{"id":48231,"date":"2021-08-02T19:53:59","date_gmt":"2021-08-02T16:53:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=48231"},"modified":"2025-05-29T13:08:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-29T10:08:02","slug":"whats-happening-now-at-gods-altar-in-the-spiritual-realm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2021\/08\/02\/whats-happening-now-at-gods-altar-in-the-spiritual-realm\/","title":{"rendered":"WHAT\u2019S HAPPENING NOW AT GOD\u2019S ALTAR IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM"},"content":{"rendered":"

Throughout the Bible, the altar<\/strong> is a sacred place where God meets with humanity. It is where offerings, sacrifices, and prayers are presented. In the New Testament context, this altar is no longer a physical structure made of stone or bronze, but a heavenly altar<\/strong>, situated before the throne of God in the spiritual realm<\/strong> (Hebrews 8:5; Revelation 8:3).<\/p>\n

Without this altar, there is no true communion with God. It is the appointed place where divine human interaction occurs<\/strong>. If anyone does experience connection with God without understanding the significance of the altar, it is purely by grace (Ephesians 2:8\u20139). There is no scriptural way to approach God apart from the altar<\/strong>, which now finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ<\/strong>, our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14\u201316).<\/p>\n

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The True Altar: Not of This Earth<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When many hear the word \u201caltar,\u201d they think of the front of a church building\u00a0 often decorated and elevated. However, this is only a symbolic representation<\/strong>. The real, functional altar<\/strong> is spiritual and located in heaven<\/strong>, where Jesus now ministers on our behalf.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven…\u201d
\nHebrews 8:5 (NIV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jesus has become the mediator of a new covenant<\/strong>, offering not the blood of animals but His own blood<\/strong> to cleanse us and grant access to God (Hebrews 9:11\u201314). That\u2019s why only through Christ<\/strong> can we draw near to God.<\/p>\n

\u201cJesus answered, \u2018I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.\u2019\u201d
\nJohn 14:6 (NIV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Salvation is not based on works, religious tradition, or human effort but by faith in the finished work of Christ at the altar of heaven.<\/p>\n

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WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW AT GOD’S ALTAR?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are two groups of saints<\/strong> involved in ongoing activity at the heavenly altar:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The living saints<\/strong> (believers on earth)<\/li>\n
  2. The glorified saints<\/strong> (believers who have died and are with Christ)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Both are engaged in prayerful intercession<\/strong> and earnest longing<\/strong> for God\u2019s redemptive plan to reach completion.<\/p>\n

    \n

    1. The Prayers of the Living Saints<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Jesus taught His disciples to pray this way:<\/p>\n

    \u201cOur Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
    \nYour kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.\u201d
    \nMatthew 6:9\u201310 (NIV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Every sincere believer prays for the establishment of God\u2019s Kingdom a future event known as the Second Coming of Christ<\/strong> and the establishment of His Millennial Reign<\/strong> (Revelation 20:4\u20136). These prayers are continually brought before God by angels:<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnother angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne.\u201d
    \nRevelation 8:3 (ESV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    These intercessions are not in vain they are preparing the way for Christ\u2019s return and judgment upon the earth (Revelation 8:4\u20135).<\/p>\n

    \n

    2. The Cry of the Martyrs (Saints Who Have Died)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    In a powerful prophetic vision, the apostle John describes souls under the altar saints who were martyred for their faith<\/strong> during tribulation:<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhen he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.
    \nThey called out in a loud voice, \u2018How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?\u2019\u201d
    \nRevelation 6:9\u201310 (NIV)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    This passage reveals the ongoing intercession and longing for justice<\/strong> by those in heaven. They are not passive but actively crying out for God\u2019s righteousness to be revealed<\/strong>. Their desire is for the final consummation of God\u2019s Kingdom and the judgment of the wicked<\/strong> (Revelation 19:1\u20132).<\/p>\n

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    THE TWO PRAYERS MERGING INTO ONE PURPOSE<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    While the saints on earth pray \u201cYour Kingdom come,\u201d<\/strong> the saints in heaven pray, \u201cHow long, O Lord?\u201d<\/strong> Together, these prayers reflect two sides of one coin:<\/p>\n