The Vision by Rick Joyner
Episode 69
A Different Kind of Martyr
"But what did Angelo do to become a king here?" I asked.
"He was faithful with all that he was given. He overcame all
until he became like Me, and he died a martyr."
"But what did he overcome, and how was he martyred?"
"He overcame the world with My love. Very few have overcome so much with so little. Many of My people dwell in homes with conveniences that kings would have envied just a century ago, yet they do not appreciate them. Angelo, on the other hand, would so appreciate even a cardboard box on a cold night that he would turn it into a glorious temple of My presence.
"Angelo began to love everyone and everything. He would rejoice more over an apple than some of My people do over a great feast. He was faithful with all that I gave him, even though it was not very much compared to what I gave others, including you. I showed him to you in a vision because you passed by him many times. Once you even pointed him out to one of your friends and spoke of him."
"I did? What did I say?"
"You said, 'There is another one of those Elijahs who must have escaped from the bus station.' You said he was 'a religious nut' who was sent by the enemy to turn people off to the gospel."
This was the worst blow I had yet suffered in this whole experience. I was more than shocked, I was appalled. I tried
to remember the specific incident, but couldn't-simply because there were so many others like it. I had never had much compassion for filthy street preachers, considering them tools of Satan sent to turn people off to the gospel.
"I'm sorry, Lord. I'm really sorry."
"You are forgiven," He quickly responded. "And you are right that there are many who try to preach the gospel on the streets for wrong or even perverted reasons. Even so, there are many who are sincere, even if they are untrained and unlearned. You must not judge by appearances. There are as many true servants who look like he did as there are among the polished professionals in the great cathedrals and organizations that men have built in My Name."
He then motioned for me to look up at Angelo. When I had turned, he had descended the steps to his throne and was now right in front of me. Opening his arms, he gave me a great hug and kissed my forehead like a father. Love poured over me and through me until I felt that it would overload my nervous system. When he finally released me, I was staggering as if I were drunk, but it was a wonderful feeling. It was love like I had never felt before.
"He could have imparted that to you on earth," the Lord continued. "He had much to give to My people, but they would not come near him. Even My prophets avoided him. He grew in the faith by buying a Bible and a couple of books that he read over and over. He tried to go to churches, but he could not find one that would receive him. If they would have taken him in, they would have taken Me in. He was My knock upon their door."
I was learning a new definition of grief. "How did he die?" I asked, remembering that he had been martyred.
Based on what I had seen so far, I was half expecting that I somehow was even responsible for that.
“He froze to death, trying to keep alive and old wino who had passed out in the cold. “