October 11: PARALLEL EVENTS (part 1)

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Hebrews 9:24

The splendor of the earthly tabernacle interior was unmatched in its beauty, though only a faint reflection to human eyes of the heavenly reality. John the Revelator testifies that he saw that reality in vision! Jesus walking among the seven golden lampstands (representing the churches) (Revelation 1:12,20;2:1); the risen Lamb in the midst of the throne (5:6) taking the scroll from the hand of His heavenly Father, the seven seals of which He is worthy to open; and… “I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets” (8:2).

But before the first trumpet sounds, the focus switches: Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne (8:3). It is evident that the prayers of the saints are collected in heaven (5:8) to be answered in God’s perfect timing. But what is the much incense that the angel mingles with the prayers before they are offered? The answer is found in this verse: And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (Ephesians 5:2). The merits of Christ’s sacrifice are mingled with prayers of believers and presented to the Father.

There is a parallel between the churches, seals, and trumpets laid out for us in Revelation. John’s visions were given to guide all of Christ’s followers – beginning in the days of the Apostolic church and leading all the way up to His return.

And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand (Revelation 8:4). What follows is an earthly event in answer to the saints’ prayers on earth: Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake (v.5). And here is what was happening on earth:

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers… When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them… And they…began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. “How is it that we hear, each in our own language…? (Acts 1:14; 2:1-5,8)

Thus, the Good News was preached – and understood – by these who had gathered for the feast of weeks from the surrounding nations to which they subsequently carried the message. Thus, we have the opening of the first seal and the pure gospel message spreads across the world to conquer sin…

And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. Revelation 6:1