The book of Revelation is a powerful, divine disclosure from God, written specifically for believers, that unfolds the history and future of the church and reveals the culmination of end-time prophesies about world events. The word Revelation comes from the Greek word "apocalypse" - which is singular - meaning the unveiling of Jesus Christ. Sometimes you may hear people incorrectly refer to the book of Revelations - but it is only one Revelation - the whole book being about the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
At the beginning of the book, John is recorded as the man to whom God gave the task of writing down the heavenly visions and words he saw and heard. Some scholars believe this John, who describes himself as an exile on the Isle of Patmos for his Christian testimony, wrote this around AD 95. Below are the opening verses of this incredible book.
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw." Rev1:1-2
Revelation contains many blessings, starting with a blessing to those who read, hear and keep the words of the book. "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." Rev 1:3
When I planned out this art piece, I decided to include verses 4 -11 within the background by scratching the words into wet paint with the handle-end of a paintbrush. I wanted to make these words appear like a letter would - written down at a steady pace, as someone would do when writing a letter. In order to do this with the handle of the paintbrush, I applied the paint and then had to work quickly, before the it had time to dry.
"John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty." Revelation 1:4-8
The middle section of this large painting is a humble attempt at illustrating a little of the divine glory of God in the vision of the stars and candlesticks. I have always approached any venture that involves painting an image of God or Christ with caution (note: the triune God is God the Father, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit in one.) I am keenly aware of the sacred nature of such a subject, so I only seek to illustrate images that are of Christ and keep some parts obscure. My purpose in illustrating such scenes is to bring glory to God and his Word. In doing so, I do not to claim some sort of knowledge of the Holy that I do not possess nor seek to create an image for the purpose of idol worship. No matter what, my small effort at capturing such glory is nothing compared to the power found within the words of scripture itself.
John saw a vision of Jesus - the Son of man - standing among the seven candlesticks, which represents the church. In John 8:12, Jesus tells us he is "the light of the world" and in Matthew 5:13-16 Jesus tells believers they are to be salt and light in the world.
The middle section of the painting:
Son of Man among the stars and candlesticks
"I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were like wool, as white as snow: and his eyes were as a flame of fire: And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace: and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. " Revelation 1:9-20
Around the edges of this large art painting are the letters to the seven churches, which will be covered in the next blog post.
All scripture from Holy Bible, King James Version 1611
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