Table of Contents
The figurative censer represents a person or vessel; the fire is the word of God; the incense depicts the prayers of the saints; and the smoke signifies those prayers rising up to God. There are three conditions of the censer – having fire but no incense, having incense but no fire, or having both fire and incense which allows the smoke/prayers to rise. God receives the powerful, effective prayers of the righteous whose hearts contain His word. Prayer is not just a command but builds our relationship with God; as we are filled with His word, our prayers rise like pleasing incense smoke, making us righteous vessels prepared for Christ’s second coming. The key is maintaining both God’s word and prayer in our lives so our prayers become a fragrant offering ascending to God.
Shincheonji holds distinct theological views that differ from mainstream Christian denominations, yet it also shares some common teachings. This overlap can sometimes blur the lines between their beliefs and those of traditional Christianity. Therefore, it is essential to exercise critical thinking and discernment to differentiate between these shared elements and the unique doctrines they present.
While their interpretations warrant careful examination through a critical and biblical lens, it is equally important to approach these matters with an open yet discerning mindset.
The following notes were documented in person during Shincheonji’s 9-month Bible Study Seminar. They provide insight into the organization’s approach to introducing and explaining its beliefs to potential new members, often referred to as the ‘harvesting and sealing.’ This process is described as being ‘born again’ or ‘born of God’s seed,’ which involves uprooting the old beliefs and replanting new ones. This uprooting and replanting must occur continuously. By examining this process, we can gain a better understanding of the mindset and beliefs held by Shincheonji members.
Figurative meanings:
1. Censer = A Person, one’s heart
2. Incense = Prayers of saints
3. Smoke = Prayers being lifted up
Secret of Heaven: Figurative Censer
This is going to be a very special topic because it’s going to help us understand more about how we should approach God effectively. What God looks for in those who come to Him. I pray this is an impactful lesson about prayer.
A censor is a container for fire that burns incense, creating fragrant smoke.
Figuratively, what do you think the censor represents?
The incense and smoke symbolize what?
1. A censor figuratively represents a person or one’s heart– a container.
2. The incense represents the prayers of the saints.
3. The smoke represents those prayers being lifted up. Lifted up to whom? To God.
This symbolism is important as we study today.
Main Reference
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
So, let’s analyze this prophecy. An angel appears, taking a censer and filling it with fire from the altar before hurling it to the earth. We must ask ourselves, what does this signify, and how can we be certain of its meaning? Our understanding should not be based on speculation but seek understanding through the scriptures themselves.
It’s crucial to recognize that while there are numerous interpretations of the Bible, we should strive to discern it from God’s viewpoint. When God inspired the writing of Revelation 8:5, did He intend multiple meanings, or was there a specific message that He has concealed within parables?
One might be tempted to look elsewhere for explanations, but it is always most reliable to stay grounded in the Word of God.
Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.
Apostle Paul strongly deteted and wrote against favoritism towards those who deliver the word. He said, “I don’t want you to say ‘I followed this person’ or ‘I followed that person.’ Instead, follow the scriptures, because if we go beyond the scriptures to other sources, we are likely to celebrate man over God.
I’m just a vessel. Apollos is a vessel. Barnabas is a vessel. Peter, James, John – vessels. Timothy is a vessel. We are not the main thing. We’re just containers. Follow the word and do not go beyond the scriptures.
So what does that mean for us today – to not go beyond the scriptures, beyond what is written? The word of God is here, it’s in everyone’s hands. But when we don’t know something, sometimes we might go online and read a thousand different opinions and end up more confused than we were at the beginning when we just read the Bible.
Let’s make a habit of sticking to what is in the word of God, so that we are not confused by saying “this person or that person is correct.” That’s not the way we should be doing things. What does the word say? That’s how we should be going about it.
So let’s use this mindset as we go forward – don’t go beyond the scriptures, but stay within them. Someone who is faithful in doing that, God will reveal the truth when the time is right.
1. Physical Characteristics of Censor
We know our famous verse, Romans 1:20, which states that God’s invisible qualities are clearly seen in what has been made. Hosea 12:10 also tells us that God spoke to the prophets, gave them visions, and revealed parables so that His words would be protected until the proper time of fulfillment when they would be revealed to all.
When God spoke these prophecies, He used imagery from His creation so that people could understand them when the time was right.
What is a censor? A censor is a bowl or container that holds burning incense.
Censors were commonly used in ancient Judeo-Christian history and worship. Though not as prevalent today, some denominations still use censors and incense. This imagery had deeper meaning in biblical times that modern Christians often overlook.
