Returning to the Altar:

A Call to Encounter God Again

Altars in the Bible hold deep spiritual significance. They are places where God met with his people, places of sacrifice, worship, covenant, and consecration. They represent moments where people express their devotion, thanksgiving, or seek forgiveness from God. They often mark important events where God intervenes in the lives of individuals or nations.

In the New Testament, the concept of the altar is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. His death on the cross is the ultimate sacrifice, the final altar where God’s judgment and mercy meet. Believers no longer need to offer physical sacrifices; instead, they offer their lives as “living sacrifices” to God. Living their lives for Christ. Christ’s sacrifice brings forgiveness, access to God, and eternal fellowship with Him.

Altars symbolize a meeting point between humanity and God, where worship, sacrifice, and covenant are made. God deeply honors them when approached with sincerity and faith. 

It is time we rebuild altars in the heart and in physical places to remind us our special relationship with God. I created the Altar of Encounter in our sanctuary to remind us of a place we can go to experience a fresh anointing of our relationship with Christ. Please remember to keep it sacred!

Altars in the Bible

1. Noah’s Altar

• Reference: Genesis 8:20

• Who Built It: Noah

• Occasion: After the Flood, when Noah, his family, and the animals exited the ark.

• Significance: This was an altar of thanksgiving to God for deliverance. Noah offered burnt offerings, and God responded by making a covenant not to destroy the earth by flood again.

2. Abraham’s Altars

• Altar at Shechem

  • Reference: Genesis 12:7

  • Who Built It: Abraham

  • Occasion: After God appeared to Abraham and promised the land of Canaan to his descendants.

  • Significance: This altar commemorated God’s promise, marking Abraham’s faith and trust in God’s covenant.

• Altar between Bethel and Ai

  • Reference: Genesis 12:8

  • Who Built It: Abraham

  • Occasion: As Abraham journeyed through Canaan.

  • Significance: This altar represented worship and prayer, as Abraham called upon the name of the Lord.

• Altar at Hebron

  • Reference: Genesis 13:18

  • Who Built It: Abraham

  • Occasion: After God reiterated His promise to give the land to Abraham’s descendants following Lot’s departure.

  • Significance: Built to honor God’s repeated promises and to declare Abraham’s continued faith and obedience.

• Altar on Mount Moriah

  • Reference: Genesis 22:9

  • Who Built It: Abraham

  • Occasion: When God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac.

  • Significance: This altar symbolized ultimate faith and obedience. God provided a ram as a substitute, foreshadowing the concept of substitutionary atonement.

3. Isaac’s Altar

• Reference: Genesis 26:25

• Who Built It: Isaac

• Occasion: After God appeared to Isaac and reaffirmed the covenant He had made with Abraham.

• Significance: This altar represented Isaac’s gratitude and commitment to God’s covenant, as well as a continuation of the Abrahamic faith.

4. Jacob’s Altars

• Altar at Shechem (El-Elohe-Israel)

  • Reference: Genesis 33:20

  • Who Built It: Jacob

  • Occasion: After his reconciliation with Esau upon returning to Canaan.

  • Significance: Built to honor God’s protection and guidance. This altar was named "El-Elohe-Israel," meaning “God, the God of Israel,” acknowledging God’s faithfulness.

• Altar at Bethel

  • Reference: Genesis 35:1, 7

  • Who Built It: Jacob

  • Occasion: Following God’s command to return to Bethel, where God had first appeared to him in a vision.

  • Significance: This altar was built to renew Jacob’s commitment to God. It marked God’s reaffirmation of His promises and Jacob’s new name, Israel.

    • Judges 20:18, 26-28: During the time of the Judges, the Israelites went to Bethel to seek God’s guidance and direction in their battle against the tribe of Benjamin. The Ark of the Covenant was there, and they sought God’s will through prayer and sacrifice. Bethel served as a place where the Israelites could encounter God, showing that it retained spiritual importance for them.

    • Theological Significance: Bethel continued to be viewed as a holy place where God could be consulted, in keeping with Jacob’s initial encounter with God there. 

  • 1 Samuel 7:16: The prophet Samuel traveled to Bethel as part of his circuit to judge Israel. This indicates that Bethel was one of the central locations for worship and administering justice. Samuel’s visits would have likely involved worship and sacrifices, reminding the Israelites of their need for holiness and dedication to God.

  • 1 Kings 12:28-29: After the division of Israel into the northern and southern kingdoms, King Jeroboam of Israel set up golden calves for worship in Bethel and Dan to prevent his people from going to Jerusalem to worship at the temple. This was a tragic turn for Bethel, as it shifted from being a place of encounter with the true God to a center of idolatrous worship.

