True Christians are destined to inherit rulership of the whole universe,
and their preparatory training is of the utmost importance.
His Royal Highness Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales and Heir Apparent to the throne of the British Empire, is profoundly conscious of his destiny. Some day he will be king.
The night of his birth, Nov. 14, 1948, wildly cheering crowds thronged Buckingham Palace until 2 a.m. The English-speaking world rejoiced at this addition to Britain's royal family. And at the age of 4, at the death of his grandfather, the beloved George VI, Charles became Heir Apparent to the world's most prestigious throne.
Training for kingship
It was then that an important period of training began for Charles, who was someday to inherit a gigantic responsibility, along with all the power and glory that goes with being the monarch of what was then the world's greatest empire. Charles' father, Prince Philip, planned his son's education.
It was obvious that Charles had inherited the shy temperament of his mother and grandfather. Philip felt the need for a strenuous training program befitting a future king. He wanted his son "looked after without being spoiled."
So at age 8, Charles was enrolled in a London public school. This shocked the Commonwealth. It was the first time an heir to the British throne was to be educated alongside his future subjects. Philip feared too much "petticoat influence" at the palace. In this he was supported by his uncle, the vigorous and innovative Lord Louis Mountbatten. In addition, at age 9, Charles was separated from his parents and sent to a boarding school in Berkshire. All of this proceeded with his mother's consent, but his father, Prince Philip, was the catalyst.
Charles' report cards were, of course, international news. One instructor summed him up as "nervous, sullen, and sometimes precocious." Like most schoolboys, he had a nickname: "Fatty." He shared the same type of army spring bed and horsehair mattress as his peers.
By age l4, the future Prince of Wales was ready for another major step. This time his father enrolled him in Gordonstoun, a special boys' school on the bleak northeast coast of Scotland. The curriculum came complete with a rugged regime of morning exercises, cold showers and, according to the school's founder, "character development."
At Gordonstoun, every student had a work assignment. The first job for the destined king? Emptying dustbins. It was at this remote outpost that Charles was. forcibly red minded of a valuable lesson in leader-ship: Leaders live in goldfish bowls.
Charles' awareness of what life was like in the public eye was crystallized in the notorious "Cherry Brandy Affair," when he was demoted for violating the school's rules after he shared a quick drink in a pub. His mentors quickly took him aside and explained that such behavior just simply did not befit a future king.
By age 18, however, Philip estimated that the young prince was ready for a year in Australia. Timbertop, another selective school for rugged young men, sped his personality development.
Evidence that Philip's patient, determined program was paying off came in July, 1969. At his investiture as Prince of Wales at historic Caernarvon Castle, Charles won the hearts of his Welsh Objects by addressing them in their own ancient tongue. His 300-word speech in the original Welsh language was more than most native Welshmen could manage. This bold feat showed, in the words of one authority, that "Prince Charles was not going to be beaten by anything or anybody when he set out to achieve a goal."
Next followed a degree from Cambridge, a stint in Royal Air Force jet trainers and a personal command of the Royal Navy's HMS Bronington. Much of this followed the careful steps outlined by his father.
Few people today understand the personal and emotional sacrifices, strains and stresses attendant upon the rigorous — and sometimes dangerous — job as chief of state for the British Commonwealth nations. The throne stands as the unifying link for millions of people of varying races, colors and creeds. In times of war, economic upset and other national emergencies, the British royal family has proven its worth. Even today the sovereign's example serves as a valuable moderating and stabilizing influence in a tumultuous age.
Perhaps Prince Philip's signal accomplishment has been helping the transformation of this basically reticent personality into a "man for all seasons" — the very popular and increasingly respected Charles, Prince of Wales. Prince Charles takes his motto, Ich Dien (I serve), very seriously.
Now hold your breath!
The Christian destiny
You, too, if you have repented and been baptized, are destined to become a king, in God's Kingdom!
"Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (II Tim. 4:8).
"And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High" (Dan. 7:27).
True Christians are even called kings, already, "And Christ hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father" (Rev. 1:6).
When you repented, were baptized
and God's minister laid his hands on you, you received God's gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). You were begotten as an actual member of God's Family. At that time, the angels in heaven rejoiced (Luke 15:10), just as the English-speaking world did when Charles became Heir Apparent of the throne of Britain, because at that moment you began a training program that will culminate in your becoming a joint ruler, with Jesus Christ, of the universe (Rom. 8:16-17).
Christians are now preparing to, with and under Christ, exercise power over the nations and judge the whole world (Rev. 2:26-27, 20:4, I Cor. 6:2).
What a spectacular set of promises! Truly converted Christians are destined to be given ruler ship with Christ upon His return from heaven. Thus Peter writes that members of the true Church are part of a "royal priesthood" (I Pet. 2:9).
Essentials for ruler hip
Charles, the Prince of Wales, submitted to a difficult program designed by his father to fit him for the British throne. The sure knowledge of his certain future stiffened his resolve and helped him to stoically endure the constant glare of publicity, the antagonism to royalty from certain vociferous elements, the daily pressure of being a target for some crackpot assassin.
Our Father in heaven, Head of the Royal Family of this universe (Eph. 3:15), is calling His children to a far more important prize than Britain's fabled throne. Our training program, then, must be even more vital than was Prince Charles'. The Bible outlines several areas God wants to develop in His children.