What are Altars?

What are Altars?

Altars are raised areas used for worship in religious or spiritual settings. They symbolize devotion and connection to the divine, often adorned with sacred items, symbols, or offerings, and hold significance in different cultural and religious traditions. 

    In the Bible, particularly the Old Testament, the term 'altar' is mentioned often. Altars serve the purpose of worship, whether dedicated to the Creator of heaven and earth or to lesser gods. Take a moment to reflect: What makes altars special, and what is their intended purpose? Altars serve as gateways, providing a spiritual pathway that grants permission for entities (spirits) to enter our physical world and operate within it lawfully. Spirit can only function effectively through human beings on earth.

    When God created the Earth, He gave humanity dominion over it and instructed us to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, and subdue the world (Genesis 1:26-28). Psalms 8:6 reinforces this, declaring, 'You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet.' These passages imply that God designated us as caretakers of the world. The proper functioning in this domain is specifically reserved for living beings dwelling in bodies (humans); spirits can only enter this world with our agreement.

    How do spirits enter our world and operate legally? The answer lies in altars. In the scriptures, we observe a pattern: before God intervenes in human affairs, altars are raised to facilitate His legal operation in our world. Examples abound in the lives of individuals like Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samuel, and more. This practice originates from the idea that God gave humanity dominion over the earth, and in His faithfulness, He maintains His own laws. His word, held even higher than His name (Psalms 138:2), is a decree that must be fulfilled (Isaiah 55:11). God's word stands as the ultimate law.

    In the spiritual realm, both benevolent (good) and malevolent (bad) spirits operate under the laws established by God. It's crucial to recognize that God is the Creator of heaven and earth, and all that exists therein. The devil, despite his rebellious nature, is subject to God's laws. Even for the devil and his spirits to operate in this world, altars are a requisite.

    Today's teaching, however, won't delve into the realm of evil altars. Instead, our focus will be on understanding the purpose and method of raising altars dedicated to God.

    In the Lord's Prayer, as instructed by Jesus in Matthew 6:10, we find the phrase 'Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.' This emphasizes God's desire for His kingdom to be established on earth and for His heavenly will to manifest here. What aligns with God's will in heaven is closely tied to what happens on Earth. This concept is further highlighted in Matthew 18:18-20, stating that decisions made on earth have corresponding effects in heaven—what is bound on earth is bound in heaven, and what is loosed on earth is loosed in heaven. This underscores a partnership between heaven and earth, with humans collaborating with God. God seeks our cooperation for His will to be fulfilled on earth, necessitating the raising of an altar as a means for Him to achieve His purpose.

    What does an altar mean for us believers? It's our life. He wants to use our lives to influence the world around us. Through our lives, His presence is manifested, and we become conduits that He utilizes. Let's delve into our lives as believers and explore what is expected of us as priests to God.

    Recall the heavenly scene in Revelation chapter 5, where the scroll remained sealed until Jesus, the Lamb of God who was sacrificed on our behalf, was found worthy to open it. In verse 10, a song resounded, proclaiming, 'And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.' This vividly illustrates our divine purpose — to serve as priests to God. While Jesus serves as the High Priest (Hebrews 6:20), He came to exemplify how we, too, are to serve God as priests. This is reinforced in scripture, as Paul emphasizes, 'Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?' (1 Corinthians 3:16). Your life and body are designed to be instruments used by God to fulfill His divine will.

    Consider that your life and body are intricately designed as instruments for fulfilling God's divine will. The scriptures further emphasize this in Romans 12:1, urging, 'I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.' Additionally, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reinforces this truth, stating, 'Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.' These passages not only highlight that our bodies are to be used by God but also underscore the profound truth that He paid a price for them, signifying that our bodies no longer belong to us.

    This understanding forms the basis of the significance of altars, as they provide God access to use us when we invite Him into our lives. The process of establishing an altar commences with embracing the call to worship Him in truth and Spirit. This entails continuous prayer and diligent study of His Word to deepen our understanding of Him and demonstrate our commitment.

     Furthermore, aligning ourselves with His will requires a surrender of our flesh, recognizing that our flesh is an adversary to God (Romans 8:7). By yielding to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to lead us, our focus shifts from our desires to fulfilling His divine purpose. 

    Lastly, setting aside designated times for intimate encounters with God through prayer establishes a consistent and committed relationship. When we demonstrate sincerity and dedication, God responds by gracing us with His presence, initiating a transformative journey aligning with His desired purpose. This process unfolds the realization of His promises, including revelation, protection, and provision as He takes His rightful place as our guide and provider.

    While the concept may seem simple, it's essential to recognize that it involves a transformative process, and the journey may come with a cost. However, the benefits far outweigh the sacrifices. Keep in mind the assurance from the scripture: 'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.' When you consecrate your life as an altar to God, offering yourself as a living sacrifice daily, you not only carry the presence of God but also impact your world in accordance with His calling for your life. 

    Please take a moment to sincerely reflect on your life. Are you functioning as a priest to God? Do you grasp the full significance of being a priest to God? Are you worshiping Him in truth and spirit? Have you genuinely surrendered your life to God? You already know the answer to these questions, and the Holy Spirit will guide you. For some, this serves as a reinforcement of your priesthood, and for others, He is calling you! Answer the call!

Join me in this simple prayer:

    Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that You chose me; I did not choose myself. When You called me, I heard Your voice, and You revealed Yourself to me. You took my heart of stone and replaced it with Your Spirit, renewing my mind and transforming me. Thank You, Lord, for Your mercy and loving-kindness. Taking this a step further, I present my life as an altar and sacrifice to worship You in spirit and truth. I invite You into my life as a priest unto You. Father, I surrender all of myself to You and align my life with Your will. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

    Embark on a transformative journey by delving into my blog on priesthood. Now that you've gained insight into altars and your pivotal role in ushering God’s presence to fulfill His divine will, this blog is your gateway to a deeper understanding of priesthood and its profound significance. Don't miss out on unlocking the secrets that will elevate your spiritual journey. Dive in now and let the wisdom unfold!

Cultivating a prayer life is of paramount importance for your spiritual journey, particularly in a fast-paced society where allocating exclusive time for prayer can be challenging. The solution is clear: "Simply Prayer for Our Daily Journey," a scripture-enriched prayer book designed for all aspects of life. Additionally, pair it with a Faith-building scripture book to assist you in persevering through the waiting time on God’s promises and strengthening your faith. However, it's essential to note that this prayer book doesn't replace genuine, quality time with God; you must spend dedicated time with Him.