Rose el-Yousef referred in their articles to two books. One of them is "Christianity and War" by Rafiq Habib and the other one is Rick Joyner’s "The Harvest". An outline and evaluation of Joyner’s book is given. Habib’s book should follow later. Remarkable was that none of the Egyptians I consulted and hardly any Western Christian in Cairo, including Revd. Dave Petrescue of the Maadi Community Church and several members of the church council, had ever heard of Joyner and his book. That makes one suspect Joyner is not very well-known. One should therefore not overstate the importance of this book.
Title: The Harvest
Author: Rick Joyner
Publisher: Morning Star Publications, P.O. Box 369, Pineville, North Carolina 28134
First published: 1989. 5th edition printing 1991; 80,000 copies in print.
Outline of the book:
Rick Joyner is a pastor (probably Charismatic) who claims he had received prophetic visions and revelations in 1987 and 1988 with updates in 1990 & 1991. Joyner wanted to confirm his visions with the Bible. He writes "What I see in the Bible very definitely confirms the pattern of what I have seen in this vision." (page 11)
Prophesy:
Joyner describes the purpose of his and other prophecies. This is "to interpret current events in the light of the Divine purpose is a primary function of the prophets" (page 143). A prophecy is "not just to foretell events but sometimes to provoke a response to the prediction which results in repentance and/or intercession which can change our destiny and the unfolding events." Joyner gives the example of Jonah who prophesied Nineveh was going to be overthrown if Nineveh did not repent. Nineveh was not overthrown because they repented. "There are events contained in this prophecy which can be changed by repentance and intercession. There are also events which cannot and/or will not be changed because of their intricate place in the unfolding of the ultimate purpose of God. These are not revealed here because they were not revealed to me." (page 13)
Joyner’s claim to prophethood implicates that his message cannot be discussed. This makes many Christians cautious because for Christians the only message above human criticism is the Bible. Besides this there have been so many claims to prophethood throughout history with sometimes very accurate predictions which later proved not to be true that this too should make one wary of claims to prophethood.
Joyner makes many predictions but at the end of his book cautions that "we still "see through a glass darkly" and no one has yet attained to complete and perfect understanding; therefore all have and probably will continue to make mistakes." ... "Therefore we must all remain open to correction and a more perfect understanding. One may give a false, or erroneous teaching but [should] not be tagged as a "false teacher", or we would all be carrying that label. We must reserve the designation of "false teacher" for those who have erroneous teachings about the essential precepts of the faith, such as the nature of the birth, life, atoning death and resurrection of Jesus." (page 156)
Joyner’s book describes two main events. First there will be a great tribulation. The church and the world will go through a period of great self-inflicted suffering and there will be many falling away from the true faith in Jesus. This suffering could be avoided if there is real repentance. Certain is that even if the great persecution takes place at the end huge numbers will come to faith in Jesus.
Joyner begins to describe the harvest because "This vision is given to encourage and prepare those who will be laborers in this great work." In the last days there will be a huge army of believers to spread the gospel over the earth. "The least of them having more power than the greatest of their enemies. This is the army of God envisioned by the prophets, soon to be a reality." (page 18/19)
Joyner writes that the Lord began forming His "body" on the Day of Pentecost. Through the centuries He has continued building his body, adding to it those who overcame in every age. The last members to be added to this body are metaphorically referred to as the "feet". Just as our feet touch the earth while the rest of the body stands erect in the air, the "feet" of the Lord’s body will touch the earth but represent the entire body which stands completed in the heavenlies. The scriptures say that all of His enemies will be crushed under His FEET." (page 21)
The harvest serves as the great encouragement to go through the times of tribulations. Why fear them? The true believers in Jesus will overcome them. "He certainly did save His best wine for the last. The most glorious times in all of history have now come upon us. You who have dreamed of one day being able to talk with Peter, John and Paul are going to be surprised to find that they have all been waiting to talk to you." (page 22)
But victory does not come without struggle." We must be prepared for this conflict. There will be martyrs during the harvest. In places, the church will be almost completely wiped out. But the lives of these martyrs will be seed for a harvest in that same place. The places where the enemy makes his most powerful attacks are the very places where the greatest advances of the gospel will be made." (page 27)
The woman in labor.
Joyner follows in chapter two the metaphor of a woman in labor. The closer to childbirth the more frequent and intense the contractions. This in reference to the signals of the end of age which were "the beginning of birth pangs." (Matthew 24:8).
The beginning of the labor started at the Reformation. The second contraction was with the evangelist Wesley. "The Pentecostal and Latter Rain revivals began the restoration of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but it was not until the Charismatic and Third Wave Renewals that the TEACHING ministry was fully restored." (page 35) "The next spiritual contraction will bring about the restoration and recognition of the PROPHETS. We will see the prophetic ministry become the primary focus of attention during the next few years as a much greater anointing comes upon this ministry than has been seen since Biblical times." (page 35)
Besides true leaders and prophets there will be misguided leaders who will bring confusion and disorientation as was the case during previous renewals. "We must understand that every time the Lord plants wheat the enemy is going to come and plant tares" writes Joyner (page 36). How can we distinguish the true from the false? Joyner refers to John 7:18, "He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but he who is seeking the glory of the One who sent him, he is true and there is no unrighteousness in him."
The prophets prepare the way for "another contraction during which a true APOSTOLIC authority will be restored and recognized within the advancing church." (page 38) "A power and authority is about to be given to some [in reference to prophets] which will exceed all precedents." (page 38) "When true apostolic authority is commissioned it will signal the end of the transition stage of our travail." (page 40) "A primary function of the apostolic ministry is the restoration of Jesus as the Head of His Church [RJ gives the impression this needs to be literally interpreted]. As this becomes a reality, the church will become the greatest demonstration of order and harmony ever witnessed in human affairs." (page 41)
Criticizing the church.
Obviously one of the main purposes of the book is to criticize the traditional churches and to call for repentance. Obviously too most blessings are with the charismatic churches. "One of the greatest tools the Lord uses to equip His people will be "home groups". These "home groups" are a familiar treat in the charismatic movement which, unlike traditional churches such as Catholics, Orthodox, Episcopal but also Reformed and many other traditional churches doesn’t need an ordained pastor but any true believer could in fact be leading such a "home group" which function like small cells of believers.
"Ultimately, home groups will become the foundation upon which the entire church is being built." (page 46) Besides the home groups also the unity of the church is important. "The Bible instructs the Body of Christ to assemble in one unit." But there is opposition to this unity within the churches. "Many divisions are brought about because of the fears of weak leaders in their masked attempt to preserve their own dominions and identities." (page 46/47)
It is because of this opposition to unity in Jesus that the judgment begins in the church. Joyner is clearly highly critical of traditional churches. "One of the great failures of historic Christianity has been the tendency to substitute rituals for reality." (page 56) "If the church were walking in the light that she has the world would not be living in such darkness. We flail at the world’s branches but the Lord is about to put the ax to the root of our own tree. The church is supposed to confront the world with its iniquity, but not before we have been examined by the same finger." (page 59) But, says Joyner, persecution is good for the church because it will purify the church.
"For nearly two thousand years the Lord has been working to prepare His church for this hour. Satan has likewise been earnestly working to deceive and side-track every purpose of God in the church. One of Satan’s most effective strategies has been to get the church to worship the church, the Bible, even worship in place of God himself. One of his most effective delusions has been to get us devote our attention to who we are in Christ, instead of who He is in us. This leads to worshipping of ourselves, the creature, instead of the blessed Creator."(page 80)
"Hearts must be changed by repentance and by seeing the Lord’s glory more clearly; we must both STOP eating of the Tree of Knowledge and START eating of the Tree of Life. Just doing one without the other will not accomplish our deliverance." (page 83)
Joyner compares Saul to David and compares Saul to traditional church leaders and seems to compare himself to David. "Saul was anointed as king by the Lord. It is true that, because of God’s covenant with us He will bless our seed, even if it is a work of the flesh. He blessed Ishmael, the son born after the flesh, and made him a great nation, because of Abraham. The Lord is faithful even when we are unfaithful. But, if we want to be a part of the promised seed, truth, or ministry, we must distinguish between which is blessed by God and that which is chosen. "Many are called but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14) (page 91)
The comparisons go further. "One of the great tests of David’s heart was his willingness to serve in the house of Saul." Is this an indication that Joyner had been willing to serve in traditional churches? He doesn’t write this but it is certainly possible to explain his text in this way. "David obviously viewed the overall well-being of Israel and the purposes of God as more important than his own well-being or recognition. This is in some way a test required of all who would serve the eternal throne of David upon which Christ now sits." (page 91)
"There is enmity between that which is born of the flesh and that which is born of the spirit. Saul continually tried to kill David but David would not raise his hand against Saul. He would not take the authority for himself but waited patiently even during intense persecution and injustice for God to establish him in His time. Retaliation and self-promotion will not be found in what is truly born of God." (page 92)
"Possibly the single greatest distinguishing characteristic between Saul and David was found in who they feared most." Saul feared people and circumstances more than God. David feared God more. David was the youngest son in the insignificant house of Jesse. David was from a low background and called to a high calling. (page 92) "That which has been born of God is usually repulsive to the pride and presumptions of carnal men." ... "This gospel is foolishness to the natural man and always will be. It will never attract those who live by human wisdom. Only those who love truth more than anything else in this world will walk with Him in the reproach of the true gospel." ... "The birth, life and death of Jesus put the ax to the root of the tree of human wisdom and pride, the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil." (page 93)
The comparison between Saul and David seems to function as a prelude to a critique on traditional churches. "We converted men to the church, to our doctrines, to our projects and organizations - almost to anything but Christ himself." But "if we would preach only the raw gospel we would be protecting the church from the terrible deceptions and humiliations she has been enduring for almost two millenniums. (page 94) Joyner’s criticism becomes more harsh: "We have been preaching a false gospel. It does not matter how tearfully someone talks about the cross, if we are not living it, it is not our message." (page 95).."The false gospel will swell our church rolls and inflate our donations but is repulsive" (page 95)... "To some of the most meek and humble servants a sword has been given that will soon bring to an end the futile works of unbroken religious impostors." (page 95) Are the "meek and humble servants" in reference to Joyner and his followers? But the [traditional] churches refuse to accept these servants. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem who kills prophets and stones those who are sent to her." (Matt. 23:37-39) The church is just as guilty now as Jerusalem was then." (page 98)
