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Books Christian Operating in the Courts of Heaven
Operating in the
Courts of Heaven
by Robert Henderson
4.37 500+ ratings
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Key Takeaways
1. Shift Prayer from Battlefield to
Heaven's Courtroom
I have come to believe deeply that, at the least, initially our
prayers are in the courtroom of Heaven and we need to
learn how to operate there if we are to get answers released
and unlocked.
Prayer is conflict. Many Christians approach prayer as a battle,
yelling at the devil without understanding the true arena. This
often leads to frustration, weariness, and even backlash because
they lack legal standing. The Apostle Paul spoke of fighting "not
as one who beats the air," highlighting the need for effective
engagement.
Courtroom protocol. Just as earthly courts have specific procedures,
so do the Courts of Heaven. Yelling or screaming is out of order;
instead, the process involves presenting petitions, answering
accusations, and offering evidence. Understanding this spiritual
protocol is crucial for effective prayer and securing desired
outcomes.
Jesus' example. Jesus Himself demonstrated this principle, teaching
about prayer using the parable of the persistent widow seeking
justice from a judge (Luke 18). He also judges before making war
(Revelation 19:11), showing that legal verdicts precede battlefield
victory. We must secure a judgment in the courtroom before
engaging the enemy on the field.
2. Your Destiny is Written in
HeavenlyBooks
God wrote down in a book the destiny and Kingdom purpose
for each of our lives.
Heavenly blueprints. Before we were born, God had a plan and
purpose for our lives, recorded in a book in Heaven (Psalm
139:16). This applies not only to individuals but also to churches,
businesses, cities, and nations. These books contain the divine
intention and Kingdom impact God destined for each entity.
Word made flesh. Just as Jesus was the Word made flesh,
fulfilling what was written about Him in the "volume of the book"
(Hebrews 10:7), we too are meant to manifest what is written in
our heavenly scrolls. Ephesians 2:10 calls us God's "workmanship"
or "poem," planned beforehand to walk in good works.
Discovering your book. What is written in your book is also
written in your heart (Psalm 40:8). Your deepest interests, desires,
aspirations, and passions are clues to your predestined purpose.
The Holy Spirit helps unveil these hidden truths, guiding you
toward the grace apportioned for that specific purpose.
3. The Accuser Uses Legal Rights
Against You
Accusations are what the devil uses to keep us from what is
written in the books of Heaven about us.
Satan's primary tactic. The devil is the "accuser of our brethren"
(Revelation 12:10), constantly presenting evidence in the Courts
of Heaven to disqualify us from our destinies. He seeks legal
grounds to resist God's plan for our lives, knowing that fulfilling
our purpose will damage his kingdom.
Exploiting sin. Satan uses personal sin, past mistakes, and even
the sins of our forefathers or bloodline as legal fodder for his
accusations (Isaiah 43:25-28). He searches diligently for any
legal door that grants him the right to afflict, steal, and destroy.
This explains why bad things can happen even when we are
trying to live righteously.
Job's trial. The story of Job illustrates this heavenly court
activity. Satan accused Job's motives before God, gaining legal
permission to test and afflict him (Job 1). This shows that even our
intentions can be challenged in the court, highlighting the need
for pure hearts and motives.
4. Repentance Removes the
Enemy's Legal Ground
When we repent, we are removing his legal right of
operation.
Breaking the snare. Repentance is a powerful legal action in
the Courts of Heaven. It acknowledges the sin that gave the
enemy a legal right, allowing the blood of Jesus to cleanse it away
and revoke the accuser's standing (2 Timothy 2:25-26). This
breaks the snare and frees us from his captivity and oppression.
Repenting for others. We can repent not only for our own sins but
also for the sins of our ancestors or those we intercede for
(Nehemiah 1:4-6). This removes generational legal rights the
devil may be using. This doesn't alter their eternal state but
disarms the enemy's legal hold in the present.
Granting God legal right. Repentance grants God, the Judge of All,
the legal right to show mercy and fulfill His fatherly passion
towards us and our destinies. Without repentance addressing the
legal issue, God cannot justly intervene, even though His desire
is always to bless and restore.