For example, incense was burned in the Tabernacle that Moses built to set an atmosphere for encountering God’s glory and presence. The book of Exodus gives an example of how censors and incense were integral to worship in biblical history.
34 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, 35 and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. 36 Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. 37 Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the Lord. 38 Whoever makes incense like it to enjoy its fragrance must be cut off from their people.”
So one of the things that we noticed here is that when God sets something aside as sacred, no one else can use it for common purposes. This shows that God has preferences. God has patterns and specifications. He wants things done in his way, not our way.
We often feel we can come to God however we want. That’s how it’s commonly taught, but God says no – come to me in the way I want. This is a very different way of thinking about things.
This is why Jesus said in John 4:23-24 that a time is coming when people will worship God in spirit and in truth – meaning in his way, not their own way.
So what do we see here? Are God’s sacred things for common use? No, they are not – they are sacred.
I am going to draw a tent: this tent is called tent of meeting. We’re going to fill in this tent of meeting as we learn additional details.
I am drawing a large rectangle – the outer boundary. Inside I am sketching a small rectangle divided into two rooms. This separated the sacred spaces inside. There were two chambers in the inner tent. One room was called the Holy Place. This was the first chamber, preparing for entry into the Most Holy Place, where God kept what he termed the Testimony or the Ark of the Covenant. I look forward to exploring this more deeply together.
The incense was in the Holy Place at the time of Moses. It prepared the atmosphere by burning incense so that God’s presence could come. That was its purpose. God gave very specific instructions and specifications for how they were to burn incense and what they were to burn in the Tabernacle.
We will go over this in much more detail as we examine different parables. It’s very rich symbolism. But pay attention to what he called it here – Testimony. Some of your versions might say Covenant Law. It’s the same thing. We’ll get into that very soon. So that is the Ark of the Covenant, under the Covenant.
Okay, so that is some historical context. Now let’s look at why God had them do things this particular way.
This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.
The writer of Hebrews is describing the Tabernacle that Moses built. What does he compare the Tabernacle to at the beginning of verse 9?
He called it an illustration, or you could say a model. A representation. A drawing. Meaning that it is not the reality, but pointing to the reality.
Think of it like an architecture student’s drawing. A building never just appears out of nowhere. It is always conceptualized by an architect or designer who takes time to map out the rooms, walls, locations, doors – so the builders know exactly where the bricks, steel, and floors need to go.
The drawing, the floor plan, the blueprint – these are the illustration. Moses’s Tabernacle was a drawing or illustration, meaning that God had something in mind for the future that the Tabernacle would point to. God had them make these things as a blueprint, an illustration, with deeper meaning, like a parable.
A virgin giving birth foretold a greater reality later. Mary and Jesus were the ultimate fulfillment. Each part of the Tabernacle illustrated something God intended to fulfill in the future.
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
So what was said here in Hebrews 10:1, is that the law – meaning everything that God asked Moses and the Israelites to do – is only a shadow, not the reality. This is fascinating. When I put my hands up with a light above me, my hands cast a shadow. The shadow is just a representation of the reality, which is my hand. So everything God asked Moses and the Israelites to do was like a shadow, a representation of something that God had in mind for the future. And that reality was fulfilled in Jesus, as we’ll understand more and more as we continue to study.
So let’s visualize the components of the censor to better understand it. Let’s draw a big container. Inside this container, we’ll draw fire. Into the container with fire, incense would be placed. And when incense meets fire, smoke is created, which rises up.
So what image or illustration is God pointing to here? What is God trying to teach us?”
Reminder:
Let’s briefly review what we have covered so far. We are learning about the figurative censor – the censor represents a person, the incense represents the prayers of the saints, and the smoke represents those prayers rising up to heaven.
A censor is a type of bowl or container that holds fire. Incense is placed inside it, and when the incense burns, it creates smoke. Censors were commonly used inside God’s Tabernacle, as God gave them a specific spiritual purpose.
2. Figurative Meaning of Censor
The key details about censors that we want to focus on are:
ONE – The censor itself, as a container, represents a person’s heart. A Person.
Acts 9:15 (NIV)
But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.
Acts 9:15 — The New King James Version (NKJV)
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
Paul is the chosen instrument—some translations refer to him as a ‘vessel’ or ‘container.’ He is tasked with carrying God’s word to the Gentiles. In this context, ‘censor’ shares a similar meaning: a person, a vessel, a container. So, what then, is ‘fire’?
TWO – Fire represents the word of God. We are called to preserve His word within us.
