Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Festival of Unity of the Communion of Churches in India

Revelation 8:1-5

v. 4 the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of saints went up before God  from the angel's hand.

As we are trying to understand the book of Revelation as a whole, for that matter to the present context, it is important that we read and understand the all relevant chapters which decribes God's plan to the end of  the ages. Chapter 8, first 5 verses can be divided into three smaller parts. V1and2 focus on”silence and Seal” V3and 4 focus on offering and outcry, and 5 focuses on fire and fury. Based on the clues from previous chapters this seventh scroll represents the decree/plan of God to bring ultimate justice to the earth unleashing his wrath on unrepentant sinners, and pouring blessings on His saints.

                    It is important to understand that as we learn from ch:5

Jesus alone is worthy  to open this scroll, that is to execute God's plan for ultimate justice. It is astonishing to read that as seventh scroll is opened; there is Silence for half an hour.  Why?  1. This silence is an indication of   short interval of time before God is executing justice.

b.reminder that God is the Holy King, who has all the right to punish and reclaim justice. Mention of the seven trumpets is to announce and

unleash a series of judgements. 2. an angel carrying a gold censor(a  vesssel for incense) sprinkles incense on the hot coals of altar mixed with prayers of God's holy saints.( Ref: rev5:8,psalm141:2) 3. Again looking at verse5, the angel took the sensor filled with fire from altar and threw it on the earth, and there were pearls of thunder,rumblings

lighning and earthquake. This denotes God's wrath is flowing down on earth over rebellious unrepentant  people.

                     The prayers of God's people, crying out for justice before the King, are being answered in judgements that fall upon the rebellious world. Let the global church come before His throne praying  for safey during the tribulation, leaving aside all differences  now.


 

Prayer
Lord we know the end is near, hear our cries, and petitions, seal us into safety during the time great tribulation. Amen


Thought for the Day
Prayer participates in God's action as He gathers  cries and petitions of His saints.



Dr. John K. Thomas, Tabor MTC, NY

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