The church is thus guilty of the great tribulation to come but Joyner writes she will not be overcome. "The enemy’s strategy is to so utterly degrade the church that she will begin to retreat just when she is about to make one of her greatest advances." There will be revelations about immoral and unethical behavior by hundreds of prominent ministers. "Some of these will be true, but most will not be true." .. "Satan’s hit list" includes hundreds of Evangelical, Pentecostal and Charismatic leaders. "The Lord is allowing this onslaught for His own purposes. He is going to have a pure and holy church." (page 103/104)
"Some denominations will get involved, seeing this as a chance to eliminate what they consider "the fringe element" of Christianity. These feel that the popular evangelicals, charismatics and televangelists have deprived them of resources and support. Some of these denominational officials have no fear of God and are well aware of what they are doing. Others honestly feel they are doing God a favor. Some government officials and agencies will see this humiliation of Christianity as a way to eliminate the tax exempt status of ministries (and possibly even the entire church) with popular support." (page 107)
Communism may seem to have retreated but in Joyner’s vision the respite will be only brief. Communism will "make further significant advances. South Korea, the Philippines, South and Central America (including Mexico, and most of Africa)... "In some of the countries taken by the communists there will be an attempt to completely wipe out Christianity as well as other religions." (page 114) ... "The most severe persecution against believers will come in countries which now enjoy religious freedom." (page 115) but "Powerful apostolic teams will come out of Russia and China giving strength to the persecuted church throughout the world." (page 115)
Preparation for Persecution.
"There will be worldwide "house church" and "Christian community" movements which will help prepare the saints for both the persecution and the harvest. These actually were begun in the sixties but most floundered and failed" because they "were built upon a doctrine instead of a commission." (page 116).
"The Lord is about to curse every "tree" which is not bearing fruit. Fruit bears the seed for reproduction." ... "To be distinguished from "house churches" tens of thousands of homes are being prepared for use in the harvest in another way." ... "Families will be trained and become effective in preaching the gospel, healing the sick, casting out demons and taking small groups of new believers through basic discipleship training." ..."the massive ingathering about to come will greatly exceed the ability of any congregation to handle it without the help of these home group leaders." (page 118)
The number 666 from Revelations 13:18 represents man who tries to stand in the place of God. "Every church, ministry, denomination or movement which is in headed by men or human organization in place of Christ will easily succumb to this ultimate blasphemy." (page 123) "Satan’s most deadly form is the "angel of light", the fruit from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. "It kills because it is human goodness offered as a compensation for our evil conscience, replacing the cross and therefore Jesus as our Head and the Source of our life." (page 124)
"The greatest persecution against the advancing church will come from the moral and conservative people and their religious institutions." ... "Some who call themselves Christians will consider it their duty to God and society to kill the true believers. We need not fear demons; they fear us. However, we must be wary of the religious establishment. The false church will have sweeping political power but its popular support will be superficial. For a time most of its attacks against true Christians will be directed against the leadership just as was the case in the first century. Then, for a time there will be such an inflow of converts that the advancing church will not be able to contain them all. Joyner repeats his arguments: "The institutional churches will ultimately become the greatest opposers of true believers exceeding even the most anti-Christian governments, cults and religions." (page 124/125)
Besides the true church there is a false church. The false church may be interpreted as the traditional churches but is not clearly defined. Joyner finds it, however, necessary to state that traditional church leaders are not his enemies. "The Lord said to be aware of the leaven of the Pharisees; He did not say to beware of the Pharisees themselves. High churchmen are not our enemies; we do not war against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers in the heavenly places." ... "We must also stop judging congregations, movements, or ministries by externals. There will be many congregations that are members of institutional church orders that provide great leadership during the harvest." (page 126)
"When the church goes on the offensive against the enemy’s strongholds, it will not be done by returning slander or in the spirit of retaliation. The offensive strategy of the Lord is to bring conversion and release to the captives through the Truth Who sets all men free. We must return good for evil praying for and witnessing to our enemies of the kindness of God that calls men to repentance." (page 126)
Every Christian is called to be a martyr. We are called to die daily. "This reality will give rise in the church to a boldness and straightforwardness about the gospel which has rarely been seen during the gospel age." ... " The glory of the Lord will be so great in these days that life and death on this earth will hold little significance for the saints. We will trust the Lord with our lives, the lives of our families, friends, and fellow members of the body of Christ. In the future life will become very cheap throughout the world. Because of plaques, wars, riots and natural disasters, death will be witnessed almost daily by everyone." (page 127)
Islam:
"Islamic terrorists will permeate the West with teams that target Christian organizations and leaders. This is in preparation for an Islamic assault upon the entire world. They will compile computer data on every Christian leader who has any kind of extra-local influence (i.e. newsletters, television or radio outreach). Their main target for attacks will be upon denominations and institutions with political influence. They will seldom interfere with the actual harvest of the true church. Ultimately Islam will become the greatest threat to peace, world order and freedom. This too is the Lord’s doing. Just as He used the heathen nations around Israel to discipline both the church and the world for its idolatry and apostasy. The power of Islam to disrupt world affairs will not be broken until there is almost universal repentance from idolatry and apostasy.
