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Written <By: P,/ifer ([Jon p,{fu

Many places in the scriptures mention musical instruments in the service of God. But, was it ever commended or brought about by God or of men? I think that the bible teaches it is wrong and was always brought about by men and they were not commended of God to do so.

Genesis 4:21-22 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father ofall such as handle the harp and organ. And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer ofevery artificer in brass and iron: and the sister ofTubal cain was Naamah.

This is the beginning of this invention and by a family that was not accepted ofGod. They were not given faith by God as to what way ofworship that pleased him. Cain slew his brother who offered as a sacrifice of faith and Cains offering was a work ofhis own hand and was not acceptable of God. His offering and his brother's invention ofharps and organs surely were not to worship the true God. It was probably for worldly revelry and entertainment.

1It Samuel 18:6 And it came to pass as they came, when David was returnedfrom the slaughter ofthe Philistine, that the women came out ofall cities ofIsrael, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments ofmusick .

Here musical instruments was used to celebrate a victory by king Saul and were used to glorify a man and to joyfully dance to the music.

2nd Samuel 6-7 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men ofIsrael, thirty thousand. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale ofJudah, to bring up from thence the ark ofGod, whose name is called by the linen ephod. So David and all the

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house ofIsrael brought up the ark ofthe LORD with shouting, and with the sound ofthe trumpet. And as the ark ofthe LORD came into the city ofDavid, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. And they brought in the ark ofthe LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst ofthe tabernacle that David hadpitchedfor it: and David offered burnt offerings andpeace offerings before the LORD. And as soon as David had made an end ofoffering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name ofthe LORD ofhosts. And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude ofIsrael, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake ofbread, and a good piece of flesh, and aflagon ofwine. So all the people departed every one to his house. Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter ofSaul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king ofIsrael to day, who uncovered himselfto day in the eyes ofthe handmaids ofhis servants, as one ofthe vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people ofthe LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and ofthe maidservants which thou hast spoken of, ofthem shall I be had in honour. Therefore Michal the daughter ofSaul had no child unto the day ofher death.

And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD hadgiven him rest round about from all his enemies; That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house ofcedar, but the ark ofGod dwelleth within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. And

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it came to pass that night, that the word ofthe LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children ofIsrael out ofEgypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children ofIsrael spake I a word with any ofthe tribes ofIsrael, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house ofcedar? Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD ofhosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut offall thine enemies out ofthy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name ofthe great men that are in the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place oftheir own, and move no more; neither shall the children ofwickedness ajJ1ict them any more, as beforetime, And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out ofthy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne ofhis kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. Ifhe commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod ofmen, and with the stripes ofthe children ofmen: But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took itfrom Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be establishedfor ever. According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto

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David. Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am L 0 Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, 0 Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also ofthy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner ofman, 0 Lord GOD? And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant. For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. Wherefore thou art great, 0 LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God. And now, 0 LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD ofhosts is the God over Israel: and let the house ofthy servant David be established before thee. For thou, 0 LORD ofhosts, God ofIsrael, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: And now, 0 Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house ofthy servant, that it may continue for ever before thee: for thou, 0 Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house ofthy servant be blessed for ever.

This is a sad story ofdisobedience on David's part. In verse 6: 10, David states, "So David would not remove the ark of the Lord unto

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him..." Is it not arrogant and self serving to bring the ark to himself?

David, in chapter 5, is to fight the Philistines but God warns him that he is not to attack until he heard the "sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees." This signifies the wind or the leading of the Spirit or of God and he waited and God's will and power went before him and he won the battle.

So now he decides with great confidence to bring up the Ark of the Covenant to a place chosen ofhimself, by his own strength and the strength of thirty thousand men, and to bring it up his way. So, with dancing and playing musical instruments of all kinds they brought it up in their own strength and made a great celebration and pageantry ofit. This great ark of the Lord was to be handled only as God had commanded but David did it his way and probably for his own glory. They put it wrongfully on a cart drawn by animals when it should have been carried by priests. They were doing it in their way with great joy until they found that God was displeased. This is similar to Moses at Mt. Sinai when God said don't touch this mountain for it is holy. God was doing things his way and didn't need man to help. This ark was a powerful authority of God and did not need protecting but Uzzah thought it needed help and was struck dead.

This ark is typical ofus today as Christ sits as a High Priest and has the power of the Holy Ghost and is the very life of his New Covenant Church. We do not have power to retain the spirit of worship if Christ sees fit in judgment to remove his Spirit from us. We do not have the power to return it with a great movement of our own to renew the Spirit and use musical instruments to liven up the meeting.

