K is for Knights Of Cydonia

Knights of Cydonia combines the concept of a terraformed planet Mars with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse mentioned in scripture. The Horsemen appear in Revelation 6: 2-8, and represent God's judgement of people's sin and rebellion, which many believe to be a foretaste of the final judgement to come. The four horsemen are traditionally named Pestilence, War, Famine and Death.

Cydonia is the region on Mars where some believe life has existed. In the video, a terraformed Mars is the backdrop to the song. In the January 2007 issue of Q magazine, songwriter Matt Bellamy is quoted as saying: "I'd definitely be up for a trip to Mars. I'd love to record an album at zero gravity. Or at least go up there and do a vocal take. The area of Cydonia is very interesting. There are parts of it that resemble abandoned civilisations."

H is for Hallelujah Chorus

Handel was at his lowest ebb, having had several setbacks and being in debt.  He then set to work to compose a musical with words taken from the Book of Isaiah and The Gospels.

For 24 solid days and nights he worked, hardly eating or sleeping.  The result was "The Messiah."

The most famous movement in this musical is the Hallelujah chorus, which is drawn from three passages in Revelation: Chapter 19 v 6, 11 v 15 and 19 v 16.

A White Stone With A New Name

Revelation 2:17 (New International Version)

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

I've been pondering this verse for a while, particularly to the reference to a 'white stone', which seems to speak so much to me on various levels. Like so many verses in Revelation, it's left open for each of us to unpack this and to understand.  What could that reference to a 'white stone' possibly mean? I've read many interpretations in books and online.

This could be...

• ...an admission ticket to public festivals in ancient times...
• ...a pebble of acquittal used in Greek courts...
• ...a pebble used in elections in ancient Greece...
• ...a stone used in the high-priest's breastplate...

...and what about the reference to the new name being written upon it?  There's been several references in various places to the importance of 'names' in Scripture, and I had even made mention of this myself in recent days when I led a Sunday meeting at the Corps - I was preaching on Daniel chapter 1 and there was a reference to the importance of names yet again!

But what is this 'new name' that we are promised here? There's other references to this in Isaiah 62:2 and Isaiah 65:15. When something is made new, it gives us a brand new start, new opportunities, new possibilities. 'I am a new creation'...

At this time of year, I am eager to accept the offer of a new start for a New Year - that seems  to me to be most attractive. If that means the acceptance of a new name - or a new title - then I'm up for it.