5 The angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth (Rev. 8:5)
A. Other angels are involved in the altar ministry of prayer and the release of fire. The most powerful force in history is the prayers of the saints in unity with God to release fire on the earth.
18 And another angel came out from the altar, who had power over fire… (Rev. 14:18)
B. The end of the age conflict will be answered by fire. Elijah said that the God who answers by fire is the true God (1 Kg. 18:24). Even the False Prophet will call fire down from heaven. David wrote of God sending fire from His heavenly temple to kill his enemies in answer to his prayers (Ps. 18:6-14).
13 He (False Prophet) makes fire come down from heaven…in the sight of men. (Rev. 13:13)
C. Rev. 8:3-5 describes activity similar to what Ezekiel saw in Ezek. 10. He saw an angel take coals of fire from the same heavenly altar to scatter over Jerusalem. This occurred after an angel sealed the righteous in Jerusalem to protect them from judgment in Ezek. 9:6 just as in Rev. 7:1-4.
2 Then He spoke to the man (angel) clothed with linen, and said, "Fill your hands with coals of fire from among the cherubim, and scatter them over the city." (Ezek 10:2)
Monday, December 21, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
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)
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)
Monday, December 7, 2009
Heavenly Help for End Time Prayer Movement
3 He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints… (Rev. 8:3)
A. An angel will be given “much” heavenly incense to offer with the prayers of the saints to provide a new measure of supernatural strengthening of the End-Time global prayer movement. The fifth seal focuses on the prayer of the martyrs and the seventh seal points to heavenly help we receive.
B. The prayers of the saints are imperfect in our human weakness. The only thing needed to be "added" to our prayers is the perfect intercessions (incense) of Jesus “given” to the angel by God.
34 Christ...at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (Rom. 8:34)
C. The End-Time prayer movement releases God’s trumpet judgments on the Antichrist (8:6–9:21).
Christianity isn’t about escaping hell but reigning with Jesus our Bridegroom King in bringing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven and driving evil entirely off the planet through prayer.
A. An angel will be given “much” heavenly incense to offer with the prayers of the saints to provide a new measure of supernatural strengthening of the End-Time global prayer movement. The fifth seal focuses on the prayer of the martyrs and the seventh seal points to heavenly help we receive.
B. The prayers of the saints are imperfect in our human weakness. The only thing needed to be "added" to our prayers is the perfect intercessions (incense) of Jesus “given” to the angel by God.
34 Christ...at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. (Rom. 8:34)
C. The End-Time prayer movement releases God’s trumpet judgments on the Antichrist (8:6–9:21).
Christianity isn’t about escaping hell but reigning with Jesus our Bridegroom King in bringing His Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven and driving evil entirely off the planet through prayer.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Seven Angels Commissioned with Trumpet Judgments
1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets…6 The seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (Rev. 8:1-2, 6)
A. Silence in heaven: When the seven angels are given trumpets there will be silence in heaven. There will be a dreadful, yet glorious silence in heaven coming from the awful anticipation of the release of God’s judgments due to seeing the seven angels. The certainty of the soon coming judgment causes all to be speechless. There is no adequate response for what will come.
B. As silence fills heaven, so it will cover the earth as Jesus begins to release His final judgments.
20 The LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him. (Hab. 2:20)
13 Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation! (Zech. 2:13)
7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD; for the day of the LORD is at hand… (Zeph. 1:7)
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations… (Ps. 46:10)
C. Sound is associated with the seal judgments. The first four are released by a voice like thunder. The fifth seal describes the intercessory cry from beneath the altar. In the sixth seal, the kings cry out. Here, the terrifying silence of the seventh seal is in great contrast with the other six seals.
D. About half an hour: It took a priest about 30 minutes to offer incense in the temple (Lev. 16:13).
9 The custom of the priesthood…to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 The multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. (Lk 1:9-10)
A. Silence in heaven: When the seven angels are given trumpets there will be silence in heaven. There will be a dreadful, yet glorious silence in heaven coming from the awful anticipation of the release of God’s judgments due to seeing the seven angels. The certainty of the soon coming judgment causes all to be speechless. There is no adequate response for what will come.
B. As silence fills heaven, so it will cover the earth as Jesus begins to release His final judgments.
20 The LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him. (Hab. 2:20)
13 Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation! (Zech. 2:13)
7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD; for the day of the LORD is at hand… (Zeph. 1:7)
10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations… (Ps. 46:10)
C. Sound is associated with the seal judgments. The first four are released by a voice like thunder. The fifth seal describes the intercessory cry from beneath the altar. In the sixth seal, the kings cry out. Here, the terrifying silence of the seventh seal is in great contrast with the other six seals.
