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And the Golden Censer There can be no doubt that God is forbearant (meaning merciful and slow to give mankind the retribution we deserve in case one more soul may turn to Him). But, just how long will God's forbearance last? We know it cannot be eternal, or the Bible could not mention eternal destruction - hell. So, how does our period of grace come to an end? To find the answer, we need to understand Revelation's symbol of the golden censer. Revelation 8:1-5 Here John paints an amazing scene. A heavenly being, whose identity is unknown, stands before an altar. This being is holding a golden censer with sweet-smelling incense inside. As this figure stands before the altar swinging the golden censer the prayers of the saints (God's people) ascend to God along with the scent of the incense. Suddenly, the scene breaks... The being hurls the censer to earth and there are lightnings, thunderings and an earthquake. At the moment the censer is thrown, the seven angels with their plague-like pestilences are loosed upon the earth. (See Rev. 8:7-10-4) Angel #1 Casts hail and fire mixed with blood onto the earth. Angel #2 Turns the sea to blood killing animals and people alike. Angel #3 Turns 1/3 of the earth's fresh water into toxic "wormwood" Angel #4 Causes the sun, moon and stars to go dark. Angel #5 Brings a terrible plague that causes men to be tormented in agony, as they seek death that will not come Angel #6 Looses four angels who kill 1/3 of mankind with smoke and brimstone Sadly, even though these terrible plagues come upon those who do not obey God, the Bible says here that they still will not turn from their worship of devils. Revelation 9:20 And so, the seventh Angel is released upon the ungodly on earth. Angel #7 Shouts so loudly that 7 thunders are heard answering his voice. We do not know what horrors are told by the power of the seven thunders. John was told not to write about it. We will witness someday though. And, at that time, we will either suffer from it or observe it from the safety of God's protection. Revelation tells us that this will happen at the end of the world. Revelation 10:7 A whole lot of things happen when the Golden censer is thrown down. In fact, by the ensuing plagues, we can pretty safely surmise that God's grace must be at an end when the Censer hits the earth. Let's study it out. Revelation tells us that a time will come in which God will say that there is NO MORE TIME to turn from evil to be saved. The period of His grace to save sinners is OVER. When that day comes, we are either saved or lost. But we cannot BECOME saved if we are among the lost. Revelation 22:11 As soon as God makes this declaration, there is no need for earth's history to continue. And Jesus will immediately come to take His children to their heavenly home. Revelation 22:12 There is a prevailing theology today that tells us our loving God is not capable of destroying human life. The Bible assures us of God's love. But it also assures us that those who do not obey His voice will die. It has happened before on a smaller scale. Let's look at two of the times when God took human life because it had grown wicked beyond His endurance. 1) GOD SENT A FLOOD TO DESTROY ALL LIFE. Only 8 people and a boatful of animals survived. Everyone had the opportunity to get into the boat. They had 120 years to listen to Noah warn them that God was going to send a flood to cover the earth. All they had to do was walk onto the boat. And they would live. But they did not come. And God did as He said He would. Only those who obeyed God and got into the ark survived the deluge. (See Genesis chapters 7 & 8 for the story) In the Bible, Jesus compares the flood to the end of the world. Matthew 24:37-38 2) GOD SENT FIRE AND BRIMSTONE TO BURN THE CITIES OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH. Once again, these cities were given a chance to be saved. The angels came to the city to find those who loved God and pull them out. Yet the wicked men of Sodom wanted to RAPE and ASSAULT the angels. Lot, the nephew of Abraham - and the only Christian in all the cities, took the angels of God into his home for their protection. But the angels had to cause blindness to come upon the wicked men to protect Lot's home! Then, they dragged Lot and his daughters and wife out of the city - against their will (they wanted to stay!) Talk about the incredible patience of God! So, Lot and part of his family (only his wife and those daughters who still lived under his roof) were dragged by the hand out of the condemned cities for the preservation of their lives. When they are safely out, the angels warn them not to look at the heavenly fires of destruction which will soon engulf the city. Yet, the Bible tells us that Lot's wife did not obey, even now. And she was turned to salt. (Read the story yourself in Genesis chapter 19) In strong warning, the Bible tells us that these two terrible events are much like the end of the world. God was brought to destroy men before, and our wickedness will cause Him to cleanse sinners from the earth again in the end. Luke 17:26-30 But what is the significance of a golden censer? This scene of the heavenly