Hello again, let’s start off with the lyrics to “Transcend” and then we’ll go into the meaning..

How could you, spit in the face of God
This is an all out war
The hatred you preach wont stand any longer
We’ve come to rectify
The years of abuse and pain,
The bitter taste, endured
Till we can celebrate

Revere the glory of your demise,
Your words will not prevail, and we will not stray
The time has come for all the wrongs, to be turned into rights,
It won’t be long

How dare you, condemn in the name of God,
This is your final chance
For He will send the wicked down for their lies

The pit of destruction awaits
Oh, deceptive tongue,
For your folly, you will pay

The final hour approaches
Of sorrow and despair,
And soon enough, you’ll beg for death to come

These days will come
Come to an end and so will you
The words you’ve said,
Depicted a voice that you
Were never given

Time for reformation
Has arrived

 

Background
This song addresses a few events/people in particular, but should be considered with broader implications.  A few years ago a good friend of mine was killed while serving his country and fighting for our freedom.  The day of his funeral should have been a quiet time to celebrate his life, and show our respects to his family while offering up prayers for healing.  However, the day was rudely interrupted by a group of radicals protesting “in the name of God.”  The problem I see, in today’s day and age ,is the fact that it is far to often these “radicals” that make the news.  This particular group has been on the Fox News, ABC News, and hundreds of local news stations.  They spread hatred, in words and in actions, that they claim is in the name of Jesus.  There are plenty more organizations out in the world, preaching (and teaching to their children for that matter) hatred.

“Transcend” is two things:
1. Transcend is a call to fellow Christians to rise above (hence the title “Transcend”) those who falsely represent Jesus.  Not in a physical sense or in any retaliatory manner, but to put forth a light that outshines the darkness these organizations broadcast.  I thought about John 4:1-6 a lot when writing, not only this song, but the entire album.

1Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. 4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

2. Transcend is a reminder to those misrepresenting the name Jesus that, in the time of judgment, no amount of pleading will make up for the people who have turned from God as a result of their actions.  I pray for these people and organizations, that they may see the error of their ways and repent.

In Closing
That pretty much wraps up “Transcend”.  I would, however, like to send my condolences to all those who have lost a friend or family member serving in the military.  My friend, Brian Romines, will remain a hero in our community for years to come, and his sacrifice will not be forgotten.  For those of you currently serving,  our prayers go out to our troops every day.  Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice.

I urge you all to seek the truth in God’s word and rise above the absurd teachings  of ridiculous radicals.

Thanks for reading this, and thanks for adding “Dissimulation” to your music collection,

Josh Ditto