It will fail if we try . Yet, we cannot resist it if it is the will of God to come and restore Zion to her fonner glory. The ark is Christ who has kept the laws unbroken; the laws are preserved in him.

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He is our righteousness in God and is our witness and leader and commander. In him we have the sure mercies of David. To God we sing, "I need thee, oh I need thee, every hour I need thee ... "

2nd Chronicles 7:6 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments ofmusick ofthe LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood

There is nothing wrong but rather praise worthy to praise God for his abundant mercy and grace. David though brought in the instruments of music which he had made or invented. Unfeeling instruments to do the praising of God. Why not do it from the heart by lifting our voices? This music of David also set a trend because Solomon, his son, was carrying on this new practice.

Nehemiah 12:36 And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments ofDavid the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them. Years after instruments ofmusic that David had made, even the priests ofGod have learned to play this music as part oftheir priesthood office.

2nd Chronicles 23:13-18 And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people ofthe land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments ofmusick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason. Then Jehoiada the priest brought out the captains of hundreds that were set over the host, and said unto them, Have her forth ofthe ranges: and whoso followeth her, let him be slain with the sword For the priest said, Slay her

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not in the house ofthe LORD. So they laid hands on her; and when she was come to the entering ofthe horse gate by the king's house, they slew her there. And Jehoiada made a covenant between him, and between all the people, and between the king, that they should be the LORD's people. Then all the people went to the house ofBaal, and brake it down, and brake his altars and his images in pieces, and slew Mattan the priest ofBaal before the altars. Also Jehoiada appointed the offices ofthe house ofthe LORD by the hand ofthe priests the Levites, whom David had distributed in the house ofthe LORD, to offer the burnt offerings ofthe LORD, as it is written in the law ofMoses, with rejoicing and with singing, as it was ordained by David

As time passes, these habits began to get greater and more skilled. Now the people, as they praise this great occasion, do it with instruments ofmusic and "as such were taught to sing praises" - is not this brought about as a trained choir? All this was ordained by David (verse 18).

Hebrew 8-9 Now ofthe things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand ofthe throne ofthe Majesty in the heavens; A minister ofthe sanctuary, and ofthe true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow ofheavenly things, as Moses was admonished ofGod when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator ofa better covenant, which

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was established upon better promises. For ifthat first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house ofIsrael and with the house ofJudah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out ofthe land ofEgypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord For this is the covenant that I will make with the house ofIsrael after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities willI remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances ofdivine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest ofall; Which had the golden censer, and the ark ofthe covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables ofthe covenant; And over it the cherubims ofglory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service ofGod. But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not

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without blood, which he offeredfor himself, andfor the . errors ofthe people: The Holy Ghost this signifYing, that the way into the holiest ofall was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: Which was afigure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come an high priest ofgood things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not ofthis building; Neither by the blood ofgoats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemptionfor us. For ifthe blood of bulls and ofgoats, and the ashes ofan heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifYing ofthe flesh: How much more shall the blood ofChrist, who through the eternal Spirit offered himselfwithout spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Andfor this cause he is the mediator ofthe new testament, that by means ofdeath, for the redemption ofthe transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise ofeternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death ofthe testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is ofno strength at all while the testator liveth. Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood ofcalves and ofgoats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, Saying, This is the blood ofthe testament which God hath enjoined unto you. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels ofthe ministry. And almost all things are by the

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law purged with blood; and without shedding ofblood is no remission. It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures ofthe true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence ofGodfor us: Nor yet that he should offer himselfoften, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood ofothers; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation ofthe world: but now once in the end ofthe world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice ofhimself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offored to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

This is teaching of the tabernacle in the wilderness saying to Moses (verse 5) "See saith he that thou make all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount." All this that David brought in was not in that pattern.