Therefore this is what the Lord God Almighty says:
“Because the people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes.
So God’s word is the fire. So, a person who contains God’s word and
THREE – What is the incense?
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
Each angel was folding golden bowls of incense. The passage then tells us the intent behind the incense – it represents the prayers of the saints.
Let’s examine another verse from Psalms that also compares incense to prayer to further understand this symbolism.
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
Let my prayer be set before You like incense.
Reminder:
Incense: Prayers of the saints
FOUR – So, what is the result of a person who is filled with the Word of God? When that person prays, it’s like a fragrance smoke rising up like.
The prayers are lifted up and create a pleasant aroma smoke for God.
Let’s aim for our prayers to be like an incense smoke as something that is sweet and well-pleasing to God., a good prayer. We don’t want prayers that cause God to react negatively, like smoke that suffocates, making you want to wave it away from your face. ‘Get that out of here. Open the window, I don’t want that.’
We should pray in a way that delights His heart, not in a way that He would disregard. Our prayers should be like a fragrant aroma that ascends to Him.
Reminder:
Smoke: Prayers being lifted up.
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.
This passage provides an insightful analogy. The angel takes the golden censor, representing a person, and fills it with the fire of God’s word. This depicts how a person prays – the prayers of the saints rise to God like incense smoke from the angel’s hand.
The passage reminds us that angels present our prayers to God. They carry our prayers to Him. We should pray in a way that does not embarrass our angel guardians. Our prayers should reflect wisdom and zeal that pleases God.
The condition of the censor can represent the state of a person’s spirituality. There are three general types of censor conditions depicted here.
ONE – The first type of person is likened to a censer that holds fire but lacks incense.
What is the outcome of such a scenario? A censer with fire but devoid of incense produces no smoke. This symbolizes an individual who possesses knowledge of the Word but does not engage in prayer. Such a person tends to be arrogant. This person is burdened with knowledge. I hope your purpose for attending this class isn’t merely to gain more biblical knowledge.
What then is the true purpose? The goal is to learn in a way that bolsters our faith, intensifies our prayers, amplifies our deeds, and allows God to work through us more effectively. That is why we are here. We do not gather to become theologians filled with knowledge who then succumb to arrogance.
That should not be our reason for being here. I trust it is not your reason either.
TWO – The second type of person, or sensor, is one who has an abundance of incense for days but no fire.
What is the result? It’s the same as previously mentioned: no smoke. This represents a person who prays incessantly, yet their prayers lack substance—they never incorporate the Word.
No smoke.
THREE – Let’s consider the third type, which is the ideal. A sensor that is ablaze with fire and overflowing with incense. This symbolizes a person filled with the Word and who prays fervently. Such a person will produce smoke.
To achieve this, at this time, we should reinforce this concept with more scripture. As we conclude, we want to emphasize the importance of the Word. For believers, the Word is not optional; it’s not merely ‘nice to have.’ It is essential, a necessity. It serves as the instruction manual for our lives. Let us be those who read and follow this instruction manual for life. To better grasp this, let’s delve deeper into understanding.
Reminder:
1. Fire – Incense = No smoke
2. Incense – Fire = No smoke
3. Fire + Incense = Smoke
3. Prayers that God receives
Are you suggesting that some prayers go unanswered by God? Let’s examine the scriptures for clarification. It’s not about personal opinions; it’s about what the Bible teaches. We’ll start by exploring the Book of James.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
1. The prayers of a righteous person hold significant power and are effective.
Therefore, our focus should not be on questioning if God hears every prayer. Instead, we should concentrate on becoming righteous ourselves. By doing so, we can be assured that God will indeed receive our prayers.
Reminder:
Prayer of a righteous: Powerful and effective
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
TWO – The Lord’s eyes are on the righteous, and He pays attention to their prayers.
God listens closely to righteous people and their prayers. We see a pattern here – who does God really look for? Righteous people. So then, how do we become righteous? How can we make sure God’s attentiveness applies to us? We certainly don’t want to be those God turns away from. We must ensure we are not among them.
Reminder:
Lord Attentives to the righteous people.
30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.
THREE – Why is someone considered righteous? Because they are able to speak wisdom. The law of God is in their heart.
This is what God considers a righteous person, not merely someone’s opinion or outward actions. I cannot claim righteousness simply because I do good deeds, volunteer, go on missions, attend church regularly, or dress a certain way.
The problem is that people have inconsistent definitions of righteousness. This leads to conflict and hurt. For example, if someone cannot afford certain clothing or go on missions, does that make them less righteous? What if someone has challenges that prevent them from attending church in-person – are they less righteous?
