And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.
4. which came with ] Again a misleading gloss: the most literal translation is, and there went up the smoke of the incense for the prayers of the saints, out of the hand of the Angel, before God. It went up for the prayers of the Saints, i.e. to consecrate and ratify them, to unite all His spiritual creation in the same supplication, which when thus united must prevail: or “for” may be equivalent only to “with.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And the smoke of the incense … – The smoke caused by the burning incense. John, as he saw this, naturally interpreted it of the prayers of the saints. The meaning of the whole symbol, thus explained, is that, at the time referred to, the anxiety of the church in regard to the events which were about to occur would naturally lead to much prayer. It is not necessary to attempt to verify this by any distinct historical facts, for no one can doubt that, in a time of such impending calamities, the church would be earnestly engaged in devotion. Such has always been the case in times of danger; and it may always be assumed to be true, that when danger threatens, whether it be to the church at large or to an individual Christian, there will be a resort to the throne of grace.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 4. The smoke of the incense – with the prayers] Though incense itself be an emblem of the prayers of the saints, Ps 141:2; yet here they are said to ascend before God, as well as the incense. It is not said that the angel presents these prayers. He presents the incense, and the prayers ascend WITH it. The ascending of the incense shows that the prayers and offering were accepted.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This only denotes the acceptableness of Christs intercession, and Gods peoples prayers, through the virtue of that intercession, unto God.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. the smoke . . . whichcame with the prayers . . . ascended uprather, “thesmoke of the incense FOR(or ‘given TO’:’given’ being understood from Re8:3) the prayers of the saints ascended up, out of the angel’shand, in the presence of Gods” The angel merely burns theincense given him by Christ the High Priest, so that its smoke blendswith the ascending prayers of the saints. The saints themselves arepriests; and the angels in this priestly ministration are but theirfellow servants (Re 19:10).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the smoke of the incense,…. For the incense being put, as it was used to be, upon burning coals of fire, caused a smoke to arise like a cloud, Le 16:13; so that the whole house, or temple, was filled with it d:
[which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God out of the angel’s hand; alluding to the incense the priest took in his hand, and cast upon the burning coals; and shows how that by the smoke of the incense, or the virtue of Christ’s mediation, the imperfections of the prayers of the saints are covered; and how they are it perfumed and made acceptable to God; and so are said to ascend up before him, and to be regarded by him, as the prayers of Cornelius were, Ac 10:4; now all this is expressive of the wonderful affection of Christ for his church and people, and care of them; that before the angels sound their trumpets, and bring on wars and desolations into the empire, Christ is represented as interceding for them, and presenting their prayers both for deliverance for themselves, and vengeance on their enemies.
d Misn. Yoma, c. 5. sect. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The smoke ( ). Old word, in N.T. only Acts 2:19; Rev 8:4; Rev 9:2; Rev 9:17; Rev 14:11; Rev 15:8; Rev 18:9; Rev 18:18; Rev 19:3. Here from the incense in the angel’s hand.
With the prayers ( ). So associative-instrumental case, but it may be dative as in verse 3 (for).
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
Which came with the prayers. An awkward rendering, followed by Rev., though with the omission of the italicized which came. The construction is ajnebh went up, with the dative case, to the prayers. “The ascending smoke had reference to the prayers, was designed to accompany them and render them more acceptable” (Winer).
Of the saints [ ] . See on Act 26:10.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “And the smoke of the incense,” (ho kaptos ton thumiamaton) “The smoke of the incenses,” smoke rising from the incense cast upon the coals upon the altar; it was a rich perfume scented incense used perpetually with sacrifices, Exo 30:8-9; Exo 37:29; Exo 40:5; Lev 16:13.
2) “Which came with the prayers of the saints,” (tois proseuchais ton hagion) “With the prayers of the saints,” at the time of incense burning, Luk 1:10-11; Psa 141:2; 1Ti 2:8.
3) “Ascended up before God,” (kai anebe enopion tou theou) “Even went up before (in the presence of) God,” who was upon the central throne, to make an acceptable fragrance, to receive granting of their petitions, Rev 6:9-11.
4) “Out of the angel’s hand,” (ek cheiros tou angelou) “Out of the hand of the angel,” which held the golden censer, Rev 8:3. It appears that the trumpet judgments come as Divine responses to the prayers of saints, as the incense is poured out upon heaven’s Golden Altar, before the throne of God, where Christ intercedes for the saints; as the sweet incense and prayers of the saints arise before the throne the seven judgment trumpets begin to blast. A judgment tempo fury begins to fall on the earth. As a judgment of David’s imprecatory prayers for judgment upon his enemies, the saints also pray imprecatory prayers before God’s throne, Psa 59:11-15.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(4) And the smoke of . . .Better, And there went up the smoke of the incense for (or to, i.e., designed for, and to give fragrance to) the prayers of the saints, out of the hand of the angel, before God. The emblem of the rising column of smoke, in which incense and prayer now mingled, is the token that the prayers of the saints, now rendered acceptable, and no longer premature, are about to be answered. These prayers of Gods people, weak and imperfect as they are, are yet invincible weapons in the hands of Christs soldiers, and will be found mightier than any carnal weapons. As Jericho fell without Israel needing to strike a blow, so now the Israel of God will be seen to be omnipotent through true and faithful prayer. The charter of the Churchs power is in the words of Christ: If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you (Joh. 15:7). The judgments that follow are not indeed specifically prayed for by the Church of Christ, but they are the results of their prayers, and prove the might of all prayer.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. Came Greek, “And the smoke of the incense went up to the prayers of the saints, out of the hand of the angel.” The incense went up to the ascending prayers to perfume and reinforce them.
Before God The ascending incense was in the theophanic presence.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.
