In Tribulation
pray
Scripture Reading: Revelation 5
Revelation, like other apocalyptic books in the Bible, is difficult to understand. One of the things that makes interpretation challenging is the symbolic nature of much of what is written on its pages. Nevertheless, there is a blessing in the reading and hearing of this book (see 1:3). We can also affirm that some of the symbols are clear, and their interpretation is obvious.
One such clear passage (well, at least partially so) is 5:8:
When he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Here is what we can say about this verse with confidence:
· The Lamb is the slain, resurrected, ascended, and glorified Jesus Christ.
· The 24 elders represent the saints under the Old and New Covenants.
· The incense in the bowls is a symbol of the prayers of God’s people.
The verse raises other questions I won’t attempt to resolve in this devotional like why are the elders holding the prayers of the saints? We pray through Christ, not other saints. He is our only mediator, so what is their role here?
Leaving questions like that aside for the moment, here is what I would point out today…
This chapter is the threshold to seven seals being opened and tribulation being unleashed on earth. What the text is showing is the first response of the saints on earth in tribulation is prayer. It is also picturing how the prayers of the saints on earth are viewed by the Lord, the angels, and the saints in heaven. These prayers are described as incense. Incense shows that, to heaven, our prayers are like a sweet and pleasing aroma.
In the Old Testament Tabernacle and Temple, there was an altar of incense. The incense burned there had the same symbolic meaning. It pictured the prayers of God’s people rising from earth to heaven. The fire that burned the incense on this altar came from the altar of sacrifice. Further, this altar was sprinkled with the blood of sacrifice once a year. Both of these acts show that the prayers of God’s people are accepted because of the sacrifice of Christ. Our prayers are sweet to God because they arise from and are kindled by the atoning work of Jesus Christ.
When tribulation comes pray.
