Light out of Shadows ~ Bill Britton ~ Chapter 6
The Golden Altar of Incense
In this message I will make a statement so startling, and present a truth so controversial and so different from traditional theology that I will have to use nine different translations to back it up. This message contains strong meat, and is not for "babes" who are limited to the milk of the Word.
The end-time Sons of God are coming into such a strange and glorious realm of worship and praise, that we must go to the Word of God to find confirmation. As some are coming through the Spirit-filled or "pentecostal" experience into a further work of God that we have never known before, we find others who have been in pentecost, going back to the outer court religion of works, formality, and ritualism. The realm of the supernatural as we have known it in the past, with it’s healing, gifts, and miracles, will soon cease to exist. It will pass away. Those in this realm will either go on to the fulness of God, to a place of dominion and a performance of His "greater works", or they will find themselves without their supernatural "gifts" and forced to worship in the realm of the fundamentalist in the outer court. Let us look into the Word…
Wood and Gold
We find the description of the Golden Altar in chapter 30 of Exodus. If you have a Bible with you, please stop here and read the first 10 verses of that chapter. Notice in verse one that the altar is made of wood, overlaid with pure gold. In the Bible, wood is symbolic of the human nature, while gold is a type of the purity of God. So here in the Golden Altar we find a meeting of God and man, with God so overshadowing man, that the nature of man is nowhere to be seen. The purpose of this altar is to burn incense upon. The burning of incense is a type of worship and prayer. We find this confirmed in Psalms 141:2 "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." We find in Luke chapter one that Zacharias, father of John the Baptist, was a priest whose lot was to burn incense in the temple. Luke 1:10 says "And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense."
And then in Revelation 8:3-4 we read: "And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand."
Worship, Praise, and Intercession
We find in Acts 2:15 that the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples at the "third hour of the day". or nine o’clock in the morning. They worshipped and praised God and spoke "the wonderful works of God." We see in Acts 3:1 that Peter and John went up to the temple at the hour of prayer, being "the ninth hour" or three o’clock in the afternoon. At this time they interceded for the lame man, and spoke the word of faith that met his need.
Twice in the day the incense was burned on the Golden Altar. "Sweet incense every morning", and "perpetual incense" every evening (Exodus 30:7-8). The morning incense was a picture of the true worship and praise of the saints to their wonderful God, while the evening incense is typical of the prayer and intercession for those in need. This is God’s holy priesthood… a ministry unto the Lord, and a meeting of the needs of the people.
We see in Revelation 8:3 that the Golden Altar was before the throne. In Hebrews 4:14-16 we find that Jesus is our High Priest, passed into the heavens, yet ready to meet our needs. So we are told "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." We see in Philippians 4:6 that we are to bring our requests to the Lord "by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving". In Hebrews 13:15 we read: "Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."
In Spirit and in Truth
We find in John 4:23-24 where Jesus says that the Father seeks worshippers who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. In MOFFATT’S translation we read: "The real worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in reality; for these are the worshippers that the Father desires. God is Spirit, and his worshippers must worship Him in Spirit and in reality." It is put this way in PHILLIP’S translation: "True worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in reality. Indeed, the Father looks for men who will worship him like that. God is Spirit, and those who worship him can only worship in spirit and in reality." Permit me to use just one more translation to bring out more of the beauty of this marvelous passage. In WUEST’S New Testament we read: "The genuine worshippers shall worship the Father in a spiritual sphere, and in the sphere of truth. For indeed, the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. God as to His nature is spirit, as for those who are worshipping, it is necessary in the nature of the case to be worshipping in a spiritual sphere, and in the sphere of truth."
