Music And DiscipleshipSample

"Old, Familiar and New"

Why does the Bible tell us in Colossians to admonish each other in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs? It suggests that singing is a method through which we teach each other about the truths of God, and that a psalm, a hymn, and a spiritual or “new song” work together in tandem to help us explore God together in different ways. We have to consider the depth of our singing in our growth as Christians. If the old, the present, and the new are not included in our singing in some fashion, we may be shortsighted in our efforts to grow as enriched followers of Jesus.

Even in the economy of heaven, there resides a singing rhythm of the old, the familiar, and the new. In today’s study, take a journey through the 12 songs of Revelation. Through singing, God’s people, in heaven now and in the kingdom to come, recant his works from before creation on into eternity future. If we are to truly “admonish” and teach one another to be disciples, and we are to truly train each other to live in the kingdom together, we are going to have to embrace a full and rich opus of singing.

Revelation 4:1-2, 9

A ring of freshness is in this experience and in this song.

Revelation 4:10-11 

The elders sing a song of remembrance; an ode and a hymn that dates all the way back to creation.

Revelation 5:9-10

A fresh and new action by God here inspires a new and fresh response.

Revelation 5:12-13

This is a song of familiarity! Perhaps we can see this as the “CliffsNotes” version of the Psalms.

Revelation 6:1; 7:10; 7:12; 11:15

The mixture continues as the past, the present, and the future converge.

Revelation 11:17-18

This song echoes the new, and taps into Psalm 2, 110:5, 115:13, and Daniel 7:10 for its content. It rings out the past and the fulfillment of God’s peace and justice coming to the earth.

Revelation 15:3-4

The throng sings a hymn. This song is a memorable greatest hit from Jewish history; written by the prophet Moses.

Revelation 19:1-2; 19:3-8 

This song rings of victory as the whole narrative of Scripture peaks and comes to a close with the defeat of the prostitute Babylon and the marking of a new age without false religion.