another angel came
William MacDonald teaches that Jesus Christ, as the heavenly High Priest, purifies and presents the prayers of believers to God, assuring them that their imperfect prayers are made acceptable through His intercession.
In this devotional sermon, William MacDonald explores the comforting truth of Christ’s intercessory ministry as depicted in Revelation 8:3. He reveals how Jesus, acting as the heavenly High Priest, takes the imperfect prayers of believers, adds His own perfect incense, and presents them to God the Father. This message offers encouragement to Christians struggling with their prayer life, assuring them that their prayers are made acceptable through Christ’s purifying work.
Text
“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.” Revelation 8:3.
We believe that the angel in this passage is none other than the Lord Jesus Himself. And His ministry here is full of comfort and encouragement for us.
What is He doing? He takes the prayers of all saints, adds His precious incense to them and presents them to God the Father.
We know only too well that our prayers and praises are very imperfect. We don’t know how to pray as we should. Everything we do is stained with sin, with false motives, with selfishness.
“The holiest hours we spend in prayer upon our knees,
The times when most we deem our songs of praise will please,
Thou Searcher of all hearts, forgiveness pour on these.”
But before our worship and intercession ever get to God the Father, they pass through the Lord Jesus. He removes every trace of imperfection so that when they finally reach the Father they are flawless. And something else that is very wonderful happens. He offers the incense with the prayers of the saints. The incense speaks of the fragrant perfection of His person and work. It is this that gives efficacy to our prayers.
What an encouragement this should be to us. We are all too aware of how we bungle in prayer. We slaughter the rules of grammar, express ourselves inelegantly and say things that are doctrinal absurdities. But this need not discourage us from praying. We have a Great High Priest who edits and purifies all our communications with the Father.
Mary Bowley captured the truth in poetic form when she wrote:
Much incense is ascending
Before th’ eternal throne;
God graciously is bending
To hear each feeble groan;
To all our prayers and praises
Christ adds His sweet perfume,
And love the censer raises
These odours to consume.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Angel at the Altar
- Identification of the angel as the Lord Jesus
- The angel’s role with the golden censer
- The significance of the incense and prayers
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II. The Imperfection of Our Prayers
- Human weakness in prayer and worship
- The stain of sin and selfish motives
- Our need for divine purification
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III. Christ’s Purifying Ministry
- Jesus adds His incense to our prayers
- He removes imperfection before presenting to the Father
- The efficacy of prayers through Christ’s intercession
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IV. Encouragement for Believers
- Do not be discouraged by imperfect prayers
- Christ as our Great High Priest who perfects our worship
- The comfort found in Christ’s intercession
Key Quotes
“We believe that the angel in this passage is none other than the Lord Jesus Himself.” — William MacDonald
“He removes every trace of imperfection so that when they finally reach the Father they are flawless.” — William MacDonald
“We have a Great High Priest who edits and purifies all our communications with the Father.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Approach prayer with confidence, knowing Jesus purifies and presents your prayers to God.
- Do not be discouraged by your imperfect prayers; trust in Christ’s perfect intercession.
- Remember that Jesus’ high priestly ministry is a source of comfort and encouragement in your spiritual life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the angel mentioned in Revelation 8:3?
William MacDonald explains that the angel is actually the Lord Jesus Christ in His heavenly ministry.
Why are our prayers considered imperfect?
Our prayers are imperfect because of sin, selfish motives, and our limited understanding of how to pray properly.
What does the incense symbolize in this passage?
The incense symbolizes the fragrant perfection of Christ’s person and work, which He adds to our prayers to make them acceptable to God.
How does this teaching encourage believers in prayer?
It encourages believers by assuring them that Jesus purifies and perfects their prayers, so they need not be discouraged by their imperfections.
What is the role of Jesus as the Great High Priest?
Jesus acts as the mediator who presents and perfects the prayers of the saints before God the Father.