Did You Know Satan Is in Heaven’s Courtroom… Talking About You? And Jesus Himself is the One Defending You!

Zechariah 3 is a stunning portrait of the gospel hidden in the folds of a prophetic vision—a courtroom scene not unlike what plays out in the heavens even now. You’ve got Joshua, the high priest, standing in the presence of God in filthy garments—guilty, exposed, and silent. You’ve got Satan, the accuser, standing at his right hand, ready to pounce with all the evidence needed to condemn.

And just when you’d expect God to turn and agree with the charges—because let’s be honest, they’re not wrong—the unexpected happens. The Lord doesn’t rebuke Joshua. He rebukes Satan.  Without letting him even get a word in, God declares,

“The Lord rebuke you, Satan! Isn’t this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?”

That’s grace in action—swift, authoritative, and unbothered by the prosecuting attorney's presence. And here's the beauty: the Angel of the Lord is there too. Not just a heavenly messenger, but Jesus Himself before the incarnation, standing as both witness and advocate. This is the same Jesus who would one day cry, “It is finished,” making sure Satan’s file folder of accusations lost its legal weight for good.

Joshua doesn’t argue. He doesn’t defend. He doesn’t even speak. He just stands there, filthy. And God says, “Take off his filthy clothes… I have removed your iniquity.” Then He says, “Put a clean turban on his head.” That’s not just forgiveness—it’s restoration. It’s honor. It's identity. This is justification visualized: guilt removed, righteousness bestowed.

This same Satan shows up in Job 1 and 2, roaming the earth, scouring for flaws, bringing up Job’s name as someone who only worships God because he’s been blessed. Satan always brings accusations wrapped in technicalities—he’s a legalist. He’s not lying; he’s just banking on the fact that we’ve sinned and hoping God will agree.

And that’s where Romans 8:33–34 shouts with thunder: “

Who can bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus… is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

Satan’s whole strategy hinges on us not knowing our standing. He points, accuses, reminds, and digs—but heaven’s response is not to shame us further. Heaven responds with a rebuke directed straight at the source of condemnation, not the target of it. And better still, God doesn’t just silence the accuser—He clothes the accused.

It’s a holy mic drop moment in a sense.

In Luke 22:31, Jesus tells Peter,

“Satan has asked to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you.”

Again, that heavenly courtroom. Again, Satan is making demands. But again, Jesus—our High Priest and Advocate—is standing in the gap. He’s not the judge waiting to punish; He’s the defender who already paid the fine.

Zechariah’s vision ends with a whisper of what's to come: “I am bringing My servant, the Branch.” That’s Jesus. And in Him, this vision becomes our reality.

Our filth? Covered. Our accuser? Shut down. Our standing? Secure. Our robes? White. And our Judge.... Is also our Justifier.

Satan is always nearby with accusations—but he’s been outmatched, out-argued, and overruled by the blood of Jesus. The gospel isn’t just a promise of forgiveness. It’s a public declaration in the courtroom of heaven: “Case dismissed.”

So if Satan is present as accuser, then what is Joshua guilty of?

This becomes part of the tension of Zechariah 3—because Joshua is definately not innocent.  That’s the uncomfortable and yet liberating truth tucked into this vision: he actually is guilty. He stands there wearing “filthy garments,” which in Hebrew implies excrement-soiled clothes—about as unclean as you can get in a priestly context. This wasn’t a fashion mishap. It symbolized deep defilement.

Sin. Guilt. Unworthiness.

But what’s interesting is that his specific sin is never named.  Why?

Because Joshua is standing in representation of the entire priesthood—and really, all of Israel.  This isn’t just about personal sin like lying or stealing; it’s about systemic, generational uncleanliness. The priesthood had failed. The temple was in ruins. Worship had been polluted. The people were coming out of exile not just physically, but spiritually wrecked.

In Zechariah 3, Joshua stands alone, but it’s clear he’s carrying more than his personal sin—he’s symbolically bearing the iniquity of the nation and its failed spiritual leadership.

Leviticus 16:15-17 (Day of Atonement):

The high priest makes atonement “for himself and for the people of Israel.” This role was always representative.

And Joshua, the high priest, carries all of that on his shoulders into this courtroom. So Satan is doing what he always does: pointing out what's wrong. Highlighting the filth. And the kicker? He’s not wrong.

But here’s the twist:

God never argues with Satan's accuracy. 
He just overrules the case based on His authority and mercy. 

It’s like God saying, “Yes, he’s guilty. But I’ve chosen him. I’m snatching him out of the fire. I’m cleansing him myself. Your accusations are pointless now.”

This is what makes the gospel so powerful. God doesn’t justify us by pretending we’re not sinners—He justifies us by removing the sin and giving us new robes.

So what was Joshua’s sin? It was all the sin he bore on behalf of a broken nation, all the impurity of a priesthood that had fallen short, and all the weight of standing before a holy God without a defense. And yet, God defended him anyway.

That’s what grace looks like:

• Not a denial of guilt, but the removal of it.

• Not a clean record, but a cleansed soul.

• Not because we argued our case well but because Jesus silenced the accuser.

So Satan may be right about our past—but God is louder about our future.

