by Chuck Black
2. This event has dual meaning. First, this event directly parallels the feeding of the five thousand as told in Matthew 14:14–21. This event also symbolizes Jesus feeding them spiritually by giving them the truth of salvation (Matthew 4:4.)
3. Answer based on personal experience.
CHAPTER 7
1. (1) The Last Supper (Luke 22:19–23); (2) the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39–46); (3) the disciples fleeing (Matthew 26:56).
2. Jesus’ silence during His trials (Mark 15:3–5).
3. Answer based on personal experience (Matthew 5:44).
CHAPTER 8
1. The irony is that the Pharisees (the Noble Knights) were responsible for killing Jesus (the Prince), God the Father’s Son (the King’s Son), and yet they thought they were serving the Father because they believed Jesus was committing blasphemy by claiming to be the Father’s Son. In their pride and ignorance, the Pharisees had become a tool of Satan (the Dark Knight).
CHAPTER 9
1. In John 20:19 the Bible says that the disciples were in a room with the doors shut for fear of the Jews.
2. It shows God’s supreme power by overcoming even death.
3. Seeing the Prince overcome death and understanding that everything He said was true.
CHAPTER 10
1. Two Silent Warriors come to their aid. Peter is freed and led out of prison by an angel in Acts 12:5–12. Also, Paul and Silas receive help when an earthquake opens the jail doors and their chains fall off (Acts 16:26).
2. Answer based on personal experience.
CHAPTER 11
1. This represents when Satan rebelled against God in heaven and convinced a third of the angels to follow him. Michael and the holy angels overcame Lucifer and the demons, and they were cast out of heaven. This is found in Isaiah 14:12–17 and Revelation 12:3–12.
2. This represents when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11). The symbolism of the sword is important in that there was a tremendous spiritual sword fight between Jesus and Satan. Satan quoted Scripture erroneously to try to tempt Jesus, but Jesus quoted the true Word of God to defeat Satan in all of the three temptations. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:17 that the only offensive weapon we have against the devil is the Word of God.
3. Look for the way out that God has provided, and quote Scripture to defeat the devil, just as Jesus did.
CHAPTER 12
1. They learn that something significant is about to happen and that they should all be ready. Jesus warns us to be ready through a parable found in Matthew 25:1–13.
2. Answer based on personal experience.
CHAPTER 13
1. This represents sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with a nonbeliever. Second Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
2. Answer based on personal experience.
CHAPTER 14
1. James 4:7–8: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
CHAPTER 15
1. This is the rapture of the Church as described in Matthew 24:39–41; 1 Corinthians 15:52; and 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18.
2. Matthew 25:21: “His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ”
3. The saints’ arrival in heaven.
4. The following Bible verses explain what a person must understand and believe to be saved:
· Romans 3:10—“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one.’ ”
· Romans 3:23—“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
· Romans 5:12—“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.”
· Romans 5:8—“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
· Romans 6:23—“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
· Romans 10:13—“Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”
· Romans 10:9—“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Deliverance
Written for Kingdom’s Edge
Tenderly Music by Emily Elizabeth Black
Lyrics by Chuck Black
Edited by Brittney Dyanne Black
Copyright ©2002 Perfect Praise Publishing
All Rights Reserved
AUTHOR’S COMMENTARY
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:
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
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.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:10–11)
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).
If You Love the Kingdom Series
—You’ll Love the Knights of Arrethtrae
Powerful Allegories, Biblical Values
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
Sir Dalton, a knight in training, is young, well-liked, and a natural leader. He has earned the respect and admiration of his fellow knights, and especially the beautiful Lady Brynn. But to defend the kingdom, Dalton must face the evil Shadow Warrior—this time will he survive?
Lady Carliss and the Waters of Moorue
Determined, smart and a master of both the sword and the bow, Lady Carliss races against time to save Sir Dalton’s life, but an evil plot foils her efforts and she must choose between saving him and saving countless others.