Apocalypse Revealed # 278
278. Which are the prayers of the saints. This symbolizes thoughts that are matters of faith springing from affections that are matters of charity in people who worship the Lord in accord with spiritual goods and truths.
Prayers mean matters having to do with faith in people who pour forth prayers, and at the same time matters having do to with charity, since without these, prayers are not prayers but empty sounds.
That saints symbolize people who are impelled by spiritual goods and truths may be seen in no. 173 above.
Burnings of incense are called the prayers of the saints because fragrant aromas correspond to affections for goodness and truth. That is why reference is made so often in the Word to a pleasing aroma or a restful aroma to Jehovah, as in Exodus 29:18, 25, 41, Leviticus 1:9, 13, 17; 2:2, 9, 12; 3:5; 4:31; 6:15, 21; 8:28; 23:13, 18; 26:31, Numbers 28:6, 8, 13; 15:3; 29:2, 6, 8, 13, 36, Ezekiel 20:41, Hosea 14:7.
Prayers called incense have the same symbolic meaning in the following verses in the book of Revelation:
(An angel, standing at the altar,) having a golden censer..., was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar... And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel's hand. (Revelation 8:3-4)
And in the book of Psalms:
Give ear to my voice... My prayers are accepted as incense before You... (Psalms 141:1-2)
Aaron
Aaron was the brother of Moses. He symbolizes two things, at different stages of the story.
During the first part of the exodus, when he was Moses' spokesperson, Moses represents the Word as it truly is, as it is understood in heaven, while Aaron represents the Word in its external sense, as it is understood by people in the world. This is why Aaron talks for Moses, and the Lord says of him "he shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God." (Exodus 4:16)
Later, after the Tabernacle was built and he was inaugurated as high priest (see Leviticus 8,9), Aaron represents the Lord as to the Divine Good, and Moses represents the Lord as to the Divine Truth.
In Exodus 28:1, Aaron signifies the conjunction of Divine Good with Divine Truth in the Divine Human of the Lord. (Arcana Coelestia 9806, 9936)
In Exodus 32:1, Aaron represents the external of the Word, of the church, and of worship, separate from the internal. (Arcana Coelestia 10397)
In Exodus 4:14, before he was initiated into the priesthood, Aaron represents the doctrine of good and truth. (Arcana Coelestia 6998)