Exodus 25 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children ofIsrael, that they bring me an offoring: ofevery man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offoring. And this is the offering which ye shall take ofthem; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, andpurple, and scarlet, andfine linen, and goats' hair, And rams' skins dyed red, and badgers' skins, and shittim wood, Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, andfor sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern ofthe tabernacle, and the pattern ofall the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. And they shall make an ark ofshittim wood: two cubits

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and a halfshall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a halfthe breadth thereof, and a cubit and a halfthe height thereof And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown ofgold round about. And thou shalt cast four rings ofgoldfor it, andput them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side ofit, and two rings in the other side ofit. And thou shalt make staves ofshittim wood, and overlay them with gold. And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides ofthe ark, that the ark may be borne with them. The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it. And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee. And thou shalt make a mercy seat ofpure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a halfthe breadth thereof And thou shalt make two cherubims of gold, ofbeaten work shalt thou make them, in the two ends ofthe mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even ofthe mercy seat shall ye make the cherubims on the two ends thereof And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces ofthe cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark ofthe testimony, ofall things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children ofIsrael. Thou shalt also make a table ofshittim wood: two cubits shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a halfthe height thereof And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, and make thereto a crown ofgold round about. And thou shalt make unto it a border ofan hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border

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thereof round about. And thou shalt make for itfour rings ofgold, andput the rings in the four corners that are on the four feet thereof Over against the border shall the rings be for places ofthe And thou shalt make the staves ofshittim wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be borne with them. And thou shalt make the dishes thereof, and spoons thereof, and covers thereof, and bowls thereof, to cover withal: ofpure gold shalt thou make them. And thou shalt set upon the table shew bread before me alway. And thou shalt make a candlestick ofpure gold: ofbeaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his mops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. And six branches shall come out ofthe sides of it; three branches ofthe candlestick out ofthe one side, and three branches ofthe candlestick out ofthe other side: Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a mop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a mop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out ofthe candlestick. And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like unto almonds, with their mops and their flowers. And there shall be a mop under two branches ofthe same, and a mop under two branches ofthe same, and a mop under two branches ofthe same, according to the six branches that proceed out ofthe candlestick. Their mops and their branches shall be ofthe same: all it shall be one beaten work ofpure gold And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof' and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be ofpure gold. Ofa talent ofpure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

In verse 9 we have the commandment to make instruments after the pattern given in the mount. Let us not confuse this word with

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musical instruments but rather go to Exodus 31 :7, "The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle," you will notice that the word for instruments is changed to the word "furniture" which is very proper as the word is describing the arc of the testimony and the mercy seat (verse 8), the table, the pure candlestick and the alter of incense. These are all for the praise of God. Instruments ofmusic were unlawfully added.

1st Chronicles 28 And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes ofthe tribes, and the captains ofthe companies that ministered to the king by course, and,the captains over the thousands, and captains over the hundreds, and the stewards over all the substance and possession ofthe king, and ofhis sons, with the officers, and with the mighty men, and with all the valiant men, unto Jerusalem. Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and mypeople: Asfor me, I had in mine heart to build an house ofrest for the ark of the covenant ofthe LORD, andfor the footstool ofour God, and had made ready for the building: But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build an house for my name, because thou hast been a man ofwar, and hast shed blood Howbeit the LORD God ofIsrael chose me before all the house ofmyfather to be king over Israelfor ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and ofthe house of Judah, the house ofmyfather; and among the sons ofmy father he liked me to make me king over all Israel: And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne ofthe kingdom ofthe LORD over Israel. And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father. Moreover I will establish his kingdom for ever, ifhe be constant to do my commandments and myjudgments, as at this day. Now therefore in the sight ofall Israel the

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congregation ofthe LORD, and in the audience ofour God, keep and seekfor all the commandments ofthe LORD your God: that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance for your children after you for ever. And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God ofthy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations ofthe thoughts: ifthou seek him, he will be found ofthee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever. Take heed now; for the LORD hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern ofthe porch, and ofthe houses thereof, and ofthe treasuries thereof, and ofthe upper chambers thereof, and ofthe inner parlours thereof, and ofthe place ofthe mercy seat, And the pattern ofall that he had by the spirit, ofthe courts of the house ofthe LORD, and ofall the chambers round about, ofthe treasuries ofthe house ofGod, and ofthe treasuries ofthe dedicated things: Also for the courses of the priests and the Levites, andfor all the work ofthe service ofthe house ofthe LORD, andfor all the vessels of service in the house ofthe LORD. He gave ofgold by weight for things ofgold, for all instruments ofall manner ofservice; silver also for all instruments ofsilver by weight, for all instruments ofevery kind ofservice: Even the weight for the candlesticks ofgold, andfor their lamps ofgold, by weight for every candlestick, andfor the lamps thereof andfor the candlesticks ofsilver by weight, both for the candlestick, and also for the lamps thereof, according to the use ofevery candlestick. And by weight he gave goldfor the tables ofshew bread, for every table; and likewise silver for the tables ofsilver: Also pure goldfor the jleshhooks, and the bowls, and the cups: andfor the golden basons he gave gold by weight for every bason; and likewise silver by weight for every bason ofsilver: Andfor the altar ofincense refined gold by weight; and goldfor the

