When we evaluate David and compare ourselves to the way that David prayed, what do we see? We have not been taught to pray like David. Maybe people are afraid of the way David prayed. Maybe people don’t think David was “kingly” enough because he called for death on his enemies. Or maybe there is an enemy who has distracted us with “feelings” as to how we might “feel” about David’s words. David petitioned the courts of heaven against his enemies. This was for their immediate destruction. David teaches us how to pray. David punched back. David did not let the enemy beat him up without fighting back. We may have fallen into the trap that the enemy set which is to make fighting back against our enemy distasteful. We just want to be soft and squishy, all full of love, and forget about the enemy who tries to knock us out everyday. It is time for the Body of Christ to rise up and learn how to fight. Remember, David was not calling down curses so that demons or seducing spirits would ride out on his words to his enemies, that is the way satanists play this game. Instead David invoked the courts of heaven, demanded audience, and called on Yahweh to bring death and destruction to his enemies, and a reversal of those curses that were sent on him. David didn’t look kingly (or presidential), he was a fighter. He killed a lot of Philistines. He was called to be a fighter. We all want to sing and dance like David did, but we then forget about the warrior who fulfilled his calling to the Most High. David was messy, sinful, and at times disobedient, yet faithful, driven, and at other times obedient to Yahweh.
David was passionate, and he saw the courts of the Lord and the heavenly Elohim who judge. This is judgment that should be immediate. What we want to recognize is that there are many different judgments in the Bible. There are final judgments upon death, there are judgments at the end of the age, there are judgments against nations, judgments against sin, and there are judgments to determine rewards. All judgments have a proper place and time. If we remember, the satan wanted to be a judge, presiding over the sons of God. He wanted to put his throne in the sides of the north. Yahweh said no. This is a key understanding for us.
The devil and the satan both accuse us before the throne of God day and night. They have a right to do that as the devil is the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air. They are also supposed to judge the people who do not know or intentionally reject Jesus. They seldom judge those who do evil on the earth and subvert the children of the Living God.
This is what we have been missing. We have a legal right to enter the courts of heaven and demand judgment on those who are evil and who do evil. We have a legal right to pray the way that David prayed. Many times David asks for the Lord to judge him. Meaning that if he did anything wrong, David was willing to account for it. Today, the blood of Jesus cleanses us from sins, we are righteous, redeemed, sanctified, and justified before the Lord. That is our first step in silencing our accusers. The devil and the satan have no place accusing us because we are cleansed from our sins. If the enemy accuses us, and we have sinned, we should own up to it and ask for forgiveness. Now this is usually where we leave the conversation. We are forgiven, so now we go back to our daily routine. No, there is more.
We should be the first ones to go before the Lord against the enemy. Who is the enemy? The devil, the satan, the demons, the seducing spirits, fallen angels, and children of the devil, who persecute the children of the Almighty, Most High, Eternal Father. We should have a well worn path to the heavenly courts because this is how we rebuke the enemy on the earth. This is how we hold the enemies of the Lord accountable, this is how we keep the enemies from putting unnecessary burdens on us. This is how we overcome, we punch back like David did.
David was not the only one who entered the courts of the Lord, Daniel did as well. Just a side note here, “the wheels” do not mean this is a traveling court, the wheels are the Ophan/Ophanim, the spiritual transporters of the glory as in Ezekiel, and of the regiments of the sons of God.
Daniel 7:9 G2334 I viewed G2193 until G3748 when G2362 thrones G5087 were set, G2532 and G3820 the old one G2250 of days G2521 sat down. G2532 And G3588 G1742 his garment G1473 G5616 was as G5510 snow -- G3022 white. G2532 And G3588 the G2359 hair G3588 G2776 of his head G1473 G5616 was as G2053 [2wool G2513 1pure]. G3588 G2362 His throne G1473 G5395 a flame G4442 of fire, G3588 G5164 its wheels G1473 G4442 as fire G5392.2 blazing.
