HEADING FOR THE NEW LAND
When I painted this piece – I found the subject suggesting itself, as the painting progressed.
This is usually how it works for me.
It’s an exception as I rarely set out to paint a biblical subject or truth.
But I came across the painting again (it is no longer in my possession and I have forgotten who bought it).
I was consequently reminded and reflected on the fact that I am heading for a new ‘land’.
The heaven of heavens is my destination through no merits of my own – rather because of the fact that, admitting I had no merits – led eventually to finding great grace and acceptance in Christ.
Because of what I have experienced of the heavenly sphere (already) down here in this lower sphere, I believe and therefore I speak.
II Corinthians 4/
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
I will be raised up passing from this land to the ‘new land’. Who told me that? The person who gave the words as just quoted.
The painting which of course is metaphorical shows horses being changed from flesh to spirit.
They enter speedily into a land of light, and en route they pass a tree of life. No one can fully and completely enter the light before entering eternal life, represented by the tree.
A tree of life that in Scripture was guarded to prevent man from remaining eternally in sin.
Genesis 3/22
22 Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— 23 therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken.
24 …and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
The tree of crucifixion dealt with the sin problem. Allowing man to partake of the other tree and gain eternal salvation and life through Christ.
There is no sword in the painting – to prevent the entrance to eternal life.
The painting is of course in watercolour – still a fresh and beautiful medium. Just like the gospel message.
Selah.
