The Call by Rick Joyner Pls share with friends CHAPTER 7 The Young Apostle I climbed down and began to walk through the yard. As I passed by the prisoners, they seemed almost completely disinterested in me or all of the commotion on the wall. I then remembered that they could not see that far. A young black man stepped into my path and looked at me with bright, inquisitive eyes. “Who are you?” we both said at the same time. As we stood looking at each other, he finally said, “My name is Stephen. I can see. What else do you want to know about me that you do not already know?” “How could I know anything else about you?” I inquired. “The one who helped me to see said that one day, others would come who were not prisoners. They would also be able to see, and they would tell us who we are and how we can escape from this prison.” I started to protest that I did not know who he was when I remembered what Wisdom had told me about those whom I would meet when I passed through the next door. “I do know you, and I know some things about you,” I acknowledged, “But I confess that this is the weirdest prison I have ever seen.” “But this is the only prison!” he protested. “How do you know that if you have been here all of your life?” I asked. “The one who helped me to see told me that it was the only one. He said that every soul who had ever been imprisoned was held captive here. He always told me the truth, so I believe this.” “Who is the one who helped you to see?” I asked, not only wanting to know who had helped him to see, but also interested in how this was the prison that held every soul captive. “He never told me his real name, but just called Himself ‘Wisdom.” “Wisdom! What did He look like?” I questioned. “He was a young, black athlete. He could see better than anyone and seemed to know everyone here. It is strange, though. I have met others here who said that they have also met Wisdom, but they all described Him differently. Some said that He was white and others said that He was a woman. Unless there are many ‘Wisdoms,’ He is a master of disguise.” “Can you take me to Him?” I asked. “I would, but I have not seen Him for a long time now. I am afraid that He has left or maybe even died. I have been very discouraged since He departed. My Vision even started getting worse until I saw you. As soon as I saw you, I knew that everything He told me was true. He said that you knew Him, too, so why are you asking me so much about Him?” “I do know Him! And be encouraged, your Friend is not dead. I will tell you His real name, too, but first I must ask you a few questions.” “I know that you can be trusted, and I know that you and others like you who are coming will want to meet everyone who can see. I can take you to some of them. I also know that you and the others are coming to help a lot of these other prisoners to see. I am surprised by one thing though.” “What is that?” “You are white. I never thought that the ones who came to help us see and be set free would be white.” “I am sure that there are many others coming who are not white,” I responded. “I can tell that you already have considerable vision, so I know you can understand what I am about to say.” The Value of Vision As I looked at Stephen to be sure he was listening, I was moved by how open and teachable he was, in striking contrast to the teacher who had been about his same age. This man will be a true teacher, I thought as I continued. “When we get to the place of ultimate vision, we will not judge people by the color of their skin, gender or age. We will not judge others by appearances, but after the spirit.” “That sounds like what our teachers used to tell us,” Stephen responded, a little surprised. “There is a difference though,” I continued. “They tried to make you think that we are all alike, but we were created different for a reason. True peace will only come when we respect the distinctions we have. When we really know who we are, we will never be threatened by those who are different. When we are free, we are free to show those who are different from us honor and respect, always seeking to learn from one another, just as you are now doing with me.” “I understand,” Stephen replied. “I hope I didn’t offend you by saying that I was surprised that you were white.” “No, I was not offended. I understand. I am encouraged that you were able to recognize me in spite of the color of my skin. But remember, every time we open our hearts to learn from those who are different, our vision will increase. Your eyes are already brighter than when we first met.” “I was just thinking about how quickly my vision is being restored,” Stephen remarked. “I now know why I am here.” I added, “You must keep in mind that your Vision is your most valuable possession. Every day you must do that which will help to increase your vision. Stay away from the people and things that make you lose your vision.” “Yes, like getting discouraged.” “Exactly! Discouragement is usually the beginning of the loss of vision,” I said. “To accomplish our purposes, we must resist discouragement in any form. Discouragement blinds.” “When I began to see, I started to feel that I had a purpose, maybe even an important one,” Stephen continued. “Can you help me to know what my purpose is?” “Yes, I think I can. To know our purpose is one of the greatest ways that our vision grows. It is also one of our greatest defenses against things like discouragement which destroys vision. I think my main purpose here is to help you and the others whose vision is being restored to know their purpose. But first we need to talk about something even more important.” Buried Treasure When Stephen spoke, I could hear the voice of Wisdom, so I knew that this young man had been taught by the Lord. I also knew that he did not know the Lord’s name and would have difficulty believing that Wisdom’s name was Jesus. I knew that I would need wisdom just to share the name of Wisdom. I thought about the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers that Wisdom said I would meet when I went through the door. I never dreamed that I would meet them in a place like this. As I looked out over the great mass of people, I felt His presence. He was with me and even in the gloom of this terrible prison, excitement was welling up in me. This is what I have been prepared for, I thought. “Stephen, what do you see when you look at this great mass of people?” I asked. “I see confusion, despair, bitterness, hatred. I see darkness,” he replied. “That is certainly true, but look again with the eyes of your heart. Use your vision,” I responded. He looked for a long time and then said with some hesitation, “I now see a great field with buried treasure in it. The treasure is everywhere and in almost every form.” “That is right,” I responded. “This is also a revelation of your purpose. You are a treasure hunter. Some of the greatest souls who ever lived are trapped here, and you will help find them and set them free.” “But how will I find them, and how will I set them free when I am not even free?” “You already know how to find them, but it is true that you will not be able to set them free until you are free. That is your next lesson. You must also remember that you will always know your purpose in a situation by seeing with the eyes of your heart. What you see from your innermost being will always reveal your purpose.” “Is that how you knew I am to be a treasure hunter?” “Yes. But you must be free before you can become who you were created to be. Why haven’t you escaped through those holes in the fence?” I asked. “When I first began to see, I saw the fences and the wall. I also saw the holes in the fences and have gone through them. When I got to the wall, I tried several times to climb it, but fear would overcome me because I am afraid of heights. I also thought that if I got over the wall, I would be shot.” “Those guards cannot see nearly as well as you think,” I replied. “They are almost as blind as the people here.” This seemed to really surprise Stephen, but I could also tell that it opened his eyes even more. “Can you see the top of the wall?” I asked. “Yes, I can see it from here.” “I want you to remember this,” I continued. “I have now been in many places. Call them different worlds, or realms, if you will. There is one important principle that I have found to be true in every place, and you must remember it for the rest of your life.” “What is it?” “You can always go as far as you can see. If you can see the top of the wall, you can get there. When you get to the top of the wall, you will be able to see farther than you have ever seen before. You must keep going for as far as you can see. Never stop as long as you can still see farther.” “I understand,” he replied immediately. “But I’m still afraid to climb that wall. It’s so high! Is it safe?” “I will not lie to you and tell you it is safe, but I know that it is much more dangerous not to climb it. If you do not use your vision by walking in what you see, you will lose it. Then you will perish here.” “How will I seek out the treasure that is here if I leave?” “That is a good question, but it is also one which keeps many from fulfilling their purpose. I can only tell you now that you have a great journey you must complete first. At the end of your journey, you will find a door leading you back to this prison, just as I found. When you return, your vision will be so great that they will never be able to trap you here again. Your vision will also be great enough to see the treasure that is here.”
Posted on: Sun, 04 Aug 2013 21:27:10 +0000
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