Have you worked the puzzle at the end of Chapter Ten? If so, you may be interested in comparing your answers to these.
- A pillar in God’s temple. Figurative meaning: The faithful Christian will enjoy an honored and firmly established position in God’s presence. Explanation: The pillars were a magnificent part of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 7:13-22). Most importantly, they stood in God’s presence since, in Old Covenant terms, the temple in Jerusalem was God’s dwelling place (1 Kings 8:13; 2 Chronicles 6:2; Acts 7:46- 47).
- The slain Lamb. Figurative meaning: Jesus Christ as the sacrifice whose death saves us. Explanation: In Exodus, lambs were killed so that their blood would protect the Israelites from death (Exodus 12:1-27). In the Old Covenant, lambs were sacrificed regularly for redemption (Exodus 34:20), for peace offerings (Leviticus 3:1-11), and for removal of sins (Leviticus 4:32-35). New Testament references show that those sacrificial lambs find their fulfillment in Christ’s death (Revelation 5:6-9; 7:14; 1 Peter 1:18-19; John 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:7).
- The golden altar. Figurative meaning: The authorized place where God receives offerings, fulfilled by Christ. Explanation: The first temple had two altars. The larger was a brass altar for animal sacrifices (2 Chronicles 4:1 cf. Exodus 27:1-6). Fire from this large altar was taken to a smaller, golden altar for burning incense (1 Kings 7:48; Exodus 30:1-8; Leviticus 16:2). Once a year, the blood of atonement was placed on the horns of the golden altar (Exodus 30:10). This association with sacrifice suggests the cross and the perfect sacrifice to remove sins, Jesus Christ.
- The seven torches or lamps of Revelation 4:5. Figurative meaning: The Holy Spirit. Explanation: The tabernacle had a golden lampstand with seven lamps (Exodus 25:31-40; 37:23; Zechariah 4:2). Solomon’s temple used ten such lampstands (1 Kings 7:49; 2 Chronicles 4:7). The sacred lamps burned continually (Leviticus 24:2-4). John interprets them as “the seven Spirits of God” (Revelation 4:5). Seven stands for completeness, in this case the absolute perfection of the one Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:4). (Elsewhere John interprets seven lampstands as the seven churches of Asia, Revelation 1:12-13, 20. That picture emphasizes Christ’s congregations as His lights in the world, which reminds us that Scripture’s Author can give symbols different meanings in different contexts.)
- The golden bowls of incense. Figurative meaning: Prayers offered to God through Christ. Explanation: The aroma of burning incense filled the tabernacle and temple (Exodus 40:16-27; Leviticus 2:1-2; 1 Samuel 2:28; 1 Chronicles 6:49; 2 Chronicles 2:4; 13:10-11). Incense is closely associated with sacrifices (Deuteronomy 33:10) and with prayers (Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:10). This Old Testament background alone can help us understand the symbol. But John simplifies the matter, interpreting the symbol by saying: “golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8). Later John portrays incense as something offered “with the prayers of all the saints” (Revelation 8:3-4). What accompanies our prayers to make them acceptable to God? New Testament teaching shows this to be Christ’s work as our Mediator (1 Timothy 2:1-5; 1 John 2:1-2), and the Holy Spirit’s work as our Intercessor (Romans 8:26-27). Christ is the “fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:2). Incense as a symbol, therefore, is not just about prayers, but about prayers sent to God through Christ.
- The elders also hold harps. Figurative meaning: Praises offered to God through Christ. Explanation: Harps were used in worship before David’s time (1 Samuel 10:5). Then they became official instruments of the temple as arranged by the inspired man of God, King David (1 Kings 10:12; 1 Chronicles 15:16, 20; 16:1-6; 25:1, 6; 28:11-19). “The commandment was from the LORD through His prophets” (2 Chronicles 29:25 cf. Psalm 81:1-4). David’s arrangement was implemented by King Solomon (2 Chronicles 5:12; 9:11) and his successors (2 Chronicles 20:28; 29:25; Nehemiah 12:27). Revelation borrows the items of temple worship to draw its pictures.
And when He [Christ the Lamb] had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. (Revelation 5:8 cf. Revelation 14:2-3; 15:2)
The harps go with the incense, which is clearly symbolic since John gives the symbol’s meaning. If the incense is not literal, neither are the harps. They both depict the praise made perfect—as Scripture teaches us—by the sacrificed Lamb, Jesus Christ.