EXODUS 27:1-8 WE HAVE AN ALTAR When God came out to men, any who entered the one gate would be confronted by a seven and a half-foot square by four and a half feet high, brazen altar. This where God first meets with us. It wasn't made as a barrier as such, but there was no way it could be ignored. A lot of activity went on at that altar. Altar means "elevated" or "lifted up" reminding us of the Lord Jesus Christ who said, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me." There was a perpetual fire burning sacrifices on the brazen altar. An early morning sacrifice and an evening sacrifice were made for all the people every day. A constant flow of people seeking relief from the guilt and condemnation of sin, or coming with offerings of thanksgiving for the blessings received from God, would be lined up waiting for the opportunity to approach the brazen altar with their own sacrifices. The scent of burning flesh, smoke ascending constantly, and blood poured out would be in the air by that altar all the time. This went on for hundreds of years until the offering of God's Perfect Lamb was made "once for all" and the need of the types was over.
The altar made of acacia (shittim) wood overlaid with brass was twice as high as the furniture inside the Holy Place and the ark and mercy seat inside the Most Holy. The grate inside the altar was the same height as the ark, mercy seat, the table, and the altar of incense, indicating the sacrifice was placed where it would reach the throne of God adequately. There was no bottom to the altar so all the ashes could be removed reminding us, "Their sins and iniquities I will remember no more forever." Being perfectly square with upward and outward pointing horns at the four corners teaches us the blessings from the altar and sacrifices made there reaches in all directions to bring blessings to all mankind. The sacrifice of Christ was first and foremost for God. The blessings that come from His sacrifice are the blessings of the Gospel that go out to all directions of earth. Those horns were also a place one could cling to and find mercy.
When the first sacrifice was placed on the altar, fire came out from God to consume that burnt offering and the fat. The people who gathered there saw it happen and in fear shouted and fell on their faces. God takes very seriously the sacrifice of Christ. Any way men belittle that sacrifice, will lead them to face the righteous wrath of God. Only by Jesus Christ is the penalty of sin paid. Anything that is added to what He accomplished by that cross work, is condemned. There can be no mixture of works with grace. Any person who tries to add to this salvation by works of any kind, remains condemned in their sins.
The fire that consumed the sacrifices burned for generations and would be carried in appropriate containers when the Tabernacle was moved. The altar was the only piece during the move of the Tabernacle with a purple covering with the badgers' skin over it. Others were covered with blue. The sufferings of Christ and the glory that will follow are very plainly linked together. The day is coming when "they shall look on Him who they pierced." The cross work of the Lord Jesus Christ (type: the sacrifices burned on the grate of the altar) and the fullness of God's mercy (type: the mercy seat at the same height) will be revealed in a future day when everyone will see the value of the finished work of Christ.
In that position before the door of the Tabernacle, the brazen altar reminds us of condemnation of sin that is dealt with by the sacrifice of Christ. Just beyond it by the door was the laver made from the looking glasses the women brought, teaching us of the need of original and continual sanctification that separates us from the contaminating effects of sin. And then the Tabernacle instructs as to the glorification that is in Christ and by association, we will share with Him.
There were no chairs furnished for priests to rest on. His work was never done. There was no finished work of redemption until Christ said, "It is finished." Sacrifices were continual, but the Lord Jesus finished that redemptive work and is "sat down" forever in the condition of rest after the great accomplishment of Calvary. Ashes from the altar were taken to a clean place and our Lord's body was placed in "a new tomb hewn out of a rock" where no other body had been laid.
Now we who have come to Christ are in a position of "no condemnation." There is a rest and peace we can experience and enjoy continually. The sacrifice has been made and accepted once for all. So, there is "No blood, no altar now. The sacrifice is o'er. No flame no smoke ascends on high, the Lamb is slain no more."
What to faith's eye today gives peace, was once seen by smoke and flame. These sacrifices were made again and again, consciousness of sin left blame. Today we rest in the peace of Christ, He gave His own peace before He died. The redemption He provided was complete when on Calvary He was crucified.
The altar of old was "lifted up," the elevation was there for a reason. The residue of ashes that daily were made, testified substitution was just for a season. Left over ashes from ancient sacrifices tells of redemption that was not complete. But the sacrifice consumed was equal in position to where God dwelt on the mercy seat.
When Christ came atonement was made once and for all, His sacrifice fulfilled All the demands of God's legal claims, and the satisfaction of God was revealed. Like ashes of old were placed in a clean place that contamination wouldn't be shown; The Lord Jesus' body after His sacrifice was made, was laid in Joseph's new tomb.
For years and years smoke ascended on high as people sought to be right with God. All that symbolism and typology is past with the resurrection of our blessed Lord. We don't need another altar, the sacrifices on altars have value no more. The altar, the sacrifice and the Tabernacle itself has no reason as it did before.
We don't live now under vague glimpses of shadows and types. The purposes of those has passed, but even now they shine some light On the attitude and actions of people who lived then and now by faith - So that we don't take casually or carelessly the blessings of grace.
There is a holy reverence that characterizes those who in spirit approach God. When in sincerity and love we come to Him according to the truth of His Word. It is not a light thing to be in the pure light of biblical fellowship, When we walk in the light with the Lord who we serve and worship.
"Father, sometimes I can't really say what I mean. But how thankful I am that Thou knowest my thoughts after off. I don't know want to obscure in any way what I am thinking and want to say to Thee, but it happens. Please forgive Thy servant if there is some sin unbeknownst to me that I haven't confessed. If not, please take these jumbled thoughts as words of appreciation. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."