Revelation
keyword: prayers
(Incense is the prayers of the saints)
Revelation 5:8 - And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Revelation 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.
Who wrote?
who read?
where and when to write?
why it is written?
what are the overall key thoughts?
John the elderly
apostle?
in persecution at Patmos
7 churches in Asia Minor
around AD 90
the day of final judgment
will restore to a new heaven and a new earth
Symbolic passage
Apocalytic prophecy
Addressed to the church of Asia Minor
Strengthen them to face impending persections via giving them a vision to the future?
From Ephesus ?
Evil power will end ultimately. God will revenge for His people
Encourage 7 churches in Asia Minor to persevere
The words from Jesus Christ?
Words from God?
What is early mentioned? --> the lamb who has been slain but conquered, is worthy to open the scroll and its 7 seals
a mighty angel proclaiming: who is worthy to open the scroll and break its 7 seals
but no one in heaven or on earth is able to open and look into it x2
but the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David has conquered so that HE can open the scroll and its 7 seals
a lamb who has been slain, with 7 horns and eyes of 7 spirits on the earth
What it is said about prayers?
the Lamb had taken the scroll
the four living creatures and 24 elders fell down before the Lamb
sing a new song (as a lead in?)
Lamb is worthy to open the scroll and break its 7 seals because HE has been slain through which people are ransomed for God by His blood from every tribe, nation, language and people.
they shall reign on the earth
YOU has made them a kingdom and priests to our God
each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints
What is later said?
I heard .... the echo from the uncountable angels and every creature in heaven and on earth, saying the same: the LAMB & God on the throne is worthy to receive the honour, glory, might and blessing!
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering zmyriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice,
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
And I heard bevery creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”
What is the consequence?
incense has been described as a symbolic icon of prayers
without incense, it doesn't like a ritual of worship God.
with prayers of saints, it seems that God's people take part in the process of taking and opening the sealed roll. Is it a kind of participation?
What is the implication to me?
I would like to give praise and thanksgiving to my dear heavenly Father, my saviour Jesus Christ, and my close companion the Holy Spirit.
it seems a collection of saints' prayers
God, guide me to pray to YOU
What is said early?
What is it mentioned about?
(prayers coming before God)
What is said later?
Another angel came to the altar and was give much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints before throne
the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints rose before God
the Lamb opened the seventh seal and it became silent
seven angels were given seven trumpets
the angle put the censer on fire and threw it onto the earth
thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, an earthquake
seven angels blew their trumpets one by one
Why it mentioned about prayers of the saints coming to God?
in-between seals opening and trumpets blowing, the saints may take part in God's will and events via prayers which looked important and going to God
Any consequence?
Without prayers of the saints coming to God, it seems that God is doing on His own without any concern with His people.
what implications to me?
it challenged my view that I am of the saints because of His Salvation; my prayers will come to God, not a self-talk. God's will and doing proceeds with the prayers of His people.