Sometimes church cultures get stuck on an idea and it seems to morph into something obscure. We have taken the idea of certain people being intercessors and turned it into a cult club of exclusivity for those who pray in a closet on their knees for many hours. We then eliminate those who do not pray in a closet on their knees for many hours from the intercessors club and make them feel as if it is not needed for them to pray. The amusing thing is the word intercessor/intercession is only used six times throughout both the Old and New Covenant. The NA27 and the Masoretic Text took some liberties in translations and what we find is that we have made a huge mistake in forming and promoting the intercessors club. We will see who is called an intercessor, and it isn’t what or who we think. But this is good news. Now that we can put things into the correct perspective, prayer is now opened up to all people. All the saints can pray in the presence of the Lord, not a certain select few; and in the future the prayers of the saints will be used at the start of the trumpet judgments. Let’s explore.
One of the first mis-translations occurs in the beginning of the story of Samuel in the NA27, translated by Wescott and Hort. Wescott and Hort were not believers in Christ, they were Greek scholars. And since they were not believers in Christ we see some queer translations at times.
Eli’s son’s were lustful, entitled, and indulgent sinners. Eli confronts them and asks if someone wrongs the Lord, who will intercede for him.
1 Samuel 2:22-25 (AMP) Now Eli was very old, and he heard all that his sons did to all Israel and how they lay with the women who served at the door of the Tent of Meeting.
23 And he said to them, Why do you do such things? For I hear of your evil dealings from all the people.
24 No, my sons; it is no good report which I hear the Lord's people spreading abroad.
25 If one man wrongs another, God will mediate for him; but if a man wrongs the Lord, who shall intercede for him? Yet they did not listen to their father, for it was the Lord's will to slay them.
The word intercede is really the word pray in the text. This usage of prayer
proseuchomai is technically prayer in a proper place of prayer such as in this case the tabernacle as opposed to a synagogue. Israel did not have synagogues at this time, so this prayer was a tent of meeting prayer, or we could understand it as intentionally meeting with God prayer.
1 Sam 2:25G1437If G264by sinning G264[should sin G435a man] G1519against G435a man, G2532then G4336they shall pray G4012for G1473him G4314to G2962the lord . G2532But G1437ifG3588[against the G2962 lord G264sins G435a man], G5100who G4336shall pray G5228for G1473him? G2532But G3756they did not G191hearken to G3588the G5456voice G3588 G3962of their father. G1473 G1014For willing, G1063 G1014the lord preferred G2962 G1311to utterly destroy G1473them.
4336LSJ Gloss: προσεύχομαι to offer prayers
Dodson: προσεύχομαι I pray, pray for I pray, pray for, offer prayer.
Strong's: προσεύχομαι to pray to God, i.e. supplicate, worship Derivation: from G4314 and G2172; KJV Usage: pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer.
Thayer:
1) to offer prayers, to pray
προσεύχομαι proseuchomai pros-yoo'-khom-ahee From G4314 and G2172; to pray to God, that is, supplicate, worship KJV Usage: pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer.
Eli asks his sons a great question. Who would go into the presence of the Lord on their behalf? The assumption is the Lord intercedes on our behalf. If they offend the Lord, is there any human that could ask the Lord for mercy for Eli’s sons? Although by cutting off the house of Eli, Samuel was able to rise up in their stead. David talks about praying to the Lord quite a bit. He sings about asking Yahweh to hear him.
Psalm 5:G1519To G3588the G5056director; G5228for G3588the one G2816inheriting; G5568a psalm G3588toG*David.
1G3588 G4487[my words G1473 G1801Give ear to], G2962O lord! G4920Take notice G3588 G2906of my cry! G1473
2G4337Take heed G3588to the G5456voice G3588 G1162of my supplication, G1473 G3588O G935my king G1473 G2532and G3588 G2316my God! G1473 G3754for G4314to G1473you G4336I shall pray, G2962O lord .
3G4404In the morning G1522you shall hear G3588 G5456my voice. G1473 G4404In the morning G3936I shall stand beside G1473you, G2532and G2186.4he shall watch G1473me.
