Incenses

[Bluelion]

What is everyone take on incenses?

I have looked into some time ago, and came up with frankincense and myrrh as being Holy Biblical incenses. Now when i burn the frankincense i love it great smells. I am trying to create a more Holy Place in my home, something that invites the Lord and His angels. I do know all I have to do is ask, and I have, however I can't help but think there is value in incenses. In the OT it was common practice when worshiping God. What is everyone thoughts on it, any ideas?

 

[Willie T]

It was common practice in the OT to kill a bull, too.

 

[Bluelion]

We are not talking about animal sacrifice, we are talking about incense, and frankincense and myrrh was brought to baby Jesus. These must be pleasing to the Lord?

 

[Rev55]

We are not talking about animal sacrifice, we are talking about incense, and frankincense and myrrh was brought to baby Jesus. These must be pleasing to the Lord?

Revelation 5:8
(NKJV)
Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Personally hate the smell of incense but I wouldn't have an issue with someone doing it for their prayer time. Like most things in worship as long as your focus is God and not the extras then I see no problem.

 

[bushinoki]

I personally like incense, and some scents are great for calming and helping focus. But, there isn't much more than that. Putting too much emphasis on any real spiritual value in incense is dangerous territory. I studied Buddhism and martial arts, and incense was a common meditative practice, and I went down some esoteric paths.

 

[miamited]

Hi blu,

I would say to you that if you like to burn incense, then by all means burn incense. If, however, your purpose in doing so is that you think somehow that you are keeping the law because of it, then I'd say you've got a long way to go. You're going to have to be circumcised and be careful to wear clothes that are all of the same material, etc. etc. etc. Because the Scriptures are clear that if your intent is to earn God's righteousness by keeping the law, then you can't stumble in even one point of it.

As far as the gold, frankincense and myrrh that were presented to the baby Jesus, I don't think the Scriptures make clear that the visitors gave those gifts because they thought that it pleased God and there is no evidence that God thought it pleasing to Him. I believe they gave those gifts because in those days they were some of the most valuable gifts one could give to someone as an honor, and they were there to honor the King. Further, I believe that, just like the angelic host that appeared to the shepherds, a lot of the things done and recorded for us about the birth of the Christ was to let us know that this baby was the King and some people recognized him for who he was.

Those are my thoughts on it. From what I understand of the new covenant Scriptures, the greatest gift you can return to God to honor Him is your life. A repentant and faithful and loving heart. There certainly isn't any new covenant Scripture that examples that incense was part of any practice to honor God in the beginning 'churches'.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

 

[Bluelion]

I personally like incense, and some scents are great for calming and helping focus. But, there isn't much more than that. Putting too much emphasis on any real spiritual value in incense is dangerous territory. I studied Buddhism and martial arts, and incense was a common meditative practice, and I went down some esoteric paths.

Ahh but if there is no spiritual value why have them in heaven, why have them at the ark of the covenant?

I studied martial arts as well can i ask which art or arts?

My teacher use to burn incense which the smell made you sick and it would disorient you. He did it so we could fight in any conditions.

 

[Bluelion]

Hi blu,

I would say to you that if you like to burn incense, then by all means burn incense. If, however, your purpose in doing so is that you think somehow that you are keeping the law because of it, then I'd say you've got a long way to go. You're going to have to be circumcised and be careful to wear clothes that are all of the same material, etc. etc. etc. Because the Scriptures are clear that if your intent is to earn God's righteousness by keeping the law, then you can't stumble in even one point of it.

As far as the gold, frankincense and myrrh that were presented to the baby Jesus, I don't think the Scriptures make clear that the visitors gave those gifts because they thought that it pleased God and there is no evidence that God thought it pleasing to Him. I believe they gave those gifts because in those days they were some of the most valuable gifts one could give to someone as an honor, and they were there to honor the King. Further, I believe that, just like the angelic host that appeared to the shepherds, a lot of the things done and recorded for us about the birth of the Christ was to let us know that this baby was the King and some people recognized him for who he was.

