Matthew Poole and continuators on Revelation 5:8

8 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 , and golden vials full of odors , which are the prayers of the saints .

When the Lamb that had been slain had obtained of him that sat on the Throne to open the Book of God's secret Counsels▪ relating to his Church, mentioned v. 1. and had taken it out of his Right-hand, Iohn saw

the four living Creatures mentioned ch. 4.6, 7, 8. by which seemed to be represented the Ministers of the Gospel, or the whole Church of Christ; and the

four and twenty Elders that had on their Heads Crowns of Gold, mentioned ch. 4. v. 4. by which, we said, were represented either the Ministers of the Church, or the whole Church.

He alludeth to the Worship of God under the Old-Testament, where in the Temple they were wont to praise God with Instruments of Musick, and offering up of

Frankincense: See 1 Chron. 13.8. and 15.16. 2 Chro. 5.12. Nehem. 12.27. Psal. 33.2. and 141.2. and 150.3.

These Viols of Odors, he tells us, signified the Prayers of the Saints. The whole Verse signifies the Prayers and Praises, even all that Adoration which God, under the Gospel, should have from his Ministers and People, for constituting his Son the Head of his Church, and making him their Prophet, Priest, and King.

Marginal references: Chap. 14.2.; Or, incense.