We must move beyond these flawed definitions. Scripture shows that God looks at the one who has His word in their heart and lives according to it. I’m not saying we shouldn’t do good works – we should care for our neighbors and present a holy image. But that is not the standard.
The Pharisees wanted outward recognition for their shining deeds. They put on shows of lamenting and fasting to boost their image. But Jesus said to give and fast in private, without boasting. That hypocrisy is the yeast of the Pharisees, not the mark of those who truly belong to God.
The key is having God’s word and understanding in our hearts. As I’ll emphasize in every class, grasping Scripture is critically important. Let’s examine what Jesus said about this in the Book of John.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
What did Jesus say here?
FOUR – He said two things: First, he did not say “ask whatever you wish and it will be given you.” Rather, his statement was conditional: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given.”
What does this mean?
To remain in Jesus means to continually abide in his words – to know them, meditate on them, internalize them. As we make Jesus’s words our daily sustenance, what we desire and will begins to change. We align more with God’s will as revealed in Scripture. We stop chasing after meaningless worldly things, as Ecclesiastes teaches. Instead, we pray more for spiritual blessings.
Some examples of such prayers:
God, help me to understand your word more. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear, as you said in Deuteronomy 29:4.
Jesus, you said to treat others as we want to be treated. Help me to do that today with my co-worker who upset me. Help me to forgive.
Lord, help me not to judge like I used to, as you taught.
Lord, be with us in this gathering, as you promised in Matthew 18:20.
When you speak God’s word back to Him in your prayers, it’s like presenting a satisfying and fragrant offering to God. Contrast this with prayers that are self-serving—asking for material gains like a Lamborghini or a large new house, or even a job promotion. These are the kinds of requests that Jesus cautioned against in Matthew 6, pointing out that such concerns are what pagans chase after.
Instead, we should offer prayers that are pleasing to God—prayers that resonate with His promises and His word. But to do this effectively, especially when praying with closed eyes, you must have His words internalized.
Imagine your prayers as an open book before God. With everyone’s eyes closed, if His words are already within you, they will flow out naturally like water during prayer.
Memorizing and meditating on Scripture summarizes this entire lesson beautifully.
4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
Consecrated means made holy. Something is consecrated by two things: The word of God and prayer. Let the word of God and prayer go together moving forward. When combined, the word of God and prayer have the power to consecrate everything. Let us make an effort to consecrate all things.
Memorization
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
Instructor Review
SUMMARY
Let’s review what we covered today, as there was a lot of ground to cover. We discussed the secrets of Heaven and the symbolic imagery of the censor according to the book of Revelation. We are going through this book lesson-by-lesson to unlock more of its meaning, which is why we are studying the Parables – to gain greater understanding.
So in Revelation, the censor appears as a container with fire, into which incense is placed to produce fragrant smoke. God used this imagery in Moses’ Tabernacle to illustrate what He would expect in the future – that a person would contain God’s word and frequently offer prayers to Him.
Who contained God’s word and prayed often during the time of Jesus’ first coming? Jesus himself. He prayed very regularly and even taught us how to pray. And he certainly was full of the word of God. So in Revelation, an angel tosses a golden censor down to Earth – how interesting!
So what does the censor represent? A person who contains God’s word and offers praise. Their prayers rise to God like a pleasant aroma. Let’s strive to be like that – full of Scripture and righteousness according to God’s standards, not the world’s.
Review with the Evangelist
Review
Why is it important to pray? I hope we understood from today’s lesson why it is important to pray. It is God’s command to us. God knows what works and what does not. That is why He commands us to do certain things to stay connected to Him.
Prayer is also a process of being made fully holy. When we pray to God, we must humble ourselves and ask for His help. So we are consecrated by the word of God in prayer as well. We need both – God’s word and prayer.
Incense represents prayers and the censer represents a person’s heart. We also need the fire of God’s word. That produces instant smoke – it burns up and produces smoke.
We can have a heart with prayer but no word. Then there is no smoke lifted to God. But prayer is requested of us by God. He wants every prayer lifted to Him to be heard and produce a response.
If I have the word in my heart but do not pray, there is also no incense smoke of prayers lifted to God. My heart needs both God’s word and prayer. That is why Jesus said not to worship God only with words and rules, while our hearts are far from Him. Then we cannot please God.
