ENDTIME ISSUES NEWSLETTER No. 188

ÒTHE SABBATH AND WORSHIP MUSICÓ

Dr. Samuele Bacchiocchi

Retired Professor of Theology,  Andrews University

 

INDEX OF TOPICS OF THIS NEWSLETTER

      * How to Subscribe and Unsubscribe

      * Update on Recent Developments

                  * Cristina PiccardiÕs New DVD recording

 

ÒTHE SABBATH AND WORSHIP MUSICÓ

                   *This is the Essay of this Newsletter

 

                   * Special offer on the Package of 10 DVD/CD albums,

          containing all the recordings of Prof. Jon Paulien,

          Prof, Graeme Bradford, and Prof. Bacchiocchi.

          The package includes also the newly released DVD

          Abundant Life Seminar.

 

        * Introductory offer on Prof. Jon PaulienÕs DVD album

          on Simply Revelation

 

        * How to Contact the Center for Cancer Care

          in Goshen, Indiana that has healed my liver cancer.

 

        * Upcoming seminars for November and December

 

        * Incredible Offer on the new Hitachi 3000 Lumens Projector

             Only $1395.00

 

        * The Smallest and most Powerful Remote Presenter

 

        * Does your church or School Need a Screen?

 

        * Bed and Breakfast in London, England

 

        * TAGNET new Web-hosting offer

 

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE

 

        To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, please email your re quest to <sbacchiocchi@biblicalperspectives.com>  To avoid past problems, we will add or remove your address manually.

 

UPDATE ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

 

Update on the Writing of POPULAR BELIEFS:  ARE THEY BIBLICAL?

 

                           The research and writing of the new book Popular Beliefs: Are They Biblical? is progressing well, though this past week my research and writings was slowed down by the many demands on my time. Coming back home after spending 20 days in England speaking at three rallies, I found a backlog of important messages that I needed to answer. Yet, I did make a good start on the next chapter entitled ÒMariolatry,Ó which by GodÕs grace I hope to post it within the next ten days. 

 

                           This chapter on the devotion and worship of Mary is an important chapter, because as TIME magazine notes in a cover story entitled ÒThe Search for Mary,Ó  Òboth the adoration and the conflict attending Mary have risen to extraordinary levels. A grass-roots revival of faith in the Virgin is taking place worldwide. Millions of worshippers are flocking to her shrines, many of them young people. Even more remarkable are the number of claimed sightings of the Virgin, from Yugoslavia to Colorado, in the past few years.Ó

 

                           On November 21, 1964, the Second Vatican Council predicted in its Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, called Lumen Gentium,  that MaryÕs intercessions Òbefore the Son in the fellowship of all the saintsÓ may succeed in Òbringing together in peace and harmony into one People of GodÓ all the families of the earth (#69). At that time Protestant viewed this suggestion as ridiculous, but today the situation has changed.  Recent publications by Protestants on Mary indicate that she could indeed be the ecumenical bridge that is being built by eroding the Protestant rejection of Catholic dogmas about Mary.

 

                           In his article ÒProtestants and Marian Devotion: What About Mary?Ó Methodist scholar Jason Byassee writes: Ò ÔTo say ÔHoly Mary, full of grace, pray for us sinners, now and in the hour of our deathsÕ seem to express an extrascriptural accretion. But perhaps asking Mary for her prayers is not in itself un-Protestant. To do so may even guard christological dogma and defend against patriarchy. Who knows? Mary might just be key to the future of ecumenism after all.Ó

 

                           In the light of these recent developments, it is imperative to test biblically the Catholic and Protestant popular beliefs about the devotion and worship of Mary. This is the objective of the chapter on ÒMariolatryÓ that I am researching and writing.  By GodÕs grave I hope to complete this chapter by the end of next week.

 

Financing the Printing of Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical?

 

                           In my previous newsletters I told you that some fellow believers have promised to raise funds for the printing a large quantity of the new book Popular Beliefs: Are they Biblical? The idea is to offer the book to churches and individual members FREE OF CHARGE. 

 

                           This means that if sufficient funds are received to cover the editing and printing costs of the book, we will offered  it for only the cost of shipping and handling, that is, about $2.00 to 3.00 a copy, instead of the regular price of $25.00 for a book of this size. If the funds received cover only part of the printing costs, then the price will be adjusted accordingly.