As the harvest begins to affect Islamic countries, some will vehemently resist it, but in general the harvest will reap many from Islam. Egypt will be entirely won to the Lord; her devotion and willingness to sacrifice for His purposes will be so great she will actually be called "the altar of the Lord." Great apostles and prophets will come out of Islamic countries. These will rejoice greatly in the truth that sets them free, preaching the gospel with a commitment and abandon which will inspire the entire body of Christ." (page 128/129)repeats later again that Islam is the greatest threat to world order and to Christianity but this doesn’t make Joyner negative about Arabs. "Even so, God loves the Arabs and desires their salvation." ... "The Western media has highlighted the apparent cruel and evil teachings and practices of Islam recently" but Joyner realizes that he should take the reports about Islam in the media with great care because these media "have mostly been highlighting the extreme elements within Islam (just as they have with Christians, Israel and anyone else they cover)." (page 135)
"According to the Koran they [Muslims] are commanded to respect both Christians and Jews but when they look at our lifestyles they do not see evidence of true belief; therefore "infidel" or "non-believer" is more fitting." (page 136)
"There are aspects of the Islamic faith that are cruel, intolerant and many of the Arab people are prone to follow leaders who were cruel, pompous and tyrannical, but in general, the Arabs are a people of honor, and integrity, and devoted to hospitality but they will not tolerate drugs, alcohol, pornography, stealing, or other forms of corruption. Much of what the West calls "freedom" they call license for corruption and lawlessness. Their commitment to the light [is such] that they have should shame most Christians. The same rebuke that the Lord had for the cities of Israel could be appropriately spoken in most churches today. Arabs are not our enemies; we do not wrestle with flesh and blood but against principalities, powers and spiritual strongholds that exalt themselves again the knowledge of God (see II Cor. 10:3-6)" (page 136)
Israel and the Church.
"There will be a time of increasing controversy in the church about the position of Israel and the Jews in the plan of God." (page 131) "These positions will basically consist of those who see only the natural Jew and the nation of Israel in God’s purpose to close the age and bring in the end time harvest and those who see only spiritual Israel, the church." (page 131) For 2000 years God dealt specifically with the Jews. For another 2000 years His purpose was concentrated on the church. Now the church and Israel will be united in Jesus and "there will be a release of life and power unequaled on earth." (page 132)
Middle East War
"There will be a conflict in the Middle East that will result in Damascus being utterly destroyed. This will be done in such a way that the world will become enraged at Israel." ... "Even the United States will wash its hands of Israel and participate in the new holocaust. Jews will be killed and driven out of every nation on earth. During this time true believers around the world will rise to give Jews aid and shelter igniting even greater wrath against Christians." "Jews and Christians will find themselves together in this persecution is by Divine design. Twenty centuries of persecution and reproach has prepared the Jews for the true gospel." (page 138)
"During this same period the Soviets, in league with Iran and other Islamic nations, will march against Israel with worldwide public opinion on their side. No other country will help Israel but the assault will be stopped by an earthquake and great storms." (page 139)
"Jews and the Gentiles were meant to be one loaf (see Ephesians 2:14-18). The plan will not be complete until they are joined in Christ."
