Preface
Around two years ago, while in prayer for Uganda, the Lord spoke a word of revelation to me, which was simply this: "Whatever happens on the altar determines the destiny of individuals, cities and nations. I am raising up a faithful priesthood like Zadok who will minister before Me in purity and righteousness" (see Ezekiel 44). This word from the Lord has caused me to be in a two-year period of intense study of "altar ministry," both in Old Testament and New Testament contexts. However, despite the intensity of my ongoing study, prayers and further revelation on the subject, still I did not feel a release to preach or teach on this topic until I returned to Uganda. As you read the vision you will understand why this was so.
Lord's face was unmistakable. I stood by His side and my heart ached for my beloved Uganda.
"Alter Nations"
The vision ended with a final word appearing on the prayer altar which read, "ALTER NATIONS." I understood by wisdom and revelation that when Uganda takes her place as an altar nation (a nation graced to create prayer altars and righteous altars to the Lord), then this blessing shall flow in Christ's transformative love and authority to change other nations for His glory.
...To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His Blood, and has made us to be a Kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:5-6 A righteous altar is: A place of worship where sacrifices are brought and offered by men to God A meeting point between God and men A gate into the realm of the Spirit A place where God reveals Himself to men A place where covenant is carried out between God and men A place of revelation where God speaks to men A place where promises are made A place of power and authority in the grace of God A place where men draw strength from God A place of holiness by encountering the presence of the living God It is important to understand that an altar can either be for God or for satan. An altar forms the legal ground for either a blessing or a curse: If the altar is established to and for the glory of God, then it will release a blessing; if an altar is established for the purposes of worshipping a false god or evil spirit, then it will release a curse (see the story of Gideon in the Book of Judges for the redemption of the Israelites). An unrighteous altar is: A place of false worship where men offer worship and sacrifices to other gods or evil spirits A meeting point between evil spirits and men A gate into the spiritual realm A place where evil spirits reveal themselves to men A place where covenant is carried out between an evil deity/spirit and men A place where men draw power from unclean or evil spirits An unholy place The Cross may be considered the ultimate expression of the altar, whereby Christ ministered in the fullness of His deity and His humanity in the capacity as High Priest at the altar (Hebrews 8:1-2) and also became the Passover Lamb sacrificed upon the altar. Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant of grace, and His Blood has
atoned for all mankind's sin. He ministers in the power of an indestructible and incorruptible life (see Hebrews 7:16a). The Cross helps us to understand the power and authority of God's love and His faithfulness as a covenant-initiating, covenant-blessing God. 1. Personal Altar (The Altar of our Hearts) Apostle Paul spoke to the Church in Corinth, "For we are the temple of the living God" (2 Corinthians 6:16); and "your bodies are a temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16). If our bodies are to be considered the temple, then I think it is fair to say that the first altar we acknowledge is the place of our hearts, where we meet in covenant love relationship and communion with Christ. 2. The Family Altar Another altar is the family altar, which we establish in our homes through prayer, worship, reading of the Word of God and righteous living. In this way we minister unto the Lord and thereby create an "altar," i.e. a meeting place with the living God. Joshua put it this way "As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord!" 3. Community Altar A further aspect of godly altar ministry is the place of meeting which happens in our communities to the glory of God. Most often we would consider our church meetings to be such a type. As tribes of Believers come together to worship and serve Christ, we carry the altar of His presence and power with us into every sphere of society. Apostle Paul teaches that we are fellow citizens and members of God's household. "In Him [Christ Jesus] the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord" (Ephesians 2:21). 4. National Altars A fourth aspect of altar is that of national altars. These are places of significance in the history of a nation or people group and places where governmental authority and influence is established and/or exercised. Apostle Peter writes, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9). 5. Prayer Altar The prayers of God's people are like incense, offered to Him on the heavenly altar.
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 the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. Revelation 8:3 It is our joy to walk with Jesus in the nations! Thank you to all who walk with us in GGM to reach our vision to evangelise and disciple seven million souls and to the many other wonderful churches and ministries we are blessed to serve with. We love and appreciate you.