A very important tool for every believer is what we call "the altar". But then, many believers do not understand the place or even the function of the altar. Before we delve into the topic, let us see what an altar is.
According to Vocabulary.com, "An altar is a raised area in a house of worship where people can honor God with offerings. It is prominent in the Bible as "God's table," a sacred place for sacrifices and gifts offered up to God."
Many of us actually know what an altar is considering the fact that we go to church. But that is the surface meaning, we do not really know what it means for a believer to have an altar.
In the old testament, that is, before redemption came and the veil was torn, the people of God built altars. These altars were meant for sacrificing burnt offerings to God. It is there that they table their requests to God. It is through these altars that some people in the Bible had an encounter with angels of God. It is through these altars that some had revelations and visions.
According to Vocabulary.com, "An altar is a raised area in a house of worship where people can honor God with offerings. It is prominent in the Bible as "God's table," a sacred place for sacrifices and gifts offered up to God."
Many of us actually know what an altar is considering the fact that we go to church. But that is the surface meaning, we do not really know what it means for a believer to have an altar.
In the old testament, that is, before redemption came and the veil was torn, the people of God built altars. These altars were meant for sacrificing burnt offerings to God. It is there that they table their requests to God. It is through these altars that some people in the Bible had an encounter with angels of God. It is through these altars that some had revelations and visions.
Now, this has shown how significant an altar is. But then, Christ came, God's plan for mankind came to fulfilment. When Christ died, the veil was torn and the presence of the Lord was released upon we the Believers. May I let you know that we have become carriers of God's presence. Glory to God! We have become partakers of His Inheritance.
Christ's death has made it so much easier. We do not have to sacrifice animals or give fruit offerings. Would you like to know how it is now? I would tell. The Bible tells us in Romans 12"...present your bodies as a living sacrifice...". We have the sacrifice, now where is the altar?
Christ's death has made it so much easier. We do not have to sacrifice animals or give fruit offerings. Would you like to know how it is now? I would tell. The Bible tells us in Romans 12"...present your bodies as a living sacrifice...". We have the sacrifice, now where is the altar?
In Leviticus 6:12, there was an instruction given to the children of Israel by God, "The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat of the fellowship offerings on it." In essence, the altar is to keep burning even in conditions that does not seem palatable for you. It is to become a necessity for you as a believer. Do not let the fire go out!
Many of us do not understand the place of an altar and why it is to be kept burning. There is a significance to this and to us. Now, going a little further, when the instruction was given, a particular characteristic was dominant. Consistency. "... Every morning the priest is to add firewood..." This means that there must be no day that the priest will not add firewood. The fire must not go out! If it does it will be dangerous.
Applying this to our own lives, if we do not add the firewood every day on our altar and the fire goes out, something happens. We become prone and susceptible to the wiles of the enemy. Our spiritual live becomes cold. Our spiritual senses become dull. A lot of things that happen when the fire goes out. That is why God gave that instruction to the children of Israel. As we believers are likened to the children of Israel because we are God's own.
"Morning" in that Leviticus 6:12 has a significance. God did not say "every night" or "every afternoon", the instruction was "... every morning..." Before anything is being done, before you step out, before you take a step, "every morning" make sure you put firewood to keep the fire burning. That is what keeps you going for the day. It shows how important you are taking the task and how well you understand that instruction.
You wonder, how do I go about putting firewood when it is not the physical altar we are talking about? This is it. The place of love, instruction, admonition, intimacy, discussion, charge up, rest, and the list goes on and on. The place of fellowship, where it is just you and your Father outside of the chaos of this world, the noise. That is where you burn up your altar, that is where you do not let the fire burn out, that is where you get to put the firewood. And what is that firewood? The word of God and prayer, most especially, praying in tongues. Now, I am not saying you cannot burn your altar if you cannot pray in tongues, you can but it is more effective when you pray in tongues. And if you cannot pray in tongues, you can get this gift through this process.
Many of us do not understand the place of an altar and why it is to be kept burning. There is a significance to this and to us. Now, going a little further, when the instruction was given, a particular characteristic was dominant. Consistency. "... Every morning the priest is to add firewood..." This means that there must be no day that the priest will not add firewood. The fire must not go out! If it does it will be dangerous.
Applying this to our own lives, if we do not add the firewood every day on our altar and the fire goes out, something happens. We become prone and susceptible to the wiles of the enemy. Our spiritual live becomes cold. Our spiritual senses become dull. A lot of things that happen when the fire goes out. That is why God gave that instruction to the children of Israel. As we believers are likened to the children of Israel because we are God's own.
"Morning" in that Leviticus 6:12 has a significance. God did not say "every night" or "every afternoon", the instruction was "... every morning..." Before anything is being done, before you step out, before you take a step, "every morning" make sure you put firewood to keep the fire burning. That is what keeps you going for the day. It shows how important you are taking the task and how well you understand that instruction.
You wonder, how do I go about putting firewood when it is not the physical altar we are talking about? This is it. The place of love, instruction, admonition, intimacy, discussion, charge up, rest, and the list goes on and on. The place of fellowship, where it is just you and your Father outside of the chaos of this world, the noise. That is where you burn up your altar, that is where you do not let the fire burn out, that is where you get to put the firewood. And what is that firewood? The word of God and prayer, most especially, praying in tongues. Now, I am not saying you cannot burn your altar if you cannot pray in tongues, you can but it is more effective when you pray in tongues. And if you cannot pray in tongues, you can get this gift through this process.
Believers, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." To keep overcome these ones, we have to keep burning.
Our altars should always BURN and never go out!
Wow, this is a beautiful teaching
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Bonike.
This is so amazing and insightful.
ReplyDeleteThank you !
This was a good read!
ReplyDeleteBlessed!!! This is awesome ma
ReplyDeleteThank you
A strong and insightful write up. A spiritual aid and guide. More ink to your pen.
ReplyDeleteHmmm word
ReplyDeleteWow!!! This is so beautiful....more ink to your pen
ReplyDeleteInteresting read, a very informative write-up.
ReplyDeleteAmazing, Soo talented, I'm inspired
ReplyDeleteHaving said all this, if I may ask... Don't worry never mind. I just re-read the third paragraph... But keep it up.
ReplyDeleteWow.
ReplyDeleteAn eye opener is what we have here. Thanks for blessing us with this awesome Piece.
This is touching and emotional. God is good!
ReplyDeleteSimple and insightful
ReplyDeleteKeep burning! Great piece
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful,
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and increase you, more wisdom!!
What a beautiful write up. I really like it 🤩🤩😍😍
ReplyDeleteNice write up
ReplyDeleteAwesome and eye opener!!!
ReplyDeleteMay GOD help us
Thank you for this ma
This is a beautiful piece to understand what an Altar is and how well we can keep it burning.
ReplyDeleteWonderful piece 🔥
ReplyDeleteIf Paul had a daughter in this Generation, I won't be surprised it's you! Awesome Post. More ink and Grace to your pen!
ReplyDelete#iSE_Speakz
Excellent write up, keep it up
ReplyDeletePowerful and helpful
ReplyDeleteMore understanding ma'am
This is insightful. More Understanding Ma.
ReplyDeletePost a Comment
Please drop a comment and use the Social Media Buttons below to share to friends and family.