Scripture reading: Romans 8:22-28
Revelation 8:3 says, “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.”
The concerted prayer of the people of God and the cry of the people of God is coming from the whole earth and is coming up before God. God has ordained a special angel to present this. Let me show you exactly what happens to the prayers of the saints.
Romans 8:22-23, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” It is a cry for His kingdom to come, His will be done, in our earth even as it is done in heaven. Verses 24-26, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit (not just the saints of God, but the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost in us) also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
God is Himself causing us to pray the right prayer. The Holy Spirit within us is groaning and causing us to groan and pray the right prayer to God so that the kingdom of God might come in the realm of earth even as it is in heaven.
Romans 8:27-28, “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”
Revelation 8:3b, “And there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints…” What is the meaning of that? In the Tabernacle, the priest offers the incense at the Golden Altar. THE INCENSE IS A TYPE OF THE SOUL OF MAN. He was offering his soul and the souls of the people for the sins of the people and his own sins.
(Excerpt from The Book of Revelation, Volume 1, pg. 155)
Thought for today: Remember, God Himself is causing us to make right prayers through the groanings of the Holy Spirit within us.
