A CALL FOR REFORMATION                                                                                                                            Renewed Purpose In Revelation 14:6–12, God’s church is commanded to preach the everlasting gospel to every nation, kindred tongue, and people. We saw in part five that today’s Israel, the church, cannot use just any means to conquer territory and gain converts to the faith. The drum set and rock music are the horses and chariots of the Old Testament, and it is reasonable to believe that eventually these forms of music, no matter in how much good faith they are used, will lead people to full pagan worship. The Church of today needs to make the same decisions that Joshua and David made when they set out to do God’s will. It needs to avoid using horses and chariots and remember that true victory will only come in the name of the Lord. It’s also interesting to note that chariots and horses found in Psalm 20:7 are placed in opposition to the name of the Lord. In Revelation 14:1, we’re told that the Father’s name will be written on the foreheads of His followers. How can anyone be a follower of God when relying on those things that are in opposition to Him? In addition, many believe that the only effective way to reach this new generation is to incorporate rock music and the drum set into the worship service. But I know from experience that such thinking is flawed. I came to know the truth at the time when I was deeply involved in rock and jazz. The blending of this music with worship was unattractive, and almost laughable, because if I really wanted to hear that music I would go to a place where it came from: the world. And young people who are honest realize that their experience in church should be different than what they receive from the world. Bible Examples of Music Reformation It was a rediscovery of the principles found in the Bible that led to a great revival and reformation during Josiah’s reign. Today, we know that the Bible must once again be the standard for all doctrine and the basis for all reform. When this happens, we will no longer look to the drum set and rock music to advance the kingdom of God, we will only look to Him and His unchanging Word. Hezekiah’s Reform In 2 Chronicles 29:25–30, the Bible records: “And he set the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king’s seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets. And the Levitesstood with the instruments of David, 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 of the Lord began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments
ordained by David king of Israel. And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers
sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was
finished. And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present
with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. Moreover Hezekiah the king and the
princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the Lord with the words of David,
and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their
heads and worshipped.”
This reformation took place about 300 years after King David. Chronicles says it is God who
inspired David regarding the use of instruments in the temple—each of which is listed in this
passage. This affirms that the biblical philosophy of music is grounded in God, and not simply in
Hebrew culture. God dictated by His prophets those instruments that were appropriate in
worship, and those that were an abomination. Since melody and harmony take precedence
over rhythm and since all other percussive instruments were excluded, then again we can easily
conclude that there is no room for the drum set today in the worship service.
Ezra’s and Nehemiah’s Reform
Another musical reformation took place approximately 600 years after King David. Because of
Israel’s sins, God allowed Babylon to sweep them into captivity for 70 years. Yet after this
captivity, there was a call for Israel to come out of Babylon for the purpose of rebuilding the
city, the wall, and the temple in Jerusalem.
Both Ezra and Nehemiah, two powerful leaders, responded to this call. As for all successful
reformations, theirs was based on the Word of God. In addition to the work on the temple, both
Ezra and Nehemiah called attention to the ordinances of king David regarding music and
worship.
“And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, they set the priests
in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise
the Lord, after the ordinance of David king of Israel” (Ezra 3:10).
“And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their
places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with
thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps. … And his
brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani,
with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them”
(Nehemiah 12:27,36).
God’s leaders once again led the church back to the instruments of David, which excluded
all instruments associated with percussion, except for the cymbal that was played in a
completely different manner that the drum set is played.Reformation Today
Every successful reformation in worship and music was based on King David’s ordinance.
Should this be any different for the church today when setting out to conquer new territory for
the Lord?
“The work of restoration and reform carried on by the returned exiles, under the
leadership of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah, presents a picture of a work of spiritual
restoration that is to be wrought in the closing days of this earth’s history . … They were
the guardians of the true worship, the keepers of the holy oracles.”
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What was once meant for national Israel is now connected by the cross to God’s church
today—His Spiritual Israel. As God called His people out of Babylon to rebuild the temple and
reestablish its services, God today is calling His people to leave spiritual Babylon and rebuild
His church. Isaiah 58:12,13 says, “And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste
places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called the
repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in.”
God’s people would do well to return to the worship music ordinances of King David. Should
the church only use lyres, harps, cymbals, and trumpets? The answer is no. Rather,
instruments should be evaluated based on their melodic and harmonic capabilities, as well as
their ability to accompany the human voice without drowning it out. This is exactly why the drum
set should be excluded from the worship service—its only function is rhythm, which takes
precedence over harmony, a complete contradiction to Bible principles repeatedly seen in the
Old and New Testaments.
In Acts 3:21 Peter reminds us that there is to be a restoration of all things before Jesus
comes again. This restoration must include worship and music. My prayer is that God would
enlighten and strengthen local church leaders, pastors, and laypersons to return to His Divine
Pattern for worship.
The Trap Set Trap
Jesus says that a bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Both the origins of the trap set (drum
set) and the way it’s played are associated with spiritualism and postmodernism—their roots
are intrinsically tied to one another. I strongly believe that Satan has used these instruments as
conduits for his demons, and they will go to where this instrument is played and wreak havoc on
a church and in believer’s lives.
Like the guitar or piano, is it possible to play the trap set in a way that is acceptable for
worship? No. While the guitar and piano can be played to give honor and praise to God, the
trap set clearly cannot. It was designed to play solely rock or jazz, or some hybrid, and it
cannot be used without turning even “Amazing Grace” into a rock hybrid. Even the idea of
turning beloved hymns into music associated with spiritualism and postmodernism should give
all Christians pause.
As Christians who want to worship the Father in heaven in His way and bring glory to His
son Jesus, should we even attempt to harmonize the evil pagan roots of the trap set and rock
or jazz in our worship services? That’s the question facing you and your church right now.But what is no longer a question for you is this: the trap set, and the music for which it was
conceived, sprang from an evil that God commands us to avoid.
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52. White, Prophets and Kings, 677.