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)
Goat
Goats, as in Leviticus 16:21, 22, signify faith. Because man is regenerated by the Lord by the truth of faith, and consequently, his sins are removed and cast into hell, therefore it is said that "Aaron made the goat bear upon him all the iniquities of the children of Israel unto the land of separation, or into the wilderness." From correspondences, a goat signifies the natural man. The goat which was sacrificed, as in Leviticus 16:5-10, signifies the natural man regarding a part purified, and the goat which was sent into the wilderness regarding the natural man not purified.
(Odkazy: Apocalypse Explained 730)
