There really is a King, and He really is going to return.
"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war." (Rev 19:11)
"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (Rev. 22:12-13)
There really will be a last battle.
"And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ." (Rev. 12:13)
"These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful." (Rev. 17:14)
Our hearts really are black, taken by the "precious" and false things of this world.
"What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. As it is written: There is none righteous, no not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit; The poison of asps is under their lips; Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes." (Rom. 3:9-18)
We really do struggle to remain true to our calling.
Genesis 4:7 says "… sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." (Sounds sort of like Shelob, doesn't it?)
Frodo continued on his mission knowing it could very well cost him his life. Christ calls His disciples to a life of sacrifice. He asks that we take up our cross and follow Him.
"He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matthew 10:38-39) "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matthew 10:28)
True friends in the Lord, actually brothers and sisters in the family of God, help to bear one another's burdens. Our Fellowship is one of truest faithfulness and love.
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)
Our King really is coming with healing hands and with the power to restore Shalom. Speaking of Jesus the Messiah,
Isaiah 9:6 says, "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." The word peace in Hebrew is shalom. Shalom means much more than just a state of tranquility. It means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight; the way things ought to be.
Aragorn was willing to lay down his life to see Frodo saved and the mission accomplished. Our Lord and King not only was willing to die for us but did indeed give His life for His People so that we would be saved.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
But unlike Aragorn, who eventually would die, King Jesus has conquered death. He and those who belong to Him will live forever.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." (John 11:25-26)
For those who are called the Sons and Daughters of God, there is the assurance of Heaven. In that Undying Land we are told that:
"God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
Remember, Tolkien's world is fiction, but the realm of Christ the King is real.
Are you ready for the King's return?
For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever belives in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5:1-2)
Fierce may be the conflict, strong may be the foe,
But the King's own army, none can overthrow.
Round His standard ranging, victory is secure;
For His truth unchanging makes the triumph sure.
Joyfully enlisting, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord's side, Savior, we are Thine.
Frances Havergal