Vol. 3 No. 7 April

Herald of The King

Written by

Christopher Mentzer

In Medieval times whenever The King and Queen appeared anywhere, before their arrival a man would loudly announce their presence and declare it to everyone. This man is known as a herald and his job was to declare the word of the King to everyone in the village. He never gave his own message nor spoke his own opinion and to do so would result in a beheading.

Preachers are also considered heralds. Proclaiming the message of King Jesus. John the Baptist was one such herald as he proclaimed in Matt. 3:2, “Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He made way for Jesus and also stated that he was not worthy to be compared to Him (Matt. 3: 3, 11). The apostles were also heralds and proclaimed only the message of the King. Paul said, “For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” 1 Cor 2:2. He even encouraged Timothy to do the same thing, “2. Preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; 4. and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.”(2 Tim. 4: 2-4)

Now suppose a preacher would proclaim his own message instead of the King’s? Although there wouldn’t be a beheading he will be judged in the last day (2 Cor. 5: 10). His message wouldn’t be that of Jesus’ (Gal. 1: 6-8; 2 John 9). Oftentimes people don’t have a problem with this and welcome the message assuming it to be that of Jesus.

Max Lucado is one such herald who no longer proclaims the message of the King. In the last few months he’s dropped the name of church of Christ from his congregation. His reason for the change is they consider it a barrier for their evangelism. That’s the same as a herald changing the name of the Kingdom. This means they are ashamed of the gospel and Jesus Christ (Mk. 8: 38; Rom. 1:16; 1 John 2: 28). They’ve also incorporated instrumental music into their service, which is against the proclamation of the King (Eph. 5: 19; Col. 3: 16). His reason, “It works and were going to do it.” He gives no scripture basis for his decision (1 Cor. 4: 6).

Although he has made these changes, people continue to flock to his church. And it is Max’s church for Jesus wants no part of it. His warning is very clear in Rev. 2: 5, “Remember therefore whence thou art fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou repent.”