PRIVATE WINDSOR

by Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator

How much do you like history? Well, on today's' broadcast I want to examine a little world history, and take you back to one of this centuries most moving stories of the drama of love and adventure. For years I've enjoyed reading about the kings and queens of merry old England. Perhaps that's because a goodly part of my heritage comes from the British Isles. Yet, on this broadcast I want to talk about the family of King George V and Queen Mary of England's 19th and 20th century. But before I bring you this slice of history, and couple it with the Word of God, let's pause right now to hear this moving musical selection, after which I'll return to bring you my topic entitled: PRIVATE WINDSOR.

It seem the present era of the affairs of England's dynasty of kings and queens, began with the birth of Prince Edward. He was the eldest son of King George V. Prince Edward later known as Edward the VIII, was born on June 23, 1894. His official names were Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David. Wow, what a signature if one had to write all that, but then that is the way of royalty. Well history tells us that Prince Edward became heir to the British throne on the accession of his father on May 6, 1910. But the crowning moment came for Prince Edward when on January 20, 1936 King George V died and Edward was proclaimed king. At that moment, he rose to the highest royalty of human history. He became King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and of the British dominions and even Emperor of India. Having the highest position of royalty King Edward the VIII, indeed was destined for human history and glory. However, most history buffs know the most startling thing happened to this blue-blood family. In a moment I'd like to tell you the whole story, but first let's pause once again for this moment of music.

Yes, Britain's famous prince Edward came to rule a greater portion of the world under the British flag. However, his life and his love were about to tear him from his throne. To understand this we have to go back six years to the year 1930. It was at this time Prince Edward met a young woman named Wallis Simpson. The insurmountable problem surrounding this love match was the fact that Mrs. Simpson was already married however, she had recently separated her husband a U.S. Navy Lieutenant. Nonetheless, Prince Edward's heart had been smitten, and through the ensuing years he feel deeply in love with her. Prince Edward tried to discuss the matter with his family, especially his father, King George V but in the very year Edward set to talk, the year 1936, King George died just before the matter could be brought up. Immediately Prince Edward was thrust upon his father's throne, and now as King, Edward had some immediate choices to make.

You see, the royal family deeply frowned upon this sullen relationship, and Edward being the head of the church of England, couldn't possibly marry this woman. Well, the news of their love relationship began to rattle the news wires across the globe, and on December 3, 1936, after much turmoil, King Edward had made a life-changing decision, no King had ever done before. Now holding the highest position of any human being of his day, a position of unfathomable wealth, prestige, power and glory - he knew he could not share it with his life's greatest love, Mrs. Willis Simpson. For seven days Edward deeply wrestled with what to do. He saw the serious responsibility he bore to his kingship, but he also knew without his love by his side, it was worth nothing.

The world was rocked though, when on December 10th,1936 King Edward VIII made his final decision and submitted his abdication. He wrote these words in doing it.

"I Edward do hereby declare my irrevocable determination to renounce the throne for myself and my descendants."

Later on a national radio broadcast Edward further said,

" I have found it impossible to carry on the burden of responsibility and to discharge the duties of King, without the help and support of the woman I love."

With that Edward left his throne of glory for the woman he loved that He might be with her, and that he might spend the rest of his days by her side. Mrs. Simpson's divorce finally went through, and on June 3rd, 1937, Edward and Willis Simpson were married in small town in France. Now our story doesn't end here.

When Edward abdicated the throne, his younger brother George received the crown. King George VI as he was called, in gesture of kindness to his elder brother, pronounced upon Edward the title of Duke of Windsor. But on the advice of the royal cabinet, King George did not grant the accompanying title of "royal highness." to Edward's new wife. This deeply wounded Edward, now the Duke of Windsor, and relationships between the family were severely strained till the death of King George VI.

When WW II broke out, and King George had been on the throne for only a few years, he had a teenage daughter named Elizabeth. Elizabeth, true to her royal blood, was eager to help England win the war. She pleaded with her father King George, to allow her to enlist in the British armed forces. Reluctantly, he permitted her to join the Auxiliary Territorial Services unit. There she entered as a lowly private. Now, history records that a senior officer over her, took pleasure in unnecessarily bossing and bullying her. Elizabeth's superior officer always referred to Princess Elizabeth as PRIVATE WINDSOR do this, or do that! Yes, sergeant! Yes sergeant was all she could ever answer. Amazingly, here was the future heir to the throne of England, made lower than the noncommissioned officers, for the sake of her service to her people. But then, the crowning moment came. Princess Elizabeth, on February 6, 1952 received word that her father King George VI had died. Being the only heir, at that moment, she became Queen of England. No longer Private Windsor to be baited and badgered by a trivial small-fry. She was now, "Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II." She had entered into the position which she had inherited only because of the unexpected humiliation and abdication of her uncle Edward VIII.

