Court of Heaven Part 1

ANCHOR SCRIPTURE
Millions of angels ministered to him, and a hundred million stood to attend him. Then the court began its session, and the books were opened. (See Daniel 7:10, NLT)

Introduction: Two Pictures of God

Most of us learned to pray the way a child talks to a father. We say “Our Father,” and we mean it. God is our Father, and nothing in this series takes that away.

But the Bible shows us another side of Him. God is also a Judge, and heaven has a courtroom. Many believers pray for years without knowing the place where their prayers land.

In court, a judge is called “My Lord.” At home, his children call him “Daddy.” He is one man with two roles. So it is with God.

In this series we will walk through heaven’s courtroom. Today we meet the Judge, the accuser, and two scenes where Scripture lets us watch an accusation being made. Four questions will guide us:

1. Is God only a Father?
2. Who is Satan in this courtroom?
3. Is accusation something new?
4. What changes when we hold both pictures of God?

The Judge: Is God Only a Father?

Rising and falling in life is not left to chance. God is the Judge over both.

It is God alone who judges; he decides who will rise and who will fall. (See Psalm 75:7, NLT)

Daniel saw this courtroom in our anchor verse. A judge who opens books keeps records. Heaven runs on order, not on mood.

The Accuser: Who Is Satan Here?

We know Satan as an enemy. Scripture gives him a second title, and it matters in this courtroom.

For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth—the one who accuses them before our God day and night. (See Revelation 12:10, NLT)

He does not only attack from the outside. He also speaks against believers in God’s presence, day and night. Think of a prosecutor who never takes a day off.

Is Accusation New?

No. Scripture shows us two scenes. In both, the accusation is made where God can hear it.

1. Job. Satan questioned Job’s motives. He argued that Job served God only because God had blessed him (See Job 1:9-11, NLT).
2. Joshua. The prophet Zechariah saw Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan at his right side, accusing him (See Zechariah 3:1, NLT).

I, the LORD, reject your accusations, Satan… This man is like a burning stick that has been snatched from the fire. (See Zechariah 3:2, NLT)

Notice who answered in Joshua’s case. It was not Joshua. The Judge Himself spoke up for the man being accused. Hold on to that. It will matter in Part 3.

Conclusion: Holding Both

If you see God only as Father, you may not understand why some battles refuse to move. If you see Him only as Judge, you may forget how much He loves you. You need both pictures.

Ask yourself which side of God you lean on most. Then ask what would change if you held both. In Part 2, we will walk into the courtroom and see how it works.