    • Theological Significance: Bethel’s transition into a center of idolatry demonstrates how even sacred places can be corrupted when people stray from God’s commands. The prophets later condemned Bethel’s idolatry, warning of judgment.

  • Amos 3:14; 5:5-6: The prophet Amos denounced the idolatry at Bethel, warning the northern kingdom that God would destroy the altars there. He called the people to seek God sincerely rather than relying on corrupted places of worship. He famously said, “Seek the Lord and live, or He will sweep through the house of Joseph like a fire.”

  • Hosea 10:15: Hosea also condemned the false worship at Bethel, calling it “Beth-Aven,” which means “house of wickedness,” instead of “house of God.” He warned that Israel’s idolatry would bring judgment upon them.

5. Moses’ Altars

• Altar at Rephidim (Jehovah-Nissi)

  • Reference: Exodus 17:15

  • Who Built It: Moses

  • Occasion: After Israel’s victory over the Amalekites.

  • Significance: Named "Jehovah-Nissi," meaning “The Lord is my Banner,” this altar symbolized God’s protection and victory.

• Altar at Mount Sinai

  • Reference: Exodus 24:4

  • Who Built It: Moses

  • Occasion: After receiving the Law and the Ten Commandments.

  • Significance: This altar was part of the covenant ceremony between God and Israel, sealed with sacrifices to signify Israel’s commitment.

6. Altar of Burnt Offering in the Tabernacle -  Exodus 27:1-8

• Who Built It: Crafted under Moses’ supervision according to God’s instructions.

• Occasion: Part of the Tabernacle’s design during Israel’s wilderness journey.

• Significance: Used for daily sacrifices, symbolizing ongoing worship, atonement, and dedication to God.

7. Joshua’s Altar on Mount Ebal

• Reference: Joshua 8:30-31

• Who Built It: Joshua

• Occasion: After Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land, following Moses’ command.

• Significance: Built to fulfill the Law, this altar marked Israel’s covenant renewal with God, with the Law inscribed on stones nearby.

8. Gideon’s Altar (Jehovah-Shalom)

• Reference: Judges 6:24

• Who Built It: Gideon

• Occasion: After an angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, calling him to deliver Israel from the Midianites.

• Significance: "Jehovah-Shalom," meaning “The Lord is Peace,” it commemorated God’s assurance of peace and victory over fear.

9. Samuel’s Altar at Ramah

• Reference: 1 Samuel 7:12

• Who Built It: Samuel

• Occasion: After Israel’s victory over the Philistines.

• Significance: Known as “Ebenezer,” meaning “stone of help,” this altar symbolized God’s faithfulness in delivering Israel.

10. David’s Altar on the Threshing Floor of Araunah

• Reference: 2 Samuel 24:18-25

• Who Built It: David

• Occasion: To stop a plague on Israel due to David’s census.

• Significance: David insisted on paying for the site, declaring that he would not offer God something that cost him nothing. This altar symbolized repentance and atonement, and God accepted the offering by stopping the plague.

11. Elijah’s Altar on Mount Carmel

• Reference: 1 Kings 18:30-38

• Who Built It: Elijah

• Occasion: During the contest with the prophets of Baal to prove that Yahweh is the true God.

• Significance: Elijah rebuilt an old altar, and God sent fire to consume the offering, demonstrating His power and calling Israel back to true worship.

12. Solomon’s Altar at the Temple

• Reference: 2 Chronicles 7:1-2, 7

• Who Built It: Solomon

• Occasion: Dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem.

• Significance: Part of the grand Temple complex, this altar was used for sacrifices and symbolized Israel’s worship and atonement before God.

13. Altar in the Temple Rebuilt After Exile

• Reference: Ezra 3:2-3

• Who Built It: Zerubbabel and Jeshua

• Occasion: After the return from Babylonian exile, as worship was reestablished in Jerusalem.

• Significance: This altar marked the renewal of Israel’s worship and covenant with God, representing restoration after judgment.

14. The Ultimate Altar: The Cross of Christ

Hebrews 13:10-12 – The Altar of the Cross

• The New Testament shifts the focus from physical altars to the spiritual fulfillment found in Christ. The ultimate altar is the cross, where Jesus offered Himself as the once-and-for-all sacrifice for our sins.

• Key Point: The cross is the fulfillment of all biblical altars. Every sacrifice, every act of worship, every covenant points to Jesus, who laid down His life for us. No other sacrifice is needed because His blood covers all.

Romans 12:1 – Our Lives as Living Sacrifices

• Paul urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship.

• Key Point: In response to Christ’s sacrifice, we now offer ourselves as living sacrifices. Our hearts become the altar where we lay down our will, desires, and lives for the sake of God’s kingdom.

