The Crushing

The series, The Crushing

1- top: Cup of Acceptance ~ The Drink Offering, October 2022

2 - bottom: Testimony ~ He's in the Waiting, May 2020

  

Two years in the completion. Several years in the thinking. Four years in the processing. Eleven years in the living. This series represents a very personal time in my life depicting my ever-growing relationship with the Lord God - Yahweh - God is three in One who is Father, Son and Spirit.

I've not completed artwork like this, in a very long time. Nor have I ever completed a series. My artwork is typically gifts for family and friends, depicting a specific subject matter as an expression of love for that person.

 

The Crushing series is my first time stepping into the realm of emotional art with symbolism composing the subject matter. In this case, the series is my journey with-God and because-of-God, that caused me to stop thinking about God one way and, consider Him as He says He is. It depicts a personal processing journey that began in 2013, which helped me process what I experienced and learned from 2011 to 2022. During that time my faith in God was shaken from its perception, to mature it further into more of His reality. It's a shared experience of following God and how I viewed Him which has propelled me into my next relationship phase. (It's a phase because God cannot mature me quickly as I cannot handle Him fully, yet.)

This series The Crushing is a pictorial of several journal entries where I reasoned with God, through the Scripture God used to speak to me along with commentary from family, friends, songs and messages from a variety of pastors. God would reason with me through His Word, mainly so I would stop thinking about Him in an immature way and consider Him as He is. He was growing me, pruning me, stretching me, testing me. And He allowed me to wrestle everything with Him, in very raw ways.

 

I felt crushed. Sacrificed. Poured out. Buried. And many times, wondering why God allowed me to be in lonely, dark places. I was heavily in Psalm 117 and 118 from 2013 to 2016, afterwards realizing that Jesus sang Psalm 118 while leaving the upper room on His final earthly Passover dinner, walking down and through the Kidron Valley, leading up to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives where He would achingly pray to Father God to remove the cup of God's wrath from His immediate future. For some reason, the Lord shared this Psalm with me, speaking to me through it, which now permeates my artwork in this series. 

 

After painting Testimony, I learned (or relearned) the meaning of the word Gethsemane, "where the olives are squeezed (for oil)" or "the crushing". Relearned because I had noted the meaning in my Bible one time earlier yet forgot that meaning. Now Gethsemane means something personal to me so, I won't forget it.

The Symbolism

Olives and grapes > two fruits are grown to be crushed for products used in worshiping the One True God; olives and grapes. Olives to produce the oil used for anointing, blessing, offerings, healing, lighting lamps and is an emblem for sovereignty. Grapes for wine used as offerings, consummating, celebrating and ceremonial symbolism with the primary symbol of the shed blood of Jesus.

Olive tree > a symbol of new beginnings, peace, reconciliation, wisdom, truce, anointing of the Holy Spirit, the two witnesses at the end (Revelation 11:4). In Zachariah 4, God uses olive tree symbols to speak to Zerubbabel and Joshua concerning not trusting in financial or military resources but to trust in the power of God's Holy Spirit. Olive trees are tough, equipped to handle drought, sub-zero temperatures, desert conditions, fire and are extraordinarily resilient, whose roots are so strong, they can regrow even when the tree seems completely dead. Olive trees are present within His eternal temple standing as testimony to who He is and how we view Him. 

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭52‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Grape vine > Jesus is said to be the vine and we His branches. In this painting, the vine is pruned in the Spur Pruning method, which I selected because it was symmetrical for the composition. Yet that method resembled the menorah in the tabernacle and temple, which is lit by olive oil. (I liked how the grape vine related visually to the olive tree.) A menorah has seven cups so this spur pruned vine has seven short arms with seven spurs coming off the two main cross arms forming the head of the vine also called a crown. There is so much symbolism in this representing Jesus and naturally, three clusters of grapes represent God in Trinity. Grape vines produce the best grapes for wine if they struggle while growing in volcanic, rocky soil instead of rich, earthy soils.

