Revelation 8:4

And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. THE SMOKE ... WHICH CAME WITH THE PRAYERS ... ASCENDED UP - rather, 'the smoke of the incense FOR (or given TO: understood from ) the prayers of the saints ascended up, out of the angel's hand, in the presence of God.' The angel merely burns the incense given him by Christ the High Priest, so that its smoke blends with the saints' ascending prayers. The saints themselves are priests; the angels in this priestly ministration are but their fellow-servants ()....

1-6 The seventh seal is opened. There was profound silence in heaven for a space; all was quiet in the church, for whenever the church on earth cries through oppression, that cry reaches up to heaven; or it is a silence of expectation. Trumpets were given to the angels, who were to sound them. The Lord Jesus is the High Priest of the church, having a golden censer, and much incense, fulness of merit in his own glorious person. Would that men studied to know the fulness that is in Christ, and endeavoured to be acquainted with his excellency. Would that they were truly persuaded that Christ has such an office as that of Intercessor, which he now performs with deep sympathy. No prayers, thus recommended, was ever denied hearing and acceptance. These prayers, thus accepted in heaven, produced great changes upon earth. The Christian worship and religion, pure and heavenly in its origin and n...

Verse Revelation 8:4. _THE SMOKE OF THE INCENSE - WITH THE PRAYERS_] Though incense itself be an emblem of the prayers of the saints, Psalms 141:2; yet here _they_ are said to _ascend before God_, as well as the _incense_. It is not said that the angel presents these prayers. He presents the incense, and the _prayers ascend WITH it_. The _ascending_ of the _incense_ shows that the prayers and offering were accepted....

AND THE SMOKE OF THE INCENSE ... - The smoke caused by the burning incense. John, as he saw this, naturally interpreted it of the prayers of the saints. The meaning of the whole symbol, thus explained, is that, at the time referred to, the anxiety of the church in regard to the events which were about to occur would naturally lead to much prayer. It is not necessary to attempt to verify this by any distinct historical facts, for no one can doubt that, in a time of such impending calamities, the church would be earnestly engaged in devotion. Such has always been the case in times of danger; and it may always be assumed to be true, that when danger threatens, whether it be to the church at large or to an individual Christian, there will be a resort to the throne of grace....

EXPOSITION REVELATION 8:1 AND WHEN. Καὶ ὅταν, instead of καὶ ὅτε (as in the other seals), is read in A, C, and gives a certain indefiniteness which does not belong to any of the rest (Alford). Ὅτε is, however, found in א, B, P, Andreas. HE HAD OPENED THE SEVENTH SEAL; _he opened. _As in the case of the other seals, the silence accompanies the opening (see on Revelation 6:1, Revelation 6:3, Revelation 6:5, etc.). This completes the number, and sets the roll free ...

AND THE SMOKE OF THE INCENSE,.... For the incense being put, as it was used to be, upon burning coals of fire, caused a smoke to arise like a cloud, Leviticus 16:13; so that the whole house, or temple, was filled with it d: [WHICH CAME] WITH THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS, ASCENDED BEFORE GOD OUT OF THE ANGEL'S HAND; alluding to the incense the priest took in his hand, and cast upon the burning coals; and shows how that by the smoke of the incense, or the virtue of Christ's mediation, the imperfections of the prayers of the saints are covered; and how they are it perfumed and made acceptable to God; and so are said to ascend up before him, and to be regarded by him, as the prayers of Cornelius were, Acts 10:4; now all this is expressive of the wonderful affection of Christ for his church and pe

ANGEL'S (_ See Scofield) - (Hebrews 1:4). _...

CHAPTER 8 Revelation 8:1 . The silence in heaven when the seventh seal is opened is indicative of the solemn things which are now to come. The scroll is now fully opened and there is an ominous hush as the seven angels prepare to sound their trumpets of judgment. John beholds these seven angels, but before they begin to sound “another angel” is seen standing at the altar. This angel is not a creature, but like the angel of Jehovah in the Old Testament, is our Lord Himself. He is seen as the Priest in behalf of the praying, suffering saints on earth. No angel can offer the prayers of the saints, but He, who is the one intercessor, alone can do that. And for what do they pray on earth? For mercy for those who persecute the remnant of Israel? No! They pray for divine intervention, for the fire of judgment as Elijah did....

REVELATION 8:1. SILENCE IN HEAVEN: the explanation of this silence has always puzzled commentators. The usual interpretation is in the words of C. A. Scott (Cent.B, p. 198): It suggests the wistful or alarmed uncertainty with which the end of the silence was awaited. The silence big with fate conveys as nothing else could the sense of trembling suspense. Charles's theory, that Revelation 8:2 is out of place and the silence in heaven is explained in Revelation 8:3, gives what seems to be the true interpretation. The praises and thanksgivings of all the mighty hierarchies of heaven are hushed in order that the prayers of the suffering saints on earth may be heard before the throne of God (_op. cit.,_ p. 153).

We now pass down the records of the world's history to the beginning of. new period. In the seventh chapter the prophet has portrayed the four winds as held back from the work of destruction until the servants of God are sealed. That work has now been accomplished. They can be held back no longer, but will now burst upon the world in fury. Their movement and the consequences that follow when they are let forth, are presented in the opening of THE SEVENTH SEAL. I quote from the beginning of the eighth chapter: And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And. saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having. 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 wh...