In the Book of Revelation the Old Testament images are given new meaning in the context of the creation brought into being by the Lamb of God who reigns forever and ever. The Old Testament temple worship is seen in a new light. In this short discussion I am focusing on how the altar of incense in the Old Testament has become something quite different in Revelation, where the focus is now on the prayers of the saints described as incense.
| The altar of incense | Old Testament | New Testament |
| What is it? | Part of temple furnishing, made of incorruptible wood, covered in gold (Exod 30:1-6) | Golden altar (Rev 8:3) in the temple of God (Rev 11:1) |
| What is offered there? | Incense made to a specific formula (Exod 30:34-38) | Prayers of the saints (Rev 5:8; 8:3) |
| When is it offered? | Morning and evening (Exod 30:7-8) | Prayer goes up continually (pray without ceasing 1 Thess 5:17), because every tribe and tongue and nation offer prayer (Rev 5:9-10) |
| Who offers it? | The high priest (Exod 30:7) | Saints, angel, through Christ |
| Where is it located? | Just outside the holy of holies (Exod 30:7) | In the presence of God before the throne (Rev 8:3) |
| True and false | False worship is done by unauthorised people (2 Chron 26:16-20), in a hypocritical way (Isa 1:13; 66:3; Mal 1:10) or offered to false gods (Lev 26:30) | False worship by the merchants of the earth and the great prostitute (Rev 18:3) (see ‘False glory and true’ |
Some conclusions and implications
The sacrificial system of the Old Testament was a picture of the true worship of heaven (Heb 9:9, 24). The altar of incense is part of this picture and finds its fulfilment in the true worship of the saints offered up before the throne of God.
1) The saints who are before the throne of God in heaven in Revelation are those who have died in Christ (Rev 14:13). Especially described are those who have been martyred for Jesus (Rev 6:9; 12:11; 18:20, 24; 19:2). The worship of the saints and the prayers they offer are true worship, because they have not compromised their worship. There is for them only one who is to be worshipped, the Lamb. In Christ the saints have become truly authorised persons.
2) The incense is no longer offered in front of the holy of holies, but rather in the very presence of God, because the Lamb has brought his people into the most holy place, into heaven itself.
3) The unique formula for the incense has been fulfilled by Jesus in that only prayer offered through Christ is acceptable to God.
4) The prayers of the saints are immensely pleasing to God when offered in Christ and with a life of willing obedience. They are to be offered up to him day and night.