Vision of Rick Joyner
The Army
Suddenly,
I was standing on a high mountain overlooking a great plain. Before me,
there was an army marching on a wide front. There were 12 divisions in
the vanguard that stood out sharply from the great multitude of soldiers
who followed behind them. These divisions were further divided into
what I assumed to be regiments, battalions, companies and squads. The
divisions were distinguished by their banners, and the regiments were
distinguished by their different colored uniforms.
Battalions,
companies and squads were distinguished by such things as sashes or
epaulets that each different group wore. All wore armor that was
polished silver, shields that appeared to be pure gold, and weapons that
were both silver and gold. The banners were huge, 30 to 40 feet long.
As the soldiers marched, their armor and weapons flashed in the sun like
lightening, and the flapping of the banners and the tread of their feet
sounded like rolling thunder. I did not think that the earth had ever
witnessed anything like this before.
Then
I was close enough to see their faces—male and female, old and young
from every race. There was a fierce resolution on their faces, yet they
did not seem tense. War was in the air, but in the ranks I could sense
such a profound peace that I knew that not a single one feared the
battle to which they were marching. The spiritual atmosphere that I felt
when close to them was as awesome as their appearance.
I
looked at their uniforms. The colors were brilliant. Every soldier also
wore rank insignias and medals. The generals and other higher ranking
officers marched in the ranks with the others. Although it was obvious
that those with higher rank were in charge, no one seemed overly
sensitive to their rank. From the highest ranking officer to the lowest,
they all seemed to be close friends. It was an army of what seemed to
be unprecedented discipline, yet it also seemed to be just one big
family.
As
I studied them, they seemed selfless—not because they lacked identity,
but because they were all so sure of who they were and what they were
doing. They were not consumed with themselves or seeking recognition. I
could not detect ambition or pride anywhere in the ranks. It was
stunning to see so many who were so unique, yet in such harmony and
marching in perfect step. I was sure that there had never been an army
on earth like this.
Then
I was behind the front divisions looking at a much larger group that
was composed of hundreds of divisions. Each of these was a different
size, with the smallest numbering about two thousand and the largest in
the hundreds of thousands. Although this group was not as sharp and
colorful as the first one, this also was an awesome army simply because
of its size. This group also had banners, but they were not nearly as
large and impressive as those of the first group’s. They all had
uniforms and ranks, but I was surprised that many of these did not even
have on a full set of armor, and many did not have weapons. The armor
and weapons that they did have were not nearly as polished and bright as
those of the first group.
As
I looked more closely at those in these ranks, I could see that they
were all determined and had purpose, but they did not have nearly the
focus of the first group. These seemed much more aware of their own rank
and the rank of those around them. I felt that this was a distraction
hindering their focus. I could also sense ambition and jealousy in the
ranks, which unquestionably was a further distraction. Even so, I felt
that this second division still had a higher level of devotion and
purpose than any army on earth. This, too, was a very powerful force.
Behind this second army, there was a third one which marched so far
behind the first two armies that I was not sure they could even see the
groups ahead of them. This group was many times larger than the first
and second armies combined, seemingly composed of millions and millions.
As I watched from a distance, this army would move in different
directions like a great flock of birds, sweeping first one way and then
the next, never moving in a straight direction for very long. Because of
this erratic movement, it was drifting farther and farther from the
first two groups.
As
I came closer, I saw that these soldiers had on tattered, dull gray
uniforms which were neither pressed nor clean. Almost everyone was
bloody and wounded. a few were attempting to march, but most just walked
in the general direction in which the others were headed. Fights were
constantly breaking out in the ranks causing many of the wounds. Some of
the soldiers were trying to stay close to the frayed banners scattered
throughout their ranks. Even so, not even those near the banners had a
clear identity because they were constantly drifting from one banner to
another.
In
this third army, I was surprised that there were only two
ranks—generals and privates. Only a few had a piece of armor on, and I
did not see any weapons except dummy weapons which were carried by the
generals. The generals flaunted these dummy weapons as if having them
made the officers special, but even those in the ranks could tell that
the weapons were not real. This was sad because it was obvious that
those in the ranks desperately wanted to find someone who was real whom
they could follow.
There
did not seem to be any ambition except among the generals. This was not
because of selflessness as in the first army, but because there was so
little caring. I thought that at least the ambition present in the
second group would be much better than the confusion that prevailed in
this group. The generals here seemed to be more intent on talking about
themselves and fighting with one another, which the little groups around
the banners were constantly doing. I could then see that the battles
within the ranks were the cause of the great sweeping, erratic changes
of directions that this group would make from time to time.
As
I looked at the millions in the last group, I felt that even with their
great numbers, they did not actually add strength to the army, but
rather weakened it. In a real battle, they would be much more of a
liability than an asset. Just sustaining them with food and protection
would cost more in resources than any value they could add to the army’s
ability to fight. I thought that a private in the first or second group
would be worth more than many generals from the third. I could not
understand why the first groups even allowed this group to tag along
behind them. They obviously were not true soldiers.
