Incense

[Bryne]

I voted other.

No...I do not use incense. I had never thought about using it during personal prayer until very recently when I saw it mentioned here. My church does not use it. While I don't think I necessarily "should" use it, I definitely would use it, and would like to see it used in my church (though I doubt that will ever happen).

 

[Dorothea]

The use of incense was part of the old covenantal system. The old covenant has a lot of things we no longer need or do. Nowhere are we as Christians commanded to use incense as an essential part of our worship.

Since you consider incense as an essential part of worship, would you say that my worship is made unnacceptable before God because I personally don't use incense?

Aha! But it IS mentioned in Malachi!!

Malachi 1:11 "For from the rising of the sun even to its going down, My name has been glorified among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered in My name, and a pure offering, for My name shall be great among the Gentiles."

 

[Ave Maria]

Catholics occasionally use incense at Mass. The priest will incense the altar and such.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Aha! But it IS mentioned in Malachi!!

Malachi 1:11 "For from the rising of the sun even to its going down, My name has been glorified among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered in My name, and a pure offering, for My name shall be great among the Gentiles."

Ofcourse it is Dorothea, the incense is figuritive to prayer

Mal 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mat 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer...


Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense

1Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

In every place likewise....

1Cr 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:



A spiritual house offering up "spiritual sacrifices" in every place, whereas our prayer is set before Him (calling on His name) which is as incense set before Him.

God bless you sis

 

[Dorothea]

Ofcourse it is Dorothea, the incense is figuritive to prayer

Mal 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mat 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer...


Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense

1Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

In every place likewise....

1Cr 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:



A spiritual house offering up "spiritual sacrifices" in every place, whereas our prayer is set before Him (calling on His name) which is as incense set before Him.

God bless you sis

Yes, and in Malachi, God is saying the Gentiles will be glorifying Him by offering incense to Him. So, that means the NT Churches because there were no gentiles before the NT Churches (Christians) who were glorifying God with incense. They were pagans before that.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Yes, and in Malachi, God is saying the Gentiles will be glorifying Him by offering incense to Him. So, that means the NT Churches because there were no gentiles before the NT Churches (Christians) who were glorifying God with incense. They were pagans before that.

Now Dorothea, I promise I will not take your incense from you, you could burn 100 lbs of that stuff a day if you want

But remember, they burned the stuff before the brazen serpent (a type for Christ) made by the hands of Moses by the directive of God, it was a no no.

And what did Hezekiah do?

2Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and ***brake in pieces*** the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it:

He did what was right before the Lord (who was the one commanded Moses to make it). Hey, is the brazen serpent (which was ordered to be made by God) is considered pagan too?

Bless you sister

 

[Dorothea]

Now Dorothea, I promise I will not take your incense from you, you could burn 100 lbs of that stuff a day if you want

But remember, they burned the stuff before the brazen serpent (a type for Christ) made by the hands of Moses by the directive of God, it was a no no.

And what did Hezekiah do?

2Kings 18:4 He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and ***brake in pieces*** the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it:

He did what was right before the Lord (who was the one commanded Moses to make it). Hey, is the brazen serpent (which was ordered to be made by God) is considered pagan too?

Bless you sister

That's the whole point of Malachi. God is talking about Gentiles who will be offering incense to Him, glorifying Him. He's not speaking of the pagans burning incense to their gods - whatever object it may be.

@ burning 100 lbs of incense. I've only burned it once at my home, and I didn't know what I was doing, and it puffed up in smoke from my little burning incense container, and set off the fire detector. so I ended up putting the lid over it, and it went out. I haven't tried since then. But it's ok. It's at all the worship services at church, so I'm good.

 

[Gnarwhal]

I've only recently learned that the incense is used during worship and it's purpose. I think it's really cool, and like many other things we do in our faith (reciting the Nicene Creed, baptism, etc.) it's all an outward expression of something internal. I would look into it more but my wife gets headaches from strong scents.

 

[Dorothea]

I've only recently learned that the incense is used during worship and it's purpose. I think it's really cool, and like many other things we do in our faith (reciting the Nicene Creed, baptism, etc.) it's all an outward expression of something internal. I would look into it more but my wife gets headaches from strong scents.

Me, too, but for some reason, I do fine with incense at church.

