The only 9/11 plotter to be tried and sentenced was Ahmed Zauchouri. After conducting his own defence, and making a number of statements indicating he was expecting to be executed as a “martyr” and achieve some sort of heroic status among his fellow extremists (not to mention his perceived enhanced eternal status) the judge demonstrated uncanny wisdom. Sentencing Zauchouri to life imprisonment without parole, and thus denying him the hope of being a martyr, the judge said to him said, “You’ll die with a whimper”.

Now that made me think, I don’t want my life to end with a whimper! I’ve believed too many wonderful promises and prophecies in the Bible ... I want to be part of a climactic finale! I want the volume of my love, devotion and service to God to crescendo more, every year I live.

Crescendo is gradual increase in loudness and intensity, usually associated with a musical arrangement, particularly at it’s conclusion, that is, a climactic finale. God’s plan and move on the earth, in and through his people, is building to a mighty crescendo.

Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. Isaiah 60:1 – 2

This is crescendo! Notice two contrasting things have crescendo-ed here: the light and glory of God upon his people, and the darkness upon the earth. Popular Christianity all too often espouses a doctrine of peace, ease and escape (as in Darby’s flawed pre-tribulation rapture theory) ... but the great crescendo of the ages has the Church victorious, vibrant and powerful to the end, having nothing to fear and nothing to escape!

Joel 2 goes from “spare your people, O Lord, and do not give your heritage top reproach” to “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh ... and I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth ... put in the sickle for the harvest is ripe” an awesome crescendo!

Revelation 11:15 Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever.

Trumpet by trumpet the crescendo built – the volume and intensity of this divine composition – then the seventh angel trumpeted his climactic declaration!

In Ephesians 2:4 – 7, 19 – 22 we begin as a rough piece of rock quarried from the earth by the grace and mercy of God. We’re placed upon a good foundation, we’re fitted together with others, we’re growing into a holy temple. Then the great crescendo when God says ... that’s my house, it’s ready for me to fill with myself – and He comes with a greater glory than Solomon saw in his day.

Crescendo is a great theme of God’s – it’s a great theme for life.

1. •It was a great crescendo when: after generations of slavery, that with huge displays of God’s power, the children of Israel were finally delivered from Egypt.
   

2. •It was a great crescendo when: after lying dormant for decades, and a significant failure from which to recover, David brings the ark of God to Zion amidst a great noise of joy and celebration.
   

3. •The fulfilment of Joseph’s dreams; Deborah’s victory; the dedication of Temple; the birth of Jesus; Jesus’ resurrection ... all powerful crescendos confirming
   

4. •Crescendo is a great theme of God’s – it’s a great theme for life. If this is true, then I want my life to end in a crescendo!
   

George Whitefield was regarded as the greatest preacher and orator of the eighteenth century. In the thirty-four years of his ministry it is reckoned that he preached publicly eighteen thousand times (that’s more than 10 times a week for 34 years!) An account of his full and amazing life was written by Bishop Ryle. George Whitefield preached right up to the day of his death, of which Bishop Ryle wrote: “When his time came, he had nothing to do but to die.” No more commands to follow or commissions to fulfil ... George Whitefield passed away as Paul once wrote, I’ve finished my course ... I’ve run my race. No whimper there, but a life fully lived in the crescendo of God.

I’ve never heard of an accidental martyrdom. Martyrs are invariably those whose lives are pushing against darkness and glorifying God whole-heartedly.

With respect to the musical allegory ... for an orchestra to successfully pull off a wonderful climactic finale every member must synchronously be in harmony with: (1) The musical score (the Word = the composers vision), (2) The conductor’s direction and emphasis (Holy Spirit), (3) The section leader’s example (appointed leaders), and (4) The expression of each player around him (our fellow members).

I want my life to match the crescendo of God in the earth. It doesn’t have to be publicly seen; but God sees a life of ever increasing “volume”. And God will pour His Spirit into us to match our determination to crescendo.

There will be a generation that will be the crescendo generation! The ones upon whom the glory of the Lord has arisen, and despite the deep darkness of the earth, are fully engaged in the great harvest of the earth – are moving in the “greater works” – are the one’s of whom Paul wrote to the Romans ... The whole  creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own (Romans 8:19 JBP)