The Final Quest

Rating:
Summary: A mixture of Scripture with false teachings - Beware!
Review: It sounds like edifying yet there is a subtleness of untruth that keeps poking out. Even pagan relgious books would show a bit of truth for the benefit of humanity with a leaven of untruth that turns their eyes blind to see Christ as the only way. This book sounds too good to be true but I strongly suggest that the chuch should take an attitude of being a Berean first. Otherwise the chruch in the west is easy to be carried off by every wind of doctrine, starting from recent excesses in Toronto blessing, holy laughter, health-wealth gosepl, etc.

Rating:
Summary: CAUTION: continue at your own risk.
Review: This is a dangerous book. It is essentially a revelation or vision given to a man. He feels led to pass it on. Before buying perhaps you should ask these questions. Am I the type of person that can read a comprehensive vision (almost a blueprint for the kingdom of Heaven) and leave it behind? Can I absorb whatever ideas speak to me and let the rest fall away? Or am I more likely to be paralysed by fear attempting to interpret my own life in the blinding light of its scope? If you feel you are able to leave yourself behind while reading such material, I highly recommend this book. However, for those carrying themselves into the fray, be thee warned. It is unlikely this book will illicit a lukewarm response.

Rating:
Summary: annointed
Review: I was on a 3 day fast while reading this book. I believe it was so annointed that the Holy Spirit opened up the eyes of my heart even further. This and The Last Call were powerful manna for me and I was feasting at the table.

Rating:
Summary: Read carefully and wisely - [e-mail]
Review: Many believers like myself are concerned that Christians are enthusiastically accepting Rick Joyner's book as a true vision from God when much of the content is problematic and at times unscriptural. It is exciting to read - but excitement is not a measure of truth, and I believe that many who read this book a second time with the Scriptures in hand will find much that is disturbing - and not in a good way. I have written a more complete review of this book - info is on my Member page, or e-mail me.

Rating:
Summary: This is a work of fiction
Review: I gave this book 3 stars as it is only a mediocre work of fiction - a story of "heroes and villains" that could have been written by any fantasy writer, anywhere on earth - he would not even need to be especially religious. I would have given it 4 or 5 stars, only I think that I could have written something much better myself. The story consists of a series of largely unrelated dream scenarios with no coherent plot running though, and has no ending other than the largely predictable "to be continued..." slogan. The author's supposed encounters with historical and biblical figures are purely imaginary.

However, the main problem with this book is simply this - it claims to be God's prophetic Word and, it seems, people actually believe it is!

Christians - if you do read this book, remember it is only a story. At most, it can only inspire you to living a better life. If you want to know what God has in store for his church, it is best to turn to the Scriptures.

Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFULLY OUTSTANDING AND INSIGHTFUL BOOK.
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read. I enjoyed it so much that I read it three times, so far, and plan to read it again. It really helped me to take a deeper look into my own heart for the purpose of greater soul-searching and repentance. It also helped me to better understand the devices and strategies of the Enemy (as that of troops and divisions under different banners such as "gossip", "slander", "strife", and "division").

"The Final Quest" brought new life to the passage in Ephesians 6, concerning putting on "the whole armour of God". As Christians we are in a battle, like it or not, but we can all be prepared by putting on "the whole armour of God". This book is like a handbook or soldier's manual, but so exciting that it keeps you on the edge of your chair.

I would not, however, recommend this book to new Christians or the fearful sort. This book is only for those who are stout-hearted and unafraid to do some serious soul-searching, and divest themselves of sin and the things that so easily entangle one. If you are wanting to go on with God, and press toward the mark, the prize of the high calling, focusing your eyes on Jesus as the author and finisher of your faith, then this book is a must have for you!

Rating:
Summary: Excelent prophetic contemporary insight.
Review: I'll not be long winded here. I have read this book three times. Each time I get more out of it and see things I missed the first time. If you believe in bible prophecy or are open to believing in it, this book is a fascinating read.

Rating:
Summary: Tragic
Review: This book is a sad commentary on the state of the Christian church today. There is nothing biblical about this book. Rick Joyner sets himself up as a prophet, but does not want to be accountable to the biblical accountibility required of a prophet. Please do not be taken in by the hype. Be discerning. Grace and peace.