 

[Fireinfolding]

That's the whole point of Malachi. God is talking about Gentiles who will be offering incense to Him, glorifying Him. He's not speaking of the pagans burning incense to their gods - whatever object it may be.

@ burning 100 lbs of incense. I've only burned it once at my home, and I didn't know what I was doing, and it puffed up in smoke from my little burning incense container, and set off the fire detector. so I ended up putting the lid over it, and it went out. I haven't tried since then. But it's ok. It's at all the worship services at church, so I'm good.

I burn yankee candles sis, so I havent a problem burning anything, but I do regard it as a figure of the true (prayer). As we set our prayer before Him, even likewise they would call upon other gods (and likewise) set their incense before them.

Though, I have a question, you wouldnt consider the brazen serpent a pagan object though would you? If no do you know why the incense set before this object might have been considered so? That Hezekiah needed to break it into pieces.

Yankee candles are getting way way too expensive, 5 minute burns at a time (lol)

Blessing sister

 

[Dorothea]

I burn yankee candles sis, so I havent a problem burning anything, but I do regard it as a figure of the true (prayer). As we set our prayer before Him, even likewise they would call upon other gods (and likewise) set their incense before them.

Though, I have a question, you wouldnt consider the brazen serpent a pagan object though would you? If no do you know why the incense set before this object might have been considered so? That Hezekiah needed to break it into pieces.

Yankee candles are getting way way too expensive, 5 minute burns at a time (lol)

Blessing sister

Well, in Malachi, the Lord is talking about what the Gentiles will be doing in glorifying Him. He was going on about His people - Israel - burning incense to other gods but that later on, the Gentiles would be glorifying Him the true God, offering incense. And yes, as prayers.

Obviously what they did with the serpent was wrong.

I was answering Scottish because he seemed to think burning incense was only an OT thing, what was done in the Jewish Temples only, but the Lord Himself says in Malachi that later the Gentiles will be worshiping Him = Christians - gentile and former Jews.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Well, in Malachi, the Lord is talking about what the Gentiles will be doing in glorifying Him. He was going on about His people - Israel - burning incense to other gods but that later on, the Gentiles would be glorifying Him the true God, offering incense. And yes, as prayers.

Obviously what they did with the serpent was wrong.

I was answering Scottish because he seemed to think burning incense was only an OT thing, what was done in the Jewish Temples only, but the Lord Himself says in Malachi that later the Gentiles will be worshiping Him = Christians - gentile and former Jews.

I definately see it spoken of there too Dorothea and I do regard it as a figure of the true even inclusive of the Gentiles. His house would be a house of prayer offering spiritual sacrifces (in every place now) unto His name or even as David said, "let my prayer BE AS incense set before thee"

Even I dont have nothing against incense in and of itself (well...if it smells good) I do prefer scented candles, though I dont light one when I pray, but if I pray, there might be a candle burning from way earlier, I certainly dont go over an blow it out on purpose or anything to avoid it lol

I am curious sister, not so much for you to answer (personally) but just out of curiousity... what does the church teach in respects to what they were doing wrong (in burning incense) before what God had asked Moses to make? One could interpret it as them having an intention to give due respect (Given who ordered it to be made in the first place). Who would you ask to know for certain? Or is there an article somewhere sis you can direct me to maybe?

God bless you Dorothea

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

While not common in our Churches, the rubrics of the Liturgy do allow for it's use. The symbolic use of incense comes from Scripture "Let my prayers rise before you like the incense of the evening sacrifice. This passage tells us that our prayers do rise, and are as pleasing and meritorious to God. Like the sacrifices demanded by God in the OT, prayer is a valid sacrificial act!

When the Altar is censed prior to the Prayers of the Church, we not only see the symbolism that I mentioned above, but also a physical tie to the OT worship of God, this is symbolic also of the eternity of God, of of His Church!

God bless all, and may all of our prayers rise before God as the incense of the evening sacrifice!

