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JOKES AND COMEDY AT THE ALTAR: A HOLY PLACE MISUSED

Is the altar—a sacred space set apart for meeting with God—meant to be used for jokes, casual conversations, entertainment, or light-hearted comedy?

Sadly, in many modern churches today, what was once treated as holy ground has become a stage for laughter, selfies, storytelling, and even flirtation. This is a dangerous shift.

Let us begin with the opening verse of the Book of Psalms:

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.

Psalm 1:1, ESV

The term “scoffers” refers to those who mock sacred things, who make light of what God calls holy. A person who jokes and plays around at the altar demonstrates that they no longer fear God. Reverence is absent. They treat God’s altar like any common stage or public platform. But Scripture is clear—God is holy and must be approached with deep reverence.

A Biblical Warning: The Sin of Eli’s Sons

Consider the example of Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli. They were priests, yet they treated the tabernacle of God with contempt.

Now Eli was very old, and he kept hearing all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who were serving at the entrance to the tent of meeting.

 1 Samuel 2:22, ESV

They committed immorality right at the entrance of the sanctuary. When rebuked, they ignored correction and hardened their hearts. Eventually, judgment came swiftly upon them, and they died in battle, carrying the Ark of the Covenant. Their sin was not only personal—it brought reproach to God’s house and the entire nation.

God Does Not Tolerate Mockery

The book of Proverbs further teaches:

A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

Proverbs 15:12, ESV

Mockers despise correction because their hearts have grown proud and dull. When the altar becomes a place for jokes, storytelling, or dance performances that reflect worldly behavior, it’s no longer serving its divine purpose. God does not dwell in places that are dishonored.

Even Jesus Himself drove out those who turned the temple into a place of business:

It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.

Matthew 21:13, ESV

If Jesus cleansed the temple from misuse, should we not take greater care in how we treat the altar in our churches?

The Altar is Not for Entertainment

The altar is not a place to:

  • Take selfies
  • Engage in casual chatter
  • Chew gum
  • Eat snacks
  • Flirt or act flirtatiously
  • Parade in immodest or inappropriate attire
  • Perform worldly danger 
  • Tell jokes or comedy skits

It is a place of sacrifice, prayer, worship, and encounter with the living God. To treat it like a comedy stage is to invite judgment rather than blessing.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Galatians 6:7, ESV

Even pagans treat their altars with fear. Should we show less reverence for the altar of the holy and living God?

Heaven’s Example: Reverence in the Presence of God

In Revelation 4, we are given a glimpse of heaven’s throne room:

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads… and they cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power…

Revelation 4:4,10-11, ESV

Notice: the ones who surround God’s throne are elders—mature, wise, and reverent—not scoffers or comedians. If this is the standard in heaven, how should we behave before God on earth?

A Call to Leaders and Believers Alike

If you are a pastor, evangelist, or church leader:

  • STOP using the altar as a place for jokes and personal entertainment.
  • STOP wasting time trying to amuse people instead of faithfully preaching the full Gospel of Jesus Christ.
  • STOP joking with members at the altar. Jesus warned:

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak.

Matthew 12:36, ESV

If you are a believer, whether a member, usher, or even the pastor’s spouse or child:

The altar—and the entire sanctuary—is not a place to loiter, laugh, or distract others.

When entering God’s house, turn off your phone, sit quietly, and honor His presence.

Don’t treat God’s sanctuary like your personal playground. This is for your spiritual good.

Final Warning: The Lord is Coming

God is holy. He is not to be mocked or taken lightly.

Let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12:28–29, ESV

Let us repent of irreverence and return to honoring the altar as the sacred place it is. For one day, we will all stand before His throne and give an account of how we treated His name and His house.

THE LORD IS COMING.

Let us prepare ourselves in holiness, reverence, and fear of the Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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WHY ARE SOME TAKEN AND OTHERS LEFT BEHIND

“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
— Hebrews 11:5, NKJV

Why will some be taken in the Rapture while others are left behind? The answer lies in the same reason why Enoch was taken, and others were left. Why Elijah was caught up to heaven, but others remained. God deliberately allowed these events to serve as patterns for us, foreshadowing the coming Rapture of the saints.

Starting with Enoch, the Bible already gives us the clear reason why he was taken. It tells us plainly that Enoch walked with God — he pleased God continuously for 300 years.

“And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”
— Genesis 5:24, NKJV

“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”
— Hebrews 11:5, NKJV

These were not ordinary men. They lived lives that stood out — lives that truly pleased God, different from the norm. And so God, in His sovereign wisdom, deemed it better that they should not remain on earth until the end of their lives. Instead, He took them. This is how it will be on the Day of the Rapture.

Many imagine that a large multitude will be raptured, even those who live carelessly and take their salvation for granted. But Scripture teaches otherwise. Only a few will be taken — those who meet the criteria of walking with and pleasing God, just like Enoch did.

“Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
— Matthew 7:14, NKJV

“Then one said to Him, ‘Lord, are there few who are saved?’ And He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.'”
— Luke 13:23–24, NKJV

That’s why, shortly before Christ returns, the Bible shows us there will be two types of believers. Jesus compares them to ten virgins — five wise and five foolish.

“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.”
— Matthew 25:1–2, NKJV

The wise virgins represent those who discern the signs of the times. Like Enoch, they prepare in advance, keeping their spiritual lamps full and ready. Their eyes are fixed on heaven. When the time comes, God will recognize their faith, devotion, and spiritual alertness — and they will be caught up, suddenly and without warning, hidden from the coming wrath and the great tribulation.

On the other hand, the foolish virgins are those who claim to be waiting for the Lord, but their lives do not reflect it. They live divided lives — half for the world, half for God. To them, being saved and baptized is “enough” and there’s no need to pursue deeper knowledge of God or prepare for heaven. They treat the message of Christ’s return like an old fable. These are the ones who will be left behind.

Jesus warned us about this division:

“Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.”
— Matthew 24:40–41, NKJV

Just like Elisha witnessed Elijah being taken, the lukewarm believers of our day will witness true Christians disappear before their eyes. The tears and cries will be real. They will realize they were close — attending the same church, praying together, singing together — yet unprepared.

Can you imagine how it will feel to see your godly neighbor suddenly disappear, the one who denied themselves daily and lived uprightly? Or your friend at church who vanishes mid-service? Or your spouse, who refused to compromise with sin, vanishing one night as you sleep beside them?

Think of the heartbreak when you realize your pastor — who warned you about immodest dressing, fornication, and worldliness — is gone. Then there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for those who called themselves Christians but remained lukewarm.

The saddest part is that those left behind will be many. The world won’t even be shaken. News reports will speak vaguely of a “few missing persons.” People will continue with life as usual, assuming they will eventually be found. Why? Because it will be only a few — not multitudes — just like in Enoch’s time.

Only one man, Enoch, was taken among millions. Only one prophet, Elijah, was caught up among the multitudes of his time. So it shall be again: a very small remnant will be raptured from among the billions alive today.

This is not the time to focus on what your uncle, your aunt, or your pastor is doing. It’s not the time to say, “But so-and-so is also a Christian, and they’re not living that seriously.” You are not them. They are not God. You cannot be sure they will be taken. The only assurance you can work on is your personal relationship with Christ. That’s why I’m urging you — as I also urge myself — to prepare now.

The Rapture will not be a casual event.

Do not be deceived by the large crowd of foolish virgins in the church today. Let us keep pressing on toward Christ. He will be with us until the day of our redemption.

May you be greatly blessed.

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