Harps
“And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps,” (Rev 5:8a KJV)
The scene in Heaven is consistently that or worship. We see not only that fact of worship, but also the means of worship. Here we see the beasts and the elders playing harps and worshiping God with music. Playing music in Heaven is not just for a select few. All those in Heaven are Church musicians. Music is a great way of worshipping God as He delights in songs of praise. Several books of the Bible are songs or contain songs.
Worshiping God through song is something we should all do to remain spiritual.
“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” (Eph 5:19 KJV)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col 3:16 KJV)
Playing an instrument for God’s glory is one of the greatest forms of praise and draws us close to God.
“And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters.” (1Ch 16:42 KJV)
“And his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarael, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethaneel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God, and Ezra the scribe before them.” (Neh 12:36 KJV)
“I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.” (Ecc 2:8 KJV)
Harps – 2788 κιθάρα kithara {kith-ar’-ah}
Meaning: 1) a harp to which praises of God are sung in heaven
Origin: of uncertain affinity;; n f
Usage: AV – harp 4; 4
Golden Vials
“and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.” (Rev 5:8b KJV)
The vials of odors (incents) represent the prayers of the saints. The fact that the vials are golden shows how precious prayers are to God.
Odours – 2368 θυμίαμα thumiama {thoo-mee’-am-ah}
Meaning: 1) an aromatic substance burnt, incense
Origin: from 2370;; n n
Usage: AV – incense 4, odour 2; 6
Notes:
1 odours: or, incense
Prayers – 4335 προσευχή proseuche {pros-yoo-khay’}
Meaning: 1) prayer addressed to God 2) a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer 2a) a synagogue 2b) a place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray, outside the cities, where they had no synagogue 2b1) such places were situated upon the bank of a stream or the shore of a sea, where there was a supply of water for washing the hands before prayer