REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 8.3

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

                                                                           

Chapter Eight

Judgment Resumed:

The Seven Trumpets

 

 

Review

In the previous lesson (8:1-2), there was an interim of silence that existed in Heaven for about one-half hour between opening the sixth and seventh seals.  Through this period, it is not as if the inhabitants in Heaven are standing around in awe looking at each other and nothing is happening, but almost as if one were looking backstage, the stagehands are observed hastily moving around and setting up for the next scene that is about to take place. The following are some preparatory actions during this period:

1.  Seven trumpets dispersed to high-ranking angels

2.  Intercessory prayers being offered up to God

3.  Angels preparing themselves to sound trumpets

 

 

(Verse 3)

 

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the Throne.

 

And another angel came

In verse 3, the Apostle John is presently seeing and describing another (allos) angel, or a different angel of the same type (high ranking as in verse 2). This angel is only designated for the specific work assigned to him as he approaches God's golden altar with a golden censer. He is a priestly ministering angel.

 

Some may argue that the angel is Jesus Christ performing His high priestly duties. But at this point in the narrative, Jesus would be in His glorified body, seated on the Throne (cf. Revelation 4:2) and breaking the seven seals.

 

(Another angel) … stood at the altar

The Heavenly Altar of Incense

The altar in this phrase is the altar of incense and is referred to seven times in the King James Version of Revelation (cf. 6:9; 8:3,5; 9:13; 11:1; 14:18; 16:7). The altar of incense of the Tabernacle or Temple once stood in front of the veil of the Holy of Holies where the Ark of the Covenant was placed.

 

But since the veil was rent or torn at Christ's death, believers presently gain direct access to God, because no veil exists and is now not needed between the altar of incense and God's heavenly Throne. So, the picture becomes evident as the prayers of the saints ascend directly into His presence.

 

Ironically, David once wrote:                                                

Psalm 141:2 - Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense.

 

The Earthly Altar of Incense

An accurate description of the earthly altar of incense and its measurements is documented in Exodus:

Exodus 37:25-26 - And he made the incense altar of shittim (or acacia) wood: the length of it was a cubit (18 inches), and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare [doubled (all sides at 90 degrees)]; and two cubits (36 inches or 3 feet) was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same. And he overlaid it with pure gold, both the top of it, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns of it: also he made unto it a crown of gold round about.

 

The horns of the golden altar were ceremonially sprinkled with blood from the animal sacrifice to cleanse and purify it from the sins of the Israelites (cf. Leviticus 4:7, 16:18). The blood sacrifice served as a temporary atonement for sin. Just as the horns on the brazen altar represent the power of Christ's blood to forgive sins, the horns on the golden altar signify the power of His blood as we directly confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness during prayer.

 

In the book of Leviticus, God painstakingly blueprints precise detailed measurements, (as in Noah's Ark) for all the building materials and accouterments of the movable Tabernacle, the counterpart of God's heavenly Throne.

 

And there was given unto him much incense

Incense in Revelation

Incense in this passage is referring to the prayers of the martyred saints and an abundant amount was given to the ministering angel.

 

That he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne

The Prayers of the Saints

Prayers are considered sacrifices to God that rise up to Him. The picture is as if all the petitions of the people of God traveled to Him wrapped in an envelope of perfumed incense.

Revelation 6:10 - And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

 

Some specific prayers offered by the other officiating angel who stood (was standing) at the golden altar before the Throne may rightly include:

1.  How long will it be for sin to be defeated in the world?

2.  How long will it be for suffering to end?

3.   How long will it be for Satan to be destroyed?

 

Incense in the Old Testament

Incense burned perpetually before the Lord throughout the year. According to the prescription God gave Moses [the second time he went up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments (Exodus 30:34)], incense was made from equal parts of four fragrant spices.

1. Stacte is technically a Greek word meaning oozing out in drops. It is an aromatic gum resin having a vanilla-like perfume that was exuded from the storax tree grown primarily in Turkey (Asia Minor) and Syria.

 

2.  Onycha means a nail, claw, shell, or scale. It was derived from a marine shell animal, or mollusk (possibly a sea snail that abides in the Red Sea), and when dried out, ground, and burned emits a fragrant perfume. Onycha was frequently used by Arab women of Upper Egypt or Numbia, an ancient region in northeastern Africa. Some believe it to be Myrrh.

 

 

3.   Galbanum: A yellowish-brown, odorous rubbery gum resin or juice derived from Syrian fennel, a carrot-like plant purposely used for medicine and incense. It was also imported from Persia, Syria, and the eastern coast of Africa.

