Altars – Understanding the Mystery of Altars

In the art of worship, whether the worship of God or of devils, altars play an important role.

[Hebrews 13:10 KJV] “We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle”.

Therefore, we want to understand the mystery of altars, because the Bible tells us that as New Testament believers, we have an altar that was set up by God. In this lesson, we will be taking a look at;

1. What is this altar
2. Why was it erected
3. How can we maximize its benefits

What is an altar?

Having stated that an altar is not a variable in the art of worship, we must understand that an altar is a meeting point between divinity (or deity) and the worshipper. At the altar, there are supernatural exchanges and manifestations. An altar is a place of sacrifice and fire.

We know from Scripture that we have an altar, and the New Covenant altar is situated outside the city and used for offering sin offerings. Our altar is the cross of Christ upon which the offering of sin was offered for all once and for all. Christ is the utmost offering and sacrifice offered upon this altar. The cross is the meeting place between God and sinful men.

We know that every altar has foundations, horns, and table. It is always set up in a groove or in a temple. It has worshippers, fire, sacrifice, ministers and protocols (See Revelations 11).

The foundation of our altar is erected in love — the love of God. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Our altar has horns, these are horns of mercy. Should any man run to take hold of these horns, he or she will obtain mercy. The horns, however, speak; thy speak with voices, thunders, lightning, earthquakes, and hails. Whereas those who take hold of the horns obtain mercy, those who stand against the horns face the speakings of the horns.

Our altar has ministers who serve at it and protocols that must be observed. The ministers are angels and saints or ministers who serve in the vineyard of the Lord.

Some protocols of our altar

Every altar has protocols and you must respect the protocols to fully benefit from the altar. What then are some of the important protocols that must be observed at the altar?

The Lord of the altar does not accept the gift and sacrifice of people who are bearing grudge or have unforgiveness in their hearts. Matthew 5:34 teaches that you must leave your gift at the altar until you have settled all your differences with any of the brethren. I must say that the only sin God can’t forgive is the sin of un-forgiveness.

Our altar hates strange fire, pretence, unforgiveness, blemished sacrifices, etc. Therefore, those who worship the Lord must worship in truth and in spirit. We must be honest and sincere.

Our altar is erected without the city by God for the benefits of those without. The benefits of our altar are not to grab and loot; we must step out and share the benefits we have with those who are without.

Our altar is activated by the following;

• Praise

[Hebrews 13:15 KJV] “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name”.

• Doing good (sharing the benefits of the altar with them that are without)

[Hebrews 13:16 KJV] “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased”.

• Giving to those who care for us (prophetic offering)
• Forgiveness

[Matthew 5:44 KJV] “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”

• Self-sacrificing

[Romans 12:1-3 KJV] “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. [3] For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”.

• Prayer

[Revelation 8:1-5 KJV] “And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. [2] And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. [3] And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.”

[4] “And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. [5] And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake”.

Our altar speaks and speaks by the horns. Under the altar are the souls of martyrs who are crying for vengeance and that voice is heard through the horns.

[Revelation 6:8-11 KJV] “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. [9] And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:“

[10] “And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? [11] And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled”.

[Revelation 9:13 KJV] “And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,”

How does the altar respond to wickedness?

When the horns speak they utter out thunders, voices, lightning, and earthquakes.

[Revelation 11:17-19 KJV] “Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.“

[18] “And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.“

[19] “And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail”

I love you,  stay blessed!