Ver. 4. The smoke of the incense ] The saints’ prayers perfumed with Christ’s odours ascended, that is, were highly accepted in heaven, Act 10:4 ; Exo 3:9 , as well appeared by the answer they had here in the next verse. The Church is said to ascend out of the wilderness of this world with pillars of smoke, Son 3:6 . Elationibus fumi, with raised affections, and with strong supplications, wherein how many sweet spices are burned together by the fire of faith, as humility, love, &c. All which would stink worse in God’s nostrils than the onions and garlic of Egypt, did not Christ perfume and present them.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rev 8:4 . As an agent of God, the angel is commissioned to ratify with Divine approval the petitions of the saints for the end; this involves retribution on the impenitent and hostile world. The prophet is sure such aspirations are in harmony with God’s will.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
smoke. Greek. kapnos. Occurs thirteen times, all in Rev., except Act 2:19. Except here, always associated with “judgment” or the “pit”.
out of. App-104.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
angel’s
(See Scofield “Heb 1:4”).
Fuente: Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Rev 8:3, Rev 15:8, Exo 30:1, Psa 141:2, Luk 1:10
Reciprocal: Exo 37:25 – General Exo 37:29 – incense Lev 16:12 – sweet incense Lev 16:13 – And he Lev 24:7 – pure 2Ch 13:11 – sweet incense Psa 96:8 – bring Son 1:12 – my Mal 1:11 – incense Luk 1:11 – the altar Act 10:31 – are Heb 7:25 – to make Rev 5:8 – the prayers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS
The prayers of the saints.
Rev 8:4
The language of the opening verses of this chapter is beautifully figurative of the work of our great Intercessor, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who offers or presents the prayers of the saints before the throne of God. Prayer to be acceptable to God must be offered through Jesus Christ our Lord. What does this general ending to our prayers mean to us?
I. It is a confession of our unworthiness and sinfulness in all our words and thoughts. We claim audience only through another.
II. We recognise the great fact that there is no access to God but by Him Who is the Way.He was the Bearer of sin first, that He might be the Bearer of prayer always.
III. The access made, Christ took His place at Gods right hand, as High Priest of His people.
IV. In doing this, Christ makes our prayers what they were not in themselves: fit to enter into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. But for that, the very best prayer that ever went out of the heart of man would defile heaven; but now God perceives the incense: and just as He sees, not the sinner, but the righteousness of Christ, in which that sinner stands, so He sees, not so much the prayer as the incense which mingles with that prayer; and He is well pleased with the supplication for the incense sake.
V. What we do in the name of Another is the same as if that Other did it. Pray in Christs name, the prayer is as if Christ prayed it.
Fuente: Church Pulpit Commentary
Rev 8:4. The odor of incense was pleasing to God in the days when such services were required (Exodus 30; Lev 16:12-13). and likewise the prayers of faithful servants in the Christian Dispensation are acceptable (1Pe 3:12).
Comments by Foy E. Wallace
Verse 4.
“The smoke of the incense which came up with prayers of the saints ascended up before God, out of the angel’s hand”–Rev 8:4.
The smoke ascended in acknowledgment of the prayers being heard, recognized and received at the throne. The incense ascended to God out of the angel’s hand, which was the sign that the answer to the prayers of all the saints, joined with the cry of the souls under the altar, would be forthcoming.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rev 8:4. The smoke of the incense, now added to the prayers of the Church, went up before God, reminding the Almighty of the sufferings of His people, and of the answer for which they cried.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Rev 8:4-6. And the smoke of the incense ascended before God In an odoriferous cloud, with the prayers of the saints A testimony of Gods gracious acceptance, both of the intercession of the great High-Priest, and of the prayers of his believing people, proceeding from devout hearts; and consequently of the continuance of his protection and blessing to his faithful worshippers. And when the angel had performed this office, in order to show the awful manner in which God would avenge the injury which his praying people upon earth had received from its tyrannical and oppressive powers, he took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar Not of the golden altar, upon which there was no fire, (except that which was in the censer, and which burned the incense,) but from the brazen altar of burnt-offerings; and cast it into the earth To denote the judgments about to be executed upon the earth, as in Eze 10:2 coals of fire are taken from between the cherubim and scattered over Jerusalem, to denote the judgments of God about to be executed upon that city; and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings Which seemed to break forth from the divine presence; and also an earthquake The violent shock of which seemed to shake the foundation of the world; the usual prophetic signs these, and preludes of great calamities and commotions upon the earth. See Rev 16:19. Accordingly, this being mentioned here previous to the sounding of the trumpets, was intended to foretel that many calamities were approaching, which should afflict the world and the church, notwithstanding the seeming secure prosperity of both, after the Roman empire had become, in profession, Christian. And the seven angels prepared themselves to sound As the seals foretold the state and condition of the Roman empire before and till it became Christian, so the trumpets foreshow the fate and condition of it afterward. The sound of the trumpet, as Jeremiah says, Jer 4:19, and as every one understands it, is the alarm of war; and the sounding of these trumpets is designed to rouse and excite the nations against the Roman empire, called the third part of the world, as perhaps including the third part of the world, and being seated principally in Europe, which was the third part of the world at that time.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
8:4 And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, {b} ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.
(b) Our prayers are worth nothing, unless the true and sweet savour of that only sacrifice be especially and before all things with them, that is to say, unless we are first of all justified through faith in his Son, acceptable to him.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
The angel offered this incense on the coals on the golden incense altar. The smoke of the incense went up before God symbolizing His receiving the prayers of His people. [Note: Swete, p. 108.] Clearly the incense, while symbolizing prayer (Rev 5:8), is distinct from prayer here. However the total impression is of prayers commingling as the angel pours more incense on the altar. He facilitates these prayers, though Jesus Christ, of course, is the only mediator between God and man (cf. 1Ti 2:5).