Kingdom's Edge (17 page)

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This story about Cedric and his life-changing encounter with the Prince from a distant land can be read simply for its adventure, but it was written with a purpose of greater significance: to spark the interest of readers of all ages in the greatest story ever told. No writer can create a saga more profound or more fascinating than the true story of Jesus Christ and His redeeming visit to earth. The full impact of the Gospels does not completely grip us until we attain significant spiritual maturity. Thus, as Jesus so often taught in parables to awaken our minds to the deeper truths of His kingdom, I have attempted to help you take a fresh look at a story that has transformed lives for twenty centuries and circled the globe thousands of times.

The power of a parable is dramatic. The words you've just read are original, but the story is not. Nearly every scene in the book represents a specific event that took place
two thousand years ago. This story can be read for simple enjoyment or for the deeper spiritual analogies of the single most significant event in human history. Please read on if you are curious about understanding these analogies.

The story is obviously focused on Jesus Christ, the Prince, and His three-year ministry, His sacrifice, and His resurrection. Jesus' followers have always found it difficult to grasp the reality of warfare in the spirit world. However, that warfare is as real as the sword fights that occurred during the Middle Ages, and this story attempts to bring that spiritual warfare into a more comprehensible physical world.

The Bible teaches that our only offensive weapon against Satan and his demons is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). The climactic duel of the universe occurred when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. The fate of all mankind was on His shoulders. Jesus was victorious because He used Scripture, His sword, in each temptation (Matthew 4:1–11). It is a perfect example for us to follow, but we must have a sword, and the sword must be sharpened and polished as Cedric did in preparation for his battles. The sword is therefore a point of primary focus throughout the story.

Hebrews 4:12 states:

The sword represents the Word of God, but
only
the Word of God. The Pharisees had God's Word also, but Jesus was fiercely disappointed with them. What they lacked was the true meaning or the intent of God's Word. Thus, the Code represents the true meaning of God's Word. The Noble Knights, representing the Pharisees, used their swords to esteem themselves and therefore failed the King and the people. The sword is used to defeat evil but also to show compassion and love to the humble and weak. God's Word should be written on our hearts and should not be just a set of rules to be followed.

Cedric represents all men, women, and children who have trusted in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He spans the age from Peter to the last person called before we are taken home. I hope you will see yourself as Cedric, whom the Prince chose to elevate from spiritual poverty to heir of His heavenly kingdom. Cedric is an unlikely knight because he is poor and untrained, just as we are unlikely candidates to be children of God because of our sinful natures. It is only through the love, power, and sacrifice of Jesus that we are made worthy.

Other personifications include Kifus, who represents Caiaphas, the high priest (Matthew 26:57). The Silent Warriors are God's holy angels, and the Shadow Warriors are Satan's demons. The Dark Knight, Lucius, represents Lucifer and the beast of the end times. Leinad represents the prophets who brought God's Word to the people.

Some scene analogies include the temptation of Christ, the miraculous feeding of the hungry, Jesus' love for children,
the casting out of demons, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, and the Rapture. There are more analogies throughout the story. In fact, nearly every word, scene, and name was written with symbolism and analogy in mind. The discussion questions were written to provide further insight into the symbolism of the story.

The final battle that is about to take place as the story begins and ends is the ultimate battle between good and evil. Jesus will defeat Satan and his demons once and for all. If you have trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are a child of God—a saint. As the saints of God, we will be part of that victorious army. In the interim, let us put on the whole armor of God and wage war of eternal significance as soldiers for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

It is my most earnest desire to bring honor and glory to God through this story of a Prince from a distant land. May your zeal for God's Word be renewed, and may you also be worthy of those welcoming words spoken by Jesus: “Well done, good and faithful servant.… Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21).

Sir Kendrick and the Castle of Bel Lione

In this first of Chuck Black's companion series to the popular Kingdom series, Sir Kendrick and Sir Duncan are sent to stop a dangerous new order that threatens their mission to serve the King.

Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court

In this second installment in Chuck Black's Knights of Arrethtrae series, readers will be drawn to the action, adventure, and romance of the story of Sir Bentley, an honorable young knight who battles the forces of evil and discovers the power of compassion to overcome the destructiveness of greed.

Sir Dalton and the Shadow Heart