Of Censers and Smoke - Rumor notes 155

 

Revelation 15

5 After these things I looked, and the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven was opened. 6 The seven angels who had the seven plagues came out, clothed with pure, bright linen, and wearing golden sashes around their breasts. 7 One of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. 8 The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power. No one was able to enter into the temple, until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished.

One of the four living creatures

Before the throne was something like a sea of glass, similar to crystal. In the midst of the throne, and around the throne were four living creatures full of eyes before and behind. The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was like a flying eagle. The four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around about and within. They have no rest day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come!" (Revelation 4:6-8)

Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. They sang a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the book, and to open its seals: for you were killed, and bought us for God with your blood, out of every tribe, language, people, and nation, and made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign on earth." (Revelation 5:8-10)

The question here is, which of the 4 creatures this might be. It could be the Lion that represents intense emotion. It might be the Eagle representing group identity and the highest perspective possible. It might be the Man signaling that this group is like the only normal Man who ever lived, and who have learned how to act like themselves through emulating Him. Or it could be intentionally vague so that it can mean whatever it needs to from whatever perspective it is viewed.

gave to the seven angels

If these 7 angels represent the group known as the 144,000 who are just like the Lamb, there are some verses that may contribute to this that can be helpful to understanding what this is all about.

To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ; to the intent that now through the assembly the manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord; (Ephesians 3:8-11)

For, I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. (1 Corinthians 4:9)

Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved, and in those who perish; to the one a stench from death to death; to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

There is a passage in Isaiah that resonates strongly with what is being described here in this chapter. It involved an important empowering experience needed in order to carry out a very difficult work not unlike what this group of messengers need to equip them for what they must do.

In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. One called to another, and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!" The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

Then I said, "Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of Armies!" Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. He touched my mouth with it, and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin forgiven." (Isaiah 6:1-7)

The first half of chapter 6 in Isaiah resonates strongly with this chapter 15 of dedication, and it also resonates with the first harvest we examined in chapter 14. The following verses resonate with what is about to happen as these messengers begin to carry out their mission in chapter 16. See how these descriptions in Isaiah fit well with the reactions to the outpouring of the bowls coming up.

I heard the Lord's voice, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am. Send me!" He said, "Go, and tell this people, 'You hear indeed, but don't understand; and you see indeed, but don't perceive.' Make the heart of this people fat. Make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn again, and be healed."

Then I said, "Lord, how long?" He answered, "Until cities are waste without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land becomes utterly waste, And Yahweh has removed men far away, and the forsaken places are many in the midst of the land." (Isaiah 6:8-12)

golden bowls full of the wrath of God

Bowls are here translated from the Greek word phiale which means a broad shallow cup. It is vital that we appreciate just what this is referring to in order to understand properly what transpires in the following chapter. Let's trace the origins of this from Scripture so we have a solid understand of just what is happening here. Far too long these passages have been filtered through the dark opinions and superstitions of men and religion that obscures the glorious truth waiting to envelope us here.

Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Revelation 5:8)

Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne. The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand. The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. There followed thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:3-5)

While the word translated censer in these passages is not identical to the one translated bowls, the link between the incense and the prayers of the saints indicates they are closely connected if not one and the same in function. This last passage also contributes a great deal to understanding what really happens when these angels pour out the contents of their containers on all the strategic arenas defining the world. Without this background firmly in view, it is all too easy to misinterpret what this and the next chapter are all about from heaven's perspective.

I heard a loud voice out of the temple, saying to the seven angels, "Go and pour out the seven bowls of the wrath of God on the earth!" (Revelation 16:1)

Here are other angles from which to view the meaning of these bowls filled with aromatic scents. In the sanctuary services, there were bowls designed for libations or drink offerings to be poured out as gifts or sacrifices.

You shall make its dishes, its spoons, its ladles, and its bowls to pour out offerings with. Of pure gold shall you make them. (Exodus 25:29)

Even more interesting we find the same word in the Septuagint used to describe the object of greatest adoration in the Song of Solomon.

