144,000

(Rev 8:1-5) And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

NOTESNOTES  To this point, heaven is been very loud with singing (Church Saints) and loud voices crying out (Tribulation Saints)  At this point God is showing John another scene in Heaven. Chronically this would happen at the beginning of the tribulation, right after the scene from Rev Just before the tribulation  What we see is a scene involving the Altar of Incense.

Can you see Him in the… G O L D E N ALTAR

NOTESNOTES  We must remember that the earthly tabernacle was giving to Moses to be a miniature model of the Heavenly Tabernacle.

(Psa 19:1) To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. (Psa 19:2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. (Psa 19:3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (Psa 19:4) Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, (Psa 19:5) Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

(Heb 8:1-2) Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. See (Heb 8:5) Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.

(Rev 8:1-5) And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

Psa 141:2) Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. ( Psa 141:2) Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

(Rev 5:7) And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints (Rev 5:8) And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

Rev. 5:8 Rev. 8: 2-5 Rev. 11:19 Rev. 16:17-18

A. What are these prayers?

with the prayers of all saints (Rev 8:1-5) And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

(Mat 6:7) But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (Mat 6:8) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Mat 6:9) After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come (Mat 6:10) Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

(Rev 6:9-10) And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

B. How many of your prayers will be cast down?

NOTESNOTES  It is not our Bible knowledge that he is throwing down.  It is not Bible sermons that we have preached that He is going to throw down.  It is not the offering that we give that he will throw down  It is not the witnessing and missions that God throws down.

C. Why we don’t pray!

1. We don’t truly desire Sincere Fellowship

(Gen 3:8) And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. (Exo 24:12) And the LORD said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them.

2. We don’t truly desire Silence and Solitude

NOTESNOTES  The average American watches four hours of television each day. That’s 28 hours per week. Which is almost like having another full-time job.  More people listen to the news and sports today than read about them in papers.

(Isa 26:20) Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

(Mar 6:7-9) And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. (Mar 6:30-32) And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately.

3. We don’t truly understand the Source of power it unleashes

(Jas 5:14) Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: (Jas 5:15) And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. (Jas 5:16) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

(1Jn 5:14) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (1Jn 5:15) And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him..