What is the Book of Revelation really all about? It’s about redemption and restoration. It’s about God fulfilling all of his promises which he has made to His children down through the ages - that they will not be forgotten, but be restored and made to sit at the right hand of the Father, through Christ and his atoning sacrifice.
Such is the story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses.
This time, our story begins with a Hero, not a Heroine. In some tales, he’s a farmer, in others, a soldier returning from war. Whatever his origins, he is considered by most to be a fool.
I just find it interesting that in most fairy tales, the heroine is persevering and brave, while the Hero is young, a dreamer and considered a fool. And he is often the youngest of three brothers. There’s one of those cleansing numbers and a number signifying completeness.
Ooo, I just realized why it’s the third son, or third brother. The term, “completeness” is our clue. Christ is, of course, the only perfect person to have lived on the earth. When you look at the Bible dictionary for perfect, it says, “Whole, complete.” And the Savior completed his mission by rising from the tomb on the third day. He was perfect, whole, complete.
But why is he considered a fool? Well, aren’t you a fool for believing in something you cannot see, taste, touch, hear or smell? The Savior during his lifetime was considered a fool by many because of what he taught and how he lived. So whether our Hero is a Christ figure, or everyman, he is a fool because he aspires to marry a princess or find some betterment in his life.
At any rate, our young Hero, who lives in a land far, far away, wants more from life than what he has. He sets off on a journey to find and fulfill his dreams. Now some would consider that foolish.
Along the way he meets a mysterious woman. She is either very beautiful, or an ugly old hag. This again is the “Fairy Godmother” type of person, the hand of providence, who helps the young fool. In one story, he is kind to the old hag where others are rude, and so, to thank him, she gives him a cloak that makes him invisible when he wears it, and points him to the castle where his dreams will come true if he has his wits about him, for the king has a problem. The king has twelve daughters - twelve princesses. Every night he locks them into a bedroom. Every morning, their shoes are worn from dancing and must be replaced. The King has sent out a proclamation stating that anyone who can find out why the Princesses shoes are being worn out may have one of his daughters to wife.
To marry a princess! What a noble aspiration for a mere farmer of soldier. But, armed with the invisibility cloak, a hope and a dream, the young fool makes for the Castle.
Twelve Dancing Princesses. There’s that number twelve again. In Hebrew it means perfect order. We have twelve months of the year. We use twelve to parcel things with, like eggs and rolls. Twelve times twelve is 144,000, the number of those who will stand on mount Zion. It’s also how many sons were born to Jacob/Israel.
Who are these twelve dancing princesses? I believe they represent the twelve tribes of Israel. The second coming of the Lord is to be marked by many signs, the most significant of which is the gathering of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. God made a covenant with Abraham that his seed would be remembered, and God keeps his promises. The Savior’s ministry during his mortal mission was strictly to the House of Israel. It wasn’t until after His ascension into heaven the ministry was allowed to go to all the world. Israel is very important to Heavenly Father and it’s gathering and restoration is what this little tale is all about.
Our Hero makes his way to the castle and in time is able to present himself to the king as one who can solve the problem of the worn out slippers. There is a great risk in this, for everyone who had come before, had disappeared, never to be seen again, or had slept through the night, waking up none the wiser and a great failure.
But our Hero is well prepared. He goes to his chamber which is next door to that of the princesses room. He does not drink anything they give him. He feigns sleep. Then, when they are all dressed, wearing their new slippers, he dons his invisibility cloak and follows them through a secret passage that opens up in their room and leads down into a mysterious realm beneath their feet.
There, our young Hero will find many surprises - and someone to love and be loved by.
Next week: Part 2
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