The first thing that David does in the morning is to stand beside the Lord in prayer; and the Lord watches David. This is David’s joy, to stand beside the Lord. This is prayer in the presence. This is what Eli was saying to his sons; if you offend Yahweh, who will pray in the presence of Yahweh on your behalf? David understands prayer in the presence while Yahweh watches.
Psalm 32:6 16.1PAUSE. G5228For G3778this G4336[shall pray G4314to G1473you G3956every G3741sacred one] G1722in G2540[time G2111a fit]; G4133only G1722in G2627a flood G5204of waters G4183many G4314[to G1473him G3756shall not G1448approach].
7G1473You G1473are my G1510.2.2 G2707.1refuge G575from G2347affliction G3588 G4023encompassing G1473me; G3588 G19.1my leap for joy G1473 G3084to ransom G1473me G575from G3588the G2944ones encircling G1473me.
In an appropriate time or a suitable time, the sacred ones, the pure and godly, will pray to Yahweh. Daniel is also a great example of this. When the governors and tacticians decided to conspire against Daniel and convince King Darius to make a decree about not praying to any other god, but to only pray to Darius, Daniel prayed to Yahweh anyway.
Daniel 6:10G2532And G*when Daniel G2259 G1097knew G3754that G1778.1[3was arranged G35881the G13782decree], G1525he went G1519into G3588 G3624his house, G1473 G2532and G3588the G2376windows G455were open G1473to him G1722in G3588 G5253his upper rooms G1473 G2713before G*Jerusalem. G2532And G2540[2times G51401three] G3588of the G2250day G1510.7.3he was G2578bending G1909upon G3588 G1119his knees, G1473 G2532and G4336praying, G2532andG1843making acknowledgment G1726before G3588 G2316his God, G1473 G2531as G1510.7.3he was G4160doing G1715before.
Daniel knew that they were conspiring against him and manipulating Darius, but Daniel knew Yahweh and prayed anyway. Notice that Daniel didn’t cry and complain that people were being mean to him; he prayed, and then got thrown in the lions den. But look at what Darius says and does. Darius doesn’t eat or sleep all night long, maybe he was praying and fasting. Now let’s see how he addresses Daniels’ God.
Daniel 6:20And when he drew near to the den, he cried with a loud voice, Daniel, servant of the living God, has thy God, whom thou servest continually, been able to deliver thee from the lion’s mouth?
Daniel is called the servant of the Living God. This is significant in that the governors and tacticians served dead gods, idols, made by their own hands. We worship and serve a Living God, which is why prayer in His presence is possible. Darius recognized it as well and then made a decree.
Daniel 6:26 This decree has been set forth by me in every dominion of my kingdom, that men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living and eternal God, and his kingdom shall not be destroyed, and his dominion is for ever. 27 He helps and delivers, and works signs and wonders in the heaven and on the earth, who has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.
Fear the Living God of Daniel, He is Living and Eternal. Darius sounds like he is holding a revival meeting in his kingdom. I wonder how many conversions there were at that time. Darius obviously felt badly that he was manipulated into that first decree of people only praying to to him for a month. Darius didn’t eat or sleep while Daniel was in the pit, and Darius wasted no time in eliminating the people and their families by throwing them into the pit of lions. While Darius was not born from Jacob’s lineage, he promoted Yahweh that day.
In Isaiah we have a mis-translation regarding Jesus. The Masoretic Text added a few words at the end of this prophecy regarding the Messiah to which the NA27 and the TR both include. However, older texts as well as the Northern Aramaic do not include this phrase.
Isaiah 53:12 (AMP) Therefore will I divide Him a portion with the great [kings and rulers], and He shall divide the spoil with the mighty, because He poured out His life unto death, and [He let Himself] be regarded as a criminal and be numbered with the transgressors; yet He bore [and took away] the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors (the rebellious).
This phrase was not original to the Septuagint or to the Aramaic. Jesus, our Messiah, inherits many people, from all tribes. and tongues, and languages.