10 G4215 A river G4442 of fire G1670 drew G1607 exiting G1715 before G1473 him; G5507 a thousand G5505 thousands G3008 ministering G1473 to him; G2532 and G3463 ten thousand G3461 ten thousands G3936 were present G1715 before G1473 him. G2922 A judgment seat G2523 was set, G2532 and G976 books G455 were opened.
2922 LSJ Gloss:κριτήριον a means for judging
Dodson:κριτήριον criterion, a law-court criterion; a law-court; a law-case before an arbiter; a cause, controversy.
TBESG:κριτήριον court/lawsuit
G:N-N
κριτήριον, -ου, τό
(< κριτής), [in LXX: 3Ki.7:7 (מִשְׁפָּט), Dan LXX TH
Refs Dan.7:10, 26, (דִּין), Su 1:49,
Refs Exo.21:6, Jdg.5:10* ;]
__1. a means of judging, test, criterion.
__2. a tribunal:
Refs
1Co.6:2 6:4, Jas.2:6.†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) the instrument or means of trying or judging anything
1a) the rule by which one judges
2) the place where judgment is given
2a) the tribunal of a judge
2b) a bench of judges
3) the matter judged, thing to be decided, suit, case
κριτήριον
kritērion kree-tay'-ree-on Neuter of a presumed derivative of G2923; a rule of judging (“criterion”), that is, (by implication) a tribunal KJV Usage: to judge, judgment (seat).
This is a place of tribunals. A place where decisions are made. Let’s understand what Daniel is seeing, he is seeing people and four kingdoms rise and fall. Then the holy ones of the Highest will take back the kingdom for the Messiah. This tribunal is a judgment against this evil. He then sees the Messiah.
Daniel 7:11-14 (KJV)
11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel was in captivity in Babylon. Daniel never left Babylon, he stayed after Cyrus let Ezra and Nehemiah rebuild the city and the temple. Daniel saw the beast given to the burning flame, the lake of fire. Then Daniel saw the Son of man, the Messiah, come before the Father. Jesus the Messiah was given everlasting dominion.
Daniel 7:21 G2334 I viewed, G2532 and G3588 G2768 that horn G1473 G4160 made G4171 war G3326 with G3588 the G39 holy ones, G2532 and G2480 prevailed G4314 against G1473 them,
22 G2193 until G3739 of which time G2064 [4came G3588 1the G3820 2old one G3588 G2250 3of days], G2532 and G3588 G2917 [2judgment G1325 1gave] G39 to holy ones G5310 of the highest. G2532 And G3588 the G2540 time G5348 came, G2532 and G3588 [4of the G932 5kingdom G2722 3took control G3588 1the G39 2holy ones].
2917 Dodson:κρίμα a judgment, verdict, lawsuit (a) a judgment, a verdict; sometimes implying an adverse verdict, a condemnation, (b) a case at law, a lawsuit.
Thayer:
1) a decree, judgments
2) judgment
2a) condemnation of wrong, the decision (whether severe or mild) which one passes on the faults of others
2b) in a forensic sense
2b1) the sentence of a judge
2b2) the punishment with which one is sentenced
2b3) condemnatory sentence, penal judgment, sentence
3) a matter to be judicially decided, a lawsuit, a case in court
κρίμα
krima kree'-mah From G2919; a decision (the function or the effect, for or against [“crime” ]) KJV Usage: avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment.
The decree is set. The beast in the last days will mislead the people and change times and laws, and he will be allowed to do that for three and one half years. This beast will have his own judgment seat just like the satan wanted and then it will be destroyed. Then Jesus will take back his eternal kingdom and all the heavenly rulers will serve Jesus. Once the one third of the angels are thrown out of heaven with the devil and the satan, there will not be any more subversive sons of God in the heavens. This is a krima, a verdict for the end days. It was disturbing to Daniel. How overwhelming must this have been to see a time so far into the future?
Imagine now, we enter into the heavenly courts and see a decree that has been made for the future. I want to point out how few times we have this happening. We have the opportunity to enter into the heavenly courts but we may not be allowed to share what we have seen. We also may not see anything. Nonetheless, we enter and bring our case in the courts of heaven. We petition the Lord for judgment on the enemies of Christ and our enemies.
