Prophetic Word: The Lord Is Saying Clearly, ‘Get Off the Porch!’ by RYAN JOHNSON for Charisma News
“Blow the ram’s horn in Zion, consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly. Gather the people, consecrate the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children and those nursing at the breast; let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber. Between the temple porch and the altar,
let the priests, ministers of the Lord, weep and say, “Have pity upon Your people, and do not make Your heritage a disgrace, a mockery among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’ (Joel 2:15-17).
These verses found in the book of Joel are often quoted in songs, books, and messages, but have we failed to apply them within our daily intercession? I found myself diving into this word again, and my thoughts were transformed into a vision of how this looked. How the multitude gathered on the porch, looking towards the middle section and on to the altar, the place of sacrifice. What was going on within their minds as they witnessed the priests in the middle of the court, weeping for the people as the sacrifices were to be placed upon the altar? It had to be a very surreal and tense scene. From the bleating cries of the sacrifices to the cries of weeping intercession—can you imagine the intensity of the scenario?
The Porch
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The porch of the temple was the location that drew the population. It was a place of the people because it would be a location that they could get close enough to see the outer court actions. During this time, only the priest had limited access to the daily process that would be required to maintain the temple. Often a multitude would gather to see the interactions of the temple. And often it would be only a handful of individuals. The porch was for the people to gather, but not a place for the priest to remain.
The Altar
The Altar was built for the purpose of receiving. It was a twofold receiving, as the altar first received the sacrifice and then the fire. The fire never fell upon the altar just because it was built, but because of the sacrifice that was placed upon the altar. The altar is where the sacrificial offerings ascend to the Lord. The altar is a messy place and yet a place of beauty. The blood of the sacrifices and the stench of the burnt carcasses throughout the area of the altar, and yet the stain of blood and the aroma of the sacrifice would have its definitive purpose.