15. The Altar in Heaven  - Revelation 8:3-4 

• In this passage, an angel stands at the altar, holding a golden censer filled with incense, which represents the prayers of God’s people. The prayers rise before God, mingling with the incense.

• The prayers we offer are like incense, rising to God as a sweet aroma. This heavenly altar reminds us that our prayers are precious to God. Every cry, every petition, every moment of worship offered from our earthly altars ascends to the throne of heaven.

16.  The Altar of Martyrs - Revelation 6:9-11 

• We also see another altar in Revelation, under which the souls of the martyrs cry out for justice. These are those who gave their lives for their faith, awaiting God’s final judgment and restoration.

• This altar reminds us that God is the ultimate justice giver. For those who have given everything, even their lives, the altar symbolizes God’s vindication and His promise of eternal life.

17. The Fulfillment of the Altar in the New Jerusalem - Revelation 22:1-5 – 

• At the end of the Bible, we see no physical altar in the New Jerusalem because the Lamb Himself is the fulfillment of all sacrifice. Jesus is the eternal altar, and He reigns forever in the new heaven and new earth.

• In the New Jerusalem, there is no need for altars or temples because God’s presence fills everything. The Lamb’s once-for-all sacrifice has made eternal communion with God possible, and His people live in the fullness of His presence forever.

Key Thought

Just as Elijah repaired the broken altar on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:30), there are times in our spiritual lives when we need to rebuild our own altars. Perhaps through neglect, distraction, or sin, the altar of our hearts has been broken. We may have allowed other priorities to take the place of God.

In times of spiritual dryness, we must return to the altar and rebuild it. This may mean restoring neglected prayer habits, studying the Word, or committing time to serve and worship. When we repair these spiritual altars, we make room for God’s presence and power to be restored. Like the fire that fell from heaven on Elijah’s altar, God’s power is released in us when we return to Him with sincere worship.

Why I Make The Connection With The Tabernacle?

The Entire Structure is a Place of Consecration and Holiness

• The tabernacle and temple were places where God’s presence dwelled among His people. In this sense, the structures themselves were consecrated as sacred, functioning like a large, central altar where the people could approach God.

• The whole of each structure—from the outer court to the Holy of Holies—was set apart for worship and was to be treated with reverence and holiness. This reflects the purpose of an altar as a designated holy place where humanity meets with God.

2. The Tabernacle and Temple Layout Mirrors the Structure of an Altar

• Both the tabernacle and temple were designed with progressively sacred spaces: the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. This layout is seen by some theologians as reflecting the concept of an altar, where one approaches God with increasing levels of sanctity.

• The bronze altar in the outer court served as the primary place for sacrifices, symbolizing the initial point of atonement and dedication. However, the entire structure was part of the sacrificial and atoning work, leading to the ultimate encounter with God in the Holy of Holies.

3. The Inner Altar and Presence of God in the Holy of Holies

• The Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, was seen as the place of ultimate communion with God. This was where the high priest entered once a year to offer blood on the mercy seat for the atonement of Israel’s sins (Leviticus 16).

• In a sense, the mercy seat atop the Ark could be seen as the “altar” within the inner sanctuary, symbolizing God’s willingness to meet His people in mercy and grace. The presence of God, manifest as a cloud above the Ark, signifies that the entire structure served as a divine meeting place—an altar of God’s presence.

4. The Purpose of the Tabernacle and Temple as Dwelling Places for Worship and Sacrifice

• Both the tabernacle and the temple were established specifically to be places of sacrifice and worship, and every function within these structures was oriented toward honoring God.

• Sacrifices were offered daily on the altar in the outer court, and incense was burned on the inner altar in the Holy Place. This ongoing act of worship throughout the tabernacle or temple reflects the idea of these structures as a continual offering—a living altar to God.

5. Foreshadowing Christ as the True Temple and Altar

• The New Testament develops this concept further by presenting Christ Himself as the true Temple and ultimate altar (John 2:19-21). Jesus refers to His body as a temple, suggesting that the sacrificial system and the temple structure foreshadow His coming as the ultimate place of God’s presence and atonement for sin.

• The Book of Hebrews explains that Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary with His own blood, offering a once-and-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:11-12). In this view, the entire sacrificial system of the temple—including the altar—is fulfilled in Christ.

6. The Role of the Church as a Living Temple and Altar

• In the New Testament, believers collectively are called the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 2:21-22), implying that the people of God are now the dwelling place of God’s presence on earth. This concept extends the function of an altar to the community of believers, who, through their lives and worship, offer a continual sacrifice of praise and devotion to God (Romans 12:1; Hebrews 13:15).

• In this sense, the church becomes a “living altar,” representing a place of continual worship and encounter with God.