UNDERSTANDING ALTARS AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR

Title: UNDERSTANDING ALTARS AND WHAT THEY STAND FOR

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Genesis 12:7
Supporting Texts: Exodus 20:24, Judges 6:25-26, 1 Kings 18:30-39

INTRODUCTION:
Altars hold significant spiritual symbolism in the Bible. They represent a place of sacrifice, divine encounter, and covenant. In biblical times, altars were physical structures where people offered sacrifices to God or idols, depending on the purpose. Today, altars are more spiritual than physical, representing our connection with God or the forces of darkness, depending on what they stand for. This study will help us understand altars and their purposes in the spiritual realm.

1. WHAT IS AN ALTAR?

a) A Place of Sacrifice
Altars are places where sacrifices are made to invoke or maintain divine or spiritual intervention (Genesis 8:20).

b) A Meeting Point Between the Physical and Spiritual Realms
An altar serves as a gateway for divine encounters or spiritual manifestations (Genesis 28:12-13).

c) A Place of Worship
Altars are used for offering praises and worship to God (Exodus 20:24).

d) A Place of Covenant
Covenants are often initiated and renewed at altars (Genesis 15:9-18).

e) Biblical Example: Abraham built an altar to the Lord as a sign of his covenant and obedience (Genesis 12:7).

2. TYPES OF ALTARS IN THE BIBLE

a) Godly Altars
Altars raised to honour God and establish divine covenants (Judges 6:25-26).

b) Ungodly Altars
Altars raised for idol worship and demonic sacrifices (1 Kings 16:32).

c) Personal Altars
Individual altars raised for prayer, worship, and devotion (Daniel 6:10).

d) Family Altars
Altars established within families to connect with God (Genesis 35:2-3).

e) Biblical Example: Elijah rebuilt the altar of the Lord to bring revival to Israel (1 Kings 18:30-39).

3. PURPOSES OF ALTARS

a) To Facilitate Divine Encounters
God often meets His people at altars to give instructions or blessings (Genesis 22:9-12).

b) To Establish Covenants
Altars are used to seal agreements between God and man or between individuals (Genesis 15:9-18).

c) To Invoke Divine Intervention
Sacrifices on altars often bring about divine intervention (2 Chronicles 7:1).

d) To Serve as a Memorial
Altars are built to commemorate significant spiritual events (Joshua 4:20-24).

e) Biblical Example: Noah built an altar after the flood to thank God and invoke His blessing (Genesis 8:20-22).

4. THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ALTARS

a) Altars Represent Authority
Altars are places where spiritual power is activated and exercised (Judges 6:25-27).

b) Altars Speak Continuously
Every altar has a voice that speaks blessings or curses over lives and territories (Hebrews 12:24).

c) Altars Require Maintenance
To keep an altar effective, continuous prayer and worship are required (Leviticus 6:12-13).

d) Altars Influence Territories
Altars can affect the spiritual atmosphere of families, communities, and nations (1 Kings 18:30-39).

e) Biblical Example: The altar of Baal affected Israel until it was destroyed by Elijah (1 Kings 18:20-39).

5. HOW TO RAISE AND SUSTAIN A GODLY ALTAR

a) Consecrate Yourself
Purity and consecration are vital to raising a godly altar (Romans 12:1).

b) Dedicate Time for Worship and Prayer
Altars are sustained by consistent devotion to God (Psalm 141:2).

c) Offer Sacrifices of Praise and Thanksgiving
Regular sacrifices maintain the power of an altar (Hebrews 13:15).

d) Destroy Any Competing Altars
Remove ungodly altars that may oppose your godly altar (Judges 6:25-26).

e) Biblical Example: Abraham maintained his relationship with God by consistently raising altars (Genesis 13:18).

CONCLUSION:
Altars are critical in the spiritual realm, symbolising a place of encounter, sacrifice, and authority. Whether physical or spiritual, altars influence lives and destinies. By understanding their significance and purpose, believers can raise godly altars that bring blessings, divine encounters, and victory in spiritual warfare. Let us raise and maintain godly altars to ensure that our lives reflect God's glory.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, help me to raise and maintain a godly altar in my life.

2. Lord, destroy every ungodly altar influencing my destiny in Jesus' name.

3. I declare that my altar will speak blessings and favour over my life and family.

4. Holy Spirit, empower me to keep the fire on my altar burning continually.

5. Every altar speaking against my progress is silenced by the blood of Jesus.

6. Father, establish Your authority over every area of my life through my altar.

7. I dedicate my family as a living altar to serve You, Lord.

8. Lord, let my altar influence my generation and territory for Your glory.

9. By the power of God, I destroy altars of idolatry and oppression in my lineage.

10. I declare that my altar will attract divine encounters and breakthroughs.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. Every ungodly altar opposing your destiny is destroyed in Jesus' name.

2. Your godly altar will attract divine favour and breakthroughs.

3. The voice of your altar will speak blessings over your life and family.

4. You are empowered to sustain an altar of prayer and worship unto God.

5. No evil altar will prosper against your life and destiny.

6. Your family will serve the Lord and become a beacon of light in your generation.

7. The fire of your altar will never go out in Jesus' name.

8. Divine instructions and encounters will flow from your altar.

9. God will use your altar to influence territories and generations.

10. Your altar will bring revival and restoration to your life and those around you.