Revelation 8:5

Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth.  And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.

·        These prayers that were now accepted in heaven produced great changes upon earth.  (MH)

·        All things will not be resolved on this earth until judgment comes, and when the prayers of God’s people “come back” to earth, they bring the groundswell of judgment  (DG)

Leviticus 16:12  Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil.

Exodus 20:18 Now all the people witnesses the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.

 

Revelation 8:4

And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand.

·        Prayer and incense are often associated in the Bible.  (DG)

·        The idea is that just as incense is precious, pleasant, and drifts to heaven, so do our prayers.  (DG)

Exodus 30:8  And when Aaron lights the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense on it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.

Leviticus 16:12  Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil.

Revelation 8:3

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar.  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.

·        It took the priest about a half hour to offer the incense

·        The prayers of the saints themselves stand in need of the incense and intercession of Christ to make them acceptable and effectual (MH)

Exodus 30:1  You shall make an altar to burn incense on; you shall make it of acacia wood.

Psalm 141:2  Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.