 

                           So far we have received several contributions, but we are still a long way from reaching the goal of $200,000.00 to cover the cost of printing 100,000 copies. If you feel impressed to contribute to this project, feel free to contact me.  I will tell you where to send your contribution, so that you can receive a tax deductible receipt.

 

Sharing the Good News of the Sabbath with Words and Songs

 

                           This past week I have spent considerable time in locating and hiring a professional recording crew to record Cristina PiccardiÕs Sacred Concert that was presented  at Andrews University Pioneer Memorial Church (PMC) last Saturday afternoon, November 10, 2007. The actual recording was done at PMC three days earlier on Wednesday, November 7,  to respect the sacredness of the Sabbath. There is a lot of work involved in setting up the cameras and the audio recording equipment for a Sabbath afternoon video recording of the sacred concert. In good conscience I felt that this should be avoided on the Sabbath.

 

                           The recording went well and the editing process has already been completed. This means that the new DVD with 11 sacred songs sang by Cristina with her powerful and passionate soprano voice, is ready for distribution. Information on how to order the new DVD is given below.

 

                           Being the sponsor of the video taping of CristinaÕs Sacred Concert, I was privileged to hear her singing twice, first Wednesday evening for the professional recordings, and then on Saturday afternoon for the community Sacred Concert. Truly I can say that Cristina powerful and passionate singing deeply tourched my heart. A university administrator sitting next to me on Sabbath afternoon told me: ÒI have never been so deeply moved by a sacred concert like this evening.Ó

 

                           The recording represents months of rehersals and spiritual preparation. After lunch last Sabbath, Cristina told my wife and I, ÒI need to left alone for one hour to pray and prepare myself mentally and spiritually to interpret the message of each song I will sing.Ó Her spiritual preparation was most evident during her performance as one could sense how deeply she felt the message of each sacred song she sang.

 

                           You can enjoy a preview of CristinaÕs singing by clicking at this link http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cristina/ You can see and hear her singing at PMC one stanza of THE HOLY CITY.

 

Who is Cristina Piccardi?

                          

                           In the previous newsletters I mentioned that I officially met Cristina Piccardi on October 6, 2007 at Andrews University Pioneer Memorial Church, where she sang three times during the communion service. Her background is unique. she was born in 1981 in Rio Grande  do  Sul,  Brazil. Already as a teenager she loved to sing about the love of God in churches, schools, and public events.

 

                           At the age of 18 she won the Young Artists Competition for the Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra in Brazil, singing for the first time with a Symphonic Orchestra,  an aria from the opera Don Giovanni by Mozart and an aria from the oratorio Messiah, by Handel. The same orchestra invited her again the following year to sing in a sacred music concert.

 

                           In 2003 Cristina completed her Batchelor of Music in Voice Performance at the Federal  University of Rio Grande do  Sul in Brazil. Desirous to perfect her singing skills, she came to the USA to enroll for a  Master of Music in Voice Performance at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, where she received full scholarship during the two years of her studies, graduating in December of 2005.                                             

                           In the same year she performed the role of ÒCarolinaÓ in the Opera Il Matrimonio Segreto, by Domenico Cimarosa, with  the DuquesneÕs Symphony Orchestra. Later in the same year she performed the same opera in Bulgaria with the Orchestra of Stara Zagora Opera. At the Annual May Opera Festival in Polovdiv, Bulgaria, she won the first prize in the Puldin 2005 International Competition for Opera Singers.

           

                           In October of 2005 she performed the role of ÒAdeleÓ in parts of the Opera Die Fledermaus, by R. Strauss with the Washinghton-Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra.  During the summers of 2003, 2004, and 2005 she participated in a special program for opera singers in Italy. There she was trained by renowned tenors and sopranos who contributed enormously to improve the quality of her vocal performances.                       

                           After spending 5 years performing leading soprano roles with various orchestras in the USA and overseas, Cristina felt GodÕs call to devote her life to sing sacred music. Her beautiful lyric soprano voice expresses her passion for the Lord and touches the hearts of people everywhere.

 

                           When I heard Cristiana singing at PMC with so much power and passion, I immediately sensed that the Lord might bring us together to proclaim our timely message in a fresh, appealing way through words and songs. Cristina shares my Italian cultural heritage and is by far the best Adventist lyric soprano I have ever heard in my life. Though she is only 25 years old and weighs less than 120 pounds (not the typical heavy-set sopranos), she has been gifted by God with an incredibly powerful soprano voice that leaves people spellbound. More important still is the fact that she is a deeply spiritual Adventist Christian who takes time each day to study GodÕs Word, meditate and pray.

