{"id":56150,"date":"2019-01-31T18:45:34","date_gmt":"2019-01-31T15:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=56150"},"modified":"2025-09-23T06:38:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T03:38:37","slug":"testimony-of-rick-joyner-a-revelation-of-true-faithfulness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/01\/31\/testimony-of-rick-joyner-a-revelation-of-true-faithfulness\/","title":{"rendered":"Testimony of Rick Joyner: A Revelation of True Faithfulness"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cThis testimony can take you from one level of faith to another.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Rick Joyner<\/strong>, a well known American evangelist and author, spent 26 years praying<\/strong> that God would take him into the third heaven<\/strong>, just as He did with the Apostle Paul<\/strong> (see 2 Corinthians 12:2<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\u201cI know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.\u201d<\/em>2 Corinthians 12:2 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One day, God answered that persistent prayer. Rick was taken into a heavenly vision, which he later documented in his famous book, The Final Quest<\/strong>, a work that gained widespread recognition worldwide. In it, he describes what he saw concerning the condition of today\u2019s Christians and spiritual realities beyond this life.<\/p>\n

For our purposes, let\u2019s focus on one short but powerful portion of that vision\u00a0 a lesson with deep theological and practical meaning for all believers.<\/p>\n

\n

The Vision in Heaven<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As Rick was being led by the Lord through heaven, he came to a place where there were many thrones<\/strong>, each radiant with divine glory. Among them, one throne stood out<\/strong>. It was surrounded by angels and adorned more magnificently than the others. Upon this throne sat a great King<\/strong>, whose glory surpassed even that of King Solomon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

As Rick looked closely, he recognized something oddly familiar about the man\u2019s face. He turned to the Lord and said, \u201cLord, I feel like I\u2019ve seen him before, but I don\u2019t remember where.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man, whose name was Angelo<\/strong>, responded, \u201cYou did see me once long ago in a vision.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suddenly, Rick remembered.<\/p>\n

\n

A Forgotten Encounter<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Years earlier, as a young man, Rick had gone outside to sit quietly with his Bible, seeking to hear from the Lord. During that time, he had a vision of two people:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. The first man<\/strong> was a passionate, well known Christian. He often preached, taught, and prayed for the sick across many places.<\/li>\n
  2. The second man<\/strong> was a homeless wanderer<\/strong>, rough and aggressive. Rick remembered seeing him even kicking a stray kitten that crossed his path.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Lord asked Rick, \u201cWhich of these two pleases Me more?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    Confidently, Rick replied, \u201cThe first man, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

    But the Lord said, \u201cNo, it\u2019s the second.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Surprised, Rick listened as the Lord revealed their backstories:<\/p>\n

    \n

    How God Judges<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The first man<\/strong> had every advantage: born into a godly family, raised in a good church, given opportunities to study Scripture deeply. God gave him 100% of grace<\/strong>, but he only used 75%<\/strong> of it.<\/p>\n

    The second man<\/strong>, Angelo, was born deaf<\/strong>. Abandoned as a child, he was raised in abusive institutions, and eventually ended up on the streets. God, in His mercy, gave him only three small portions of grace<\/strong>\u00a0 but Angelo used all of them faithfully<\/strong>. He even overcame his violent habits, including his tendency to lash out at animals.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Faithfulness with Little<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Rick asked the Lord to tell him more. The Lord explained that Angelo remained faithful even through severe trials. At one point, he nearly starved<\/strong>, but still refused to steal<\/strong>. Instead, he collected cans to sell and bought his food honestly. Occasionally, he was hired for odd cleaning jobs.<\/p>\n

    Despite being deaf, Angelo learned to read<\/strong>. God led him to read Gospel tracts<\/strong>, and as he read, the Holy Spirit opened his heart. He surrendered his life to Jesus.<\/p>\n

    Though unable to speak, he deeply desired to share the Gospel<\/strong>. So, he used over half of his small income<\/strong> to distribute Gospel tracts in the streets.<\/p>\n

    \n

    The Fruit of Angelo\u2019s Ministry<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Rick asked, \u201cSurely, he must have brought many souls to You, Lord?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The Lord replied, \u201cOnly one<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

    A dying drunkard read one of Angelo\u2019s tracts and gave his life to Christ. This one conversion was a great encouragement to Angelo and gave him the strength to continue sharing, even when no one seemed to listen.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.\u201d<\/em>
    \nLuke 15:10 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    Why Was Angelo Crowned a King in Heaven?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Rick asked, \u201cWhat made him worthy to sit on such a great throne?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The Lord answered, \u201cHe was faithful with all he was given and overcame everything\u00a0 to the point of being like Me. He died daily for others.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Rick pressed further: \u201cBut how did he die for You, Lord?\u201d<\/p>\n

    Jesus replied:<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe overcame the world through My love.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Angelo didn\u2019t live for himself. Despite having nothing, he was thankful for everything<\/strong>\u00a0 even a cardboard box<\/strong>, which he used as a place of worship. He loved everyone and everything<\/strong> he encountered\u00a0 even simple things like an apple brought him more joy than others experience in grand celebrations.<\/p>\n

    \n

    An Unexpected Judgment<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    Then the Lord shocked Rick.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou passed by Angelo many times on the streets,\u201d He said. \u201cOnce, you even pointed at him and told your friend, \u2018These are the kind of people Satan sends to destroy the church.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

    Rick was devastated. \u201cLord, forgive me,\u201d he pleaded.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou are already forgiven,\u201d the Lord replied.<\/p>\n

    The Lord continued:<\/p>\n

    \u201cAngelo had much to give to My people, but they rejected him. When he visited churches, no one welcomed him<\/strong>. But had they received him, they would have received Me<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \n

    How Did Angelo Die?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The Lord said:<\/p>\n

    \u201cHe died from the cold while trying to save a drunk man on the street.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Rick then asked, \u201cBut Lord, isn\u2019t it only those who die preaching the Gospel who are considered Your martyrs?\u201d<\/p>\n

    The Lord responded:<\/p>\n

    \u201cAngelo died for Me every day. He was willing to lay down his life for the sake of others\u00a0 and that\u2019s the true test of love.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u201cIf I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.\u201d<\/em>1 Corinthians 13:3 (ESV)<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    \n

    A Message for Us Today<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Many people think that in order to be close to God, they must be like famous preachers or prophets. But God does not measure greatness the way people do<\/strong>. Each of us is given a measure of faith<\/strong> (Romans 12:3), and what matters is not how much, but what you do with what you\u2019ve been given<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Think of it like this:<\/p>\n