The altar of incense, which was a piece of furniture in the Holy Place in the tabernacle and later the temple, has valuable teaching regarding the prayer life of God’s people.Psalm 141:2: “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.”
Revelation 5:8: “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints.”
Revelation 8:3-5: “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. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God out of the angel’s hand. And 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.”
We read about the altar of incense in both the Old and New Testaments. I say this to counteract the argument that the “golden altar of incense” has no application for God’s people in the New Testament.
The first mention of this altar in the New Testament was when Zacharias, the future father of John the Baptist was attending to his duties of priesthood, i.e. the burning of incense at the golden altar.
According to the custom of the priestly office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. As he lit the incense, the whole multitude of the people prayed outside the temple at the same time.
We read in Luke 1:9-11: “According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.”
Although Zacharias still operated under the Old Covenant, we observe how the congregation of the people prayed at the time of the burning of the incense.
There has perhaps never been a more important time in the history of this nation than right now for God’s people to pray. Our nation and the world is in a very critical time and only God can help us.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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It is sad to me that there is much more praying in the mosques of Islam than in the churches of Christians. I wonder why.
Our nation has become far stronger in the secular than in the spiritual. As a result, we are greatly weakened and diluted in our moral values. This has resulted in an overall decline in almost every area of our national greatness. We must ask ourselves why so many people rallied around Donald Trump’s call to “Make America Great Again.” Was it because we sense we have, and are still losing, our greatness?
The truth is that if parents do not educate their children about prayer and God’s Word, they have failed to educate them in the things that matter most to God.
Parents want their children to be well educated in all things that pertain to this life. I have noticed how parents are proud to talk about their children’s success in academia and the college degrees they acquire. Personally, I have no problem with this for it is a good thing for parents to be proud of their children’s achievements in life.
Always gather your family to the dinner table to eat and fellowship together. And then Read God's Word and pray together. Take up your responsibility as the priest of the home.
The daily news constantly brings attention to negative and sensational problems. To be honest, as a nation we truly face a lot of serious stuff. Added to his, we have our own challenges, whether it be members of our families who are either sick, in hospital, or facing marriage, financial, or spiritual problems. All these things bring stress.
How each of our families need the Holy Spirit’s power and assistance. We live in a very deceived world. Many are deceived about moral issues, e.g. homosexual views including gay marriage, abortions, Planned Parenthood, divorce, and couples cohabiting together as partners. Many are deceived by tolerance towards many of the extreme doctrines of Islam such as Sharia law which degrades women, and yet it seems that feminists have no issue with it. How deceived are they?
Acts 10:44 states: “The Holy Ghost fell on all them which head the word.” Why don’t we see more of this happening our services today? Don’t we owe it to ourselves and our families to see our services divinely interrupted by the same Holy Spirit? What is wrong with us that we have become complacent?
That “healing is the children’s bread” is the obvious conclusion to Matthew 15:26. The Gentile woman only got the crumbs and yet her daughter was healed.
What will it take to engage our young families today?
Changing the décor will not cut it. Serving coffee and doughnuts will not keep it alive either.
In Acts 2:17-18 says: “And it shall happen in the last days, saith God I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dram dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.”
I begin this new series today.
It is true that we can give without loving, but we cannot love without giving. John 3:16 says: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Nancy and I are now back from the long trip to New Zealand and Australia. We had good meetings. The presence of the Lord was very rich and His anointing flowed through all the meetings. It was also a wonderful time to meet up with many relatives along the way. The love and hospitality shown to us was truly amazing.