The Power of Intercession

3 Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. And he was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. (Rev. 8:3-4)

A. Another angel: An eighth angel is described as being given much incense. John sees the dramatic approach of an angel with a golden censer coming to the altar and standing there. Where did the angel come from and how long did he stand at the altar?

B. When incense is poured out on burning coals, it produces smoke that has a sweet odor. Incense was added to the burning sacrifice by the priest in the Old Testament.

12 He shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, with his hands full of sweet incense…and bring it inside the veil. 13 And he shall put the incense on the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat... (Lev. 16:12-13)

C. A coal from the heavenly altar was used by a seraph (angel) in the cleansing of Isaiah’s lips.

6 One of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken…from the altar…7 said: "This has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away…” (Isa. 6:6-7)
D. David spoke of his prayers as coming before God as incense.

2 Let my prayer be set before You as incense… (Ps. 141:2)

E. Given much incense: This angel cannot provide this incense, but it is given to him by God. Heavenly incense is connected with the prayers of saints in Rev. 5:8 showing us the importance of their “holy synergism”. The role of angels in prayer is unknown.

8 The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Rev. 5:8)

F. The angel’s hand: The smoke of the incense went up with the prayers from the hand of the angel to show them being formally presented to God by the angel. The angelic involvement in this process with the smoke of the fragrant incense ascending with the saint’s prayers signifies that God is pleased with these prayers.

G. The angel offering the collective prayers of all the saints in God’s court is the official recognition that God approves of the prayers stored up in the golden bowl (Rev. 5:8; 6:10).

H. John like Daniel saw God’s courtroom in His temple where judgment decrees are issued.

9 His throne was a fiery flame…10 ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. (Dan. 7:9-10)

1 Gather yourselves together…2 before the decree is issued…before the LORD's fierce anger comes upon you…3 Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth… (Zeph. 2:1-3)