Golden Altar Worship
THE GOLDEN ALTAR
& REVIVAL GLORY
.
And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge and safety . . .
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
Isaiah 4:5-6/ Exodus 13:21-22
GAW Vol. I GAW Vol. II
When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down
from heaven and consumed the burnt offering
and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.
And the priests could not enter the house of the Lord,
because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord’s house.
2 Chronicles 7:1-2
Golden Altar Worship
BROTHER LAWRENCE
Unless we as His people begin to offer up prayer that reaches the Throne Room of Heaven we will never see the Great Awakening we as believers so earnestly seek.
Several years ago I wrote four 300 page books in a series about the Golden Altar of Incense (from Revelation Chapter 8 and how that related to revival. I thought that the Golden Altar of Exodus was an spiritual arch type and a hidden KEY to an end times revival that would be the greatest and last revival on earth before the Lord comes.
I had studied of men and woman of God who had offered up such prayers of sweet incense to the Lord and who invoked God's presence on earth to such a degree that for a season and the Kingdom of God ruled and reigned in their part of the earth.
I had read about Brother Lawrence whose prayers of sweet incense brought down the awesome presence of God. It inspired me so that my daughter Rebekah and I went into the studio for months to pray, narrate and sing from excerpts of the famous Christian Classic "The Practice of the Presence of God" by brother Lawrence. (1605-1691)
People from all over the world would travel to hear the godly wisdom of this humble lay person working in the kitchen of the monastery. Listening, they would experience the miracle of God's supernatural presence as they too learned to praise the Lord and the art of practicing God's presence.
Many were healed and converted to faith through the ministry this meek yet powerful "washer of pots." Ever since, this humble worker in the monastery kitchen who has showed generations of believers the way of the Golden Altar of pure worship . . .
It is the discipline of "practicing the presence of God in one single act that does not end." He often stated that it is God who paints Himself in the depths of our soul to where we are always in an awakened spiritual state of revival.
We must merely open our hearts to receive Him and His loving presence, wherever we are, be it in a bustling kitchen or on our knees in prayer in trhe quiet place of our homes.
This classic in Christian literature is now united in song. On this page I also share some excerpts from my book series "Golden Altar Worship."
God says that His eyes and heart are always aware of our gatherings and assemblies -- that He searches and tests our heart motives to see if there is a true spirit of worship present. We can't have a real visitation from God if our hearts are not aligned with His. That simple. In the passage below, God comments on one church congregation He surveyed . . .
I hate and despise your feast days and I do not savor your sacred assemblies.
Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings,
I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings.
Take away from Me the noise of your songs,
For I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.
But let justice run down like water,
And righteousness like a mighty stream.
Amos 5:20-21
Humility. Honesty. Justice. Transparency before God. Heart-felt repentance. These are always the first fruits and the first steps in any true revival. The demon of greed and materialism must be repented of and cast out of the Temple! Nobody is fooling God at any time and everyone will reap where they sow. God has no favorites and is no respecter of persons. His justice is for all races and peoples -- rich or poor, educated or illiterate.
GOLDEN ALTAR WORSHIP
Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar.
He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people,
on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense,
together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.
Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth;
and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
Revelation 8:3-5
FIre meets fire
God desires to move in a spiritual awakening but He first waits for the pure prayers and Golden Altar worship to ascend to heaven . . .
God will accept the fervent prayers of a righteous man or woman. He accepts the pure offerings of His people when they worship Him with proper motives - for love of Him and not just out of need. He wants us to seek His face -- not just His hand.
Where there is tarrying, true heart-felt revival prayer meetings, the angels will lift the precious prayers of the saints to the Throne of God and will place them on the Golden Altar of incense. God loves this sweet fragrance of an incense offering and in response will send back to earth thunders and lightnings of breakthrough authority and power to the church. The Church can only progress as much as she prays,
And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
Revelation 8: 4-8
David
Bethel Church, Mike Bickle, Joanne McFatter, Julie True, Guillermo Maldonado, Jesus Culture, Matt Sorger, Heidi Baker,George Verwer
Music Loop to Read by
Primitive worship
Sometimes what is “olden is golden.” Remember, even though the eternal, immutable truths of scripture were written long ago they are more valid today then ever. Understanding the ancient, foundational roots of worship and revival is both relevant and beneficial to our moral and spiritual progress today. Looking to the past will help us to better comprehend cause and effect which in turn will keep us from unnecessary future accidents, hurts and pitfalls. It is true that those who do not learn from past history are destined to repeat it – both its mistakes but also its successes.
In looking through the “rear view mirror” we gain greater insight as we travel this life’s journey. By remembering the “old paths,” in a healthy way we will come to honor and respect certain timeless, noble principles. These godly principles will safely guide us to safe havens. As we review the models and paradigms of primitive worship from the Word, we will also begin to think biblically when it comes to our prayer lives. We will begin to worship and approach God the way He desires.
Thus, the entire premise of the Golden Altar series is this . . .
“When the old pattern is right, then the Glory will fall.”
In past history, we know that whenever the Glory of God falls there will be an earth-shaking revival and a fresh harvest of souls. That’s why it is vitally important to study godly and scriptural worship patterns from the past. There have been special times in church history where the pattern was right and the Shekinah came. We need to understand those good patterns and emulate them today.
Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain,
like the latter and former rain to the earth. Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
Hosea 6:3; 10:12
God’s Incense
When the ancient and anointed confection of priestly incense was burnt upon the hot grille of the Tabernacle’s Golden Altar of Incense, it emitted a gorgeous smelling fragrance that was well pleasing to the Lord. The ancient compound was a carefully chosen amalgam of sacred spices which the Lord commanded Moses to create. When ignited by the flames from the Golden Altar, the aromatic burning embers were then secured within a golden censer which was then reverently carried by the High Priest from the Holy Place into the Holy of Holies.
There beyond the Veil, its smoldering, sacred coals were carefully set before the Ark of God’s Shekinah presence as a perfumed offering of sweet aroma. As the golden incense sweetly burned before the Ark of the Covenant, there arose a plume of white smoke from it which soon filled the Holiest Place with a fragrant cloud and mist.
Sacred Perfume
Golden Altar incense is in fact a primitive form of perfume prescribed by God. By definition, perfume and cologne are considered to be a mixture of fragrant essential oils, resins, herbs, flowers, aromatic compounds, fixatives and solvents used to give the human body, objects or living areas a pleasant smell.
Aromatic scent through smoke
The Latin word Per fumum is the root word for its modern English equivalent “fumes.” The Greeks and Romans at some point in early civilization (around 1500 to 1400 BC) may have learned the art of creating a flammable, aromatic apothecary of smoke from Moses and the ancient Hebrews. This is why the fragrant plume of smoke from the hot censer from off the Golden Altar can be aptly described as a holy perfume.