D. About half an hour: It took a priest about 30 minutes to offer incense in the temple (Lev. 16:13).
9 The custom of the priesthood…to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 The multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. (Lk 1:9-10)
Monday, November 16, 2009
The Seventh Seal
1 When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. 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. 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. 6 So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. (Rev. 8:1-6)
A. The seventh seal judgment on the Antichrist is the strengthening of the prayer movement by angels offering heavenly incense as directed by the Spirit (v. 3-4) that results in fire being cast to the earth (v. 5). It is followed by seven angels preparing to sound their trumpets (Rev. 8:6).
B. The five specific aspects of the seventh seal include: (1) Seven angels are given trumpets; (2) An angel is given heavenly incense to strengthen the prayers of the saints; (3) Fire is cast to the earth; (4) Cosmic disturbances occur in the sky; (5) An earthquake occurs on earth.
C. Premise: The power of our prayers ultimately come from the generosity of God’s heart in desiring to answer them, the work of Jesus on the cross that makes them acceptable, and the ministry of the Spirit on earth and in heaven throughout the entire process of our praying.
D. Our access in prayer to the Father is given to us by the cross and the name of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit who apparently uses angels. Saints have a superior status to angels.
E. Heavenly incense: I see the heavenly incense as consisting of the intercession of Jesus and the Spirit with “much” incense offered by the angel. Together they strengthen the prayer movement. The fifth seal focuses on the prayer movement being strengthened by the prayers of the martyrs.
F. The prayers of the saints are imperfect because of human weakness. Even so, what best helps our prayers are the intercessory prayers of Jesus and the Holy Spirit arising as heavenly incense.
A. The seventh seal judgment on the Antichrist is the strengthening of the prayer movement by angels offering heavenly incense as directed by the Spirit (v. 3-4) that results in fire being cast to the earth (v. 5). It is followed by seven angels preparing to sound their trumpets (Rev. 8:6).
B. The five specific aspects of the seventh seal include: (1) Seven angels are given trumpets; (2) An angel is given heavenly incense to strengthen the prayers of the saints; (3) Fire is cast to the earth; (4) Cosmic disturbances occur in the sky; (5) An earthquake occurs on earth.
C. Premise: The power of our prayers ultimately come from the generosity of God’s heart in desiring to answer them, the work of Jesus on the cross that makes them acceptable, and the ministry of the Spirit on earth and in heaven throughout the entire process of our praying.
D. Our access in prayer to the Father is given to us by the cross and the name of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit who apparently uses angels. Saints have a superior status to angels.
E. Heavenly incense: I see the heavenly incense as consisting of the intercession of Jesus and the Spirit with “much” incense offered by the angel. Together they strengthen the prayer movement. The fifth seal focuses on the prayer movement being strengthened by the prayers of the martyrs.
F. The prayers of the saints are imperfect because of human weakness. Even so, what best helps our prayers are the intercessory prayers of Jesus and the Holy Spirit arising as heavenly incense.
Crying Out for Death and Barrenness
A. Jesus applied two aspects of Hosea’s prophecy (Hos. 9:14; 10:8: crying for death and barrenness) to the time of Jerusalem’s judgment in 70 AD (Lk. 23:29-31) and in the Tribulation (Mt. 24:19).
28 Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!' 30 Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Lk. 23:28-31)
B. The destruction of Jerusalem is presented using two proverbial sayings concerning anguish in being childless and in facing such destruction that many would rather die than live through it. This prophecy was partially fulfilled in 70 AD. Its fullness occurs in the Tribulation.
C. In the sixth seal, some hide to be protected from death and others are overwhelmed with despair. Both the “death wish” of Hos. 10:8 and the desire to hide for safety of Isa. 2:10 will be present.
D. Jesus called the women to weep for their children and Jerusalem in light of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans as He prophesied (Lk. 13:34-35; 19:41-44; 21:20-24). Their tears would not change God’s plan concerning Jesus’ death, but could change what happens in them.
E. Joel prescribed weeping in repentance and intercession as part of God’s way to change the course of events. God is willing to relent, or to cancel judgment if His people cry out.
12 Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." 13 So rend your heart…for He is gracious and merciful…and He relents from doing harm. (Joel 2:12-13)
F. Jesus applied this to the women of Jerusalem in the End Times. Children are God’s blessing. However, childlessness will be a blessing to those in Jerusalem in the final 3½ years.
19 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. (Mt. 24:15-20)
G. In v. 30, they will just begin to speak with despair at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This will reach a far more intense level during the Great Tribulation.
30 Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Lk. 23:30-31)
H. Jesus prophesied about the unprecedented judgment of Jerusalem by using a proverbial saying (v. 31). The obvious principle is that fire destroys trees, yet its destructiveness varies depending on the condition of the tree. When it is dry the fire is more destructive. When green, the fire is not as fierce. A dry tree is more quickly and easily set on fire. The proverb relates to fire burning with greater intensity at the later time when the conditions are worse.
I. The green and dry trees are parallel with Jerusalem being set on fire in different hours of history. This proverb is given to explain the exhortation to weep in intercession for Jerusalem because of the fire of destruction that will come on her in varying intensity. “They” refers to wicked men (Jews and Romans). Wicked men set a fire by betraying Jesus, then by worshiping the Antichrist.
