USE OF INCENSE
Zechariah makes an offering of incense in the sanctuary (Luke 1:8-12). John describes an angel with a golden censer offering large amounts of incense before the throne of God: “From the angel’s hand the smoke of the incense went up before God, and with it the prayers of God’s people” (Rev. 8:3-5). The Magi bring incense as an offering to Christ himself (Matt. 2:11). Whenever Christ or the apostles go up to the Temple to pray, their prayers ascend to God along with the smoke of the incense.
The use of incense to accompany and symbolize prayer has been widespread through many religions over many millennia. The Old Testament testifies to its integral use in Jewish worship, mandated by God (Ex. 30:7-8). There are explicit instructions instituting the use of incense, commanding that it be offered every day, morning and evening: “Throughout your generations this shall be the established incense offering before the Lord” (Ex. 30:1-9). We find Aaron making an offering of incense (Lev. 16:12-13).
Religious Carvings
“[The Lord said] make two cherubim of gold; of hammered work shall you make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end. . .” (Ex. 25:18-19).
“You shall make the tabernacle with . . . cherubim skillfully worked” (Ex. 26:1).
“The Lord said to Moses, `Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.’ So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it on a pole” (Num. 21:8-9).
“He made two cherubim of olivewood, each ten cubits high. . . . He put the cherubim in the innermost part of the Temple . . . And he overlaid the cherubim with gold. He carved all the walls of the Temple round about with carved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers” (1 Kgs. 6:23, 27-29).
“[The brazen sea] stood upon [statues of] twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east” (1 Kgs. 7:25).
“And on the surfaces of its stays and on its panels, he carved cherubim, lions, and palm trees, according to the space of each, with wreaths round about” (1 Kgs. 7:36).
All this serves to remind the believer that God is present. Each member of the congregation can say to God, as David said in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer come like incense before you."
sources are:
catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9201cust.asp
catholic.com/thisrock/1994/9401vbv.asp