Sending money to Israel so that she can buy rockets or build cities does not bless Israel. "It works to strengthen her will to resist the gospel which she will do as long as she can stand on her own strength." .."The blessings she [the church] shares with Israel must be spiritual. This is not to imply that it is wrong for nations, such as the United States, to give Israel aid as a nation but the church has a higher calling." (page 140)
"It was because of one righteous act by Harry S. Truman, when he recognized the new state of Israel against the counsel of almost everyone in his government as well as world opinion, that his home town of Kansas City will be favored as a center of revival in the U.S., and become a blessing to many other nations. As a legacy to Anwar Sadat, who likewise recognized Israel against great opposition, the entire nation of Egypt will call on the name of Jesus and water the deserts of the earth with a pure gospel." (page 141)
Repentance needed.
Human pride made the British empire sink. But this empire was replaced by the United States. "Just as the Lord used the British Empire for a period He has used the United States in a great and wonderful way. The U.S. may have even surpassed the British in preaching the gospel, we have been used to aid in the establishment of Israel and we have been a primary hedge against the communist plague. By giving purpose and meaning to the value of the individual, America rose to be the greatest nation in history." (page 144) but "our vision has been turned to pride." (page 145)
"Is there no hope for the United States? Yes, if there is repentance. With every prophet and warning sent by the Lord there is an appeal for repentance. The judgments foretold come to pass only if we refuse to hear and turn from our wicked ways." (page 146).."The repentance experienced by the United States seemed hardly measurable to many prophets, but it was enough for the Lord to give us longer." (page 146) "If He gives us another year or fifty, let us use the time wisely." (page 147)
Using the time wisely means preparing Christians for the great persecution to come. We can learn from the lessons of Christians in other countries. Joyner quotes a bishop from China without giving his name. This bishop once said. "We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling them Jesus would come first." (page 152)
"While Christians are now having their children kidnapped for human sacrifice in satanic rituals rights in the U.S. and in other major Western countries, while Islam has become the fastest growing religion, with mosques now being built faster than churches throughout the world with their intent on world dominion (Islam means "submission" and their goal is to bring under submission to their doctrine), Christians actually divide over and call each other false teachers because of their position on the rapture! The angels must rank this near the top of all follies they have seen committed by deluded men." (page 155)
Another mistake Christians make is that they are looking at faults in one another. "Those who are of the nature of the evil one are the ’fault finders" Jude warned about." .. "Fault finders are those who "cause divisions." Those who are of the Spirit of Christ will keep themselves in the love of God, extending mercy and, like their Lord, living to intercede, not to accuse. The Lord said He would distinguish between the "sheep" and the "goats" by their actions in relation to their brothers, not by their doctrines." (page 158)
When the end time comes there will not only be persecution of Christians and Jews but there will also be wars, earthquakes, famines and plagues. The beginning of all this can already be seen. 1988 witnessed the worst forest fires, one of the worst earthquakes, record high and low temperatures. "These trends are messages." (165) "More [people] will perish by plagues and natural disasters than by wars during this period of this vision." ... "An earthquake will devastate Florida and break it off from the mainland." ... AIDS will become one of the greatest killers of all time. AIDS "will change so that it will be transmitted through casual contact, mosquitoes and even food." (page 166)
But the light of God will prevail over the darkness and in the end of times masses of people will be streaming to the Lord. "This harvest will be so great that no one will look back at the early church as a standard; all will be saying that the Lord has certainly saved His best wine for last." (page 168)
Evaluation of Joyner’s book:
Joyner calls himself a prophet with the purpose to bring believers to repentance and intercession but is the Bible not sufficient to do this? Revd. Dave Petrescue of the Maadi Community Church in Cairo, Egypt, responds that there are varying opinions about prophesy. At one end there are Christians who believe that all revelations and prophecies ceased with Jesus or the recording of the New Testament. They would quote Revelations 22: 18 and 19 which reads: "I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plaques described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book."
Petrescue says that "at the other extreme there are Christians who believe that God continues giving revelations and dreams and that the new revelations supercede the Scriptures. This is the cause of many cults."
Petrescue himself doesn’t belong to any of these streams of thought. "I believe God is a communicating God. The spirit of God opens our eyes to help us understand the Scriptures. I don’t exclude prophecy and revelation but it should be thoroughly tested by the revealed Scriptures and by other believers." Petrescue refers in this to St. Paul who writes in 1 Corinthians 14:26-39 about having revelations. But "these must be done for the strengthening of the church" and if prophets speak "others should weigh carefully what is said" and "you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed or encouraged" and "If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored. Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
Joyner repeatedly focuses on faith in Jesus and on the Biblical message but remarkably enough did not refer in his book to the above mentioned verses in either the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians or the book of Revelation.
