By David Green

ALTAR: In the Old Testament, it talks about altars which were usually built on high platforms. Upon these the priests offered sacrifices.

“We have an altar, whereof they which serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.” (Heb. 13:10, cf. Rev. 6:9, 8:3, 8:5, 9:13, 11:1, 14:18, 16:7).

The Old Testament Israelites had a material altar, one of wood and stone; but we do not have such an altar. Although we may know of a rail or a bench or a table in the front of many churches which have been called “the altar”, they are not our altar. Our altar is spiritual, and the sacrifices we offer on it are spiritual.

“You also as living stones are being built a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 2:5).

“By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).

The articles of the old covenant foreshadowed Christ: the tabernacle, the high priest, the sacrifices, the altar, the bread – all things foreshadowed Him. And the great need- our redemption – which those shadows could not fulfill, Christ fulfilled in Himself. Now Christ is our Altar, as well as our High Priest, Sacrifice, Covenant, Tabernacle, Bread, and He is everything else we need that pertains to life and godliness.