The Gospel in The Messiah: A Musical Masterpiece by Handel

The Gospel In The Messiah George Frideric Handel wrote the Messiah in 24 days!

The Gospel In The Messiah Just for fun let s see how fast he had to write, OK? The average number of notes in one measure is around 16, the number of measures in the opening overture is 109, the number of pieces in the Messiah is 53. If we assume that the average length of each piece is the same (many are much longer) we get an approximation of over 93,000 notes in the Messiah. But knowing the music as well as I do, my guess is that the real number of notes in the Messiah is well over 100,000! If we divide 100,000 by 24 days, we get the number of notes written in one day which is 4,167! That comes out to 201 measures per day. And that does not account for mistakes and erasures!

The Gospel In The Messiah Know how to write notes on a score? Great! Now try writing one measure with good harmony in it and 16 notes. How long did it take you? If you took less than 5 minutes, you re a truly great musician! Now imagine doing that again at least 201 times in the same day! Let s see 201 times 5 minutes equals 1005 minutes, which is the same as 16.75 hours! Feel like staying up for 16 hours and 45 minutes every day for 24 straight days? But now comes the truly amazing part! Yes, George Handel could have written that much music in 24 days, if they were at least 16 hour days, but he could never have composed the music so quickly! He would only have had the time to listen to the music and automatically put it on paper!

The Gospel In The Messiah So where did the Messiah come from? Obviously, it wasn t Handel! It had to come from God! So why did God give the Messiah to Handel and to us? What purpose did God have in mind? In the Bible there are many references to the Word . Jesus is referred to as the Word. And it says that He created all things by the Word of His mouth . Was the Messiah an attempt to present the gospel to us in a way that would effectively tug on our heart strings? Are these the words and music that Jesus wanted us to hear? From the courts of heaven?

The Gospel In The Messiah The Greatest Story Ever Told The Greatest FACT Ever Shared! (See The Case For Christ ) (Messiah #1 Overture - Orchestra)

The Gospel In The Messiah A brief history of the Messiah taken from the Oratorio book itself: The Messiah, Handel s most successful and best-known oratorio, was composed in the year 1741 in 24 days, from August 22nd to September the 14th. It was first performed at a concert given for charitable purposes at Dublin, Ireland, on April the 13th, 1742, Handel conducting the performance in person.

The Gospel In The Messiah What is left unsaid is that many people viewed the Messiah as unimportant. It was composed so quickly, it must be a poor composition. Many Christians today wonder how the Jewish people in Jesus day could have rejected their Messiah. But we have done much worse! Is it worse to outright reject Jesus? Or to verbally accept Him and marginalize His most precious and modern day gifts?

The Gospel In The Messiah There is no doubt in anyone s mind that we are all sinners. All it takes is one brief look at the TV news to confirm that fact. The amazing part is that God still calls all of us HisPeople even though we may not yet have given our lives to Him. What is still more amazing is that He wants to comfort us, even before we repent of our sins, with the fact that He has died in our place, and has forgiven our sins! This is what motivates us to change for the better!

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #2 Comfort Ye My People - Tenor Solo Based on Isaiah 40:1-3 KJV Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins. The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

The Gospel In The Messiah The Glory of God His Character Even the angels have His Character and so should we: The angels of glory find their joy in giving,--giving love and tireless watchcare to souls that are fallen and unholy. Heavenly beings woo the hearts of men; they bring to this dark world light from the courts above; by gentle and patient ministry they move upon the human spirit, to bring the lost into a fellowship with Christ which is even closer than they themselves can know. The Desire of Ages, page 21, by Ellen G. White Motivated to have a better character? Now you understand the importance of the next piece!

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #3 Every Valley Shall Be Exalted - Tenor Solo Based on Isaiah 40:4 KJV Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

The Gospel In The Messiah But turning from all lesser representations, we behold God in Jesus. Looking unto Jesus we see that it is the glory of our God to give. "I do nothing of Myself," said Christ; "the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father." "I seek not Mine own glory," but the glory of Him that sent Me. John 8:28; 6:57; 8:50; 7:18. In these words is set forth the great principle which is the law of life for the universe. All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father's life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver, the law of life. The Desire of Ages, page 21, by Ellen G. White

