What the Bible says about Brazen Altar
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Matthew 5:17-18 People go around saying that the law is done away, including "rituals." No, it is not! Jesus says here very plainly that these things are not done away. We must understand that, though we may not have to perform them physically, their principles (God's intent behind them) is still binding upon us. Many laws deal with physical cleanliness. These same laws, in their intent, have to do with spiritual cleanliness. Their intent is still binding upon us. We no longer have to make sacrifices at a physical brazen altar. True! Under the New Covenant, we become the sacrifice! We are the burnt offering. We become a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). The principles involved in being a burnt offering are extracted from the principles that appear in Leviticus 1-7. Our Savior says not one jot or tittle has been done away from God's law. John W. Ritenbaugh New Covenant Priesthood (Part Two) Related Topics: Brazen Altar | Burnt Offering | God's Law 'Done Away' | God's Law Done Away | Living Sacrifice | Not One Jot or Tittle | Old Covenant Rituals | Physical Cleanliness | Spiritual Cleanliness | Spiritual Intent | Spiritual Intent of Ceremonies | Temple Rituals

Matthew 27:50-51 Consider the general layout of the Tabernacle in the wilderness as well as the Temple in Jerusalem. Both basically were the same. As one approached its front, the first object encountered would be the altar of sacrifice, the brazen alter by which atonement was made. The Hebrew word translated as atonement means "by which we draw near." In other words, by sacrifice, represented by the brazen altar, we draw near to God, seeking Him. After the brazen altar comes the laver. It could be described as being like a big bathtub. Here a person was to wash himself before proceeding any farther. Once inside the sanctuary, light came from the candelabra, representing Christ as the Light of the World, as well as the light of God's truth spread from activity of the seven churches. On the table was the shewbread, representing Christ as the Bread of Life. Directly in front of one who entered the Holy Place, past the table of shewbread, stood the altar of incense, representing the prayers of the saints. Barring one's way into the Holy of Holies, into the very presence of God, was the veil. Once behind it, a person would be before the Mercy Seat, in the very presence of God. The veil being torn apart at Christ's death symbolizes that a personal relationship with God can be established. The way had been opened by the sacrificial death of our Savior. This intimate relationship with God is the key to our being transformed from glory to glory (II Corinthians 3:18). If we cannot enter God's presence, if we are far away, there is not much hope of transformation. This is why the Bible so frequently urges us to seek God. Seeking God is part of "dressing and keeping" the relationship, helping it to grow. This close relationship is vital to increasing the Holy Spirit in us. John W. Ritenbaugh The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Seven) Related Topics: Altar | Altar of Incense | Altar of Sacrifice | Altar, The | Atonement | Brazen Altar | Bread of Life | Bread, Symbolism of | Christ as the Bread of Life | Christ as the Light of the World | Dress and Keep | God's Holy Spirit | Holy of Holies | Holy Place | Holy Spirit | Incense | Incense as Prayer | Jesus Christ as the Bread of Life | Menorah | Mercy Seat | Prayer | Prayer as Incense | Relationship with Christ | Relationship with God | Seeking God | Seven Candlesticks | Seven Churches of Revelation | Seven Lamps | Showbread | Tabernacle | Tabernacle, Layout of | Veil

Ephesians 5:1-2 Living a life activated by loving-kindness in the keeping of God's commandments, following the example of Jesus Christ, and being tenderhearted to forgive is a sweet-smelling sacrifice to God. Three of the offerings were sweet smelling, and two were not. The sweet-savor offerings were burned on the brazen altar, while the others were burned outside the camp. No sin is seen in the sweet-savor offerings; the individual Israelite gave them completely voluntarily and not because of guilt. They are simply sweet-smelling offerings. Christ does not appear in them as our sin bearer, but, even more, He is shown offering something so pleasing—so satisfying—it is sweet to God. It symbolizes the way He lived His life. Jesus Christ was a living sacrifice long before He became the sacrifice for sin by crucifixion. "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" in service, living a sinless life (John 15:13). John W. Ritenbaugh The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Two): The Burnt Offering Related Topics: Brazen Altar | Jesus Christ's Example | Jesus Christ's Life | Keeping Commandments | Keeping Commandments as Love | Offering, Sweet Smelling | Sacrifice | Sacrifice as a Way of Life | Sacrifice, Living | Sacrifice, Sweet Smelling | Sacrificial Attitude

 

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