Revelation 8:3-7
In verses 3-4 another angel came forth with a golden censor and he is given incense to burn with the prayers of the saints upon the golden Altar of Incense.
This is one of the scenes that has caused question of who these “angels” are, (“Angelos” as spelled from the Greek) that are performing duties that only man was given to do by God. There is no other place found in the Scriptures that we find angels giving sacrifice or burning incense unto God.
That is not to say this is not possible, we do not know everything there is to know about God’s system. However I do find it unusual that an actual angel would be performing something of this nature.
The fact that the prayers of the saints are featured here may mean that these are saints and not angels performing these actions. To reiterate, the definition of “Angelos” is not specific just to angels but means human messenger or sent one as well.
Another act taking place here that could be subscribed to a Believer is the use of the censor as an act of judgment.
The other point that was made concerning this is found in 1 Corinthians 6:2-3 where the Church is given the place of judgment of the world and of the angels.
The definition of angel and the fact that the Church is to step into the role of judge is where this speculation originated. So as stated in the previous section, this could change our understanding a little concerning what is taking place in Heaven and the Churches role while these events are taking place.
Regardless of whether angels or Christians are performing these actions, they are being accomplished for the intended purpose.
So from this point on in our study I will use Angel/Christian to refer to who they are except when the context clearly states that it is an Angel.
In verse 5 we see that when the fire from the Altar is placed into the censer and cast to the earth there are voices, thundering, lightening and an earthquake. These are all signs of judgment and the power of God being displayed in the earth.
We may recall in the book of Exodus all these things were present upon the mountain where God would meet with Moses and were also used against Israel in judgment. So we see here judgment administered by the hands of an Angel/Christian.
In verse 6, seven Angel/Christians arrive with seven trumpets. We recognize this next action as the Seven Trumpet Judgments that are to be released into the earth. So we see by the events taking place that this chapter is the story of happenings on the earth as a result of these judgments.
When the first trumpet sounds hail and fire mixed with blood is cast to the earth. This is consistent with the plague of hail poured out on Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 and again on Egypt in Exodus 9. However the notable difference in this judgment is the blood that is mixed in.
Reflecting back to Revelation 6 when the Fifth Seal was opened the martyrs were crying out for vengeance. The blood spoken of in this judgment is most likely the blood of the martyrs that was shed throughout Biblical history just as the incense represents the prayers of the saints that were prayed throughout history.
The significance of the one third of the trees burning up and all the grass is not made clear. There seems to be several of these instances throughout the different judgments. Here are a few speculations and that is all they are: Speculations.
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It may be that God is holding back some judgment due to His great love for His man giving them an opportunity to repent before they make allegiance with the anti-christ later in the book.
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It may be because the Trumpet judgments are just one third of the judgments; the Seal Judgments, the Trumpet judgments and the Bowl judgments, each having its own effect on the earth and the inhabitants.
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It may be a parallel to one third of the angels falling when Lucifer fell and death comes to one third of creation as a result.
