Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense ascended from the angel’s hand with the prayers of the saints before God. Revelation 8:3-4
This devotion is fourth in a series where I am looking at the seals and trumpets in Revelation 5-11 as the first and second coming of Jesus Christ.
Today I am in Revelation eight where the Lamb of God broke the seventh seal and there was silence in heaven for half an hour. Then John saw seven angels who where given seven trumpets. But before those angels sounded their trumpets, another Angel came and stood at the altar. This Angel at the altar was performing priestly prayers that followed the pattern given by God in Leviticus 16 (verse 11-16) for atoning for the people’s sins. This Angel at the altar is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). This is Christ Jesus, our Great High Priest, at the altar offering Himself without blemish to God to cleanse us from dead works (Hebrews 9:11-14).
When did Christ Jesus atone for our sins? At His death and resurrection, of course. More specifically, Jesus Christ ascended to the Father to make His offering after he appeared to Mary at the tomb (John 20:17), but before He appeared to all the disciples in the upper room (John 20:27). Christ could not allow Mary (or any unclean thing) to touch Him before He stood before that altar in the throne room of heaven (Leviticus 7:21).
If my ideas are correct, then we are currently living in the time of Revelation 8:5 where the Great High Priest has taken His censer, filled it with the fire of the altar, and thrown it to the earth. The impact of this on the earth (thunder, lightning, and earthquake) displayed the awesome majesty and power of God (compare to Exodus 19:16-19). Wow! We live in interesting times. . .
Next week, I will take a fresh look at the seven trumpets. I hope you will join me.