Scripture - Rev 8:3-5 He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand.
Observation - The setting for John in the throne room of God watching the end unfold must have been troubling. Here is sees what is about to happen on the earth and John sees an angel with smoke and incense going up before God. He immediately knows that these are the prayers of the saints and describes them as going up before God. It would stand to reason that in this time the churches would be offering much prayer during a time like this. God is about to send down judgment on the earth and the prayers of the saints with the incense of angelic being are offered up to God. The ascending shows Gods accepting of those prayers.
Application - I don't spend an extraordinary amount of time looking at end times and contemplating the doom of the end. While I understand that it is coming and we are the end time church, I believe that our position should be one of hope and love. One that helps people see our God as loving and caring and compassionate. That said, I am very encouraged by this scripture because we see John here watching the eminent judgment about to happen and what is taking place is that the prayers of the saints are going before God. To me that just lights my spirit up. I fall so in love with a God that will receive and respond to the prayers of His people even in the midst of His judgment. We serve a God that will listen no matter what.
Prayer - Father I pray that you help me continue to be directed your way even in troubling times. God that we send up prayers before you in the midst of judgment and trouble. God you are a merciful and gracious God and I love you. Amen
Observation - The setting for John in the throne room of God watching the end unfold must have been troubling. Here is sees what is about to happen on the earth and John sees an angel with smoke and incense going up before God. He immediately knows that these are the prayers of the saints and describes them as going up before God. It would stand to reason that in this time the churches would be offering much prayer during a time like this. God is about to send down judgment on the earth and the prayers of the saints with the incense of angelic being are offered up to God. The ascending shows Gods accepting of those prayers.
Application - I don't spend an extraordinary amount of time looking at end times and contemplating the doom of the end. While I understand that it is coming and we are the end time church, I believe that our position should be one of hope and love. One that helps people see our God as loving and caring and compassionate. That said, I am very encouraged by this scripture because we see John here watching the eminent judgment about to happen and what is taking place is that the prayers of the saints are going before God. To me that just lights my spirit up. I fall so in love with a God that will receive and respond to the prayers of His people even in the midst of His judgment. We serve a God that will listen no matter what.
Prayer - Father I pray that you help me continue to be directed your way even in troubling times. God that we send up prayers before you in the midst of judgment and trouble. God you are a merciful and gracious God and I love you. Amen