 

Snail > a snail is a pre-Byzantine symbol for someone who died and was planted (buried) into the ground like a seed. According to my friend who studies pre-Byzantine bone boxes, a snail was carved onto the side of the bone box to symbolize a seed because if a seed was carved it would look like a dot thereby not conveying the meaning desired. 

 

The olive and grape seeds > each seed represents a fruit that has died, was planted, sprouts, and has within it everything needed to grow into a fully fruiting tree or vine, now producing more fruit than the one seed (one fruit) it was previously. I once read that the last thing to produce on a fruit tree is the fruit so, this symbolism depicts a lifetime journey and a legacy one can enjoy through God's work within you.

 

The seed planted > The seed knows not what it will become or if anything is happening. All it sees is lonely darkness and isolation. It doesn't see the gardener working, removing rocks and weeds, tilling the soil, watering, guarding against pests, fungus and invasives. Meanwhile the gardener all along is working to provide the best environment for the seed to sprout, grown, mature and fruit... pruning inclusive. (He is in the waiting.)

 

Spilled glass of wine > a drink offering where you pour out to God a symbol of yourself surrendering fully to Him and His will.

 

The mountains > honestly, when I painted Testimony, I simply painted what seemed to be a representation of a Mediterranean or Middle Eastern olive grove. After naming the forthcoming series The Crushing, knowing I would paint a grape vine version, with Testimony hanging on my wall, I realized the scene resembled Gethsemane. That's when the meaning of Gethsemane was rediscovered. The meaning in my painting only came from God which perfectly fit the message. He truly led me to paint what I painted.

Journal Entry

This is the main post that spurred on the need to visually paint Crushing. It lists the other posts leading to this series. "A Word for Me... Redefined".

  

Artistic Influence

 

When I decided to paint Testimony, I wanted to push my style beyond my normal style of painting and illustration. Since 2015, I moved from impressionistic illustrations with oil pastels and began painting, or drawing with acrylic paints. My style has always been a post-impressionistic approach where I simply sketch out an idea and create allowing the artwork to evolve as necessary. I love Van Gogh's quote of, "I dream of painting then I paint my dreams," which represents how I approach art. Reflecting on my style, I realized I am more like the artists of the post-impressionistic period called fauvists. Vincent Van Gogh and Raoul Dufy (Due-fay) were fauvists while Claude Monet was an impressionist. I settled on Raoul Dufy because he drew quick scenes with his paint brush using bright colors - I love bright colors - and colors used were for emotion and not reality. 

Then in July 2022, Chauncey and I visited France for our first real vacation in four years. He booked tours to Claude Monet's home, Vincent Van Gogh's last residence, and we walked to the Museum of Modern Art Paris to see the Salle Dufy installation where his most recognized painting resides. This painting took 10 months to complete with assistants when Mr. Dufy was 60 years old - La Fée Électricité 1937. (I turned 60 this year.) The painting weighs 10 tons, with 1 ton of paint used and is the largest painting in the history of the world. To see this painting in person was mind blowing and something I will never forget; truly inspiring. Needless to say both Testimony and Cup of Acceptance are in the style of Raoul Dufy; Cup of Acceptance has a hint of Van Gogh and maybe a little Salvador Dali.

 

 

Rose & Raoul, Paris July 2022 (photo by Chauncey)

 

Addendum 

November 19, 2022

Today while watching the “Extras” within the app for The Chosen, I came across this video about the Garden of Gethsemane and the olive grove. God doesn’t do coincidences; He confirms a message He is teaching!

Use the link to download the Angel app and watch The Chosen in Israel: The Garden from The Chosen

https://thechosen.app.link/ytSbi8Zn5ub

 

May 29, 2026

While studying today, I came across this video from The Bible Project on the Tree of Life which illustrates what God is showing me through the experience I am having with Him. 

“The Tree of Life” by the Bible Project

 

True Wisdom; Excerpts from Solomon's Journal

Ecclesiastes 2:13-14 ESV

"Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, as there is more gain in light than in darkness. The wise person has his eyes in his head, but the fool walks in darkness."

