“Christ in the Altar of Incense”

This powerful exploration of Exodus 30 takes us deep into the heart of worship through the symbolism of the Altar of Incense in the tabernacle. We discover that this small, gold-covered altar positioned directly before the Holy of Holies represents something profoundly personal: our prayers ascending continuously before God's throne. The message reminds us that worship isn't about doing things our own way—it's about approaching God on His terms. Through sobering examples like Nadab and Abihu, who offered unauthorized incense and paid with their lives, we're confronted with the holiness of God and the seriousness of obedience. Yet the beauty emerges when we realize that Revelation 8 shows our prayers as precious incense collected and treasured by God Himself. Like love letters kept in a box or children's artwork displayed on a refrigerator, our prayers—whether we've been believers for five minutes or fifty years—are sacred to our Heavenly Father. This teaching challenges us to examine our own worship: Are we approaching God authentically, following His instructions, or are we trying to worship Him in our own way? The journey through the tabernacle's furniture—from the bronze altar dealing with sin, through cleansing at the laver, past the lampstand and showbread—teaches us the proper order of relationship with a holy God, culminating in prayer that reaches His very throne.