A country at war.

An eight year old son, Seneca, seeing his family may be overthrown and likely killed, dresses up as a commoner and hides among a group of children all near his age.  As tragedy unfolds, it all happens so quick ...and furiously. The kingdom is soon overthrown, and most of the families die ...only the poor children remaining.   

The children are carried off into captivity.

In a year's time, another King & his army, led by General Guardian, resolve to rescue the children. They overthrow this kingdom which the children have been enslaved to, and aim to restore the previous ravaged kingdoms ...resettling the children in their land.  

The young Prince Seneca does not want to rule, so when they are returned to their land ...he hurries to the ruins of his parent's royal residence. Only he knows where the book of Names & Families is hidden, and he burns it to destroy the record of him being the prince and rightful heir to the throne. Seneca confesses untruthfully that he is a common thief, and had once stolen some of the royal jewels ...showing a necklace and a ring that was in truth his, but which he said he stole.  He spun the story, telling Guardian that while stealing the jewels he had read in the royal book of the name of the heir to the throne.  

Seneca is desperate.  He knew his commoner friend, Ain, was very possessive ...and would be too eager to become king. Yet, he felt his other friend, Cable, was rather insulated and detached from those around him, and therefore also not very capable to rule others.  But, more than anything, Seneca is certain he does not want to rule.

With his king's permission, General Guardian helps them restore their old kingdoms, and believes Seneca when he says he had read the royal book.  Seneca says the book had also included dialogue by the royal family, stating that they'd feared one day they may be overthrown, as they were too large a kingdom, and too inefficient.  Seneca reveals that it was suggested in the writings that the kingdom be split into two halves, with each of the royal family's two sons eventually ruling an East and West kingdom.  And Seneca tells Guardian that the two sons are Ain and Cable.

Now, Ain and Cable knew they were not brothers, but Ain liked the prospect of being a ruler ...and threatened Cable, getting him to agree not to tell.  

Guardian says he will assign a couple of his best soldiers to help Ain and Cable until they get older ...and Ain and Cable both like this idea.  But, first they secretly and privately thank Seneca ...telling him he will be a welcome guest in any of their kingdoms.  They admit they were rather shocked when he had lied to Guardian, but it is their secret, and they will never tell anyone.

As the many years pass, Ain and Cable pass away, and their children's children become princes, then kings. Guardian had also passed away, and his grandson, Draug, is not so kind a ruler. Draug likes war, and particularly likes conquering. 

Draug conquers the East and West kingdoms, and decides once again to combine them into one kingdom ...which he decides to rule himself.  But, he rules rather inefficiently ...and in a couple years he gets too ambitious, trying to add a third kingdom, and loses it all.

The descendants of Ain and Cable both decide that they are the rightful heirs ...and each claim that they have proof that their descendants had not been brothers. The obvious conclusion is that one family is an impostor. Of course, neither family has any proof, but they feel they don't need it ...as any claims they've stated, they hold as true.

*******Today, we have a similar problem ...we are heirs with Christ Jesus, yet we sometimes profess claims that somehow allow us to feel we have greater standing with our authority of that claim. Now, I don't know how one can have any greater authority than the words of Jesus, nor how anyone could possibly add further stipulations to the wondrous fact that He has given us the assurance of our salvation. And I am certainly able to rejoice in knowing I am heir to His kingdom in Heaven ...and do not have to be rebuked for thinking I earned it.  I am not entitled to more of a standing (or sitting) with Him in that heavenly abode than anyone else.  I only aspire to reside in heaven, under His loving care.

Also, to be an heir, is not to be in error over how I can somehow establish my standing here on earth ...as if anything I can do here on earth can be more highly valued than to witness to someone about the simplicity of them also receiving the gift of salvation through Jesus.

I'm reminded of the mom of a couple of the apostles asking if her sons could have that exalted position to sit next to Jesus in Heaven.  

I exalt Jesus, and I do not desire any special position ...it is such an overwhelming statement of grace on His part to even allow me to be in Heaven where I can be somewhere in His company. My name is in the Book of Life, and to know that ...is so comforting. Where I sit, stand, or walk is all going to be in pure delight.

And my job here on earth is in testifying to whom Jesus is ...so others can better know Him.  To what degree anyone sincerely embraces Him is not known to the human mind ...and it is not in my job description to even guess at it.

We also should attempt to use discretion with what kingdoms on earth we choose to reside in.  We should be a friend to those in need, but also befriend those we need to encourage us in the areas we should dwell in. (Philippians 4:8, says we are to dwell or think on certain things.) 

*******

(Our oldest son likes sports, so said he probably would have chosen the kingdom with Cable.)