Isaiah 53:12G1223On account of G3778this G1473he G2816shall inherit G4183many; G2532and G3588of the G2478strong ones G3307he will portion out G4661spoils, G446.2because G3860[was delivered up G15193unto G2288death G3588 G5590his soul]; G1473 G2532and G1722[among G3588the G459lawless ones G3049he was considered]; G2532and G1473he himself G266[the sins G41833of many G399bore], G2532and G1223because of G3588 G458their lawless deeds G1473 G3860he was delivered up.
Isaiah 53:7 And he, because of his affliction, opens not his mouth: he was led as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before the shearer is dumb, so he opens not his mouth. 8 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken away from the earth: because of the iniquities of my people he was led to death. 9 And I will give the wicked for his burial, and the rich for his death; for he practised no iniquity, nor craft with his mouth. 10 The Lord also is pleased to purge him from his stroke. If ye can give an offering for sin, your soul shall see a long-lived seed: 11 the Lord also is pleased to take away from the travail of his soul, to shew him light, and to form him with understanding; to justify the just one who serves many well; and he shall bear their sins. 12 Therefore he shall inherit many, and he shall divide the spoils of the mighty; because his soul was delivered to death: and he was numbered among the transgressors; and he bore the sins of many, and was delivered because of their iniquities.
Jesus is the Messiah who was delivered up for our iniquities, and he does in fact make intercession for us, but that was not indicated in the original verse. There are six usages of intercede/intercession that we will look at. Paul tells us in Romans that the Spirit intercedes.
Romans 8:26G5615And likewise G1161 G2532also G3588the G4151spirit G4878aids G3588in G769our weaknesses. G1473 G3588For the thing -- G1063 G5100what G4336we pray for G2526according to G1163necessity, G3756we do not G1492know; G235but G1473[itself G3588the G4151spirit] G5241intercedes G5228for G1473us G4726[moanings G215with unutterable].
27G3588But the one G1161 G2045searching G3588the G2588hearts G1492knows G5100what G3588the G5427thought G3588of the G4151spirit is, G3754for G2596according to G2316God G1793it intercedes G5228for G39the holy ones.
5241 LSJ Gloss: ὑπερεντυγχάνωto intercede
Dodson: ὑπερεντυγχάνωI intercede for I intercede for, make petition for.
Strong’s: ὑπερεντυγχάνω to intercede in behalf of Derivation: from G5228 and G1793; KJV Usage: make intercession for.
Thayer:
1) to intercede for one
ὑπερεντυγχάνω huperentugchanō hoop-er-en-toong-khan'-o From G5228 and G1793; to intercede in behalf of KJV Usage: make intercession for.
1793LSJ Gloss: ἐντυγχάνω to light upon, fall in with, meet with
Dodson: ἐντυγχάνω I meet, encounter, call upon, make a petition (a) I meet, encounter, hence: (b) I call (upon), make a petition, make suit, supplication.
Strong's: ἐντυγχάνω to chance upon, i.e. (by implication) confer with; by extension to entreat (in favor or against) Derivation: from G1722 and G5177; KJV Usage: deal with, make intercession.
Thayer:
1) to light upon a person or a thing, fall in with, hit upon, a person or a thing
2) to go to or meet a person, esp. for the purpose of conversation, consultation, or supplication
3) to pray, entreat
4) make intercession for any one
2) to go to or meet a person, esp. for the purpose of conversation, consultation, or supplication
3) to pray, entreat
4) make intercession for any one
ἐντυγχάνω entugchanō en-toong-khan'-o From G1722 and G5177; to chance upon, that is, (by implication) confer with; by extension to entreat (in favor or against) KJV Usage: deal with, make intercession.
Here we have our words proseuchomai, prayer, and huperentugchanō, intercede, and entugchanō, intercession. Huperentugchanō is only used once in the entire Bible, and this is where it is used. Huper means above which denotes the Spirit makes above intercession. The Spirit itself intercedes for us because we don’t know what to pray for. Isn’t that interesting? We don’t know what to pray for. We don’t. Many times we try to pray our will, trying to convince God, but that is not correct. Next, the word entugchanō is used, meaning “intercession”. Again it is the Spirit that intercedes (above intercession) and the Spirit that makes intercession. God knows the mind of the Spirit and the Spirit makes intercession for the holy ones, because we do not know how to pray. That does not mean we do not know how to pray and ask for things, but we do not always know the will of God, and we do not have the knowledge to pray according to His will. Like a toddler who wants a piece of candy, we can ask and ask and ask and ask, but we are wasting our time if we are praying amiss.