God hates fleshly worship. He hates the works of the carnal mind being brought to the Golden Altar of worship. In Leviticus 10:1-2 we find two of the sons of Aaron coming before the Lord with "strange fire" in his censer, and incense therein, which the Lord had not commanded. A fire went out from the Lord and killed them. These men were fully qualified to burn incense, but they did not worship "in the Spirit". They did what their natural mind though was alright. Dear ones, it is a glorious privilege to come before the Living God, in worship and praise and adoration. But it is a dreadful, and dangerous thing to create a system of religion out of the carnal mind. God will not accept anything but that which is brought forth by the life of the Spirit. Exodus 30:9 says: "Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon".
Trees of the Lord
Let me point out to you that the wood in this altar was "shittim" wood, from the old desert Acacia tree. This was not made of the imported cedars of Lebanon, or the great fir trees. Just the plain, solid, available desert Acacia tree. You don’t have to be a Ph.D, or a seminary graduate, or even have two suits of clothes to worship God in Spirit and in truth. He is searching for those who are available, whatever their state in life may be. God is not interested in making all the poor people rich. He is interested in taking people in all walks of life, poor and rich, and bringing them up into a Royal Priesthood. Kings and Priests. When you catch a glimpse of this realm of the Spirit, you will not care about the riches of this world. You will not even care if you are getting equal rights with people of this world, for you are not of this world.
The Acacia tree was a tree with heavy bark and sharp thorns for protection against it’s natural enemies. It had roots that sunk deep beneath the desert sands, searching for water, for underground rivers. But in order to be used in this Golden Altar, it had to be cut loose from it’s roots, it’s natural source of strength. It was cut loose from all things earthy, and separated alone unto God and His plan.
So many feel that they must have some protection against those who would misuse them. So their thorns and bark consist of a bad temper, or a sharp tongue, a keen wit or a vindictive spirit, or even maybe a spirit of self-pity and a hysterical weeping against any offense to their person. Or it may be sulking, a drawing inside your own personal shell, or even a physical ailment that commands the pity and concern of others. But whatever your natural protection happens to be, it must go. It must be stripped off, leaving you defenseless against a cruel world, before you can be used as a vessel of honor in the true worship of the Lord. But fret not, He will cover your wood or human nature with pure gold. His divine nature will be your protection. You will need never fear any enemies, for nothing can touch you. His nature in you and covering you will bring forth nothing but love from you for your enemies and those that attack you. All things that come your way will work for your good, and make you more like Him.
There have been so many attacks made against my life and teachings, that I no longer bother to answer them, although proof of their falseness was easy to produce. But I had to learn by hard experience that the natural protection does not fit in this new realm of the Spirit. It was especially hard to bear when attacks were made by those who were close to us, and when their lies were so easy to disprove. But I gradually came to the knowledge that my best protection was to be covered by the divine nature of God, and let His compassion and love and wisdom rule over my spirit. Just learn to be what you are, in Him, and quit trying to prove to people that you are not what they heard you are. When someone tells you that I preach such and such a false doctrine, don’t expect me to take valuable space in this paper, or time out of my busy schedule to fight back at them or disprove their lies. Just read my messages and see for yourself what I believe and preach. Come and visit us and see what our lives are like. See if we live and walk in our daily lives in the Spirit or in the flesh realm. Strip me, oh God. Of the bark so that I cannot protect myself. Cut off the thorns, oh Lord, that I will not strike back to hurt any of my enemies. Let only the gold of your divine nature be seen in all of my life and my worship of you!
Go On or Get Out!
Now let me get down to the meat of this message. We have seen that the Incense represents worship, praise, and intercession. And the Golden Altar is symbolic of that vessel that offers up the spiritual incense. God could certainly meet the needs of the people without your help or mine. But by His marvelous grace He has allowed us to be vessels by which intercession can go forth for a needy world. He got along fine for a long time without the praise and worship of humanity, but thank God He has revealed His glory to us that we might be able to express our love and adoration to the Almighty God.