Jesus told us how to pray. We are to be persistent, consistent, and bold.
Luke 18:1-8 (KJV)
1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
2923 LSJ Gloss:κριτής a decider, judge, umpire
Dodson:κριτής a judge a judge, magistrate, ruler.
Thayer:
1) one who passes or arrogates to himself, judgment on anything
1a) an arbiter
1b) of a Roman procurator administering justice
1c) of God passing judgment on men
1d) of the leaders or rulers of the Israelites
For Synonyms see entry G5838
κριτής
kritēs kree-tace' From G2919; a judge (generally or specifically) KJV Usage: judge.
In Jesus’ story this judge is unjust. He didn’t know God and he didn’t care about men.
Luke 18:3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
The widow was wearing out the unjust judge by coming to him everyday for justice. God will avenge us speedily. But what has to happen to be avenged speedily? If we whine or sulk will we be avenged? No. If we cry about our hurt feelings will we be avenged? No. We have to come before the judge. We have to enter the courtroom where the judge is. We have to speak to the judge and court associates in the heavenly court. We present our case as to who, what, and why. As David did, we also ask for Yahweh to judge us. We can follow David’s pattern. God can avenge us when we call for judgment on our enemies. Our enemies always go outside the boundaries of civility. They take after their father the devil, the prick, the goad, the one created to sport with the angels. Trickery is what they use against us. The heavenly justice system is for us, and is available now. Like David, we are to engage in dialogue and make our case.
People usually think that God will just do whatever we want, even if we don’t ask. Yet when we ask, we prove our faith. When Jesus comes will he find faith on the earth? Jesus is asking about the end times, the days that Daniel saw the court order for. Will there be anyone left on the earth at that time who believes in the Messiah?
When Peter went to Cornelius’ house he told them about Jesus. Peter says Jesus commanded them to preach and testify that he Jesus was ordained of God to be the judge of the living and the dead.
Acts 10:34-43 (KJV)
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41 Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts 10 42 G2532 And G3853 he exhorted G1473 us G2784 to proclaim G3588 to the G2992 people, G2532 and G1263 to testify G3754 that G1473 he G1510.2.3 is G3588 the one G3724 being confirmed G5259 by G3588 G2316 God G2923 as judge G2198 of the living G2532 and G3498 dead.
In some occultist circles, people mistakenly believe the devil or the satan is in charge of death and hades, but as we see, Peter says that Jesus commanded them to preach and testify that he, Jesus, was the Judge of the living and the dead. Jesus took back the keys to death and hades. No one enters hades or paradise without going through Jesus. Jesus is the judge as to whether we have eternal life or death.
Let’s go back to David’s Psalms. In Psalms 5, we see that David prays in the morning and waits on the Lord.
Psalms 5
LXX2012(i) 1 (5) For the end, a Psalm of David, concerning her that inherits. Listen to my words, O Lord, attend to my cry. 2 Attend to the voice of my supplication, my King, and my God: for to you, O Lord, will I pray. 3 In the morning you shall hear my voice: in the morning will I wait upon you, and will look up. 4 For you are not a god that desires iniquity; neither shall the worker of wickedness dwell with you. 5 Neither shall the transgressors continue in your sight: you hate, O Lord, all them that work iniquity. 6 You will destroy all that speak falsehood: the Lord abhors the bloody and deceitful man. 7 But I will enter into your house in the multitude of your mercy: I will worship in your fear toward your holy temple. 8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of mine enemies; make my way plain before your face. 9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their heart is vain; their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit. 10 Judge them, O God; let them fail of their counsels: cast them out according to the abundance of their ungodliness; for they have provoked you, O Lord. 11 But let all that trust on you be glad in you: they shall exult for ever, and you shall dwell among them; and all that love your name shall rejoice in you. 12 For you, Lord, shall bless the righteous: you have compassed us as with a shield of favor. https://studybible.info/LXX2012/Psalms%205
2919
κρίνω
krinō kree'-no Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish KJV Usage: avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
In verse 10, David calls for the Elohim to judge, condemn, or punish these people. He is demanding their expulsion. We can bring our case before the courts of heaven this way as well.
