Tag: Revelation 8:1-5
Powerful Prayers
Scripture reading for December 10: Revelation 8
“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.” Revelation 8:1-5
Often people wonder if their prayers are heard or answered by God. Prayer is an act of faith coming from a belief that God is alive and actively concerned about each person and their needs. God has told His people that when they call on Him in the times of trouble they honor Him and He will deliver them. (Psalm 50:15) Jesus Christ spent time each day in prayer with His Father, often all night! Jesus urged His disciples to pray, asking the Father in His Name for their needs and promised answers. (John 16:23-24)
As John was in heaven observing Jesus Christ open the seventh seal on the Father’s scroll, he faced a period of silence lasting about half an hour. It was as if all heaven stood at attention as the Lamb revealed the contents of the scroll and the judgments coming soon. Seven angels with seven trumpets stood ready before the throne. Another angel stood at the golden altar with a golden censer. This angel was given incense to offer with the prayers of the saints. God received the prayers as the sweet smell of incense. In response, the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and hurled it on the earth. Fireworks resulted resembling a great thunderstorm with lightning and thunder and a great earthquake.
How does your view of prayer and its effects get shaped through this picture shown to John? Will you pray powerful prayers that move heaven to shake the earth on behalf of believers or the lost?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for hearing and answering prayers of Your people. Increase my faith to pray even more powerful prayers that shake the heavens and the earth as You send forth the answers. Shake up my children and grandchildren to fulfil Your calling. Shake up my lost friends and neighbors with heaven’s lightning and thunder. Amen!
Prayer and fire on the earth!
Scripture reading for December 11th: Revelation 8, Psalm 96, Proverbs 29
Revelation 8: 1-5 “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal; there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.”
John sees the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, open the seventh seal of the scroll He had received from God the Father. As this seal is broken, the silence of holy reverence and expectation fills heaven for half an hour. There is a waiting upon the Lamb for the next movement of God. Seven angels standing before God were given seven trumpets. Another angel with a golden censer came to offer incense before the throne. We are told that this incense was offered with the prayers of the saints before God. On earth, in the temple of God, priests offered incense and intercession before the curtain on the altar of incense. Now in heaven, John sees the reality before his eyes. After the prayers rose, the angel took fire in his censer from the altar and cast it to earth. There was fire and shaking in response to the prayer!
Psalm 96:10 “Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You that You reign eternally! Your are just and true in all Your judgments! You hear and answer prayers and they rise to you as sweet incense, pleasing to You because they are offered in faithful trust. We believe Your Word that You will answer on earth prayers offered to You in heaven. Through the Holy Spirit, empower me to pray today and touch heaven for those still needing salvation.
Proverbs 29:14 “If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.”
Prayer shakes the earth!
Scripture reading for December 10th: Nehemiah 10-13, Revelation 8
Key Scriptures: Revelation 8:1-5 “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.”
As John looked, the Lamb opened the seventh and final seal of the scroll, thought to be the title deed to the earth. This caused a holy hush that lasted a half-hour to come over all in heaven around the throne. Seven angels who serve God were then given seven trumpets and prepared to sound them. Another angel stood at the altar of incense and with a golden censer, offered incense along with the prayers of the saints before God. The angel then took the empty censer and filled it with fire from the altar and in response to the ascended prayers, cast the coals of fire upon the earth with dramatic consequences. Powerful effects of prayer are felt on earth!
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, we are told in Scripture to be still and know that You alone are God. We are also told to pray without ceasing. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers that rise with sweet incense before Your throne. Shake the earth and heaven for Your saints!
Nehemiah 12:43 “And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.”
Prayers that shake the earth!
Scripture reading for December 10th: Revelation 8, Psalm 119-20, Proverbs 30
Key Scriptures: Revelation 8:1-5 “When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.”
God loves the prayers of His people! The Scripture says that our prayers are like incense offered in a sweet-smelling savor to our Lord. When we call on Him, we honor Him and He will answer and deliver what we need. During the final day of God’s wrath, prayers will be offered and God will answer with actions on earth that shake the world!
Faith Confession: Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness to answer our prayers and prayers of Your people everywhere. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who enables us to pray according to Your perfect will.
Proverbs 30:5 “Every Word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”