Do you have prophetic dreams? People around the world are asking the Lord to give His people prophetic dreams and visions. This dream is about an altar, representing the Lord’s call to His people to obedience and surrender. Though the altar of incense is in the Old Testament, the picture of prayer and intercession is very much active today in heaven through Jesus and here on Earth through the Holy Spirit in us. We are partnering with Jesus when we intercede.

In the dream, I was outdoors among a large gathering of people. An altar, descended from the sky and landed where the people were gathered. I immediately perceived this to be the golden altar that was in the Tabernacle of Moses. There was no fire on the altar and I questioned why. This golden altar in the Tabernacle or Tent of Meeting, positioned right before the veil that covered the Holy of Holies in the Old Testament, had a fire that was to burn all the time–The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out. (Lev 6:13)

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This altar in the Old Testament was a picture of the priestly role of intercession. In the New Testament, it is carried on by Jesus who is the Great High Priest and Intercessor seated at the right hand of God (Heb 7:25). The incense symbolizes the prayer of God’s people as a fragrant offering before the Lord. 

May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. (Ps 141:2)

There was an angel at the south side of the altar, however he was not facing the gathering. We could only see his back.  People were hesitant to approach the altar out of fear. Finally, they began to approach the altar to pray, but as they did, they were met with rebukes. It’s as if the angel was displeased.

Prayer is considered an act of devotion, worship, and service before God. It comes from our hearts. Prayer is like an incense and the lifting of hands as a sacrifice. In the dream there were things going on in the hearts of people that displeased God. I was reminded of this verse– But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. (1 Sam 15:22)

As the people listened, they began to cast things off and away, though I am not sure what they were getting rid of. The only thing I knew is that what they were getting rid of was hindering them from praying and from the presence of God. Because the gathering was large, soon there was a very large pile of miscellaneous things. A fire came down and completely consumed the pile. People began to get face down and cry out in worship, and many were on their knees with their hands lifted while praying. As they did, fire reappeared on the altar, and the more people prayed and worshipped the flames grew stronger and brighter and the smoke (incense) was very thick. The flames were so bright you could not even look or approach. Finally, the altar and angel both ascended. 

Obedience

Remember the words of the Lord–“to obey is greater than sacrifice.” God is more concerned with the condition of our hearts than our actions, because our actions are dictated from what is within our hearts. 

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? (Lk 6:45,46)

Our obedience still matters to God, but whether we choose to be obedient or disobedient is entirely up to us. Many of the promises of God are conditional, meaning we will have what we choose. 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (2 Chr 7:14)

If you love me, obey my commandments. (Jn 14:15 NLT)

Obedience isn’t a chore but a delight when you’re in a right relationship with God. It’s not about what you get to do or not. It’s more like why would you do what grieves the Holy Spirit and affects my relationship with God? 

Surrender

Surrender is a humbled position. It is willingly giving your life to God and his authority. It is giving over all of your control and trust to God. This isn’t always easy, but when you fully surrender there is great freedom. This is also an act of faith. 

In my dream there were unsurrendered areas in people’s lives, as well as literal objects, that hindered their fellowship with God and prayers. I believe God is asking us to lay these things down.  

Take some time and ask the Lord what you need to lay down? Is it fear or unbelief over what’s happening in this nation, in your city, or in your personal life? Lay it down and give to the Lord, the battle has already been won. If you are in Christ, you are on the winning side. Ask the Lord if there are any areas where you are having trouble relinquishing control. Could it be your family, finances, or relationships?

Is there sin in your life? Repent. Completely turn away from the sin that ensnares us, binds us in shame, and keeps us from fellowship with God. Make a practice of asking the Lord to search your heart. This is completely between you and God, if there is something that needs to be addressed, He will address it. Maybe there’s some things that need to be physically removed from your life, like in the dream. Take time to ask the Holy Spirit to search you inside and out. 

The fruit of obedience and surrender

I pray you remember what happened after the people fully surrendered. 

1. Fire falls on the sacrifice

In the Old Testament, literal sacrifices were offered to God, and we read about fire falling from heaven and consuming the sacrifice (Lev 9:24, 1 Kgs 8:38, 1 Chr 21:26). This is an Old Testament concept, sacrifices were done away, when Jesus Christ the perfect sacrifice was offered once and for all (Heb 7:27).  However, Christians are living sacrifices to God. The fire of God isn’t about emotionalism. The fire of God represents His holiness. We are constantly going through the refiner’s fire, being tried as gold and purified in the process because we are called to be holy as He is holy (1 Pet 1:14-16). The fire of God always falls on the sacrifice and sacrifices were costly. If you want the fire, it’s going to cost you. 

