Revelation 8-10

“Another angel ... was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar” (8:3). John saw in a vision that, in heaven, the prayers of God’s people had tremendous power. Their prayers were offered like fire, and their smoke went up like continual incense (4). At the right time, the angel took this fire and threw it to earth as part of the accomplishment God’s will (8:3-5).

Our prayers are precious to God. We may not understand now, but at the right time, John’s vison declares, “the mystery of God will be accomplished”: everything, including our prayers, will be part of His judgment, healing, and restoration of our world (10:7).