The Wisdom of Zipporah
I
was suddenly on a mountain where I could see the entire army. As I
watched, I noticed that the plain was dry and dusty before the army, but
immediately after the first twelve divisions passed, the earth was dark
green, with trees giving shade and bearing fruit and pure streams
flowing throughout the land. This army was restoring the earth. I
thought of how different this was from what would happen when one of the
world’s armies would pass through a land. They would plunder and forage
until the land was utterly stripped wherever they had marched.
I
watched as the second divisions passed over the same ground. They left
bridges and many buildings, but the ground was not left in as good of
shape as before they had passed. The grass was not as green, the streams
were somewhat muddied, and much of the fruit had been taken.
Then
I saw what happened as the third group passed over the same ground. The
grass was either gone or so trampled into the earth that it could not
be seen. The few trees that remained were stripped. The streams were
polluted. The bridges were broken down and impassable. The buildings
were left in shambles. It seemed that this group had undone all of the
good that the first two had done. As I watched them, anger welled up
inside of me.
I felt Wisdom standing beside me. He did not say anything for a long time, but I could sense that He also was angry.
“Selfishness
destroys,” He finally said. “I came to give life and to give it
abundantly. Even when My army has matured, there will be many who call
on My name and follow those who follow Me, but they do not know Me or
walk in My ways. These destroy the fruit of those who follow Me. Because
of this, the world does not know whether to consider My people a
blessing or a curse.”
As
Wisdom said this, I felt immense heat coming from Him, intensifying
until it was so painful that it was hard for me to concentrate on what
He was saying. Even so, I knew that I was feeling what He was feeling
and that it was an important part of the message which He was conveying
to me. The pain was a combination of compassion for the earth and anger
at the selfishness in this army. Both feelings were so strong that I
felt as though they were being branded into me.
As
the anger of the Lord continued to rise, I felt that He might destroy
the entire army. Then I remembered how the Lord had met Moses when he
was on his way to Egypt in obedience to the Lord. The Lord sought to put
him to death until his wife, Zipporah, circumcised their son. I had
never understood this until now. Because circumcision speaks of the
removal of the fleshly, or carnal nature, the incident with Moses was
like a prophetic foreshadowing of the sin of Eli, the priest, who had
brought a curse upon himself and defeat to Israel because he had failed
to discipline his sons.
“Lord, raise up those with the wisdom of Zipporah!” I cried out.
The
burning continued and a deep determination came over me to go to the
leaders of this great army and tell them the story of Zipporah and that
everyone in the Lord’s army had to be circumcised in their hearts. The
carnal nature had to be cut away. I knew that if they marched any
farther before this was done, the entire army was in danger of being
destroyed by the Lord Himself, just as He had almost killed Moses when
he was returning to Egypt.
Then
I was standing in the Hall of Judgment before the Judgment Seat. The
Lord still appeared as Wisdom, but I had never seen Him more fierce, nor
His words come with more weight.
“You
have already seen this army in your heart many times. The leaders I am
commissioning now will lead this army. I am sending you to many of these
leaders. What will you say to them?”
“Lord,
this is a great army, but I am still grieved about the condition of the
third group. I do not understand why they are even allowed to pretend
to be a part of Your army. I would like to say that before they went any
farther, the first and second armies should turn and drive away this
third group. They were really very little more than a huge mob.”
“What
you saw today is still in the future. The ministries lam about to
release will gather this army and equip them to be all that you saw. At
this time, almost My entire army is in the condition of the third group.
How can I let them be driven away?”
I
was stunned by this, although I knew that I had never seen any of the
Lord’s people who were in as good shape as even the second group of this
army.
“Lord,
I know I felt Your anger at this group. If almost Your entire army is
now in that condition, I am just thankful that You have not destroyed
all of us. When I was looking at this third group, I felt that their
deplorable condition was due to a lack of training, equipping and
vision, as well as a failure to embrace the cross that circumcises the
heart. I believe I must go to them with the message about Zipporah, but
they also need drill sergeants and officers who will train them.”
Wisdom
continued, “Remember the first army that you saw before the mountain.
They, too, were unprepared for the battle, and when the battle began,
those who were not prepared fled. However, many returned with their
armor on and their delusions replaced with truth. The first two groups
in this army were also changed by battles that woke them up to their
true condition. Then they cried out to Me and I sent them shepherds
after My own heart. “All of My shepherds are like King David. They are
not hirelings who seek their own place or position, but they will lay
down their lives for My people. They are also fearless in warfare
against My enemies and pure in their worship of Me. I am about to send
these shepherds forth. You must return with the message of Zipporah. The
time is coming soon when I will not abide those who seek to be counted
with My people who do not circumcise their hearts. You must warn them of
My wrath.
