Greco-Roman rulers would always have their visits announced by an official herald before their arrival. These envoys would prepare the way for the King’s visit by making proclamations and preparations. They served as both the king’s “secret service” and his “hype man.” John the Baptist fulfills these political and prophetic expectations (Is. 40:3; Mal. 3:1) by preparing the way for King Jesus. John preached a message of repentance from sin, remnant theology, and a coming new age of the permanent indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Ez 36:26-27).