I told a friend that one reason I look forward to heaven is that there will be no rock music there (tongue in cheek at the time). He was astounded, loving that genre, I'm sure! Many churches today utilize "Rock" to get the young to attend. While the angels rejoice at the salvation of even one person, we must remember that God is holy. God never promised he'd change for us, but we must for him!
Why do I say that that there will be no Rock Music in Heaven? Simple!
Deuteronomy 32:4 "He is the Rock (as in granite), his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he."
God is without iniquity... that's without sin. God is sinless! So far, so good, but I'm not finished.
1 John 3:2-4 (KJV) "2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."
God is pure! Purity is God's having no faults. He is sinless. God cannot sin. God cannot accept sin. God will not accept sin. God hates sin more than anything! Scripture speaks "pure as gold" more often than any purity. 24k gold is pure gold. God is pure as gold and more so! And God also says that we shall be pure just like him!
Here's what God says about sin:
Proverbs 6:16 "These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."
God hates sin and he names them! They are an "abomination" (disgusting) unto him.
We have now established that God is sinless, God does not allow sin in his presence because he hates sin and that God is totally pure.
Now for the "Rock" genre of music...
"Rock" music emerged during the 1950s being called "Rock and Roll". That genre of music hit the scene with the advent of the electric guitar. Drums and synthesizers added to the sound.
We normally think of romantic lyrics, but Rock has dealt with a wide range of themes: including sex, rebellion against "The Establishment" (authority), social concerns and life styles.
Allan Freed of Cleveland, Ohio was first credited with the term "Rock and Roll". From "Houghton Mifflin Word Origins" we learn that "Freed probably picked up "rock and roll" from the lyrics of a 1948 rhythm-and-blues hit called "Good Rockin' Tonight." Before that, both rock and roll had sexual meanings in jazz and blues, as in "My Man Rocks Me with One Steady Roll," recorded by Trixie Smith in 1922, which inspired Bill Haley's famous "Rock Around the Clock" in 1954."
What I'm saying and crudely so is that "Rock and Roll" is an euphemism for "back seat sex"! That's it's origin, that's what it refers to and in practice, that's what back seat participants often prefer, so I understand from popular media.
However, Christians have adopted this same genre for the praise of God. In the 1960s flower children who professed Christ brought their music into the church. It caught on and has grown to the point that it's common in many charismatic and wannabbee charasmatic churches, even conservatives denominations including Baptists, not to mention liberal denominations such as Methodists.
Yes, Scripture tells us to be worshipful with music. David did. Psalms are songs to the Lord. Music must be reverent and magnify Christ. The focus must be on Christ, not the singer nor the production. That's appropriate music and few argues against priase music.
John 17:14 "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
No, Christians, are not to copy the world. We are to set an example for the world. We're not to be a stumbling-block. When we're saved we're a "new man" (or woman) and God delights in our change. He calls us to be holy as he is holy!
Now let's return to "back-seat sex" or good ole "rock n roll". God cannot allow any sin in his heavenly realm. He cannot allow the beat and meter which accompanies provocative dancing and induces sexual excitement. I'm not implying that church music is intentionally doing that, but it is a result of impurity in music. Worship music is not for our own entertainment, but is to magnify and please God much as the sweet smell of incense was in the Old Testament.
God has grace! He understands that our worship is imperfect. He understands our commitment to the flesh (pleasing ourselves). However, what God allows his children to do in Satan's realm here on earth is a far cry from what will be in his sight in Heaven!
I have an innate dislike for things "rock", primarily because most of the rock music pioneers were rebellious, hedonistic, anarchists and ungodly. I didn't listen to their genre of music because it was out of synchronization with Scripture and I'm blessed with overly amount of discernment. Too much discerment is not pleasant, but that's my "gift" from God. If you see me sinning, I have to admit that I truly no better, but do it anyhow! For that I need forgiveness.
Now for Rock Music. Is it for your pleasure or for God's magnfication? (Remember that throwing "Jesus" into the lyrics doesn't make the song "Christian"). Do you really think that Rock Music will be allowed or even desired in Heaven? Do you agree with Scripture that Christians's should be "sanctified" (set apart from the world)?
We all like to be entertained. God gives us six days to work and have fun. Can we not give Him one hour a week on Sunday to obey and please Him without the need to be entertained?
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