Some thoughts on prayer

Our prayers for justice viewed from Eternity

Our prayers are represented as incense, burned in the Holy (Exodus 30:7-9, Malachi 1: 11, Psalm 141:2). It could only burn pure incense. It represented the pure and forgiven perfectly holy prayers (the ones that are done according to God’s will). No sin or other offer could be burned on it. These where done on the altar in the fore atrium, the altar of burnt offerings - before the Holy and the basin, where the priest washed himself before entering the Holy. In that room,the Holy, he would tend to the lamps every morning and evening and change the bread once a week. It is here that only the priest could enter. In the New Testament we are all priests (1 Peter 2:9).

Then in Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4, again God's Word refers to the bowl of incense as the representation of the prayer of the saints. However, now in chapter 15:6-8,these bowls now are ‘carried out of the sanctuary’. Incense is now pouring over in wrath. The justice of God being poured out on the nations. It is here, in the consummation of time - when Eternity will ‘kick in’ also for earth is that God’s final response to our cries for justice happens. Our requests for justice are rooted in Eternity. Not all of our cries; not the ones that we ask for in our sinful, egoistic nature, but the purified and righteous ones. The prayers send as pure incense (through the Holy Spirit) up to the throne of God. God here has sifted our requests, after forgiveness through the blood of the lamb (Matt25:34; 1Cor6:2; Rev2:26; 20:4). Now His full wrath is against evil.

What majesty! And what a view of Godly justice from Eternity (Daniel 7:18, 22,27)!
What is beautiful is that the justice and the wrath of God is only on all who continued in the wrong. The ones that became forgiven under the Lamb (even the murderer!) is now protected by Jesus’ blood! This is God’s justice in mercy. So, sometimes I may be asking for justice, especially for myself (egoistically). Or, I only see in part and do not understand the whole, the Holy Spirit praying for me knows what is really an eternal prayer, a rich and pure incense. God is just and He will defend us and act on our behalf – only after He has measured out all the sides of the issue, as a good and righteous judge. What a consolation also for me!