Tag: Torah reading 067

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

‘Most holy to the LORD’: What the altar of incense reveals about prayer (Exodus 30; Malachi 1–2; John 17; Revelation 8)

Oil-palette-knife–style digital illustration by ChatGPT showing incense as intercessory prayer across earthly and heavenly realms. On the left, Aaron the high priest ministers at the golden altar of incense inside the tabernacle, with thick smoke rising and a clearly defined seven-branch menorah glowing behind him in warm gold tones. At the center, the Messiah stands as the superior High Priest, hands lifted in prayer, surrounded by intertwined grapevines symbolizing unity and His John 17 intercession, visually bridging earth and heaven. On the right, a Revelation 8 scene unfolds: an angel adds incense to the prayers of the saints before a radiant throne, as stormy skies, fire, and trumpet-judgment imagery emerge in cooler, dramatic hues. The painting uses heavy, expressive strokes and contrasts warm incense light with dark, turbulent judgment clouds. A text overlay in the lower middle reads, “‘Most holy to the LORD’: What the altar of incense reveals about prayer (Exodus 30; Malachi 1–2; John 17; Revelation 8).” A Hallel.info watermark appears in the upper right corner.

In this study we explore Exodus 30 to Revelation 8. They reveal that the altar of incense in ancient Israel’s Tabernacle is a powerful picture of how our prayers rise like incense before God. We learn from Hannah’s heartfelt prayer, the high priestly intercession of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) in John 17, and the prophet Malachi’s warning against empty worship. Together they call us to pure, devoted prayer, genuine repentance, and unity in truth. That’s so our lives become a living offering “most holy to the LORD.”