So now that I have learned this, how should I pray to please God? We know from the parables God’s will and what He wants. At the second coming, Jesus will return to harvest His wheat. I should pray:
“Please harvest my family and me, because at the second coming You gather all who were born of the seed. Help me be heavy with Your word so I can bring prayers back to You. Give me proper faith and actions to overcome and show my fruit to You.”
As Psalm 119:11 says, I must hide God’s word in my heart to not sin against Him.
Review in Small Group
Review
We focused on the meaning of the figurative censer, with Revelation 8:5 as our main reference. We learned that fire symbolizes the word of God, while a censor represents a person’s heart. The incense depicts the prayers of the saints, and the rising smoke signifies those prayers ascending to God.
Looking at the physical characteristics, a censor is a bowl that burns incense using fire. Without anything burning, there is no aroma or smoke produced. As Exodus 30:34-38 shows, censors had ceremonial purposes.
Additional biblical references support these spiritual meanings:
– Jeremiah 5:14 – God’s word is like a fire
– Acts 9:15 – A censor represents a chosen person
– Revelation 5:8 and Psalms 141:2 – Incense represents the prayers of the saints
– Revelation 8:3-4 – Smoke depicts prayers rising to God
We discussed three types of censors, representing three types of people’s prayers:
1. Arrogant people have the word of God, but they don’t praise or produce rising prayers.
2. Others lack God’s word, so even their prayers don’t rise like incense.
3. The righteous have God’s word in their hearts so their continual prayers rise like pleasing smoke.
As James 5:16 affirms, these righteous prayers are powerful and effective.
In impact, we learned that prayer is more than a command – it builds our faith and relationship with God. As that relationship grows, we are filled with God’s word and fire, becoming righteous people whose prayers ascend to Christ at his second coming.
Let’s Us Discern
Discernment is still a work in progress …. Proverbs 14:15 (ESV)
“The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.”
Analysis
Questions to Self-Reflect
Outline
Unveiling the Secrets of Heaven: A Deep Dive into the Figurative Censer
I. Introduction: Approaching God Effectively
This section introduces the concept of the figurative censer as a symbol of effective prayer, emphasizing the importance of understanding God’s perspective and approaching Him in His ordained way.
II. Review: Figurative Fire – God’s Word versus Satan’s Deception
This section revisits the concept of figurative fire, distinguishing between God’s refining fire and Satan’s destructive fire. It highlights the redemptive purpose of God’s fire and the importance of using His word with discernment and wisdom.
III. Main Reference: Revelation 8:5 – Unveiling Prophetic Symbolism
This section introduces Revelation 8:5 as the main scriptural reference for understanding the figurative censer. It stresses the importance of interpreting Scripture through God’s lens, relying on His Word as the ultimate source of truth, and avoiding extra-biblical interpretations.
IV. 1 Corinthians 4:6 – The Primacy of Scripture: Avoiding Favoritism and Confusion
This section emphasizes the importance of adhering to Scripture and avoiding reliance on external opinions or interpretations. It cautions against elevating human messengers over God’s Word, advocating for a Scripture-centered approach to understanding spiritual truths.
V. Physical Characteristics of the Censor: A Vessel for Sacred Incense
This section explores the historical and symbolic significance of censors in ancient Judeo-Christian worship, drawing upon Exodus 30:34-38 to demonstrate the sacred nature of censors and incense. It highlights God’s specific instructions regarding their use, emphasizing His preference for obedience and order in worship.
VI. Hebrews 9:9 and 10:1 – The Tabernacle: A Shadow Pointing to Christ
This section delves into the symbolism of the Tabernacle, using Hebrews 9:9 and 10:1 to illustrate its role as a foreshadowing of Christ’s ultimate fulfillment. It emphasizes that the Tabernacle’s rituals and elements, including the censer, served as a blueprint pointing to a greater reality found in Jesus.
VII. Figurative Meaning of the Censor: Unveiling the Spiritual Components
This section unpacks the figurative meaning of the censor and its components: a. The Censor: Representing a person’s heart, drawing upon Acts 9:15 to illustrate the analogy of a vessel or container for God’s word. b. The Fire: Symbolizing the word of God, emphasizing the need to preserve and internalize Scripture, as highlighted in Jeremiah 5:14. c. The Incense: Representing the prayers of the saints, supported by Revelation 5:8 and Psalms 141:2. d. The Smoke: Signifying the ascent of prayers to God, illustrated in Revelation 8:3-4.
