Day 149

“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. ⁴ And the smoke of the incense ascended from the angel’s hand with the prayers of the saints before God.” Rev 8:3-4 NASB.

Chapters 8 and 9 are a clear reference to the Hebrew Feast of Trumpets. The Feast of Trumpets, to a Jew, was a warning that the day of Atonement(Judgment) was just around the corner. In the chiastic structure (V shape) of the narrative, the trumpets stand opposite the 7 last plagues of chapters 15 & 16, and follow the same pattern. It is also interesting to notice that both the trumpets and the plagues follow the days of creation backward. This, in effect, is de-creation. Day one, the earth is created, day 2 the water, day 3 the land is separated from the water, Day 4 the sun moon and stars are created. Day five is the winged animals, day 6 is the land animals and man and women. Day 7 is rest. The trumpets follow this order in reverse. The creation is going backward.

As we reflect on where we have been so far I am reminded of Revelations companion book – Daniel. In a series of visions that span his lifetime, Daniel goes over the same historical period 4 times, each time giving more detail and a different perspective on the same events.  Revelation is doing the same. The 7 churches, the 7 seals, and the seven trumpets cover the same time period from different angles.

Although it seems that many of you have viewed my slide share on “Sanctuary scenes in Revelation” this would be a good time to review that material.

https://www.slideshare.net/rosschadwick/sanctuary-scenes-in-revelation?qid=5f723b57-de53-4a7b-907a-1844e8e9d2ab&v=&b=&from_search=1