As a matter of fact, Moses was one of the world’s first perfumers and the Tabernacle was one of the first perfumeries! Millennia’s before Guerlain and Lauder and many centuries long before the Romans perfected the trade.
The Ingredients of Pure Worship
And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices,
Stacte, and Onycha, and Galbanum; these sweet spices
with pure Frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
And thou shall make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary,
tempered together, pure and holy . . .
Exodus 30:34-35
The incense
Give offerings to the God of heaven … let it be given them daily without fail:
That you may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma unto the God of heaven. . .
Ezra 6:9-10
So too, God desires that our worship and praise would be a savory aroma before Him.
When the fires of our humble, pure and passionate worship reach the throne room of
God’s presence, He will come into our “kitchen” to see what is “cooking in our life.”
We are to God, the fragrance of Christ . . .
2 Corinthians 2:15
When we seek Him, He promises to draw near to us.
Let's seek God with all our spirit, mind and strength. Many are "Outer Court Christians -- they are carnally-minded and only worship God rarely or for a show in church. This kind of shallow prayer and worship life with God will not keep you in this dark hour. We all need to move into the inner court in our worship and then move on with sacred passion to find Him dwelling in us in the Holiest of all.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13
Quality worship
God has never been interested in quantity when it comes to worship.
He's not the least bit interested in a 1000-member choir "performing" praise songs
with no real love for Him. He's not as interested in the amount of members
in a church as He is searching for hearts that want to be His forevermore.
For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
"I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit,
Isaiah 57:15
NO CHEAP PERFUME
God will never trade quality for quantity. When it comes to worship,
He’s not a big fast food fan. He doesn’t appreciate cheaply prepared and packaged,
low-quality food that is filled with phony fillers, colors, chemical dyes
and toxic preservatives. He likes things that are costly. He does not relish the
odor of discount perfume neither does He desire a “cheap” offering that requires no sacrifice. He weighs the hearts in the balances and sees all.
GOLDEN ALTAR WORSHIP BEGINS IN THE HOME
The marriage between a man and a woman and their family home is the most basic unit in all of society. If the home is weak then the nation will eventually be weak -- spiritually, morally and economically. Home is the place of the family altar. It's where miracles and encounters with God in private take place. If our homes are filled with God's Glory we will carry that glory into our assemblies. When godly families join togther for communion, prayer, fasting, praise and worship. there is power in unity and purpose.
The sum total of the level of the potency of the Presence of God in each family will be expressed and manifest in the service. If the preacher be the only one anointed but his family church memebers are all backslidden there is NOTHING he can do to mobilze his church for revival -- let alone a Great Awakening!
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
ACTS 16:31
There was a family in the Old Testament that certainly portrays what happens when the Glory of God, His supernatural Presence and the angels visit a family in answer to prayer. This happened in my own home so it's very real to me! But nothing illustrates the good that can come to so many when a husband and wife team truly seek the Lord in the private place and God comes and manifests His GLORY there. Remember, if there be angels to come, it is God's bidding for angels hearken to do His will and are simply another aspect of God's Glory.
The Story of Manoah
So the woman came and told her husband, saying,
“A Man of God came to me, and His countenance
was like the countenance of the Angel of God, very awesome;
but I did not ask Him where He was from, and He did not tell me His name.
And He said to me, ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son.
Now drink no wine or similar drink, nor eat anything unclean,
for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.’
”Then Manoah prayed to the Lord, and said, “O my Lord, please let the
Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us ...
So Manoah arose and followed his wife. When he came to the Man,
he said to Him, “Are You the Man who spoke to this woman?”
And He said, “I am.” ... and the Angel of the Lord said to Manoah,
“Though you detain Me, I will not eat your food.
But if you offer a burnt offering, you must offer it to the Lord.”
(For Manoah did not know He was the Angel of the Lord.)
Then Manoah said to the Angel of the Lord,
“What is Your name, that when Your words come to pass we may honor You?”
And the Angel of the Lord said to him, “Why do you ask My name, seeing it is wonderful?”
So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the Lord. And He did a wondrous thing while Manoah and his wife looked on — it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar — the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground.
So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him
Judges 13:24
Twice Manoah's wife saw an angel -- she had been truly seeking God because she could
not get pregnant with a child and needed a miracle.
SEEK HIS FACE -- NOT HIS HAND
Many of you feel spiritually, mentally, physically, financially "barren" right now –
God wants you to consecrate yourselves and seek Him in your private devotions
and worship Him. He wants you to repent of unbelief and sin and earnestly seek His face.
Manoah's wife provoked her husband to righteousness and her example convicted him to
seek God too. After all, Manoah had never seen an angel before!
Her open love for God and private prayer life challenged him to become a pure worshipper.
So he went with his wife and consecrated himself and offered a pure
offering and sacrifice in the evening …
And the angel appeared – and stepped in the fire on the ALTAR and did a
wonderful thing for them – he stepped in the fire and ascended to Heaven in a FLAME –
and GOD sent back in the flame an angel who healed his wife’s infertility
and gave her a mighty son named SAMSON.
Do you want a miracle in your life? Step in the fire with the angels of heavenly worship
– sing the Song of Angels . . .
Where was the angel going to and why? Why did he ascend back to Heaven? Because he was gladly carrying a golden Chalice of pure prayers and worship to the Throne of God!
He was carrying Manaoh's and his wife's golden vials of pure worship back to the Father's Throne. [Revelation 8:4]
Upward to the celestial, Golden Altar of pure incense -- worship which eternally burns before God's Throne. God does not ever forget even one sincere prayer or song you lovingly offer Him!
Angels love to carry the sacrifices of praise, prayers, and the sweet incense of onyka which is the intercession of worship and groanings too deep for words to the Golden bowls before the Lord -- the prayers of tongues and of the Spirit. It's deep calling unto deep.
The crucial flame is the obedience of a holy life.
THE MESSAGE:
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Manoah’s wife is barren – are you barren spiritually, emotionally, financially today? Seek God’s presence – seek the Lord and He will send you supernatural provision at your greatest point of need.
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Remember that plans and assignments are pre-revealed in the Glory -- like Sarah and Mary -- the angel came to the interceding woman first and announced that they would be fruitful – the angel told her to purify and consecrate herself unto the LORD. Then the husband saw the validity of it.
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Manoah’s wife was a PURE WORSHIPPER and showed others the way.
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PURE WORSHIP is always a PORTAL to the supernatural dimension of God -- it opens an ardent believer up tp the SUPERNATURAL REALM of God’s GLORY
TWO THINGS THAT HAPPEN WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER GODS THRONE IN A VISION OR VISITATION:
1. You get an impartation of God's presence and anointing. You realize how powerful and holy God is. You come to know and love His divine nature.
