In the Old Testament, the purpose of the temple, and before it, the tabernacle, was that it was a place of sacrifice. The priests interceded -- prayed -- for the people, and they asked God not to hold their sins to their account. They prayed for forgiveness.

Here in the vision, the temple fills up with smoke. That had actually happened at certain times in the Old Testament, such as when Solomon first dedicated the temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). Isaiah also saw the temple filled with smoke when the Lord first called him to be a prophet (Isaiah 6:1-13). The smoke was the physical presence of God, the Glory of the Lord. The Glory of the Lord is a proclamation of the gospel and God’s presence among his people -- think of the times Jesus is enveloped in a cloud, such as at his transfiguration (Mark 9:7) and at his ascension (Acts 1:9). Here the gospel message is clear: God is about to fulfill his promise to bring the power of sin, death and the devil to a permanent end. Believers are about to enter into heaven.

The cloud also prevents anyone in the vision from entering into the temple. That meant that no more intercession could be made -- no more prayers to forgive sins. That’s because the time of the end has come in the vision. There will come a moment, just at the end of time, when this will be so.

That isn't anything for you to be frightened about. Your sins are already forgiven in Jesus. The end of the world is a moment to rejoice in, and to thank God for.

Your sins are forgiven in Jesus. How will you share, show and grow in your faith today?