5. Jesus, Our Mediator, Secures Our
Position
To Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood
of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel
(Heb. 12:24).
Bridging the gap. Jesus functions as our Mediator in the Courts of
Heaven, standing between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5). As
God, He upholds divine holiness and justice; as Man, He
understands our weaknesses and temptations (Hebrews 4:15). He
is uniquely qualified to bring both parties into agreement
concerning the New Covenant promises.
Advocate and Intercessor. Jesus is also our Advocate (1 John 2:1),
comforting us when we fail and empowering us to overcome sin
through His imputed righteousness. He "ever lives to make
intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25), praying based on the
perfect offering of His body and blood, which legally secures our
salvation and destiny.
Testimony of Jesus. The "testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy" (Revelation 19:10). When Jesus testifies as our
Mediator in the Courts, it can become prophecy in our mouths on
Earth. Our agreement with His testimony provides additional
witness in the court, granting God further evidence to release
favorable verdicts.
6. God the Judge Needs Legal Basis to Act
It is our job as individuals and the Ecclesia to grant God, as
the Judge of all, the legal right to fulfill His fatherly passion.
Judge and Father. God is both our loving Father with passionate
desires for His children and the righteous Judge of All who must
operate justly (Hebrews 12:23). He cannot compromise His justice
to fulfill His fatherly desires. Legal issues must be resolved in the
court for His passion to be legally manifested on Earth.
Allowing evil. When evil occurs, it is not God doing it, but often
God allowing it because the enemy has gained a legal right through
sin or other means (Proverbs 26:2). God cannot violate His own
legal system, even to prevent suffering. Our role is to identify and
remove the enemy's legal right.
Abraham's intercession. Abraham's negotiation with God over
Sodom and Gomorrah illustrates this principle (Genesis 18).
Abraham appealed to God as the "Judge of all the earth" to "do
right," seeking a legal reason (righteous individuals) for God to
spare the city. God was looking for a legal basis to show mercy,
and Abraham provided it through his petition.
7. The Blood of Jesus Silences
Accusations
The accuser has no answer for the blood of Jesus.
Powerful testimony. The blood of Jesus is a primary voice testifying
in the Courts of Heaven (Hebrews 12:24). Unlike Abel's blood
which cried out for judgment, Jesus' blood cries out for
forgiveness and redemption. It is the ultimate legal evidence that
answers every accusation the devil brings against us (Revelation
12:10-11).
Eternal redemption. The High Priest's annual sacrifice provided
temporary covering, but Jesus' single offering of His own blood in
the heavenly Most Holy Place secured eternal redemption (Hebrews
9:11-12). This sacrifice grants God the perpetual legal right to
forgive sins and secure destinies.
Cleansing the bloodline. Just as our physical blood can carry the
voice of past generations' sins, the blood of Jesus can cleanse our
bloodline from legal rights granted to the enemy centuries ago.
Repenting for ancestral sins and applying Jesus' blood removes
these ancient legal footholds, preventing backlash and
empowering our present-day authority.
8. The Ecclesia is Registered for
Heavenly Courts
We, as the Church of the firstborn, have been registered in
the courts of Heaven and therefore have been granted a
jurisdiction in the courts.
Governmental people. The Church, or Ecclesia (from the Greek
word for a governmental, legislative, and judicial body), is God's
appointed people on Earth with authority to operate in the Courts of
Heaven (Matthew 16:18-19). We have been given the "keys of the
kingdom" to bind and loose, establishing and dissolving legal
contracts in the spirit realm.
Heavenly registration. Hebrews 12:23 states that the "church of
the firstborn" is "registered in Heaven," signifying our authorized
place and jurisdiction in the heavenly court system. This
registration grants us the legal right to function there, unlike the
sons of Sceva who lacked recognized authority and faced
demonic backlash (Acts 19:13-17).
Jurisdiction matters. We must understand and operate within our
God- appointed "measurement of rule" or "sphere" (2 Corinthians
10:13).
Operating outside our granted jurisdiction is unproductive and
dangerous, opening us to enemy attack. True Ecclesias, often
birthed and led by apostles who carry specific governmental
authority, have varying levels of jurisdiction in the heavenly
courts.
