again, no mention of any instrument is made.
The entire book of Acts which features so much in regard to early first century worship by the first Christians has no mention of musical instruments in any worship service. True early Christians instead devoted themselves to the teaching of the Word, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:42ff). There were no paid musicians and for that matter no Sunday collection plates; the beloved gathered what they had to share with the needy in Christ and for mission work (1 Corinthians 16:2; Galatians 6:10).
When antichrists began to become hardened and disobedient to the truths God brought through Paul, the disciples and Paul withdrew from the hardened ones and took away to the school of Tyrannus. Note: rather than stay in a vain attempt to promote unity, Paul departed and received even a greater blessing so that all in Asia heard the Word of the LORD, both Jews and Greeks:
"And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus. And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks. And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them." - Acts 19:8-12.
VI. MUSIC IN THE NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLES
"And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name." - Romans 15:9.
"What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." - 1 Corinthians 14:15.
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" Ephesians 5:19.
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16.
"Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee." Hebrews 2:12.
"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms." James 5:13.
All 6 verses that relate to snging in the Epistles do not mention any musical instrument at all. can we honestly and truly say than any one of them authorize instruments? The translators translate these verses as "sing" are they incorrect? Is there a command to use instruments? An example? A hint at all? No. None whatsoever. How then can such be approved by the LORD?
1 CORINTHIANS 13:1; 14:7
"And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?" - 1 Corinthians 14:7.
It is interesting that Paul makes this statement after the fact that he has just compared the use of musical instruments in chapter 13 to "being without love":
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." 1 Corinthians 13:1.
Now here in 1 Corinthians 14, Paul describes musical instruments as "without life giving sound". It is clear that what is in view is spiritual life. I must admit as I continue to study passages such as this that declare musical instruments as "lifeless", I find it a bit spooky that at the same time, some would make the convoluded notion that musical instruments represent "the sending forth of the gospel.". Looking at the Greek word for "life" here we see that it is indeed spiritual life that is identified here:
Strong's Number: 895
VII. A WORD STUDY
1. PSALLO
Now some will say that the Greek word "psallo" translated "making melody" in Ephesians 5:19 implies or includes instruments. However, this is not the case for at least two reasons: (1) the melody comes from "the heart"; the heart is INTERNAL therefore the melody comes from us internally, our hearts, not EXTERNALLY (from instruments). Furthermore, if the theory that "psallo" points to instruments, then this would be a direct command from God and every single person in the congregation or fellowship would HAVE TO use an instrument or they would be disobeying the command of God; this of course is ridiculous. This also would hinder many many people from worshipping God because many people cannot play any musical instrument. Also note Ephesians 5:19 instructs us to BOTH sing AND make melody in our hearts, therefore one would have to do BOTH, not one or the other, so this would make it impossible for "wind instruments" such as the flute or pipe to be acceptable.
Note that in both Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 that to speak, teach, sing, admonish and make melody with the heart are verbal commands, none of which can be accomplished with musical instruments.
Therefore the question arises, can we justify musical instruments on the basis of faith?
"And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." - Romans 14:23.
Again, the answer is a resounding NO. That which is not faith (of Christ) is sin.
"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" - 2 Corinthians 5:7.
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." - Revelation 22:18,19.
If instruments of music are not called for by the LORD in worship, what does that say of those congregations or fellowships who insist on using instruments? If it is not commanded by God, then it must be of men:
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." -Matthew 15:9.
Look at the example of Nadab and Abihu, was their worship acceptable in God's sight? No. Why? Because they ADDED that which God had not commanded them. Please read Leviticus 10:1 very carefully:
"And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD." - Leviticus 10:1,2.
2. SUMPHONIA
Only found once in the New Testament in Luke 15:25. It is difficult to determine its literal meaning, but is seems to be that the word sumphonia meant that everything and everyone was sounding together.
3. CHALAL
We have seen the connection betwwn Isaiah 5 and "chalal" as well as the connection between "chalal" and the abomination of desolation. The word is also used in reference to satans attack on the end times church:
My face will I turn also from them, and they shall pollute my secret place: for the robbers shall enter into it, and defile it. - Ezekiel 7:22.
Because they despised my judgments, and walked not in my statutes, but polluted my sabbaths: for their heart went after their idols. Because they had not executed my judgments, but had despised my statutes, and had polluted my sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers' idols. - Ezekiel 20:16,24.
For when they had slain their children to their idols, then they came the same day into my sanctuary to profane it; and, lo, thus have they done in the midst of mine house. - Ezekiel 23:39.
That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name: - Amos 2:7.
Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is committed in Israel and in Jerusalem; for Judah hath profaned the holiness of the LORD which he loved, and hath married the daughter of a strange god. - Mal 2:11.
Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law. - Zephaniah 3:4.