The Gospel In The Messiah In heaven itself this law was broken. Sin originated in self-seeking. Lucifer, the covering cherub, desired to be first in heaven. He sought to gain control of heavenly beings, to draw them away from their Creator, and to win their homage to himself. Therefore he misrepresented God, attributing to Him the desire for self-exaltation. With his own evil characteristics he sought to invest the loving Creator. Thus he deceived angels. Thus he deceived men. He led them to doubt the word of God, and to distrust His goodness. Because God is a God of justice and terrible majesty, Satan caused them to look upon Him as severe and unforgiving. Thus he drew men to join him in rebellion against God, and the night of woe settled down upon the world. The Desire of Ages, pages 21, 22, by Ellen G. White

The Gospel In The Messiah The earth was dark through misapprehension of God. That the gloomy shadows might be lightened, that the world might be brought back to God, Satan's deceptive power was to be broken. This could not be done by force. The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God's government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan. This work only one Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it known. Upon the world's dark night the Sun of Righteousness must rise, "with healing in His wings." Mal. 4:2. The Desire of Ages, page 22, by Ellen G. White

The Gospel In The Messiah The Truth has a way of gettingout . When God speaks, great things happen! When God (Jesus) spoke, this whole solar system was created, and the Hubble Space Telescope most likely took a moving picture of that event (see IMAX Hubble 3D movie), the event that happened about 6,000 years ago! The light took a long time to get here. And that same creative power is found in every word that s in the Bible. (Well...NASA deleted that footage)! Luke 4:4 KJV And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

The Gospel In The Messiah Unfortunately, some people decided to edit our reality by changing the original footage taken by the Hubble telescope. In the original footage it shows fully formed solar systems, highly compressed, with an un-ignited sun at the core, traveling in the core of each tadpole . But this evidence of God s creative power was too much for the scientific community to handle! They simply had to edit reality! What did they paste into the video instead? Their own concept of a mini big bang, complete with a cloud of dust around a hot core! But wonder of wonders, the dust cloud is not deformed in the least by the friction of traveling through space at 15 million miles per hour! So much for thinkingahead !

The Gospel In The Messiah Does the idea of editingreality sound familiar? It should! That is exactly what Lucifer (aka Satan) did when he told Eve in the garden of Eden that she would not surely die , implying that God s Word could not be trusted! In this first lie Satan formed the basis for the myth of the immortal soul that goes on living after we die.

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #4 And The Glory Of The Lord - Chorus Based on Isaiah 40:5 KJV And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

The Gospel In The Messiah Mark 13:8 KJV For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers (different) places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. (Chart below from WikiPedia)

The Gospel In The Messiah It IS time for Jesus to Return!

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #5 Thus Saith The Lord - Bass Solo Based on Haggai 2: 6, 7 KJV For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. And based on Malachi 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

The Gospel In The Messiah 2 Peter 3:10-12 KJV But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved (this word in the original language clearly refers to the atomic level of dissolution), what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

The Gospel In The Messiah Colossians 1:16-19 KJV For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:And he is before all things, and by him (Jesus) all things consist (or are held together a clear reference to the Higgs/Boson particle or Godparticle ).And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

The Gospel In The Messiah Are you beginning to get a mental picture of the 2nd coming of Jesus?

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #6 But Who May Abide The Day Of His Coming Bass Solo Based on Malachi 3:2 KJV But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

The Gospel In The Messiah Revelation 1:1 KJV The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him (Jesus), to shew unto his servants (that s us) things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel (Gabriel) unto his servant John: (the youngest disciple aka John the beloved )

The Gospel In The Messiah Revelation 14:12 KJV Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #7 And He Shall Purify - Chorus Based on Malachi 3:3 KJV And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

The Gospel In The Messiah And just how will Jesus purify the sons of Levi (His people aka us), allowing them to make an offering unto the Lord in Righteousness? By coming here to be our Example, by interceding for us while we are sinning, and by giving us His power (Holy Spirit) to overcome our sins!

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #8 Behold A Virgin Shall Conceive - Alto Solo Based on Isaiah 7:14 KJV Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. And Matthew 1:23 KJV Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #9 O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion - Alto Solo and Chorus Based on Isaiah 40:9 KJV O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #10 For Behold Darkness Shall Cover the Earth - Bass Solo Based on Isaiah 60:2, 3 KJV For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #11 The People That Walked In Darkness - Bass Solo Based on Isaiah 9:2 KJV The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #12 For Unto Us A Child is Born - Chorus Based on Isaiah 9:6 KJV For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #13 Pastoral Symphony - Orchestra Only