being swinging the Golden Censer before the altar is taken from the ancient Jewish tabernacle. And, to understand the meaning behind the censer, we must study the role it played in the earthly sanctuary. In the earthly sanctuary, there was an altar, overlaid with pure gold. It was placed in front of the veil which divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. (For a visual representation of these places and articles of furniture, check out the Bible study on the sanctuary: Sanctuary study #1) But the sanctuary which God instructed the people to build in the wilderness of the Old Testament was more than just a church. It was an earthy representation of the sanctuary which exists in HEAVEN. The Ark of the Covenant, set in the earthly Most Holy Place, represented the very throne of God in heaven. And, just as there was a high priest in the earthly sanctuary, we have a heavenly High Priest. Hebrews 4:14-15 The High Priest's role is to plead the cause of the sinner before the righteous God. The priest stands before God and humbly asks His mercy and forgiveness for the one who has sinned. Jesus is OUR ADVOCATE, pleading our case before God. Yet, He is not without understanding of our weaknesses. He is the perfect priest, for He is without sin, yet He identifies with the sinner because He was human and was also tempted. Jesus knows the power of the flesh. And His own blood is what He offers to God as atonement for our failings. 1 John 2:1 This gives us confidence that God will accept us and extend His wonderful mercy toward us. The Bible even tells us to come "BOLDLY" before the throne of God with our needs and ask for His help. Hebrews 4:16 Let's read Revelation 8:1-5 again. It tells us that prayers are offered up with the incense. But when the censer is thrown down, Christ will NO LONGER ADVOCATE with God for our sins. But the good news is that God's children will no longer NEED intercession. Their sins are forgiven, they are cleansed, and they are holy. Revelation 22:11 The Devil knows that God's time of grace will come to an end. And it is his plan to be sure that all mankind is listed among the "unjust" and the "filthy". He doesn't want us to be able to live in the heaven his evil caused him to loose. We've seen in prior studies that the Devil has dominion over the earth. His power here is strong. How can we ever hope to be cleansed from sin enough that we can stand before God WITHOUT THE NEED FOR FURTHER FORGIVENESS? This means that we must be living WITHOUT SIN WHEN THE CENSER IS THROWN DOWN. Yet, with such a powerful foe trying to lure us into displeasing God, how can we hope to be counted among the "righteous" or the "holy"? The Bible tells us that it is possible for God to keep us from sinning. And, not only is it possible, it is NECESSARY for eternal life to be ours. If we do not use the power God grants us to live without sinning any further, we make God out to be weak and we are buying into the Devil's lie. Romans 6 Friend, if you want to live in heaven someday, you must grasp the power of Christ in faith. The only way to live in heaven in the future, is to get ready to live there NOW. But, you say to yourself, "I cannot live without sinning!" Don't despair. Think of the Bible story about Peter walking on the water out to meet Jesus. Can mortal man walk on water? NO! Yet Peter did it! It was Jesus power that sustained Peter to walk on the water. But, the moment Peter lost faith in Jesus, he began to sink. In the same way that Peter walked on water, YOU and I can live without sinning. Here are some steps to get you started preparing for the day when that Golden Censer will be thrown down: 1) CONFESS ALL YOUR PAST SINS TO GOD AND BE FORGIVEN AND CLEANSED. 1 John 1:9 2) DAILY KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON JESUS - HE IS YOUR SOURCE OF STRENGTH (Start your day with God in worship). Psalm 16:8 2 Corinthians 2:14 Psalm 37:39-40 James 4:7-8 3) PRAY - WHENEVER TEMPTED - FOR STRENGTH TO STAND Luke 18:1 4) DO NOT FEAR THE DEVIL - YOU ARE PROTECTED BY THE DRAGON SLAYER! Isaiah 41:10 5) STUDY THE BIBLE DILIGENTLY - SO THAT YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THE DEVIL'S LIES 2 Timothy 2:15 Maintaining this kind of close connection with Jesus does not come naturally to the carnal man. And, even as we're growing in grace, we can still slip - like Peter. Yet, God's assurance extends to us even when we fall. We need only to trust in Him. Psalm 37:23-24 Hebrews 12:1-2 Revelation doesn't tell us when the Golden Censer will fall. It doesn't tell us when our period of grace will be at an end. But the warning is there. Let Jesus work in you to be counted among the righteous. Surrender to Him today, so that you will only observe the horrors the seven angels will bring upon the wicked. And above all, do not buy into the Devil's lie that you cannot live day to day so connected to God that you do not sin. Trust in God's power. He is greater than the Devil. And He can overcome Satan's dominion in YOUR LIFE as well as on this planet. I want to be ready when Jesus comes. Earth's pleasures grow dim, While I'm waiting for Him. Lord keep me til Jesus comes. (author unknown) Return to Prophecy Menu Return to Homepage |