Wherefore I will bring the worst of the heathen, and they shall possess their houses: I will also make the pomp of the strong to cease; and their holy places shall be defiled. - Ezekiel 7:24.
Notice that Ezekiel 7:24 uses the same langauge as Isaiah 5 & 14:
"Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them! And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands. Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it." - Isaiah 5:12-14.
"Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee. How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!" - Isaiah 14:11,12.
Again note in the Hebrew, this word is just as easily translated "player of instruments"; "break my covenant" or "prostitute" and used over and over and over again in the context of false worship.
4. N@GIYNAH
Strong's Number: 05058. Definition: 1. music, song, taunt song; music (of stringed instrument) song; taunting or mocking song.
"They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards." - Psalm 69:12.
"I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day." - Lamentations 3:14.
5. KALKOS
"Sounding Brass or "Brass" Also translated "money".
"The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble," - Revelation 18:12.
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." - 1 Corinthians 13:1.
"And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse:" - Mark 6:8.
"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much." - Mark 12:41.
6. PAIZO
Strong's Number: 3815. Definition: 1. to play like a child. 2. to play, sport, jest. 3. to give way to hilarity, esp. by joking singing, dancing.
This is used once in the New Testament to identify the musical idolotry at Sinai:
"Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." - 1 Corinthians 10:7.
Other musical terms found in the Holy Bible:
"musicians" Strong's #: 3451 "Mousikos"
VIII. HARPERS IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION
Part of understanding the book of Revelation is to realize that it is highly symbolic. The book mixes symbolism with literal things such as John, the Island of Patmos and so forth. In the book of Revelation things such as Patmos, local assemblies and other things pertain to that which are on earth and on the other hand many things in Revelation pertain to and actually are spiritual scenes from heaven. In other words, there are earthly and heavenly things spoken of.
In the book of Revelation we find four references that relate to harpers: Revelation 5:8; Revelation 14:2; Revelation 15:1,2 and Revelation 18:22.
It is important to keep in mind that the first three are all visions related to events in heaven; the last is an event that will take place on earth, we will look at each verse individually to prove this.
"And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints." - Revelation 5:8.
"And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps" - Revelation 14:2.
"And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of God. And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God." - Revelation 15:1,2.
The context and setting of Revelation 5,14 and 15 is in heaven. Anything we read about heaven is highly figurative and symbolic because one cannot describe heaven or understand it in human terms. Therefore these harps cannot be literal, but figurative because human words cannot describe in detail the things in Heaven:
"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God
knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." - 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.
The harps represent highly allegorical SECRET language to Christians with deep spiritual meaning. They identify with the fact that the dead are now at rest from their labors and carrying their crosses. Likewise, John was exiled on the Island of Patmos and the imagery of the dead with harps is found upon many ancient Greek vases. So I do not think the symbolic harps in Revelation justify instrumental music in worship either.
The harpers here are not part of an ekklesia or assembly worshipping here on earth. Also note:
"And when He took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having harps, and golden bowls full of incenses, which are the prayers of the saints." - Revelation 5:8 LITV.
The harpers had GOLDEN BOWLS full of INCENSE. If we are going to use the harpers in Revelation to allow music in worship, do we also burn incense; do we use golden bowls for the incense? Do we set up a golden altar in our place of worship? Of course not, all these things are figurative.
REVELATION 18
Revelation chapter 18 a key chapter to understanding the demise of end time worship, fleeing from the abomination of desolation and to depart out from the whole whore which is all false worship.
"And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." - Revelation 17:5,18.
"And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies." - Revelation 18:1-3.
And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. - Revelation 18:4.
For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. - Revelation 18:5.
Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. - Revelation 18:6.
How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. - Revelation 18:7,8.
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, - Revelation 18:9.
Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men - Revelation 18:10.
And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. - Revelation 18:21.
And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; - Revelation 18:22.
And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. - Revelation 18:23.
And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth. - Revelation 18:24.
Without a doubt the harpers in Revelation 18 are not like the heavenly harpers of Revelation 5,14, & 15. The harpers of Revelation 18 are earthly harpers. This cannot be denied because earth is mentioned in this connection in Revelation 17:2,5, 8, 18 & Revelation 18:1,3,9,11,23,24; it is mentioned in the first and last verses of Revelation 18. The harpers of Revelation 18 are earthly harpers and a part of end time worship, just as the whore of Tyre in Isaiah 23 wanted to be REMEMBERED for his/her MUSIC.
IX. NOTEWORTHY OBSERVATIONS OTHERS HAVE MADE
JOHN CALVIN
"From this it appears that the Papists, as I shall have occasion to show elsewhere, in employing instrumental music cannot be said so much to imitate the practice of God's ancient people as to ape it in a senseless and absurd manner, exhibiting a silly delight in that worship of the Old Testament which was figurative and terminated with the gospel." - John Calvin, commentary on Psalm 92:1.