 

                           When I shared with her my dream for her to sing at my weekend seminars across the USA and overseas, her face lighted up and said: ÒThis has been also my dream since I left the opera singing.  I have been praying that the Lord would open the door for me to share my singing ministry with wider audiences outside our local Adventist churches.  Your offer is an answer to my prayers.Ó

 

Our Immediate Plans

 

                           We are both excited at the thought of ministering to GodÕs people together with words and songs. Our first seminar together will be next weekend on November 16-17, 2007 at the Avon Park SDA Church, a 900 members congregation located near Orlando, Florida. We are both praying and preparing ourselves for this important event that will be video-recorded. 

 

                           Cristina will sing a total of 17 sacred songs,  before and after each of my three presentations. On Sabbath afternoon she will give a one hour sacred concert from 4 to 5 p.m., before my final lecture entitled ÒThe Sabbath Under Crossfire,Ó which deals with the latest Sabbath/Sunday developments.

 

                           If you live in the Orlando area, you do not want to miss this memorable opportunity to hear an outstanding Adventist Soprano, as well as some exciting news about the rediscovery of the Sabbath by ministers and congregations of different denominations.  The rediscovery of the Sabbath is an unprecedented phenomenon of our time, which reminds us of Ellen WhiteÕs prediction that in this final hour of world history Òthe Sabbath will be proclaimed more fullyÓ (Early Writings, p.33).

 

                           In fact, on December 21-22, 2007, both Cristina and myself have been invited to present the SABBATH SEMINAR with words and songs at the annual convention of the FRIENDS OF THE SABBATH, held this year in Lexington, Kentucky. The coordinator has informed me that for the past several years this annual convention has brought together between 500 to 700 non-SDA sabbatarians, belonging to different congregations that have recently accepted the Sabbath. We look forward to a blessed time together with sabbatarian friends of other churches. We hope that some Adventists will attend the meetings.

           

Would you like us to Present a Seminar at your Church in 2008?

 

                           If your church wishes to explore the possibility of inviting Cristina and myself to present a seminar with words and songs on the Sabbath, or Second Advent, or Christian lifestyle, feel free to contact us by phone (269) 471-2915 or by email <sbacchiocchi@biblicalperspectives.com> 

 

                           We will gladly mail you FREE OF CHARGE the video recording of the seminar that will be professionally taped this coming Sabbath at the Avon Park SDA Church, near Orlando, Florida. This DVD recording will give an opportunity to your church board to evaluate both CristinaÕs singing and my preaching. Since seeing is believing, the best way to introduce the new format of my seminars, is to give you a chance to watch a video recording of both of us in action.

 

                           To receive the FREE DVD recording of our seminar, please ask your pastor to email us his name, address, phone number, and church name.  We will be glad to mail him the DVD album free of charge and give him the list of the remaining open dates for 2008.

 

                           The cost of the seminar is very reasonable, consisting primarily of the refund of two airline tickets and two hotel rooms. We have designed a new color flier and attractive posters, featuring the pictures of both of us.  We will supply the fliers and the posters.

 

                           Properly promoted, the seminar can draw your community people, eager to hear Cristina singing so passionately about the love of God with her outstanding soprano voice. Her community Sacred Concerts are always well received.

The Source of Inspiration for this Newsletter

         The inspiration to post this essay you are about to read on ÒTHE SABBATH AND SACRED MUSIC,Ó came from listening to Christina Piccardi bringing to life well-known sacred songs with her powerful and passionate soprano voice. While listening to Cristina this past week, first during the taping on Wednesday evening and then during the formal Sacred Concert on Saturday afternoon, I could not help but think about the controversy over music that is causing considerable conflicts and divisions in Adventist churches worldwide.

         The prevailing perception seems to be that traditional hymns are dead, because they no longer appeal to the new generation. I wish that those who hold such misconception could see the faces of the young and old riveted on Cristina while she sings with passion and power traditional and classic sacred songs. Many traditional sacred songs have great melodies, harmonies, and lyrics that can touch the heart of people of any age. The problem is not the songs that are too old, but that the singing that is lifeless, more suitable for a funerary service than for the celebration of GodÕs creative and redemptive love.

