So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Since the new world order
played upon our fears
Spreading accusations
of radical ideas
The brotherhood of wisdom
Strength and dignity
Its rituals and secrets
remain a mystery
Beneath an ever watchful eye
The angels of the temple fly
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state
A rite of passage
The final stage, a sacred home
Unlock the door and lay the cornerstone
A rite of passage
Men of wealth and power
Influence and fame
Philosophers and leaders
All members of the trade
Bound by oath and honor
Like the rose and cross
An enigmatic union
of esoteric thoughts
Beneath an ever watchful eye
The angels of the temple fly
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state
A rite of passage
The final stage, a sacred home
Unlock the door and lay the cornerstone
A rite of passage
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state
A rite of passage
The seven stars, the rising sun
A perfect world, a new life has begun
A rite of passage
played upon our fears
Spreading accusations
of radical ideas
The brotherhood of wisdom
Strength and dignity
Its rituals and secrets
remain a mystery
Beneath an ever watchful eye
The angels of the temple fly
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state
A rite of passage
The final stage, a sacred home
Unlock the door and lay the cornerstone
A rite of passage
Men of wealth and power
Influence and fame
Philosophers and leaders
All members of the trade
Bound by oath and honor
Like the rose and cross
An enigmatic union
of esoteric thoughts
Beneath an ever watchful eye
The angels of the temple fly
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state
A rite of passage
The final stage, a sacred home
Unlock the door and lay the cornerstone
A rite of passage
Turn the key, walk through the gate
The great ascent to reach a higher state
A rite of passage
The seven stars, the rising sun
A perfect world, a new life has begun
A rite of passage
Lyrics submitted by Idan, edited by Octavarium64
A Rite of Passage Lyrics as written by John Petrucci John Myung
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
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Freemasonry. It's pretty awesome when the keyboard starts doing those nintendo sounds.