Our Prayers May Have Far Greater Significance Than We Ever Imagined

Then one of the four living beings handed each of the seven angels a gold bowl filled with the wrath of God, who lives forever and ever. [Revelation 15.7]

Let it be stated here and now that I make no claims to understand the book of Revelation. And, because opinions vary so wildly, I have personally decided to avoid others' opinions as much as possible (yes, even the highest academia) in order to give the Spirit of God the chance to impress upon me what He is saying without human bias. My goal is to learn the Bible from the Bible. My reason for this is simple: if, to understand the Bible, I must study other materials, then does that not make the other materials more important than the Bible?

As I read this passage today, I distinctly remember earlier reading about gold bowls in the hands of the "four living beings":

And when he took the scroll, the four living beings and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they held gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. [Revelation 5.8]

Is there a correlation? It is the same "four living beings" but is it the same "gold bowls"?

If so, the prayers of God's people and God's wrath could be one and the same.

Furthermore, Revelation 15.8 says: The Temple was filled with smoke from God’s glory and power. No one could enter the Temple until the seven angels had completed pouring out the seven plagues.

So, here is another interesting correlation. After the gold bowls in Revelation 15.7 are mentioned, immediately following, Revelation 15.8 says the Temple was filled with smoke. Smoke comes from incense and incense is what the gold bowls in Revelation 5.8 are said to be filled with! And, that incense and the prayers of God's people are one and the same!

The point I wish to make here is that our prayers may have far greater significance than we ever imagined. Yes, our prayers are effective on earth (as we are told to exercise them - "May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...")! But, it seems these prayers also have a value beyond our temporal requests, a value placed by God and seen in the fact that He stores these prayers up. God's reason for storing these prayers up can possibly be seen in the scriptures that indicate all things will be placed under the feet of Jesus:

The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit in the place of honor at my right hand until I humble your enemies, making them a footstool under your feet.” [Psalm 110.1]

Could our prayers actually be the vehicle by which all things are placed under Jesus' feet? Could then the gross prayerless condition of the Church actually affect the timing of all things apocalyptic?

It is worth considering.

Father, so much of the Book of Revelation goes right over my head. But I am catching bits a pieces of information that seem to reveal continuity previously unseen or not understood by me. Thank You. Please keep me from error and let me be solidly founded upon You and Your Word. May You find me faithful to pray regardless.