Opening the Gates of Heaven Perry Stone

voice and assist you in areas of your life. The heavenly throne room is similar to an earthly court. God is the judge (Ps. 50:6). Jesus is the advocate or lawyer (1 John 2:1). There are twenty-four elders who serve as the jury (Rev. 4:4). Satan appears in the heavenly court as the “accuser of the brethren,” or a prosecutor (Rev. 12:10). The primary purpose of the heavenly temple is to deal with the issue of the forgiveness of sins for those who believe upon the Lord. The same temple, however, is a throne of judgment in which life and death decisions are made for humanity. In John 16:24, Christ gives the ultimate reason for the Father in heaven to hear and answer your petition: “that your joy may be full.” Just as there are different levels of faith, there are also different levels of joy. There is the simple joy of the Lord, which every believer should experience (Neh. 8:10). This joy is a continual peace in knowing you will spend eternity with Christ. Then there is great joy . We read where a revival broke out in Samaria, bringing the entire city to Christ and causing great joy. Luke reported, “There was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8). When the wise men saw the star in the east, indicating the child King’s birth, they “rejoiced with exceedingly great joy ” (Matt. 2:10, emphasis added). Finally, there is a level of joy when there is an overflow of God’s presence called “ joy unspeakable and full of glory” (1 Pet. 1:8, KJV , emphasis added). The Amplified says: “with inexpressive and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy.” The greatest level of joy, however, is