         Churches are often divided over the use of contemporary versus traditional music. But the criterion is not whether a song is old or contemporary but whether its  music, words, and  manner of singing, conform to the biblical principle of worship music. Contrary to prevailing misconceptions, the Bible clearly differentiates between the music used for social entertainment and the music worthy of the worship of God. This vital distinction is brought out in Chapter 7, ÒBiblical Principles of Music,Ó of our symposium The Christian and Rock Music: A Study of Biblical Principles of Music, which is the longest and, most likely, the most important chapter of this book.

         This essay is largely excerpted from chapters 7 of The Christian and Rock Music: A Study of Biblical Principles of Music. The chapter is entitled ÒBiblical Principles of Music.Ó  The book is the largest (384 pages) and most expensive book that I have ever published, because I had to pay generous royalties to the six contributors.  It is written in a popular style by seven scholars of six different nationalities. With the exception of myself, all the contributors are trained musicians with academic music degrees, and are passionately involved in enriching the worship experience of their congregations. 

         The book has been reprinted several times and has been well-received both inside and outside our Adventist church. Some college music teachers have adopted the book for their teaching. In view of the fact that CristinaÕs singing fittingly exemplify the biblical principles of music presented in the book The Christian and Rock Music: A Study of Biblical Principles of Music, I have decided to offer this timely book that regularly sells for $25.00, FREE UNTIL NOVEMBER 30 to those ordering the album Cristina PiccardiÕs DVD video recording and CD audio recording.  This is the information on how to order ChristinaÕs DVD/CD album and receive a free copy of the music book.

Description and Order Information of ChristinaÕs DVD/CD album

         The newly released album by Cristina Piccardi contains two disks: the first is a CD audio disk and the second is a DVD video disk.

         The first CD audio disk is entitled REJOICE IN THE LORD  and was recorded about six months ago.  It contains 11 audio Gospel songs like How Great Thou Art, He Shall Feed His Flock, Softly and Tenderly, The Holy City, the LordÕs Prayer, etc. This is an audio recording that you can play in your car CD player, or on any CD players you have in your home.

           The second DVD video disk is entitled SING UNTO THE LORD  and was recorded on November 7, at Andrews University Pioneer Memorial Church.  It contains 11 sacred familiar songs that you can play with your DVD player in your living room and/or your church.

Special Introductory Offer on Cristina PiccardiÕs DVD/CD Album:

           The regular price of Cristina PiccardiÕs album with both the CD audio disk and the DVD video disk, is $100.00, but we are pleased to offer you at this time the album for ONLY $50.00. In addition to the album  you will receive A FREE COPY of The Christian and Rock Music: A Study of Biblical Principles of Music,  which regularly retails for $25.00.

           This special offer of $50.00 for the package of CristinaÕs album and one free copy of the book is valid for the next three weeks until November 30, 2007. The special price of $50.00 includes the cost of airmail to any domestic or international destinations. 

How to Order the Package of CristinaÕs Album and the Free Book:

        (1) Online by clicking here: http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/cart/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=103

        (2) By calling us at (269) 471-2915

        (3) By emailing us your address and credit card information

        (4) By mailing a check for $50.00 to  BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES, 4990  Appian Way, Berrien Springs, Michigan 4990, USA. We guarantee to process your order immediately.

Who Benefits from the Sale of Cristina PiccardiÕs Album?

           Some people feel that I am marketing the recordings of Cristina Piccardi, or of Prof. Jon Paulien, or of Prof. Graeme Bradford for personal profit. Thus, they jump to the conclusion that I am becoming rich at the expenses of the hard work that other have done. Some have even asked to have their email address removed, because they feel that I am emailing the Endtime Issues Newsletters just for the money. Nothing could be further from the truth.

           Perhaps this is a good opportunity to silence this false criticism by telling the truth about these projects. The truth is that I have not yet recovered my investment in any of the projects that I have sponsored.  For example, I paid over $5000.00 for the video recording of Prof. Jon Paulien DVD Simply Revelation that was done at the media center of Andrews University. So far I have hardly recovered half of the investment. Moreover  Prof. Jon Paulien buys from me his CD and DVD albums for only the cost of burning and packaging the albums.

           I view this as a service of love for a scholar that I respect.  In few weeks I will do the same thing for Prof. Roy Gane, whom I regard as the Adventist authority on the Sanctuary. I will pay for a DVD recording of his sanctuary lectures.

