The Final Quest (The Final Quest Series) Paperback – January 31, 2006

So I will begin by expanding on review title and saying this: (1) This book is unique in every way such that it cannot be confined to a genre, it transcends and breaks genres. Is it allegory? Is it fiction? Is it vision/dream inspired? Is it real? Is it taking place in the future or is it taking place now? The answer to all these is yes! And that exactly is the point: it is unlike any book I have ever seen. It is many things at once, but not just one thing. (2) This is hands down the most engaging book I've read in my life. I therefore add to that a warning: this book could very well disrupt your normal daily activities more than any other book. This was the case with me (interrupted my sleep necessities and work obligations)... you literally might not be able to tear yourself apart from it.Having said those things, you should already know by now that you must read this. But to give you a brief insight of the content: It's sort of a Pilgrim's Progress type character journey-allegory meets C.S. Lewis style world meets you in your forehead like a 18wheeler-semi fully loaded carrying 20-tons of cargo slamming into your face at full unrelenting 90mph velocity.I had so many epiphany moments and moments of deep contemplation because this book is just so thick&juicy. With more than any other book I believe I can say. If you can read this book and it doesn't rock your world, than you might need to go to the doctor and check if you're human. EVERY person I have shared it with or encountered that already read it had some deep, profound impactful type of experience in reading it. I have yet to encounter someone who's read it that didn't walk away deeply impacted, profoundly influenced, severely aroused, intensely affected by it. (And I've probably talked to at least a dozen people). Everyone might get something a little different out of this piece simply because it is so rich, full-bodied, and multi-dimensional in what it offers its readers, but one thing is certain: ALL who read it will equally be profoundly engaged and impacted.Enjoy the incredible ride on this one! It's something else.-Carlos

What can you say about a book that supposedly contains a vision from God? How do you write a critique of revelation? It might be like trying writing a review of the book of Revelations. If the words are Holy Spirit inspired, does one have the audacity or the foolishness to cast dispersions upon it? I would highly recommend to anyone commenting on a book such as this that they think really hard about what they say. The Bible says `woe unto him who calls evil good and good evil.' I don't know about you, but I've made a practice in my life of avoiding woe. Mr. Joyner claims he received the contents of this book in a series of visions that took place over about a year in duration. Thus the big question becomes, is it legit? We need to discern between God's word, man's word, and Satan's lies. It's not always easy, because the flesh is weak and Satan is definitely ramping up his activities in the area of counterfeiting the supernatural.Where do I start? How about with the reviews of the book on Amazon? Several one and two star reviews were written suggesting that Rick Joyner is a servant of the devil, deluded, and most heinous of all, doesn't write well either. They warn that the book is dangerous. Ironically, one of the more salient aspects of the first part of the dreamlike adventure that the author goes through is doing battle against the enemy and discovering that many of the troops of the opposing army are deceived Christians. Do you see the dilemma here? Somebody is in error because they both can't be right. Is Mr. Joyner representing God's truth or are these reviewers being valiant defenders of the faith? The answer to that question is very critical. Besides the group of believers that are hoodwinked into fighting against God's army in the belief they are fighting for Him are a group who just believe that they don't need to fight. They believe that God is love, and all we need to do is just love, so they burn their draft notices. This is a different type of delusion, but is deception just the same. Personally, I'd really like to believe in a Pollyanna (or Beatles' song) world where love is all you need. But I've been called to battle personally, and I recognize that the darkness is growing darker. The light is also growing more brilliant in response as the drumbeat is summoning the Christians soldiers onward. The two sides have clashed throughout the history of man. The final quest is at hand, according to this book.Back to the quest - in between battles, the author is taken to Heaven and speaks with a few people there. Some were famous evangelists and authors who reside in the lower part of Heaven instead of the penthouse because they labored for their own glory while on the Earth. In some cases, God ended their lives early to prevent them from going all the way over to the dark side due to their pride. And in the places of highest honor, people that labored in anonymity for God with faithfulness and perseverance are found. One of these is a man who was homeless, what some would consider a bum. Ironically, my next book deals with the homeless, and the story of this man was a distinct revelation for me and an aid in deciding what to include in my book. I had to consider this a divine appointment for me to read this story at this time. Another concept that is super stressed is the importance of true humility. The author dons a cloak of humility which is a badge of honor among those in Heaven. A warning against false humility is issued, labeling it as another variety of self-centeredness. Pride is portrayed as the banner of a hidden army that the enemy uses to attack unsuspecting troops loyal to Jesus.I have been on this humility bandwagon for a while now. I think God has been speaking to me about it. I'm reading a book by Andrew Murray on the topic. I've been trying to kill my flesh and ensure my motivation for any success is God centered. It's a difficult task. This book points to centering your focus on Jesus, just like Peter did when he successfully walked on water for a few steps. We need to please Him and not the people around us, even those whom we love. And love leads to faith. From this book I've gained great insight into what the target should be. Self promotion, self-aggrandizement, and even self-esteem itself pale into insignificance at the comparison with the glory of God. Satan wants us to think about numero uno all the time. How else can we send out invitations to a pity party if we're not focused on our puny little world and its inherent problems? Confucius said, "Man who wrapped up in self, makes very small package." I've been guilty and still am. I'm trying to truly die to self, so that I might walk in God's power and Spirit. That's the kind of supernatural strength which is raising people from the dead and healing the blind and deaf. This book has given me a vision of what that is like. I highly recommend that you read it and with an open mind.As to the detractors, what can you say about a review which portrays the author, who has just confessed being guilty to many things and extolls the virtue of humility and the danger of false humility, as being arrogant and falsely humble? My mom used to tell me, consider the source. The enemy is at work sowing lots of false teaching and doctrines and practices in our world today. It is confusing when Christians fight. However, Jesus said you will know them by their love. If any believer wants to criticize the writing or teaching of another, let him speak in love and not mockery, or I'm not going to listen. If the enemy is spreading false information (and that's his specialty), will he not also attack the truth? Sometimes we fight battles that we don't need to, similar to Don Quixote tilting with windmills. I truly believe that we are in the last days (many have thought that in the past and obviously they were wrong), and that means there will be a battle between God (good) and the devil (evil). Which side are you going to fight on? And remember, if Joyner's vision is truly from God, not fighting will be the same as being on the enemy's side. You might wonder how you can love and fight at the same time since those two activities seem to be contradictory. All I can say is - read this book, and you too will share the vision of that paradoxical position.Donald James ParkerAuthor of Reforming the Potter's Clay