Even lawmen wanted the Lone Ranger. Only a few had been convinced that this strange figure was not an outlaw, and those few thanked God for the man who had no thought of personal glory or reward…for the man whose only purpose in life seemed to be to help the deserving and punish the lawless in a region where laws were few and those few, seldom enforced.”
–Fran Striker (The Lone Ranger and the Mystery Ranch)
“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.”
–2 Thessalonians 2:8 (NKJV)
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It’s almost absurd. That’s what I said. A person tried to convince me that this certain piece of music was called “The William Tell Overture.” Bah, I let him have it. Anyone growing up in the 1940s and ’50s knew it was really “The Lone Ranger Theme.” Don’t try to kid me… When I hear that music played I sure don’t think of that ol’ Swiss archer shooting an apple off his son’s head with an arrow. No, when that music is played it’s, “Hi-yo, Silver….Away!” Stop and ponder, which comes to your mind?
I was recently reading the “Lone Ranger Creed.” It was written in 1933, by George Trendle and Fran Striker. It consisted of two parts: the Creed, and guidelines for story writers. Here is number nine of the Creed: “I believe that all things change but truth, and that truth alone lives on forever.” One could almost give a shout here, for Jesus said, “I am the truth…”. He never changes; “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)
I thought I would give you part of the writing guidelines to ponder. Here are a few of them.
1. The Lone Ranger is never captured or held for any length of time by lawmen, avoiding his being unmasked.
2. At all times, The Lone Ranger uses perfect grammar and precise speech completely devoid of slang and colloquial phrases.
6. All adversaries are American to avoid criticism from minority groups.
7. Names of unsympathetic characters are carefully chosen, avoiding the use of two names as much as possible to avoid even further vicarious association. More often than not, a single nickname is selected.
8. The Lone Ranger does not drink or smoke, and saloon scenes are usually interpreted as cafes with waiters and food instead of bartenders and liquor.
Hmmmm, the poor postmodernists sure wouldn’t like this. Their purpose is to deconstruct. Tear down language, do away with what might seem to be proper. There are no black or white hats–they all have become gray for there is no right or wrong just interpretation.
The Holy Spirit has given us written guidelines as well. It is called the Word of God–the Bible. In it He tells us what to do, and what to avoid. There are instructions of how to live a righteous life, and how to avoid evil and living a life not pleasing to God.
We are to follow Truth. Do not listen to the many voices out there saying that they have the truth. That their truth will lead them to heaven; that there are many truths. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, who declares that Jesus is the truth, the way, and the life (John 14:6). Do not exchange truth for a lie. Do not barter with the devil or his cohorts.
Think back to the opening scene of each Lone Ranger episode. “A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a heart ‘Hi, yo, Silver!’ The Lone Ranger rides again!” Wow, it makes me think of Revelation 19:11-13 (NKJV).
“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. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.”
Whoooeee, He is coming back, the dust will be the clouds. The Lord will ride again upon this earth!