Joyner has, with his prophesy, obviously added to the Scriptures which makes him fit Petrescue’s second category since nothing in the book indicates the prophecy has been validated by others in the church as St. Paul requires in his first letter to the Corinthians. On the other hand Joyner shows some reservation about his own prophesy by stating that "we see through a glass darkly" which makes him tending to go in Petrescue’s third category. Joyner’s reservation about his own revelation, however, is very weak. He keeps repeatedly calling his book a revelation from God making any discussion on it virtually impossible. Perhaps this was intended and if so, this is dangerous.
Joyner criticizes the traditional churches which he probably knows well because he lives in the US. He preaches that no slander should be used and that the spirit of retaliation is evil. "We must return good for evil praying for and witnessing to our enemies of the kindness of God that calls men to repentance." (page 126)
But where it comes to Islam Joyner’s tone is very different. His prediction is that "Islamic terrorists will permeate the West with teams that target Christian organizations and leaders. This is in preparation for an Islamic assault upon the entire world." That prediction is not only a reflection of a perceived threat and an existing widespread fear for Islam among American Christians which is probably strongest among Evangelical and Charismatic Christians but that prediction also strengthens that fear. This fear is obviously, as also Joyner testifies, strongly fed by reports in the media. But "why", says Revd. Said Ibrahim of the Faith Church in Cairo "should Christians fear Islam if they know themselves saved through the blood of Jesus Christ?" Fear makes people believe the worst stories that have been created about Islam and Muslims in return will respond in anger about the misrepresentation of Islam in the West. Fear thus leads to unnecessary polarization and will thus make it more difficult to create bridges to Muslims which are now being torn down.
Joyner at one hand is negative about Islam but on the other hand realizes that the lifestyle in the West, which is seen by many Muslims as Christian, is turning Muslims away from Christians. "When they look at our lifestyles they do not see evidence of true belief; therefore "infidel" or "non-believer" is more fitting." (page 136)
Joyner prophecizes that ’the entire nation of Egypt’ will become Christian because of the peace late president Anwar Sadat made with Israel. Prophesizing about great numbers of Muslims becoming Christian may sound appealing to many Christians but such ’prophecies’ may, in fact, have a boomerang effect on Christians in these countries. Someone told me that another Western ’prophet’ prophesized about an Islamic country in Asia that Christians in that country would get themselves organized to bring Muslims the Gospel. The result was that the government of that country took measures to restrict the Christians in that country, Christians who had nothing to do with that prophesy at all.
Joyner speaks of the willingness of Egyptians to sacrifice for His purposes. The "altar of the Lord" is of course in reference to Isaiah 19 but an altar also has the element of sacrifice in it. There will be martyrs and in some places, which are not further identified, the church will be almost completely wiped out. "But the lives of these martyrs will be seed for a harvest in that same place. The places where the enemy makes his most powerful attacks are the very places where the greatest advances of the gospel will be made." (page 27)
These thoughts are similar to those of some Christian missionary groups in the Ottoman Empire just prior to the holocaust of the Armenians in 1915. Among Evangelical Armenians in that time there was the belief that the lives of their martyrs would be the seed for a harvest in Anatolia. Until now that has not happened. Anatolia was prior to 1915 perhaps over 30% Christian. Today this is less then 0.1%.
Christians had been partly responsible for the genocide in 1915. Armenian nationalists had played a political game in approximately half a century prior to the genocide. They had asked for self-rule and sometimes independence in ways that upset the Ottomans and pushed them into a defensive position. In that process these Armenian nationalists had stimulated local Armenians to revolt in some places and committed political murders in other places. They had asked the foreign powers of those days (Russia, France and England) to interfere on their behalf which they did, not for the Armenians, but to further their own imperial ambitions. The same foreign powers had given protection to missionaries from their countries in the Ottoman Empire who were used as a tool to gain influence in the empire. It was among the churches founded by those missionaries that the belief could be found that the lives of the martyrs would be the seed for a harvest.
The lesson of the Ottoman Empire should be that Christians should be careful in claiming that martyrs are always the seed of the church. That was the case in the early church and that is probably the case today in Southern Sudan but it wasn’t the case in the areas which prior to 1915 belonged to the Ottoman Empire.
Sacrifice can be the seed of the church if the Christians concerned are strong believers and their sacrifice is indeed unquestionably, also for non-Christians, for reasons of faith only. Once other elements come in, such as nationalistic sentiments and conflicts which were in principle not related to faith it is not so certain that the Christians concerned are indeed martyrs and thus might not be the seed for a harvest.
Some Christians who have suffered like to present themselves as martyrs but not every person who calls himself a martyr is a martyr. George Adli, a former employee at the Cairo Sheraton, is an example. After the Sheraton had accused him of theft and he had lost his job he claimed that the Sheraton had tried to force him to convert to Islam without having any convincing evidence to support his claim. With this Adli created the image of the martyr which many foreign Christians were all too ready to believe. Adli is not alone. There are many other examples where Christians gave the appearance of being the victim of Islam while in fact many other factors contributed to their hardship (see bulletin of the Foreign Press Association, Spring 1998, page 26-29).