2. Repentance and surrender brought breakthrough

In the dream when the people willingly gave up what hindered them from God, the fire on the altar and incense returned.

Repentance is not one and done, repentance is a lifestyle, as is surrender. 

We continually live these out in our walk with God. If there are areas in your life where you cannot break through, seek the Lord with prayer and fasting if He leads you. Perhaps there’s something you have not surrendered or repented. 

3. Let worship, praise, and prayer reignite you.

When the fire fell and consumed the pile, people began to freely worship and pray with no blockages. As the people prayed and worshipped, the flames grew stronger and stronger. Have you felt it hard to breakthrough in prayer? The answer is praise and worship, because they affect one another. When you pray you are communing with God, but when you praise and worship, you are honoring God and giving Him all the glory. You are exalting Him to His rightful place as Lord not only of heaven and earth, but also your life. Praise and worship will fuel any flickering flames. Prayer will be easier when worship becomes your lifestyle.

If you have felt your fire go out,  if you have found it hard to worship or pray, if you have backslidden, know that God is merciful and is calling you to repentance and to turn back to Him wholeheartedly. 

Don’t take the bait

Satan is the accuser of the brothers (the church). His job is to accuse us about how we missed the mark, how we have fallen short, how we have blown it. When we give into his lies, thinking we have gone too far for God to forgive us, we have been deceived. We cannot outsin the cross. To do so is saying our sin is greater than the blood of Jesus Christ. Satan is a liar and the father of it, there is no truth in him (Jn 8:44). He wants to keep you bound in shame and fear, so that you will not approach God.

The Holy Spirit’s kindness leads us to repentance. He convicts the world of sin and righteousness that we may turn away from sin and turn back to God (Jn 16:8).

Do you see the difference? Satan’s aim is to keep us away from God, whereas Holy Spirit longs for us to draw near. You are invited daily to approach the throne of grace. He invites you to find mercy, giving us what we do not deserve and help when we need it. 

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (Heb 4:16)

I definitely feel that a great revival of prayer and worship is coming. Actually the worship is already happening, but I do believe that our prayer lives were hindered by what has happened over the past year or so. If your prayer life has suffered from fear, anxiety, or uncertainty by the abrupt changes that have happened, let’s go back to the prayer altar. 

I believe that as we draw near in worship, prayers, and obedience we will fill the bowls of heaven with incense. It’s when those bowls get filled with continual intercession that the Lord sends His lightning and thunder and answers.

Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake.” (Rev 8:3-5)

Let’s pray.

Merciful, loving Father,

We thank you for who You are. You are Lord, and there is none like You, none who can compare to You, none who can save like You. Thank You for the cross. Thank You for the blood of Jesus that cleanses me from my sins. Thank You for allowing me to approach Your throne when I’m in need.

I come to You and ask for Holy Spirit to reveal any hidden areas in my life. Nothing is hidden from your sight. I surrender my fears about all that is going on now. Though at times it looks like evil is winning and injustice continues, I know that even now You are so merciful, You are even giving the wicked a chance to repent and be saved. I know that You are a God of justice. I know that You have a redemptive plan for America and the nations and I trust You. 

I surrender any or all fears about my unsaved family members and friends. You created them, knew them, and loved them before I ever did. Send laborers into their paths so that  no matter how far they run,  they cannot hide from Your presence. 

I release them to You. I will not wring my hands in worry, instead I will bend my knees in prayer and lift them up to You. 

Holy Spirit, search me out and reveal anything in me that is not pleasing to God. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Whatever you reveal, I willingly lay aside and throw off so that I will not be hindered and entangled anymore (Heb. 12:1). I leave those sins at the cross where I am crucified with Christ. Thank You that in Christ I am a new creation, the old is gone and the new is here.

No matter what happens, I am deciding to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, no turning back. I know that even in the darkest valleys I have nothing to fear, because You are with me. Let words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable to You.  You are my all in all.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Did you feel God speaking through this dream? Share what encouraged you in the comments.

Author Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor to listen to her podcast Something To Share. Photo by Nico Smit on Unsplash.