(3) 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. (4) And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. (5) 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.
There can be no question who this other Angel was that came and stood at the Altar with his golden Censer. It could be none but Christ. The office he here performed of the High Priest, belonged only to Christ. He, and he alone it was, whom Jehovah had Sworn into this office, Psalms 110:4. And as this vision was subsequent to the Lord Jesus Christ having performed all his offices of Redeemer upon earth, and was now returned to heaven, there to priest it also, in the office of an unchanging priesthood, nothing could be more refreshing to the mind of the beloved Apostle than to have this view of his Lord, before the sounding of the trumpets. And as it must have been refreshing to the mind of John then, so ought it to be, and, no doubt, as was designed, it hath been in all ages, and is now, to have so precious a representation of Jesus, as in this place is given of him, in the carrying on that glorious character, Hebrews 7:21 to the end. I will beg the attention of the Reader to it, for one moment.
And first. It is very blessed to have such a view of Christ in the midst of judgments. Let the Reader remember that this was shown John at the first opening of the seventh seal, The seventh seal became the prelude of the most distressing events on the earth, which began with the Sounding of the first trumpet, and hath more or less ever since, continued through the long period, of now nearly fourteen centuries, and the last woe trumpet is not yet sounded. Let the Reader first ponder these things, and then consider the grace of the Lord Jesus to his servant John, at such a time, and for Church at all times through him.
Secondly. Let the Reader keep in remembrance the glories of Christ's Person, and the blessedness of this office of High Priest, which he was here exercising. The Gospel taught the Church, that when Christ had made his soul an offering for sin, be should return to his Father, and there carry on his everlasting priesthood. And having spent one life upon earth, in dying for his people, he should spend another in heaven, in seeing the merits of his sufferings and death, recompensed in their salvation. And, that in the execution of this purpose, he should continue a Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedec. Here then we see the blessed truth confirmed. Behold Jesus at the Altar with the golden censer of his own merits, and with the much incense of his own blood, perfuming heaven with the fragrancy! Oh! what a sight for every regenerated child of God; everlastingly to keep in view and never to lose sight of! Well may every truly regenerated believer say, how can I fail of being accepted by God and my Father when coming to him in God's own way, and in God's own appointment, under the influence and grace of the Holy Ghost, and in the name, and blood, and incense, and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Behold! O God, our shield! and look upon the face of thine Anointed, Psalms 84:9
Thirdly. This view of Christ at the Altar of Incense becomes richly blessed to a poor sinner, when he is enabled by faith to connect with it, the pleasure of God the Father, in the whole transaction. While on earth, three times from heaven God proclaimed his love for him, and his most perfect approbation in him. And, in proof, God raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, gave him, as Mediator Head of the Church, power over all things in heaven and in earth, telling him, that he must reign till he had put all his enemies under his footstool, and committing to him the final judgment of all things, both quick and dean; because he is the Son of man. Oh! what a relief to all heart-straitenings in prayer, when thus a poor sinner, brought acquainted by grace with the plague of his own heart, thus comes to the throne of grace? What will signify his want of enlargement in himself, when he finds his soul through God the Spirit, so widened to take in the love of God the Father, in such a precious gift of his dear Son, and such views of God the Son's glory, grace, fulness, suitableness, and all - sufficiency, to carry on the purposes of his love towards poor sinners.
Fourthly. And what a finishing view to crown the whole, doth such a manifestation of Christ our High Priest, at the Altar of Incense bring with it, when the child of God, through the Holy Ghost's testimony of Jesus, and in Jesus, discovers the heart of God the Father on Christ's account, receiving, accepting, pardoning, Adopting, sanctifying, and blessing the whole Church, and every, individual of the Church, with his everlasting love, giving them all grace here, and glory hereafter. Reader have you duly considered these things, and marked their blessedness? It is in Christ the Son of his love, God beholds his people, having chosen them in him before the foundation of the world; and now in the time state of the Church, having set Christ forth a propitiation through faith in his blood, Romans 3:24-25. It is in Christ their persons and their prayers are accepted. Jesus upon the golden Censer of his own merits and blood, presents both and perfumes both. And as this scripture saith the smoke of the incense, come up with the prayers of the saints, ascending up before God out of his Almighty hand. Jesus it is which opens to fellowship with God, for we can have no fellowship with God without him having boldness to enter into the; holiest by the blood of Jesus. He it was who first opened the way by his blood, and now ever liveth to keep it open by his intercession, Hebrews 10:19-22. And, as here, in and through Christ, we have access by one Spirit unto the Father, so hereafter, all our drawings nigh, will be in and through him. In hope, saith one of the Apostles, of eternal life, which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began. And addeth another, the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 5:10. Oh! the blessedness of being in Christ Jesus.