our prayers and worship
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
Revelation 8:3
Rhapsody of Realities Daily Devotional For Wednesday 10th November 2021
When you study the Book of Revelation, one of the many beautiful things you find is the power and spiritual import of our prayers and worship. Revelation 15:8, for example, describes something remarkable as revealed to John: it says, “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.”
This parallels what we read in the Old Testament when the priests entered into the temple built by Solomon. The Bible says when they began to sing and worship God with the instruments of music, the glory of God filled the house, that even the priests couldn’t stand to minister by reason of the cloud of God’s glory (2 Chronicles 5:14).
Our prayers and worship in the earth have great impact in heaven. When we pray, when we worship, how does God see it? We’re actually offering spiritual sacrifices. The Bible says, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints” (Revelation 5:8).
When you’re praying here in the earth, it’s not a mere religious routine it goes to Heaven as incense. That’s what David meant when he said, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). David, being a prophet, had a revelation of the future. He saw that our prayers and sacrifices and the lifting up of our hands would replace these incense and sacrifices of the Old Testament.
Our theme verse says there’s an altar—a temple— in heaven, upon which the angel offers his incense, alongside the incense of our own prayers. How amazing that is! So, when you’re praying and worshipping the Lord, it’s important that you understand the spiritual significance of what you’re engaged in and do it with faith, hope and love. Praise God!
Confession
I lift my hands today in worship to the great God of glory, who has lavished His love on me and beautified my life with splendour. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might, be unto our God forever and ever! Hallelujah!
Further Studies
Revelation 8 3-4
3 - And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer. And many incenses were given to him, so that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints on the golden altar before the throne.
4 - And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God from the angel's hand.
Hebrews 13 15
15 - By Him, then, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, confessing His name.
Revelation 5 8
8 - And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having harps and golden vials full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
1 Year Bible Reading Plan
Hebrews 9 11-28,Lamentations 3 1,Lamentations 5 1
2 Year Bible Reading Plan
John 11 14-23,1 Chronicles 10 1
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