Part 9 (Mechanical instruments continued)

There are yet others who claim there are mechanical instruments in heaven. I cannot say that there will or will not be based on the Bible... but logically it would not make sense, however, it doesn't have to make sense to me for it to be true. This idea is taken from the book of Revelation which mentions harps on three occasions. Let's consider one of those...

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.

We must understand that the book of Revelation is a book of symbols and the very first verse of the book explains this...

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Notice the phrase "he sent and signified it". The word “signified” comes from the word "sign" and to signify something is to set it forth by a "sign". A sign cannot be a sign of itself. In other words... "harps" are a sign of something else. Can we really believe there are actual harps and golden vials full of odor (bowls of incense), in heaven? Does this mean we are going to have material things in heaven? Heaven is going to be a place of spiritual souls... it is where "the spirits of just men are made perfect." (Hebrews 12:23) What would a spiritual soul do with a material harp? I am very curious… does this mean we are going to have cars, TV's, etc., in heaven? This is why I state it would be illogical to believe such a thing. Furthermore, to try and justify mechanical instruments in the church because of a "sign" of something in the book of Revelation is stretching God’s Word considerably. Just for the sake of argument though, what difference would it make if there are going to be mechanical instruments in heaven? It would make no difference here on earth and it would still not be authorized by God in worship service today. We cannot place heaven on the same level with earthly worship. None the less, the Bible does not specifically and literally tell us that there are mechanical instruments in heaven.

Let's consider a few more passages concerning singing...

Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore, through him let us always bring God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name.

1 Corinthians 14:15 What does this mean? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing psalms with my spirit, but I will also sing psalms with my mind.
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

We are to "sing unto thy name."... "bring God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name."... "sing psalms with my spirit,"... "sing psalms with my mind"... but singing is not done with an instrument, it is done with our lips, our mind, and our spirit.

We consider these passages and are reminded of Cain, of Nadab and Abihu, and of Saul, and those who made mistakes by not obeying God's commands and/or in how to worship God by trying to worship Him is ways He did not specify… in ways He did not authorize.

For 7-8 centuries we know from history that people obeyed God's Word and did not use instruments in worship. God did not have to tell us NOT to use instruments because He specified WHAT we are to use, our hearts. No example, no commandment, and no authorization for mechanical instruments are found in our instructions from God on how we are to worship today.

Since there are no such instructions for use, are we walking by faith or by opinion when we do use instruments? It can only be opinion, since there is no authorization by God.

Earlier I asked the question, what has changed our pattern of worship over the years? I suggested that men have changed it to be more convenient and less time consuming... however, God has not authorized any changes to the pattern of worship. The apostles had the full measure of the Holy Spirit and they set the pattern for worship that we should follow. Paul wrote in his second letter to Timothy...

2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

2 Timothy 1:13 Hold the pattern of sound words which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (ASV)

If you believe the New Testament is a pattern for our worship, as God has shown, where is the use of mechanical instruments? It is NOT there! Is it not important to follow the teachings of the Scriptures?

2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Have you been to a worship service with NO instruments used and listened to the beautiful melody of the voices? This is what God wants to hear because this is what He specified.

Having established that God commanded mechanical instruments to be used in the Levitical worship and having established that the Jews did not use mechanical instruments outside of this setting, we have also established that the early church, which was established by Jesus Christ and His apostles, never used mechanical instruments. If we are to obey God and submit to the authority of what the Scriptures reveal to us, then we should worship Him, including singing to Him, in the way He ordained through His apostles. The spiritual worship of the New Testament does not include animal sacrifices, burning of incense, priestly garments, nor does it include mechanical instruments. To use mechanical instruments in worship is NOT in obedience with God's will, but rather a means of pleasing our own selves.

__________________
In Christ,
brother Sonnie

Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'