Psalms 9
LXX2012 (9) 3 When mine enemies are turned back, they shall be feeble and perish at your presence. 4 For you have maintained my cause and my right; you sat on the throne, that judge righteousness. 5 You have rebuked the nations, and the ungodly one has perished; you have blotted out their name for ever, even for ever and ever. 6 The swords of the enemy have failed utterly; and you have destroyed cities: their memorial has been destroyed with a noise, 7 but the Lord endures for ever: he has prepared his throne for judgment. 8 And he will judge the world in righteousness, he will judge the nations in uprightness.
2920
κρίσις
krisis kree'-sis (Subjectively or objectively, for or against); by extension a tribunal; by implication justice (specifically divine law) KJV Usage: accusation, condemnation, damnation, judgment.
David wants his enemies to turn back and be weakened and destroyed from Yahweh’s face. David recounts Yahweh rebuking the nations and that the impious perished and their names were obliterated into the ages, and the ages of the ages, or throughout all ages, these people are completely erased. David saw these people end up erased. Isn’t this how we should invoke the heavenly courts, so that we see immediate judgment?
Remember how the satan wanted a throne to judge the sons of God?
Isaiah 14:12 G4459 O how G1601 [3fell G1537 4from out of G3588 5the G3772 6heaven G3588 1the G2193.1 2morning star] -- G3588 the one G4404 [2 by morning G393 1rising]; G4937 [7was broken G1519 8unto G3588 9the G1093 10earth G3588 1the one G649 2sending G4314 3to G3956 4all G3588 5the G1484 6nations].
13 G1473 But G1161 G2036 you said G1722 in G3588 G2588 your heart, G1473 G1519 Unto G3588 the G3772 heaven G305 I shall ascend; G1883 [3upon G3588 4the G792 5stars G3588 6of the G3772 7heaven G5087 1I will put G3588 G2362 2my throne]; G1473 G2523 I shall sit G1722 on G3735 [2mountain G5308 1a high], G1909 upon G3588 the G3735 [2mountains G3588 G5308 1high] G3588 G4314 towards G1005 the north;
Hesperus, the evening star in the morning, wanted to put his throne in the mount of the congregation in the sides of the north, above the stars of heaven. The stars are the angels. The created being does not tell the creator what he will do. The clay does not tell the potter how to form him. The satan wanted to be a judge, yet David says that Yahweh is the judge with a throne of judgment.
We see the struggle for judging others. The satan is not the one that we want judging us, but when he accuses us we are to enter the courts of heaven and invoke the blood of Jesus against his accusations. We can then ask Yahweh to judge us. Then we should call for judgment on those that the satan sent to persecute us.
Psalms 50
LXX2012(i) 1 (50) A Psalm for Asaph. The God of gods, the Lord, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun to the going down [thereof]. 2 Out of Sion [comes] the excellence of his beauty. 3 God, our God, shall come manifestly, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall be kindled before him, and round about him there shall be a very great tempest. 4 He shall summon the heaven above, and the earth, that he may judge his people. 5 Assemble you⌃ his saints to him, those that have engaged in a covenant with him upon sacrifices. 6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge. Pause.
1252 LSJ Gloss:διακρίνω to separate one from another
Dodson:διακρίνω I distinguish, discern, doubt, hesitate
I separate, distinguish, discern one thing from another; I doubt, hesitate, waver.
Thayer:
1) to separate, make a distinction, discriminate, to prefer
2) to learn by discrimination, to try, decide
2a) to determine, give judgment, decide a dispute
3) to withdraw from one, desert
4) to separate one's self in a hostile spirit, to oppose, strive with dispute, contend
5) to be at variance with one's self, hesitate, doubt
διακρίνω
diakrinō dee-ak-ree'-no From G1223 and G2919; to separate thoroughly, that is, (literally and reflexively) to withdraw from, or (by implication) oppose; figuratively to discriminate (by implication decide), or (reflexively) hesitate KJV Usage: contend, make (to) differ (-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver.
