From: mmcgreg@uswnvg.com (Mark McGregor)
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian
Subject: Re: Angels and Music
Date: 3 Sep 92 04:44:34 GMT
Organization: U S WEST NewVector Group, Inc.
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I generally do not post very much, but I cannot resist a reply to
this article.

First, I agree very much with the idea that Christians should not be
pre-occupied with Satan.  Rather we are to be pre-occupied with God.

Second, is a question of exegesis (interpretation).  Isaiah 14:12 is
often viewed as a description of "Lucifer" or Satan.  However, there is
a problem.  First, in the Hebrew, the word is not Lucifer.  It is the
word "Helel", which is best translated as "star of the morning" or "shining
one".  There is no clear indication that this word should be translated
as a proper name (i.e. Lucifer).  Lucifer, by the way, it a Latin word,
and therefore represents a later development in thought.  If you check
on things, I think that you will find that Lucifer was equated with Satan
in the 3rd century, based chiefly upon an erroneous interpretation that
Luke 10:18 is an explanation of the Isaiah passage.

Now, back to the exegesis stuff.  One of the primary rules of good 
Biblical interpretation is that passages should be interpreted in 
context.  The Isaiah and Ezekial passages both exist within a larger
context of "oracles" to the nations of Babylon and Tyre.  Also, both 
fall within a larger group of oracles to a range of nations.  To simply
pull out these passages and apply them to Satan is what I consider poor
exegesis.  Avoid reading stuff into prophecy which is not necessarily
there in the first place, especially if the passage fits well within
the overall context and has a much simpler interpretation.

Also, there is the question as to how the people of that time would 
have interpreted this prophecy.  I very much doubt that they would 
read these passages as descriptions of Satan.  

A final point on that if these passages apply to Satan, then the whole
prophecy should apply.  Most people conveniently ignore Ez. 28:18-19,
which talk about a PRESENT destruction of Tyre.  They are spoken of as
"being turned into ashes" and "and you will be no more".  This destruction
is also clearly a public festival -- "in the eyes of all who see you...".
In light of the N.T., it is clear that Satan has not been destroyed as
of yet, so how can this apply to Satan?  Similar questions can be
raised concerning the Isaiah passage.

So, down to my warning.  Be careful on your exegesis, especially on
reading things into O.T. prophecy when they are not clearly part of
that prophecy.  In my opinion it is probably better to be narrow in
an interpretation (and have a strong base) than to provide a broader,
more interesting interpretation which does not have a strong base.



Finally, I just have one thought on whether angels sing or play music.

First, who cares, we'll find out someday.

Second, heaven is a place of worship.  God deserves, commands, and 
orders worship.  We are to worship God.  Per Biblical teaching, part
or our worship is through music.  I think that the angels also worship
God in a similar manner.  I have no great proof, however, I will do 
some handwaving.  Luke 2:13 shows that angels not only "saying", but 
also "praising God".*  I would put forth that a Biblical definition of 
"praising" includes singing and playing music.  See Psalm 150.

*I believe that the Greek construct clearly indicates two parallel
 verbs in this case.  They were both praising and saying.

Also, related to heaven is the question of the elders and the four
creatures in Revelation, who sing a new song (5:9).  Are these angels?  
They are listed as both "saying" and "singing", as well as giving
glory, honor, thanks, and worship.  These things sound very much like
what we as humans are commanded to give to God, something which we
often express through music and singing.  If we please God through
these forms of worship, I feel that it is quite conceivable that the
angels also give praise and worship to God through music and singing.

Finally, try reading Revelation 4 and 5 a total of fifty times over
fifty days.  Then, ask this question:  If heaven is a place of worship
why would this not include singing and playing music?


Enough for now,

Mark McGregor

mmcgreg@uswnvg.com

See you at the marriage supper of the Lamb.  It's going to be a
great party, with music and singing and eating and drinking with
our God and King.
Newsgroups: rec.music.christian