Sunday, March 12, 2006

 

He Shall Reign


"He Shall Reign"

By Ramone - March 12, 2006

I first sketched this back on February 22 and it's taken awhile to complete. What I'd intended as a swirl of color in my first version instead turned out like a massive disco rainbow!

I had shared with MH (a friend) the common mens' struggle and asked for prayer, and he said he'd read through the book of Nahum and read its pronunciations of judgment as God's cry of vengeance against the spirits that trouble us all. At his suggestion I looked at the book and WOW! There was the same language in Nahum as in Revelation... I began to learn to rejoice at the coming judgment God is bringing! God knows the spirits that trouble us individually, and He has pronounced victory over and condemnation for the spirits that trouble His beloved children, His bride! He has condemned the great harlot spirits in you, in me, and in all His children!

After sketching the picture, I scribbled in my notes: "This is the cry that arises from the redeemed when He condemns the great prostitute of the earth... And I rejoice that He deals and has dealt judgment on her, on the spirit that sheds my blood (and the blood of so many of my brothers & sisters). And I rejoice the Lamb has overcome." In that vein I nearly named this picture, "In One Hour".

The words are taken from Revelation and are the lyrics to the "Hallelujah" chorus from Handel's "Messiah" oratorio. I've changed the traditional spelling of the word because it's actually two words: "Hallelu" and "Yah"... the "Yah" meaning "Yahweh". Hallelujah means "Praise Yahweh!" "Praise the LORD!"

Why these pictures? The worshiper is the redeemed, the one(s) crying out these praises to God with His angels arising. The swirl of colors is just what I pictured behind it... an ever-rising swirl of colors! Perhaps it's the smoke from the condemnation of the enemy which rises forever and ever? Even in God's final judgment, His agape is showing and is somehow beautiful (like a rainbow of colors), and we will praise Him for it forever and ever.

The feet... I wanted to put Christ in that spot, and I couldn't think of how to portray Him. Then I thought of a verse in Isaiah,

How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"

And I just remembered there's a parallel verse in Nahum!

"Look, there on the mountains,
the feet of one who brings good news,
who proclaims peace!
Celebrate your festivals, O Judah,
and fulfill your vows.
No more will the wicked invade you;
they will be completely destroyed."

How beautiful are His feet! His feet brought us the gospel of peace, the good news of our salvation, the news of our reconciliation, and it is by His wounds that we are healed. He said to us, "Here is your God!" because we didn't really know what Father was like, but the Son has showed us! His feet show us that "No more will the wicked (spirits) invade us, but they will be completely destoryed!" We have been, are being and will be set free indeed to celebrate Him and priase Him forever and ever!

Yesterday, when I looked at it as it was nearly finished, I wondered about the color of the person and the feet (and I felt shy because, well, they're too white! Sorry for people with other skin-tones!)... I noticed they were the same and suddenly was struck by the fact that they're both flesh. I remembered these words from the book of Hebrews:

"Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death-—that is, the devil—- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery..."

And this eternal truth:

"Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted."

What can I say? Praise You, Lord! You have won! You have redeemed me! You have become like me and understand how I feel and how I am beset at times by the enemy. You have condemned that enemy! Thank You, Lord, thank You! Help me see the many beautiful colors that arise out of Your pronuncation of judgment, Your merciful and wonderful sacrifice of Yourself because You love me so much. Thank You for this beautiful thing, Lord. I can't wait to see more and more clearly, and to join in the everlasting song of praise to You, the Lamb of God! Hallelu Yah! Praise You, Lord!

*****

See also: "Triumph!" (at Heart For Adventists)

# posted by Ramone @ 5:55 PM
Comments:
Ramone!

Thanks man! I needed your words this morning. You're an encouragement, and a brother fought for. I'm so glad you sent me this, it's funny how often we forget, and it's great how God send us those we need.

Keep me in touch with what's happening and where I can pray for you. Thanks for your art and your dangerous spirit.

Praise God in the highest for his wonderful children! And His strength to love as many as will recieve!
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 3/13/2006 1:26 AM
 
Hi Ramone

Thanks for your comment over at Pilgrim's Progress blog! Good to sense your heart and passion for God.

Blessings
Richard
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 3/13/2006 5:54 AM
 
Dear Ramone, this is my favorite! I love the "Massiah" and this part is my very favorite. Think you have hit it right on. "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you." Phil 1:3 God Bless you as you continue to be lead and used by Him. NML
# posted by Anonymous Anonymous : 3/19/2006 7:27 AM
 

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