2. You get a vision, a commission pattern for ministry to reach others and the nations.
BLEST TO BE A BLESSING! Genesis 12:1-3 That’s the PURPOSE for entering the glory realm …
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars,
if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 15:4-6
WE SHOULD DESIRE A BURNING BUSH PRAYER EXPERIENCE EVERYDAY...
Exodus 3:2
A burning bush experience is the fire of angelic intervention in our lives (Hebrews 1:7,14) -- A PORTAL to the paradisiacal realm of GOD'S Kabod .
Are you dry and in a wilderness right now? You need a burning bush experience. Are you in need of financial provision?
There is power in praise! That's what praise and worship music is -- a portal into the anointed weighty Kabod …Moses got a divine call and unction to deliver God’s people from the bondage of Egypt – to set captives free.
The great prophet reminds us that it is by the anointing of God's kabod, His presence that the yokes and burdens in our lives are broken and lifted!
Isaiah 10:27
That Kabod -- God's own, omnipotent, fiery anointing BREAKS YOKES and sets the captives free – the milky cloud, the manifestation of God's shekinah presence and angelic activity comes into our meetings in answer to prayer and in response to our fiery, passionate worship … now is that time . . .
This worship encounter will give you a burning bush experience . . .
Exodus 24:10 Moses and the 70 elders SAW GOD on the mount of Glory – His Glory rays and light beams heated the common soil of earth and created a clear and beautiful bluish sapphire PAVEMENT under His feet.
Exodus 33:14 “We need to know God's Kabod, His divine presence and rely on His gracious all-empowering grace and power to do great works in the earth …Moses said to the Lord –- “If your presence does not go with me and before me I will not go anywhere!”
Isaiah 6:2-8 After a vision of God's Throne and fiery seraphim …the prophet said, “Here am I Lord …send me!”
Paul on Damascus Road – Acts 9 - The Glory from Heaven shown all around and Paul was blinded and converted to Christ.
David was a worshipper … he declared in Psalm 63 that he longed to see God's glory in the sanctuary.
My soul thirsts for thee, my flesh longs for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; …
To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
Psalms 63:1-2
THE GLORY IS A DEFENSE ( Isaiah 4:4-5)
Spiritual immunity -- when we worship God there is divine protection and help in time of need . . . the fire of angels and the pillar of fire stopped the demonic at the Red Sea. Only the same pillar of fire can save our nation now . . .
What is the GLORY? It is God almighty’s own PRESENCE alive and tangible among us . . .
The Kabod is HIS divine copiousness, abundance plenteousness, salvation, healing, direction, provision, miracles, prosperity, supernatural encounters and heavenly interventions . . .
THE BENEFITS OF BEING IN GOD'S PRESENCE
YOU AND I WILL BE TRANSFORMED BY HIS PRESENCE IN PURE WORSHIP . . .
DIVINE EXPECTATION: YOU WILL NEVER KNOW UNTIL YOU TRY -
JUST GET ON YOUR KNEES OR LIE DOWN AND BEGIN TO TELL HIM YOU LOVE AND NEED HIM . . .
HE WILL QUICKLY RESPOND TO YOU . . .
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not fear …
He makes me to lie down in green pastures:
He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul:
Psalm 23:1-3
The prophet Isaiah declared centuries ago …
He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength. …
They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 40:29-31
Jesus admonishes us to come to Him because He is meek and lowly of heart and kind and loving and we will find REST for our souls there. We will find green pastures and still waters. We will find provision for the vision. So for all of you who feel depressed, oppressed, compressed by trial, physical infirmity and financial circumstances and He will always provide (without fail) a way of escape for us that we can make it, even if the way of escape is at the last possible moment. He will part the mighty Red Sea and we will escape! (I Cor.
Matt 11:28-29
That's why Jesus taught us to repose, to rest, to lean on and to abide in Him. (John 15:4-5)
Peace be still my child -- I am aware of you -- the presence of God will still your storm
and make time stand still …that's why David became strong --
David simply played a lyre, a wooden harp and sang to the living God
by a stream while tending his sheep. Find your pasture.
Find your place of solitude, oh mighty man or woman of valor . . .
Mark 4:39
Revival simply cannot come if His children are not provided for and if they are always
overly anxious, unbelieving, bitter and complaining -- God will not visit faithless whiners!
John 20:19
The Glory as a defense:
“Do you want your loved ones to be protected and provided for in these troubling and stressful times?
2 Chronicles 20:20-21
Praise aqnd worshipper teams or squadrons always went before the armies of Israel when facing overwhelmimg enemies and obstacled . . .
And God gave them great victory every time!
The Five Ingredients of Golden Altar Worship
And the Lord said unto Moses, take unto thee sweet spices, Stacte, and Onycha, and Galbanum;
these sweet spices with pure Frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:
And you shall make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy . . .
Exodus 30:34-35
The elements of the incense
The incense was comprised of five elements -- four spices and salt. (The last ingredient, salt, was used as a binder) The four spices (were Stacte, Onycha, Galbanum and Frankincense. As a Christian, the significance God placed on each of these ingredients is both captivating and fascinating.
God told Moses that these elements were to be skillfully mixed together in a confection after the “art of the apothecaryl.” Like a highly trained pharmacist, the priest skillfully mixed together the precious confection of incense with a finely polished mortar and pestle. The five elements were then grounded into a very fine powder and were then ready to be burned.
No counterfeit mixtures
And Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord, when they offered strange fire before the Lord . . .
Numbers 3:4
DON"T PLAY WITH FIRE
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful,
and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28-29
It is spiritually dangerous for any believer to attempt to make up their own composition of incense in a way that God hasn’t commanded. Many people in cultures have tried to worship God with idolatrous, false incense or have concocted their own approach to God and have wound up perishing in ignorance. People can be religiously sincere and at the same time, be devastatingly wrong. The only sure guide to worshipping the loving God is the Bible and the Word says . . .
People are destroyed for lack of knowledge
Hosea 4:6a
So then, what is God telling us through this unique blend of fragrant ingredients? He always does everything with meaning and purpose. The Apostle Paul said that people, events and things in the Old Testament were given to believers as an example.
These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us,
on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come . . .
1 Corinthians 10:11 (NIV)
RECIPE FOR PLANET CHANGING WORSHIP -THE FIVE INGREDIENTS
1. Stacte (The first spice)
And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte…
And thou shall make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary,
tempered together, pure and holy . . .
Exodus 30:34,35b
"Tear Drops"
The first ingredient that the priest used in making the holy confection for the burning of incense was stacte. Stacte is a form of Myrrh. Essentially, it is a fatty, gum resin that exudes from certain trees – specifically this spice was extracted from the bark of the storax tree. The storax bush is a beautiful shrub which grows prolifically on the lower hills of Israel. The storax bush can grow to be about the size of a medium-sized tree. When it blossoms in the early spring, it forms fragrant clusters of pretty waxen, white flowers whose pedals are shaped like snow flakes.
