Setting the Stage
Silence rules.
For a half hour.
Everyone present feels the hush as if it were physical. Heaven makes no sound and everyone on earth wonders about it. How do we know it is silent in heaven for a time? We learn it from Revelation, chapter eight. How do we know people on earth wonder? Well, because I wonder. Don’t you?
After the silence, seven angels step forward with trumpets and stand before God at the golden altar filled with fire. They wait.
Then another angel comes to stand before God at the fiery golden altar. He brings with him a golden censer. Here, he is given incense to offer along with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne.
The incense and prayers of the saints ascend before God.
And the angel now fills the censer with fire from the altar and hurls it to the earth. The planet shudders upon impact. Thunder, lightning and an earthquake explode as the seven trumpet angels sound their horns to begin judgments upon the earth.
Incense and Prayers
Whoa! Powerful imagery!
I stand in awe at what I read here. I don’t pretend to know all the meaning. But some things just seem to whirl in the head, right?
Did you know that a censer is a kind of covered chalice, or cup, with a chain attached to it. Incense is dispensed from it as one swings it. I remembered seeing it in action while growing up in church. I learned that the incense is symbolic of the prayers of the saints and the censer is swung forward and back, then side to side. This symbolizes the Cross.
The prayers of the saints are connected with the Cross. What a beautiful picture. I wish I had known this when I witnessed the action.
Our prayers, ascending to God with a sweet aroma.
Culmination
The trumpets are poised to sound in judgment. But that is not the end. For those looking to God, it is a passage.
First, judgment. Then, fullness.
He brings redemption through the Cross of Jesus.
He will make all things right. He is coming with judgment and mercy.
He will vindicate all wrongs done to His people.
He brings reconciliation with Himself and among His people.
He fulfills all His promises.
He IS our Magnificent Reward!
“You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11 NKJV).
Amen!