The only way to the Father is though the Son. There are no if's, ands or buts about it.
Unless the great secret is that we are all the sons of God (women too, as the discarnate spirit is asexual). That is what the spirit world teaches. It is even in the bible.
Psalms:82:6: I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
Isa:41:23: Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold it together.
Joh34: Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
1Co:6What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
The author is using irony. The teaching is that when the judges stand in the gates, their judgment stands as God.