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This book surprised me in more ways than one. Let me start by saying that I do not fully agree with the author's premise of believers as priests as he presents it. There are elements of replacement theology, such as referring to the fourth commandment as “the Lord's day,” and some concepts like Ignatian meditations that felt far-fetched to me. However, setting those issues aside, there are several aspects I did appreciate.
The author outlines five stages of prayer that parallel the ministries of priests in the temple, which I found quite compelling. These stages are:
The Gates of Thanksgiving: We begin by thanking God for His blessings.
The Courts of Praise: We move on to praising Him for who He is.
The Altar of Sacrifice: Here, we spend time in repentance.
The Altar of Incense: This is the stage of intercession for others.
The Most Holy Place: Finally, we enter into the presence of God, beholding His throne. While this last stage felt too experimental for my taste, it did provoke thought.
One particularly memorable section lists the names of Jesus from A to Z, complete with Bible verses and practical applications for praise and meditation. I plan to use this as a starting point for meditating on the Ten Commandments.
Another beautiful part of the book is the exploration of “Berakah,” the blessings found in Jewish liturgy. These insights were both enriching and inspiring.
Overall, this isn't a book I would recommend to everyone. It may be more suitable for those who already own similar books or those whose theology aligns more closely with the author's. Given my differing views on the millennial reign, I will seek out other resources that better address my theological stance.