The meaning of the word Stacte is derived from the Hebrew root word (nataph) which means “to fall in drops gently” or it can mean “to cry tears” or “to distill.”
Principle: Stacte and Myrrh may be bitter to the taste but their bitter taste is the key to their gorgeous fragrance before a Holy God.
The Lord does not delight in “dutiful” or “rote” worship. Like the natural tear drops of fragrant gum resin flowing from the Storax tree, God wants our worship to flow naturally out from our hearts no matter how “bitter” the situation we are in. Even in our greatest sorrow, we are to offer up to him the fragrant prayer and the aromatic sacrifice of thanksgiving.
Jesus tasted grief for every man, woman and child that would ever live on this planet. Jesus wept over Jersualem and He wept with compassion on the Cross of Calvary for every lost sinner who was, is or ever will be born. He died for your sins and offered to the Father the sweetest sacrifice of worship ever. We are to do the same in our daily worship to God. (Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 5:19)
The sacrifice of praise
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and declare his works with rejoicing. I will offer to Thee
the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon
the name of the Lord.
Psalms 107:22-23; 116:17
Is your worship palatable to God? The sweet-smelling texture of stacte, the aroma of a broken and contrite heart, God will never despise.
2. Onycha (The second spice)
And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, Stacte, and Onycha…
and thou shall make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy . . .
Exodus 30:34-35
"Crushed and broken"
Onycha was the second element prescribed by God in the makeup of the incense. It is one of the most intriguing and mysterious substances mentioned in the Bible. The source of the Onycha spice came from a small, mussel shell that was found at depths of 400-600 feet in the Red Sea.
The manner in which Onycha was prepared for use in the sacred incense was that they were crushed into fine powder and then slowly heated with just enough oil to cover them. The priest was careful not to overheat them and burn up the fragrant mussel opercula, (i.e. the hardened calcium like substance which helped protect the mussel snail within and which closed its shell or lid). The sweet-smelling fragrance and active perfuming ingredients were thus then drawn into the oil and any residue was used in the incense as a fixative.
Again, like the extraction of stacte, finding and obtaining Onycha was a costly and time consuming. With only primitive technologies to work with, the Hebrew sailor and priest were to go to great depths and capture these little mussels with drag nets. Once enough of the difficult to attain mussels were collected, their shells were systematically grinded up into a fine, fragrant powder for the Golden Altar’s confection.
Again, only the rarest, finest and most costly ingredients qualified to be a part of God’s recipe!
Deep calls to deep
The altitude of your worship will be determined by the depth of your humility.
The height of your revival will be determined by the depth of your repentance.
The pinnacle of your authority will be determined by your vision and revelation.
Federico
But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, even the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?
Depth means “height”
If you want to soar into the Heavens with the archangels you must begin to plumb the depths of worship right here on earth -- start in your kitchen or bedroom. A little monk named Brother Lawrence used to love to "practice God's Presence" while washing pots and pans in the Carmeilte Monastary in Paris during the 1600s. (1614 – 12 February 1691). Christians remember him for the intimacy he expressed concerning his relationship to God as recorded in a book compiled after his death, the classic Christian text, The Practice of the Presence of God. ** see below NOTE
Principle: Everybody today wants “power” over the enemy. But New Testament believers must understand that in order to have authority over sickness, disease, poverty and death, they must develop depth in their worship. All true authority in Christ will be birthed out of a vital prayer and worship life with the Father.
We all need to begin to “let down the nets” of our worship, so we might descend into the deep waters of God. Let’s go deep in God, my friend, in our worship. Let us plunge into the river of God head first! And as we do, we will capture those sweet-smelling fragrances of onycha and frankincense and galbanum . . .
Thus says the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge,
then thou shall also judge my house, and shall also keep my courts,
and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
Zechariah 3:3-7
God was telling Zechariah that if he walked purely before the Lord, he would allow the man of God to walk with the angels.
3. Galbanum (The third spice)
And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices,
Stacte, and Onycha, and Galbanum; And thou shall make it a perfume,
a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy . . .
Exodus 30:34-35
The third ingredient of the incense required was galbanum. The word galbanum is derived from the Hebrew word chelbanah (pronounced “klekbnah”), which means “fat” or the “the best portion.” It was a gum resin with an intense scent that was taken from a low lying, umbelliferous plant. This plant produced green leaves and large flowering yellow heads that resemble the flowering heads of fennel.
Humble Galbanum
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty,
not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise,
And God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;
and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen,
And the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,
that no flesh should glory in His presence.
1 Corinthians 1:25-29
But the basic purpose of Galbanum in the holy incense was to intensify aand project the sweeter and lighter fragrances such as frankincense and onycha. Although Galbanum was not recognized as one of the more beautiful or fragrant incenses, it was considered the most important ingredient in the incense. Galbanum was used by the apothecary as an organic glue, holding the scent and projecting it for long periods of time. You see, Galbanum intensifies the sweet fragrances of the sacred Golden Altar. And it was these sweet fragrances that terrified the enemies of Israel. When the wind was just right, the sweet odors of the holy incense would waft on the breeze to the enemy camp and would through them in utter derision. It was Galbanum that was the key ingredient to aromatic warfare.
You see, the Golden Altar incense when prepared properly before the Lord attracts God's presence. There is no devil in hell that wants to be close to God's presence any more than there is any criminal that wants to be around the chief of police. The enemy knows his limits. If man is present, he feels bold. If God is present, he flees into a thousand different directions in terror.
So it is today. When the five-fold ministry equips the church which is made up of the "saints" they become an army that the enemy has to reckon with. As with the human body, it is the unseen organs, like the heart and the liver, that empower and keep the outward man healthy, vibrant and strong.
It is often the unrecognized and weaker members of the assembly that have the most power in projecting and preserving apostolic ministry to the world. God is not impressed as much as the world is by education, resources, money or appearance. God sees all as equal. Only pride makes one blind to see this truth. God chooses the foolish things of the world to confoumd the wise.
Principle: Galbanum speaks to us that we accomplish far more in God collectively than as an individual .
No matter how anointed that individual may be, the era of the one-man show in ministry is about to close. God is now raising up networks where every believer is encouraged to participate -- whether it be a hymn, a psalm, a spiritual song, a prophecy or a declaration, a dream, a vision, or a direct word from the Lord -- all, of course, with the godly discernment and filter of mature, seasoned leadership which will help prevent false prophecy from injuring the local church. Also an intensified power of corporate worship is about to be released. Believers will be receiving fresh messages from Heaven which will be relevant to the church in this hour and will be releasing them in worship in song. True worshippers will shun and reverently disdain partiality and respect of persons of all kinds.