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pattern ofthe chariot ofthe cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark ofthe covenant ofthe LORD. All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works ofthis pattern. And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and ofgood courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the workfor the service ofthe house ofthe LORD. And, behold, the courses ofthe priests and the Levites, even they shall be with thee for all the service of the house ofGod: and there shall be with thee for all manner ofworkmanship every willing skilfol man, for any manner ofservice: also the princes and all the people will be wholly at thy commandment.

David, the great warrior, defeated all the enemies and collected a vast wealth. He decided to build a temple to the glory of God. God says "no but another shall build the temple." But, God, by the Spirit, told David how to build it and then David told Solomon how to build it according to the way the Spirit had told him. Even as God gold Moses how to exactly build the tabernacle. As you study this chapter, notice the instruments ofmusic are not •included. Now, notice in 2nd Chronicles 5:13, ("It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments ofmusick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;") how the people received this glorious news with musical instruments, great joys and happiness, as they do today. Could we possibly imagine praises of God without music? How dull it would seem.

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1st Chronicles 23:5 Moreover four thousand were porters; andfour thousand praised the LORD with the instruments which I made, said David, to praise therewith.

As David raises and trains this vast multitude set forth to serve the Lord in their different offices, 4 thousand praised this Lord with the instruments which David made. It sounded like a division band in the army. Would it not be wrong to praise God with a band?

2nd Chronicles 29:25 ..27 And he set the Levites in the house ofthe LORD with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment ofDavid, and of Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment ofthe LORD by his prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments ofDavid, and the priests with the trumpets. And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song ofthe LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king ofIsrael.

Now, this invented thing turned into a great commandment or tradition ofDavid. This tradition has come down to the reign of King Hezekiah. This is the king that was taken to Babylon because of the disobedience of the children of Israel. Surely the leader caused them to go. Just because a custom is old, does not mean it is right.

Ecclesiates 2:8·11 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure ofkings and ofthe provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights ofthe sons ofmen, as musical instruments, and that ofall sorts. So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from anyjoy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion ofall my labour.

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Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation ofspirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Solomon took up with all things that would bring joy: men singers, women singers and the delights of the sons ofmen as musical instruments and that ofall sorts. What a sad burden all this brought upon him when God withdrew the Spirit in displeasure.

Amos 6:3-5 Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat ofviolence to come near; That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out ofthe flock, and the calves out ofthe midst of the stall; That chant to the sound ofthe viol, and invent to themselves instruments ofmusick, like David;

Instead of starting something new and enjoyable, God now picks a prophet and demands that he says, "The Lord commands this to be said and obeyed." Amos prophesied in a time ofprosperity and was greatly hated and was slain. He was slain because David invented music in the service ofGod. This was a small thing, but it grew into a large group, even kings and priests were for it. While men slept, Satan sows his seeds and God's faithful messengers have to suffer to preach the word of God.

1st Corinthians 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?

In the New Testament, it can be said there is no mention of us using instruments ofmusic. Paul brings out that trumpets and symbols are not a life giving sound. He also brings out that it is like preaching or speaking in tongues which cannot be understood

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and should be stopped. God's people in many places just ignore this teaching. Paul uses the word instrument in a spiritual way: our mind, heart and strength to serve God, also, our voices in praise and also to stand up and protest evil inventions.

Ephesians 5:14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. Colosians 3:16 Let the word ofChrist 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. 1st Corinthians 10:14-15 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

We have brought out the excess of bringing in music of all kinds and using them to praise God in excess until God put a stop to it. Paul calls this excess to being drunk in excess and not caring what anyone says. Speaking words in Spirit, singing with our voices and making melody in our hearts to the Lord: this is spiritual. Making music is a carnal way to praise God. Singing is in the New Testament 148 times. Musical instruments for the praise of God are in there 0 times.

Job 30:31 My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice ofthem that weep.

Job brings out the thought that your voice is well pleasing in God's sight. Without a heart of thanksgiving and a spiritual feeling, we are not pleasing god. Job rightfully calls his voice an organ and a harp.