Throughout the year, until the time for the Feast of Tabernacles, the Golden Altar resided in the sanctuary with the candlestick (lampstand) and table of shewbread. This was a place that was 20 cubits long, 10 cubits wide, and 10 cubits high. Now 20 times 10 times 10 equals 2,000. And for a period of 2,000 years the Church has been in this supernatural realm which we call the "Pentecostal" realm. They have worshipped God by supernatural means, and walked in the operation of the supernatural "gifts" of the Spirit, in contrast to the natural worship and human works in the outer court religion.
But something is about to happen in our day to this "pentecostal realm". The supernatural as we have known it, or "that which is in part" is passing away. God is moving, and no longer will men be able to operate in this realm as they have in the past. The time has come. Thus saith the Lord! They will either go on to the fulness of God, to do the works of Jesus, and "greater works", or they will drop back to the outer court religion. There will be those who, without going through the vail, will try to continue to imitate the works of the Spirit, the miracles, the gifts. They will, like Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10:1, put fire in their own censer and try to burn incense. But it will be "strange fire", and the fire of God will consume them. I recently, for the first time, attended services of one of America’s "biggest" and best known evangelists. I went sincerely, with an open heart. Since his radio broadcasts indicated a great deal of liberty in the services, I was expecting a service led by the Holy Ghost, with freedom in the Spirit. But there was no true liberty. There was lots of noise, and plenty of "jazzy" music. But there was no freedom for operation of Gifts of the Spirit, no ministry or liberty for anyone except the six very talented performers on the stage or platform. It was a "religious vaudeville", a "pentecostal circus", a two hour entertainment carried on for one purpose… to get the money from the people. It was "strange fire". One of the young men from our church was an usher, and he was backstage where he saw them take a man who was not cripple at all, in fact he was walking around and dancing during the music, but they put him into a wheelchair, rolled him on to the stage where they commanded him to rise from the wheelchair (which he did on cue) thus performing a "great miracle".
Someone says, "but don’t you believe in miracles, Brother Britton?" Of course I do! But those who go beyond the vail into the Holiest of all will operate as Jesus did. The miracles will be genuine, and not for the purpose of raising an offering. But from here on, you will see more and more frauds and fakers rising up in the healing and "gift" realm. For those who do not go on into the fulness of God will find themselves without genuine miracles in the "part" realm, and will be forced to produce their own signs or prophecies by fakery, or get out of the business. I could shock you by naming names of many well known evangelists and radio preachers who are already offering "strange fire", but it is not my ministry or my purpose to blast or fight or expose individuals, but to show you the principles of truth by which God is working in these last days. Dear God, how blind God’s people are, sending millions of dollars each year to religious racketeers who mail them "personal prophecies" that have been run off a printing press and mailed out by the thousands, and who send them "personal" letters that have been run through automatic typewriters by office girls while the big evangelist has never even seen their letter. What a shock when they finally awake to the reality of what has been going on. Look what happened to Korah, Dathan and Abiram in Numbers chapter 16. They put fire in their censers, and gathered "all the congregation" against Moses and Aaron. What a shock to the congregation when the "earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up". To see their heroes thus dealt with by God, after they had supported them, must have caused them much grief. Wake up, child of God! Ask God to help you see the difference between the true fire of God, and the "strange fire" of the frauds.
The Work of the Censers
There were censers of brass (Numbers 16:39), and censers of pure gold (1 Kings 7:50). The brass was to be used in the outer court, and the gold in the sanctuary. The true fire of God that was to be put into the censer and carried to the Golden Altar of Incense, was to come from the fire put under the burnt offering on the Brazen Altar. This shows us that no worship or intercession is acceptable unto God unless it comes as a result of a work of Calvary in the life of the Believer. "Strange fire" comes from the works of the flesh and the operation of the carnal mind. The true fire of God results from a crucified life, through a true knowledge of the work of Calvary.
The censer was a small vessel used to carry fire from the Brazen Altar to the Golden Altar of incense. There were times when incense was put right into the censer while the priest carried it, as in Numbers 16:46, where Aaron took fire from the altar, put it in the censer, put in incense and ran among the people to stay the plague. A marvelous picture of intercession for a people under judgment.
