Kingdom's Call (17 page)

1. Gavin thinks the stranger looks defeated, like a “helpless lamb” during the interrogation by the Noble
Knights. What does this symbolize? Find a verse to support your answer.

2. The stranger's physical abuse by Bremrick during his interrogation is an allegory of what?

3. Kifus finally asks the stranger if he is the Son of the King, and the stranger replies, “I AM.” What event does this represent?

1. Immediately after the death of the stranger, Gavin assumes that Chessington's problems are over because he doesn't think anyone would continue to follow a dead leader. How is Gavin right, and how is he wrong?

2. What important biblical event is symbolized by the doors of the Chamber of the Code being destroyed? Why is this so important?

1. In this chapter we hear that the Followers stole the body of their leader, whom they claimed was the Prince. Do you remember from
Kingdom's Edge
what really happened? What biblical event does this portray?

2. Up until this point, we've been getting another perspective on events that occurred in
Kingdom's Edge
. However, the death of Severin is a new incident: what biblical event does it portray?

3. Read Severin's speech to the people again. Then read Stephen's final speech in Acts 7:2–53. Does it surprise
you that a common Jew could be so knowledgeable about Jewish history and theory? Why do you think this is?

4. After the death of Severin, we are given the most obvious clue yet on Gavin's biblical character. Who does he represent?

1. Gavin and Kifus are disgusted to learn that the Followers call themselves Knights of the Prince. What might this represent?

2. Gavin is full of zeal to eliminate the Followers, so Kifus issues an edict for Gavin to seek out and arrest the Followers. What does this portray?

3. Despite his abuse, William shares words of compassion about the Prince and His ways with his captors. Can you find a verse in the Bible that supports William's attitude? When William tells Gavin that the Followers have dispersed, what does that represent?

1. Who might the swordsmith represent?

2. After Gavin meets massive warriors chasing a peasant girl, he realizes he was mistaken in disregarding their existence. This was because he was “too intelligent” to believe the stories about them. Too many people intellectualize Christianity and claim that religion without
proof is false. This teaching discredits the concept of faith. What does the Bible say about faith?

3. Gavin remarks, “The affairs of Outdwellers are not the affairs of the Noble Knights.” What does this attitude represent?

1. In light of everything that happens in this chapter, what do you think Denrith represents?

2. When Gavin is near death, he realizes that although he lived his life in a way he thought honored the King, he was empty in the end. Why?

3. In this chapter, Gavin receives a unique opportunity: he is given a front-row seat to the spiritual battle for his own soul. Find a verse in the Bible that talks about this.

4. Read the account of Paul's conversion in Acts 9:3–8. Look at verse 5 in light of what the Prince says to Gavin. What do you think it means?

1. Weston places incredible faith in Gavin because he believes “in the Prince and in His power to transform the hearts of men.” In turn, Bensen, although suspicious of Gavin, risks his life because of his trust in Weston. Have you ever placed your faith in someone solely because of Jesus' transforming power? What happened?

2. What does Gavin's flight through Eagle Pass represent?

1. When Gavin talks to Addy and Keaton about the Prince, he says, “That which I thought was right is wrong. And that which I thought was wrong is true.” Have you ever found out that something you believed was not as it seemed? What might have helped you make a better decision? Find a Bible verse that talks about good and evil.

2. Addy says the Prince did more wonderful things than could be contained in “all the parchment in the kingdom.” What Bible verse in John 21 is this alluding to?

3. When Gavin finally eats, he is famished. Find a verse in the Bible that also talks about Saul being hungry after three days of blindness and hunger.

4. After he drops his sword, Gavin reflects, “With this sword I wrought devastation when I believed I was bringing justice—for the King, no less!” What does this represent?

5. When Gavin explains how he acquired Triumph, he says the horse was a gift from a man “on his way to a distant land.” The next day this stranger gave Triumph to Gavin's mother and said, “The compassion of One heals many sorrows.” Who was this man, and what did he mean by his words?

6. Weston is pleased by Gavin's state of heart, which he says is necessary to follow the Prince. What is this attitude, and why is it so important?

7. Gavin almost dies from a severe fever caused by his
wound from the Shadow Warriors. His life is spared when Sir Nias brings a healing salve to apply to Gavin's wound. What does this event portray?

8. What do you think is significant about the name of the river Gavin must travel to?

9. Kifus and the Noble Knights are enraged that Gavin has become a Follower, and they've sworn to hunt down and execute him. Find a verse in Acts that shows the allegory.

10. Gavin is amazed to find how quickly Weston becomes like a brother to him, and Weston replies that the Prince creates brotherhood between men. Find some verses in the Bible that talk about this.

1. Lindan, the head Silent Warrior who escorts Gavin, says that the Dark Knight wants Gavin dead because he underestimated the Prince's plans. What does this mean?

2. Another Silent Warrior, Porunth, remarks, “The ways of the Prince are often a mystery to us.” Find a Bible verse that supports this view.

3. Porunth also tells Gavin that there is one person who doesn't want Gavin dead or think harshly of him. Who is this person?

4. Gavin asks Lindan if the Prince has come back to rule Arrethtrae, but Lindan says that when the Prince does come back, “it will be not as a pauper but as a king, and every soul in the kingdom will know that it is He
who reigns!” What is Lindan referring to? Which biblical event does this symbolize? Find a verse in Philippians that supports your answer.

5. The Prince tells Gavin that he cannot repay his debt, but he can be forgiven because of his broken heart. Find some verses in the Bible that address “broken hearts.”