James 4:3 (KJV) Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Therefore the Spirit is the one who intercedes and makes intercessions on our behalf correctly. But how many prayer meetings do we go to where people are praying their will and their thought instead of praying in the Holy Spirit? It really defeats the purpose of a group meeting if everyone prays in their own prayer language; there is no need for a microphone for the human leaders to lead prayers in a meeting. Simply pray, wherever we are, and let the Holy Spirit do the interceding.
The next individual we see as an intercessor is Christ.
Romans 8:34G5100Who G3588is the one G2632condemning?G5547Christ G3588is the one G599having died, G3123and more G1161 G2532also G1453being arisen, G3739who G2532also G1510.2.3is G1722at G1188the right G3588of God, G2316 G3739who G2532also G1793intercedes G5228for G1473us.
The Anointed One, the Messiah, Jesus, intercedes for us. Thankfully, Jesus intercedes while the devil accuses, because his blood covers a multitude of our sins. Paul mentions that “in Elijah there is a scripture”. Today there is no Book of Elijah, but we find the example Paul uses elsewhere. Let’s read in Romans.
Romans 11:2G3756[did not G683thrust away G3588 G2316God] G3588 G2992his people G1473 G3739whom G4267he foreknew. G2228Or G3756do you not G1492know G1722in G*Elijah G5100what G3004[says G3588the G1124scripture], G5613how G1793he intercedes G3588 G2316with God G2596according to G3588 G*Israel, G3004saying,
3G2962O Lord, G3588 G4396[your prophets G1473 G615they killed], G2532and G3588 G2379your altars G1473 G2679they razed, G2504and I G5275[am left G3441alone], G2532and G2212they seek G3588 G5590my life. G1473
4G235But G5100what G3004says G1473[to him G3588the G5538divine answer]? G2641I left behind G1683to myself G2035seven thousand G435men, G3748the ones who G3756have not G2578bent G1119a knee G3588 G*to Baal.
In this retold account Paul says that in the scripture of Elijah, Elijah intercedes with God according to Israel. This word intercede means “meets with, converse, or consult”. After the miracle contest with the prophets of Baal, Elijah was threatened by Jezebel. He left and sat under a Juniper tree. He was fed by an angel and then went to a cave in Horeb. Here is the account we have in 1 Kings.
1 Kings 19:9-13 (KJV) And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?
10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
Yahweh spoke to Elijah. Then Elijah explained why he was upset. Then Yahweh told him to go outside. The Lord passed by Elijah. Then He spoke to Elijah again and Elijah answered.
1 Kings 19:14-18 (KJV) And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
15 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria:
16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
17 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay.
18 Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
This interceding was a meeting between Yahweh and Elijah. Who is allowed to meet with God? Everyone who believes on Jesus. Who is allowed to enter in behind the veil? Everyone who believes on Jesus. Is there a special formula or ritual one needs to preform? No. Is there a length of time one has to pray before entering in? No.
Elijah is said by Paul, to be interceding with God in regards to Israel. Elijah is not praying for or in favor of Israel, he is condemning Israel. Elijah repeats his story to Yahweh twice. Elijah is pointing out that he is the only one left who believes in Yahweh. However, Yahweh gives Elijah directions to anoint Jehu King, then to anoint Elisha. Meanwhile Yahweh says he hid seven thousand people who did not bow or worship Baal. The tides in the northern kingdom are about to change and Elijah did not realize it. This was Elijah’s meeting with Yahweh.
Getting back to our word intercession, Jesus has an unchangeable priesthood, therefore he is able to save us all as he lives to make intercession for us.
Hebrews 7:25G3606From where G2532[even G4982to deliver G15194totally G3588 G3838 G1410he is able] G3588the ones G4334coming forward G1223through G1473him G3588 G2316to God, G3842at all times G2198living G1519to intercede G3588 G1793 G5228for G1473them.
