Amen; Alleluia

“And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, “Amen; Alleluia” (Revelation 19:4).

Two men met on board ship. One of them was from India and the other from China, and the language of each was unintelligible to the other. One man happened to say the word “Hallelujah!” and the other instantly responded, “Amen!” From then on, the voyage was an opportunity for fellowship, for they knew they had Christianity in common. They may not have realized Christianity is summed up in these two words from the Hebrew, which have been reproduced in almost every language on the globe.

“Amen” indicates agreement or affirmation found in innumerable Scripture passages. “Hallelujah,” or “Praise ye the Lord,” is always associated with victory. Psalm 104:35 concludes with the first mention of this phrase in the Bible. “Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.” The two words are also found in 1 Chronicles 16:36; “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel forever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the LORD.” Also, they are found in Nehemiah 5:13.”

“Amen” indicates that God’s will is accepted. “Amen, literally translated is, ‘It is so,’ or, ‘It shall be so’; but not ever is it ‘May it be so.’ There is no doubt it is not a question or a supplication. It is an affirmation, then, and a testimony to God’s faithfulness.