Old Dog V
A Story Of Three Cities
Bob Neumann, 11/2004
Dear Stephen and Joe, Last night i had a “remembrance” of THE KING’S HERALDS… it has been a long time coming. Susan Hall mentioned to me that the things that we were given years ago are now coming to pass. Maybe it is time for…
A VISION…
In the Day that the Great King had set, He sent forth to His cities to tell them of His coming to visit them. At regular intervals Heralds ran before Him to each of His cities. The message of each Herald was the same;”O City of the Great King! Your King now comes to you. Prepare yourself for Him. Make all your preparations. Plan your feast and set aside only your best. For your King comes in Power and Glory. Rejoice, O City in which He delights. Open up your ancient gates and welcome your King!”
In the First City the people were jubilant. Each went to their own homes, to clean and to polish. Then they cleaned their streets and lanes. They strung banners and planted flowers. Festivities were planned in great detail. They opened their gate and waited. Each day they would wait, looking for the Entourage of the King. As days passed they waited. And on occasion another Herald would come, shouting the same message. And as each Herald came in his time. Their anticipation grew. Their preparations continued so only their “best” awaited the Coming King.
Each day, and each night they waited. Whenever dust was seen in the distance they rose up crying, “Is it He in whom we wait?” But usually it was just another traveler , another caravan. Each time the watchmen saw movement on the road, they called out in warning. Once again a wave of anticipation ran through the people as the gates were opened, and the people would go out to meet their King. But it was not their King, so they continued to wait upon Him.
But there came a day when the watchmen’s words were never heard. Instead the people heard the trumpets sound fourth, the great drums roaring. And the people ran out to meet Him shouting, “Open up yea gates, so the King of Glory may come in!” At the front of the horsemen, the Lion banners flew beside the Lily Banners. The Warriors of Light moved to the sides of the road, opening a path between them.
In Indescribable Glory the Great King came forward. The children from the city ran forward singing, flowers in hand. As the King road on the Maidens danced to the children’s song. For the King of Glory had come for His Bride who had made herself ready for Him. In joy and celebration they entered into the banquet long prepared for. And once all were in the city-the gates were again closed- never to open again. For the King and His Beloved are one.
The Second city heard the King’s heralds and sat down to discuss the “issue.” Committees were formed, action groups were created. Funding was discussed. And time passed. They watched the road, but the King did not come. So life went on as usual. Then other Heralds came, and people would get “busy” briefly. But we had to get back to normal was their excuse. Then when a traveler came, or a caravan went by, they first looked up and wondered, but would quickly go back to the “same old, same old.”
Each time a Herald came, they said: “We’ve heard it all before-but the King never came.” So they went back to their lives in “their” city-and forgot their King.
And then a day came that they did not know, at a time they had not foreseen. The city was awakened by a great “shout”, and a thunderous trumpet call rang out. The beat of the King’s drums, and the calls of the King’s trumpets vibrated the very walls of the King’s City.
“Open up ye ancient gates, so the King of Glory may come in,” shouted the holders of the Lion Banners. And all the Warriors of Light responded as they opened their rank for the King. “Who is the King of Glory, The Lord Strong and Mighty! The Lord Mighty in Battle! He is the King of Glory!”
As the King of Glory waited the people slowly opened their gates and saw their King, radiant in Glory and Power, surrounded by the Lion Banners. For there were no Lily Banners for this city. In fear and trembling the people came out of the city. There were no more shouts, no more trumpets and the drums were silent. The people knelt, weeping and wailing before the King of Glory, crying for mercy.
Into His city the King rode. Instead of with Joy, there is only anguish. Instead of music and dancing there only is weeping and wailing.
Instead of a banquet, much cleaning was in order.
And once all were in the city, it’s gates too were closed.
Then there was the Third City, and like the earlier two the Great King’s Herald came to it’s gates and cried.
“O City of the Great King! Your King now comes to you. Prepare yourself…” And the message was halted as a rock thrown from the city’s wall struck down the Herald of the Great King. As the Herald looked up he heard the laughter from the watchmen, the city had placed on the wall.