           Why have I chosen to sponsor PaulienÕs DVD taping of his Simply Revelation Seminar? Simply because I believe that he is our foremost authority on the Book of Revelation and his insights can benefit many Adventists with inquiring minds. For me whether the project is a financial gain or loss it is irrelevant. What counts is the benefits that his lectures will bring to many fellow believers in different parts of the world.

The Touching Case of Cristina Piccardi

           The case of Cristina Piccardi is even more revealing. As my wife and I came to know this lovely couple, we discovered that financially they are hurting deeply. Why? Simply because Cristina and her husband, a seminary student, are in the USA on a student visa that allows them to work only 20 hours a week. Since they cannot get a studentÕs loan, both of them are working in this moment in a doctorÕs office for the minimum wage of $7.00 per hour.

           To pay for her husbandÕs education and their small apartment, they have been forced to borrow heavily from several credit cards. When Cristina told me how much they owe to the credit card companies, I was shocked, because they have to pay 16% on their outstanding balance which is much higher than you can imagine. Half of what they earn each month goes to pay just the interest of their credit card.

           When my wife and I learned about their dire financial distress, we felt that we should come to their financial rescue before they got deeper into debt. At 16% interest per month on a substantial credit card loan, one ends up getting deeper and deeper into debt. To help this needy couple we decided to do three things. First we wrote a check to pay all the outstanding balances in their four credit cards. This is a free loan with no interest to be paid back when funds become available.

           Second, I offered to pay for the pianist, the recording and the editing of the newly released DVD album. The total cost of this project is over $5000.00.

           Third,  I am supplying Cristina her DVD album FREE OF CHARGE.  This means that all the money that comes in from the sale of her CD and DVD disks on Saturday night at the end of our seminars, will be for her to keep.  I will not receive a single cent from the sale of her recording, not even the refund for what I paid for the taping, editing, burning, and packaging of the albums. She will use all the income to pay for her husband seminary fees, their rent, and other financial obligations.

           If this story has touched your heart and you feel inspired to help this needy couple, feel free to mail a check made to Cristina Piccardi, c/o Samuele Bacchiocchi, 4990 Appian Way, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. Rest assured that I will pass on the check to her as soon as I received it. It is hard for me to believe that Cristina, whom I regard as the most gifted Adventist soprano I have heard in my life, should be so burden with debt. The greatest joy that comes into my life is to be able to help needy and worthy people.

Why Have I told the Moving Story of Cristina?

           Not to boost my ego by portraying myself as a generous benefactor, but simply to put to rest the groundless accusations that I am a greedy person, seeking to profit from the research and recordings of other people. The truth is that all the products and services of othe people mentioned in my newsletter, do not generate a single cent of income for me. I offer this free service because for me the essence of Christianity is people helping people.

 

THE SABBATH AND WORSHIP MUSIC

Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph. D.,

Retired Professor of Theology, Andrews University

         The religious history of mankind is largely a history of worship: a history of WHO people worshipped, HOW they worshipped, and WHEN they worshipped. Tourist who come to Europe are attracted by the magnificent Cathedrals, which stand as silent monuments to the worship experience of people who lived in these countries during the past centuries.

         The doctrinal differences among various Christian denominations today are largely reflected  in their respective worship style.  Catholic worship, for example is largely inspired by the belief in the intercessory role of Mary and the Saints who play a major role in the liturgy.  Pentecostal worship, on the other hand, is largely influenced by a strong immanental view of God as a power that can be experienced through the stimulus of loud preaching, pop music, and speaking in tongues..

         The Seventh-day Adventist church draws inspiration for her worship from three major doctrines:  (1) the Sabbath, (2) ChristÕs atoning sacrifice and His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, and (3) the certainty and imminence of ChristÕs Return. Each of these beliefs helps to define the nature of Adventist worship.

         The Sabbath Offers Reasons for Worship. Of the three major biblical doctrines that identify the Seventh-day Adventist church, the Sabbath occupies a unique place because it provides a sacred time and the theological reasons for the true worship of God. The theological reasons are to be found in the three fundamental truths that the Sabbath contains and proclaims: namely, that the Lord has created us perfectly, He has redeemed us completely, and He will restore us ultimately. These three glad tidings that the Sabbath proclaims, constitute the fundamental reason for the worship of God.

         To wor­ship means to acknowledge and praise the worthiness of God. Would God be worthy of praise if He had not originally created this world and all its creatures perfectly and made provision for their ultimate restoration?  No one praises a manufacturer that produced a car with mechanical problems without taking responsibility for repairing them.  Similarly, it would be hard to find reasons to praise God with songs, prayers, and sermons if He had not created us perfectly and redeemed us completely.

