The Now Altar

Psalm 105 : 1

"O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people."

Abba Father, in the name of Jesus, I give you thanks for your abundant provision. Thank you for everything you have bestowed upon us and for your unwavering goodness. In you, all things are made, and we are grateful for your constant care and concern for us. Thank you for your faithfulness that never wavers.

We express gratitude for those called to serve you and for the immersion of your holiness in our lives. Thank you for the blessing of a great prayer call and for allowing me to walk closely with you. Your wisdom is a precious gift, and we are thankful for its guidance.

We acknowledge your daily renewal of our strength and your ability to make all things beautiful. With raised voices, we thank you for the abundant resources you provide. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

1 Chronicles 21:18-24 in the King James Version (KJV):

18 Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

19 And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the Lord.

20 And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.

21 And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground.

22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the Lord: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.

23 And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.

24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost. What is Now Altar?

An altar serves as a metaphorical space that encapsulates the essence of sacrifice, embodying a dialect of devotion and surrender. In its symbolic form, an altar transcends physical structures and rituals, representing a sacred dialogue where individuals express their dedication and commitment to the divine. The concept of an altar, rooted in the language of sacrifice, speaks to the profound act of offering, whether it be tangible or symbolic, as a means of connecting with the divine and fostering a deeper spiritual connection. In essence, the altar becomes a dynamic expression of the dialect of sacrifices, a dialogue of the heart, where individuals commune with the sacred through intentional acts of devotion and surrender. How the dialect of sacrifices is use to attract the attention of the spirit realm?

David's Insight into Sacrifice

In the mentioned verse, it's evident that David possesses a deep understanding and wisdom concerning the concept of sacrifice. However, David made an error in a decree, and Prophet Gad, perceiving this mistake, advised him to construct an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan.

David comprehended the significance of sacrifices, viewing them as a distinct dialect. When Ornan offered to provide everything for free, David declined, insisting on paying the full price. This incident underscores David's acknowledgment that the spirit is stirred by sacrifice or, in other words, it recognizes the profound language inherent in acts of sacrifice.

We are priesthood - principal of diversities ( Righteous Order - Holy Priesthood)

1 Peter 2 :1-5 1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

The passage from 1 Peter 2:1-5 highlights the importance of spiritual growth and the believers' role in God's spiritual house, which is the church. It emphasizes putting away negative qualities and desiring the nourishment of the Word of God for growth. Now, let's explore the additional reflections:

"No destiny or purpose is the same size; each one is unique. Building with stone is a complex task, and in God's grand design, the building is the church.

In the context of this spiritual construction, it's worthwhile to delve into the meaning of the term 'lively' in Greek. In the context of 1 Peter 2:5, the term "lively" of the Bible is translated from the Greek word "ζῶν" (zon). The primary meaning of this Greek word is "living" or "alive." In the specific verse, the use of "lively stones" is metaphorical, describing believers as living or vibrant stones that are being used to build a spiritual house, which represents the Church. The idea is that believers are not lifeless or inert but are actively engaged and vital components in God's spiritual construction.

Considering the spiritual sacrifices we offer, it's crucial to note that not every sacrifice is automatically acceptable. So, what makes a sacrifice acceptable?"

This prompts further exploration into the criteria or qualities that render spiritual sacrifices acceptable in the eyes of God, which could involve sincerity, humility, and alignment with God's will, as suggested by the broader teachings of the Word.

What is spiritual sacrifices?

Spiritual sacrifice refers to the offering of one's life, actions, and devotion to God in a way that is pleasing and acceptable to Him. The concept is rooted in the teachings of the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to present themselves as living sacrifices to God.

The idea of spiritual sacrifice is often drawn from passages like Romans 12:1-2

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

Apostle Paul encourages believers to offer their lives as living sacrifices, symbolizing a complete dedication and surrender to God. Spiritual sacrifices may include acts of worship, obedience, love, service, and devotion that reflect a sincere and genuine commitment to God.

Additionally, the concept of spiritual sacrifices is connected to the role of believers as a "holy priesthood" (1 Peter 2:5), implying that every believer has the privilege and responsibility to offer spiritual sacrifices to God through their faith and righteous living.

Ultimately, the idea is to go beyond external rituals and offer the inner self—the heart, mind, and will—as a pleasing sacrifice to God, reflecting a transformed and consecrated life.

Hebrews 9 : 13-14 "For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" These verse discusses the contrast between the Old Testament sacrificial system, which involved the blood of animals, and the New Testament redemption through the blood of Christ. The blood of bulls and goats, as well as the ashes of a heifer, were used in various purification rituals. However, these rituals were external and aimed at ceremonial cleanliness. The sacrifices could sanctify or set apart individuals for religious activities, but they did not have the power to bring about true inner purity or forgiveness of sins.

The inadequacy of animal sacrifices with the incomparable efficacy of Christ's sacrifice. It emphasizes the superior and lasting nature of Christ's atonement. Here's a breakdown:

• "How much more shall the blood of Christ": This phrase emphasizes the superiority of Christ's blood over the blood of animals. The sacrifice of Christ is more effective and powerful.
• "who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God": This highlights the voluntary and spotless nature of Christ's sacrifice. Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, offered Himself willingly and without any moral blemish.
• "purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God": The blood of Christ, in contrast to the ritualistic cleansing of the Old Covenant, has the power to purify the conscience of believers. It doesn't merely address external matters but goes to the heart, cleansing from "dead works" (sinful actions) and enabling believers to serve the living God with a renewed heart and conscience.

Isaiah 53

"1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes, we are healed.

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way, and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he opened not his mouth.

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors, and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

Isaiah 53 describe the suffering and atoning work of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. While the term "spiritual sacrifice" might not be explicitly used in Isaiah 53, the entire chapter is rich in imagery and language that can be connected to the concept of sacrifice, particularly in a spiritual and redemptive sense.

Let's explore some key aspects of Isaiah 53 that align with the idea of a spiritual sacrifice:

1. Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 portrays, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, "Suffering Servant." This Servant willingly endures immense suffering and is described as being "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5). This suffering is presented as a sacrificial act, bearing the consequences of sin on behalf of others.
2. Substitutionary Atonement: The chapter speaks of the Suffering Servant as taking on the sins of others, emphasizing a substitutionary atonement. This aligns with the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, where an innocent substitute would bear the sins of the people. In a spiritual sense, Jesus is seen as the ultimate and perfect sacrifice, taking on the sins of humanity.
3. Silent Submission: Isaiah 53:7 describes the Suffering Servant as being "like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." This imagery is reminiscent of sacrificial animals being led to the altar. The silence of the Servant underscores his submission to the divine purpose, willingly offering himself as a sacrifice.
4. Redemptive Outcome: The suffering described in Isaiah 53 is not in vain. Instead, it leads to a redemptive outcome. Verse 11 states, "Out of the anguish of his soul, he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous." The suffering of the Servant results in the spiritual redemption of many, emphasizing the transformative and salvific nature of the sacrifice.