Since there was no place provided on the Golden Altar for fire to be placed or ashes to be carried out, no fire pans, shovels, etc, it is obvious that the priest took the censer of live coals and sat it on top of the Golden Altar. He then dropped the incense into the censer sitting on the altar, and a cloud of incense would rise up out of the fire. This is the picture we see in Revelation 8:3-4, where the angel has a censer and incense to offer upon the Golden Altar, where the smoke of the incense ascended up "out of the angel’s hand", or from the censer. This was what the Golden Altar was for, a place to set the censer in the Tabernacle, for it was not to be set upon the floor. There was a crown around the edge of the Golden Altar, to keep the censer from sliding off. This is why they took the Golden Altar behind the vail into the Holiest of Holies on the Day of Atonement.
Where was the Golden Altar?
Perhaps that last statement surprised you. Just where did they put the altar? And was it ever moved? Why? What is this symbolic of? Let us look into the scriptures. Turn to Exodus chapter 30, verses 1 through 10. "And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it." (verse 1). Where to put this altar is given in verse 6: "And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee. And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning". Let us read that same scripture in the Amplified translation: "You shall put the altar of incense in front and outside of the veil that screens the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony (the law, the tables of stone), where I will meet with you. And Aaron shall burn on it incense of sweet spices; every morning when he trims and fills the lamps he shall burn it." We find King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:19) standing beside the incense altar with a censer in his hand, ready to burn incense. Azariah the chief priest, and 80 other priests were there with him, so we know that this was not in the Holiest place. It was in the sanctuary. So these scriptures make it plain that the regular resting place of the Golden Altar was in the holy place with the lampstand and table of shewbread where the priests ministered daily.
But now we see what seems to be a conflicting scripture in Hebrews chapter 9. For in verses 1 thru 4 we read: "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly (earthly) sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary. And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant." Now notice, please, that the Golden Altar of incense is not mentioned as being in either place. And what is this "golden censer" which is said to be in the Holy of Holies? The word translated "censer" here is not the same Greek word used for censer in Revelation 8:3-5. The word censer is only found three times in the New Testament. Two times in Revelation 8 it is the Greek word "Libanotos", which means a small vessel for burning incense. But in Hebrews 9:4 it is the Greek word "Thumiasterion" which is a place of fumigation, ie.: altar of incense in the temple.
So we see that Hebrews chapter nine tells us that the Golden Altar of incense was actually located behind the vail, in the Holy of Holies. Now to confirm this, let me read from other translations, Hebrews 9:3-4:
PHILLIPS: "Inside, beyond the curtain, was the inner tent called the Holy of Holies, in which were the GOLDEN INCENSE ALTAR and the gold covered ark of the agreement."
REVISED STANDARD VERSION: "Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE, and the ark of the covenant."
NEW ENGLISH BIBLE: "Beyond the second curtain was the tent called the Most Holy Place. Here was a GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE, and the ark of the covenant."
BECK: AN AMERICAN TRANSLATION: "Behind the second curtain was the part of the tabernacle called the most holy place with the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE and the ark of the covenant."
MOFFATT: "But behind the second veil was the tent called the Holy of Holies, containing the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE, and also the ark of the covenant."
WILLIAMS: "But behind the second curtain is the tent that is called the Holy of Holies, with its GOLDEN INCENSE ALTAR and the chest for the covenant."
WEYMOUTH: "And behind the second veil was a sacred tent called the Holy of Holies. This had a GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE, and the ark of the covenant."
ROTHERHAM: "But after the second veil a tent, that which is called the Most Holy: having a GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE and the Ark of the covenant."
AMPLIFIED NEW TESTAMENT: "But inside, beyond the second curtain or veil there stood another tabernacle (division) known as the Holy of Holies. It had the GOLDEN ALTAR OF INCENSE and the ark (chest) of the covenant."