 

PART 1

THE SABBATH WORSHIP

         The Sabbath worship service is an occasion for believers to celebrate and rejoice over the magnitude of GodÕs achievements: His wonderful creation, His successful redemption of His people; and His manifold manifestations of constant love and care. These are fundamental themes that should inspire the composition and  the singing of hymns of praise to God.

         Some of these themes appear in Psalm 92, which is ÒA Song for the Sabbath.Ó Here the believers are invited to celebrate the Sabbath by giving thanks, singing praises, and play­ing the lute, the harp, and the lyre (Ps 92:3). The purpose of this joyful celebration is to declare GodÕs stead­fast love and faithfulness (Ps 92:2), to praise the great works of His creation (Ps 92:4-5), and to acknowledge GodÕs care and power (Ps 92:12-15).

         The Celebration of GodÕs goodness and mercy constitutes the basis for all the music and  worship offered to God on any day of the week. On the Sabbath, however, the music and the worship experience reach the fullest expres­sion, because the day provides both the time and the reasons for joyfully and gratefully celebrating GodÕs creative and redemptive love.

              The Conflict Between True and False Worship. To appreciate the importance of Sabbath worship, of which music is a major component, we need to note that in a sense the Bible is the story of the conflict between true and false worship. GodÕs summon to Òput away the foreign godsÓ (Gen. 35:2), which occurs in the first book of the Bible, is reiterated in different forms in all subsequent books. In Revelation, the last book of the Bible, the summon is renewed through the imagery of three flying angels.

         These angels call upon Òevery nation and tribe and tongue and peopleÓ (Rev 14:6), on one hand, to renounce the perverted system of worship promoted by ÒBabylon,Ó  Òthe beast and its imageÓ (Rev 14:8-11), and on the other hand to Òfear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come,Ó and to Òworship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the fountains of waterÓ (Rev 14:7).

         This solemn call to abandon the false worship of Babylon and to restore the true worship of God is presented in Revelation 14 as part of the preparation for Òthe harvest of the earthÓ (Rev 14:15), when the Lord shall come to gather the believers and punish the unbelievers. This preparation entails the abandonment of the false worship promoted by Babylon and the restoration of the true worship by GodÕs people.

         The apocalyptic imagery of the false worship promoted by Babylon  is derived from the historical chapter of Daniel 3, which describes an event of prophetic endtime significance. On the Plain of Dura, all the inhabitants of the Babylonian empire were called to worship the golden image of King Nebuchadnezzar. A fiery furnace was prepared for those who refused to do homage to the golden image.  Twice Daniel mentions that Òevery kind of musicÓ (Dan 3:7,10) was used to cause all classes of people from all the provinces of the empire to corporately worship the golden image (Dan 3:10). 

         The eclectic music produced by Òthe sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe,Ó and other instruments, served to induce the people Òto fall down and worship the imageÓ (Dan 3:15). Could it be that, as with ancient Babylon, Satan is using today Òevery kind of musicÓ to lead the world into the endtime false worship of the Òbeast and its imageÓ (Rev 14:9)?  Could it be that a Satanic stroke of genius will write gospel songs that will have the marking of every taste of music: folk music, jazz, rock, disco, country-western, rap, calypso, etc.?  Could it be that many Christians will come to love this kind of gospel song because it sounds very much like the music of Babylon?

         The summon of the Three AngelsÕ Message to come out of spiritual Babylon, by rejecting its false worship, could also well include the rejection of the music of Babylon.  Soon the whole world will be gathered for the final showdown in the antitypical, apocalyptic Plain of Dura and Òevery kind of musicÓ will be played to lead the inhabitants of the earth to Òworship the beast and its imageÓ (Rev 14:9). 

         The Music of Babylon. The use of music to promote the end-time  false worship is suggested by the description of the final overthrow of Babylon: ÒSo shall Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and shall be no more; and the sound of harpers and minstrels, of flute players and trumpeters shall be heard no moreÓ (Rev 18:21-22).

         The final silencing of the musicians of Babylon suggests that their music plays an active role in promoting false worship. It is instructive to note the contrast between the music of Babylon, which is primarily instrumental, with minstrels  (professional entertainers), and the music of the heavenly choirs, which is primarily vocal. The only instrument used to accompany the heavenly choirs is the harp ensemble. No flutes or trumpets accompany them. Why?  As we shall see, the timbre of the harp blends harmoniously with the collective human voices. The use of other instruments would overshadow the singing.

