1/12/17
“ 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 the saints.”
Revelation 5:8
Dear Congregation,
So much of the Book of The Revelation is
written with descriptive and often figurative imagery. Yet that imagery is not
to be dismissed or ignored due to its complexity or abstraction. Some of it
even in its figurative nature gives us a clearer glimpse at God and His
covenant with His people than straight doctrine. Such is the above verse. Do
not miss the vivid image of how the prayers of the saints are described. Golden
vials full of odors, or incense. Do you ever stop to think about your prayers?
We know from other passages in Scripture that God hears them all and that he
delights in them. Here we are told that they even take on a form of sweet
smelling incense.
Protestants
generally do not use incense in worship as we are not told to and it has potential
to become a ritualistic idol. However, consider incense in the context of the
first century. No deodorant, limited soap, all people dependent on a
surrounding of farm life and animals of some sort. Incense of any sort could be
the best smell one could come into contact with. That description is what the
prayers of the saints are like. Personally, I am not one for incense, so if you
are like me, think of the smell of your favorite food coking or your favorite
desert baking. Your prayers rise to God with that pleasing aroma out of golden
bowls.
So many of
us want to serve and please the Lord but are often discouraged at either a lack
of opportunity, lack of ability, or sheer intimidation of the undertaking.
Never neglect prayer as a ministry or as a means to serve and please God. The
world and indeed our own nature is prone to scoff at prayer as a waste. Not
your Lord! Prayer is more powerful, more effective, and more pleasing to God
than perhaps all the physical labor you could do on a two week mission trip and
more. I can say that because of how much commendation the Scriptures give
prayer. Grace Community Church
In Christ,
Pastor Basile