The Elohim of elohims, Yahweh, summons the heavens and earth to diakrinō, thoroughly judge his people. Yahweh discerns his saints who are in covenant with Him. Now think about this. If Yahweh discerns us, then he knows what things the enemy might be doing to us. We then approach Him in faith and petition the courts for our own benefit, then he judges our case. If we do not approach the bench, we remain under spiritual or physical attack. The widow approached the judge every day. We should approach the judge every day.
Psalms 96
LXX2012(i) 1 (96) When the house was built after the Captivity, a Song of David. Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name: proclaim his salvation from day to day. 3 Publish his glory among the Gentiles, his wonderful works among all people. 4 For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is terrible above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the heathen are devils: but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Thanksgiving and beauty are before him: holiness and majesty are in his sanctuary. 7 Bring to the Lord, you⌃ families of the Gentiles, bring to the Lord glory and honor. 8 Bring to the Lord the glory [becoming] his name: take offerings, and go into his courts. 9 Worship the Lord in his holy court: let all the earth tremble before him. 10 Say among the heathen, The Lord reigns: for he has established the world so that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people in righteousness. 11 Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth exult; let the sea be moved, and the fullness of it. 12 The plains shall rejoice, and all things in them: then shall all the trees of the wood exult before the presence of the Lord: 13 for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth; he shall judge the world in righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Sing a new song to the Lord. The saints will sing a new song when they enter heaven and watch Jesus receive the scrolls. Notice how much time David is encouraging people to spend in the presence of the Lord. He reminds us that Yahweh will come to judge the earth. And Yahweh is judging our cases before Him.
Psalms 143
LXX2012(i) 1 (143) A Psalm of David, when his son pursued him. O Lord, attend to my prayer: listen to my supplication in your truth; hear me in your righteousness. 2 And enter not into judgment with your servant, for in your sight shall no [man] living be justified. 3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has brought my life down to the ground; he has made me to dwell in a dark [place], as those that have been long dead. 4 Therefore my spirit was grieved in me; my heart was troubled within me. 5 I remembered the days of old; and I meditated on all your doings: [yes], I meditated on the works of your hands. 6 I spread forth my hands to you; my soul [thirsts] for you, as a dry land. Pause. 7 Hear me speedily, O Lord; my spirit has failed; turn not away your face from me, else I shall be like to them that go down to the pit. 8 Cause me to hear your mercy in the morning; for I have hoped in you; make known to me, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for I have lifted up my soul to you. 9 Deliver me from mine enemies, O Lord; for I have fled to you for refuge. 10 Teach me to do your will; for you are my God; your good Spirit shall guide me in the straight [way]. 11 You shall quicken me, O Lord, for your name's sake; in your righteousness you shall bring my soul out of affliction. 12 And in your mercy you will destroy mine enemies, and will destroy all those that afflict my soul; for I am your servant.
David did some really stupid things in his life. As a result of his sin, his children did not necessarily follow the Lord. David wrote these words while his son Absalom was pursuing him, attempting a coup to take the kingdom from David. He does not call Absalom his enemy, but it is Absalom that he was speaking of. David became discouraged. Interestingly, there were some people who supported Absalom. Imagine what that must have felt like to David. David, who was called and anointed by God to secure Israel’s borders, who was to eliminate Israel's eternal enemy, who was to bring the ark into Gibeon so that people could worship there (which would later be known as the City of David), and who then was to establish the kingdom so that Solomon could build the temple, was not automatically defended by Yahweh. Not only did David accomplish all of this, it is through his line that Jesus came, and the kingdom will be established forever. One would think that Yahweh would put a spiritual bubble around David because he was called to accomplish such important things. But that was not the case. David fulfilled his calling through adversity, and he had to invoke the heavenly courts for help. Is this what the Lord expects from us?
