The burnt offering is to remain on the altar hearth throughout the night, till morning, and the fire must be kept burning on the altar … The fire must be kept burning on the altar continuously; it must not go out. Leviticus 6:9, 13
"The fire upon the altar of burnt offerings shall 'never to out', signifying that in Christ is a perpetual never-ending devotedness to God." -- R. Nelson Colyar, Leviticus the Blood of Holiness
When I read this verse today, I immediately thought of what is happening in Asbury. There was a continuous worship service there for at least 150 hours straight. Like the fire burning on the altar. I have been in meetings like that, where the presence of God is so strong you lose track of time, you never want to leave. The Spirit washing over you, taking your breath away, touching deep places, healing stubborn, unhealable wounds.
But revivals, or awakenings, or whatever label you put on them, end sometime. There have been many amazing revival/awakenings: what is called the Great Awakening, Azusa Street in 1905, the previous revivals in Asbury, the Lewis Awakening in 1949 in Scotland. This is only a tiny fraction, of course. But however many there have been, they all ended. And we will be very sad when this Asbury awakening ends because each time the Holy Spirit falls like this on a group of people it awakens in us the longing for home and that great, never-ending worship service around the throne.
But do you see what the verse above in Leviticus is saying? We are the Temple of God, our hearts the altar. The fire need never go out there. Whether in the leaping flames of joy and passionate love of God, or the slow, steady burn of hope and trust in waiting, we are to keep it burning. We are to be walking revivals that never end until the day he takes us home.
Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord. Romans 12:11 (NIRV)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (ESV)
And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. Matthew 24:12 (ESV)
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