SCRIPTURE: Revelation (NIV) 8:3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came, and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand.
OBSERVATION: In Exodus (26:30) we read that Moses was told to build the tabernacle according to what he saw when he was in God’s presence on Mount Saini. So, in Moses’ tabernacle we see the altar of incense was the last piece of furniture before the ark. It was the final stop where the priest would take the hot coals with incense to wave before the Lord as he approached the ark of the covenant and the mercy seat. It was piece of furniture closest to the mercy seat.
Here at the golden altar of incense before God’s throne we see the prayers of the saints being mixed with the smoke of the incense.
APPLICATION: The prayers we thought got no higher than the ceiling; the prayers we wondered if anyone heard, but we prayed anyway. Those prayers mixed with incense help give heaven a beautiful fragrance.
Consider, in this way we have a part in affecting the atmosphere of heaven!
With all the junk God sees on earth every day (abortion, child molestation, addictions, slavery, abuse, etc.) surely the worship and prayers arising from this altar must be a healing aroma to Him. He loves the sound of His people calling Him.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, may a portion of those prayers be mine. May they rise as expressions of faith, a beautiful fragrance to your throne. Amen.
Pastor Leon
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