Papa Stour Ting

On the island of Papa Stour, that remote rock in the wild North Sea for which I have a fondness, are the remains of a stone circle near the beach at Housa Voe. This is a 'ting' rather than the 'classic' stone circles with which I am more familiar, meaning a medieval, Norse assembly point. It was a place of government and law and is where folk likely gathered to hear their betters offer instruction. It was also, in true ‘Viking’ spirit, a place for duel, one being famously won by Lord Thorvald Thoresson around 1300, of which the tourist boards still speak.

Trial by combat seems to have gone out of fashion, in one sense. On the other, we still fight wars in which the victors are deemed to be the correct ones and we hold popular elections in which various men and women try to out-do and out-manoeuvre their opponents in the eyes of the many onlookers watching from outside of the circle.

The Book of Revelation describes the returning King Jesus as a mighty warrior, mounted upon a white steed, an army to his rear. Yet it will be no nervous contest, for He is bound to win. The battle might be real and the resistance stiff, but this is no duel of equals, for Satan, his angels and rebellious mankind must certainly yield to Him. We do so now, freely, by the power of the gospel, or later, forcibly, at the great Judgement.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. Rev 19:11-13

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