9. Angels Execute Heavenly Verdicts
In the court of Heaven, angels have the important task
of gathering and presenting evidence.
Heavenly messengers. Angels are an "innumerable company" in the
Courts of Heaven (Hebrews 12:22), serving as messengers, witnesses,
and executors of divine judgments. They gather evidence, present
testimony, and carry out the verdicts rendered by God the Judge.
Ranks of angels. The heavenly hierarchy includes ranks like
thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers (Colossians 1:16).
These angelic beings, including archangels and cherubim, have
specific functions within the court system, from declaring God's
holiness to guarding His presence.
Landing scrolls. Angels are involved in delivering "flying scrolls"
or judgments from Heaven (Zechariah 5:1-4). These scrolls
contain verdicts against things resisting God's will, like theft or
perjury. The Ecclesia's role is not only to get these verdicts but
also to "land" them on Earth, making them manifest realities with
angelic assistance.
10. The Bride's Influence Transforms
Cities
The Brideʼs voice and testimony give God the legal right to
invade Earth.
Heavenly Jerusalem. The "city of the living God, the Heavenly
Jerusalem" (Hebrews 12:22) is identified as the Bride, the Lamb's
wife (Revelation 21:9- 10). This represents a governmental entity
that brings Heaven's influence to Earth, capable of invoking divine
intervention over natural cities.
Bridegroom's passion. The Bride has profound influence in the
Courts of Heaven due to her intimate relationship with the
Bridegroom. Her love, worship, and appeals "ravish" His heart
(Song of Solomon 4:9), moving Him to render judgments that
allow Heaven to invade Earth and transform cities.
City transformation. When the Heavenly City descends, it
brings God's government, beauty, and presence to Earth
(Revelation 21:2-4). This results in peace, prosperity, healing, and
the removal of pain and sorrow. The Bride's influence in the
courts can break demonic rule over cities, allowing them to reflect
Kingdom culture (Acts 8:6-8).
11. Finances Have a Voice in
Heaven's Court
Your finances and money have a voice that is heard in the
courts of Heaven.
Testimony of giving. When we give tithes and offerings, we are
not just supporting ministry; our finances release a "witness" or
judicial testimony in the Courts of Heaven (Hebrews 7:8). Our
money carries our faith and heart's intent, speaking on our behalf
before God's throne.
Creating memorials. Our prayers mingled with our giving create a
"memorial before God" (Acts 10:3-4). This memorial causes God
to remember us and our intentions, stirring Him to action.
Cornelius's giving and prayers resulted in an angelic visitation and
the Gospel entering the Gentile world.
Legal basis for miracles. Financial offerings can provide a legal basis
in the Courts of Heaven for God to act, even in seemingly
impossible situations.
The story of the woman sowing money for her alcoholic husband's
restoration illustrates how a financial seed, combined with faith,
can release a verdict of healing and deliverance from the
heavenly court.
Review Summary
4.37 out of 5
Average of 500+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.
Operating in the Courts of Heaven receives mixed reviews.
Many readers find it transformative, praising its insights on
prayer and spiritual warfare. They appreciate the scriptural
basis and practical applications. However, some criticize it
for being confusing, overly complex, or potentially
misleading for new believers. Critics argue it presents a
formulaic approach to prayer that contradicts the idea of
God as an approachable father. Despite the polarized
opinions, many readers report experiencing breakthroughs
in their prayer lives after applying the book's teachings.
About the Author
Robert Henderson is a Christian author and speaker
known for his teachings on prayer and spiritual warfare. He
has written extensively on the concept of the "Courts of
Heaven," a spiritual framework for approaching prayer and
intercession. Henderson's work focuses on helping believers
understand and operate within what he describes as the
legal system of Heaven. His teachings emphasize the
importance of addressing spiritual blockages and legal
rights that may hinder answered prayers. Henderson has
gained a following among Christians seeking to deepen
their prayer lives and experience spiritual breakthroughs.
His books and seminars have influenced many believers'
approaches to prayer and spiritual warfare.
