THE VISION by Rick Joyner
Words of Life
EPISODE II0
In His presence, I felt as if I could speak forth the vision I had received of His bride and whoever heard it be changed.
It seemed that I could speak to the most defeated little congregation with such power that they would quickly become a mighty fortress of truth. I also knew that on earth, my words did not have that power.
"Your words will have this power when you abide in Me," Wisdom interjected. "I did not call you to preach about Me; I called you to be a voice that I could speak through. As you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will bear fruit that will remain.
By My word, the creation was brought forth, and by My word the new creation will come forth in you and in My people. My words are Spirit and Life. My words give Life. You are not called to just teach about Me, but to let Me teach through you. As you dwell in My presence, your words will be My words, and they will have power."
I thought of something that Margaret Browning had once said: "Every bush is aflame with the fire of God, but only those who see take off their shoes. The rest just pick the berries."
"Lord, I want to see you in everything," I said.
"I will give My messengers the vision to see My purpose in all things, " He responded. "I will make My messengers flames of fire such as I appeared at the burning bush. My fire will rest upon them, but they will not be consumed by it. Then mankind will marvel at
this great sight and turn aside to see it. I will speak from the midst of My messengers, calling My people to their destiny and to rise up as the deliverers that I have called them to be."
I then felt drawn to the door. I stepped closer to it and could see writing. I had never seen writing like this before. It was of the purest gold, and somehow it was alive. I began to read.
For by Him all things were created, in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things have been created by Him and for Him.
And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything.
For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fulness to dwell in Him,
and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up that which is lacking in Christ's afflictions.
Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, that I might fully carry out the word of God,
that is the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations; but has now been manifested to His' saints,
to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we
may present every man complete in Christ.
And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me (Colossians 1:16-29).
As I read these words, they were like a transfusion of life.
A single word from God is worth more than all of the treasure on earth! I thought. How could I ever allow myself to be so carried away with the cares of the world when I have His words? I began to think about how worthwhile it would be to cross the earth to hear just one anointed sermon, but sometimes I was so lazy that I did not want to drive across town. I was appalled at my carelessness with His Word as I stood before the door. "Lord, I am so sorry," I blurted out.
As I said this, the door opened. As it did, I pondered how it had looked so dull and uninviting from a distance, but up close it was more intricate and beautiful than any door I had ever seen. That is how people judge the church, I thought, and how I have often judged it myself. I have loved God for a long time, but failed to love His people the way that I should.
"Such repentance will open the door for you to go forth into the purpose for which I called you. You cannot fulfill your purpose apart from My people. I have called My people to be one, and now it will come to pass. Apart from them, you cannot live what you have seen in your visions. Now you must go from seeing the way and knowing the truth to being a vessel for My life. This you cannot do apart from My people. The Father has given you His love for Me, that His love might be in you, just as I asked. Now I will give you My love for My people. My messengers must see them as I do and love them as I do. As you truly love My word, the door to your destiny with My people will open for you." His words did not just touch my mind, but also my heart. I felt each one. Just hearing the love with which He spoke of His people imparted that love to me. This was a greater love than I had ever felt before, but it was also familiar and I had experienced it to a degree when I had heard anointed preaching. I thought about how in my foolishness, I had often said that there would be no preaching in heaven, but now I felt that it could not be heaven without preaching. I began to even crave the preaching of His word.
"Yes there will be preaching and teaching in heaven. For all of eternity, My story will be told. That is why it is called the eternal gospel. I am the Word and I am Truth, and words of truth will forever fill My creation. All of creation will delight in My words of truth just as you are now. Even the angels love to listen to your testimonies, and they will hear them. My redeemed ones will forever love to tell and listen to the stories of My redemption. But now you must tell them to those who dwell in darkness. The word of your testimony will liberate many. Those who love Me love My word.
They love to read it and they love to hear it. You have been given the truth that will set men free, which is My word in your heart. Go forth with My word. Go forth and you will see the power of My word."