Revelation 8
November 2, 2022
“Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” (v3-5)
Our prayers are an incense before God, and a means of bringing about the righteous judgment of God on evil (remember in Rev 6:10, the saints crying out, “How long O Lord, until You judge the inhabitants of the earth?”). Here, in Revelation 8 & 9, that judgment is now happening, catalyzed by the prayers of God’s people. And yet, God is gracious, not destroying everything and everyone, but “one-third” (v7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12). In other words, even in God’s judgment, He is seeking to save the majority, if they will but “repent” (9:21). But, as we’ll see in the next chapter, most will refuse.
Father, I praise You that You are the righteous Judge, and that although wickedness and evil so often reigns in this world, it won’t reign forever. You are patient, longing for people to repent. But You will not allow evil to win the day. Your judgment is coming. Thank You for Christ, who took my judgment, so that I don’t have to fear Your judgment. And thank You for the reminder in this chapter - that my best response to the evil of this world is to pray to You about it - since our prayers become a powerful incense that gets “hurled to the earth” (v5) as a catalyst for Your judgment of evil. Remind me today to see my prayers (offered through Jesus) as having that kind of power - so that I’m motivated to call on You to make right all that is wrong in the world.
— Pastor Joshua Brooks
Use the following steps to guide your daily time with the Lord…
-
Start with prayer. Ask God to open your heart to help you understand and receive His Word.
-
Read and observe the passage carefully. As needed, read a second Bible version to help with understanding.
➡️ What does it say?
What does this passage teach me about God? What does it say about my sinful nature and my need for God’s grace? How does this passage point to Jesus?
-
➡️ What am I going to do about it?
Does this passage include a promise to claim, an action/attitude to avoid/embrace, or a principle to apply? How can this truth apply to my life? What could my next step be? How can I share this with others? Is there a verse or section of Scripture I need to memorize?
