The Altar of His Presence by Robert Stone

Author:Robert Stone [Stone, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Destiny Image, Inc.

NOTE

1.ISBE, Tabernacle #8493.

APPLICATION

Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people (Isaiah 56:7 KJV).

Isaiah’s prophecy declares the redemptive and glorious result of the Cross, resurrection, and ascension. It is important to note the order of the prophet’s words. First, the Lord promised to bring the peoples of every nation, creed, color, and race to His Holy Mountain. The mountain mentioned was not Ararat (Noah), Moriah (Abraham), Ebal (Joshua), or Zion (David). He was speaking of the place called Mount Calvary where the blood of Jesus Christ paid the price for mankind’s salvation (see Luke 23:33). Second, He was speaking of the mountain John was carried to by the Spirit—to a great and high mountain where John was shown that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God (see Rev. 21:10).

Reflection

In that heavenly and eternal place Isaiah saw the Lord’s passion for our lives. It is hard for us to understand the ministry of His passion. Why? Humans see eternity from time and see eternity as an extension of time. So when we pray, we speak in time and consequently pray about what was, is, or will be. God, on the other hand, sees time from eternity. He created time within eternity. The eternal Spirit Who dwells within us speaks from an eternal perspective. When we do not know how to pray what we ought to pray for, the Spirit Himself intercedes for us (see Rom. 8:26). His intercession is filled with His passion for us. He prays we come to a holy place (the mountain of the Lord), worship a holy Person (the Lord Jesus), and become a holy people (the Church).

Isaiah said the people in the house would be filled with joy. The fulfillment of the prophecy is about the church in Acts 13:52, “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit,” and the modern church in 1 Peter 1:8-9, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

Third, our offerings and sacrifices shall be accepted upon the Lord’s altar. Isaiah probably thought about the offerings required by the Law. He didn’t know the day would come when the sacrifice of the only begotten Son would be accepted for all people, both Jew and Gentile, for the remission of sin (see Heb. 9:12). Or that the Lord’s salvation has made us like living stones, and we are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (see 1 Peter 2:5). And that in Him the whole building (or house) is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.