But from those who seemed to be something--whatever they were,
it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man --,
for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me.
– the Apostle Paul
The power of brokenness
Again, remember the source for the ingredient of this spice was derived from the resin of a split or broken limb.
Are you experiencing some kind of failure or brokenness in your life? Endure. God will use it for His glory if you will let Him. Worship Him and be thankful and you will prevail. Worship.
Quality Worship Defined
Now while Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper,
reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of costly
aromatic oil from pure nard.
After breaking open the jar, she poured it on his head.
Mark 14:3
The woman with the alabaster box
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She gave the Lord her reputation. Since she had been a woman who was a prostitute, she had a bad reputation with the public, especially with the religious elite. But she surrendered her self-image to the Lord not fearing man nor being dissuaded by their insults.
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She gave to the Lord her wealth. The costly box of spikenard probably represented her entire life’s savings. In the past, she had used such a fragrance to wickedly seduce others, now the scales had come off her eyes and her perfume became an offering of worship which was a sweet-smelling fragrance of incense to the Lord.
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She gave of her tears. This woman was not ashamed to exhibit godly sorrow and sincere repentance before others and before Christ. She made a public display of her true repentance because she didn’t care what man thought. Her tears represented all of her emotions which were now lavished upon the Lord Jesus.
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She gave of her glory. The Bible says the long hair of a woman is her glory and in Jewish culture, this was all the more true. Here, in front of macho, self-righteous, egocentric, hyper-religious, chauvinistic men, she was willing to wash the Lord’s feet with her tears and dry them with her hair!
This woman had been used and abandoned by men, discriminated against for her sex, bullied, insulted and struggled to even pay her bills. Yet she gave her best portion to the Lord.
Corrie Ten Boom - another pure worshipper who had been persecuted and wrongfully imprisoned by the Nazi's during WWII, understood how to offer up pure, Golden Altar worship. Here was her admonition . . .
"Look without and be distressed,
Look within and be depressed,
Look at Jesus and be at REST."
Because she did not become bitter she became better and at age 72 began a worldwide itinerant evangelism amd teaching ministry, a major motion picture (The Hiding Place) and sponsorship by Dr. Billy Graham.
Joseph was falsly imprisoned, lied about, thrown into a pit but because he worshipped God from the pit and the prison
and forgave his adversaries, God exalted him to become second in command of the most powerful nation on earth where he saved millions from certain starvation and a seven- year drought.
The best portion
And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering . . .
Genesis 4:4
God doesn’t appreciate it when we give Him the leftovers of our day.
He does not savor worship that’s a half-hearted afterthought.
He will not eat from the crumbs off our table.
4. Frankincense (“Purity of heart”)
The fourth and final spice to be added to the holy confection was frankincense.
Frankincense is an exquisite, aromatic gum resin which is derived from splitting open the bark of the scraggly but hardy Burseraceae Tree. Frankincense is also derived from the sap of several other species of Boswellia Trees. This process is usually begun in the late hours of evening in order to let the resin flow all night long.
More specifically, the Frankincense spice used in the sacred incense of the Golden Altar came from the Deciduous Tree (Boswellia Thurifera). Frankincense appears as white, milk-colored drops when it flows from the deep cut of the wood from which it is extracted and its milky juice hardens when exposed to air. Because it took all night for the resin to begin flowing, the priest would wait until the morning hour before gathering it for his incense apothecary. Superior quality Frankincense always appears thick and opaque
The meaning of Frankincense
Frankincense in Scripture refers primarily to the attribute of purity. Its root meaning in Hebrew actually comes from the words, “pure” or “white.” [Leviticus 24:5-7] In ancient times, the resin-spice was rare and difficult to acquire and was worth its weight in gold. At Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the Three Wise Men (Magi) brought gold, Myrrh and Frankincense as rare and costly gifts in order to show their utmost esteem and honor to the baby Jesus
Later in His life, Jesus was deeply wounded and bruised for our transgressions. Even as the priest cut the branch, the True Branch was split open as a sacrifice for us. This is why people cannot truly become worshippers until they come to Christ. Frankincense has healing and antiseptic qualities. Thus, the split branch of Jesus (the old wooden cross) must be cast into the polluted waters of their prideful and unforgiving soul before the bitter waters of Marah can become sweet and drinkable again . . .
5. RED SEA SALT (The fifth element)
The last element used by the priests was salt. Although salt is not considered a spice, it served as the primary “binder” when mixed with all the other spices. Salt was used to hold together all the ingredients that were to be put into the golden censer. The use of salt was strategic in the production of the confection since like Galbanum, its binding effects caused the fragrances to smell so much sweeter and for longer duration.
Salt also unified all the spices and caused them to burn as one offering to the Lord. These spices were unified and bound together by salt so their sweet-smelling odors could burn simultaneously and rise upward, as one pleasing, fragrant sacrifice to the Lord.
When our corporate worship becomes both salty and unified, the power of the Kingdom of God will be released on the earth. You probably know that salt in general has several other important functions as well. First of all, salt cleanses and purifies. Secondly, salt preserves. Third, salt adds taste and flavor to whatever it’s added to. And finally, salt is a binder.
God wants us to become the salt of the earth in our worship. He wants our worship to penetrate and preserve those around us and even the general culture.
The lesson of grinding
"You shall make of these an incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer,
salted, pure, and holy.” And you shall beat some of it very fine, and put some
of it before the Testimony in the Tabernacle of meeting where I will meet with you
. It shall be most holy to you.
"But as for the incense which you shall make, you shall not make any for yourselves,
according to its composition. It shall be to you holy for the Lord.
Exodus 30:35-37
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Praise until the Spirit of worship comes.
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Worship until the Glory comes.
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Then stand in the Glory . . .
I think there is no better way to describe the process than that.
But none of us should praise until we have been to the Cross and have been washed in His blood and have repented of our sins in the Outer Court. No one should try to move into worship until they have repented of their sins and shaken off the worldly spirit with victorious praise. Only then will they be able to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit who alone can lead us and prompt us into God’s presence. Only He can truly teach us the divine and holy process of approach to the Holy of Holies.
When we learn to surrender to Him in our worship; when our lives become a pure and fragrant sacrifice unto the Lord, then God’s Shekinah fire will fall and ignite our offering of praise and worship incense. Then the glory will fall and the miraculous will become a normal part of our church services again – even as it was in the early church! A continual revival will be a natural by-product of restoring the divine process symbolized by the Golden Altar.
A return to the primitive . . .
As recorded in the Book of Acts, the first-century Christians were not legalists but were most certainly pure worshippers. Purity of heart and passionate worship, the Lord’s supper and the communion of consecrated saints, soul-winning, continual intercession, prayer and fasting, a love for the Word, a love of revival, a respect and honor of those in spiritual authority, modest dress, courtesy, manners, sound speech, pure thought lives, honoring one another, selfless service to others, the washing of one another’s feet, true, holy unity, hospitality, helping the poor, sending forth missionaries, etc. were all part of their simple but powerful supernatural life of worship. They were relevant in the best sort of way and they changed the world forever!