This vision isn’t just for Joshua. It’s not just for Job. It’s for us. You may not wear priestly robes or live in the land of Uz, but make no mistake—you are on the other end of the accuser’s finger. Satan still stands ready, day and night, to remind heaven of your failures, your flaws, your secret shame, and your worst moments.

He keeps receipts.

But if you belong to Christ, you don’t stand alone. Jesus stands in the courtroom with you—not as your prosecutor, not as a silent observer—but as your advocate, your Defender, your righteousness. And God the Judge? He silences Satan before he can even get through his opening statement.

But the question is: Do you belong to Christ?  Because that changes everything. What would your courtroom scene look like? Are you clothed in self-righteousness, trying to impress heaven with your best suit, your best behavior, your best excuses? Because if you show up like that—clean on the outside but unchanged on the inside—you’ll be standing alone. No advocate. No blood to speak for you. And Satan’s accusations? They’ll stick.

Look at Job. He didn’t even know there was a courtroom scene unfolding in heaven, and yet on earth, his world fell apart. His children died. His body broke. His friends turned. And still, Satan’s desire was to shake his faith to the core. Look at Joshua. Standing in filthy robes, silent. Guilty. Shamed. In both stories, there's devastation, accusation, and pain. But there’s also intervention.  God was involved. God took over. Because they belonged to Him.

But this courtroom grace is reserved for God’s people—those who are His, covered in the blood of Jesus. For those who reject Christ, who refuse His covering, the Advocate has no case to make.

His blood can’t speak for what it hasn’t covered. There is no defense if there’s been no surrender. No robe if there’s been no exchange. No rebuke for Satan if Jesus doesn’t stand in your place.

So, I ask again: Do you belong to Christ?  Have you laid down your defense and let Jesus pick up your case? Because if you have—then every time Satan shows up to accuse you, Heaven has one response: “The Lord rebuke you, Satan. This one is Mine.”

Left Alone in Court

Have you ever stood in a courtroom without an attorney? I have. Not because I didn’t have one—because mine never showed up.

I was eight months pregnant. In court for custody and support. The judge called my case anyway. The opposing attorney was ready and present. His client was MIA. And my Attorney? Missing in action too.

It was a mess. A joke, really. A humiliating, infuriating circus.

Three times I was called before the judge.Three times I stood alone.Three times I was denied—because there was no one to speak for me. And every time, I was sent back to my seat. Still waiting. Still exposed. Still alone.

But then, out of nowhere, a man stood up.

An attorney—there on behalf of someone else—noticed me. He walked over, asked for my file, and said he wanted to help. I handed it to him like a lifeline.

He read it. He approached the judge. He asked for a private meeting in chambers. The judge agreed.

This man had no reason to step in. No connection to me. No contract. No paycheck. But he advocated for me anyway.

When we came back, I stood before the judge again—but this time I wasn’t alone. This time, someone stood beside me. I said nothing.He spoke. And in a matter of minutes, everything changed.

Custody granted. Support approved. Case dismissed.

I never saw that attorney again. But I know who moved his heart. That was Jesus.

You don't truly understand the value of an advocate until you're the one standing alone, trembling, confused, defenseless—until you know what it's like to be called forward with nothing but silence and fear and an accuser ready to pounce.

And you better believe I waddled straight into my attorney’s office that day… and fired him like a boss.

Do you belong to Christ?

Because Satan still shows up in heaven’s courtroom, pointing fingers, listing failures. And unless Jesus stands beside you, those accusations stick.

But if you’re His? Then every time Satan opens his mouth, God says:

“The LORD rebuke you. This one is Mine.”

And that—that—is what it means to have an Advocate. Not just any advocate. The Risen One. The Righteous One. The Judge’s Son.

And when He speaks, the case is closed.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this powerful glimpse into the courts of Heaven. Thank You for revealing the truth that we have an Advocate—One who lovingly stands in our defense, not because of our righteousness, but because of what He has already done.

It moves me to see Satan standing there, pointing fingers, accusing us with all the evidence of our guilt… and yet Jesus—Jesus stands and speaks. He silences the accuser not with excuses, but with His blood.

Just like in earthly courtrooms, we stand silent. The lawyers speak. The judge listens. The evidence is weighed. And the evidence? It’s clear—we're guilty. Yet in our guilt, in our filth, in our unworthiness, Jesus defends us anyway.

What kind of grace is that?

Father, I’m in awe that You choose to see us not through our failures, but through the blood of Your Son. Through robes You have washed. Through mercy You have poured out. I pray this courtroom scene is etched into the hearts of every reader—not as fear, but as hope. As the beauty of Your justice wrapped in grace.

If there is anyone reading this who’s been wounded by distorted views of You—who’s carrying bitterness, doubt, or lies whispered by the Accuser—I ask You to soften their heart. Holy Spirit, speak louder than the voice of shame. Drown out the deception. Reveal the truth of who You are—not the twisted version Satan works so hard to paint.

You are merciful. You are just. You are full of compassion. And You are still defending Your people.

Thank You, Father. Thank You for Jesus. Thank You for grace that silences the gavel. Thank You for love that never leaves us alone in the courtroom.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Amanda Allen, the author of Kingdom Revelations, holds the copyright to her work, art, graphics, and videos. Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2025. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source.