VIII. Three Types of Censors: Reflecting Different Spiritual States
This section presents three types of censors, representing different spiritual conditions:
a. Censer with Fire but No Incense: Symbolic of a person knowledgeable in Scripture but lacking prayer, leading to arrogance and ineffective spirituality.
b. Censer with Incense but No Fire: Representing a person who prays frequently but without grounding in Scripture, resulting in prayers lacking substance and power.
c. Censer with Fire and Incense: Illustrating the ideal state, where a person is filled with God’s Word and engages in fervent prayer, producing prayers that ascend to God like fragrant smoke.
IX. Prayers that God Receives: The Power of Righteousness
This section examines the types of prayers God receives, highlighting the importance of righteousness as a prerequisite for effective prayer: a. James 5:16: Underscoring the power and effectiveness of the prayers of a righteous person. b. 1 Peter 3:12: Emphasizing God’s attentiveness to the prayers of the righteous. c. Psalms 37:30-31: Defining righteousness as possessing God’s Word in one’s heart and speaking with wisdom. d. John 15:7: Highlighting the conditional nature of answered prayer, emphasizing the need to abide in Christ and His words. e. Matthew 6: Contrasting righteous prayers with self-serving requests, emphasizing the importance of aligning our desires with God’s will.
X. 1 Timothy 4:4-5 – Consecration: The Power of Word and Prayer
This section concludes by emphasizing the consecrating power of God’s Word and prayer, encouraging the integration of Scripture and prayer in our lives to make all things holy.
XI. Summary: Embracing the Figurative Censer for Effective Prayer
This section summarizes the key takeaways, reiterating the symbolic meaning of the censor and its components. It emphasizes the need to cultivate a heart filled with God’s Word and to engage in fervent prayer, producing righteous prayers that ascend to God like a pleasing aroma.
XII. Review: Practical Application for a Transformed Prayer Life
This section provides a practical review, reminding us of the purpose and power of prayer. It reiterates the need for both God’s word and prayer in our lives, highlighting the different types of censer conditions and their corresponding spiritual outcomes. It concludes with a call to action, encouraging us to pray in alignment with God’s will and to seek His guidance for transformation.
XIII. Questions: A Guide for Reflection and Application
This section offers reflective questions to help readers internalize the lesson’s key principles and apply them to their lives, prompting a deeper understanding of the figurative censer and its implications for prayer.
XIV. More Review: Reinforcing Key Concepts and Scriptural Support
This section provides a final reinforcement of the lesson’s central themes, summarizing the symbolic meaning of the censor, its connection to Revelation 8:5, and the importance of righteousness in prayer. It lists additional Scripture references to support the lesson’s main points.
A Study Guide
Unlocking the Secrets of Heaven: A Study Guide on the Figurative Censer
Quiz
Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.
- What three key elements make up the figurative censer and what do they symbolize?
- Describe the three types of “censer conditions” and the implications of each.
- According to the lesson, whose prayers are powerful and effective? Why?
- Explain the importance of having both fire and incense in the figurative censer.
- What two elements are essential for consecrating something, according to 1 Timothy 4:4-5?
- What is the significance of the angel throwing the golden censer down to Earth in Revelation?
- How does understanding the figurative censer inform our approach to prayer?
- What is the danger of solely focusing on acquiring biblical knowledge without applying it to our prayer life?
- How does the lesson differentiate between righteous and unrighteous prayers?
- Explain the significance of “remaining in Jesus” as it relates to prayer.
Answer Key
- The three key elements are the censer (person), incense (prayers of the saints), and the smoke (prayers rising to heaven). They symbolize the individual filled with God’s word, their act of prayer, and the offering of those prayers to God.
- The three “censer conditions” are: (1) Fire without incense, representing a person knowledgeable of the word but lacking prayer; (2) Incense without fire, representing constant prayer without a foundation in the word; (3) Fire and incense, representing a person filled with the word and engaged in fervent prayer. The first two conditions result in no smoke (prayers not reaching God), while the third produces fragrant smoke (pleasing prayers).
- The prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective. This is because they are rooted in God’s word and aligned with His will, as their heart is filled with His law.
- Having both fire (God’s word) and incense (prayer) is crucial because they work together. God’s word fuels and directs our prayers, ensuring they are aligned with His will. Prayer, in turn, allows us to apply the word and connect with God. Without both, our prayers lack power and direction.
- The word of God and prayer are essential for consecrating something, making it holy and set apart for God’s purposes.
- The angel throwing the golden censer down to Earth signifies God’s judgment on the unrighteous. It highlights the urgency of aligning our lives with God’s word and offering up fervent prayers.
- Understanding the figurative censer encourages us to prioritize both God’s word and prayer. It reminds us that our prayers are most effective when rooted in Scripture and offered with a heart filled with God’s truth.
