For the longest time, monophony was the it thing in Western music. It was all about melody, and the simple rise and fall of a single sound of music. Polyphony came about from endless musical experiments done by composers, theorists, mathematicians, philosophers, thousands of years later, and music was never really the same after that.
Hence forward, the search was to achieve that perfect harmony. The Renaissance brought about this timeless interpretation of what harmony ought to sound like — pleasing to the ears. Over the years, treatises, rules, and mathematical formulas were written to guide the amateur composer on how to achieve the correct balance of tones.
Today’s views do not differ so much. While our ears may have different preferences and ideas about what sound pleasing or not, the quest to achieve that perfect harmony is still alive.
Where Perfect Harmony Started
Non-musically speaking, harmony is an old Greek term meaning joint or being able to live together in agreement and concord. This idea of peaceful coexistence all started in heaven because man cannot really invent it.
“…there was perfect harmony throughout the universe of God. There was no note of discord to mar the celestial harmonies.”
From Eternity Past, p. 10, par. 1
It is interesting that in one and a half sentence, Ellen White outlines to basic principles of music: that perfect harmony exists as long as there is not a single note of discord to mar it. In musical circles, we simply refer to this term as dissonance.
White continues to explain what perfect harmony really meant:
“The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness of all intelligent beings depends upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness. God desires from all His creatures the service of love—service that springs from an appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced obedience; and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service.”
Ibid.
Hence, this idea of harmonic perfection subsisted on one law, that is the service of love.
How God’s Government Works
Let’s simplify things.
Who is being served? God.
Who is giving the service? Created beings or angels.
What kind of service are they supposed to give? A service of love
What does service of love mean? It is the service that springs from an appreciation of his character; freedom of will not forced obedience
Why should God be served? Because He is love. When God created the universe, White described it as a “manifestation of creative power” and that it is also “an expression of infinite love,” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 33, par. 2). And because of this, He deserves service and obedience.
And in creating the angels, Christ was also a co-creator. This is an important point that we will explore later on, but suffice it to say it is important to remember that “Christ the Word, the Only Begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father—one in nature, in character, and in purpose—the only being in all the universe that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God.”—The Great Controversy, 493.
He was also “…the divine Son of God, existed from eternity, a distinct person, yet one with the Father. He was the surpassing glory of heaven. He was the commander of the heavenly intelligences, and the adoring homage of the angels was received by Him as His right.—The Review and Herald, April 5, 1906.
Recommended Reading
Harmony. We love it. Even its name is being borrowed at everyday language to mean closeness, friendliness, human warmth, cooperation and well-being. Unlike rhythm and melody, harmony wasn’t part of music from the beginning, it’s an upstart…But what an upstart! –Howard Goodall
In the story of Western music civilization, a single line of music or monophony was the main thing in vocal music. For hundreds of years, the medieval world subsisted on chants sung in unison.
But slowly and steadily, polyphony (many lines of sound simultaneously) crept its way in, particularly in the church music scene. And today, we hardly even have to think hard when we sing in duets, trios, quartets or choirs. We enjoy the likes of harmonized a capella music because it sounds good to our modern ears.
The Purpose of Creating Angels
These created angels acts as God’s ministers. White, who has seen these things in vision describes that they are “radiant with the light ever flowing from His presence and speeding on rapid wing to execute His will.”
“From eternal ages it was God’s purpose that every created being, from the bright and holy seraph to man, should be a temple for the indwelling of the Creator.—The Desire of Ages, 161. – {TA 26.1}
All created beings live by the will and power of God. They are dependent recipients of the life of God. From the highest seraph to the humblest animate being, all are replenished from the Source of life.—The Desire of Ages, 785. – {TA 26.2}
When the Lord created these [angelic] beings to stand before His throne, they were beautiful and glorious. Their loveliness and holiness were equal to their exalted station. They were enriched by the wisdom of God, and girded with the panoply of heaven.—The Signs of the Times, April 14, 1898. – {TA 26.3}
Peace and joy, in perfect submission to the will of Heaven, existed throughout the angelic host. Love to God was supreme, love for one another impartial. Such was the condition that existed for ages before the entrance of sin.—The Spirit of Prophecy 4:316, 317. – {TA 28.6}
So this was perfect harmony! A joyful, loving co-existence between the Creator and His created beings.
For me, it is amazing to think that all our ideas of harmony today stems from that fact that God longs to have us, not just His angels, reciprocate His act of love — for we are not only created, but given an immeasurable gift of salvation so we can have a chance at being in perfect harmony with Him!
What are your thoughts about harmony? Let me know in the comment section below!
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