Read Revelation 8:1–6
Questions from the Scripture text: What does the Lamb open in v1? What happened? Where? For how long? How many of whom does he see in v2? Standing before Whom? What was given to them? Then Whom does he see in v3? What does He have? Where does He come and stand? What is He given? To offer it with what? Upon what? Where? What ascended (v4)? With what else? Before Whom? From what? What does He take in v5? With what does He fill it? Where does He throw it? With what effect? What other response is there to the prayers (v6)?
If God has decreed everything why pray? Revelation 8:1–6 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God has decreed to act in response to His people’s prayers, as mediated by the intercession of His Son.
The necessity of prayer. The Lamb is still opening the seals on the scroll of the decree of all that will happen between the two comings of Christ. The opening of this seal, however, is unique. What has God decreed this time? Prayer. The last seal will include the sounding of the seven trumpets, from 8:7–11:15. But the point of the seal is the prayer that precedes the trumpets. Heaven, which has been full of noise and activity, goes silent for an extended period of time (v1). Heaven is waiting for the prayers of the saints! Since God has completely decreed all that will happen (the scroll is written front and back), prayer is not only effective but required; for, He has decreed to act in response to prayer.
The efficacy of prayer. In v3, we are introduced to another Christophany. This one Angel is different than the other seven. He is a Priest, Who mediates the prayers of the saints. This is the true and great ministry of which the tabernacle’s incense altar was an earthly shadow-copy (cf. Ex 30:1–10; Heb 8:5). All saints pray, and all their prayers are attended by the Lord Jesus, Who offers His own incense along with them. How this ought to encourage you in prayer! Our prayers are not effective because of how strong they are, but because of the strength of Him to Whom we pray, and of Him through Whom we pray. Every time we pray, the Lord Jesus is commending our prayers to God, unto Whom they smell of the sweet aroma of His Son’s ministry, offered straight from His hand (v4).
The effects of prayer. The outcome of this praying is seen in two different ways in this passage. First, there is the action of the Priest in v5. His response to the prayers of His saints literally shakes up the earth. The world is full of those who compete for power and influence, but the real power is wielded by Christ, in response to the prayers of His saints. The other outcome is seen in v6. The sounding of the trumpets, that anticipate the end of the age, is a direct response to the prayers of all the saints. Whether the shaking up of kingdoms during the age, or the shaking of all kingdoms at the end of the age, we see here an answer especially to the petition, “Thy kingdom come.” Indeed, this will be the ultimate result of the final trumpet (cf. 11:15)!
When do you pray? What is happening when you pray? What difference does this make to you for your praying? How will you change your frequency and manner of prayer in response to this passage?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how little we have valued prayer, when John’s vision showed its importance by heaven’s waiting in silence for half an hour for the prayers of the saints. Thank You for the Lord Jesus’s priestly intercession. Forgive us for how we have missed out on enjoying the fellowship that we have with Him when we pray, and grant that we would be more mindful of Christ, as we come to You through Him, which we also ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP5 “Listen to My Words, O LORD” or TPH518 “Come, My Soul, with Every Care”
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