Daniel 7:9-10
Introduction
A courtroom can be an intimidating place. The prosecuting attorney can sometimes be aggressive in the questioning, or the judge can seem unsympathetic in the sentencing. Even the witnesses might be hostile in their testimonies. Although it can be scary, the courtroom has significance because it is where verdicts are rendered. As we examine our spiritual authority in this series, we are to view spiritual authority from the standpoint of a courtroom because that is where the battle takes place. There is a legal battle occurring in heaven, similar to what happens in the human legal system. In this heavenly courtroom, God is the judge—perfect and holy, unlike the human counterparts. He surrenders His judgment based on His guidelines and covenants. Satan is the prosecuting attorney who litigates against believers. Believers are the defendants, and that is why we must realize we are in a battle where we need to exercise our spiritual authority.
The purpose of the courtroom is to advance God’s kingdom. We have the opportunity to participate in advancing God’s kingdom by fulfilling God’s calling on our life when we exercise our spiritual authority. We have an adversary—the devil—who is working to thwart God’s purpose in our life and hinder God’s agenda. Satan seeks people like us to devour by protesting against us before God and having judgments rendered against us. In his litigation strategy, the devil likes to remind us of our sins and all the ways we have fallen short of God’s standards. As defendants, we have the right to plead our case before God based on His governing guidelines. When we align with God’s rules, then His judgment will be rendered in our favor, and the decision against us will be reversed. Once that happens, we can live out our divinely ordained reason for being, and we can further God’s kingdom.
Getting Started
- What do you find scary or intimidating about courtrooms?
- What strategies do you see the devil using to thwart God’s kingdom agenda in the world today?
Let’s Get Personal
- Why are we able to plead our case before God?
- What are some examples of times you participated in advancing God’s kingdom and felt that you were fulfilling God’s purpose for your life?
- How has this perspective of the kingdom courtroom changed your view of your spiritual life?
Take the Next Step
- What are things in your past that the devil tries to use to prosecute you? Find Bible verses you can use to address each of those things and take away your shame. If you can answer these accusations with God’s truth, then the devil can no longer use them to attack you.
- What is God’s calling on your life? Have you prayed about it? Have other believers in your life confirmed it? Take time this week to ponder God’s purpose for you and how you can be participating more actively in the advancement of His kingdom.
- What are you lacking spiritually in order to do battle in the courtroom? How can you and the people in your group build each other up so that you can stand with confidence in the courtroom of the king?
- Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: Daniel 7:9-10; 25-27; 1 John 4:3; Proverbs 20:8; Revelation 3:21; Psalm 89:14; 139:16; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:13; Ezekiel 28:14; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 10:8-11; 2 Timothy 1:9; Colossians 3:2; Psalm 97:2-3; Luke 18:1-8.
Renew Your Mind
“A river of fire was flowing and coming out from before Him;
Thousands upon thousands were attending Him,
And myriads upon myriads were standing before Him;
The court sat, and the books were opened.”
Daniel 7:10