- Solely focusing on acquiring biblical knowledge without applying it to our prayer life can lead to arrogance and spiritual emptiness. It is like having a censer full of fire but no incense – there is potential but no actual offering being made.
- Righteous prayers are rooted in God’s word and reflect His will. They are offered with a humble heart and a desire to align with God’s purpose. Unrighteous prayers are often self-serving, lacking scriptural foundation, and driven by worldly desires.
- “Remaining in Jesus” means abiding in His words, internalizing them, and allowing them to shape our desires and prayers. When we remain in Him, our prayers become aligned with His will, and we can confidently ask for what pleases Him.
Additional Questions
1. What is the true meaning of figurative censer, incense, and incense smoke?
– Censer = A person (Acts 9:15)
– Incense = Prayers of saints (Revelation 5:8, Psalms 141:2)
– Incense smoke = Prayers of saints being lifted up (Revelation 8:3-4)
2. What are the 3 types (conditions) of censer?
– Fire – incense = no smoke
– Incense – fire = no smoke
– fire + incense = incense smoke
3. What type of prayers does God receive?
– Prayers of the righteous = powerful and effective (James 5:16)
Righteous: the law of his God is in his heart (Psalms 37:30-31)
Glossary of Key Terms
- Censer: A container used to burn incense, symbolizing a person or their heart.
- Incense: A fragrant substance burned for religious purposes, symbolizing the prayers of the saints.
- Smoke: The visible result of burning incense, representing prayers ascending to God.
- Fire: A symbol of God’s word, its power, and refining nature.
- Righteous: Being morally right and justified in God’s sight, characterized by obedience to His word and a transformed heart.
- Consecrated: To be made holy, set apart for God’s purposes, achieved through the word of God and prayer.
- Tabernacle: A portable tent-like structure used by the Israelites as a place of worship and God’s dwelling place.
- Testimony (Covenant Law): God’s laws and covenant with the Israelites, kept in the Ark of the Covenant within the Tabernacle.
- Illustration: A representation or model, in this context, referring to the Tabernacle as a foreshadowing of God’s ultimate plan in Christ.
- Shadow: A representation or image that is less substantial than the reality, pointing to the fulfillment of the Law in Christ.
Breakdown
Timeline of Events
This lesson does not provide a timeline of specific events. It is a lesson focused on interpreting biblical symbolism and applying its meaning to prayer and righteousness.
Cast of Characters
1. God: The central figure of the lesson, representing the ultimate authority and recipient of prayers. The lesson emphasizes God’s desire for worship “in spirit and in truth,” meaning according to His prescribed way.
2. Jesus: Mentioned as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the model of a righteous person filled with God’s word and dedicated to prayer. He is quoted regarding abiding in His words and praying according to God’s will rather than worldly desires.
3. Moses: The prophet who built the Tabernacle according to God’s instructions, providing a physical “illustration” of spiritual realities. His experience with the Tabernacle and incense is used to explain the symbolic meaning of the censor.
4. Apostle Paul: Described as a “chosen vessel” or “container” to carry God’s word, illustrating the concept of a person as a censor holding the fire of the Word. He also warns against prioritizing human teachers over the Scriptures.
5. Angels: Mentioned as intermediaries who carry the prayers of the saints before God, highlighting the importance of praying in a way that honors God and reflects His word.
6. The Righteous: Described as those who have God’s law in their hearts and speak wisdom, signifying their alignment with God’s will and the effectiveness of their prayers.
7. The Arrogant: Individuals who possess knowledge of the Word but lack prayer, representing a type of censor with fire but no incense, resulting in no smoke (prayers) rising to God.
8. Those Lacking God’s Word: People who pray incessantly but without incorporating Scripture, symbolizing a censor with incense but no fire, leading to ineffective prayers.
9. The Pharisees: Used as a negative example of outward righteousness without true heart transformation, emphasizing the importance of internalizing God’s word rather than seeking external validation.
Note: This lesson primarily focuses on symbolic representations and types of people rather than specific individuals.
Overview
Overview: Secrets of Heaven: Figurative Censer
Main Theme: This lesson explores the symbolic meaning of the censer in Revelation 8:5 to understand how to approach God effectively through prayer. It emphasizes the importance of combining the Word of God with fervent prayer to live a righteous life and offer prayers that are pleasing to God.
