Apocalypse Revealed # 394
394. And the smoke of the incense for the prayers of the saints ascended before God from the angel's hand. (8:4) This symbolizes their protection by the Lord.
The smoke of incense ascending before God symbolizes something accepted and pleasing. Therefore David says similarly,
Let my prayers be accepted as incense before You. (Psalms 141:2)
That was because the smoke of incense was fragrant owing to the aromatic substances of which incense was composed - stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense (Exodus 30:34). Moreover, the fragrances of these aromatic substances correspond to qualities connected with spiritual love, or with charity and the attendant faith. In heaven, indeed, angels experience the most fragrant aromas corresponding to their perceptions arising from their love. Consequently we also read in many places in the Word that Jehovah smelled a sweet odor. 1
That this symbolizes protection by the Lord follows from what we said just above in no. 393.
Poznámky pod čarou:
1. See Genesis 8:21
Judges 9:44-45
44
Abimelech, and the companies that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city: and the two companies rushed on all who were in the field, and struck them.
45
Abimelech fought against the city all that day; and he took the city, and killed the people who were therein: and he beat down the city, and sowed it with salt.
