THE KING’S CHAMPION!
By the late Harold E. Stough & Kenneth C. Kemble
(Reprinted from The Aletheia Herald, Post Office Box 5204, Uvalde, Texas 78802-5204, USA)
THE GOSPEL of the Kingdom of God is not a passive teaching. It requires the energies, the enthusiasm, and the zeal of all its exponents. It is not a message that can be relegated to the quiet chat, or that seldom-experienced leisure period. There is no time for theological quibbles over this or that doctrine, nor is it the time to be idle.
This is a time of grave importance in our history. The enemies of Christ and His Holy Kingdom have begun to swell as never before. Our Christian culture is being challenged on every front—and we must not be silent!
We are God’s servant nation, and whether we realise it or not, the eyes of the world look to us. The manner in which we conduct out affairs affects countless millions throughout the world in many heathen lands.
What will we do? Will we stand for Christ and His Holy Kingdom, or will we step aside, in ‘benevolent’ tolerance and let the forces of darkness destroy our blessed heritage, thus failing in our mission as His Servant nation?
In ancient days, the ceremonies in connection with the crowning of the King of England included a coronation banquet in Westminster Hall. Amongst the services, which since 1821 have disappeared, was that of King’s Champion. The actual duty of the King’s Champion consisted of riding into the banquet hall in the company of the Lord High Constable and offering to “adventure his life” against anyone who should “deny or gainsay our Sovereign Lord.”
The actual scene of the banquet itself was superb. First, the heralds announced the approach of His Majesty. After the entrance, the first course was served on gold dishes, but before the dishes were actually placed on the table, the Lord High Constable, the Lord High Steward and the Deputy Earl Marshal entered on horseback. During the second course, the King’s Champion entered the Hall with his supporters and attendants. The Champion was on horseback and wore a bright suit of armour complete with plumed helmet. The Champion’s herald then proclaimed the Challenge in the following words : –
“If any person, of what degree soever, high or low, shall deny or gainsay our Sovereign Lord George the Fourth of the United Kingdom, of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Son and next Heir to our Sovereign Lord George the Third, the last King, deceased, to be right Heir to the Imperial Crown of this United Kingdom, or that he ought not to enjoy the same, here is his Champion who saith that he lieth, and is a false traitor, being ready in person to combat with him, and in this quarrel will adventure his life against him on what day soever he shall be appointed.” The Champion then flung down an iron gauntlet, which, having lain upon the ground for a short time, was picked up by the herald and restored to the Champion. This ceremony was repeated at the middle of the Hall and again at the steps of the King’s Throne.
If the Champion’s challenge was accepted, and he won the ensuing fight, he was then entitled to the armour which he wore and the horse, with the trappings, which he rode – the second best in the King’s stables.”
The King’s Champion was indeed a splendid and most noble function, and quite worthy of great honour throughout the realm.
Today, as Christian Israelites, it is fitting that we apply this to ourselves, for we regard the Lord Jesus Christ as our Sovereign Lord and King, Who is to take the throne of His father David and rule over the House of Jacob for ever—and we are the citizens of His Holy Kingdom! It is His throne— both by right and by the victory which He won upon the cruel cross of His affliction—and we owe our faithful allegiance and undying devotion—yea, even our lives—to Him!
The Holy Scriptures declare: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1:32-33 (also Isaiah 9:6-7)
[The office of Champion is said to have been conferred by William the Conqueror on Robert de
Marmion, a female descendant of whom married Sir John Dymoke, bringing to him the Manor of Serivelsby in Lincolnshire; thus the office of Champion of England ever since has been in the family of Dymoke of Scrivelsby.]
Yet, there have been those throughout history who have brazenly denied the Supremacy of Christ and have opposed the Holy One of Israel, both openly and in secret. Indeed there are many such gainsayers among us even today, and probably will be until the day of His glorious coming.
When these profane gainsayers exalt themselves against the absolute Supremacy of our Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, it falls to those of us who would serve the Master with loyalty and devotion to regard ourselves as Champions of the King, and to boldly challenge their lies and their heresies, and throw them down!
A life lived in service to Christ, as Champion of the King, is filled with adventure, and comes with great responsibility. We do not know what others will do, but we will speak out against all individuals, or representatives of schools of thought, or of doctrines not compatible with Scripture, who by these actions or teachings, deny the personage of our Lord and the supremacy of His Kingdom and we challenge you to do the same!
How wonderful to be known as the King’s Champion! What inestimable privilege to be in His Service, holding office in a Kingdom which will never pass away! However, this is no mere honorary position. On the contrary, continued service is required if we are to retain the post selected. But we glory in the fact that it is not in our strength that we stand as His Champion—we are enabled to stand because we have been made strong in the strength which God supplies.
Jesus Christ has already won the victory over the adversar y. He conquered the cross and triumphed over the tomb. He stands clothed in glory at the right hand of God the Father. And we are His disciples!
St. Paul enjoins us, if we are to attain unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ, to:
of kings, defying evil, and challenging any usurper of his prerogatives.
The forces of darkness are continually lifting up one challenge after another against our Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ and His Holy Kingdom—and with each passing generation, there are fewer and fewer Champions among us, willing to adventure their lives, their fortunes and their honour for the sake of Christ and His Holy Kingdom—What will you do?
We encourage all who would do service for Jesus our King to not be merely citizens of the Kingdom, but to be Champions of the King! Challenge the heretics and vain philosophies of our day that would lead us away from Christ and down the path of apostasy and decadence! Onward Christian soldiers! Lift high the Standard of Christ! Cast down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God! Reprove the unfruitful works of darkness!
Arise! O Champions of the King! Stand up for Jesus with courage and conviction! The rewards are eternal!
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand.”
The editor was privileged indeed to count Harold Stough as his good friend and colleague. Pastor Stough was an American who went back to the land of his fathers, England, in 1933 to attend the Bible College at Harrow Weald. He was a mover and shaker in the movement from that time forward, and served in many capacities down through the years, including Pastor of Orange Street Congregational Church, and editor of Youth Message and Kingdom Challenge. He wrote two articles with the above title back in 1948, and the editor was so impressed with these articles that, in the summer of 2000, he asked Pastor Stough if he could work with him, via the telephone, in an effort to bring the articles up to date into one article adding his own thoughts as well. He kindly (and enthusiastically) agreed, and the preceding article is the result of their collaboration. It was the only article they worked on together, and to the best of our knowledge, it was Harold Stough’s last article.
“Put on the whole armour of God… loins girt about with truth… breastplate of righteousness.., feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace… shield of faith… helmet of salvation.., sword of the spirit.., praying always…” Ephesians 6:10-18. Thus we, too, can be Champions of the King
Harold Stough who died in 2004, was also secretary of the British Israel World Federation in London for approximately 30 years, and held in ver y high regard around the world for the excellent job he did. Editor – Ensign Message.