So here we have nine different translations plus Strong’s Concordance and Berry’s Interlinear Greek-English New Testament that confirm the fact that the Greek word "Thumiasterion" translated in the King James as "golden censer", is actually the Golden Altar of Incense. And it is located inside the Holy of Holies, behind the veil.
Why In the Holy of Holies?
Is there a contradiction? We read that the Golden Altar was to be placed outside the veil, in the sanctuary, and that the priests were to minister before it daily. Now in Hebrews we read that it is inside the veil, in the Holy of Holies, where no one but the High Priest is allowed to enter, and that only once a year. Notice also that in Revelation 8:3 the Golden Altar was "before the throne", which is behind the veil. (Read Heb 9:7)
The answer is given by several authorities. ALFORD’S GREEK NEW TESTAMENT, WUEST’S STUDIES IN HEBREWS, the AMPLIFIED NEW TESTAMENT, as well as the Jewish MISCHNA all explain that the Golden Altar was not kept permanently in the Holy of Holies, but taken in on the Day of Atonement, the 10th day of the seventh month, when the High Priest went in to make atonement. The reason was that the High Priest might have a ;lace to set the censer of burning coals of fire from the brazen altar, so he would not have to set it on the ground inside the Holy of Holies. Most certainly he would not set it on the Mercy-seat. He could not hold the censer of fire in his hands while he ministered the blood upon the Mercy-seat.
We get the picture in Leviticus chapter 16. When the Day of Atonement comes, the day when someone passes through the Vail and all sin is removed from Israel, we see the High Priest washed and properly dressed. All the other priests that usually minister in the sanctuary before the candlestick and the shewbread are moved back out to the outer court. First he takes the Golden Altar behind the veil. Then he brings the censer of burning coals from the brazen altar and puts it on the Golden Altar. He then comes in with both hands full of incense (Leviticus 16:12 Amplified), which he puts on the fire, creating a cloud of incense. He then brings in the blood of the bullock and sprinkles it on the Mercy-seat. Then he kills the goat of the sin-offering and brings his blood in to put on the Mercy-seat also. (Leviticus 16:12-15). In addition to putting the blood on the Mercy-seat, he also put some of it on the horns of the Golden Altar of incense (Exodus 30:10). Meanwhile, while all this is going on, NO PRIEST IS ALLOWED IN THE SANCTUARY (Leviticus 16:17), but all must retreat to the outer court.
What Does This Mean to Us?
I am going to make a prediction now, based on the scriptures we have read, that will shake some theological traditions to the foundation. We know we are in the last days. It is time for the fulfillment of the Feast of Tabernacles. The trumpets are already blowing, that is, the message is already going forth to prepare for this great feast. The appearing of the Lord is at hand. Where will He appear? In the cloud. What cloud? Some rain cloud up in the sky? Of course not! You should know better than that. Leviticus 16:2 says that He will appear in the cloud of incense in the Holy of Holies. Only those who pass through the vail will see Him at this time. Unto them that look for Him shall He appear, to bring them to full salvation or deliverance from every earthly hindrance or limitation (Hebrews 9:28 Amplified).
That cloud of incense represents our worship and praise, brought into a higher realm than ever before known. Even in the Early Church, those who brought to pass the Feast of Pentecost, their worship was still in the lower earthly realm of the sanctuary. As supernatural as that place was, and as real as their relationship to the Lord proved to be, they were still in the sanctuary during the Feast of Pentecost, and not behind the vail.
At no time in the year did they put so much incense on the Golden Altar as they did on the Day of Atonement. "His two hands full of sweet incense beaten small." This shows us that our worship and praise and intercession is not only going to be brought into a higher realm than we have ever known it before, but also that there is going to be more of it than ever before. Praise God! He is wonderful!
