One of the leading proponents of the modern prophetic movement is self-proclaimed prophet Rick Joyner, who runs MorningStar Ministries in Fort Mill, South Carolina. This prophet claims to have had conversations with everyone from Adam to Paul. Since all prophets are to be judged by the accuracy of their words, the article will examine a book he wrote several years ago called The Harvest.
Changing the Definition of Christianity
In The Harvest, Joyner claims to have received his revelations direct from the Lord. If that is true, then everything Joyner reports must be taken as God's Word. Joyner also emphasizes that God does nothing unless He reveals it to the prophets.” This would mean that one must listen to prophets such as himself if they are to know what God wants from His people. What Joyner fails to note is that this is a quote from the Old Testament. The writer of Hebrews notes that in the past God spoke through His prophets but that in these last days He has spoken to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1,2).
Joyner predicts a coming great move of God, saying “What is about to come upon the earth is not just a revival, or another awakening; it is a veritable revolution. This vision was given in order to begin awakening those who are destined to radically change the course, and even the very definition of Christianity.”
The idea that the very definition of Christianity is to be changed may serve as a warning to discerning Christians because some believe it implies that they haven’t understood what true Christianity is for the past two-thousand years and that, finally, the correct definition is being revealed by God through Joyner, according to the self-proclaimed prophet.
The Coming of Joel's Army
Joyner predicts the formation of an army called Joel’s Army. “In the coming days, the most powerful army ever assembled will be mustered. The army will not be equipped with guns or swords, but no power in heaven or earth will prevail against it….This is the army of God envisioned by the prophets, soon to be a reality.”
He predicts that the coming wave will be so great that the apostles Peter, John and Paul will be anxious to talk to the members of Joel's Army.
Jesus to Appear Physically
Joyner also says that appearances of angels will be common and that "The Lord Himself will appear to councils of apostles and elders to give them directives.”
While Rick Joyner may be predicting the physical appearance of Jesus at council meetings, Jesus Himself warned us not to listen to those who predicted such appearances (Matt. 24:26, 27).
Joyner reports that resistance to this coming movement is futile. On this point, he says, “The pastors and leaders who continue to resist this tide of unity will be removed from their place.”
Calling All Pastors - Training Not Necessary
Joyner seems to show utter distain for trained clergy, with remarks like, “Jesus came as a humble carpenter from the most humble town in the most despised nation on earth. Most of those who were called to preach His gospel were ‘untrained and untaught.’ This has never changed, and it will not be changed until the end. The Lord is about to correct the church’s tendency to know men according to their credentials, which seminary or Bible school they attended, or even by who laid hands of them, instead of by their fruit.” He also says that the day will then come when, every Christian in a denominational church will have to choose between that denomination and Christ.”
Untrained clergy often point to the "uneducated" apostles to support the idea that little or no theological education is necessary to become a pastor. However, others would suggest that rather than the apostles being uneducated, no better theological education could be gained than three years directly under the teaching of Jesus Christ.
Unlike Paul, who encouraged the Bereans to compare what he said to Scripture, Joyner warns his people about those who would dare to examine his teachings biblically and find fault with them. “The free associations and over-generalizations of those Jude called ‘fault finders’ are a destructive force that has ensnared and destroyed the effective spiritual life and witness of larger portions of the church than possibly any single false teaching.”
Test All Things
Christians who, in obedience to the Bible, examine “the Scriptures every day to see if what” Joyner “says is true,” will not succumb to this type of mental manipulation. Unfortunately, many will refuse to make Scripture the final authority, preferring to “gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Tim. 4:3)
Sources:
- Rick Joyner, The Harvest (Charlotte, NC: MorningStar Publication, 1993).
Bob Hunter - For over twenty years Bob Hunter has been involved in the field of Christian apologetics. From 1995 to 2008 he was a writer and researcher ...
