The Return of A King

                                                                

        

The Return of a King 

In the book of Isaiah, the Lord reveals the figure of an end-time servant that comes preparatory to the Lord’s Second coming. He comes much like John the Baptist, a forerunner to lay some necessary groundwork and prepare the minds and hearts of the people (D&C 65:1). Like Moses, a deliverer of his people and in many ways a restorer like Joseph Smith (see OMAS 101). 

  

In our anticipation of the King of kings we have overlooked the arrival of a king, sent forth and prepared by the Lord Himself. In the modern world the concept of a servant being commissioned to prepare the way for his master is not one we are familiar with.Yet our scriptures are replete with references to this pattern. The examples of “one mighty and powerful” sent forth to make “the Lord’s paths straight” are innumerable (D&C 65:1).

 

As Latter-day Saints we are perhaps best familiar with the example of a king and servant in one found in the Book of Mormon example of King Benjamin (Mosiah 2:18). Here a king models his life and service after Christ Himself, the Servant and the King. 

 

 

The Return of the King is the title of volume 3 of Tolkien’s trilogy The Lord of the Rings.   The complexities of Tolkien’s world are both intricate and fascinating, but can be overwhelming at times. However, in this instance the parallel between the return of Aragorn and the end time servant fits to a T.

 

         Aragorn, being of royal lineage, is kept in the dark for a long time about his true identity, until his guardian feels that he is ready to know who he is and accept the responsibility. In addition, the life of young Aragorn is threatened by the forces of Evil. The narrative of a royal heir that needs to be concealed from the enemy is not new. Christ Himself needed to be protected from mortal danger in His boyhood.  In our day and age, as the enemy of righteousness continues to search for those of the bloodline of Christ, the need for the servant’s identity to be hidden is fueled by similar causes.[1] Isaiah speaks of it:

 

 

He has made my mouth like a sharp sword—

in the shadow of his hand he hid me.

He has made me into a polished arrow—

in his quiver he kept me secret. (Isaiah 49:2, emphasis added)

 

Like the servant, Aragorn known as “The Strider, the Ranger of the west”, remains “hid”, “kept secret” until he is brought forth out of obscurity by the Lord Himself.

         In Tolkien’s world Aragorn’s very name connects him to the royal lineage through the prefix Ar- (just like it does in his future spouse Ar-win).  Perhaps the way in English today the word Royal is hiding within itself a King, since Roy, originating from the French Roi also means “king”. 

Aragorn, known as Estel during his growing up years, does not receive a new name, until his true identity is revealed to him. The servant passing the test of loyalty, also goes through this rite of passage once proven worthy and ready for his mission. The sacred pattern of receiving a new name as part of being anointed for a sacred work is fulfilled (Isaiah 49:1,3)

 

In rabbinic tradition,  the One MIghty and Strong is known as “Mashiach ben Yosef” (Messiah son of Joseph) who comes before” Mashiach ben David” and dies in combat with the enemies of God and Israel.[2] This prophecy of an end-time servant of Joseph’s lineage, so commonplace in the Jewish tradition, has been absent from the LDS theology. But thankfully preserved for us in Isaiah, though hidden in plain sight. 

 

 Much like Aargaorn, the servant is characterized  as a  man of valor, the Arm of the Lord,  a raised hand,  the ensign, a sharp sword, a polished arrow : all Moroni-like  terms suggesting  military engagement. One should not be surprised when the servant’s sentiment and rhetoric is going to resemble that of the  holy and of the brave and the fearless:

I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day...

Such fearless love echoes the Lord’s words: “"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."(John 15:13). 

The kings and queens of the Gentiles, “menservants ants and maidservants”, assist the One Mighty and Strong in the work of the gathering  of Israel (Isaiah 14:2). Like the Servant himself, they become the loving foster fathers and “nursing mothers” to a people who become like orphans, without proper spiritual or civil leadership.  They too labor tirelessly  ‘in the vineyard’, until their strength is spent (Isaiah 49:4).  They also play a role of proxy saviors for the covenant people, born in or adopted, as they assist in restoring the House of Jacob unto the Lord (Isaiah 49:5, 23). 

 

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[1] For more information on the bloodlines of Christ see documentary Bloodline.

 

[2] https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/101747/jewish/Mashiach-ben-Yossef.htm