Rose's translation:

Then I saw that there is more gain in being wise than being foolish, as there is more gain in knowing God than not knowing Him. The wise person has God's sight impact his thoughts but, the fool makes decisions based on his blindness to God.

Honor through Trust

Numbers 20:1-13; Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Part of my study of Sabbath, rest, trust - thoughts on Scritpture

God ceased His work of creation on day seven. He trusted in Himself; trusted His planning. Trusted His work was complete; that He thought of every detail. Anticipated everything. Felt secure in what He did, established, instituted, created, and set into motion. Because, He trusted in who He is. He is complete and trustworthy.

Thus His resting made day seven special (unique). A day honoring God and God's resting, ceasing, trusting in His completeness; His wholeness. He needed nothing else. Therefor the day honored God, not God submitting to the day.

So when I work on the Sabbath, when my soul, mind and heart yearn to rest, I am seeking to provide myself a rest that I cannot accomplish nor provide. I am not trustworthy to myself so therefor what I try to accomplish apart from God, cannot provide me a trustworthy peace and contentment. 

Instead, I am not wholly trusting in God who has provided me a lavish life filled with everything I need and more. I am not trusting in a God who has been with me all my life; shown Himself in undeniable ways. Proven He is who He says He is. Instead, I am trying to trust in myself to settle my heart and mind instead of trusting in the very and only God of my life - my heart and mind.

Oh Lord, forgive me. How often have I not honored You and misplaced my honor into myself instead of You. Help me to understand that I get to rest. I get to trust You fully and completely, for You are worthy of that trust. You have given me the gift of placing my trust into You. To rest on You. A gift to share with You, my husband, my family and others. A gift that when I accept it by trusting in You, that action becomes a visible sign to others that You are the one and only living God who loves me and them enough to gift us with Yourself. Your trustworthy plans for us and Your complete rest as we trust You fully.

I can trust You.

Will I?

 

 

Behold; He is making all things new

 "...I will put My laws in their minds and write them on their hearts... " Hebrews 8:10

God will write His laws in my mind and on my heart. 

I will be able to think God's thoughts. I will think the thoughts God intends me to think, as He will re-wire my brain to think His thoughts, and not think thoughts of self over God and over all else. 

I will be able to desire God's desires. My wants and intentions will be God's wants, His passions, His plans. I will not want self over everything else because, God will instinct-fully knit His ability to desire the things of God within my heart. 

I will no longer be directed by the innate demand of self over God. I will no longer be directed by sin itself. Sin will be removed from my mind and heart, and replaced by God's framework. Never to be thought of again. Never to guide my being again. Replaced completely. Removed from who I am.

I will be remade into the image of God Himself. Reflecting God, naturally. Innately. As He intended. Without manufacturing thought, love, action. With the freedom and ability to love Him fully. Know Him intimately. Trust Him completely. 

I will be His people and He will be my God. I will be His daughter fully, and He will be my Father truly. 

Behold... He is making me new.

Addendum January 19, 2022

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Rest Now and Later

 Hebrews 2 through 4, 4:1-13; Isaiah 30:15

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it." Isaiah 30:15

Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,

“So I declared on oath in my anger,
    ‘They shall never enter my rest.’”

And yet His works have been finished since the creation of the world. For somewhere He has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all His works.” And again in the passage above He says, “They shall never enter my rest.”

Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This He did when a long time later He spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:

“Today, if you hear His voice,
    do not harden your hearts.”

For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:1-13

 +++

What is rest? When God speaks of entering His rest, do we know what rest is? We strive to rest every day. Rest from work, from chores, from duties, from responsibilities. "One more thing; let me get this one more thing done and then, I can rest." Rest from stressful situations; that there would be an end, a positive end so it can be mindfully put to bed and rest. No one calling, texting, emailing, messaging. No one wanting a piece of you allowing you to rest. Rest. Sitting, laying down, walking without a thought or care, breathing deeply. Appreciating breath, life, those around us. Rest. Stopping the incessant nagging of life, pulling at your very being, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Sound. Noise. Ding, click, buzz. Flash. Lights, camera, action. Rest.