Those are my thoughts on it. From what I understand of the new covenant Scriptures, the greatest gift you can return to God to honor Him is your life. A repentant and faithful and loving heart. There certainly isn't any new covenant Scripture that examples that incense was part of any practice to honor God in the beginning 'churches'.

God bless you.
In Christ, Ted

That more judgement? I am not legalistic thanks.

 

[Willie T]

Ahh but if there is no spiritual value why have them in heaven, why have them at the ark of the covenant?

I studied martial arts as well can i ask which art or arts?

My teacher use to burn incense which the smell made you sick and it would disorient you. He did it so we could fight in any conditions.

We're supposed to be sick and disoriented in Heaven?

 

[All Souls]

I love incense, and have been known to sneak in to my local chapel which is Anglo-Catholic

 

[FriendOfJesus916]

I think it's okay to burn incense as long as it is not for another god.

 

[Bluelion]

We're supposed to be sick and disoriented in Heaven?

I see you must have an issue with me. I won't respond to what you said because frankly it makes no since. What does the fact My martial arts teacher burned stuff like that have to do with heaven?

Oh I get you feel threaten by it.

sorry I am not feeling very loving with all the attacks flying at me so i'll just leave it at that.

 

[Bluelion]

Hmm its interesting no one really thinks incense is spiritual in any way, but it is used in many churches why? Tradition? In fact God told the Jewish people how to make certain kinds for worship. I don't think they have power, but I think some smells God likes and some he does not.

 

[All Souls]

Mal. 1:11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.

 

[Bluelion]

Mal. 1:11 For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts.

So clearly incense has a role in worship.

 

[bushinoki]

The why in many churches goes back to when Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Empire. At that, the Bishops were elevated in status to equal with governors. In many parts of the Empire, it was common to burn incense before a governor as he was passing by.

I studied a few martial arts. I spent the most time in American Kenpo, but have studied a couple forms of Karate and Kung Fu, as well as some of the knife and stick styles.

 

[Bluelion]

The why in many churches goes back to when Theodosius made Christianity the official religion of the Empire. At that, the Bishops were elevated in status to equal with governors. In many parts of the Empire, it was common to burn incense before a governor as he was passing by.

I studied a few martial arts. I spent the most time in American Kenpo, but have studied a couple forms of Karate and Kung Fu, as well as some of the knife and stick styles.

Yeah it goes back longer than that to the days of the ark.


My teacher taught Ed Parker.

I studied choy li fut, hung gar, norther praying mantis, wing chun. Tai Chi Chuan, and chi kung.

what styles of kung fu if i can ask?

 

[All Souls]

So clearly incense has a role in worship.

Exactly!

 

[bushinoki]

One was northern shaolin, the other was a wing chun.

My reference was for Christianity. The incense they burned before the altar of God was specifically proscribed in the Torah, and was to be made by none other than the priests. The incense was part of the sacrificial worship system. It was the death penalty for someone outside the priesthood to make or possess the sacrificial incense. There was no mention of burning incense before God in the NT, so I don't see it as having a valid position in the Christian way of worship, although some of the lighter scents can augment an atmosphere. Burn some for a nice smell, but I don't think it is valid worship for a Christian.

 

[Bluelion]

One was northern shaolin, the other was a wing chun.

My reference was for Christianity. The incense they burned before the altar of God was specifically proscribed in the Torah, and was to be made by none other than the priests. The incense was part of the sacrificial worship system. It was the death penalty for someone outside the priesthood to make or possess the sacrificial incense. There was no mention of burning incense before God in the NT, so I don't see it as having a valid position in the Christian way of worship, although some of the lighter scents can augment an atmosphere. Burn some for a nice smell, but I don't think it is valid worship for a Christian.

But it is mention in the NT in Rev the picture of God on His throne and incense before him I think someone posted the verse in this thread.