THE PERVERSE KING

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

Can you remember back in time when you cast your first vote? I surely do. The poll tax had just been abolished, the election took on a tint of free patriotic pride and the voting precincts were open and available. I gave the necessary proof of voting eligibility and proceeded straight into the voting booth.

Perhaps your privilege of first-time voting was just awhile back, or maybe generations back. We all were so proud of this right, the right of elective voting. It made us stand tall for patriotism.

Shortly after America’s great civil war between the states there was a rumor about a certain highly contested election that took place in the south. Since a good number of the voting public couldn't read or write, the voting officials decided to place the candidates’ pictures over the voting boxes.

However, unbeknown to all, shortly before the election, some unknown perpetrator sneaked in and swapped the photos. Thus, the wrong candidate was elected.

Election fraud isn’t something new or unusual to the function of our great country. Like any other entity or civilization, we will always have the possibility of fighting good and evil. It’s a way of life as we live in the fast lane. Please read (Psalm 2:1-6).

With this in mind, I trust you will relish this, the third in the King - Kingdom parable trilogy. It's an earthly story bearing a heavenly meaning. Its title is “The Perverse King.”

“Your eyes will see strange things, and your mind will utter perversities.” (Proverbs 23:33)

I was so proud of myself, for being elected to a most prestigious position of responsibility, Chairman of The Election Board. It was especially exciting as I was an old, retired church pastor. Maybe I will know something the board doesn’t, that is, politics and Scripture do in fact go together. (Romans 13:1-7)

However, I don’t mind telling you I was so anxious and nervous that my sleep was affected the night of my acceptance. After tossing and turning a bit, I must have literally passed out from anticipation. Next thing I knew I was in another of my most unusual dreams.

There was a cottage in the most beautiful landscape setting, nestled in a grass-covered hillside thicket. Many similar cottages graced the hillside, their multi-colored roofs gleaming in the morning sunshine. In the center of the scene was the most elaborate medieval castle, with a protective moat and drawbridge. It had to be the center of this kingdom’s tourist attraction.

Moving forward, it was as if I had stepped out of a time machine into a world unknown to me, a world of its own. As I walked around this quaint kingdom, the excitement in the air was palpable. The celebration was ecstatic, since it was the kingdom’s long sought-awaited general election.

It seemed a great civil war had just ended, and the country’s population was still somewhat fractured and split. With this election, the kingdom hoped to get it all back together again.

My attention was quickly directed to the town square, the location of all the activity and action within this little kingdom. The talk of the kingdom was its upcoming election. It was all about the kingdom’s current highly successful king versus his competitor, a man long embedded within the political circles, but with little achievements or success. Who would win this highly contested contest? The betting venues were going absolutely nuts, and all bets were on the return of the present king.

I thought I would take a little stroll around the kingdom and stretch my legs a bit. It seemed the kingdom was all ready to go. Each voting precent box was well marked with the two candidates’ pictures affixed overhead in plain view announcing the choices.

This newly-authorized voting technique seemed to be necessary so that all the kingdoms populace, regardless of their educational level, would all have an equal voting opportunity.

Nonetheless, unbeknownst to the citizenry, in the dead of night, someone had sneaked in and switched the two candidates’ pictures at all voting booths. So, the people’s choice, which was presumed to be the sitting king, failed. The unpopular candidate was promptly sworn in as king in the dead of night, according to the kingdom rumor mill.

Rumor also had it that this unexpected event then prompted the previous king, and all his many loyal kingdom supporters, who seemed to be temporarily at a loss for words, to not accept the results but to vow to reorganize for the future.

Then I heard that this manipulated election was far from being over. Unrest was running rampant. As a result the kingdom was placed under martial law by the new king. In name of protection, the castle drawbridge was closed, with the newly-elected king being secluded in the castle basement under armed guard. The royal guard was also placed on call 24 hours.

From what I could gather, the talk of this nice little kingdom was not very nice. So maybe, if I mix with the street population, I may gain a better explanation of the disturbing results of this most strange election, I thought.

No such luck. My dream ended again without a warning, and the kingdom vanished as quickly as it had come.

I was back home, as usual, but there was no rest for the weary. I had no more gotten in the house than the phone was ringing off the hook. It was the county supervisor and his first words were really frightening.

“Glad I caught you so quickly," he said, "we have a major voting problem. You must call a meeting of the Election Board Committee immediately; I’ll explain when I see you. Goodbye."

I couldn't believe it; I’d not even caught my breath. Am I back? Is this real, or am I still dreaming? What are your thoughts? I surely have mine. Amen!

EPILOGUE

I trust you enjoyed this bit of fiction musing. It was the previous candidate, you know, who not only became an instant success, but at the hands of others became an instant full-fledged politician. Did he have a hand in it all? Well, let's just leave it open-ended, shall we? Only time will make it right, in the hands of God. (Daniel 2:21)

Thus, after your reading of this little fictional tale, it is my earnest prayer that you set out to become more aware of your surroundings, politically speaking.

While you may be wide awake, and more aware of your country’s affairs than most, with one eye on the news media headlines, and the other on the events of Scripture, it is my prayer that you become more aware of what’s happening around you.

When is the last time you attended a city council meeting, sent a faith-based editorial to your local newspaper, ran for public office, or prayed for our nation and its leaders? And most of all you should prayerfully vote your God-given Biblical principles. End of blog, beginning of service. Amen!