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The Final Quest is the first book in a three book series written by Rick Joyner. First published in 1997, the book is written from the perspective of the author relating a series of open visions that he claims to have experienced. The book has been firmly accepted by some yet firmly rejected by others. This is due to the many characteristics that make it controversial among circles of conservative Evangelical Christians. Much these controversies stem from the fact that Joyner claims to have been transported to heaven and to have had extended conversations with Jesus as well as with past Saints. The book speaks of spiritual warfare and an impending 'civil war' within the church where the true and faithful Saints continue forward and those who are deadweight fall away. It also speaks of the 'throne room' where Joyner saw saints in different positions, some as 'foolish virgins' who resided far back from the throne, and others as 'overcomers' who were on thrones near the throne of Jesus. It became obvious to Joyner that many of those he considered great Christian leaders on earth were actually the least in the sight of God, and some who he considered to be 'nobodies' were actually the greatest kings in God's kingdom. Joyner saw a man who Joyner considered had 'gone off the rails' in his teaching, sitting on a great throne in the highest part of the throne room. This man is believed to be the late William Branham (although Joyner does not mention his name, his description of the man makes this obvious).
Some wish that Joyner had written the book as fiction so that the book could be marketed to a larger audience and avoid many of the controversies surrounding it. A book which has taken this approach is The Shack; however, others (including the author) say that the author can not lie about what happened to him. Joyner wrote that he is not totally sure that the conversations that he had with past Saints actually were real people, or if they were a representation of them. It also needs to be stated that the concept of 'open visions' and being 'transported to heaven and back' are increasingly becoming more common and accepted by the western church and the other parts of the church world wide have been more comfortable with this area for quite some time now.
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