Whoever understands how to build and serve a spiritual altar will open a source/well for God's workings and ultimately establish a throne and the reign of God here on earth.
In recent years, these topics have been discussed more frequently. There is talk of prayer altars that should be established everywhere, many are searching for ancient wells that need to be reopened, and some even speak of how God wants to establish His kingdom here on earth. However, only a few truly understand the spiritual connections, and even fewer experience the reality of it.
It is important to recognize that this is not a trend or the latest Christian fashion but an ancient biblical reality.
To understand this, we will not refer to the Mosaic Law, which established many regulations regarding offerings to be presented on the altar. This law is merely a shadow of the reality and was given only because people had abandoned the ancient paths that God had laid into creation, paths that have not yet been revealed like they now are in Christ.
The Altar
Abraham knew these ancient paths, which are living pathways of the heart that we are now allowed to rediscover in Christ.
Abraham knew how to build an altar. As he traveled through the promised land, he set up altars in various places and worshipped the Lord. The impact of these altar constructions is evident at every site mentioned. We see this very clearly at the altar that Abraham built at Bethel (Genesis 12:8).
Many years later, his grandson Jacob, fleeing from his brother Esau, sleeps at the same spot. Heaven opens above him, and he sees angels ascending and descending and hears the Lord speaking to him. When Jacob awakens, he realizes (Genesis 28:16-19): "Truly, the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it!" He is afraid and says: "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven." Jacob rose early in the morning, took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, poured oil on top of it, and named the place Bethel.
Thus, the altar that Abraham built and what Abraham did at the altar resulted in heaven being opened at that place for generations. In a way that allowed the opening to become a true gate of heaven, through which God could release revelation, the ministry of angels, and things of heaven on earth. This place thus became a source of God's workings here on earth.
This example of Bethel also makes it clear that Abraham did not only set up the altar once but regularly served it. Genesis 13:3-4: "And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abraham called on the name of the Lord."
The other places where Abraham erected altars also became significant locations. In the Bible, Shechem, Hebron, and of course Moriah are mentioned. Abraham built his first altar at Shechem (Genesis 12:6). There the Lord appeared to him and gave him the promise to give this land to his descendants.
When Jacob returns to the land after many years of being away, he first goes to Shechem, where he sets up another altar. He names this altar: "God is the God of Israel" (Genesis 33:18-20).
Later, under Joshua, Shechem was declared a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7). Joshua also gathered the people at Shechem and made a covenant with God for them (Joshua 24). Joseph’s bones were also buried there.
From Shechem, Abraham then moved on to Bethel. Jacob follows the same route and rebuilds the altar at Bethel after Shechem (Genesis 35:1). God instructs him not only to build an altar but also to dwell there for a time. This seems to have been a special place of God’s presence, which is why it was called 'the house of God.'
Even during the time of the judges, Bethel was a place where people gathered to seek God (Judges 20:18), and Judges 21:2 says: "And the people came to Bethel and sat there before God until evening, and lifted up their voices and wept bitterly."
Then we hear of Hebron, where Abraham lived and also built an altar.
Jacob also returned to Hebron after his stay in Bethel, where his father Isaac lived. In Hebron, Sarah was buried; under Joshua, Hebron, like Shechem, was consecrated as a city of refuge, and David was anointed king there.
The most significant altar was built by Abraham on Mount Moriah. There, Abraham was even willing to sacrifice his son Isaac at God’s command. Although God spared Isaac’s life and provided a ram for the sacrifice, this obedience, dedication, and willingness to sacrifice paved the way for God to ultimately give His own Son for us.
Moriah was near Jerusalem. There, God appeared to David generations later. There the tabernacle of David and then Solomon's temple were erected, and later, Jesus was sacrificed on the cross there for the redemption of all humanity. Thus, this altar ultimately became the source of salvation for all nations.
From there, Abraham moved on to Beersheba, where he stayed for a time and also called upon the Lord. This place became very significant for Isaac. It is also said of Jacob that he sacrificed there and that the Lord appeared to him (Genesis 46:1-2).
The Well
Abraham also understood the digging of wells. Naturally, Abraham could only remain where he found a source for himself, his people, and his herds.
In Genesis 26:12-33, it is mentioned how Isaac dug up the wells of Abraham that had been stopped up. This also makes clear that the enemy has a particular interest in stopping up wells. Because by doing so, he removes our foundation for life. Without fresh water from the source, we are lost. Isaac not only re-dug Abraham's old wells, but he also successfully dug new wells. In verse 19, he even finds a well of living water. There are wells where one simply strikes groundwater, and there are wells where one strikes an underground stream. Then the water bursts forth and spreads on the surface. One of these wells he named 'Rechobot – Spaceous Place'; his enemies could no longer dispute it, and Isaac said: "Now the Lord has made room for us, and we can thrive in the land."
