Types of spiritual altars

          In Scripture, altars are spiritual platforms where divinity meets humanity. An altar is not just a physical structure—it is a place of covenant, sacrifice, worship, and encounter. Altars can be godly (raised to the Lord) or evil (raised to idols or demonic spirits). Understanding the types of spiritual altars in the Bible helps us grasp their significance in spiritual warfare, worship, and covenantal living.

 1. Altar of Worship

Purpose: To honor, thank, and glorify God.

● Genesis 12:7 – "Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' So he built there an altar to the Lord..."

● Genesis 8:20 – Noah built an altar after the flood to worship God.

         Altars of worship were raised by individuals like Noah, Abraham, and Jacob to express reverence and gratitude. These altars became portals of divine presence and blessing.

2. Altar of Sacrifice

Purpose: For the offering of animals or grain to God as a form of atonement or worship.

● Exodus 20:24 – "Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings..."

● Leviticus 1:9 – Detailed instructions on burnt offerings.

        These altars represent atonement and substitution. They point forward to Christ, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice fulfilled the law.

3. Altar of the Covenant

Purpose: To seal divine agreements or promises.

● Genesis 15:9–10, 17–18 – God made a covenant with Abram using a sacrifice.

● Exodus 24:4–8 – Moses built an altar to confirm the covenant between God and Israel.

         Covenants are legal spiritual agreements, and altars are their physical/spiritual confirmation. These altars become spiritual claim sites—God returns to fulfill His word.

4. Altar of Prayer/Intercession

Purpose: To seek God's face, direction, or intervention.

● 1 Kings 18:30–39 – Elijah rebuilt the Lord’s altar and called down fire through prayer.

● Revelation 8:3–4 – An angel offers incense (prayers of saints) on the golden altar before God.

         Altars of prayer are communication lines with heaven. The spiritual principle is that prayers offered on a consistent altar produce results. Prayer altars invite divine responses.

5. Family Altars

Purpose: Daily worship and devotion within a family setting.

● Genesis 26:25 – Isaac built an altar, pitched his tent, and dug a well.

● Joshua 24:15 – “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

        A family altar is a place of daily family devotion and consecration. It represents a family’s dedication to God and preserves generational blessings.

6. Altar of Judgment

Purpose: To confront evil, idolatry, or rebellion.

● 1 Kings 13:1–5 – A man of God prophesied judgment on King Jeroboam’s altar.

● Judges 6:25–26 – Gideon was told to destroy his father’s altar to Baal and raise a new one to the Lord.

        These altars either receive God’s fire of judgment or are raised to overturn evil altars. They symbolize God’s power confronting darkness.

7. Evil/Demonic Altars

Purpose: Places where demonic entities are worshipped or evil covenants enacted.

Scripture:

● Judges 6:25 – “Tear down your father’s altar to Baal...”

● 1 Kings 16:32 – Ahab built an altar to Baal in Samaria.

● Jeremiah 19:5 – They built high places to Baal to burn their children in fire.

         These are altars raised to false gods, ancestral spirits, or demonic entities. They attract curses, spiritual oppression, and generational bondage. Christians must renounce and break these altars through prayer, repentance, and spiritual warfare.

8. National/Community Altars

Purpose: A nation’s public acknowledgment of God or false gods.

● 2 Chronicles 15:8–12 – King Asa repaired the altar and gathered the nation to seek God.

● Daniel 3:1–7 – Nebuchadnezzar set up a golden image (idol) for the whole nation to worship.

         These altars affect territorial atmospheres. Righteous altars invite revival; evil altars bring judgment or demonic strongholds over nations or cities.

9. The Brazen Altar (Temple/Tabernacle)

Purpose: Central place for sacrifices in tabernacle worship.

● Exodus 27:1–8 – Instructions for the bronze altar in the tabernacle.

● 2 Chronicles 4:1 – Solomon’s altar in the temple.

         This was the official altar in Israel’s worship system, symbolizing continual atonement and access to God under the Old Covenant.

10. Spiritual Altars of the Heart

Purpose: Personal consecration to God.

● Romans 12:1 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice...”

● Hebrews 13:10 – “We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat.”

         In the New Covenant, our lives become altars. We offer spiritual sacrifices of praise, obedience, and holiness.

How to Engage Godly Altars Today:

1. Build a consistent prayer life (altar of prayer).

2. Dedicate your home/family to God (family altar).

3. Destroy old evil altars through repentance and prayer.

4. Live as a living sacrifice (altar of the heart).

5. Speak over your city or nation – raise spiritual altars through intercession.

 Prayer  

    “Lord, I rededicate my life and family to You. Every evil altar speaking against my destiny, be broken in the name of Jesus. Let Your fire fall on every godly altar in my life. Restore divine order and draw me closer to You. Amen.”