Prophesizing on persecution has something inevitable. True, in Joyner’s vision the danger could be turned off if the people repent. But in the view of others, because it is a prophesy, persecution might be seen as inevitable. In a country where the church is weak, where there are many Christians who are weak in their faith, such as in Egypt, that is dangerous. Those Christians, if real pressure would come in Egypt, would avoid martyrdom and turn to Islam.
Joyner’s book may serve as an encouragement in the West. It shows believers that after a period of persecution the harvest of the end of times will come. The effect in Egypt could be very different.
Some local Egyptian Christians are translating Joyner’s book into Arabic. It could stimulate local, probably mainly charismatic believers, to be encouraged to proclaim the gospel in all boldness to Muslims. They will not fear the consequences for themselves because these tribulations have to come before the great harvest. Muslims will respond to them and that is their own responsibility but they are probably not aware of the boomerang effect their proclamation has on Muslims. It will push Muslims into even greater effort to proclaim Islam to Christians and in a country which has so many poor, uneducated Christians, many of whom have very little deep faith, that will result in large numbers of conversions to Islam. The boldness to proclaim the gospel will then result in an advance for Islam.
Joyner believes the light of God will prevail over the darkness and in the end of times masses of people will be streaming to the Lord. "This harvest will be so great that no one will look back at the early church as a standard; all will be saying that the Lord has certainly saved His best wine for last." But this is what Muslims believe as well. Sheikh Yousef Al-Badri claimed in an interview with the editor of the RNSAW that the 21st century will be the age of Islam. He believes that in that century the world will turn to Islam. To support his view he points to the large numbers who have turned to Islam in the past decades. Only thirty years ago there were hardly any Muslims in the US. Today Muslims count an estimated six million members in the US. The same drastic changes can be seen in other Western countries where Christianity has been pushed back and Islam is advancing. Meanwhile the numbers of Christians in the Arab world have been drastically reduced in the past 30 years. Sheikh Yousef Al-Badri doesn’t have a theory that Islam will first have to suffer a great persecution before the harvest for Islam will come. He doesn’t need to.
Joyner quotes a ’bishop from China’ which is clearly in reference to the communist take over in China in the late 1940s. The bishop said: "We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling them Jesus would come first." (page 152) Joyner, however, doesn’t expand on those thoughts, probably because he has no deep ongoing experience in non-Christian countries.
Revd. Said Ibrahim says that speaking about the inevitability of persecution or worse, the necessity of persecution to purify the church, is extremely dangerous in a situation where the church is weak. "Instead of speaking about the inevitability of persecution we should strengthen our people in their faith." Says a Coptic Christian: "If persecution comes it should be in God’s time and not men’s time. If it comes in God’s time He will take care that His church is prepared. Nothing more is worse then calling persecution over oneself." the church were walking in the light that she has the world would not be living in such darkness. We flail at the world’s branches but the Lord is about to put the ax to the root of our own tree. The church is supposed to confront the world with its iniquity, but not before we have been examined by the same finger." (page 59) But, says Joyner, persecution is good for the church because it will purify the church.
"For nearly two thousand years the Lord has been working to prepare His church for this hour. Satan has likewise been earnestly working to deceive and side-track every purpose of God in the church. One of Satan’s most effective strategies has been to get the church to worship the church, the Bible, even worship in place of God himself. One of his most effective delusions has been to get us devote our attention to who we are in Christ, instead of who He is in us. This leads to worshipping of ourselves, the creature, instead of the blessed Creator."(page 80)
"Hearts must be changed by repentance and by seeing the Lord’s glory more clearly; we must both STOP eating of the Tree of Knowledge and START eating of the Tree of Life. Just doing one without the other will not accomplish our deliverance." (page 83)
Joyner compares Saul to David and compares Saul to traditional church leaders and seems to compare himself to David. "Saul was anointed as king by the Lord. It is true that, because of God’s covenant with us He will bless our seed, even if it is a work of the flesh. He blessed Ishmael, the son born after the flesh, and made him a great nation, because of Abraham. The Lord is faithful even when we are unfaithful. But, if we want to be a part of the promised seed, truth, or ministry, we must distinguish between which is blessed by God and that which is chosen. "Many are called but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14) (page 91)
The comparisons go further. "One of the great tests of David’s heart was his willingness to serve in the house of Saul." Is this an indication that Joyner had been willing to serve in traditional churches? He doesn’t write this but it is certainly possible to explain his text in this way. "David obviously viewed the overall well-being of Israel and the purposes of God as more important than his own well-being or recognition. This is in some way a test required of all who would serve the eternal throne of David upon which Christ now sits." (page 91)
"There is enmity between that which is born of the flesh and that which is born of the spirit. Saul continually tried to kill David but David would not raise his hand against Saul. He would not take the authority for himself but waited patiently even during intense persecution and injustice for God to establish him in His time. Retaliation and self-promotion will not be found in what is truly born of God." (page 92)
