Access Granted

Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting fire? 

He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly. He who despises the gain of oppressions... His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; 

Bread will be given him, his water will be sure. Your eyes will see the King in His beauty. Isaiah 33:15-17

The entertainment industry is flooding the big screen with super heroes who fight for us, who rescue us. 

We depict superheroes who can turn themselves into flames of fire. What is this desire for power and super human strength? 

We all have this innate desire to access power. Some for good and some for our own fulfillment. These superheroes take by force but our access is granted in just the opposite way. 

Messiah gave up His life, we access heaven's courts in a similar way. The way up to the highest place is bowing low. Let me explain.

Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, 

by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 

For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28, 29 (Deuteronomy 4:24)

So, if our God is likened to a fire, how do we have access to His courts? 

If this is the way to commune with the Lord, receive answers to our prayers, and receive power to change hearts and lives...

how on earth can we ever get where we need to go? We are not superheroes who can turn ourselves into flames of fire? Are we?

Access: Permission , liberty or ability to enter, approach, communicate with or pass to and from.

Just as there is a code to enter a computer file, just as there is a key to open a door, just as there is a protocol to enter the presence of a President, Head of State or King or Queen;

there is a protocol for entering heaven's courts. Remember the flaming sword which guards the way into Eden? 

Protocol: a code of diplomatic or military etiquette or precedent.

There are two key ways in which we access heaven. We have a garden place of prayer which we enter through the door in our hearts.

Messiah is the gate, the garden gate. When we open this door, He promises to come into us and commune with us. 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with me. Revelation 3:20

Our garden of prayer, is a place of communion and fellowship. We feast on the presence of the Lord because, when He enters in, He brings heaven with Him. 

There is another gate and this is the gateway into His courts. 

In the garden setting, we bring our personal request to the Lord as a friend. We can sit on a bench with Him, near the fountain. He meets with us as the Son of Man. 

However, when we enter the courts of heaven, we must understand the protocol of heaven's courts. 

The courts of heaven can be likened to a court room in our realm.

There is a bailiff- Holy Spirit,

a Judge at the center bench- 

Messiah-Who fills each role 5 fold,

a witness stand called The Well- this is where we stand. 

There is a table or bench for the accuser- enemy of our souls. 

There is a table or bench for the attorney for our defense- The Word of God and The Blood of the Lamb. 

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 

and having a High Priest over the house of God,

let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 

Hebrews 12:19, 20, 21

Messiah holds the access code and keys to both The Garden and The Courts of Heaven. The garden is a more personal space but the courts of heaven are that much more sacred, full of glory and fire.

He is seated there as the King and the Judge. His presence and power is revealed, there, in full brilliance of fire, holy fire.

He is no longer appearing as the Lamb or friend, as within our garden. In the courts of heaven, He is fully revealed as the fiery One and as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

This place is a rip roaring fire of glory. There is majesty and beauty in the courts of heaven... beyond our ability to endure. Except for His grace.

To access His grace, we humble ourselves, we put on the Garments of the Lamb. Daniel 7 reveals those who minister directly within the River of Fire. We have an invitation to minister unto Him. We minister with worship.

I watched till thrones were put in place, and the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. 

His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered before Him. 

Daniel 7:9, 10

As with top security files, we must have the access code, so it is in the heavenly courts, we must understand the protocol. 

There is no hacking heaven. Yet, He Himself, within His Word, has clearly invited us to approach this all consuming fire. Remember Moses and the burning bush?

So then, will He not provide the very Garments of the Lamb in order for us to enter in? He is the Promise Keeper. He Himself is our access code.

He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters; who makes the clouds His chariot, who walks on the wings of the wind, 

who makes His messengers spirits and His ministers a flame of fire. Psalm 104:3, 4

We need a protocol for access, we need a protocol for addressing the Sovereign, and we need a protocol for exchange and communication.

This is true, even here, on the earth, if we desire to speak to a person in a position of authority. 

Is not my word like a fire? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Jeremiah 23:29

He has given us the royal word to speak within His courts. He has given us garments of praise instead of garments of grief. He has given us the code for entry, the matchless Name of Jesus.