 

4. Pure Frankincense (cf. Matthew 2:11) is a white aromatic gum resin taken from trees grown in Arabia, Indonesia, Burma, or the high mountains of India and transported via the Nomadic camel caravans.

 

As discussed in Exodus 30:34, stacte, onycha, and galbanum are three rare valuable spices and are only employed one time in Scripture. They are to be mixed in equal parts with pure frankincense and made into incense for burning on the altar of the Tabernacle. Subsequently, this formula was strictly forbidden for private use and resulted in severe repercussions (cf. Exodus 30:37-38). Also, the smoke of this specially made incense symbolizes prayer offerings as a sweet-savory fragrance rising up to God's nostrils.  

Note: The significance of painstakingly chronicling the above ingredients, as well as anything else related to the Tabernacle, is simply to demonstrate to the believer, not only how expensive and valuable prayers are to God, but also how God is a God of perfection and how eventually we are to be perfected as believers.             

 

 

 (Verse 4)

 

And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

 

During this scene of silence, an overabundant amount of smoke from incense soars up, together with the prayers of the martyred saints, as the angel presents them on God's Throne of grace.

 

Intercessory Prayers

As stated, intercessory praying is the act of praying on behalf of others. The mediators during the Old Testament era were the Tabernacle or Temple priests. They would, for the benefit of the nation Israel, offer to a holy God all prayers at the altar of incense. Five offerings were to be made. Primarily, the sin or trespass offering was a continual one where priests would sacrifice a lamb daily for both the morning and evening prayers.

 

The procedure involved priests of the Tabernacle and Temple taking a censer full of burning coals from the brazen altar in one hand and sprinkling the above-prepared incense over the burning coals. Hence, the smoke, symbolic of Israel's prayers, would ascend and fill the Tabernacle or Temple with sweet odours as the priest communed with God.

 

The horns of the brazen altar were also sprinkled with blood from the animal sacrifices epitomizing a cleansing, forgiving, and purification process for the sins of the Israelites (cf. Leviticus 4:7, 16:18).

The entire process justified the people of God and restored their relationship with Him temporarily.

 

Christ as our Intercessor

Christ Jesus, who (once and for all) died as the perfect sacrifice — more than that, who was raised to life — is seated at the right hand of God and interceding on our behalf (cf. Romans 8:34) and making us right with God for all time. Therefore, animal sacrifices are no longer required and believers can spiritually approach God boldly and directly before His Throne (cf. Hebrews 4:16).

 

 

Continuing…

(Verse 5)

 

And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire (the burning coals) of the altar, and cast it (the burning contents of the censer) into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

 

God is now about to bring about redemption for all creation. Silence is at the precipice of being broken.

In response to:

1.  The cumulative prayers of the suffering saints

2.  The rejection of the Gospel during Tribulation

3.  The stubbornness of adherence to sin

Romans 8:22 - For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

 

The representation becomes very clear as the angel, similarly acting as a Tabernacle priest, fills the censer with burning coals [the same fire that consumed the sacrifice on the brazen altar was also used to consume incense]…

 

And (The angel) filled it (the censer) with fire (the burning coals) of the altar and cast it (the burning contents of the censer) into the earth

In view, a reversal of the curse, once placed upon man and earth in the Genesis account, will soon commence. In preparation, burning coals are taken from the heavenly altar, and the censer is filled and fiercely hurled down upon the earth. Symbolically:

a.  As prayers ascend

b.  Answers to prayers descend

So the prayers of the saints have been heard. It is now the time for God to recompense.

 

 And there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake

In direct contrast to Heaven's silence, there is complete chaos on Earth. Ignited by the burning coals, distinct screaming voices are heard globally and are followed by:

1.  Thunders - Generally denotes the approach of a storm

2.   Lightening - Naturally precedes thunder

3.  An earthquake - Unmistakably causes the earth to shake

 

Notice the unusual imbalance of order: Glaring lightning always precedes roaring thunder as light travels faster than sound. However, the reason the order is reversed is predominantly since all this is being viewed from Heaven. Something very real is materializing on mankind which is only a foretaste to what is soon to transpire.  

 

 

(Verse 6)

 

And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

 

One can almost visualize the conductor of a symphonic orchestra standing on the podium lifting his baton to begin the orchestration. Something very real is about to take place in the realm of mankind as the angels prepare themselves to sound.

 

In the next study, Trumpets resound.

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.   What is going on during one-half hour of silence in Heaven?

2.   What is the job description of the other angel?

3.   What is the purpose of the altar of incense in Heaven?

4.   What was the purpose of the altar of incense on earth?

5.   What is the importance of incense?

6.   What are intercessory prayers?

7.   How are God's actions justified?

 

 

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