Restoring Altars Essay
Today’s Post is by a special guest Joseph Mattera and the Foreword for “Atlars over Thrones”
Bishop Joseph Mattera wrote the foreword for Altars Over Thrones: How a Revival of the Altar Changes the World. His foreword read like a powerful essay that could stand on its own as an article, so I wanted to share it with all of my faithful readers here. Bishop Joe is a mentor and spiritual father figure in my life. He is a tremendous leader, writer and thinker, but more than anything he lives and ministers from a commitment to the altar of prayer. Please enjoy what he writes below:
In recent years, a concerning trend has emerged within segments of the Evangelical church: a shift towards prioritizing political engagement over the foundational practices of prayer, obedience, and sacrificial living. This shift suggests a belief that civic leadership and political activism are the primary catalysts for national transformation. However, this perspective overlooks the profound biblical truth that true and lasting change originates from the altar—a place of intimate communion with God—rather than the throne of political power.
The Supremacy of the Altar Over Political Thrones
Throughout biblical narratives, altars have often been depicted as instruments of divine authority, superseding earthly powers. The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—constructed altars to honor their encounters with God, signifying allegiance to a higher sovereignty than that of mortal kings. These altars served as tangible affirmations that divine authority reigns supreme over human governance. In contemporary times, this principle challenges believers to prioritize divine directives over political ideologies, recognizing that true justice and righteousness emanate from adherence to God’s will. Scripture consistently emphasizes that our battles are not merely against earthly entities, but against spiritual forces that influence the physical realm. The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6:12, reminds us that our struggle is “not against flesh and blood, but against… the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
This underscores the necessity of engaging in spiritual warfare through prayer and obedience, rather than relying solely on political mechanisms.Jesus Himself declared, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John18:36), indicating that the advancement of God’s kingdom is not contingent upon earthly political structures. The early church exemplied this truth; despite facing severe persecution from governing authorities, they did not resort to political rebellion. Instead, they devoted themselves to prayer, teaching, and communal living, resulting in a transformative impact on society that political power alone could never achieve. While political engagement is a facet of societal influence, it must never supersede the primacy of the altar. Elevating political activism above spiritual disciplines can lead to a form of idolatry, where trust is placed in human institutions rather than in God’s sovereign power. This misalignment can result in division within the church, as political allegiances overshadow the unifying mission of the gospel.
I agree with John Hammer when he says that when the church neglects prayer in favor of political engagement, it forfeits the divine authority granted by God. Without the foundation of prayer and obedience, political efforts become futile, lacking the spiritual potency required to effect genuine transformation. Therefore, the church must guard against the temptation to prioritize political thrones over the sacred altar of communion with God.
In essence, the altar represents a life wholly surrendered to God—a life marked by prayer, obedience, and sacrificial love. It is from this place of humility and devotion that true transformation flows, as Christ followers influence every sphere of society.
Erecting Family and Personal Altars
The family unit, as the foundational cell of society, thrives when centered around collective worship and prayer. Establishing a family altar—a dedicated space for communal prayer, Scripture reading, and spiritual discourse—fosters unity and spiritual growth. This practice, rooted in biblical tradition, transforms households into sanctuaries of faith, where members collectively seek divine guidance and strength. In an era marked by fragmented relationships and relentless distractions, the family altar serves as a bastion of spiritual resilience and cohesion.
Hence, the concept of the altar extends beyond corporate worship into the personal and familial spheres. In the Old Testament, patriarchs, like Abraham, built altars as tangible expressions of their commitment and obedience to God (Genesis 12:7). These personal altars were places of encounter, sacrifice, and covenant. In our contemporary context, establishing a personal altar signifies dedicating time and space for daily communion with God, fostering a lifestyle marked by continual surrender and alignment with His will.
Thus, the family altar serves as a cornerstone for spiritual growth within the household. Regular times of family prayer, worship, and Scripture reading cultivate an environment where faith is nurtured, and members are encouraged to live out their beliefs authentically. This practice not only strengthens familial bonds but also establishes a legacy of faith that can influence generations to come.
Christ's Altar of Sacrifice and Obedience
Central to the Christian faith is the altar of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This ultimate act of obedience and selflessness serves as the foundation for our redemption and exemplifies the power of sacrificial love. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus triumphed over all earthly powers and authorities, disarming them and making a public spectacle of them (Colossians 2:15). This victory underscores that true authority and transformation are achieved through obedience to God and self-sacrifice, rather than through political dominance.
In Revelation 5, the imagery of the Lamb who was slain standing at the center of the throne portrays the ongoing reign of Christ over all creation. This vision reinforces that Christ’s sacrificial act continues to hold supremacy over all earthly powers, and it is through aligning ourselves with His example of obedience and sacrifice that we participate in His redemptive mission for the world.
The Enduring Reign of Christ’s Altar in Revelation
In light of this, we see that the Book of Revelation illustrates how the unseen realm of heaven exerts the perpetual sovereignty of Christ over creation. The Lamb who was slain is depicted as worthy to open the scroll, signifying His ultimate authority and dominion. This celestial altar serves as a testament to the enduring reign of Christ, assuring believers that despite temporal challenges, divine providence orchestraces the course of history. It is a source of hope and encouragement, affirming that faithfulness will culminate in eternal communion with the Divine.
Consequently, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ stands as the paramount altar of sacrifice, where divine love confronted and conquered the powers of the world. On the cross, Christ dismantled the dominion of sin and death, triumphing over earthly authorities and spiritual adversaries. This monumental event underscores that ultimate victory and authority belong to God, rendering all earthly thrones subordinate to His reign. Believers are thus reminded that their allegiance is to a kingdom not of this world, one established through the sacrificial act of the Savior.
Reclaiming the Church Altar
Within the church setting, there is a growing need to reclaim the significance of the altar—not merely as a physical space for prayer but as the epicenter of worship, preaching, and communal life. The altar symbolizes a place of transformation, where believers collectively offer themselves in service and devotion to God. Preaching and worship should emanate from this place of sacrifice, leading the congregation into a deeper commitment to live out their faith authentically.
Moreover, the church is called to be a “house of prayer for all nations” (Isaiah 56:7). Corporate prayer gatherings are essential for seeking God’s guidance, interceding for communities, and fostering unity among believers. These gatherings serve as collective altars where the church humbles itself, seeks God’s face, and turns from wicked ways, trusting in His promise to heal the land (2 Chronicles 7:14). The collective assembly of believers in corporate prayer wields transformative potential. The church altar, as a focal point for communal intercession, embodies the unity and power of the body of Christ. Regular gatherings for prayer cultivate a sense of shared purpose and dependence on divine intervention. This practice not only strengthens the faith community, but also serves as a conduit for spiritual awakening and societal impact, as collective supplication aligns the church with God’s redemptive mission.
The Personal Altar of Sacrifice
Beyond physical structures, the concept of the altar extends to the personal realm, where individuals o#er themselves as living sacrifices. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers in Romans 12:1 to present their bodies as “a living sacri!ce, holy and pleasing to God.” This personal altar signifies a daily commitment to surrender one’s desires, ambitions, and will to the divine purpose. It is a call to embody the sacrificial love demonstrated by Christ, leading a life marked by humility, service, and unwavering devotion. Embracing the altar’s significance entails adopting a cross-shaped (cruciform) life, mirroring the sacrificial path of Christ.
This lifestyle is characterized by self-denial, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to God’s will. It challenges believers to navigate the complexities of life with a posture of humility and love, bearing witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. In essence, living a cross-shaped life is an embodiment of the principles symbolized by the altar: sacrifice, devotion, and divine communion.
Establishing City and Regional Altars
Beyond the personal, family and local church altar, there is a profound need for community or city altars. These are collaborative efforts where churches across denominations come together in uni!ed prayer and worship, interceding for societal transformation. Such unity reflects the heart of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21, “that all of them may be one… so that the world may believe.” When the body of Christ stands united at the altar, it becomes a powerful catalyst for change, impacting social structures, cultural norms, and community values.
In our contemporary society, the challenges we face—rising crime rates, social fragmentation, and moral decay—underscore the urgent need for collective spiritual intervention. The concept of a “city altar” emerges as a powerful response to these issues, representing a unified platform where churches and pastors collaborate in prayer and action to transform their communities.
A city altar is more than a physical space; it symbolizes the collective commitment of the Christian community to seek divine guidance and effect positive change. By coming together in unity, churches can address societal issues more e#ectively than they could in isolation. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of shared responsibility and harnesses the diverse strengths of various congregations.
Establishing a city altar involves regular interdenominational gatherings focused on prayer, worship, and strategic planning to tackle community issues. Such unity not only amplifies the church’s voice in public discourse but also exemplifies the teachings of Christ regarding love, unity, and service.
In essence, the creation of a city altar empowers the Christian community to collectively embody their faith, leading to profound and lasting transformation within their region.
John Hammer eloquently expounds on all of the above and much more! I’m so proud of him! My prayer is that this book will help catalyze altars being built in every facet of society so that the Lordship of Christ will be magnified to all!
Bishop Joseph Mattera
Mattera Ministries International
Christ Covenant Coalition