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #14, #15, & #16 - Soprano Solos Based on Luke 2:8-13 KJV And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #17 Glory To God - Chorus Based on Luke 2:14 KJV Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #18 Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion! - Soprano Solo Based on Zacharia 9:9, 10 KJV Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #19 Then Shall The Eyes Of The Blind Be Opened - Alto Solo Based on Isaiah 35:8, 9 KJV Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #20 He Shall Feed His Flock Like A Shepherd - Alto Solo Based on Isaiah 40:11 KJV He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. And Matthew 11:28, 29 KJV Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #21 His Yoke Is Easy, And His Burden Is Light - Chorus Based on Matthew 11:30 KJV For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The Gospel In The Messiah Intermission 15 Minutes

The Gospel In The Messiah Jesus Is Our Example

The Gospel In The Messiah By coming to dwell with us, Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to angels. He was the Word of God,--God's thought made audible. In His prayer for His disciples He says, "I have declared unto them Thy name,"--"merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,"--"that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them." But not alone for His earthborn children was this revelation given. Our little world is the lesson book of the universe. God's wonderful purpose of grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is the theme into which "angels desire to look," and it will be their study throughout endless ages. Both the redeemed and the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song. It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love. In the light from Calvary it will be seen that the law of self-renouncing love is the law of life for earth and heaven; that the love which "seeketh not her own" has its source in the heart of God; and that in the meek and lowly One is manifested the character of Him who dwelleth in the light which no man can approach unto.

The Gospel In The Messiah Satan represents God's law of love as a law of selfishness. He (Satan) declares that it is impossible for us to obey its precepts. The fall of our first parents, with all the woe that has resulted, he charges upon the Creator, leading men to look upon God as the author of sin, and suffering, and death. Jesus was to unveil this deception. As one of us He was to give an example of obedience. For this He took upon Himself our nature, and passed through our experiences. "In all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren." Heb. 2:17. If we had to bear anything which Jesus did not endure, then upon this point Satan would represent the power of God as insufficient for us. Therefore Jesus was "in all points tempted like as we are." Heb. 4:15. He endured every trial to which we are subject. And He exercised in His own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us. As man, He met temptation, and overcame in the strength given Him from God. He says, "I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea, Thy law is within My heart." Ps. 40:8. As He went about doing good, and healing all who were afflicted by Satan, He made plain to men the character of God's law and the nature of His service. His life testifies that it is possible for us also to obey the law of God.

The Gospel In The Messiah Messiah #22 Behold The Lamb Of God - Chorus Based on John 1:29 KJV The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

The Gospel In The Messiah Christ was now standing in a different attitude from that in which He had ever stood before. His suffering can best be described in the words of the prophet, "Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of hosts." Zech. 13:7. As the substitute and surety for sinful man, Christ was suffering under divine justice. He saw what justice meant. Hitherto He had been as an intercessor for others; now He longed to have an intercessor for Himself.

The Gospel In The Messiah As Christ felt His unity with the Father broken up, He feared that in His human nature He would be unable to endure the coming conflict with the powers of darkness. In the wilderness of temptation the destiny of the human race had been at stake. Christ was then conqueror. Now the tempter had come for the last fearful struggle. For this he had been preparing during the three years of Christ's ministry. Everything was at stake with him. If he failed here, his hope of mastery was lost; the kingdoms of the world would finally become Christ's; he himself would be overthrown and cast out. But if Christ could be overcome, the earth would become Satan's kingdom, and the human race would be forever in his power. With the issues of the conflict before Him, Christ's soul was filled with dread of separation from God. Satan told Him that if He became the surety for a sinful world, the separation would be eternal. He would be identified with Satan's kingdom, and would nevermore be one with God.

The Gospel In The Messiah And what was to be gained by this sacrifice? How hopeless appeared the guilt and ingratitude of men! In its hardest features Satan pressed the situation upon the Redeemer: The people who claim to be above all others in temporal and spiritual advantages have rejected You. They are seeking to destroy You, the foundation, the center and seal of the promises made to them as a peculiar people. One of Your own disciples, who has listened to Your instruction, and has been among the foremost in church activities, will betray You. One of Your most zealous followers will deny You. All will forsake You. Christ's whole being abhorred the thought. That those whom He had undertaken to save, those whom He loved so much, should unite in the plots of Satan, this pierced His soul. The conflict was terrible. Its measure was the guilt of His nation, of His accusers and betrayer, the guilt of a world lying in wickedness. The sins of men weighed heavily upon Christ, and the sense of God's wrath against sin was crushing out His life.

The Gospel In The Messiah Behold Him contemplating the price to be paid for the human soul. In His agony He clings to the cold ground, as if to prevent Himself from being drawn farther from God. The chilling dew of night falls upon His prostrate form, but He heeds it not. From His pale lips comes the bitter cry, "O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me." Yet even now He adds, "Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt."