What role does the "fire from the altar" play in the atonement process? Key Scripture: Leviticus 16:12–13 “Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the LORD, and two handfuls of finely ground fragrant incense, and bring them inside the veil. He is to put the incense on the fire before the LORD, and the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat that is over the Testimony, so that he will not die.” The altar fire: Heaven-lit and perpetual • Leviticus 9:24 — “Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering.” • Leviticus 6:12–13 — The priests were commanded to keep that same divine fire burning continually. • Because the fire originated with God and was never to go out, every coal used in worship carried the mark of God’s own holiness. Why fire is essential in atonement • Instrument of holy mediation – Only coals from God’s altar could ignite the incense; this ensured the priest approached with what God Himself had provided, not human ingenuity. • Barrier of protective glory – The rising incense cloud, born from those coals, shielded the high priest from the direct brilliance of God’s glory (Leviticus 16:13). Without it, he would die. • Symbol of wrath satisfied – Sacrificial blood met divine fire on the altar, picturing sin judged and fellowship restored (Leviticus 1:9; 6:10). • Preview of ultimate cleansing – Isaiah’s lips were touched with a live coal from the altar: “Your iniquity is taken away and your sin is atoned for” (Isaiah 6:6-7). The coal’s purifying touch foreshadowed the final, comprehensive atonement accomplished in Christ. From earthly altar to heavenly ministry • Hebrews 9:24 – Christ entered “heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.” • Revelation 8:3–5 – In the heavenly temple, an angel fills a censer “with fire from the altar,” linking the Old Covenant pattern with ongoing intercession before God. • As the earthly coals came from God, so the once-for-all sacrifice and priestly work of Jesus come directly from the Father’s provision (Hebrews 10:5-14). Takeaways for believers • Atonement is wholly God-initiated; even the fire is His. • Approaching God requires His provision of cleansing and protection. • The continual altar fire calls for continual devotion—our worship is to be fueled by what God first ignites in us (Romans 12:1). • The coal’s touch reminds us that Christ’s finished work purifies completely, enabling confident access to the Holy of Holies (Hebrews 10:19-22). |
    |