Our last look at this word intercession is written in Acts, regarding Paul being in prison by Felix and awaiting to stand before Cesar Augustus. Festus has now taken over for Felix, and Festus cannot see that Paul did anything worthy of death. Festus recognizes that Paul may have insulted the Jews and their superstitions, but Festus doesn’t know what to do about Paul. Festus has to send a letter to Augustus regarding Paul, and it so happens that he asks King Agrippa as Agrippa and his wife Bernice were visiting Festus. Festus does not know what to write about Paul regarding why the Jews want Paul killed and this is Fetus’s conversation with King Agrippa.
Acts 25:24G2532And G5346Festus says, G3588 G* G*O king Agrippa, G935 G2532and G3956all G3588the G4840[being present with G1473us G435men], G2334you view G3778this one G4012concerning G3739whom G3956all G3588the G4128multitude G3588of the G*Jews G1793interceded G1473with me G1722in G5037both G*Jerusalem G2532and G1759here, G1916yelling aloud G3361[must not G1163 G2198live G1473he ]G3371any longer
The Jews are interceding with Festus regarding Paul. The Jews are meeting, conversing, and yelling to Festus regarding killing Paul. The Jews are not supporting Paul, they want him dead. Yet Paul, being a Roman, is taking his fame, with all the yelling Jews, all the way to Rome to meet with Cesar Augustus.
So what do we see regarding the intercessors? Jesus intercedes for us, and the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. Intercession is a meeting and a conversation. Elijah had a meeting with Yahweh, yet it was negative regarding Elijah’s perspective of Israel. The Jews interceded with Festus trying to get Festus to kill Paul. Again another negative meeting. So if we look at this rationally we have created an entire cult club out of something that is: 1) Mistranslated by Wescott and Hort in the NA27. 2) Mistranslated by the Masoretic Text. 3) Used six times in total, two of which were “negative conversations”. 4) Two of the times indicated the “Holy Spirit is interceding”. 5) Two of the times indicated “Jesus is interceding”. Does this look anything like what people have made up in the church? Instead what we can learn is that we do not know what to pray for as we should. We will probably pray amiss more often then not. Meeting with God is for everyone. He is a Living Eternal God and we can stand next to him and pray. We all have access to come boldly with confidence through faith to meet behind the veil.
Ephesians 3:12 (KJV) In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
If we make a special intercessors club for certain people, we exclude the majority of people from praying. Do we think that intercessors’ prayers are answered more than ordinary people? No. In fact it may be that with a multitude of words, sin is not lacking. If we have five minutes here and five minutes there, we would probably do well to pray in the Spirit since the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us. Paul even claimed that he prayed in the Spirit more than everyone at Corinth.
1 Corinthians 14:18-19 (KJV) I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
We can understand that by having intercessor conferences, and intercessor meetings, and intercessor exaltations, we have effectively mishandled the written word of God and excluded ninety percent of the body of Christ from praying in the presence. Shame on us. The veil was torn for everybody and we need everybody to pray. We need everybody praying as often as we all can. We need all different lengths of prayer, types of prayer, styles of prayer, in known and unknown languages. The Body of Christ has been lulled to sleep thinking that the few special people called intercessors are the ones who pray. That is ridiculous. Everyone can pray in tongues or in their own language while driving to work, or while cooking, or while exercising, or while showering, or even in times specifically set aside to pray, like David said in the morning he would stand by Yahweh. Paul also instructs Timothy this way:
1 Tim 2:8G1014I want G3767then G4336[to pray G3588for the G435men] G1722in G3956every G5117place, G1869lifting up G3741sacred G5495hands, G5565separate from G3709anger G2532and G1261arguing.
The reality is that most men don’t pray as intentionally as they should and even less lift up holy hands. Meanwhile most intercessors are women, who don’t work or have young families to care for. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all stay home and pray all day long. If we all did that we would lose our homes and starve pretty quickly. Do you think God knows that? Absolutely. Do you think God condemns those who work and care for their families, with all that entails? Of course not. So Yahweh is not angry or condemning us if we don’t spend hours on our knees in His presence. He knows us better than we know us. Therefore what we can do in prayer, even in small increments, throughout the day is wonderful.
