ALTAR OF ENCOUNTER

ALTAR OF ENCOUNTER

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: Genesis 28:10-22

Key Verse: “And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” (Genesis 28:17, KJV)

Supporting Texts: Genesis 12:7-8; Exodus 3:2-5; Judges 6:24; 1 Kings 18:36-39; Acts 9:3-6

Description: The altar of encounter is the place where divinity meets humanity, where God reveals Himself and changes destinies.

INTRODUCTION:
Every true believer must have an altar of encounter—a place where God meets with them and transforms their lives. Throughout Scripture, men and women who carried divine assignments were people of the altar. Encounters at the altar are never casual moments; they are defining experiences that shift the course of destiny.

An altar is not just a physical structure of stone or wood, but a spiritual meeting point between man and God. It is the place of prayer, sacrifice, consecration, and divine revelation. Whenever a man meets God at the altar, his life can never remain the same again.

Today, many believers are busy with religious activities but lack an altar of genuine encounter. Until you build and sustain such an altar, you may never fully step into your divine destiny. This study will open our eyes to the importance, power, and necessity of the altar of encounter.

1. THE ALTAR IS A PLACE OF DIVINE REVELATION
The altar is where God reveals Himself to His people in clarity and power. Without revelation, the journey of life becomes directionless.

a) God reveals His presence (Exodus 3:2-4) – At the burning bush, Moses encountered God’s presence that changed his life forever.

b) God reveals His promises (Genesis 12:7) – To Abram, the altar became a place of covenant revelation.

c) God reveals His power (1 Kings 18:38-39) – Fire fell at Elijah’s altar, proving God’s supremacy.

d) God reveals His purpose (Acts 9:4-6) – Saul encountered Christ on the road to Damascus, receiving divine assignment.

Biblical Example: Jacob at Bethel saw the ladder to heaven and received a vision of God’s covenant with him (Genesis 28:12-15).

2. THE ALTAR IS A PLACE OF SACRIFICE
Encounters at the altar are sustained by sacrifice. A true altar demands giving up something precious in exchange for God’s glory.

a) Sacrifice of worship (Genesis 22:5) – Abraham called his offering an act of worship at the altar.

b) Sacrifice of obedience (1 Samuel 15:22) – God honours obedience more than empty rituals.

c) Sacrifice of intercession (Job 42:10) – Job’s altar of prayer for his friends opened his restoration.

d) Sacrifice of dedication (Romans 12:1) – Our lives must be laid on the altar as living sacrifices.

Biblical Example: Solomon sacrificed a thousand burnt offerings, and God responded with a life-changing encounter (2 Chronicles 1:6-7).

3. THE ALTAR IS A PLACE OF TRANSFORMATION
When a person meets God at the altar, old identities are broken, and new destinies are birthed.

a) Transformation of character (Genesis 32:28) – Jacob became Israel at the altar of wrestling with God.

b) Transformation of purpose (Isaiah 6:5-8) – Isaiah was cleansed and commissioned at God’s altar.

c) Transformation of destiny (Judges 6:24-26) – Gideon built an altar and became a deliverer of Israel.

d) Transformation of outlook (2 Corinthians 3:18) – Believers are changed into God’s image at the altar of His presence.

Biblical Example: The Samaritan woman encountered Jesus at the well and her life was transformed into a vessel of evangelism (John 4:28-30).

4. THE ALTAR IS A PLACE OF DIVINE INTERVENTION
The altar becomes a gateway where God steps into human situations to bring deliverance and victory.

a) Intervention in battles (2 Chronicles 20:21-22) – Praise at the altar brought victory to Judah.

b) Intervention in famine (1 Kings 18:41-45) – Elijah prayed on the altar and rain returned.

c) Intervention in danger (Daniel 6:22) – Daniel’s altar of prayer shut the lions’ mouths.

d) Intervention in captivity (Acts 16:25-26) – Paul and Silas prayed, and prison doors opened.

Biblical Example: Hannah encountered God at the altar in Shiloh, and her barrenness was broken (1 Samuel 1:9-20).

5. THE ALTAR IS A PLACE OF REMEMBRANCE AND COVENANT
Altars are memorials that mark encounters and remind us of God’s faithfulness through generations.

a) Memorial of covenant (Genesis 17:7-8) – God’s covenant with Abraham was sealed by sacrifice.

b) Memorial of victory (Exodus 17:15) – Moses built an altar and named it “The Lord is my Banner.”

c) Memorial of mercy (Numbers 16:47-48) – Aaron stood with incense at the altar, and the plague was stopped.

d) Memorial of destiny (Joshua 4:6-7) – Stones of remembrance reminded Israel of God’s power.

Biblical Example: Jacob raised a stone at Bethel as a memorial of his encounter, vowing to serve God faithfully (Genesis 28:18-22).

CONCLUSION:
The altar of encounter is where destinies are changed, lives are preserved, and God’s glory is revealed. Every believer needs to build and sustain such an altar if they are to experience continuous divine presence.

Your future and destiny are determined by the encounters you have at the altar of God. Build an altar of prayer, sacrifice, and obedience, and you will carry the fire of God everywhere you go.

PRAYER POINTS:
1. Lord, establish an altar of encounter in my life.
2. Father, let Your presence be revealed to me at my altar.
3. O Lord, make my altar a place of sacrifice that pleases You.
4. Father, let every altar of prayer in my life bring transformation.
5. Lord, visit my destiny with fire at my altar.
6. O Lord, intervene in every battle of my life through the altar.
7. Father, let my altar carry the power to break yokes and captivity.
8. Lord, let my altar become a place of covenant remembrance.
9. Father, let every strange altar speaking against me be silenced.
10. Lord, let my altar of encounter speak for generations after me.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS:
1. You shall encounter God at your altar like never before.
2. Your altar shall release divine revelation for your destiny.
3. Your sacrifice shall provoke heaven’s response.
4. Every area of your life shall experience divine transformation.
5. You shall see divine intervention in your battles.
6. Your altar shall become a memorial of covenant blessings.
7. No power of darkness shall silence your altar.
8. Your family shall partake of generational blessings from your altar.
9. You shall carry the fire of your altar everywhere you go.
10. Your life shall be a living testimony of the altar of encounter.