         The apocalyptic description of the music of Babylon reminds us of the instruments used by rock bands.  Their music is so loud that the lyrics can hardly be heard. The reason, as we have seen in earlier chapters, is to stimulate people physically through the loud, incessant beat. This is the music that the Lord ultimately  will silence at the overthrow of  apocalyptic Babylon. By contrast, the triumphant music of eternity is driven, not by the hypnotic beat of percussion instruments, but by the marvelous revelation of GodÕs redemptive accomplishments, which inspires the redeemed to sing their hearts out. To this point we shall return shortly.

              An Antidote Against False Worship. The mission of the church at this time, as portrayed effectively by the three apocalyptic angels, is to promote the true worship of Òhim who made heaven and earth, the sea and the fountains of waterÓ (Rev 14:6). The Sabbath is a most effective means to promote the restoration of true worship, because it calls upon people to worship Him who Òin six days made heaven and the earth, the sea, and all that is in themÓ (Ex 20:11).

         By focusing on GodÕs creative and redemptive accomplishments, the Sabbath functions as an antidote against false worship. It challenges men and women to worship not their human achievements and pleasures, but their Creator and Redeemer.

         The temptation to worship human realities such as money (Matt 6:24), power (Rev 13:8; Col 3:5), and pleasure (Rom 6:19; Titus 3:3), has been present in every age. Today the problem is particularly acute, because the triumph of modern science and the hedonistic bent of our culture have led many people to worship personal profit and pleasure rather than GodÕs power and presence.

         The pleasure syndrome of our time can be seen in the churchÕs worship practice. People have become so attuned to amusement that they also expect church music to be entertaining, self-satisfying, and stimulating. The Sabbath can serve as an antidote against the search for pleasure in worship by reminding believers that God invites them on His Holy day to come into His sanctuary, not to seek for their Òown pleasuresÓ (Is 58:13), but to delight in the goodness of His creative and redemptive love.

         Holiness in Time as Holiness in Church Music.  As holiness in time, the Sabbath effectively challenges believers to respect the distinction between the sacred and the secular, not only in time, but also in such areas as church music and worship. After all, music and worship constitute an important aspect of the observance of the Sabbath.         

         The fundamental meaning of the holiness [Hebrew qadosh] of the Sabbath, which is frequently affirmed in the Scriptures (Gen 2:3; Ex 20:11; Ex 16:22; 31:14; Is 58:13), is the  Òsetting asideÓ of the twenty-four hours of the seventh day to culvitate the awareness of GodÕs presence in our lives.  It is the manifestation of GodÕs presence that makes time or space holy.

         The holiness of the Sabbath is to be found, not in the structure of the day which is the same as the rest of the weekdays,  but in GodÕs commitment to manifest in a special way His holy presence through the Sabbath day in the life of His people. Isaiah, for example, pictures God as refusing to be present at the Sabbath assembly of His people, because of their ÒiniquityÓ (Is 1:13-14). GodÕs absence makes their worship experience not an adoration but an ÒabominationÓ or a Òtrampling of my courtsÓ (Is 1:12-13).

         As the symbol of GodÕs free choice of His special time to manifest His holy presence, the Sabbath can constantly and effectively remind believers of their special divine election and mission in this world. Holy Day calls for a holy people.  As the Sabbath stands as the Holy Day among the weekly days, so the believer who keeps it is constantly invited to stand as GodÕs chosen holy person  among a secularly minded and perverse generation.  In other words, as the Bible puts it, Sabbathkeeping serves as Òa sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the Lord, sanctify youÓ (Ex 31:13; cf. Ezek 20:12).

         The Mixing of the Sacred with the Secular.  The distinction between the sacred and the secular, which is embedded in the Sabbath commandment, is foreign to those Christians who view their LordÕs Day as a holiday rather than a Holy Day.  In Western Europe, less than ten percent of Catholics and Protestants go to church on Sunday.  The vast majority of Christians choose to spend their LordÕs Day seeking personal pleasure and profit. Even in America, where church attendance runs close to fifty percent, the same Christians who on Sunday morning go to church, in the afternoon will most likely go to the shopping mall, ball games, restaurants, or other places of entertainment.