Innocence restored . . .
God will be drawing his precious elect and purifying their heart from all sin with blood from off the altar -- the most effective worshipper will always be the vessel who has restored child-like innocence and wonder of God ... Daniel was strong and did exploits for God because he had childlike faith and simplicity of heart . . . that's the key to God trusting us with power.
My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths,
that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocence was found in me;
and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
Daniel 6:22
Wisdom, blessing, health, long life, prosperity, wealth, riches, salvation, healing, miracles, signs and wonders, revelation, inventions, understanding of all mysteries are to be found in God’s glorious presence.
If you seek wisdom as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
and the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
Proverbs 2:3-6; 3:13-17
The wealth that men seek, the wisdom of the ages they so yearn for are all to be found at the feet of Elohim. He is the One who is from everlasting to everlasting. At the feet of His very presence, there is wealth and abundance incalculable.
Worship is the way into His presence . . .
Passionate worshippers are like spiritual archeologists -- they always are pressing in, digging away and uncovering the hidden treasures of God’s glory and presence. What the Ark of the Covenant temporarily housed was God’s brilliant, Shekinah presence. The Ark was just a conduit for something of far greater value; it was not the end all. As any great spiritual leader, Moses knew that without the presence of God leading him he could not prosper and safely guide the nearly four million children of Israel into the Promised Land.
The brilliance of the Shekinah . . .
It was by the bright presence of His glory that the multitudes in the desert were led by a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The towering, amber Shekinah clouds of God’s living and tangible presence emanated from that sparkling pillar of fire. God’s supernatural presence could be seen and His thundering voice heard from many, many miles away.
There were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain;
and the sound of the trumpet was very loud, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled.
And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.
Now Mount Sinai was completely in smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire.
Its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly.
Exodus 19:16-18
Everything God touches turns to into jewel! That includes you and I! When the God of Israel appeared to Moses, Aaron and the 70 elders of Israel, the holy fire and divine heat of His brilliant presence turned the common ground upon which He stood to precious jewels and sapphire!
Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel,
and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone,
and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.
Exodus 24:9-10
You see every thing God touches turns into something very precious. Just think of what His living presence would do if it were to touch your own dirt and clay. And if you feel that every thing you have touched has turned into stone lately, relax. There is someone who turns stones into jewels!
The treasure of His presence
The key to all real and lasting success in life will never be acquired by finding a sacred relic of the past -- even the Ark of the Covenant. God is more interested that you discover the most cherished treasure of His heavenly presence. It’s in His presence that there are untold pleasures and joy forevermore.
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalms 16:11
The quest for God’s presence
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me,when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord
Jeremiah 29:11-14
It doesn’t matter who you are, where you are or what you have done. In the times of “wilderness” in your own life, call out to Him as Moses did and God will speak sweetly to you out of a burning bush. You will find something far more precious than the sacred Ark because you will find the very one that the Ark housed!
Seek Him with all your heart and cry out to Him with a childlike heart of faith and His sweet and glorious presence will find you where you are at. He will take you to the splendid pavilions of His glory. He will protect and hide you in the cleft of the rock of His presence. Worship the Lord. Worshipping God is a sure way to enter into His presence every time. It’s that simple. Right now, just begin to trust Him and tell Him you love Him. You will soon feel His peace cover you and He will begin to speak wonderful things to your heart and mind.
Then the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place,
into the inner sanctuary of the temple, to the Most Holy Place, under the wings of the cherubim.
For the cherubim spread their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim
overshadowed the ark and its poles…that the house, the house of the Lord was filled with a cloud,
so that the priests could not continue ministering because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God.
2 Chronicles 5:7-8; 13-14
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We have touched upon the Ark as it relates to God’s dealing with men. But the central focus of this book is about another piece of sacred furniture –- the Golden Altar of Incense.
The original Tabernacle and all its contents have long since disappeared. They are no longer extant. And, since through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the glory of the “Ark” of God’s presence has now been made available to all people everywhere, this intriguing article of furniture is in many respects, more relevant to believers living today than ever before! In all of it’s celestial glory, the Golden Altar lives on in Heaven and stands as an eternal archetype and memorial for all true worshippers to behold.
]
The Cosmic Blueprint
There was a Tabernacle constructed; the first, where the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread were;
which is called the Holy Place. And after the second veil, the place which is called the Holiest of All;
which had the golden censer, and the Ark of the
Covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna,
and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; And over it the Angels of glory covering the mercy seat …
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these;
but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these . . .
Hebrews 9:2-5, 23
The Celestial Tabernacle
There is a beautiful Temple in Heaven, the original, unspoiled and perfect archetype of all temples that would ever be built to His glory on earth. The Tabernacle of Moses was the prototype and earthly model of this heavenly Temple. The Tabernacle shows the cosmic plan and purpose of God in His dealings with the sons and daughters of Adam It foretold what was to come regarding the ministry of Christ and the new and living way in which believers could enter into the holiest place.
The heavenly pattern
As a Christian, it is good and edifying to study heavenly patterns –- whether they are in the Old or New Testament. [1Corinthians 10:6, 11] As worshippers, it is of great benefit to study the godly patterns of approach that God has ordained. In fact, our worship should pattern that which is in Heaven.
In the Old Testament, the people of God would bring their peace offerings and animal sacrifices. They would give their best portion – they would give their “all.” As they stood in line and approached the priest at the brazen altar with their offering, they anticipated an inevitable, supernatural intervention of the Shekinah glory. They came with great expectation and hope knowing that the living God would come down to meet them in response to their worship.
It is God’s ardent desire to visit His people with His presence and Revival. The question is, do you as a believer have the same passion to seek His presence? God longs for His people to be revived and to return to their first love. When the hearts of God’s people begin to realign with the conditional promises of His word, then the supernatural fire of God will fall once again. When the people consecrate themselves again in purity before the Lord, then the glory and Shekinah of God will descend once again even as it did in the days of Moses and Solomon.
Studying some of the aspects of the Golden Altar will be of invaluable service in helping all of us to get to that place in our worship lives where we all long to be.
The Altar of Sweet Incense
The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb,
each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
And they sang a new song . . .
Revelation 5:8-9
Divine protocol
The only thing that will prevent Him from changing us is our own pride and unbelief. Yet He is preparing His bride, teaching them the divine protocol of worship –- a protocol that is both biblical and eternal. It is a pure form of worship because it is the sanctified worship of the New Jerusalem. It is worship that the whole world will soon hear.