Now to tie all this to my message from God's Word to you today my friend. Just think about this modern true story, and how it amazingly parallel's another of a higher and pure order, the story of God's love and work on behalf of undeserving humanity. You see, the Bible tells us that God who is King of the universe, ruling upon His sovereign throne, loved His fallen creation of humanity so much, that in order to have us by His side, He had to leave his position of glory and step down from heaven's throne to one with His creatures whom He loved. Yes, God the Son, Jesus Christ, the Bible says, chose to temporarily empty Himself of His glory, and in humility be born of human flesh. Now, since Adam & Eve sinned against God, we know that their relationship was broken off, and in the process our first parents took the whole human race away from the privilege of a perfect relationship with our God the Creator.

Like Mrs. Simpson, Edward VIII divorced love - she was unsuited for the crown of England's throne. So Edward had to abdicate his glory to become a part of her. Yes my friend that is a marvelous analogy of what God in a sense did for us. God loved us so much that He chose to leave His throne and become like us, a commoner, a member of the human race. The Bible tells it like it is. In John's Gospel chapter 1:1,14 we read

" In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God... and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

Thus, in order to bring us, a lost race of humanity to himself, God became incarnate in His creation. However unlike King Edward's forever loss of the throne, God's temporary setting aside of His glory and throne, was but for a mere 33 years. Upon Christ's death on Calvary's cross, He arose again from the dead and ascended to His heavenly throne and glory. Like King George VI daughter Private Windsor, for a time Christ was made a little lower than the angels, to bear the mocking of sinful overlords. But now, He has resumed His position of eternal glory forever and ever.

But my friend, the most amazing truth in all this is in ascending to heaven and resuming His kingship and sovereign eternal rule, He has provided to take with Him, all those who have become His Bride, the Church of Jesus Christ.

Right now Queen Elizabeth II, is no longer Private Windsor, she is "Her Royal Highness". For a while God's children are but simple humanity, yet the Bible declares we too will rise in the resurrection and inherit all the glory of the one who came from heaven to save us from our sins. We the redeemed of Adam's race, are to share the glory of our God and King for all eternity, one day when He comes again. Right now Christians are under "tutors, and schoolmasters" but all that will end when we shall with our Lord be exalted higher than the highest archangels of glory, join heirs the Bibles says with Christ.

Now this great ending didn't happen with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. They lived out their lives in estrangement from the royal family, and both died separated from Edward's inheritance forever. But when the believer in Christ dies, like Princess Elizabeth, we shall be instantly promoted into glory by the side of our beloved Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ in a position we neither deserved or would have had without the death of Jesus Christ. Oh what a love story the Bible tells of the Creator loving His estranged and divorced creatures. Yes, God loved us so much, that He was willing to pay the highest price, and within the bonds of real eternal love, He devised a plan to rescue every man, woman, boy and girl, who will come to accept and receive Christ Gods' true love gift.

Say friend have you spurned the love of God through Christ? Have you passed by His matchless offer of royalty? Are you right now simply ignoring it? The Bible also says that so great salvation and so great an offer of love to redeem us, if ignored and spurned, that in eternity no greater crime can be committed against God. God the Father's wrath is upon every soul that rejects the love offer of the Son, Read Psalm 2 to learn this.

Psalm 2 (NIV) "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. 3 "Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters." 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." 7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son ; today I have become your Father. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him."

This is why God has designed a Hell to hold the Christ rejecting souls of a humanity that scorns the eternal love and overture of God tender care.

Today, right now, it is my prayer that God will open your eyes through this true life analogy of love and drama, to see the unbelievable love story between the Creator God and His fallen sinful creatures. I tell you it was through a moment such as this, that my eyes years ago were opened and I knew at once how much God loved me. He loved me enough to die for me, even while I was yet a sinner lost in my sins, God loved me and wanted me to embrace Him as I came to understand His great sacrifice on my behalf. I can remember that day, when in my heart and mind, I ran as fast as I could into the waiting arms of my God and Savior and crowned Him my King! And do you know friend, that is God's intended ending to His story.

Yes all things are done, complete. Now its your response. Come, all things are ready, your King awaits you - receive Him now by an act of faith, thank Him for loving you enough to die for your sins, and offering you as a free gift His forgiveness and life eternal. Then in like manner rush into the waiting arms of your Savior, and enter the undeserved inheritance of glory and His kingship now and for eternity.

Well history records that the Duke of Windsor lived till he died in the year 1972. Sadly, all through his years after his abdication from his throne, he was estranged from the royal family. In sadness Edward and his wife paid a high price, but it appears that their love was real, and it lasted through their lives. We in the Christian faith have a greater and purer love story, and a love that will not pass with age, but rather will last for all eternity. The Bible says "God loves us with an everlasting love", and He wants all men to be saved from their sins and reconciled to Himself through Jesus Christ. We as Christians are to go forth telling this great love story, and acquainting mankind with it wherever we go. I've done that today just for you my friend.

And, it is my earnest prayer friend that you will see that you and I, and all humanity are the objects of a greater King's love. Who for all eternity has proved that love by entering into our very humanity, to abide with us in fellowship and intimate love. Let us esteem His grace and mercy as our highest admiration and purpose for our lives, as we await our coronation day. May God bless these words to your heart for Jesus sake.