His jaws are as bowls of the aromatic, germinating scents. His lips are as lilies dripping full-bodied myrrh. (Song 5:13)

My beloved man went down to his garden, to bowls of the aromatics, to tend in gardens, and to collect lilies. (Song 6:2)

Compare this to how Paul spoke of his own ministry and pending demise. This disposition of pouring out one's life for others reflects the disposition of the true Lamb of God who poured out His life as the ultimate offering to redeem His children from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light.

But even if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you-- (Philippians 2:17 NRSV)

As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8 NRSV)

the wrath of God

We have studied this metaphor repeatedly enough that I think it should be settled by now in our reasoning. If anyone has questions about this, review the previous passages where we have explored this concept. There is hardly any other place where it is so important to strictly adhere to God's definition of this phrase than in what we are about to explore in the upcoming chapter.

who lives forever and ever

When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, "Don't be afraid. I am the first and the last, and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. (Revelation 1:17-18)

When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, (Revelation 4:9-10)

I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!" The four living creatures said, "Amen!" The elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:13-14)

All the angels were standing around the throne, the elders, and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before his throne, and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might, be to our God forever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 7:11-12)

The angel who I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted up his right hand to the sky, and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there will no longer be delay, but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants, the prophets. (Revelation 10:5-7)

The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!" (Revelation 11:15)

he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is prepared unmixed in the cup of his anger. He will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. They have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name. (Revelation 14:10-11)

There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)

(Here are further references for those who want to explore this more.

Ex. 15:18; Deut. 32:40; Ps. 10:16; 48:14; 145:1; Dan. 4:34; 12:7; Rom. 6:9; Heb. 1:8; 7:8,16,25)

The temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God

Keep in mind that the temple in heaven is a mirror image of what happens in a far greater and more real dimension, yet closely reflects what is going on here on earth inside of God's people who are what the temple actually represents.

Mount Sinai, the whole of it, smoked, because Yahweh descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. (Exodus 19:18)

Smoke went out of his nostrils. Consuming fire came out of his mouth. Coals were kindled by it. He bowed the heavens also, and came down. Thick darkness was under his feet. He rode on a cherub, and flew. Yes, he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his hiding place, his pavilion around him, darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies. At the brightness before him his thick clouds passed, hailstones and coals of fire. Yahweh also thundered in the sky. The Most High uttered his voice: hailstones and coals of fire. He sent out his arrows, and scattered them; Yes, great lightning bolts, and routed them. (Psalms 18:8-14)

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of Yahweh filled the tent. (Exodus 40:34)

Yahweh spoke to Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before Yahweh, and died; and Yahweh said to Moses, "Tell Aaron your brother, not to come at all times into the Most Holy Place within the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark; lest he die: for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat. (Leviticus 16:1-2)

It happened, when the priests were come out of the holy place, (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, and did not keep their divisions; also the Levites who were the singers, all of them, even Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and their brothers, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals and stringed instruments and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them one hundred twenty priests sounding with trumpets;) it happened, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking Yahweh; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised Yahweh, saying, For he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever; that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of Yahweh, so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of God. (2 Chronicles 5:11-14)

The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. (Isaiah 6:4)

Now the cherubim stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court. The glory of Yahweh mounted up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of Yahweh's glory. (Ezekiel 10:3-4)

Then he brought me by the way of the north gate before the house; and I looked, and behold, the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh: and I fell on my face. (Ezekiel 44:4)

Mary, therefore, took a pound of ointment of pure nard, very precious, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment. (John 12:3)

He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (Revelation 21:10-11)

The temple represents God's dwelling place which in its purist form involves the hearts of His human children who have given Him access to dwell in them. These are they who follow fully the instructions of the 1st angel (Rev. 14:6-7) and now their own lives become filled to capacity with the glorious experience of love they have testified to as originating with God. This fullness of glory the preparation necessary for them to pour it out in the next chapter on the whole world, resulting in such a violent allergic reaction that it will culminate in the splitting of the very foundations of Satan's evil empire, initiating the beginning its complete collapse into ruin.

