Revelation 11:1 Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there.”
John is called to measure and inspect the altar in the Most Holy Place. The altar is the place of communion with FATHER and this is where the ministry of worship, prayer, gratitude, fellowship, thanksgiving, and intercession occur. It is in the midst of our spiritual being and where are communication with HIM occurs. Know ye not that ye are the Temple of GOD?
John was called to examine all the aspects of worship, measure them, and assess the very essence of them. The Sons have learned by the inspiration of the SPIRIT what true worship is and it is not conditional upon a gathering of people agreeing on a song to sing, repeating choruses over and over hoping to stir up HIS SPIRIT. It is not outward traditions and with the appearance of holiness. Worshipping HIM can occur anywhere and at any time even under extreme outward conditions and pressure. Worship occurs in HIS Presence and it is ignited by HIS Holy fire. Men’s strange fire does not ignite the Spiritual incense at the golden altar. You cannot work up the SPIRIT and therefore you must not submit to those who would have you conform to their “formula” for entering into praise and worship.
Throughout high school and college I played bass guitar in a rock band and we were pretty successful. In 1971 I was apprehended by the HOLY SPIRIT and immediately quit the band and sold my gear. I lost all interest in playing in a band. In 1978 and on a particular Sunday, HE spoke to me and told me to play bass in the church we were attending but I didn’t have a guitar. I said “FATHER if you want me to play bass, YOU will have to provide me with a guitar”. Forty-five minutes later, a man told the pastor that GOD had directed him to give the church his bass guitar. I began playing the next Sunday. I played in church for 18 years and then on August 31st, 1996, HE told me to leave and that ended that period of playing in the “Praise and Worship” services. I could always tell when the anointing was there in the music as well as when it was nowhere to be found. This was one aspect of my maturing process in entering into communion with HIM. It was a time of growing up in the SPIRIT and submitting to the SPIRIT in the assembling of believers.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
HIS SPIRIT leads us into communion at HIS Holy altar. It is not fulfilled by some charismatic leader tweaking our soulish emotions with strange fire but instead by the leading of HIS SPIRIT. There are different manifestations of praise and worship and it is dependent on THE SPIRIT not man. HIS Presence is the determining factor and we must worship in SPIRIT and in Truth:
John 4:23 “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Worship is not external but Is internal. Yes, true worship may end up with an external presentation but it does not start on the outside and work its way inward. Our altar is within us and external behavior does not bring HIS Presence. Throughout those 18 years of playing in church, the anointing would flood through my spirit when HIS SPIRIT was manifesting HIS Presence. Those were the times of impartation to the congregation. Other times were rather “dry”.
When we worship, we bow down in honor, submission and reverence. To do HIS Will is true worship and thus as we mature and hear HIS Voice and respond accordingly, we are true worshippers and this is what must be measured and examined in our lives. Paul puts it all in perspective when he wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned (as a martyr), but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Worship must have the Divine Intent of Love behind it or it profits me nothing. Feeding the poor, sacrificing your body, understanding mysteries are of no value without Love. Is your altar in the presence of Love? How does it measure up? Are you constantly using your altar to petition for childish things to satisfy your soulish desires? Or have you put away childish things and come to the altar for true communion with FATHER?
FATHER told Jesus HE was well pleased before Jesus had begun His public ministry. Think about it, being pleasing to Our Heavenly Father is not dependent upon your works, it is based on your level and quality of communion. This level of communion is easily measured when the trials and tests come. When pressure is applied how do you respond? Are you at peace in the midst of turmoil? Are you easily provoked? Do you fly off the handle? Do you have to constantly repent of your harsh words spoken in haste? Those who are mature in their worship will respond consistently with their level of communion with FATHER. They will not be moved by the external pressures of the world. Examine thyself and measure your altar. Inspect the fruit.