Focus: Our Altars Need Fire

The church is presented in the book of Revelation as a candlestick or lampstand (Rev.1:12,13,20; 2:1). 2Chron.4:20 says, "Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold."

*Get to burn and shine

As a community of believers, we have been baptized with the fire of the Spirit to burn and shine in the world. Within the fellowship of believers we provide warmth for each other. In our cold-saturated world we provide the warmth that each of us needs, and then corporately and individually, we shine as light for the people of the world to see and be drawn to Christ. We generate heat by the Holy Spirit and light by the word of God.

Jesus says of John the Baptist, "He was a BURNING and a SHINING light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light" (Jh.5:35). John was a shining lamp, providing a clear light for everyone.

Every Christian is the lampstand of Christ. We are God's altar in every corner of the world. Wherever Abraham stepped into, he sets up an altar to announce the arrival of God. In his life two things stand out: his tent and God's altar. And the two connect and operate together as one. Jesus says, "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning" (Lk.12:35). 'Lights' here means lamps - let your lamps burn. We are Christ's lampstands and altars.

In this dark and cold world you can't afford to be a Christian without light and fire. You must burn for the Lord. The fire and light of the altar are meant to burn and shine for as long as you live.

*Useful by burning

What is life without fire and light? They are useful and purposeful elements. God says, "And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail" (Lev.16:12). With a censer fire is collected from the altar fire to serve a divine purpose in the holiest place of all - the place of God's presence. You ignite people and things around you. You serve God's purpose and illuminate your space.

The same thing is said in Rev.8:5: "And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar…" May the altar of Christ in your life carry fire and light!

Also, Isaiah 6:6 says, "Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar." A seraph from God purified Isaiah's lips with fire from the altar. Someone needs your fire. God uses your fire to help another. God will always use the fire in your life to give warmth to others. Let's get our altars burning for God's glory, and do all you can to keep it burning. Jude tells us, "But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost" (Jude 1:20). Amen.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter