Pastor Nick : “John’s Artistic Vision”

JOHN’S ARTISTIC VISION

Pastor Nick Quient

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the elders fell down and worshiped.

Revelation 5:13-14 (NRSV)

One of the most incredible and awe-inspiring images in the Book of Revelation is centered on John’s vision of Jesus. Jesus is at once a slain lamb, a prophet, and the one who exacts justice across the land. Jesus resides at the center of God’s actions and activity on the earth—where God is at work.

And John paints this magnificent and cinematic-esque portrait of how God is often at work. Several key scenes focus on the worship of God and how innumerable and near-indescribable creatures sing to God and extol our Lord for his power, creativity, and might. All of creation essentially sings back to God about how good God is, and how God works in our lands. That is not to dismiss all of the intriguing images and complex allusions found in John’s apocalyptic vision, but it does suggest that ancient ideas of artistry were important to John—for he wrote with magisterial colors and vivid ideas.

That, I think, might offer a new paradigm as we move into this new time. We have weathered numerous chaotic seas and waters and we have seen many of our mountains shaken—but God is still present with us. God is still good, and God is still at work in our world. And art is an essential part of that kingdom.

John could have painted a vision of drab colors and boring concepts with rote dialogue and sappy characters. But he didn’t. Using the tools all around him—Israel’s Scriptures, images from the Roman Empire, iconic landscapes and islands—he painted a picture of God’s actions in the world. At the center of this landscape is a crucified and resurrected lamb, who died for the sins of the whole world and is somehow working to make all things new.

John was an artist. John was a painter. John was someone who understood the power of the image and the word, and thus he invites his listeners and readers to live into that reality, where image and word have power to persuade and empower.

May we find that we are filled with God’s artistic power as we paint and image a better world, centered on the Kingdom of the God of all creation.