We Have An Altar

Our stay on Oahu has been extended until February 17th.  That means a few more services at New Life Pentecostal Church.  We were pleased to see that Bro. and Sis. Robert Henson from Michigan are here again this year.  Last year he taught a series on "Intensifying the Fires of Revival."  This year the series is called "And So Much the More."

Tuesday night was the first of the series and the title was "We Have An Altar."  I'm very thankful that Bro. Henson had handouts prepared!  There were so many great points, here are some of them: 

The Tabernacle teaches us the importance, positioning and permanence of the altar.  The altar was the focal point of the Tabernacle.

The Brazen Altar = the Altar of Burnt Offering
The first item you came to in the Tabernacle was the brazen altar.  This was the place of repentance.  Everyone has to start at the altar.  All true revivals began at the altar of repentance.  We need to visit the altar of repentance everyday, before we can move on to the altar of incense. 

The Golden Altar = the Altar of Incense
The Hebrew name for the Golden Altar literally means altar of incensing of the incense.

Incense symbolized communication with God in the form of prayers, intercessions, thanksgiving, praise, adoration and worship.  Summed up, incense = worship.

Incense offered was the only sacrifice that was not tied to atonement for sin.  It was offered totally for God's pleasure, it was not a place for requests.

Too many people get stuck at the first altar.  Condemnation will bind us to the altar of repentance if we permit it to do so.  "The joy of the Lord is your strength."  Repentance is not your strength!  It is very important to move past the altar of repentance so we can worship!

According to the book of Revelation, there is only one altar found in heaven - the altar of incense.  There will be no need for an altar of repentance in heaven.

The altar of incense was the last item before the priest entered into the Holy of Holies.  True worship ushers us into the Holy of Holies where were are one step from the miraculous.

We had quite a time around the altar at the end of the service!  I don't know everything God did, but He was moving in a great way.