With a lot of bashing this morning about saints and prayers--explain this verse to me.
Revelation 5:8 says "When he took it, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fell down BEFORE THE LAMB. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, WHICH ARE THE PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS."
As a Catholic, I believe this is a verse that symbolizes the communion of the saints. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
2006-09-03 04:42:36 · 16 answers · asked by Villain 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yep!
As a True Christian ===WE are all SAINTS!
2006-09-03 04:46:52 · answer #1 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
anthonyinkc,
What it does not supply is the definite article "to" the saints. As you have correctly displayed the verse, it is the definite article "of" the saints. The prayers 'of' the saints indicates that the prayer were hagios or sacred:
G0040 hagios -- pronounced: hag'-ee-os
from hagos (an awful thing) (compare 53, 2282); sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated): KJV -- (most) holy (one, thing), saint.
'to' would attach to the primary verb.
'the' modifies the noun.
So I think that if there is any communion to be had are the saints communing with one mind under the authority of Christ. Not horizontally per se with eachother. There is a hierarchy involved after all!
2006-09-03 05:04:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to make it symbolic , I think that works very good. I have no problem with it but, I think it has to be taken also as part of the chronological order of events that are taking place in context to the whole of revelation. Chapter 4 is in the Throne room of heaven and there is songs of praise to the Lamb of God and chapter 5 begins with the question of who is worthy to open the scrolls? And with the proclamation of the worthiness of the Lamb they break out in songs of praise again. Verse 11 mentions the ministry of the angels and all this is a prelude to the opening of the seals of Gods Judgement upon earth.
But I don't dispute your analogy of the communion of the saints either. It appears to be quite a beautiful scene to me both ways.
2006-09-03 04:56:26 · answer #3 · answered by messenger 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure it could be the communion of the saints.
The prayer of the saints though, is more specifically representative of all that the redeemed have ever prayed concerning ultimate and final redemption.
2006-09-03 04:51:02 · answer #4 · answered by tjjone 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only way to be at peace with this question is to ask your Preist. Or take a Bible Study class to learn more. Revelation is a complex book but Ive been told most of Revelation is NOT figurative speech...it is literal. Take it for what it says. Alot gets lost in translation.
2006-09-03 04:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i agree. as related to the Supreme Being, the Lamb/God. as related to power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing. all of these relate to God. to the One on the throne, to the Lamb, God. age after age after age. read the whole chapter.
remember when the Bible first written, there were no verses or chapters. read for context. read from chapter 4-6.
does that help? is there anything in the Catholic commentary that would help? is there any other commentary that might help? check with the Library of Congress for commentaries on the Bible. combine the views.
2006-09-03 05:08:13 · answer #6 · answered by σοφια 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its praying FOR the saints not To the saints
2006-09-03 04:46:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Saints are believers in Christ. Prayers of the saints are believers prayers.
Calm down, okay? God loves you.
2006-09-03 04:44:31 · answer #8 · answered by christian_lady_2001 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
continue to know the meaning;
Re 5:9 And they sung 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;
Re 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
2006-09-03 04:54:06 · answer #9 · answered by His eyes are like flames 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that everyone in heaven worships Jesus Christ the Lord - not a trinity of persons, personalities or one mind in multiple bodies.
Revelation is a post glorification book where Jesus Christ is to be worshipped as fully the one God and the very self that has life in Himself.
2006-09-03 04:46:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
You definitely already asked this question.
All believers are saints, as evidenced by Paul's writings.
2006-09-03 04:45:05 · answer #11 · answered by Samantha 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