The Vision by Rick Joyner
EPISODE 51
Higher Ranks
In this first multitude I saw many other men and vomen of God, both from history and from my own time. I stopped and talked to many of them, and was shocked that so many I expected to be in the highest positions were instead in the lowest rank of the kingdom. Many shared the same basic story—they had fallen to the deadly sin of pride after their great victories, or fallen to jealousy when other men were anointed as much as they were. Others had fallen to lust, discouragement or bitterness near the end of their lives, and had to be taken before they crossed the line into perdition. They all gave me the same warning: the higher the spiritual authority that you walk in, the further you can fall if you are without love and humility.
As I continued toward the judgment seat, I began to pass those who were of higher rank in the kingdom. After many more veils had been stripped away from me by meetings with those who had stumbled over the same problems that I had, I began to meet some who had overcome. I met couples who had served God and each other faithfully to the end. Their glory here was unspeakable, and their victory encouraged me that it was possible to stay on the path of life and serve the Lord faithfully.
Those who stumbled did so in many different ways. But those who prevailed all did it the same way: They did no deviate from their devotion to the first and greates commandment-loving the Lord. In this way, their service was done unto Him, not unto men. These were the ones who worshiped the Lamb and followed Him wherever He went.
When I was still not even halfway to the throne, what had been the indescribable glory of the first rank now seemed to be outer darkness in comparison to the glory of those I was now passing. The greatest beauty on earth would not qualify to be found anywhere in heaven. And I was told that this room was just the threshold of indescribable realms
of glory!
My march to the throne may have taken days, months or even years. There was no way to measure time in that place. Everyone there showed respect to me, not because of who I was or anything I had done, but simply because I was a warrior in the battle of the last days. Somehow, through this last battle, the glory of God was to be revealed in such a way that it would be a witness to every power and authority, created or yet to be created, for all of eternity. During this battle the glory of the cross would be revealed, and the wisdom of God would be known in a special way. To be in that battle was to be given one of the greatest honors possible.
Near the judgment seat of Christ, those in the highest ranks were sitting on thrones that were all a part of His throne. Even the least of these thrones was many times more glorious than any earthly throne. Some of those on the thrones were rulers over cities on earth, and would soon take their places. Others were rulers over the affairs of heaven, and still others ruled over the affairs of the physical creation, such as star systems and galaxies.
It was apparent that those who were given authority over cities were esteemed even above those who had been given authority over galaxies. The value of a single child surpasses that of a galaxy of stars, because the Lord has chosen men as His eternal dwelling place. In the presence
of His glory, the whole earth seemed as insignificant as a speck of dust. Yet, it was so infinitely esteemed that the attention of the whole creation was upon it.