From there, he moved on to Beersheba. It is then said in Genesis 26:24-25: "And the Lord appeared to him that night and said: I am the God of your father Abraham; do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham." Then he built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord, and he pitched his tent, and his servants dug a well right there.
Here we clearly see the connection between building altars and digging wells. Whoever builds an altar and serves it simultaneously digs a well. Something is always opened, and something from heaven is released on earth.
Psalm 50:23 says: "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and he prepares a way for Me to show the salvation of God."
The altar at Bethel opened a source of revelation and the presence of God from which generations afterward drank. In Shechem, a source was opened that led people to decision, dedication, and covenant with God. Moriah became the source of salvation for all nations. Hebron became a place of the kingdom, dominion, and kingship. Beersheba also became a place of blessing, affirmation, victory, and authority over enemies. Because there, Isaac not only built an altar and dug a well; he encountered God, found water, and was so blessed by God that his enemies came to him and said: "We see clearly that the Lord is with you... you are indeed the blessed of the Lord" (Genesis 26:28-29).
The Throne
Where an altar is erected, heaven opens. Where this altar is served and offerings are regularly presented upon it, a source increasingly opens that makes the things of heaven available on earth. As this flow increases, the kingdom of God will manifest more and more. God’s presence increases, His throne and His reign are established. From such a place, governance can occur. This place becomes a true stronghold that God can use in this current invasion of the kingdom of God.
Hebron was the place where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived. This altar was probably served the longest and most intensely. Hebron was the only place where Abraham even purchased land. Here, Abraham was already more than just a stranger in the land; it became his land.
Interestingly, David was also anointed king in Hebron later.
When Israel returned to the land after over 400 years of Egyptian exile, a man like Caleb was needed, with this ‘different spirit’ to retake Hebron. The region of Hebron was occupied by the Anakim, the race of giants, and in Hebron itself lived the largest and most powerful of them.
As already mentioned, it is the enemy's greatest concern to stop up such sources again and occupy these places. Therefore, it is not enough to re-dig old wells or dig new ones. Wells must be occupied and defended, and the fire on the altar must not go out.
Revelation 8:3-5 describes a scenario in heaven. An angel brings a golden censer with the prayers of the saints on the altar before God. The sweet aroma rises before God. At the same time, the angel fills the same censer with fire from the altar and pours it onto the earth. Then there are thunderings, lightnings, and earthquakes.
Where such a bowl fills and a sweet aroma rises before God, the kingdom of God comes with power.
How to Do This?
An altar is a place of dedication and worship. We no longer merely stack natural stones and no longer slaughter animals, but we bring God spiritual sacrifices that are pleasing to Him. 1 Peter 2:5: "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
According to Romans 12:1, the right worship consists in presenting ourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.
According to Psalm 51:19 and Isaiah 57:15, the sacrifices that please God are a humble spirit and a broken heart.
Building altars and bringing sacrifices cannot be done as a mere act. It requires humility, brokenness, and genuine dedication. Dead works accomplish nothing. It demands a lifestyle that costs you everything.
Only when your heart breaks in the presence of God, just as the alabaster jar with the precious ointment was broken in John 12:3, will the sweet aroma be released that touches God’s heart.
This type of worship must be presented at the altar. And not just once, but regularly, or better yet, continually. Hebrews 13:15: "Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."
If you do this, you will experience an increase of God's presence. In His presence, you will be transformed more and more (2 Corinthians 3:18). There will be more and more revelation (1 Corinthians 2:9). Worship will increasingly lead into intercession, so that the water from the ever-increasing opening source spreads. As the kingdom of God becomes more manifest, authority will be released with which you can boldly proclaim. Thus, His reign will be established, and you will begin to rule with Him and in Him.
I want to emphasize once more that this cannot simply be organized with a 24/7 prayer where you cover all shifts and write down prayer points. It requires individuals who have chosen a corresponding lifestyle before God and take their priestly responsibility seriously, not only standing in the prayer room but living before the face of God.
Here in Europe, we have the example of the Irish-Scottish monks who lived these truths in their time. In our lands, there are many old wells to be dug up that can be traced back to them. The Moravian movement also recognized many of these truths. And today, a new generation is rising that is rewriting history with this discovery...
Our ministry was clearly birthed in this way. Before we held our first service, we spent entire nights in worship and prayer before God. In these prayer nights, we wanted to welcome God, make room for Him, and serve Him. We experienced how God came increasingly and how a source opened up. Thus, we named the church that arose from it after the well 'Rechobot'. For many years, these prayer nights (alongside other activities) took place every Friday. From there, God led us further. Movements could be started in many countries on this foundation.
And it continues...
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