Now in the future our prayers are going to cause quite a ruckus on the earth. If we remember last week we looked at the saints praying and singing a new song while the beasts and elders take the bowls filled with prayers of the saints. Remember the saints are all harpazo’d, the dead in Christ rise first and those in Christ on the earth join them in the air. Now the saints are praying while Jesus takes the scroll. This is before any seals are open.
Revelation 5:8-10 (KJV) And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints
9 And they sung that sing a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
Lets read this in the Interlinear Greek New Testament and note the word prayer.
Revelation 5:8G2532καιAND G3753οτεWHEN G2983 (G5627)ελαβενHE TOOK G3588τοTHE G975βιβλιονBOOK G3588ταTHE G5064τεσσαραFOUR G2226ζωαLIVING CREATURES G2532καιAND G3588οιTHE G1501εικοσιτεσσαρες G5064FOUR AND TWENTY G4245πρεσβυτεροιELDERS G4098 (G5627)επεσονFELL G1799ενωπιονBEFORE G3588τουTHE G721αρνιουLAMB, G2192 (G5723)εχοντεςHAVING G1538εκαστοςEACH G2788κιθαραςHARPS G2532καιAND G5357φιαλαςBOWLS G5552χρυσαςGOLDEN G1073 (G5723)γεμουσαςFULL G2368θυμιαματωνOF INCENSES, G3739αιWHICH G1526 (G5748)εισινARE G3588αιTHE G4335προσευχαιPRAYERS G3588τωνOF THE G40αγιωνSAINTS.
9G2532καιAND G103 (G5719)αδουσινTHEY SING G5603ωδηνA SONG G2537καινηνNEW, G3004 (G5723)λεγοντεςSAYING, G514αξιοςWORTHY G1488 (G5748)ειART THOU G2983 (G5629)λαβεινTO TAKE G3588τοTHE G975βιβλιονBOOK, G2532καιAND G455 (G5658)ανοιξαιTO OPEN G3588τας G4973σφραγιδας G846αυτουITS SEALS; G3754οτιBECAUSE G4969 (G5648)εσφαγηςTHOU WAST SLAIN, G2532καιAND G59 (G5656)ηγορασας G3588τωDIDST PURCHASE G2316θεωTO GOD G2248ημαςUS G1722ενBY G3588τω G129αιματι G4675σουTHY BLOOD, G1537εκOUT OF G3956πασηςEVERY G5443φυληςTRIBE G2532καιAND G1100γλωσσηςTONGUE G2532καιAND G2992λαουPEOPLE G2532καιAND G1484εθνουςNATION,
10G2532καιAND G4160 (G5656)εποιησαςDIDST MAKE G2248ημαςUS G3588τω G2316θεω G2257ημωνTO OUR GOD G935βασιλειςKINGS G2532καιANDG2409ιερειςPRIESTS; G2532καιAND G936 (G5692)βασιλευσομενWE SHALL REIGN G1909επιOVER G3588τηςTHE G1093γηςEARTH.
4335LSJ Gloss: προσευχή prayer
Dodson: προσευχή prayer, a place for prayer (a) prayer (to God), (b) a place for prayer (used by Jews, perhaps where there was no synagogue).
Thayer:
1) prayer addressed to God
2) a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer
2a) a synagogue
2b) a place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray, outside the cities, where they had no synagogue
2b1) such places were situated upon the bank of a stream or the shore of a sea, where there was a supply of water for washing the hands before prayer
For Synonyms see entry G5828
2) a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer
2a) a synagogue
2b) a place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray, outside the cities, where they had no synagogue
2b1) such places were situated upon the bank of a stream or the shore of a sea, where there was a supply of water for washing the hands before prayer
For Synonyms see entry G5828
προσευχή proseuchē pros-yoo-khay' From G4336; prayer (worship); by implication an oratory (chapel) KJV Usage: X pray earnestly, prayer.
