xjwsforChrist

I have started reading aloud the words at Revelation as we've learnt we are told to do. I am struck by the words in chapter 5 here:




Even if I had not realised it previously I certainly am now in awe at the preciousness of our prayers. When reading this in the context of the vision of such importance, our prayers are handled by these faithful ones and in golden bowls, no less.

And again in chapter 8



The follow on verses describing the consequences for the earth of this golden pan of incense being thrown down, again shows the value of prayers.

We must never feel that our prayers are insignificant.

Loz x

_________________
"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

Yes, I read that too, last night. I wasn't quite so focused on this, but it good to see. When I read your post, I immediately thought of the incense in the sanctuary, and how that was considered holy, so much so that that no one was permitted to duplicate its combination of ingredients to use for themselves. (Ex 30:27,28)

But, yes, our prayers must be valuable. I think I will read this again a little later today (it will be the third time this week... sometimes, repetition helps, yes?)

YES to you both.

Our prayers are truly of utmost value in Jahs eyes.

It is a reason why I need to continuously pray for my heart to be softened so that I can both continue praying on behalf of Israel for mercy and not to hold on to ANYTHING that will hinder my freedom to pray for ANYONE ( the verse that says " whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven")

When we hold on and can't forgive we are binding someone and our prayers are not a sweet smelling odor or incense to Jah therefore something HE will not accept.

Thank you for sharing and reading aloud surely does make a difference!


Love and peace to you both
Justmom

I think this post is very insightful...and lovely, Loz.

The Apostolic Churches continue to use incense during the Liturgy/Mass, as well as incensing the faithful, to show that they are sanctified. I remember being told as a JW not to use incense at home because it was sacred to Jehovah. The reality of course, was very different: Christians are encouraged to use incense at home during prayers, because of its sacredness.



No, never. God doesn't need our prayers, but it means so much to him when we do pray. It is a relationship, after all.

May I ask why you are reading aloud?

I broke my own rule with regards to "reads aloud". I didn't look up the Greek when I first saw this. Many translations render Revelation 1:3 as "Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy." However, on examining the original Greek, it's simply "read" or "reading". The word aloud does not exist in the original rendering, and is apparently put in there, as the NET Bible explains, "to indicate that in the original historical setting reading would usually refer to reading out loud in public rather than silently to oneself."

That said, I've also been reading Revelation aloud, and to be honest, I've picked up more that way. Just sayin'.

Now that has me wondering, based on some of the closing words of Revelation ("If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll."), does this apply to those who added "aloud" to the rendering? Things that make you go, "hmmmm".

Totally hear you. I write (okay, not in a little while, lol, but still)... and in order to be able edit your own work... the best way to do that is to read what you have written out loud. Because otherwise, your eyes WILL lie to you. They will fill in blanks, or see what you think should be there, rather than what actually IS there (be that a typo OR an entirely different meaning than the one you have accepted or expected)

Even after my manuscript was edited by an editor, proofread by a proofreader, then sent back to me to check... I still read it out loud, and found a handful more errors.


Reading aloud does not allow you to fill in the blanks with something 'silently' added.


Peace to you!

tammy

It's definitely enhanced it for me anyway. And judging by the truths that have already been brought to light we can only benefit, surely?

Loz x

_________________
"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

I totally agree, Loz.

Peace to you,
tammy

Mornin' and peace to you, all!

I think perhaps some confusion has come from comments I've made regarding doing "just so" and reading aloud (certainly when in the presence of others) just as we should pray aloud. In another post (sorry, too tired to look for it, so please forgive), I shared as to the word "hagah" which is used at Psalm 1:2, where it states:

"... but whose delight is in the law of JaHVeH,
and who meditates on his law day and night."

I shared that the Hebrew word rendered as "meditates"... hagah... is more accurately transliterated as "reads in a low tone" or undertone... or mumbled. It is not necessarily out loud as if someone in an entirely different room can hear, but it does involve at least moving the mouth. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, did this, when she was praying:

"There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite[a] from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.

"Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of JaHVeH. Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and JaHVeH had closed her womb. Because JaHVeH had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of JaHVeH, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

"Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of JaHVeH’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to JaHVeH, weeping bitterly. And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to JaHVeH for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

"As she kept on praying to JaHVeH, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to JaHVeH. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” 1 Samuel 1:1-16

In the same vein, our dear Lord told us not to pray publicly, but in private, after going into our private room AND SHUTTING THE DOOR. If praying silently was what he meant, there would be no reason to close the door, EVEN if we went into another room so as not to be seen (by others). While he always offered THANKS in their presence, he himself never prayed directly in front of his disciples, but would go some distance away, leaving them behind.

And so, when someone mentioned reading the Revelation out loud, I mentioned reading scripture/verses out loud in general. Is it a command? IMHO, yes, but I would certainly not put anyone ELSE under such "law." As I would not regarding washing feet or any other thing. I would only offer what I have received from our dear Lord and have come to know, for those who wish to know. As with all things, each one must decide for himself/herself. But if ones WANT to know what it means to do "just so," then I cannot withhold that from them. Love would not allow it.

In ALL things, I can only share what I have received. As to what others might do with that, it is not my concern nor for me to judge. For some, some things may seem burdensome, too heavy to carry. Neither the MOST HOLY One of Israel, JAH of Armies, OR His Son and Christ, our dear Lord, the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah) want us to do ANYTHING we don't WANT to do! They do not want to BURDEN us, but RELEASE us.

I, though, want... NEED... to show MY love, faith... and appreciation... for what they have done for ME, and so these things are not burdensome to ME, but simply manifestations of my faith and attempt to do "just so", to the extent I possibly can. I WANT to. And so, I can only say to those who are looking at ME... you shouldn't, but should only look at the One raised up FOR us, me AND you, the "Copper Serpent" Who is that Holy One and Holy Spirit.

IF, however, you ARE looking at me, or listening to what I share, then I can only reiterate the most WONDERFUL words (to me!) of our dear brother, Joshua:

“... fear (displeasing) JaHVeH and serve HIM with ALL faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped... and serve JaHVeH. But if serving JaHVeH seems undesirable to YOU, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served... or the gods... in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve JaHVeH.” Joshua 24:14-16

Which service I/we will do... by looking at, looking and listening to, and going through (the "Door" that is)... the HOLY One of Israel and Holy Spirit, JAHESHUA, the Chosen One of JAH (MischaJah). In sharing HOW I/we do that... I will not lie to you.

I hope this helps, truly!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

I don't think the whole of the 'reading aloud' issue came from you Shelby? I remember the discussion you've quoted from, but more recently some of us prompted by LQ I think, have noted some translations of Revelation include the command to read aloud, is all. It certainly adds insights, probably as Tec pointed out, it removes the risk of our eyes subconsciously seeing what is or isn't there. And it makes our brains focus on what we actually hear as we read. All good IMHO.

Loz x

_________________
"This is my son. LISTEN to Him!"

Well, then, to use YOUR words, dear Loz (peace to you, dear lady!)... WHEW!! Since dear LQ (peace to you, as well!) clarified as to reading "aloud" with regard to the Revelation, I was afraid that maybe someone (not you, luv!) might have misunderstood the intent behind some of the comments in the following thread, particularly mine:

viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1147

(BTW, dear LQ (peace to you, as well, dear one), it seems that the reason the Greek word for "read" is translated as "read aloud" is because the following words indicates "hearing." What translators may not have understood, though, is that the word for "hear" denotes comprehend/understand... as is often meant by Christ and used in the Revelation... "hear and get the sense of"... versus hearing audibly! I am sure you got that, though - LOLOL!).

Anyway, my apologies to anyone for MY misunderstanding!

Peace to you!

YSSFS of Christ,

Shellamar

Yep, as Loz said, "all good". <smile>

And yes Loz to add, I as well quoted the verse in Revelation as to the reading aloud. I can't find it exactly right now but I mentioned it as well and agreed that reading aloud ( not really loud just not inside myself) helps me personally!

Love and peace to you Justmom.