Watching the Throne
Two thousand years ago, Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is spread upon the earth but men do not see it.” Let’s assume this is true. Then, if the earth is actually a kingdom which is hidden, that means the king is also hidden.
Who is the hidden king? Let’s explore the possibilities.
The Queen King: A lot of people want to believe God is like an unconditionally loving mother who always protects you from harm. I’ll call this king “the queen king”.
Is this the reality we live in? Sunshine and rainbows?
JESUS IS KING: You can hear a growing segment of Christians making this declaration. Really? Is the reality of the world what you imagine Jesus’ kingdom to be like?
How about.. Jesus will be king? Jesus should be king? JESUS IS PRINCE?
The Immature King: Another possibility is the young, immature king. The king has died and the prince is way too young to take over and it’s a nightmare. See Joffrey from GoT.
Perhaps this is the situation with Jesus. He really is the king but he’s a child king who is so overwhelmed that he’s mostly checked out?
The Evil Brother: This is the Lion King story where the evil brother cuts in to take the throne. In this scenario, the rightful king (the prince) cannot take his rightful position until the imposter king is removed.
Is this why Jesus the prince has yet to return to earth to establish his kingdom? Is he waiting for the imposter king to be removed first?
No Throne: The atheist position. There is no king, no throne, no kingdom to come. Which is why we see the world we see.
Which of the above scenarios is true? It’s ambiguous. Congratulations to the one who can live in the ambiguity and explore all possible scenarios.
2 Replies
Reality is designed to periodically insert you into each of the above scenarios.
A useful question: How should the hero respond to the above scenarios?
(1) Queen King: If you are already in paradise, then there is no need for a hero to save you, so the hero doesn’t exist in this scenario. Take note Christians.
(2) JIK: Again, if Jesus is already occupying the throne, then you don’t need a hero to save you. Take note Christians.
(3) Immature King: In this reality, the hero becomes a mentor / father figure to the young king. Affirmation, tough love, growth and development.
(4) Evil Brother: Here, the hero schemes like a wolf in sheep’s clothing to infiltrate the inner circle of the king and clear the way for the prince. The hero is a servant and right-hand-man to the prince.
(5) No Throne: In the atheistic reality, the hero must be his own king.
Grok:
Synthesis and Reflection
The idea that reality cycles through these scenarios suggests a dynamic existence where the hero’s role shifts based on the context. This fluidity mirrors the ambiguity you’ve emphasized, requiring a hero who’s adaptable, discerning, and comfortable with uncertainty. Here’s how the hero’s responses align across scenarios:
- Queen King and JESUS IS KING: Both minimize the need for a traditional hero, shifting the role to perception (awakening others to paradise) or proclamation (spreading the king’s message). These scenarios challenge the hero to focus on spiritual or intellectual work rather than action.
- Immature King and Evil Brother: These demand active heroism—mentoring a flawed ruler or subverting a usurper. They cast the hero as a guide or warrior, navigating complex relationships with power.
- No Throne: This places the heaviest burden on the hero, requiring them to create their own kingdom in a void of divine authority.
The most compelling insight is that the hero’s response depends on their ability to read the scenario correctly. Misjudge the reality—say, acting as a mentor in a "No Throne" world—and the hero’s efforts may be futile. This suggests the true heroic quality is discernment: the ability to navigate ambiguity, adapt to the context, and act with purpose regardless of the scenario.