Key Ideas:
- The Censer Analogy:Censer: Represents a person or their heart (Acts 9:15)
- Fire: Represents the Word of God (Jeremiah 5:14)
- Incense: Represents the prayers of the saints (Revelation 5:8, Psalms 141:2)
- Smoke: Represents prayers rising to Heaven (Revelation 8:3-4)
- Three Types of Censors (People):Censer with Fire, No Incense: Represents someone knowledgeable of the Word but lacking prayer.
- Censer with Incense, No Fire: Represents someone who prays often but lacks the foundation of the Word.
- Censer with Fire and Incense: Represents a righteous person who combines the Word with prayer, resulting in prayers that rise to God like a pleasing aroma.
- Righteous Prayers:Powerful and Effective: “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)
- Heard by God: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12)
- Based on God’s Word: “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.” (Psalms 37:30-31)
- Conditions for Answered Prayer: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)
- Abiding in Jesus: This means internalizing and living by His Word.
- Aligning with God’s Will: Prayer requests should reflect the desires shaped by Scripture, not worldly pursuits.
- Consecration through Word and Prayer: “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4-5)
Important Facts:
- The lesson draws parallels between the physical characteristics of a censer and its spiritual significance.
- The tabernacle, with its specific instructions for incense burning, serves as an example of God’s preference for order and obedience in worship.
- The lesson cautions against prioritizing knowledge over application and encourages a heart transformed by the Word and expressed through prayer.
Important Quotes:
- “This is going to be a very special topic because it’s going to help us understand more about how we should approach God effectively. What God looks for in those who come to Him.”
- “God has preferences. God has patterns and specifications. He wants things done in his way, not our way.”
- “We do not gather to become theologians filled with knowledge who then succumb to arrogance.”
- “Scripture shows that God looks at the one who has His word in their heart and lives according to it.”
- “When you speak God’s word back to Him in your prayers, it’s like presenting a satisfying and fragrant offering to God.”
- “Consecrated means made holy. Something is consecrated by two things: The word of God and prayer.”
Conclusion:
The lesson emphasizes that effective prayer requires more than just words; it necessitates a heart filled with the Word of God and a life lived in accordance with His teachings. It encourages believers to strive for righteousness, internalize Scripture, and offer prayers that are aligned with God’s will, resulting in a life consecrated by the Word and prayer.
Q&A
Q&A: The Figurative Censer and the Power of Prayer
1. What does the figurative censer represent in the Bible?
The figurative censer symbolizes a person, specifically their heart. This is supported by Acts 9:15, where Paul is described as a “chosen vessel” or “container” to carry God’s word. Just as a censer holds incense, our hearts are meant to hold the fire of God’s word and the incense of our prayers.
2. What do the incense and the smoke symbolize?
- Incense: Represents the prayers of the saints, as stated in Revelation 5:8 and Psalms 141:2.
- Smoke: Symbolizes those prayers being lifted up to God, ascending like a fragrant aroma (Revelation 8:3-4).
3. What are the three types of censors and what do they represent?
- Censer with fire but no incense: Represents someone who possesses knowledge of the Word but does not pray. They have the potential for powerful prayer but fail to utilize it.
- Censer with incense but no fire: Represents someone who prays fervently but lacks understanding of God’s Word. Their prayers may be abundant but lack direction and grounding.
- Censer with both fire and incense: This is the ideal scenario, representing someone who is filled with God’s Word and prays consistently. Their prayers are powerful, effective, and pleasing to God.
4. What kind of prayers does God receive?
God specifically receives and is attentive to the prayers of the righteous (James 5:16, 1 Peter 3:12). A righteous person is defined not by outward actions alone, but by having God’s word in their heart and living according to it (Psalm 37:30-31).
5. What does it mean to “remain in Jesus” and how does it relate to prayer?
To “remain in Jesus” means to continually abide in his words – knowing, meditating on, and internalizing them (John 15:7). As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, our desires align with God’s will, leading to more impactful and effective prayers.
6. How do God’s word and prayer work together?
According to 1 Timothy 4:4-5, everything is made holy (“consecrated”) through the word of God and prayer. They are not separate entities but work together to strengthen our faith and relationship with God.
7. What should our prayers focus on?
Our prayers should reflect a desire to grow closer to God, understand His word better, and live a righteous life. We should seek His guidance, strength, and forgiveness, and pray for the needs of others.
8. How can we make our prayers more pleasing to God?
We can make our prayers more pleasing to God by:
- Filling our hearts with His word: This allows us to pray according to His will and promises.
- Praying with sincerity and humility: Approaching God with a genuine desire for connection.
- Making our prayers a fragrant offering: Aligning our requests with His word and seeking spiritual growth above all else.