In prior blogs, we talked about Priestly Leadership, the Biblical Basis, and Priestly Functions.
From a business Friend – I have struggled for years with my prayer life. I’ve struggled with focus, with purpose, with relinquishing my own ego-centric wants. I’ve spent way more time praying for my own wishes, wants, and worries rather than for others and for the Kingdom, generally. I’m not proud of it.
Jesus came that we might have life and life more abundantly. Jesus is the stairway (Jacob’s ladder) to Heaven’s Council. His Atonement gave us access to the Father. He carried our sins and iniquities because sin blocks our access to God. The Old Testament tabernacle and temple picture our access to the Holy of Holies (Father). We businesspeople are both Kings & Priests, Rev 5:10):
- We have a priestly function in the Courts and Council; We get to go there!
- Jesus’ Atonement is what gives us access to Father; (it’s not just forgiveness of sins)
- The Courts unlock books by dealing with accusations.
- The Council opens books and strategies to bring Heaven to Earth (Reformation).
- Conversations and interactive scenes with Father, Son, and 7 Spirits of God are much more alive than our traditional prayer concept – reciting our wish list to God.
We acknowledge that Jesus and Holy Spirit reside in our hearts and speak to us. Courts and Council are an experience in the Spirit that we can see in scripture. There is some sense in which Jesus is coming to be the staircase to Heaven (Jacob’s ladder). He said he was “coming back” to take us with Him. There are dozens of eye-opening verses on the cutting room floor at the end of this blog.
John 14:2-3 – I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Some saw him return – Jesus said plainly that some who were alive when He was alive would live to see His coming. (John 21:23, Mt 26:64, Mt 16:28, Rev 1:7). Yet the new Testament never acknowledges that coming, it only refers to the nearness of the event. Jesus asks the question back to us, If I want him (John) to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? (Jn 21:23).
James 5:8 – You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. NIV
(“Coming soon” Rev 1:1, 1:3, 3:11, 22:7, 22:10, 22:12, 22:20)
The Real Intent of Redemption – We are not tampering with second-coming eschatology; we’re only pointing out that Jesus is the stairway that enables our ascension to the Courts and Council of Heaven and that Holy Spirit is our escort. Nor are we diminishing the baptism in the Holy Spirit, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to us. We are only adding the original intent – Jesus came to give us access to Father (Eph 2:18), specifically His Courts and Council. We are invited to a seat in Heaven and have conversations with the Seven Spirits of God. He promised to “come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” He fulfilled that promise nearly 2000 years ago.
40 Years – Jesus “coming” to fulfill the John14:3 promise occurred after the New Testament was written and before some of those who knew him died. It’s worth noting that Jesus died in AD33, and the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed by Rome in AD 70, ending the Old Covenant age. The last rebelling Jews were overcome at Masada in AD73 (40 years after Jesus’ ascension). During those 40 years, the Holy Spirit came immediately at Pentecost in AD33, but this “coming” was like a down payment or a deposit guaranteeing something in addition; access to Father via the Courts and Council is the heritage Jesus gave us as sons. He brings many sons to glory; they are family and brothers, part of God’s team.
2 Cor 1:21-22 – He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. NIV (see also 2 Cor 5:5, Eph 1:13-14)
Heb 2:10-12 – In bringing many sons to glory… Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. NIV
Rom 8:19-20 – The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. NIV
Now I can see! – Because Jesus did come, there is a door open in the Spirit to experience impressions from the Holy Spirit as an invitation to facetime with Father. Now we are invited by those same impressions to go to our Father and see in Heaven’s Courts and Council. Father loves fellowship with sons, and He loves co-laboring with them, showing them what He is doing. Kingdom is all about sons who show the initiative to ascend to Father. Jesus is the staircase to Heaven, and Holy Spirit is the escort. We are no longer praying to a distant God. We are having facetime conversations with Father, Jesus, and the seven Spirits of God. We can see!
1 Cor 13:12 – Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. NIV
John 5:19-20 – “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. NIV
Now we are free to ascend. We can eat with Father, or He can eat at our house. We can come in and go out (ascension) and find pasture (a reference to our sonship, land, book, and heritage). God dwells in us, and we can dwell in Him. He grants the desires He wrote in our hearts, and we co-labor with the desires in His heart. His desires and our desires flow to and from the same Kingdom purpose. Dreams do come true!
Rev 3:20 – I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. NIV
John 10:9-10 – I am the gate…. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.
John 14:20 – On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
Mysticism is good for business – Why are we ascending? First, fellowship and conversation between Father and Son feel like love. Second, Father reveals His strategy (Wisdom) and tactics (Understanding) to bring Heaven to Earth in our businesses and cities. Reformation of nations is our great commission, and all the specifics of what we are empowered to bind and loose (Mt 16:18) are seen in the Council. It’s way more exciting and authentic than our traditional religious concept of prayer. God wires businesspeople to get the Keys to the Kingdom and drive the car. Keys to the Kingdom are simply Father’s purpose; The specifics of bringing Heaven’s purpose to Earth. Once we experience facetime in Heaven’s Courts and Council, we have the answer to the warfare and chaos in our business. We can release the blessing of Heaven on people, products, and places.
Matt 16:19 – I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; and whatever you bind on Earth shall have been bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth shall have been loosed in Heaven. NASU
Mysticism is very good for business. Businesspeople aren’t spiritual Neanderthals whose prayer life sucks; they can be prophetic and apostolic co-laborers with Father. They can build His Kingdom on Earth through their business and participate in a Reformation of Nations. Their staff can be an Ecclesia who build the business and the Kingdom at the same time. Sons say “yes” to being Priests in Heaven and Kings on Earth. Here’s a great example.
