Revelation 8:3-5 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense… I. ALL THE SAINTS ARE DEVOUT AND PRAYING PERSONS. This is plainly intimated in the text, where we read of the prayers of all saints. It is an essential part of their character as saints to be so. It is a branch of their daily business to pray to God. The history of the saints shows this. Ever since God hath had a people in the world they have been described as men that "called upon the name of the Lord"; as "the generation of them that seek Him." It is said that "every one that is godly seeketh the Lord." The lives of good men in later ages show this. They all practised devotion and recommended it to others. The saints esteem it highly reasonable in itself, that as dependent creatures they should own their dependence upon God; that, as needy creatures, they should seek a supply of their wants from Him; that as sinful creatures they should implore His mercy; and as weak creatures should beg grace to help in time of need. II. THERE ARE MANY IMPERFECTIONS ATTENDING THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS. This is implied in the text, where we read of "much incense" being offered with them. It is supposed they were sincere; else they could not be the prayers of saints, nor would incense have been added to them. But the addition of the incense plainly intimates that they were imperfect and polluted, and of themselves unfit to be received by a pure and holy God. III. IT IS THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST WHICH RENDERS THE PRAYERS OF SAINTS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD. These Christians prayed themselves, and Christ, having the golden censer full of incense, intimates that He prayed likewise, offering His own prayers with theirs and for them. He seconds and enforces their petitions. He intercedes that those sinful defects which cleave to their prayers may be pardoned and excused, and their imperfect services accepted of God. These prayers of Christ are enforced by a just, proper, and effectual plea; even His own merit, His perfect righteousness and obedience, even unto death, which are so pleasing to God, that, on that account, He grants mercy to men. His intercession is founded on what He hath done and suffered; so that He hath a just claim to be heard, asking nothing but what He hath already purchased for His people, and God, by His promise and covenant, stands engaged to bestow. Now to this intercession of Christ it is owing that the prayers of the saints are acceptable to God. Application: 1. They who do not make a serious business of prayer are not saints. 2. The intercession of Christ will not excuse the neglect of prayer, or the allowed defects of it. 3. How glorious and how amiable doth Christ appear as an intercessor! 4. What deep humility becometh the greatest saints. 5. Let us fix our dependence on the intercession of Christ for the acceptance of our prayers. (Job Orton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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