Its about relationship. It always has been. When the Father tabernacled with Israel in the desert it was to “dwell” with them. He wants that for us today.
You might be asking, “How do you read chapter 8 and think about relationship?” The vision is clear: Judgement has come to the earth full force. Look at the first verse in chapter 8 though, “When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.”
Silence… worshiping stops for a minute. Chelsea and I only get seconds of silence with small boys in the house and it’s a big deal. How much more when heaven is silent for this amount of time. Then we read this, “Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense ascended from the angel’s hand with the prayers of the saints before God. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder and sounds, and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.” Revelation 8:3-5
Prior to this we read about our prayers, “When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Revelation 5:8
We don’t truly realize the effectiveness of our prayers. These weren’t long prayers, majestic prayers, or hyper spiritual prayers. These are prayers of the saints. When you and I spend time praying the substance of those prayers are filling up golden bowls in heaven. And when they are released it’s like thunderings and lightening. Talk to the Father. It’s about relationship. There’s substance to your talking and praying. What are you waiting for?
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.