No one was able to enter into the temple

Appreciating why no one can enter the temple is very important. There may be more than one reason.

There will in no way enter into it anything profane, or one who causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27)

Moses wasn't able to enter into the tent of meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and Yahweh's glory filled the tent. (Exodus 40:35)

It came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of Yahweh, so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of Yahweh filled the house of Yahweh. (1 Kings 8:10-11)

Then he brought me back by the way of the outer gate of the sanctuary, which looks toward the east; and it was shut. Yahweh said to me, This gate shall be shut; it shall not be opened, neither shall any man enter in by it; for Yahweh, the God of Israel, has entered in by it; therefore it shall be shut. (Ezekiel 44:1-2)

So you will know that I am Yahweh, your God, dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain. Then Jerusalem will be holy, and no strangers will pass through her any more. (Joel 3:17)

The foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. (Matthew 25:8-10)

Forty long years I was grieved with that generation, and said, "It is a people that errs in their heart. They have not known my ways." Therefore I swore in my wrath, "They won't enter into my rest." (Psalms 95:10-11)

To whom did he swear that they wouldn't enter into his rest, but to those who were disobedient? We see that they were not able to enter in because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:18-19)

For concerning those who were once enlightened and tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the age to come, and then fell away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance; seeing they crucify the Son of God for themselves again, and put him to open shame. (Hebrews 6:4-6)

For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and a fierceness of fire which will devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

For you know that even when he afterward desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for a change of mind though he sought it diligently with tears. (Hebrews 12:17)

Parallel to smoke filling Solomon's temple upon its dedication so that no one was able to enter, in final events the true temple of God – the hearts of His loyal followers – become filled with His glory so that nothing or no one can access the affections of their hearts that might defile His temple to entice them to loosen their tight relationship with God. This time of great intensity is represented by the seven bowls that clarifies for all the world, the true nature of God's release of the rejectors of His mercy [wrath] to what they have chosen as their identity in place of His. This is symbolic of the close of probation, not arbitrarily on the part of God but rather bringing closure and and permanent sealing of every mind concerning whom they have chosen to trust, follow and define their character.

Great fear came on the whole assembly, and on all who heard these things. By the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. They were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them. (Acts 5:11-13)

until the seven plagues of the seven angels would be finished

I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished. (Revelation 15:1)

but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as he declared to his servants, the prophets. (Revelation 10:7)

For God has put in their hearts to do what he has in mind, and to be of one mind, and to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God should be accomplished. (Revelation 17:17)

Now all the work of Solomon was prepared to the day of the foundation of the house of Yahweh, and until it was finished. So the house of Yahweh was completed. (2 Chronicles 8:16)

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them. For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves, (Romans 1:18-24)

This process relating to God's wrath is what becomes finished here at the end of chapter 15. People have come to be fully immersed in the disposition of whichever side they have chosen to worship, and God is compelled to finally release them fully to the results of their determined choices.

What follows in the next chapter is one last final testing of all who have settled into determined resistance to any and every attempt of God to win their hearts and loyalty to Himself. It must be proven openly that there are simply none left that retain any willingness, desire or even capacity to be won over to living in His kingdom of love and freedom and vulnerability. What we will see in the next chapter are the horrific reactions caused by determined resistance to truth, faith and love among those who dwell on the earth.

What we have learned here in chapter 15 is vital for moving into chapter 16 without losing perspective. We must keep in mind what we have learned about this group of messengers as we examine the extreme events coming up that happen as a result of these agents pouring out the contents of their censers. Their praises and intercessions act as a catalyst causing what is termed the 7 last plagues.