"musical instruments in celebrating the praises of God would be no more suitable than the burning of incense, the lighting up of lamps, and the restoration of the other shadows of the law. The Papists, therefore, have foolishly borrowed this, as well as many other things, from the Jews. Men who are fond of outward pomp may delight in that noise; but the simplicity which God recommends to us by the apostle is far more pleasing to him. Paul allows us to bless God in the public assembly of the saints only in a known tongue, (1 Corinthians 14:16.) The voice of man, although not understood by the generality, assuredly excels all inanimate instruments of music; and yet we see what St Paul determines concerning speaking in an unknown tongue. What shall we then say of chanting, which fills the ears with nothing but an empty sound?" - Comment on Psalm 33:2.
THE NEW INTERNATIONAL BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA
"The organ is said to be first employed in the church during the time of Pope Vitalian I. (c. 666 A.D.). Pepin placed the constantine organ in the church of St. Corneille at Compiegne, and Charlemagne had one made at Aix-la-Chapelle, a model of the one at Compiegne." - Volume 13, page 446.
CHAMBERS' BIBLE ENCYCLOPEDIA
"The organ is said to have been first introduced into church music by Pope Vitalian I. in 666. In 757, a great organ was sent as a present to Pepin by the Byzantine emperor, Constantine Copronymus, and placed in the church of St. Corneille at Compiegne." - Vol. 7; p. 112.
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA
"We need not shrink from admitting that candles, like incense and lustral water, were commonly employed in pagan worship and in the rites paid to the dead. But the Church from a very early period took them into her service, just as she adopted many other things indifferent in themselves, which seemed proper to enhance the splendour of religious ceremonial. We must not forget that most of these adjuncts to worship, like music, lights, perfumes, ablutions, floral decorations, canopies, fans, screens, bells, vestments, etc. were not identified with any idolatrous cult in particular; they were common to almost all cults." - Catholic Encyclopedia: on candles.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
"Admonishing one another." What becomes of the admonishing in these times of musical show and display? Piece after piece is sung and played, without a word of admonition, .... Does any one think, while listening to the organ and the choir, that the command to admonish one another is being obeyed? Not a word of it! They are thinking about music, and musical performance. They are thinking about entertaining those, who come to be entertained, with fine music; and amusing those that come to be amused; and attracting those that come to be attracted. ....Babel of iniquity, described in Holy Writ, "the man of sin," "a falling away," "an apostasy," a "sea monster," or, under the last and most fitting emblem of all, "Mystery Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots and abominations of the earth." She has corrupted the earth, and to-day has two hundred millions of the human race seduced by her sorceries, and the blood of fifty millions of martyrs cries to heaven for redress for her cruelties. This is what has come of the utilizing principle! The mind is turned away from the Lord, and an immense swarm of devouring priests has risen up, worse than the locusts or lice of Egypt, who never think of a divine influence for converting and saving man." - Benjamin Franklin, Sermon on Instrumental Music, 1877.
THOMAS AQUANIS
"Our Church does not use musical instruments, as harps and psaltries to praise God withal, that she may not seem to Judaize." - Bingham's Antiquities, Vol. II., p.483, London Edition.
CHARLES HADDON SPURGEON
"Some few yet stand firm against what is now called, in a painfully significant phrase, "downgrade" tendencies of this age. Prominent among them is that eminent servant of Christ - Charles H. Spurgeon, who not only proclaimes with power the pure doctrines of God's Word, but retains and uphold and apostolic simplicity of worship. The great congregation which is blessed with the privilege of listening to his instuctions has no organ to "assist" them in singing their praises to their God and Saviour. They find their vocal organs sufficient. Their toungues and voices express the gratitude of their hearts." - Girdeau, Instrumental Music in the Church, p.176.
X. SOME FINAL THOUGHTS
The Mosaic law and the gospel are two different covenants when it comes to worship, beginning on the day which we now worship, Sunday and no longer Saturday, as in Jewish worship. Christ is the pure gospel. He makes the difference between the Mosaic law and the gospel. The law and the gospel are as different as Christ and Moses.
Instrumental music, like the Saturday sabbath was part of Jewish worship; there is no command, example or implication for the use of musical instruments in New Covenant worship, regardless if you worship in a local church, house church or fellowship. Isaiah 14 tells us that satan is the inventor of musical instruments and the Old Testament prophets very, very often connect musical instruments to the end time worship of the Babylonian whore of Revelation 18.
There is not the slightest hint in the Holy Bible that musical instruments are allowed in acceptable worship today.
And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. - Malachi 2:1.
If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. - Malachi 2:2.
Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. - Malachi 2:3.
|