THE ANGEL OF THE ALTAR
Revelation 8:1 ¶ And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 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.
We have a similar scene in the natural realm as recorded in Luke 1:5-11. For there is recorded that the angel Gabriel came to the priest Zacharias, who was to become John the Baptist’s father, as he ministered near the altar of incense. Gabriel was to bring the first words from God in four hundred years. The last word at the close of the Book of Malachi, (the last book of the Old Testament), was “curse.” But Gabriel’s first words were “Fear not..thy prayer is heard.” Yet we can gather far more comfort from our passage from the Book of “The Revelation of Jesus Christ!” For this angel, or “messenger,” represents none other than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself! For He and the Holy Spirit alone intercede for the believers, bringing their prayers into the presence of the Father. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 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.
And in our Revelation text we find that it is the Lamb of God who opens the previously sealed book of Providence, outlaying the administration of Christ for his spiritual and everlasting kingdom. Revelation 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
Daniel speaks of this as he sees the Gentile kingdoms come to an end, and the Lord’s throne being established. Daniel 7:9 I beheld till the thrones (that is all the previous Gentile thrones), were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. 18 But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. 27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Now heaven is said to have silence, as redemption has been accomplished, and the Father is now “satisfied!: John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Christ does not give up his spirit until he has accomplished redemption!
Then the Father is forever satisfied! Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
The mighty Christ has defeated the believer’s foe, and cast him out of the heavenliness! Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
Satan is now a defeated foe! And Jesus Christ is now the ruling monarch of the entire universe! Therefore heaven enjoys a peaceful silence. Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
And what of this “incense?” How does it pertain to us? Consider these verses: Our spiritual prayers are as incense to God. 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 Christ’s intercession keeps us safe as we are brought by Him into the Father’s awesome and holy presence. 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: John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
He alone can present us as faultless before God! Jude 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
And in that Romans 8:26 verse, listed above, we read that the Holy Spirit even makes intercession for us, and in us, with groanings which cannot be uttered. For there are times of such deep distress that words are not able to be spoken to God in prayer. Yet, even then, the Holy Spirit is ministering our voice of groaning grief to the Father. We have a clear example of this recorded in John chapter eleven concerning our Lord at the death of Lazarus.
For he was desiring his dear friends, Martha and Mary to understand that Lazarus was only dead to reveal Himself as “the resurrection” for the glory of God! John 11:4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
For Martha, like the majority of religionists today, think that the resurrection is but an event at the last day. But true believers know that the Lord Jesus is The Resurrection. For their belief in him has already raised them in sovereign regeneration. And it is their spiritual resurrection that gives them confidence in the future bodily resurrection! John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Job 19:25 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
John 11:33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, 38 Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.
And then we read that when he prayed a prayer of words, he said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. For the Holy Spirit within Him had already brought those groaning prayers like lightening flashes into the presence of the Father. And the proof that he was heard? – The Father granted him his request! John 11:43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. 1 John 5:15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Therefore dear Reader, This same Jesus, by this same Holy Spirit is within you today, if you are a true believer! And He always acts like Himself, no matter what century; no matter what nationality you might be; no matter what your destress is! The Angel at the Altar is always there to hear you, and intercede for you! Deuteronomy 1:17 Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. Psalm 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
And read these most blessed words of our Lord concerning this matter: John 16:25 These things have I spoken unto you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall shew you plainly of the Father. 26 At that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you: 27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
Our Lord Jesus has done such a perfect work in redemption that he states here that he shall not have to pray the Father for you, but you can come to the Father yourself! Our Hight Priest has opened the way for us to enter into the Holiest by His perfect redemption; to stand in the presence of His awesome glory without fear! Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 2 Corinthians 6:16 as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. gb