Pentecost Retreats
As we have said before, the sanctuary where we find the candlestick and the table of shewbread represents this Holy Ghost realm of Pentecost. Jesus said that healing was the children’s bread. (Mark 7:27). And here on this table (the lowest and most accessible piece of furniture in the tabernacle) were the twelve loaves of bread, available to the children of God (Mark 2:25-26). Our "daily bread". For when we get healed of one thing, we find ourselves coming back to the table for something else until death finally takes us. But thank God, that High-priestly company are going past the vail into a realm where there is "hidden manna". This "hidden manna" is eaten only by the Overcomer (Revelation 2:17). Whosoever eats of this manna shall never die. Death will be put under feet. So when the High-priest company go through the vail they do not have to take the shewbread of healing. They have divine Life in that realm of the fulness of God. No death, no sickness can touch them. Praise God! No "gifts" of the Spirit needed here.
Neither do they take the lampstand, or candlestick. For they have the light of His Presence, the Shekinah glory of God in the Holy of Holies. These two pieces of furniture are left in the sanctuary alone. For that realm is empty. There is no one to trim the lamps or eat of the shewbread. All those who do not go through the vail have to go to the outer court. Today many have been enjoying the grace of God, and operating in the supernatural realm of the Spirit in one degree or another. But we see a transition taking place. Either they are going on to higher heights in the Spirit, moving behind the vail toward the Holy of Holies, or they are losing what they did have. Pentecostal churches are going back to the formality and respectability of the traditional denominations. You see it everywhere. I know there are exceptions, and thank God for them. But you will have to choose. Either IN or OUT. This "part" realm is passing away. Either move on to the fulness of the Spirit, behind the vail, or you will find yourself without the gifts and the supernatural working of the Spirit as in days gone by. Now this doesn’t mean that they are lost, or that they do not receive the blessing provided by this Atonement. Leviticus 16:18 (Amplified) says: "And he shall go out to the altar of burnt offering in the court which is before the Lord, and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and of the goat and put it on the horns of the altar round about. What it does mean is that those who have retreated to the outer court will not be among that "Zadok" company mentioned in Ezekiel chapter 44 who minister in the Holy of Holies unto the Lord.
Call it "Sonship", call it "Melchisedec priesthood", call it passing though the vail, coming into the fulness of God, the Manchild company, the High Calling, or whatever term you want to use. It still means that there is a people who are going all the way with God, to be conformed to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). You see them throughout the Book. The Bible is full of this truth.
The High Praises of God
Tho there is no need for the candlestick or the shewbread in the Most Holy Place, yet there is need for the Golden Altar. For coming into full Sonship will not stop us from worshipping God. Some poor men have been so deluded by evil spirits as to think that they are going to receive worship. So they call themselves God, and have quit praying to God in heaven, and have no spirit of worship toward Jesus. But such is not the case for true sons. When we pass into that high and glorious realm of the Spirit, we take our Altar of worship with us. But it also passes into a higher realm. So we see a higher form of worship than the world has ever known. As we approach that day, we find our worship reaching ever higher dimensions in the Spirit. We are getting rid of the "strange fire", the fleshly, carnal worship of tradition and ritualism. As well as the flesh-tingling liberties of fanaticism. There is plenty of liberty, oh yes, but it is a freedom harnessed by the Spirit of God and channeled into ever ascending praises to our Lord and King. It is a joy and a liberty that produces the fruit of the Spirit in abundance in our lives.
Notice in Revelation chapter 8 that at the time of the judgment trumpets, the Golden Altar is in the heavenlies before the throne of God. The Throne speaks to us of authority and dominion. Thus we see that there will be a realm of praise and worship and intercession that will have the very authority of God Himself behind it. And notice that at this time there was "much incense" offered. What a glorious ministry for those who go beyond the vail and are caught up into His Presence in the heavenlies. What a complete defeat for Satan as he faces this glorious Army of the Lord. Friends, don’t miss out on this! Press your way in, as Paul said in Philippians 3:14 "I press on to the goal for the prize of God’s high call in Christ Jesus." (Moffatt) Let us worship our Saviour, and offer to Him much incense with the fruit of our lips!
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