Return to the stronghold, you prisoners of hope, even today I declare that I will restore double unto you." Zechariah 9:12
The contest at Mount Carmel is an evident demonstration, a replica of an ongoing battle today against the kingdom of God by the kingdom of darkness. This interesting event recorded in 1 King chapter 18 verses 23-29 depicts actions taken by the disobedient, adamant, and rebellious prophets of Baal. Their ungodly and evil passion for idolatry had no bound. They manifested folly, leaped about the altar which they had made, prophesied, cried, cut themselves and shouted from morning till the time of evening sacrifice. Unfortunately, despite their loyalty and efforts to show their devotion by afflicting themselves, there was no response and their god could not bring down fire even on dry wood.
Afterwards, Elijah raised an altar to the almighty God to protest and challenge these prophets of Baal. In like manner, altars must be raised everywhere. In these last days, it is pertinent to know that both personal and cooperate altars must be raised to undo satanic activities in our lands. Why raising altars? We need to raise altars to the Lord God almighty in order to destroy evil powers and negate energies generated on satanic altars against the counsel of God. God has a counsel and his counsel must stand Isaiah 46:10. Note that altars are raised to access and generate either satanic or godly powers which invariably constitute a stronghold. Similarly, as godly stronghold exists, on the other hand, satanic strongholds (marine, occult, ancestral witchcraft, territorial, continental etc.,) also exists. Hence, it becomes imperative to raise altars because of the increased rage of the powers of darkness against the light. Our enemy (Satan) and his cohorts are formidable, it is presumptuous to combat their fierceness unequipped, even God did not undermine theses forces we are to meet. So Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal, he silenced them during the time of the evening sacrifice, and he repaired the altar. In 1 King chapter 18 verse 30, Then Elijah said to all the people "come near to me "And he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken down."
Thereafter, fire came down from heaven on the wet wood after he had repaired the altar. This incidence in verses 31-38 shows the significance of an altar. A consistent, unbroken relationship with the almighty ensures a real fortification against the onslaught of the enemy and provides avenue for demonstration of signs and wonders. In verse 39, "Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" These are the days of manifestation of power and wisdom necessitates that we deal with the strongholds of darkness fortified by evil altars. In Proverbs chapter 21 verse 22, Solomon said "A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the trusted strongholds." God has also issued a decree in the book of Jeremiah chapter 10 verse 11 "Thus you shall say to them,"The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from earth and from under these heavens."
For Christians, God is indeed our stronghold. God is our sure place of defense and security, our fortress, shield, and source of strength. David acknowledged this in Psalms 18 verse 2, and the new King James renders it this way "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and deliverer, My God, my strength in whom I trust. My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. David was ever mindful of God-his stronghold and his potency, he exclaimed in Psalm 71 verse 3 "Be thou my strong habitation whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save ; for thou art my rock and my fortress." No wonder David the King ruled and reigned over Israel for forty years, fought many battles, never lost any and had victory over all his enemies because of his dependence on God-his stronghold. As believers, we must also turn to our stronghold as we repair the altar of prayer and worship.
Furthermore, God gave assurance of double for as many that will return to the stronghold. According to Zechariah chapter 9 verses11-12 "As for you also, because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoner free from waterless pit. Return to stronghold, ye prisoners of hope, today I declare that I will restore double unto you." God is speaking on behalf of the church, his bride, his intention and provision for as many that will return to the stronghold. When God speaks of double it means deliverance and restoration. Remember that Prophet Isaiah also reveal the counsel of God while declaring to the children of Israel in Isaiah 40 verses 1-2 "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, and her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hands double for all her sins. The blessings came, rain descended, in verse 41 "And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is sound of abundance of rain." All this happened because of the new altar that was raised unto God.
There is a lot to gain and nothing to lose as we return to the stronghold. God is still in dire search of people today like Elijah who will disgrace satanic altars!
