Joel M Bradshaw

3Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.–Revelation 8

Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come. (Exodus 30:7-8)

I [David] call to you, Lord, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. (Psalm 141:1-2)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

1. According to John, this scene happened at the opening of the seventh seal.
2. The altar of incense was part of the original tabernacle in the time of Moses. It was one of two altars. The outer altar was where animal sacrifices were made. The inner altar stood right before the Most Holy Place and burned only incense.
3. In the Bible, that incense was linked to the prayers of the faithful. Incense smoke rises and smells sweet. It’s not a difficult symbol to use for prayer. We might picture our prayers rising to God and are thankful that they are “sweet smelling” to Him.
4. What we learn in Revelation is that what David prayed in Psalm 141 above actually happens. Our prayers are set before God like incense.
5. The prayers of the faithful followers of Jesus are precious to God and are always before Him, much like Aaron was always to have incense burning as a symbol on that original tabernacle altar.
6. The seals, trumpets, and bowls in Revelation involve God pouring out His end-times wrath upon sin as He one day brings history to an end.
7. In Revelation, these are going to be the prayers of people being persecuted and martyred. Yet, no matter what we face, we are to pray to God. And we learn that those prayers prayed in faith are indeed precious to God. They show that we trust God and depend upon Him. Those are excellent qualities of faith to maintain. Welcome to our new friends who follow this blog. I am honored to journey with you.–JMB