"Possibly the single greatest distinguishing characteristic between Saul and David was found in who they feared most." Saul feared people and circumstances more than God. David feared God more. David was the youngest son in the insignificant house of Jesse. David was from a low background and called to a high calling. (page 92) "That which has been born of God is usually repulsive to the pride and presumptions of carnal men." ... "This gospel is foolishness to the natural man and always will be. It will never attract those who live by human wisdom. Only those who love truth more than anything else in this world will walk with Him in the reproach of the true gospel." ... "The birth, life and death of Jesus put the ax to the root of the tree of human wisdom and pride, the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil." (page 93)
The comparison between Saul and David seems to function as a prelude to a critique on traditional churches. "We converted men to the church, to our doctrines, to our projects and organizations - almost to anything but Christ himself." But "if we would preach only the raw gospel we would be protecting the church from the terrible deceptions and humiliations she has been enduring for almost two millenniums. (page 94) Joyner’s criticism becomes more harsh: "We have been preaching a false gospel. It does not matter how tearfully someone talks about the cross, if we are not living it, it is not our message." (page 95).."The false gospel will swell our church rolls and inflate our donations but is repulsive" (page 95)... "To some of the most meek and humble servants a sword has been given that will soon bring to an end the futile works of unbroken religious impostors." (page 95) Are the "meek and humble servants" in reference to Joyner and his followers? But the [traditional] churches refuse to accept these servants. "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem who kills prophets and stones those who are sent to her." (Matt. 23:37-39) The church is just as guilty now as Jerusalem was then." (page 98)
The church is thus guilty of the great tribulation to come but Joyner writes she will not be overcome. "The enemy’s strategy is to so utterly degrade the church that she will begin to retreat just when she is about to make one of her greatest advances." There will be revelations about immoral and unethical behavior by hundreds of prominent ministers. "Some of these will be true, but most will not be true." .. "Satan’s hit list" includes hundreds of Evangelical, Pentecostal and Charismatic leaders. "The Lord is allowing this onslaught for His own purposes. He is going to have a pure and holy church." (page 103/104)
"Some denominations will get involved, seeing this as a chance to eliminate what they consider "the fringe element" of Christianity. These feel that the popular evangelicals, charismatics and televangelists have deprived them of resources and support. Some of these denominational officials have no fear of God and are well aware of what they are doing. Others honestly feel they are doing God a favor. Some government officials and agencies will see this humiliation of Christianity as a way to eliminate the tax exempt status of ministries (and possibly even the entire church) with popular support." (page 107)
Communism may seem to have retreated but in Joyner’s vision the respite will be only brief. Communism will "make further significant advances. South Korea, the Philippines, South and Central America (including Mexico, and most of Africa)... "In some of the countries taken by the communists there will be an attempt to completely wipe out Christianity as well as other religions." (page 114) ... "The most severe persecution against believers will come in countries which now enjoy religious freedom." (page 115) but "Powerful apostolic teams will come out of Russia and China giving strength to the persecuted church throughout the world." (page 115)
Preparation for Persecution.
"There will be worldwide "house church" and "Christian community" movements which will help prepare the saints for both the persecution and the harvest. These actually were begun in the sixties but most floundered and failed" because they "were built upon a doctrine instead of a commission." (page 116).
"The Lord is about to curse every "tree" which is not bearing fruit. Fruit bears the seed for reproduction." ... "To be distinguished from "house churches" tens of thousands of homes are being prepared for use in the harvest in another way." ... "Families will be trained and become effective in preaching the gospel, healing the sick, casting out demons and taking small groups of new believers through basic discipleship training." ..."the massive ingathering about to come will greatly exceed the ability of any congregation to handle it without the help of these home group leaders." (page 118)
The number 666 from Revelations 13:18 represents man who tries to stand in the place of God. "Every church, ministry, denomination or movement which is in headed by men or human organization in place of Christ will easily succumb to this ultimate blasphemy." (page 123) "Satan’s most deadly form is the "angel of light", the fruit from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. "It kills because it is human goodness offered as a compensation for our evil conscience, replacing the cross and therefore Jesus as our Head and the Source of our life." (page 124)
"The greatest persecution against the advancing church will come from the moral and conservative people and their religious institutions." ... "Some who call themselves Christians will consider it their duty to God and society to kill the true believers. We need not fear demons; they fear us. However, we must be wary of the religious establishment. The false church will have sweeping political power but its popular support will be superficial. For a time most of its attacks against true Christians will be directed against the leadership just as was the case in the first centur