Mark

 

[Dorothea]

I definately see it spoken of there too Dorothea and I do regard it as a figure of the true even inclusive of the Gentiles. His house would be a house of prayer offering spiritual sacrifces (in every place now) unto His name or even as David said, "let my prayer BE AS incense set before thee"

Even I dont have nothing against incense in and of itself (well...if it smells good) I do prefer scented candles, though I dont light one when I pray, but if I pray, there might be a candle burning from way earlier, I certainly dont go over an blow it out on purpose or anything to avoid it lol

I am curious sister, not so much for you to answer (personally) but just out of curiousity... what does the church teach in respects to what they were doing wrong (in burning incense) before what God had asked Moses to make? One could interpret it as them having an intention to give due respect (Given who ordered it to be made in the first place). Who would you ask to know for certain? Or is there an article somewhere sis you can direct me to maybe?

God bless you Dorothea

TBH, I don't remember. I read that so long ago, I can't remember what the EO teaches on that. My memory isn't always so good (especially short term ). I would have to look it up. What's the chapter and verse again?

I can't do scented candles. It bothers my sinuses. Lots of things bother my sinuses - strong perfumes, strong paint fumes, strong gas fumes, smoke, etc. But I'm able to tolerate incense well. Must be a blessing from God.

God bless you too, fire.

 

[Fireinfolding]

While not common in our Churches, the rubrics of the Liturgy do allow for it's use. The symbolic use of incense comes from Scripture "Let my prayers rise before you like the incense of the evening sacrifice. This passage tells us that our prayers do rise, and are as pleasing and meritorious to God. Like the sacrifices demanded by God in the OT, prayer is a valid sacrificial act!

When the Altar is censed prior to the Prayers of the Church, we not only see the symbolism that I mentioned above, but also a physical tie to the OT worship of God, this is symbolic also of the eternity of God, of of His Church!

God bless all, and may all of our prayers rise before God as the incense of the evening sacrifice!

Mark

This is how I see it, I suppose you can see (even below) how taking things literally minded stumbled them in the past in respects to the blood of calves (as well). For instance I found this the other day and went "Wow! I never caught this one before (see below)

Because I was looking at calves (by accident) trying to find something else and noticed there was a pattern (according to) their own understanding to be seen, as to what they offered and worshipped somewhat (andin the fashion of their understanding) as the book (and patern of heavenly things) were sprinkled with the blood of calves (as well). These appeared to become the focus of worship, such as figured in the golden calf (made specifically by Aaron) and of their hands, which came by what they had taken off their EARS (how they heard)

As it says here...

Heb 9:23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.

Which was...

Heb 9:19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

Here it is

Heb 13:2 And now they sin more and more, and have made them molten images of their silver, [and] idols according to their own understanding, all of it the work of the craftsmen: they say of them, Let the men that sacrifice kiss the calves.

Off their EARS and into Aaarons hand

Exodus 32:4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, **These** be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Those figures made them abominations (according to their own understanding) whereas....

Heb 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, [which are] the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:


Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

So it says...

Hosea 14:2 Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.

Whereas...

John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.


So now (by Him) who cometh to give us an understanding...


Heb 3:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.


These figures pointing forward, in Spirit and in truth

God bless you

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

The liturgy of the christian community disapears a little at a time.

Take away this... take away that...

"I don't like the music."

"I don't like the smells. It gives me a headache."

"I don't like the length of it."

"I don't like standing."

"I don't like crowds."

"I don't know these people."

"They're serving wine? We can't do that."

etc. etc. etc. etc.

Forgive me...

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

I know... let's not do worship as Christ taught the Apostles.

Let substitute a praise band! And doughnuts!

Forgive me...

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

TBH, I don't remember. I read that so long ago, I can't remember what the EO teaches on that. My memory isn't always so good (especially short term ). I would have to look it up. What's the chapter and verse again?

I can't do scented candles. It bothers my sinuses. Lots of things bother my sinuses - strong perfumes, strong paint fumes, strong gas fumes, smoke, etc. But I'm able to tolerate incense well. Must be a blessing from God.

God bless you too, fire.

I suggest wearing this then sis

NKJV) Revelation 18:13 "and cinnamon and incense/qumiamata <2368>, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.

Reve 19:3 And a second-time they have declared "allelouia and the smoke of Her is ascending into the Ages of the Ages".

 

[JM]

I voted other, "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." Ps. 142

 

[Blueforest]

Nope.

I use my heart and mind to worship God, no tools or accessories required.

Plus, the last church I was in that used it (a Catholic church for a funeral) made me physically ill by smelling it. It smelled like rotting ash and it was very putrid smelling. Yuk.