In an epic tale, Sir Walter Scott introduces us to a cast of individuals we have come to know and love. Among them are Wilfred of Ivanhoe, after which the book is named, Robin Hood, and his merry men, including, of course, Friar Tuck, and an individual called simply, the Black Knight.

At one point in the story, Wilred, Lady Rowena and Rebecca a Jewess, are being held captive in a Norman castle by order of one of the Knight’s Templar. Heavily guarded and protected by the added presence of the Templars there seems to be no escape. That is until Robin Hood and the Black Knight unite their forces and lay siege to the castle. One of the Templars escapes with Rowena as hostage, but through trickery and bravery the Saxons win a victory over the Normans, resulting in the release of Ivanhoe and Rowena.

Several times we run into this Black Knight and each time he serves the people bravely and with justice. His strength seems to be beyond comparison and we are relieved that, although dressed in black, this night fights on the side of good.

Finally, the Black Knight makes his true personage known, at a time of his own choosing. For the Black Knight is none other than King Richard the Lionhearted. Rumors had stated that he was killed in the Holy Land during the Crusades, but Prince John had him taken captive so that he might rule England in his stead. Richard escaped, with the help of other brave men, and returned to England in the guise of the Black Knight. It is a great story.

Yes, it is truly a great story, not unlike another great story, also about a king who came to his own lands in disguise. He dressed as a commoner and taught the people. His teachings were disputed by the religious leaders because, like Prince John, to follow those the teachings of this man would be to give up the authority they now had. So they finally laid a trap for him. He was arrested, beaten and put to death. Yet death could not hold him, for it was then that he unveiled to all mankind who he really was. It was in that resurrection that he proclaimed his true kingship. For Jesus came first as a servant, seeking out his loyal subjects among those who had been cast out by the religious community. He is coming again to set up his throne on earth, a small thing, since to do so he will again leave his throne in heaven.

If any of you have ever read “Ivanhoe” and wondered at the reaction of those serving Prince John when King Richard made himself know, you have some small idea of what will happen to those who have been serving the god of this age, or self, when Jesus makes his kingship known. For Jesus shall return as King of kings and Lord of lords.

One may wonder, “Was the Black Knight to represent Jesus?” I really don’t know. To me it is irrelevant. The fact is that there is a direct correlation between this epic and the truth that is to take place. Notice how the sides were drawn up. The Knights Templar, were a supposedly “Christian” military group, whose single most desire was to recapture the Holy Land. They were the ones who served Prince John. They and Prince John were the ones who bore the weight of the returning king’s wrath. Yet those proclaimed as outcasts, as outlaws, the poor, the needy, they are the ones who shall rejoice at the King’s return. Scripture tells us that when Jesus returns He shall rule with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15) and shall rule over the people with justice (Isaiah 9:7; Jeremiah 23:5).

It has always amazed me how the ones who think they will receive some special favor in the eyes of God are precisely the ones who will be the object of His wrath.