Revelations 15:2-4 And I saw as it were a sea ofglass 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 ofhis name, stand on the sea ofglass, having the harps ofGod. And they sing the song ofMoses the

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servant ofGod, and the song ofthe Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King ofsaints. Who shall not fear thee, 0 Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made maniftst.

This is a great time ofrejoicing in the power and glory of God. In his revelation, these people are using their voices in singing these praises which is as Job. Job 30-31 says his voice is as a harp and an organ. If you use musical instruments to make your praise of God better, it is not better in God's sight.

Revelations 18:22 And the voice ofharpers, and musicians, and ofpipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, ofwhatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound ofa millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee;

i -" !

In this great allegory, we read of a great powerful angel or message come from God. In reality, God did destroy literal Babylon, which was ruling religion in the world. The king made a golden statue 90 feet tall and forced people to bow down and worship it. What made it easy to accept was the sound ofall kinds ofmusical • instruments. The king's power and the music, made it easy to bow and worship.

Here we have not an actual king and city, but a spiritual one; an attitude of fear as well as something to admire as the apostle John did when God revealed it to him. He marveled with great admiration. We also marvel today at the marvelous attraction ofa great crowd. They have musical productions that can even charge to get in. They have highly paid popular singers that sing to excellent music.

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L_.

This woman is very powerful in influence as she gets her power from the beast, or the fleshly desires of God's people. Also, she sits on water and seven mountains. The water is religious confusion in the religious world. Few of God's people know what the truth is. Neither do they know the will of God. This woman gains great power to persuade people that are in this confusion. False doctrines and churches spring up and the people of God don't see anything wrong. The next source of power comes from seven mountains. These are high places in people's lives that they rejoice in, look forward to, and trust in, even their lives, rather than trust in the true God and his promises. We can put names on these mountains which we would have to give up or "come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord ... and I will receive you... and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." But no we can't give sports that we are involved in. We must never let ourselves to be poor to spend and be spent in the service of God. Covetousness is spoken of as being an evil idolatry. Another mountain in our lives is the influence of family.

Genesis chapter 6 seems to teach that in Noah's time, they were more interested in family progress and influence (it ruled their lives) than the service of God and this brought on the universal flood. The medical profession has a great influence on our decisions of health. We have come to feel there is no longer a physician there. We submit to the doctors and surgeons decisions. Politics enter into our worries of the future. We believe the government ought to provide and care for us completely. This could go on to other fields but all these have influence in our church-attitude. Even union labor organizations can influence whole churches even as to when they meet. The God of the Philistines was Dagon, or a fish, which was their living. Now the God of heaven and head of the true church is declaring he will destroy this woman and John is marveling with great admiration at her. Do we believe he is able? Yes, but do we believe he will do it as he declared? Take heed there is not among us an evil heart of

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•unbelief. As God promised, this woman is dealt with and destroyed.

Revelations 18:19-24 And they cast dust on their heads, arid cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas, that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason ofher costliness!for in one hour is she made desolate. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, andye holy apostles andprophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 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. And the voice ofharpers, and musicians, and ofpipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, ofwhatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound ofa millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; And the light ofa candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and ofthe bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men ofthe earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. And in her was found the blood ofprophets, and ofsaints, and ofall that were slain upon the earth.

Look what happens to her. Look what was in her power and influence as these are taken out of this religious confusion. What would happen in the church world? Harpers and musicians and pipers and trwnpeters are found no more in thee. And the light of candles shall be found no more. God is not pleased with these inventions. God does not need a candle light to find you or to remind him of someone who has died. These things are an insult to Almighty God who has given knowledge of the truth to his covenant people. God does not want anything taken away that he has taught. Neither does he want anything added that he has spoken against. God has provided for you a Saviour, a High Priest and God witnesses with the Holy Spirit.

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This church is small now but is mighty in the Lord. We can say with the three Israelites as they said to Nebuchadnezzar, ~~e don't know whether God will deliver us from the fiery furnace, but we know he is able." So we will not bow down to the golden image. Give these things up or come out from among them and be separate. We will not be robbed or defrauded or spoiled. Rather we will be rich in fellowship and spiritual love and revelation of truth. It will be said of God's people, "I will go with thee for I have heard that God is with thee." You will be called from that day, "The Lord is there." Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly. The God himself will be a wall of fire around us. I pray your forbearance.

I couldn't do this story justice to praise an Almighty God.

Elder Don Ellis 12/14/05

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