Churchwork
09-17-2007, 12:28 AM
“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four [and] twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints” (Rev. 5.8).
To carry prayers to God as is shown in 5.8 is not the action of the church. Even though the church is commanded in the Scriptures to pray for others, God has not asked her to bring others’ prayers to Him. The church does not have this power.
Many commentators agree that the angel spoken of in 8.3-4 refers to the Lord. Whether or not it is the Lord, it can at least be said that the task of carrying prayers to God is done by angels. Thus, bringing prayers of the saints to God as mentioned in 5.8 must be a task done by the angels.
The focus of the prayers of the saints is upon the second coming of the Lord. Harps are for praising and bowls of incense are for presenting prayers.
“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. And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand” (Rev. 8.3,4).
Perhaps the presenting of the prayers is done privately or maybe those prayers are known to the angels. In either case, they are angels presenting our prayers in our direct fellowship with Christ.
It would be interesting if we could find a verse to indicate whether the prayers are private or open. I like my prayers being open to the whole universe and letting everyone know that my prayer for the coming of Christ is unchanging.
To carry prayers to God as is shown in 5.8 is not the action of the church. Even though the church is commanded in the Scriptures to pray for others, God has not asked her to bring others’ prayers to Him. The church does not have this power.
Many commentators agree that the angel spoken of in 8.3-4 refers to the Lord. Whether or not it is the Lord, it can at least be said that the task of carrying prayers to God is done by angels. Thus, bringing prayers of the saints to God as mentioned in 5.8 must be a task done by the angels.
The focus of the prayers of the saints is upon the second coming of the Lord. Harps are for praising and bowls of incense are for presenting prayers.
“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. And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand” (Rev. 8.3,4).
Perhaps the presenting of the prayers is done privately or maybe those prayers are known to the angels. In either case, they are angels presenting our prayers in our direct fellowship with Christ.
It would be interesting if we could find a verse to indicate whether the prayers are private or open. I like my prayers being open to the whole universe and letting everyone know that my prayer for the coming of Christ is unchanging.