THE ANGEL AT THE ALTAR #2
Revelation 8:2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 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. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
Part number one of this article concerned itself with Intercession. This second part shall concern itself with Administration. That is, how the Holy Lamb of God shall conduct his last and final spiritual kingdom. For just as the heads of the Gentile kingdoms had an agenda for their rule, so does the Lord Jesus Christ for the kingdom of God. Let us then continue in our study of these verses.
First we notice that there are eight angels spoken of in these verses. Seven are said to already be standing before God. But the other is said to come and stand at the altar. This is most telling in His distinction from the other seven, and quite unique in discovering his identity. For the seven are like palace guards with century duty, standing before the sovereign. But this single one is like a priest, who alone can undertake to officiate at the altar and mediate the prayers of the Lord’s believers up to God. Therefore he can represent none other than our Lord Jesus Christ! Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
And again, we take careful notice that He is said to “come and stand,” and not already be standing, as the other seven were. This complies to the scripture passage wherein our Lord states this personal experience. Hebrews 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
And the Lord sets forth his agenda in John 16:28. I came forth from the Father, {that is His eternality! For he was “with God” – John 1:1}, and am come into the world: {that is his Incarnation. For “the Word became flesh” – John 1:14}, again, I leave the world, {that speaks of his Ascension. “and was taken up” – Acts 1:9), and go to the Father. {That last phrase speaks of ManHead going back into the GodHood. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. – 1 Corinthians 15:28}
The Apostle Paul spoke of His coming into the world to Timothy. 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
And we also read that the seven were associated with trumpets, but He with a golden censer. The trumpets were for the directing of Israel’s movements. (See Numbers 10:2,8,9) But the golden censer was to be used by the priest in order for him to come safely into the holy presence of God. Leviticus 16:13 And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he die not:
Also the incense is coupled with the saints prayers. Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.
And there are two phrases which reveal to us that this must be the only mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. For it both states that there was “much incense,” and that he dealt with “the prayers of all saints.” (That word “saints” just means “believers”) 1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Therefore, here again we can correctly conclude that this one angel is to reveal to us the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ. For as that Romans 8:34 verse, listed above, states Christ makes intercession for us. That is, all of us believers over all the world, for all time.
Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. Revelation 5:9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
And we must not miss two very telling words in verse four of our text. For it clearly states that the incense and the saints prayers ascended up before God out of the ANGEL’S HAND. Those two words are most precious and should not be overlooked. We know that the other seven angels had hands, for they held the seven trumpets. But the Holy Spirit does not speak of them! Yet He would not have us omit the glorious hands of our dear Saviour!
For they were used to strengthen the weak faith of a disciple. John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And the church, down through time has sung of these hands!
“See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?”
What a unique, almost unbelievable, glorious matter! Invisible, Eternal God became human flesh with hands that benefit His people! John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Isaiah 59:1 Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: Matthew 14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
The hands that formed our image from the dust of the earth are the hands that witnessed to Thomas; that saved Peter from the waves; that bled on Calvary; and are the hands that minister our prayers up to the Father’s presence. And the Father’s heart is moved by the aroma of our Priest’s incense for our good! Genesis 8:21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
We also read of the Eternal Son’s remarkable consciousness of Himself in his body, being newly formed within the virgin’s womb. Hebrews 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
And in Psalm 139 we can see more of this consciousness as the Holy Spirit leads us into this mysterious matter. 1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,…
For this psalm should not be limited to David’s thoughts concerning his own human body. But as the Psalms were written concerning our Lord, it should primarily be attributed to His Incarnation! Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Psalm 139:11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
As the Father shall look upon the travail of the Son’s soul and shall be satisfied, {Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied:}, so the Son ‘looks upon’ the formation of His body within the virgin’s womb and is delighted! I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
For in the mysterious ‘darkness’ of this process of physical conception and birth, He is not hidden from the Father! Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.
And even though he is yet to be born of the virgin, even after His conception by the Holy Spirit, Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. Amazing!
gb