The divine pattern restored
The Lord wants His people to know where they can find the key for re-establishing the divine pattern of worship in the Church. Before He comes, worship in the church of the Lord Jesus Christ will be restored. Pure worship coupled with world evangelization will no doubt hasten the day of His coming. [Matthew 24:14]
Primitive but pure
We live in a modern culture that is not conducive to pure worship. However, our forefathers understood some truths that have been all but lost to our generation in the twenty-first century. The ancient practice of solitude, private meditation of the Word, and practicing God’s presence has been virtually neglected by the majority of ambitious, disoriented modern-day believers. They are just too busy to seek God. People have become more isolated from one another and from the Lord. It has become more and more difficult for Christians to communicate significantly with one another and with God. For many in the assembly, it is nigh impossible for them to fully express their love for God in their worship. Sadly, many are in bondage to the god of this age.
Technology – not a panacea
Many are "outer court" worshippers because they rely on their emotions and are carnal in nature in their worship. But God has called us into the inner court and Holy of Holies of His gracious Presence in this hour.
The time is short for the Bride to ready herself in purity and holiness. [Eph.5:25-27;Rev. 22:17] It’s time for all of us to be cleansed and brought into the refining fires of His majestic presence. We pray that your spirit will soar into the heavens to catch a glimpse of the Throne of God and as David, you too will continually meditate and sing about His glorious and wondrous works!
Real worship
Real worship is always directed toward the Creator. It is never directed toward the creation! Celebrity worship and the exaltation of men and women is an idolatrous form of worship that is always ear- marked for the dustbins of history. The old saying is true . . .
Only one life and it soon will pass, only what’s done for Christ will last.
The grass withers the flower fades: but the Word of our God shall stand for ever.
Isaiah 40:8
There is OUTWARD worship, but without obedience.
Does the Lord have a delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.
1 Samuel 15:22
The coming refreshing of total restoration . . .
"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.
Acts 3:19-21
Pillars of fire
For the cloud of the Lord was above the tabernacle by day,
and fire was over it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel,
throughout all their journeys.
Exodus 40:38
It’s time for the pillar of fire to rest upon the Tabernacle once again. It's time for the same cloven, tongues of holy fire to rest upon God’s people in their homes and in the assembly even as it rested upon the consecrated heads of the 120 in the upper room. And it’s high time for Christian leaders to fall on their knees and prostrate themselves before the Lord. It’s time for them to burn sweet incense and enter the holy of holies in order to hear the sweet voice of the Lord speaking to them once again.
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind,
and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire,
and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:2-4
If a revival of supernatural worship is to spread like a holy conflagration to the entire body of Christ worldwide, then the “remnant of Joseph” must raise their worship banners high and lead the people of God forward. If this generation is to bring the nations of the earth to Christ and if they are to hasten the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, this will only be accomplished through a large and well-equipped army of worship warriors who will hold to the true and hate the false.
Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts,
shall be with you, as ye have spoken. Hate the evil, and love the good,
and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the Lord God of hosts
will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Amos 5:14-15
By considering the design and purpose of the Golden Altar, we will learn a great deal of what God wants us to know about worship in this late hour. It will be of great benefit to study the godly patterns of approach that God had ordained in the Tabernacle of Moses. That tabernacle was a prototype of the eternal Temple and archetype which has existed for eons in Heaven. In fact, our worship today is about to pattern that which is in Heaven.
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these;
but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true;
but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Hebrews 9:23-24
Some may protest this whole approach and say the Golden Altar was an Old Testament thing and has been done away with. But in Revelation 8 the Bible says the Golden Altar of the heavenly Temple is still in existence in its perfect form. It stands before the very Throne of the living God in Heaven as an eternal testimony to pure worship . . .
Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar.
He was given much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon
the Golden Altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints,
ascended before God from the angel's hand. Then the angel took the censer
, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth.
And there were noises, thundering, lightnings, and an earthquake.
Revelation 8:3–5
The best portion . . .
In the Old Testament, the people of God would bring their peace offerings and animal sacrifices. They would give their best portion -- they would give their “all.” As they stood in line and approached the priest at the brazen altar with their offering, they anticipated the inevitable, supernatural intervention of the Shekinah glory. They came with great expectation and hope knowing that the living God would come down to meet them in response to their worship.
Divine expectation . . .
It is God’s ardent desire to visit His people with His presence. Faith honors God and God honors faith. The question remains, do we have the same passion to seek His presence? Do you seek Him by faith with quiet expectation? Do you truly expect to encounter His living, fiery Presence when you pray and offer worship to Him? Do you anticipate hearing His voice? God longs for His people to return to their first love.
---- A Tabernacle before Time ----
We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.
Hebrews 8:1-2
On this web site I will not attempt to study the Holy Tabernacle in its entirety. I will, however, continue to speak in detail about the Golden Altar of incense - the key to trvail .
Principle: The lessons to be learned from the Golden Altar hold the celestial key
by which the ancient gates of the inner courts of Heaven can be opened giving us
entrance to the holiest of all – God’s very presence.
The Beit Adonai
And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.
Exodus 25:8
In the Bible, Beit means “house” and Adonai means “Lord” so the words mean “house of the Lord.” Beit Elohim means the “house of God.” The ancient Patriarchs and early Church alike loved to seek God in the Temple. This is because God designed the Temple as a consecrated place where He would meet and commune with them. And it would not be a place where tedious religious works would need to be done in order to approach Him. The Father’s Spirit of grace has already been searching for worshippers all along. [John 4:4f]
All Adonai ever asks for is a heart of humble repentance which is teachable and ready to obey His will. [1Peter 5:5-6] Our loving heavenly Father has one thing in mind -- He is looking for someone to fellowship with. He is searching for pure worshippers whose hearts love Him.
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth,
to show Himself strong in the behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him.
2 Chronicles 16:9
Principle: As the Golden Altar was a place to burn lovely and fragrant spices to the Lord,
so should our lives be a sweet-smelling fragrance in the nostrils of God.
Let’s now offer up the sweet-smelling fragrant aroma of the Golden Altar. Let’s begin to release pure worship to the Father through our Lord Jesus -- our kind, benevolent heavenly High Priest. Come just as you are and offer up the sweetest offering of praise -- offer Him your whole life and heart and in return He will rain down upon you His peace, His blessings, and a beautiful future for you and your loved ones.
We are to God the sweet=smelling fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
2 Corinthians 2:15
A place to inhabit
But thou art holy, O thou that inhabits the praises of Israel.
Psalms 22:3
As we have said, the Lord is looking for worshippers. He is shopping for hearts that are thirsty for Him. He is looking for a place to inhabit. Since the Bible says that God inhabits the praise and worship of His people, then praise and worship should be the golden place where God supernaturally moves on behalf of his people.
Divine connection
Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls . . .
Psalms 42:7
Since ancient times, worship is the place of divine connection – the place where “deep still calls unto deep.” When we seek God in the deep we will be transformed by His presence. This book is about the restoration of the glory of God in the Church and the restoration of who you are to be in Christ. God wants to birth something within all of us that will impact the nations.
Principle: God will send the fires of revival from the fiery coals of His altar when our prayers,
intercessions and worship arise from consecrated hearts. [Isaiah 6:1-8] And there will be resounding
and practical effects on earth when the Church learns the principles of revival worship.
Then, the spirit of Elijah and John the Baptist will burn within the church once again,
preparing every heart to receive the Holy Spirit’s supernatural presence.
Reformation worship
Then flew one of the angels to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar:
And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
And he said, Go, and tell this people…
Isaiah 6:6-9
Golden Altar worship is reformation worship.
I believe when Christians begin to worship God the way God has ordained in the Scriptures -- then and only then can we have a true revival. The coming reformation will be built upon the bedrock of a holy approach to God – that which has been prescribed by God in the Scriptures.
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart . . .
Hebrews 10:19-22
Moving beyond the cross
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling,
and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
Jude 1:24
Once we have gloriously been to the cross and gotten born-again it's time to see and experience what lies beyond it! Although the cross of Calvary will always be the foundation of every born-again believer’s life, God wants to build upon that foundation the edifice of a beautiful saint whose just spirit has been made perfect.
Although the Father wills that all His children never forget the cross and honor it always in their hearts, he also wants you and I to move on past the cross into a new life of worship in the Spirit. Yes, just as it was in the Old Testament, God has prescribed a definite pattern of approach for New Testament believers to draw close to Him and to worship Him in spirit and in truth.
But we must never forget, the first prerequisite to becoming a Golden Altar worshipper is to accept Christ as Lord and Savior and to have His blood applied to our hearts and minds . . .
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied . . . forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot . . .
1 Peter 1:2, 18, 19
Principle: No one can ever participate in Golden Altar Worship until they have first been to the Cross of Calvary in the outer court.
They must have been born again by the Spirit of God and have their consciences sprinkled by the blood of Jesus
before they can proceed to the next stop in their quest to draw near to God in their worship.
Dear one, the fact is no unsaved person can ever truly worship God the way the Lord intends. That right is reserved for people who have experienced the Lord’s sacrifice in the Outer Court.
The Golden Altar was one of the most beautifully designed pieces of sacred furniture that was ever built in the Tabernacle of Moses. God had instructed the craftsman to build it for the purpose of burning fragrant spices to Him. To show its importance, God commanded Moses to position it right up against the veil which shielded the Ark and the very Holy of Holies.
The Golden Altar of incense was also called the altar of sweet incense . . .
And you shall make an Altar to burn incense upon… and the anointing oil, and sweet incense
for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do.
Exodus 30:1a; 31:11
He made the incense altar of acacia wood. Its length was a cubit and its width a cubit--it was square--
and two cubits was its height. Its horns w ere of one piece with it. And he overlaid it with pure gold: its top,
its sides all around, and its horns. He also made for it a molding of gold all around it.
He made two rings of gold for it under its molding, by its two corners on both sides
, as holders for the poles with which to bear it. And he made the poles of acacia wood,
and overlaid them with gold. He also made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense
of sweet spices, according to the work of the perfumer.
Exodus 37:25-29
You shall make an altar to burn incense on; you shall make it of acacia wood. "A cubit shall be its length and a cubit its width--it shall be square--and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. "And you shall overlay its top, its sides all around, and its horns with pure gold; and you shall make for it a crown of gold all around.”Two gold rings you shall make for it, under the molding on both its sides. You shall place them on its two sides, and they will be holders for the poles/staves with which to bear it. "You shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold” And you shall put it before the veil that is before the ark of the Testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the Testimony, where I will meet with you.
Exodus 30:1-6
We can see from the scriptures above that there were seven major components to the design and construction of the Golden Altar . . .
He made the incense altar of acacia (shittim) wood. Its length was a cubit and its width a cubit –
it was square – and two cubits was its height. Its horns were of one piece with it.
Exodus 37:25
The power of the blood
'Then the anointed priest shall take some of the bull's blood and bring it to the tabernacle of meeting ‘The priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle some of the blood seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil of the sanctuary ‘And the priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the Altar of Sweet Incense before the Lord, which is in the Tabernacle of meeting.
Leviticus 4:5-7
the enemy camp was always easily defeated.
The high priests could not touch the horns of the Golden Altar of incense without first applying blood to them. So too, no one can touch the authority of God without the blood of Jesus. A Christian living today needs to have the blood of Jesus applied to his/her heart if their worship is to be acceptable to a holy and perfect Father. So, even as the Levitical priests had to apply the blood to the four horns of the Golden Altar, we should plead the precious blood of Jesus when we worship God as well.
The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
Principle: Purity in worship translates to power in worship. The gracious blood of Jesus grants believers that purity.
Too many try to grab the horns of the power and authority of Jesus Christ with un-repented sin and impurity in their heart. They hold in low esteem the all-powerful cleansing blood of Jesus. They worship a bloodless religion.
Corporate Power
When believers who are gathered together corporately begin to apply the blood of Jesus to the “horns” of their worship, they will experience unlimited authority in Christ and will more easily take dominion over the devil. And when we offer up Golden Altar incense, influential prayers will be carried upon an anointed white plume of smoke before an omnipotent, all powerful God.
Principle: As we grab the horns of the blood stained altar and sow into the heavens anointed praise,
God will sow back into the earth power and dominion thru His people. In the coming days,
there will be much influence ascending upwards before God’s Throne as the Kingdom
and rule of God is established amongst the nations.
Wealth, race, education, and socio-economic background have nothing to do with real power and authority. People without God who happen to be in high political or financial positions may think they have power but if that is what they believe; in the end they will have been sorely deceived.
During the great revivals of Charles Finney, when he came to a town that was in revival he would always seek out the unknown prayer warriors and intercessors in order to thank them for their “grab the horns,” golden altar prayers. In one case he avoided the shallow flatteries of a host Pastor and inquired of him where the intercessors were. When informed he immediately left the presence of that man and went to the old cellar of the church and found an elderly cleaning lady kneeling in prayer who had been praying for revival for that backslidden church and town for years. He joyously thanked and honored her for her continual groanings, weeping and holy intercessions offered up as sweet incense before God in the privacy of that dingy cellar.
White cloud worship
Did you know that when the enemies of Israel saw the white cloud ascending, they feared greatly and retreated in defeat? Do you know that when the enemies of Israel smelled the sweet-burning incense, they fled every which way in terror! For they knew that their demonic idols had zero authority over God’s people! And when in response to their godly approach the white glory cloud of God’s Shekinah glory cloud descended,
