God's Altar and You

A Biblical Teaching for God’s Altar

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers…”

(Ephesians 6:12)

Every believer must be aware that the physical world is not the only reality that exists. Though we wake up, go to work, raise families, pay bills, and deal with life’s struggles, many often forget that Scripture teaches there is an unseen spiritual realm influencing the visible world.

We all need to reflect on an important biblical truth:

The visible world is not the whole story. There is an unseen spiritual dimension, but God remains sovereign over all.

The Earth Is More Than What We See

The Bible repeatedly reminds us that there are two realms:

• The visible realm—the world we can touch and experience.
• The invisible realm—where God, angels, and spiritual forces exist — including evil spirits sitting on thrones and ruling as kings (powers).

Paul writes:

“For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
(2 Corinthians 4:18)

These are deep things that those who desire to go deeper in the things of the spirit will investigate in order to rule and conquer.

Many of our battles begin in places our natural eyes cannot see.

The Air Region: The Battlefield

Within creation is an “air region” populated by principalities and powers. This idea comes from passages such as:

• Ephesians 6:12
• Ephesians 2:2
• Daniel 10

In Daniel 10, an angel explains that he was delayed for twenty-one days because of the “prince of the kingdom of Persia.” This reveals that spiritual conflict can occur behind earthly events.

This does not mean every problem is caused by a demon, nor does Scripture give us a detailed map of spiritual territories. Rather, it teaches that believers should be spiritually alert and rely on Christ’s authority.

The Material Earth

This is where humanity lives.

It is the place where:

• Nations rise and fall.
• Families are established.
• Altars are built.
• Covenants are made.
• Decisions have eternal consequences.

Earth is the stage where spiritual realities often manifest themselves. Earth is also the place where the devil fell.

“Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.” Revelation 12:12 NLT

But Jesus instructed believers:

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”
(Matthew 6:10)

Our assignment is to bring heaven’s values into earthly living.

Invisible Kingdoms

Throughout Scripture, cities and nations often had spiritual significance.

Jericho had to be conquered spiritually before it was conquered physically.

Babylon represented rebellion against God.

Jerusalem represented God’s covenant purposes.

Whether symbolic or literal, Scripture teaches that behind many earthly systems lies a spiritual dimension requiring discernment and prayer.

The Underworld

There are various realms associated with the dead and judgment.

Here careful biblical interpretation is necessary.

The Bible clearly teaches:

• There is final judgment.
• Heaven is real.
• Hell is real.
• Christ has victory over death.

Abraham’s Bosom

Some concepts such as Abraham’s Bosom are drawn from Luke 16 and describe the state before Christ’s resurrection according to that passage.In the Bible, Abraham’s Bosom is a figurative expression used by Jesus in the account of The Gospel of Luke 16:19–31.

It describes the place of comfort, peace, and fellowship where the righteous dead awaited the fullness of God’s redemptive plan before Christ’s death and resurrection. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the poor man dies and is carried by angels to Abraham’s Bosom, while the rich man finds himself in torment, separated by a great chasm that cannot be crossed.

The image of being “in Abraham’s bosom” conveys intimacy, security, and acceptance with the father of the covenant people, much like reclining next to a host at a banquet. Many theologians understand it to refer to the righteous compartment of Sheol (or Hades), often called “Paradise,” where Old Testament believers rested in hope until Christ accomplished salvation through His death and resurrection.

After Christ’s victory over death, many Christians believe that believers who die now go directly into the presence of the Lord (cf. Second Epistle to the Corinthians 5:8 and Epistle to the Philippians 1:23), making Abraham’s Bosom a significant biblical concept that illustrates God’s care for the righteous and the certainty of eternal destiny. Others believe all who die in Christ now still go here to await Christ’s return. Either way, it is a real place.

Why This Matters

Many Christians spend enormous energy fighting people when their true battle is spiritual.

Your greatest enemy may not be:

• your coworker,
• your spouse,
• your neighbor,
• or your circumstances.

Paul reminds us:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…”
(Ephesians 6:12)

The enemy’s strategy is deception, fear, division, and discouragement.

God’s strategy is truth, faith, righteousness, peace, salvation, His Word, and prayer (Ephesians 6:13–18).

The Greatest Gate

Based on scriptures there are gates separating realms. In the spiritual realm, gate is a place where decisions are made and battles are won. Yet Scripture reveals the most important gate:

Jesus Christ Himself.

He declared:

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.”
(John 10:9)

No principality, power, or spiritual force can separate those who belong to Christ from the love of God (Romans 8:38–39).

God’s Altar

Every altar represents an invitation:

• An altar of surrender or rebellion.
• An altar of worship or idolatry.
• An altar that welcomes God’s presence or gives place to darkness.

The visible decisions we make establish spiritual consequences.

Therefore:

• Build your altar in prayer.
• Guard your mind with God’s Word.
• Walk in discernment.
• Submit to Christ’s authority.
• Remember that the victory was won at Calvary.

Final Reflection

The unseen realm is real, but believers are not called to fear it—they are called to stand firm in Christ and through knowledge seek to understand the spiritual realm so we do not perish from it. Our focus should never be on exalting darkness but on exalting the King who declared:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18)

When your life is established on God’s altar, you can face the unseen world with confidence, knowing that the One who dwells within you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). However, the Spirit should not just come upon you but dwell within you.