David was a rough man. He was not stately like Solomon was as king. David was a man of blood due to murdering Israel’s enemies. David was, at times, disobedient. He was a peeping-tom, an adulterer, and a betrayer of a loyal friend. Most Christians would not like David. David called on the death and destruction of his enemies. He called on the children of his enemies to be wanderers and poor. David’s words have lasted 3,076 years, and were written from around 1056 BCE to around 1015 BCE. Absalom died around 1023 BCE. This gives us the time frame of when David wrote this Psalm. David calling for “death to his enemies” has been available for people to read for over three thousand years, longer than any tweet or facebook post. Imagine what this was like. For years, in the tabernacle, and later in the temple, people sang these words. People recited them over and over. All the “imprecatory” Psalms that people want to shun because it offends their weak psyche were regularly sung and read. David would offend many people today if people actually knew what was written in the Bible. In fact, people would be offended by the entire Bible if they knew what things the Lord had written for us.
As we think through this subject of the courts of the Lord, we want to make a distinction between regular prayer, and petitioning the courts. There is a difference. Regular prayer is a request to the Lord without necessarily being in the presence of the Lord. Notice what Tobit reveals.
Tobit 12:15 (KJVApocrypha)
15 I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One.
After Pentecost notice what Paul uncovers for us.
Romans 8:26 G5615 And likewise G1161 G2532 also G3588 the G4151 spirit G4878 aids G3588 in G769 our weaknesses. G1473 G3588 For the thing -- G1063 G5100 what G4336 we pray for G2526 according to G1163 necessity, G3756 we do not G1492 know; G235 but G1473 [3itself G3588 1the G4151 2spirit] G5241 intercedes G5228 for G1473 us G4726 [2moanings G215 1with unutterable].
27 G3588 But the one G1161 G2045 searching G3588 the G2588 hearts G1492 knows G5100 what G3588 the G5427 thought G3588 of the G4151 spirit is, G3754 for G2596 according to G2316 God G1793 it intercedes G5228 for G39 the holy ones.
Now the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know how to pray. But look what happens when the saints are in heaven.
Revelation 5:8 (KJV)
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
The saints are gathered in heaven and are watching the Lamb take the scrolls and open them. The prayers of the redeemed saints are gathered and then the redeemed saints sing a new song about being redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. Not long after, the prayers of the saints are collected again and brought to the golden alter. Watch what happens.
Revelation 8:1-5 (KJV)
1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
2 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.
The prayers are offered at the golden alter in front of the throne, and then they ascend as smoke. The angel then takes a censer full of the prayers and incense, and throws it to earth. What happens? All the prayers that have ever been prayed are loosed and the people on earth hear the voices, along with the thunder, lightning, and an earthquake. We see that the prayers of the saints will be collected and used as judgment on the earth. Now at Jesus’ coronation, the nations become mad because they are going to be judged.
Revelation 11:Revelation 11:14-19 (KJV)
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
16 And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,
17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.
18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the earth.
19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
The nations are angry that they should be judged. Wait, why would the nations be angry that the wrath of the Lamb has come? David told us in Psalms 9 that Yahweh rebuked the nations, they were used to being rebuked. Once the saints enter heaven there is no one to call down judgment on the nations. Will anyone be praying on the earth? Will Jesus find faith when he comes? This is the time when Jesus is crowned King, he then gives rewards to his saints.
We see the difference between prayer and calling on judgment. Calling on judgment is for immediate punishment. Prayers are brought to the Lord and later collected. The nations are surprised to be judged and they don’t like it. Shouldn’t we be utilizing the heavenly courts to bring judgment now? We always want to pray because our prayers are useful, heard, brought to the Lord, and will be utilized again. However we also want to petition the courts of the Lord to bring judgment now against the enemies of Jesus.
The Body of Christ should be storming the heavenly courts, fighting against the evil corrupting the world. We lost our fight. We lost our courage. We seem to have forgotten how David fought. Not only did David physically battle, he also appealed to the higher authorities in the courts of the Lord. He made is case for judgment and justice against his enemies. He forced judgment on his enemies, otherwise they go free for the time being. He told Yahweh what he wanted to be done. David was a mighty warrior who danced in his underwear before the Lord, and demanded justice so he could fulfill the calling that Yahweh had for him. He fulfilled his calling through adversity, not in absence of adversity. David knew that Yahweh wants us to go to him, not with tears, but with boldness. If our calling from the Lord is being hindered, take the enemy to court.