Finally a leader of the watchmen came forward and shouted down at the Herald. His uniform and armor shined in the dawn’s light. His voice melodious and strong.”Who is this Great King, fool. We know no king over us. Look upon this great city, greater than any other. Did this Great King build it? Does He dwell here?”We built our own city, and we who dwell here are kings unto ourselves. We recognize no king, but ourselves. We need no King here, but ourselves. What has your King done for us? All that you see, all that is here is because we have done for ourselves. We do what is right in our own eyes!
“Be gone, fool! You and your unseen King. For we have no need of you!
As the Herald stood and walked away from the gates of this city. he heard the mocking laughter of the watchmen. As they cursed both him and his King. And he wept.
Yet the evil captain and his watchmen, did not forget the Herald’s message. They put the people of the city to work extending the walls and preparing for a war against this King they would not serve. For they knew Him not, saw Him not. As time passed further Heralds came. They killed the King’s Heralds for they did not even want to hear the Message. But as time went on, all but the Captain forgot the King’s promise to come to His city. As caravans went by, no one noticed. In fact, the Captain used the coming of each Herald to spur the people to work and obedience to him. Add to that the pleasure of seeing a Herald of the Great King murdered made it all even better, so he felt.
Then one day the evil captain stood at the top of the city’s gate and looked out. Light was breaking over the Horizon and it burned his eyes. In panic he called out the alarm and the city’s people rose up as one and went to their places in the battle lines. In panic the evil captain kept giving more and more orders, often at odds with each other.
As the Light of the King’s Glory came from the East , the Light only became brighter. The loud thunder of trumpets and battle drums began to vibrate the walls of the city. Fear gripped the city and the evil captain shouted more orders, yet no one could hear. For now the sound of horses and the rattle of armor joined the trumpets and drums. The King had Come!
As all looked out, one rider rode ahead of a great host of mounted warriors, whose number was beyond counting this day. As the Rider came forward all in the city saw Him plainly. On His Head were many Crowns. His garments were pure white except for his cloak that showed dark red in His light. But on His robe it was written: “King of Kings, Lord of Lord.”
Among the multitude of horsemen who followed the King there was but one banner, and it rode directly behind the King. All in the city looked beyond the King to the sole banner. upon it was a single Lamb, that was slain. And all the people feared. As the King and His Bride stopped facing the gates a voice rang out clearly in the sudden silence. As strong as rolling thunder, yet clear as a single note it cried:
“Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lifted up, ye ancient doors, and the King of Glory shall come in.”
In great anger and fear the evil captain jumped up to the outer wall so all could see and hear. “Who is this King of Glory? We have no King-we need no King-we want no King!” And as rehearsed, the evil captain raised his fist to the King and every bow, sling, and catapult fired as one against the King.
Like a cloud the missiles flew from the dark walls of the city to the bright Glory of the King, where they ceased to exist. In moments every rock and stone, spear and arrow had failed. And as one all in the city drew sword and waited.
As one, the Host of Heaven spoke softly, “Who is the King of Glory? The Lord Strong and Mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”
As the evil captain prepared to answer, the King raised His hand and said one word, “NO.” And with one word the great and ancient gates were shattered. The battlements of the walls were sheered away. And all the people were killed.
Again the Host of Heaven spoke softly, “The King of Glory will come in. Who is the King of Glory? The Lord of Host, He is the King of Glory.”
Slowly the King and His Bride, and all the Hosts of heaven entered the city which once again is His.
INTERPRETATION
The whole world is three cities.
The First City are the righteous saved who await the coming of the Great King. She is the Bride and will be soon snatched away.
The Second City is the saved who have not prepared themselves. They shall wash their own robes in the Blood of the Lamb. She is the Tribulation saints.
The Third City are all who refuse the Blood of the Lamb and choose the beast. She is the whore that will be destroyed.
The Heralds are the Prophets and Apostles sent to warn and teach the people The Gospel of the Kingdom.
The King of Glory is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. And He is on His way to visit His cities.
ARE YOU READY?
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