“I
am also sending you back to walk with the prophets I am sending forth
as Samuels to pour oil upon My true shepherds. Many of these are now
considered the least of their brethren, but you will find them serving
as faithful shepherds of their little flocks, faithful laborers in
whatever I have given them to do. These are My faithful ones who are
called to be kings. These I will trust with My authority. They will
prepare My people for the great battle at the end.”
I
then wondered in my heart, If we are now in the condition of the third
group, what was to be done with the generals who did not seem to be real
generals at all?
“You
are right, they are not real generals,” the Lord answered. “I did not
appoint them, but they appointed themselves. Even so, some of them will
be changed and I will make them generals. Others will become useful
officers. However, most will flee at the first sight of battle, and you
will not see them again.
“Remember
this: At one time everyone in the first two groups was a part of the
last one. When you go with the message of Zipporah declaring that I will
no longer tolerate the carnality of My people, those whom I have truly
called and are devoted to obeying Me will not run from My circumcision
but will stand against the carnality in the camp so that I will not have
to bring judgment upon them. My shepherds are responsible for the
condition of My sheep. My generals are responsible for the condition of
My soldiers. Those whom I have called will take this responsibility
because they love Me, they love My people, and they love righteousness.”
Captain of the Host
Then
I was no longer before the Judgment Seat, but on the mountain
overlooking the army again. Wisdom was standing beside me. He was
resolute, but I no longer felt the pain and anger that I did before.
“I
have allowed you see a little into the future,” Wisdom began. “I am
sending you to those who are called to prepare My army and lead it.
These are the ones who have been fighting the battle on the mountain.
These are the ones who have met the army of the accuser and remained
faithful. These are the ones who have watched over My people and
protected them at the risk of their own lives. They are called to be
leaders in My army who will fight in the great battle at the end and
will stand without fear against all of the powers of darkness.
“As
you can see, this army is marching, but there will be times when it
camps. The camping is as important as the marching. It is the time for
planning, training and sharpening skills and weapons. It is also time
for those in the first group to walk among the second and for the
leaders of the second group to walk among the third group, finding those
who can be called to the next level. Do this while you can, for the
time is near when Revelation 11:1-2 will be fulfilled, and those who
want to be called by My name but do not walk in My ways will be trodden
underfoot. Before the last great battle, My army will be holy, even as I
AM holy. I will remove those who are not circumcised of heart and the
leaders who do not uphold My righteousness. When the last battle is
fought, there will be no third group as you see here.
“Until
now when My army has camped, most of the time has been wasted. Just as I
only lead My people forward with a clear objective, so it is that when I
call My army to camp, there is a purpose. The strength of the army that
marches will be determined by the quality of its camp. When it is time
to stop and camp for a season, it is to teach My people My ways. An army
is an army whether it is in battle or at peace. You must learn how to
camp, how to march, and how to fight. You will not do any one of these
well unless you do them all well.
“My
army must be ready to do each of these in season and out of season. You
may think that it is time to march, but I will direct you to camp
because I see things that you can never see, even from this place of
vision. If you follow me, you will always be doing the right thing at
the right time, even though it may not seem right to you. Remember, I am
the Captain of the Host.
“An
army’s resolve will be determined by the nobility of their mission, how
well they are prepared for their mission, and how well they are led.
This army will march with the most noble mission that has ever been
given to man. However, few of My people are being equipped for their
mission, and those who are now leading My people follow their own
desires. I will now raise up leaders who will train and equip My people.
These will always follow Me because I am the Captain of the Host.
“Many
armies experience both victories and defeats. My army has been marching
for many centuries. It, too, has had many victories and many defeats.
My army has lost many battles because it attacked the enemy when I did
not give the command. Others were defeated because they attacked the
enemy with untrained people. Most of these leaders have done this
because they were seeking their own glory. As Paul wrote of those in his
own time, ‘They all seek after their own interests.’
“Other
leaders have had My interests at heart and sincerely sought a victory
over evil for My name’s sake, but they did not train their people well;
they did not walk with Me as their Wisdom. That will now change. I will
be the Captain of the Host. Do not be discouraged by the way My people
now appear, but remember what they will become. I will now raise up
leaders who will only march when I give the orders. When My army follows
Me, it will win every battle. When they camp, they will know My
presence, and they will grow strong in My ways.
“You
will come to a time in the future when you see My army exactly as it is
now. At that time, you will feel My burning anger. Know that I will no
longer abide those who remain in the condition of the third group. Then I
will stop the march of the entire army until those in this group have
been disciplined to become soldiers or dispersed. I will discipline
those in the second group to cast off their evil ambitions and live for
Me and My Truth. Then My army will march forth, not to destroy, but to
give life. I will be in the midst of them to tread My enemies under this
army’s feet. lam coming to be the Captain of the Host!”
From "The Call" by Rick Joyner
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