Jesus, the Heavenly High Priest for Israel.

`Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. And He was given much incense, that He should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.` (Rev. 8: 3)

God`s Mediator is now revealed as the High Priest of the heavenly sanctuary for Israel. He is shown in angelic form before the golden altar. This indicates the ceremony of the Day of Atonement for Israel.

The High Priest would take the blood from the outside altar and bring it to the golden altar, mix it with incense and fire. Then he would take it into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood and fire before the Ark of the Covenant.

This is a pictorial drama of what the Lord has already done and is about to do. He has shed His blood as the sacrifice for the sins of the nation of Israel; He has offered His pure life as a fragrant offering, (incense); and now is about to cast the `blood and fire` to the ground in judgment upon the rebellious.

 `Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thundering, lightnings, and an earthquake.` (Rev. 8: 5)     

The time for the purification of Israel and judgment upon the Nations has come.  

Note the blowing of the trumpets was a priestly activity and thus we see Christ the High Priest administrating this from the heavenly sanctuary. It was only when Christ as the angel threw the fire to the earth that the 7 angels prepared to sound.

It is through Christ, (His sacrifice) that God will forgive and atone for Israel`s rebellion. God made that covenant promise to Israel because they could not fulfil it themselves.

The timing of this is just before the end of the tribulation when the proclamation of the coming Kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of the Lord God and Christ.         (Rev. 11: 15 - 19)

Finally, the nation of Israel will be cleansed and forgiven, the Day of Atonement fulfilled.

`In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.....I will say, “This is my people;” and each one will say, “The Lord is my God.” (Zech. 13: 1 & 9)