Masonic Altar
Why Is There An Altar in the Lodge Room?

Today, the Masonic altar, within the
Masonic Lodge, upon which resides the Holy Book(s), is a symbol of our place of
communion with the Supreme Architect of the Universe.
However, in ancient
times, they were a place of sacrifice,...atonement,...and communion with
the Supreme Architect.
Today, as then, ...each of us must sacrifice
ourselves up to the Great Architect, atone for our sins and only then, may we
commune with Him.
Altars are usually found in sacred places such as shrines, temples and
churches. All major religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism,
Hinduism, Shinto, Taoism, etc. have altars. Even the pagans built altars
to their gods.
Historically, an altar is an elevated place, pedestal or structure before
which religious ceremonies may be enacted or upon which sacrifices may be
offered.
Both the Altar and its utensils were considered to be sacred, and the priests had
to vest and wash their hands before touching them...even when removing the ashes
from it.
The Masonic altar within the Masonic Lodge represents the sanctity of the
Altar of Incense within the Holy of Holies (Sanctum Sanctorum) in King Solomon's
temple.
The scriptures in the Holy books tell us that each of the men, below, erected
an altar to God. God commanded that each of them build an altar unto Him
and in many places in the scripture, He specified the exact material, size and
even the material which the tools were made of that they should or should not
use in its creation.
Their quest to commune with our Creator, even though
they did not possess a Masonic altar, is the same quest which Freemasons are in
search of...that of being pleasing in our Creator's eye and therefore, to
receive His blessings.
While Masonic ritual is different from Church dogmas, (just as each
Church/Temple's dogmas are different from one another), the desire to "reap the
plenty" of God's blessings is universal.
Like each of our ancient
forefathers before us, our Masonic altar is symbolic of our quest to commune
with our Creator.
_____________________
Altars Within The Scriptures
In the scriptures, an altar was erected by each of these men:
Noah (Genesis 8:20) Unknown construction
Abraham (Genesis 12:7, 13:4, 22:9) Unknown construction,
but most
probably of stone
Isaac (Genesis 26:25) Unknown construction, but most probably of stone
Jacob (Genesis 33:20; 35:1-3) Made of stone
Moses (Exodus 17:15) Made of brass.
Moses (Exodus 20:24) Made of earth
Moses (Exodus 20:25) Made of unhewn stone.
Moses (Exodus 27:1-8) Made of shittim (acacia) wood.
King Solomon (2Chronicles 4) Made of brass.
IN THE TABERNACLE
(Pre-Solomon's Temple)

The altar which Moses and the Children of Israel moved with them as they
wandered through the wilderness after leaving Egypt was made of shittim (acacia)
wood, overlaid with brass.
Except for a mesh grate
which was placed inside half way down, on which the wood sat for the burning of
the sacrifices, it was hollow.
The area under the grate was filled with earth. There were rings
set on the two opposite sides of it, through which poles could be placed for
carrying it. These poles were also made of shittim wood, covered with brass.
Its construction is described in (Exodus 27:1-8).
IN SOLOMON'S TEMPLE
Later, after Solomon's Temple was built, there were actually two
altars...They were the Altar of Burnt Offering, (outdoors) and the Altar of
Incense, (indoors).
Three Fires
Three separate piles of
wood burned upon the Altar of Burnt Offerings.
1. The first and largest of these was the Altar of Burnt Offerings,
where
all the portions of the sacrifices were burned.
2. The second fire provided the coals for the Altar of Incense
within the
sanctuary.
3. The third fire was the Perpetual Fire, which constantly
burned on the
altar. Nothing was ever placed on it, and no coals were taken
from it.
Its sole purpose was to fulfill the commandment that there be a
perpetual fire.
Altar of Burnt Offering:

The Altar of Burnt Offering, was used outdoors. As its name implies, it was where the children of Israel offered
animal and bird sacrifices to God.
"And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be
put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the
burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn, thereon the fat of the peace
offerings."...(Leviticus 6:12).
"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out."...(Leviticus
6:13)
Altar of Incense:

The second altar was the Altar of Incense, which was used indoors, upon
which the priests offered prayers.
The choicest branches of fig were used for the second fire, ...the coals from
which were taken for the Altar of Incense which stood within the Holy Place,
before the Veil, by the Ark of the Covenant, (the Mercy Seat).
The burning of the incense symbolized the prayers of the people rising up to
God ...(Psalm 141:2); (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4).
The offering of incense had to
take place after the sacrifice, because only after their atonement could
communion with God take place. After the offering of incense, the priests
pronounced the Priestly Blessing upon the people.
Masonic Altar

All altars, including the Masonic Altar are "Tables of the
Lord".
Today, religious altars are a place whereupon we offer our
sacrifice, atonement and our reverent communion before the Supreme Architect of
the Universe.
The Masonic Altar is a symbol of our reverent communion before the Supreme Architect of the Universe's All Seeing
Eye.
The Pot of Incense is a symbol of our prayers of communion which
are lifted up to the Supreme Architect.
(Leviticus 16:13)
"And he shall put the incense upon the
fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat
that is upon the testimony, that he die not:"
Return from Masonic Altar to Freemason Symbols
Return from Masonic Altar to Masonic Education