Part 3 of 6 of the theme 'Lessons from Revelation 8' by Gijs van den Brink
In Revelation 8, we get to look behind the scenes and see how our prayers come to God in heaven (vs.3-4). It is said that much incense is added to the prayers. The incense is to make the prayers pleasing to God. Through the incense the prayers are purified from all impurity. Notice that John says that the incense is given to this angel from his surroundings. Heaven cooperates to bring the prayers of the congregation on earth before the throne of God. On earth the Holy Spirit helps us how to pray, in heaven what is still imperfect is further purified.
Prayers and judgments
Then the angel takes the censer, fills it with fire and casts it on the earth (vs.5). Notice! The same censer with which the prayers of the faithful were brought before God's throne is now used to cast fire, fire of judgment, on the earth. The same censer, the same fire, the same altar, the same angel. The angel who offers our prayers to God (vs.3), who helps and supports us in our prayers, that same angel now brings judgment to earth with coals from that same altar. Fire here, as often in the Bible (Deut.4:24; 9:3; Ps.50:3), is a symbol of judgment (see also vs.7). The message that fire will fall on the earth is a brief summary of the judgments that will be caused by the seven trumpets. The heavenly fire effects on earth thunderclaps, flashes of lightning and an earthquake. These phenomena are often indications of God's intervention in world events. It also happened at Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection (cf. Mat. 27:51; 28:2).
So the prayers of believers are directly related to the judgments of God. Then the question comes to me, what would the church on earth have prayed. Should we think here of collecting all wishes? I don't think so. If we look at the effect in verse 5, the casting of judgment fire on earth, I think the believers on earth prayed the same thing as the martyrs under the altar in heaven in chapter 6 (vs.9-11). They prayed that the righteous judgment of God would soon come upon the world.
How beautiful this is, our seemingly powerless prayer being engaged in God's action. The Father rules the world with the participation of believers on earth! What a high position we have. What an honor that we are involved in carrying out God's plan. Even the archangels who are to blow the trumpets are not instructed to do so until the prayers of the saints are offered to God.
Next time: Ecological disasters as judgments.
Also see: Part 2 of 6 of the theme 'Lessons from Revelation 8 ': Silence in heaven before crisis erupts
Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine
This is part 3 of 6 concise blog on the topic of "Lessons from Revelation 8" from Study Bible Magazine, Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!
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