Revelation 8:1-12

1And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 2And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 3And 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.

Revelation 8:1-12 4And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 5And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 6And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

Revelation 8:1-12 7The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. 8And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed.

Revelation 8: And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. 12And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it,and the night likewise.

Psalm 141:1-2, “O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” They Prayed! “Their prayers did not fall on deaf ears”

FIRST, THERE IS SILENCE (V.1-2) The silence suggests that everything in heaven halts so that the prayers of the saints may be heard.

SECOND, THERE IS SUPPLICATION (V.3-4) John has been setting the stage for this scene for a while now. In Rev. 5:8 we are told that “the golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” are brought before God. In 6:10 we are allowed to eaves drop on the prayers “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” And God’s response, 11… and they were told to wait a little longer…

The PURPOSE OF PRAYER IS NOT TO GET MAN’S WILL DONE IN HEAVEN BUT TO GET GOD’S WILL DONE ON EARTH. When we pray we participate in God’s will being done on earth as it is in heaven. And this is seen most clearly in the final movement …

FINALLY, THERE IS ACTION! (V. 5-6) Out of the silence in heaven action develops. 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. Then the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to sound them..

Just like the prayers of the martyrs, your prayers return to the earth too. YOUR PRAYERS RE-ENTER HISTORY WITH INCALCULABLE EFFECTS … EARTH IS SHAKEN BY THEM EVERY DAY.

That health concern? That prayer for the nation? That prayer for the lost? That prayer for justice? That prayer for peace? They rise before a living and loving God and they all receive his undivided attention. He shuts down all the activity in the throne room to listen to you pray – and respond.

IN WHAT WAY DO YOU NEED GOD’S WILL DONE ON EARTH TODAY? All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: "Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" REV. 7:11-12

But that moment of praise is powerful and helpful. IN THAT DECLARATION OF GOD’S CHARACTER WE DISCOVER THAT WHATEVER WE NEED, GOD! CAN DO. Do you need wisdom? Do you need strength? Do you need moral character? Do you need joy? Do you need resources?.

WHAT DO YOU NEED GOD’S ANGEL TO THROW THE GOLDEN CENSER FILLED WITH FIRE BACK TO EARTH AND PROVIDE FOR YOU? HOW CAN GOD’S WILL IN HEAVEN BE DONE ON EARTH ON YOUR BEHALF?

Revelation 8:1-12