1When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
3Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, then threw it on the earth. Thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake followed.
6The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
7The first sounded, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and they were thrown to the earth. One third of the earth was burned up, and one third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
8The second angel sounded, and something like a great burning mountain was thrown into the sea. One third of the sea became blood, 9and one third of the living creatures which were in the sea died. One third of the ships were destroyed.
10The third angel sounded, and a great star fell from the sky, burning like a torch, and it fell on one third of the rivers, and on the springs of water. 11The name of the star is “Wormwood.” One third of the waters became wormwood. Many people died from the waters, because they were made bitter.
12The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars, so that one third of them would be darkened; and the day wouldn’t shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way. 13I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to those who dwell on the earth, because of the other blasts of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”
Your Prayers will rise Like Incense Up to the Throne Room of God
Your Prayers Will rise like Incense to the Throne Room of God
3 Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, then threw it on the earth. Thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake followed.
Time references are so that we, as humans, can have some understanding of what we’re reading. What we find here is a pregnant pause. This is the calm before the storm. And then the blowing of the trumpets begins.
The trumpets referred to here may be the Shofarot used for various purposes in Israel. They were used to call Israel to war (Numbers 10:1-10) and to proclaim freedom (Leviticus 25:9). Likewise, the trumpets could be like the brass Roman trumpets with which John and the readers are familiar. There were 7 angels before the throne, and an 8th angel took a censer and threw it on the earth. During this entire time of judgment, the first thing that happens is that the smoke of the incense with the prayers of the saints is brought before God, and all of these prayers mingled with fire are cast upon the earth. These prayers for justice are now being answered. Think of all of the prayers of the faithful as they have undergone persecution, and God is going to answer each and every one of those prayers. These are prayers for justice, and justice is coming. They will bring wrath upon the earth.
As I was preaching this in our study of Revelation, I wanted to impress on the congregation how pervasive our prayers are and how God truly hears them. I called a deacon at a local Catholic church, and he gave me some incense. On Sunday morning, I put it down in front of the pulpit and lit it in a censer. It was a tiny bit of incense. Within 3 minutes, the molecules of that smoke had permeated every part of our sanctuary. Even the people working in the sound booth could smell the incense. Those in the front several rows began fanning the smoke away from their nostrils. It was a tiny bit of incense. I used this illustration that our prayers do not go unnoticed by God. They do not go into a great abyss where they are unseen and unheard by God. He hears every prayer that we pray. I don’t know how He hears the prayers of billions of people at once, but He does.
Many books have been written about prayer. They purport to discuss why and how we should pray. They wrestle with the thought that God has His purposes and designs for everything in the universe. Can our prayers really change God’s mind? Does He really hear every prayer that is prayed? At the bottom of it all, I believe we should pray because God tells us to pray. And, He listens. I have heard all of the Sunday School discussions about prayer. It is often said that we should just pray long enough until our prayers line up with God’s will. As stated, I really don’t know how all this works, but I do know these truths. “16 Always rejoice. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 WEB) This is a mandate in the Old and the New Testament. 3 ‘Call to me, and I will answer you, and will show you great and difficult things, which you don’t know.’(Jeremiah 33:3 WEB) Prayer is God’s mandate to help us to deal with things that are beyond our control. It is our means to inform Him of what He already knows, but what is important to us. It is just a glorious gift He has given to us with the assurance that He hears us, no matter when we pray, how we pray, or in what language we pray. 6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 WEB). Reader, just pray. It will rise like incense into the throne room of heaven, and God will know exactly the condition of your heart.