Rating:
Summary: Points to Christ and Christ alone
Review: I experienced the worst time in my life this past year. I was seeking healing from the most hurtful experience ever. I grew up in a wonderful strong biblical church that believes the "sign gifts" are no longer active today. However, as I've read scriture myself and asked the Holy Spirit to teach me (I John 2:27) beyond my presuppositions as He promises to do (John 16:13-14), the HS has been helping me understand that He is so much greater than my finite mind can imagine. It was during a 3-week sabbatical that I picked up this book. WOW! Did I ever enter the presence of God in a way I have never known. I have been a christian for 30+ years and been told by others that I know scripture extremely well (due to my incredible biblical heritage during my upbringing). But scripture has never come alive to me as it did after reading this book. The greatest healing in my life emotionally, spiritually and psychologically was through the Bible and how God used this prophetic book in my life. The theme throughout this book and Joyner's others is to draw people to know God, know His heart above all else. Due to the incredible conviction from the Holy Spirit, it took me days to read and re-read many parts, crying and repenting through issues, and deep excruciating self-examination and "God-examination" (Ps 139:23-24). The greatest revelation from God Himself showed me my deep-rooted pride and self-righteousness manifested in judgmentalism and a critical spirit. I have learned again, "Who am I to judge another." All through the books of James, I/II Peter, I Cor., Matt. 7:1-5, scripture commands us not to judge one another. It is part of the root of our fallen human nature: PRIDE. Oh how HE needs to increase and I must decrease. I recommend this book above any others I have read and due to the incredible drawing of my heart to know God's heart, the enemy would NEVER do this. It has proven it must be from God -- test the spirits as I John 4:1-4 talks about -- if he confesses Jesus as coming in the flesh, dying and rising again, which Joyner undoubtedly does, he is from God and NOT a false prophet. False prophets lead away from the one and only true God (Father, Son and HS) to anything else: self,the church, pride in knowing the bible or anything that takes the place of knowing HIM. I must fall on my face before HIM and thank HIM for how HE has healed my broken heart and restored me to a deeper relationship with HIM than I could have ever imagined. I ask for the Righteous Judge to judge my heart here and now, to know Him and hear His voice without Pride or self-righteousness. "THE CALL" is another must read.

Rating:
Summary: this is not of God
Review: As a former LDS (1973-1985)I saw a number of similarities between the kind of vision described by Joyner and those of Joseph Smith and other false prophets. In Joyner's case and many others, some of the vision is a rewriting of history in a way that ignorant people would not notice the impossibilities. For example, Joyner allegedly saw a great Reformer, whether Luther, Calvin, Knox or Cranmer or other, he conveniently does not say. Joyner claims that 1) this Reformer really got most of his ideas from his wife; 2) this reformer's teaching changed over time; 3) by the end of his life, this reformer was in fact an enemy or nearly an enemy of the gospel. Of course, this description fits no one, at least, not the major Reformers of the 1500's.

Moreover, the wife of this fictitious Reformer is praised. If the Reformer got most of his ideas from his wife, and was nearly an enemy of the gospel, why should that that wife be praised?

Anyone who knows the lives of Luther, Calvin and others will immediately know that their teaching was quite consistent and nearly unchanging over time.

Moreover, Joyner seriously distorts scripture. According to him, Jesus slanders his own people, by saying that no one is as blind as his servant(s). This is a distortion from Isaiah, which reads, Who is blind, but my servant? In the context of Isaiah, it means that the Jewish people are blind to the things of God.

The "Jesus" of Joyner, however, slanders God's own people, calling them as blind or more blind than unbelievers. Thus, the "Jesus" of Joyner not only errs, but he shows his hatred of the people of God.

Joyner also distorts John 17:26. Joyner understands that John 17:26 teaches that we are to love Jesus as the Father loved Jesus. Of course, since the Father is infinite and perfectly God, and we are fallible, sinful and finite men, that is impossible. However, the "Jesus" of Joyner confirms the false interpretation of John 17:26 and prays for Joyner that he would love Jesus as does the Father.

Of course, the real meaning of the words which Joyner has distorted is that the same love which the Father showed for Jesus, should be upon believers, as is indicated in John 17:23.

In other words, the "Jesus" of Rick Joyner confirms Rick in a faulty and careless reading of John 17. The "Jesus" of the Book of Mormon and of other fictional books frequently does just that--confirming people in what is clearly a faulty understanding of scripture. Frequently, the faulty understanding is so obvious, the fuller, correct explanation is a few verses away.

God show all the truth in every way!

DZ