         The mixing of sacred with secular activities, on what many Christians view as their LordÕs Day, facilitates the mixing of sacred with secular music in  church worship itself. The common contributory factor is the loss of the sense of the sacred—a loss which affects many aspects of the Christian life today.

         For many people, nothing is sacred anymore. Marriage is viewed a civil contract that can be easily terminated through the legal process rather than a sacred covenant witnessed and guaranteed by God Himself.  The church is treated as a social center for entertainment, rather than a sacred place for worship. The preaching draws its inspiration from social issues rather than the Sacred Word.  By the same token, church music is often influenced by the secular rock beat, rather than by the sacred Scriptures.           

         Cultural Relativism.  The adoption of modified versions of rock music for church worship is symptomatic of a larger problem, namely,  the loss of the sense of the sacred in our society. The process of secularization, which has reached new heights in our time, has gradually blurred the distinction between sacred and secular, right and wrong, good and bad. ÒAll values and value systems, regardless of their conflicting perspectives, are equally valid. Right and wrong are reduced to mere opinion, one is as good as the other.  Truth is not fixed but changeable, relative to the whims which define it.Ó10

         The cultural relativism of our time has influenced the church especially in the field of aesthetics, such as music, which has become but a matter of personal preference. ÒI like rock, you like classical—so what?Ó  One is supposed to be as good as the other.  For many, there is no longer a distinction between sacred and secular music.  It is simply a matter of taste and culture.

         The subjectivism in the field of aestetic stands in stark contrast to the objective, non-negotiable doctrinal beliefs which are passionately defended by evangelical Christians. Dale Jorgensen correctly observes that ÒThe same preacher who believes that he is obligated to preach objective righteousness in morality, often implies that Ôanything goesÕ in the music of the church. This is one area where naturalistic humanists find, perhaps with good reason, a wide crack in the Christian  door.Ó11

         The Sab­bath challenges believers to close the door to the humanistic pressure of cultural relativism by reminding them that the distinction between the sacred and the secular extends to all the facets of Christian life, including church music and worship. Using secular music for the church service on the Sabbath is to treat the Sabbath as a secular day and the church as a secular place. Ultimately, no real worship is offered to God, because true worship entails recognizing the boundaries between what is sacred for GodÕs use and what is secular for our personal use.

Part 2

CHURCH MUSIC IN THE CONTEXT

OF THE HEAVENLY SANCTUARY

         For many Christian churches, worship service centers on what Christ has already accomplished in the past through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection. By contrast, Seventh-day Adventist worship centers not only on these past redemptive accomplishments of our Savior, but also on His present ministry in the heavenly sanctuary and on His future coming to bring to consummation His redemption. Thus, all three dimensions of ChristÕs ministry—past, present, and future—are involved in Adventist worship.        

         Meeting with the Lord.  It is noteworthy that the three distinctive Adventist doctrines—the Sabbath, the Sanctuary, and the Second Advent—share a common denominator, namely, meeting with the Lord. On the Sabbath we meet the invisible Lord in time. In the Heavenly Sanctuary we encounter by faith the ministering Savior in  place. At the Second Advent we shall be reunited with the visible Lord in space.

         Meeting with the Lord in time on His Sabbath day, in  place in His holy Sanctuary, and in space on the glorious day of His coming should constitute the focal points of Adventist worship. When Adventists assemble for worship, their desire should be to meet the Lord. By faith they should wish to meet the Lord, not only at Calvary on the Cross, where He paid the penalty of their sins, but also at the throne of God in heaven itself, where He ministers on their behalf. 

         In his book Sing a New Song! Worship Renewal for Adventists Today, Raymond Holmes wrote: ÒIn our [Adventist] worship we enter the heavenly sanctuary by faith and are able to see the world, the purpose of the church, the ministry of our Lord, and our own lives from GodÕs all-encompassing perspective and not just from our own limited, self-centered, and narrow point of view.Ó13

         The focus of Adventist worship should be on the heavenly sanctuary where Jesus continually ministers in the heavenly liturgy on behalf of His people. ÒWe have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent which is set up not by man but by the LordÓ (Heb 8:1-2). It is because we have such a High Priest ministering in heaven that Hebrews says: ÒLet us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of needÓ (Heb 4:16).

         Church Worship to Reflect Heavenly Worship. The invitation to Òdraw near to the throne of graceÓ is obviously an invitation to worship by offering to our Lord our prayers, praises, and songs. The church on earth joins heavenly beings in praising Christ:  ÒLet us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his nameÓ (Heb 13:15).