J. Two applications of Jesus’ general principle: The time of the green wood is when sin has not yet ripened in the global and historical sense (as it will under the Antichrist). If God allowed the Romans to destroy Jerusalem, what will He allow when all nations worship the Antichrist?
K. Near fulfillment: The “green tree” represented that hour in which civil unrest was caused by Jesus’ good ministry. What did the “dry tree” season bring after the nation put Him to death? It brought fierce judgment on Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD.
L. Distant fulfillment: The “green tree” season of history may be represented by the oppression of Israel and other nations by Rome in the first century before the guilt of the nations had fully ripened. What will the “dry tree" season be like after all the nations worship the Antichrist?
28 Jesus, turning to them, said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For indeed the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren, wombs that never bore, and breasts which never nursed!' 30 Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Lk. 23:28-31)
B. The destruction of Jerusalem is presented using two proverbial sayings concerning anguish in being childless and in facing such destruction that many would rather die than live through it. This prophecy was partially fulfilled in 70 AD. Its fullness occurs in the Tribulation.
C. In the sixth seal, some hide to be protected from death and others are overwhelmed with despair. Both the “death wish” of Hos. 10:8 and the desire to hide for safety of Isa. 2:10 will be present.
D. Jesus called the women to weep for their children and Jerusalem in light of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans as He prophesied (Lk. 13:34-35; 19:41-44; 21:20-24). Their tears would not change God’s plan concerning Jesus’ death, but could change what happens in them.
E. Joel prescribed weeping in repentance and intercession as part of God’s way to change the course of events. God is willing to relent, or to cancel judgment if His people cry out.
12 Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." 13 So rend your heart…for He is gracious and merciful…and He relents from doing harm. (Joel 2:12-13)
F. Jesus applied this to the women of Jerusalem in the End Times. Children are God’s blessing. However, childlessness will be a blessing to those in Jerusalem in the final 3½ years.
19 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath. (Mt. 24:15-20)
G. In v. 30, they will just begin to speak with despair at the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This will reach a far more intense level during the Great Tribulation.
30 Then they will begin 'to say to the mountains, "Fall on us!" and to the hills, "Cover us!"' 31 For if they do these things in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Lk. 23:30-31)
H. Jesus prophesied about the unprecedented judgment of Jerusalem by using a proverbial saying (v. 31). The obvious principle is that fire destroys trees, yet its destructiveness varies depending on the condition of the tree. When it is dry the fire is more destructive. When green, the fire is not as fierce. A dry tree is more quickly and easily set on fire. The proverb relates to fire burning with greater intensity at the later time when the conditions are worse.
I. The green and dry trees are parallel with Jerusalem being set on fire in different hours of history. This proverb is given to explain the exhortation to weep in intercession for Jerusalem because of the fire of destruction that will come on her in varying intensity. “They” refers to wicked men (Jews and Romans). Wicked men set a fire by betraying Jesus, then by worshiping the Antichrist.
J. Two applications of Jesus’ general principle: The time of the green wood is when sin has not yet ripened in the global and historical sense (as it will under the Antichrist). If God allowed the Romans to destroy Jerusalem, what will He allow when all nations worship the Antichrist?
K. Near fulfillment: The “green tree” represented that hour in which civil unrest was caused by Jesus’ good ministry. What did the “dry tree” season bring after the nation put Him to death? It brought fierce judgment on Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD.
L. Distant fulfillment: The “green tree” season of history may be represented by the oppression of Israel and other nations by Rome in the first century before the guilt of the nations had fully ripened. What will the “dry tree" season be like after all the nations worship the Antichrist?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
The Wicked Cry Out for Death
A. Hosea prophesied of judgments so severe that Israel would cry for a quick death to end the anguish (Hos. 10:8) and for barrenness (Hos 9:12-14) so their children would be spared anguish.
13 So Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer. 14 Give them, O LORD-- what will You give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts! (Hos 9:13-14)
8 The sin of Israel shall be destroyed. The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars; they shall say to the mountains, "Cover us!" and to the hills, "Fall on us!" (Hos. 10:8)
B. Thorn and thistles grew on Israel’s altars because they were used for idol worship. This speaks of Israel’s destruction when all the people were taken captive by the invading Assyrian in 722 BC.
13 So Ephraim will bring out his children to the murderer. 14 Give them, O LORD-- what will You give? Give them a miscarrying womb and dry breasts! (Hos 9:13-14)
8 The sin of Israel shall be destroyed. The thorn and thistle shall grow on their altars; they shall say to the mountains, "Cover us!" and to the hills, "Fall on us!" (Hos. 10:8)
B. Thorn and thistles grew on Israel’s altars because they were used for idol worship. This speaks of Israel’s destruction when all the people were taken captive by the invading Assyrian in 722 BC.
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