6. The Prince also says He doesn't need Gavin's strength, but his heart. Find a verse in the Bible that talks about this. Also find a verse that talks about the true peace Gavin experienced.

7. Gavin journeys to the Crimson River to gain new understanding about the Code and the ways of the Prince from the Prince Himself. Why do you think this is important? Read Galatians 1:15–18 to help find your answer.

8. In this chapter, it says “the Prince opened [Gavin's] eyes,” and Gavin “pitied the Noble Knights he had left behind, for their eyes were blind.” What does this symbolize? Find some Bible verses that address spiritual blindness.

9. What is the significance of Gavin's weakened right arm, and what does this represent? Find a passage in 2 Corinthians to support your answer.

10. What is the significance of the Prince's statement, “The sword is the same, but your mind is enlightened, and therefore the sword's purpose is now magnanimous”? What about “It was difficult [for Gavin] to
feel so inept with a weapon that had once felt like an extension of his body”?

11. What is the allegorical meaning behind the King and the Prince's love for the entire kingdom? Find a verse to support your answer.

12. What biblical event is allegorized by Gavin's name change? Find the first instance where Saul's new name is used in the Bible. Then find a verse that talks about things made new.

1. The religious leaders of Israel during the time of Jesus.

2. Caiaphas, the high priest at the time of Jesus Christ's death.

3. The remnants of King Solomon's temple.

4. In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments were kept in the ark of the covenant, and only the high priests were allowed to be in the Holy of Holies, where the ark was kept. This was because the common Jews needed an intercessor (the priests) to speak to God and offer sacrifices asking God to forgive them for their sins. Although the ark of the covenant had been hidden, or lost, or destroyed by the time of Jesus and was not in the Holy of Holies, the Chamber of the Code was used to depict this sacred room.

1. The woman caught in adultery, who Jesus prevented from being stoned.

1. Demus represents Nicodemus, the Pharisee who came to ask Jesus questions about how to be saved.

1. This represents the many times the Pharisees attempted to catch Jesus making a mistake or teaching the people false doctrine. Read Mark 12:13–34, and note the three men who spoke with Jesus and tried to lure Him into speaking against the Scriptures.

2. Nicodemus came to speak with Jesus by night. Their discussion is in John 3:1–21. Nicodemus also defended Jesus during a discussion among the Pharisees (John 7:40–53).

3. When the Pharisees accuse Jesus of being in league with Beelzebub, or Satan (Matthew 12:24).

4. Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent and powerful Jew, had no part in the capture and crucifixion of Jesus (Luke 23:50–51).

5. Judas Iscariot, the traitor (Matthew 26:14–16).

6. That the stranger would actually die for him. This symbolizes Jesus Christ's death on the cross for us.

1. Jesus' silence during His trial, which was prophesized in Isaiah 53:7.

2. Jesus is struck during His trial (see John 18:22).

3. When the high priest questions Jesus about His identity and Jesus replies that He is the Son of God (Luke 22:66–71).

1. Gavin is wrong in thinking that their problems are over, but he's correct that the people of Chessington would not follow a dead leader. However, they would follow a living one!

2. The tearing of the veil of the temple (Mark 15:38). The tearing of the veil was significant because it symbolized that everyone had access to God themselves. Jesus had become the mediator for all people, common or noble (see Hebrews 8:11; 9).

1. The “decaying dead leader” of the Followers was the living, breathing Prince. This event allegorizes the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2. The stoning of Stephen, the first martyr (Acts 6:8–7:60).

3. The Holy Spirit gives wisdom and knowledge to His people. He also gives peace—even in death, Severin and Stephen were peaceful men. Isn't it amazing Stephen's last act was to request that the men who killed them not be charged by God for their actions?

4. Saul (Acts 7:58).

1. The Followers include the name of the Prince in their own name, Knights of the Prince, just as Jesus Christ's followers came to be called Christians.

2. This represents the high priest giving Saul letters authorizing him to bind any believers he caught and bring them to Jerusalem (Acts 9:1–2). It marks the beginning of Saul's persecution of the church. Read Galatians 1:13–14 and Acts 8:1–3.

3. Matthew 5:44: “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (See the full passage in Matthew 5:43–48.) This represents when the Christians fled after Stephen's murder (Acts 8:4).

1. A Christian who is a preacher or teacher to others. Read Acts 4:5–14 for an example of disciples who were “troublemakers” because of their knowledge of the Bible.

2. The Bible has quite a bit to say about faith. For example, Matthew 17:20 states, “For assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Another verse says, “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:2–3). Faith is essential to serve Christ.

3. The common Jewish perspective at that time that all Gentiles (non-Jews) were unworthy of God's attention or help. Read the story of Jesus and the Woman at the Well in John 4:4–26 (focus on verse 9).

1. Damascus.

2. He wasn't living for the Prince. This represents that true purpose in life comes from a Christ-centered life.

3. Ephesians 6:12.

4. Acts 9:5: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” Paul was finding no peace because he was battling against God's plan for his life. Biblically, Paul's conversion was an exchange between Jesus and Paul only. The allegory depicts the Shadow Warriors to show that if Paul had not chosen to follow Jesus, he would have continued to be a tool of Satan and would have died an unsaved man.

1. Answer based on personal experience.

2. The disciples helping Saul flee from pursuing Jews by lowering him in a basket over the wall at Damascus (Acts 9:23–25).