Measure: Altar

	Ezekiel is taken in a vision to a high mountain.  He is shown a man holding a line of flax and a measuring rod.  This man is then instructed to measure the sanctuary.  The Apostle John is involved in a similar occurrence recorded in the book of Revelation.
	As we discussed last time, taking a measurement means two things in prophecy.  It signifies a comparison between what God has ordered and what man has done.  If we follow God's instructions, then we "measure up."  And it represents a marking of the boundary between God's followers and the rest of the world.
	After measuring the sanctuary, the man in Ezekiel's vision goes on to check the altar in Ezekiel 43:13-17.
	"And these are the measurements of the altar by cubits," the passage states, "(the cubit being a cubit and a handbreadth): the base {shall be} a cubit, and the width a cubit, and its border on its edge round about one span; and this {shall be} the {height of the} base of the altar.  And from the base on the ground to the lower ledge {shall be} two cubits, and the width one cubit; and from the smaller ledge to the larger ledge {shall be} four cubits, and the width one cubit.  And the altar hearth {shall be} four cubits; and from the altar hearth shall extend upwards four horns.  Now the altar hearth {shall be} twelve {cubits} long by twelve wide, square in its four sides.  And the ledge {shall be} fourteen {cubits} long by fourteen wide in its four sides, the border around it {shall be} half a cubit, and its base {shall be} a cubit round about; and its steps shall face the east." 
	For those of us now living in the Christian era, the exact figures are not as important as the fact that specific measurement are indicated.  God has told the Israelites precisely what He expects from them.  He will not accept anything else.  The same principle is true for us.  God has certain expectations.  So what do we find as we measure the altar?  In other words, what kind of altar do we have and what does it mean to us?
	"If therefore you are presenting your offering at the altar," Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:23-24, "and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering."
	Measuring the altar requires that we examine our relationships with others.  We must take a look at our attitudes.
	"Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the {food} of the temple," Paul points out in 1 Corinthians 9:13-14, "{and} those who attend regularly to the altar have their share with the altar?  So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel."
	Measuring the altar involves an examination of our involvement in spreading the Gospel.  For many people, this will consist of a willingness to gladly provide adequate financial support for those who devote themselves full time to evangelization.  For others, this means actually devoting themselves to this service.
	"Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ?" Paul asks in 1 Corinthians 10:16-18.  "Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread.  Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar?"
	Measuring the altar means examining our fellowship.  Those who meet at the altar are those who have shared in the blood of Christ.  Or perhaps it would be more correct to say that only those who have shared in the blood and body of Christ have a right to gather at the altar.
	We must measure the altar.  This requires an examination of our attitudes and relationships.  It expects an involvement in the spread of the Gospel.   And it demands a participation in the blood and body of Christ.

	We must measure the altar by taking a close look at our attitudes and relationships, our participation in the Gospel and our sharing in the blood and body of Jesus.
	But what is the actual altar?  For the Christian, there can be no altar greater than Jesus Himself.
	"Remember those who led you," Hebrews 13:7-14 directs, "who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.  Jesus Christ {is} the same yesterday and today, {yes} and forever.  Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited.  We have an altar, from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.  For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy place by the high priest {as an offering} for sin, are burned outside the camp.  Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Hence, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach.  For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking {the city} which is to come."
	Verse seven states that we should imitate the faith of those who shared the Gospel with us.  In other words, we are to follow a way of life based on the Word of God.
	"So faith {comes} from hearing," Romans 10:17 agrees, "and hearing by the word of Christ."
	Jesus is our altar.  Approaching this altar requires that we pattern our lives after the instructions of God's Word.  Verse eight of our passage indicates that approaching the altar demands sound doctrine and consistency.
	"But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed," Paul cautions in Galatians 1:8-9.  "As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed."
	To approach the altar, we must have lives patterned after God's Word.  We must consistently follow sound doctrine.  According to verse 10, approaching the altar involves certain privileges which are limited to certain people.  Paul reveals one such privilege in Romans 8:14-17.
	"For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God," this passage says.  "For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!'  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with {Him} in order that we may also be glorified with {Him.}"
	To approach the altar, we must have lives patterned after God's Word.  We must consistently follow sound doctrine.  We have the privilege of addressing God as our Father.  But this Scripture agrees with verses 11-13 of our passage from Hebrews chapter 13 when it indicates that we must be willing to go and suffer, bearing the reproach experienced by our Lord.
	"Beloved," 1 Peter 4:12-16 urges, "do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.  If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.  By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler."
	"Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right," verse 19 adds.
	Is it worth it?  Hebrews 13:14 promises that those who approach the altar are seeking a different kind of citizenship.
	"For our citizenship is in heaven," Philippians 3:20 explains, "from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ."
	Measuring the altar involves our attitudes and relationships, our participation in the Gospel and our fellowship.  Jesus is the real altar.  Approaching this altar requires a way of life based on the Word of God.  It demands sound doctrine and consistency.  Certain rights accompany those who may partake of the altar.  But so do suffering and reproach.  Those who bear the reproach and enjoy the privileges may look forward to heavenly citizenship.
	We should mention one more thing about the altar before we close.  The altar has always represented the place where we approach God. 
	"And another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer;" John records in Revelation 8:3-5, "and much incense was given to him, that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel's hand.  And the angel took the censer; and he filled it with the fire of the altar and threw it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake."
	As we approach God, let's make sure that we remember what we have seen about a life based on God's Word and about sound doctrine and consistency.  Let's approach Him through the truth, because only the truth will set us free.  

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."