God is not against good feelings! There was nothing wrong with going to the altar, but you were saved before you took that step into the aisle. So did the Jews who heard about Jesus, only they did it annually. My friend, you have knowledge of the truth, your trip to the front of the church will not bring you any more forgiveness than you already have at this very point.
Your faith did that, one time. Jesus did that, one time. So today, my friends, know this: The Cross of Jesus Christ was the final altar. It was the last bloody place in which we got forgiveness from our Creator.
Altars are not needed in our churches. The Cross of Christ was the last one. If anything, build an empty tomb and go to that, but not an altar—I say jokingly, of course. So sure, go to church, enjoy other Christians, fellowship, and worship. You can even go to the front and pray, or do it in your seat, there is no law in prayer. You can even confess to God in agreement over your sins—not for forgiveness—but simply because you agree with Him in all things!
That is, if you are a believer. But why not agree with Him that Jesus was the final sacrifice? Why not agree that the Cross was the last altar the world would ever need? It really is. A prayer for you: Heavenly Father, thank you for the Cross. It was at that Cross my sins were removed by way of perfect blood—for good. I believe that.
I know I will stay saved and forgiven forever because Jesus will never die again! Thank you! Right now, I lift up all who are reading this, directly to you. First of all, if there are any praise and worship leaders reading this, or any Christian music makers, help them begin to infuse into their songs, the New Covenant.
The Scripture often likens incense to the prayers of the people of God Psalm ; Revelation Such an explanation makes sense when we consider what happens on the altar of incense and how fine spices were mixed together and left to smolder on the altar day and night Exodus ; The smoke from the incense symbolized what was offered up to the Lord just as our prayers go up to the Lord.
The incense altar reminded the people of Israel to pray and assured them that their prayers were a sweet offering to the Lord.
With that said, the prayers themselves did not have intrinsic sweetness because they were neither greater or lesser than other prayers. Atonement had to be offered at the altar once a year, and only when the atonement was offered were prayers acceptable Exodus Today, the death of Jesus, in place of sacrifices by a High Priest for our sins, ensures us that the Lord hears our prayers 2 Corinthians ; Hebrews The crucial details surrounding the altar of incense and the proper worship of the Lord in the temple shows how serious He takes worship.
All this shows us that the Lord rejects worship and those prayers that do not approach Him in faith in Christ. Worship that is pleasing to the Lord is centered on the preached Word of God that points people to Jesus. Dave Jenkins is happily married to Sarah Jenkins. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Share this. What Is the Altar in Christianity?
Dave Jenkins Blogger 18 Dec. Examples of Altars in the Bible An altar also represents a place of consecration to the Lord. What Exactly Is the Perseverance of the Saints? Today on Christianity. About Christianity. In Tyndale Bible dictionary. Thank you for sharing. Your email address will not be published. Facebook Twitter RSS. Are Altars Used Anymore? However, my mind, heart, or even physical being may not be ready for it.
Will other perceive it as a lack of faith in God or myself? I know how far-fetched that last statement sounds, but to non-believers or those young in the faith, it might be their rational for the inability to leave it at the altar. Therefore, no one comes forward for altar calls. Altar calls take a great deal of time. I recall attending a Billy Graham Crusade worship time and their altar call took 45 minutes.
0コメント