Notice that this word for prayer is slightly different, denoting prayer in a place other than in the temple, such as a synagogue or by the bank of a river. The intent is the same, conversing, but this time in this instance the saints are in heaven singing and praying. The saints are literally in His presence. The saints are praying in the presence of the Living Eternal God. The saints are also in the presence of the beasts, elders, and the seven spirits. Like David said, standing next to Yahweh, praying. At this point there is no distance. There is no hindrance, there are no earthly duties or chores. The saints are now the support team from a heavenly position for those left on the earth. Jesus is about to start opening seals. What will the saints be doing? Praying for those on the earth. As each seal is open, the spiritual pressures on the earth will become greater. Remember that peace is taken off the earth. The peacekeepers, the riders on the four horses, are now the four horsemen of the apocalypse. What are the saints doing in heaven? Praying.
Revelation 8:1-5 (AMP) WHEN HE [the Lamb] broke open the seventh seal, there was silence for about half an hour in heaven.
2 Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets.
3 And another angel came and stood over the altar. He had a golden censer, and he was given very much incense (fragrant spices and gums which exhale perfume when burned), that he might mingle it with the prayers of all the people of God (the saints) upon the golden altar before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense (the perfume) arose in the presence of God, with the prayers of the people of God (the saints), from the hand of the angel.
5 So the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and cast it upon the earth. Then there followed peals of thunder and loud rumblings and blasts and noises, and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
Our timing here is the opening of the seventh seal. That means six seals have been opened on the earth and the saints have been praying. Now let’s look closely at these verses.
Revelation 8:3G2532And G243another G32angel G2064came G2532and G2476he stood G1909at G3588the G2379altar, G2192having G3031[censer G5552a golden]; G2532and G1325[were given G1473to him G2368incenses G4183many], G2443that G1325he should offer it G3588with the G4335prayers G3588[the G393holy ones G3956of all] G1909upon G3588the G2379[altar G3588 G5552golden], G3588the one G1799before G3588the G2362throne.
Where are the saints? In heaven. What are the saints doing? Praying. Where are they praying? Somewhere around the throne. What is the angel doing? Taking incense and prayers and offering it upon the golden altar before the throne.
Revelation 8:4 G305[ascended G3588the G2586smoke G3588of the G2368incenses], G3588with the G4335prayers G3588of the G39holy ones, G1537out of G5495the hand G3588of the G32angel, G1799before G3588 G2316God.
Now the incense and the prayers are ascending as smoke from the hand of the angel who is before God.
Revelation 8:5G2532And G2983[took G3588the G32angel] G3588the G3031censer, G2532and G1072filled G1473it G1537from G3588the G4442fire G3588of the G2379altar, G2532and G906cast G1519unto G3588the G1093earth; G2532and G1096there became G5456sounds, G2532and G1027thunders, G2532and G796lightnings, G2532and G4578an earthquake
The angel takes a censer filled with the fire of the incense and prayers and throws it down to earth. Where are the saints? Praying before the throne. Where did the prayers of the saints go? They were offered on the golden altar. What became of the incense and the prayers? They were put in a censer and thrown down to earth. Who is on the earth? Essentially all those who still have not accepted Jesus as Lord and those who were sealed and hidden, the 144,000. What happened to those killed under the altar on the earth? They are serving around the throne in the temple. What happens after the incense and prayers are thrown to earth? The trumpet judgments start, one before two, then three and then four, etc. Ordinal numbers are in order for a reason.
This is the future of the saints, praying and warring on behalf of the people of earth. The prayers of the saints are a sweet aroma. They are well pleasing. They are desired by the Heavenly Father. No matter how much time one has to pray, just pray. And if you are that person who can pray fifteen hours a day, then by all means do so. But let’s not make the rest of the Body of Christ feel badly if they have earthly responsibilities and cannot pray fifteen hours a day. Instead lets all pray when we can. Lets all enter His presence when we can. There is no such thing as insomnia, the awake times can be prayer in the Spirit times. There is no such wasted time in the early mornings feeding a baby. Those minutes can be praying in the Spirit times. There is no such thing as a waste of time stuck in traffic, those minutes can be prayer in the Spirit times. We don’t pray to a dead or dumb idol, we pray to a Living Eternal God. Our prayers are powerful, and well pleasing.
