Topic(s): Worship, Bible Authority

Bob Prichard

We must consider two things to answer this question. First, does the book of Revelation describe literal instrumental music in heaven? Second, if the book of revelation does indeed describe instrumental music in heaven, does that authorize instrumental music in the worship of the church today?

A close reading of Revelation concerning musical instruments in heaven shows that the instruments mentioned are more than likely not literal musical instruments. For example, Revelation 14:2-3 reads: “And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne.” John did not say that he heard the playing of harps, but he heard “the voice of harpers harping with their harps.” Thus what he heard was a voice “like many waters,” like “a great thunder,” and like “harpers harping with their harps.” The thunder likely symbolizes volume, the water symbolizes rhythm, and the harps symbolize melody.

Consider the harps of Revelation 15:2. Are they literal? John wrote, “I saw as it were a sea of glass 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 of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.” Were those who had won a victory over the beast holding literal harps as they stood on a “sea of glass mingled with fire”? Since the “sea of glass mingled with fire” is obviously not meant to be taken literally, would we expect the harps to be taken literally?

Revelation 5:8 speaks of four beasts and twenty-four elders falling down before the Lamb, “having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.” If the harps are literal harps, then what about the “golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.” Are they also literal? Obviously, it is very questionable to argue that the musical instruments mentioned in the highly figurative book of Revelation are literal.

Even if the musical instruments mentioned as being existent in the heavenly worship are literal, does this mean God authorizes the church today to worship with instrumental music? Are all things to be in the church today as they will be in heaven? Jesus said, “For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven” (Matthew 22:30). Should the church do away with marriage on earth, so that we will be as we will be in heaven? There are many other things mentioned in Revelation related to heavenly worship, including horses, the burning of incense, thunder, and the ark of God. Must we try to incorporate all of these into our worship today on earth? Our worship must be only what God has authorized for the church today, not what worshipping creatures will do in heaven.