From a business friend – Mr. Garfield, I am 57, I live in Texas and have read your column/blog and watched your YouTube videos for years. When I began watching and reading your blog, you so provoked me with a new perspective on life and godliness, I would beat my steering wheel or want to throw my phone against the wall in fury. I knew my Lord was speaking through you, so I grew. I am not the same man. I’ve had council room visits and courtroom visits for others and myself. They do still feel somewhat unreal. Thank you for taking the time to study, write and teach. I am learning from you, and I am grateful to you. Respectfully Mike
BTW – I would love to get your Court and Council business stories. (Resources from John)
Cutting Room Floor
Isa 61:3-4 (Kings) – They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.
Isa 61:6 (Priests) – And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. (1Pet 2:9)
I will come back (after Rev) and take you with me
James 5:8 – You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. NIV
(“Coming soon” Rev 1:1, 1:3, 3:11, 22:7, 22:10, 22:12, 22:20)
John 7:34 – You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.”
John 13:36 – “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” NIV
John 14:2-4 – I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.” (Jews understood the tabernacle progression to Holy of Holies)
John 10:9 – I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. NIV
John 12:26 – Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be NIV
John 17:24 – “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory,
John 5:19-20 – “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. NIV
Matt 25:21 – ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ NIV
1 Cor 13:8-12 – Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. NIV
Heb 2:10-12 – In bringing many sons to glory… Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. NIV
Rom 8:19-20 – The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. NIV
Those alive during Jesus’ life would live to see Him return
John 21:23 – But Jesus did not say that he (John) would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” NIV (James AD45, Fall of Temple AD70, John dies AD96)
Mt 26:64 – Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven
Mt 16:28 – There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his Kingdom.
Rev 1:7 – “Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.
Holy Spirit was A Down payment Of What was to Come 40 yrs Later
Eph 1:13-14 – you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession — to the praise of his glory. NIV
2 Cor 1:21-22 – He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. NIV
2 Cor 5:5 – Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. NIV
Coming in, Going out (Council), finding pasture (Books, fruit)
Gen 28:12-15 – He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the Earth, with its top reaching to Heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the Lord, and he said: “I am the Lord, the God of your Father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the Earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on Earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” NIV
John 10:9-10 – I am the gate…. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. (the Land/book spoken of in Gen 28:12-15)
John 14:20 – On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. NIV
Rev 3:20 – I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. NIV
John 4:24 – God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in Spirit and in truth. NIV
Ps 23:1-3, 5 – The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul… You prepare a table before me NIV
John 5:19-20 – “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. NIV
Heavenly Places are for this age
Eph 2:6-7 – And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace NIV
Eph 6:12 – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms NIV
Eph 3:10-11 – the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, NIV
Col 3:1-2 – Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things NIV
Phil 3:20 – But our citizenship is in Heaven NIV
Father loves to Show Us Stuff
Amos 3:7 – Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets. NIV
John 5:19-20 – “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these. NIV
John 15:15-17 – I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. NIV
1 Cor 13:12 – Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. NIV
Jesus went up into a Mountain (code for Council) to be with His Father
Luke 5:16 – But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. NIV
Luke 9:28 – he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. (transfiguration)
Mark 1:35 – Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. NIV
Mark 6:46 – After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray NIV
John 6:3 – Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples NIV
Mark 3:13-14 – Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve — designating them apostles NIV
Matt 5:1 – Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down NIV
John 6:15 – Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. NIV
Matt 17:1-2 – After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. NIV
Matt 28:16 – Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go NIV
2 Peter 1:18 – We ourselves heard this voice that came from Heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. NIV
Rev 21:10 – And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God NIV
Luke 6:12-13 – One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. NIV
Numerous 40 year or 40 day periods
https://godskingdom.org/studies/books/secrets-of-time/chapter-12-the-three-40-year-trial-periods
Jesus was Crucified in AD33, Temple destroyed in AD70, Masada conquered in AD73 (40 yrs from cross)
Resources – The purpose of Heaven for each of us is already written in your heart and can be seen and heard in the Council. Your business can shift from a Christian business full of obedient servants to a Kingdom business full of creative and industrious sons who make a difference. We help people and businesses get their prophetic purpose in writing and then make it happen on Earth. Taste and see! Tools to get started are here: https://linktr.ee/johngarfield
The only rapture verse in the bible isn’t a rapture after all
It’s about Ascension to the Courts of Heaven and the Council
1Thess 4:17 – Caught up together with Him in the air (is Ascension not Rapture)
Caught up (G726 Harpazo) to seize, prefer
- Acts 8:39 – And when they were come up out of the water,
the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip - 2Cor 12:2 – Caught up to the third heaven
4 – Caught up into paradise - Jude 1:23 – Pulling them out of the fire
- Jn 14:2 –In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Jn 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. - Jn 14:6 – no one comes to the Father except me (context is ascending to Father)
- Jn 1:51 – Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.” NLT (ascending and descending KJV)
- 1 Thess 5:10 – Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep,
we should live together with him. - Heb 12:18 For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest
- Heb 12:19 and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them.
- Heb 12:20 For they could not endure the order that was given, “If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”
- Heb 12:21 Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I tremble with fear.”
- Heb 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering,
- Heb 12:23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect,
- Heb 12:24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
- Heb 12:25 See that you do not refuse him who is speaking.
