REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Twenty One - A Time for Fervent Prayer

 This reminds us that under the Jewish system of things, incense was burned daily at the tabernacle and, in later years, at the temple in Jerusalem. (Exodus 30:1-8)  During  such incense  burning, the non-priestly Israelites waited outside the sacred area, praying -no doubt  silently in their hearts - to the One whom the incense smoke was ascending. (Luke 1:10) John now sees something similar happening in heaven. The incense offered by the angel is associated with "the prayers of the holy ones." In fact, in an earlier vision, incense is said represent  such prayers.  (Revelation 5:8; Psalm 141:1. 2) Evidently, then, the symbolic silence in heaven is to allow the prayers of the holy ones on earth to be heard. 

Next time: REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND!/Chapter Twenty One - A Time for Fervent Prayer - Continue 

From the jw.org publications