Where is rest? When is it time to rest? Now or later? What does rest look like? Feel like?

Rest.

In the future, we hope to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter your Father's rest," spoken to us by God Himself. Is that the rest we are striving for? In the future? Some eternal future? What about now? What about today? Do we get to rest now?

God gave us a promise to enter into His rest. A rest from our work. A rest now. Today. Not just in the future. Not just during the eternal future but, here and now. Today.

Yes.

The promise is for today, and the future. Rest now and later.

Think about rest. Think about the context of, "...on the seventh day, God rested from His work." 

God, the Triune God of Father, Son, Spirit - Mind, Body, Spirit - already existed. He loved Himself. He enjoyed Himself. He is sovereign and perfect already. Needing no one or nothing to complete Himself, He wanted to create Creation to both enjoy all of Creation and to pour Himself into Creation so that all of Creation can also enjoy Him. The relationship between Creation and God was a physical extension of the Triune God relationship. Yet, He knew that one-third of His created angels would turn away from Him choosing self over God. (The ultimate sin; the very definition of sin.) He knew Mankind would follow suit where an untold percentage would choose self over God. Yet, God planned Creation, how to create all of it, in what order, how Creation would obey His authority instinct-fully whether each ultimately chose God or not. God created a plan to save Mankind, within Creation, knowing we beings would need saving from ourselves. Then God created everything. In the order He planned, with His authority knit into Creation's existence and instinct. After all of Creation was created, God rested from His work.

This was more than resting from the act of working. God rested knowing what He created and planned for all time, was complete and not lacking anything. God trusted in His plans. He trusted in His abilities to fulfill those plans, as He planned. He would not, did not, will not deviate from His plans. He would not worry that He missed something within those plans. Missed a detail. Forgot something. Did not anticipate something. Be surprised or shocked by someone or something He did not plan for. He trusted in Himself and all He planned and created. He knew what He did, how everything would play out, how everyone would act, and that His plans needed no adjusting. No tweaking. No, "Oops, I didn't realize this would..." He rested from His work. He trusted in Himself.

Rest. Trust.

When God invites us to rest, He is not inviting us to rest from physical labor. Rest from our efforts both personally and professionally. Resting from the things and activities of life. No. Jesus actually said, "My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I too am working." John 5:17

Resting is trusting. Trusting that God is God. God is who He said He is. That God is sovereign, all mighty, all knowing, all seeing, hearing, present, and defined by love without conditions. That He is capable of fulfilling His promises and plans. Willing to fulfill His promises and plans. That He knows everything about us. Every detail, thought, action taken, word spoken. He knew us before He created us. So therefor, we can trust God. Trust in Him. Trust Him to do what God said He would do.

As a result, we can turn away from our desire to control our lives and work out our plans. Plans that place self in God's role. Plans that remove God from our lives. Plans to benefit self over all else. Working to perfect ourselves. Hide our mistakes. Correct the issues we have caused or take on someone else's ill steps to correct. Because we can solve it; we can perfect it. Our plans are better than God's. He's unaware of an action taking place, a reason, a justification. If God would just do it our way, it would be better. Rest from self, from the demand of self.

Our prayers, if we pray, reflect this self over God. We think we can save ourselves. Save others. 

Really? We can save ourselves and others? So, what is our definition of salvation? 

God's definition of salvation is to save mankind from the mortal decision to choose self over God and the current and eternal repercussions for that continuous decision; that continuous demand of self.

This is a battle, a war so to speak. The battle of control. Control over all of Creation. The control over mankind. The battle to free ourselves from the slavery to self which is not of God; the very definition of sin - not God. In fact, the word Gospel is "good news proclaimed by a messenger sent to the people - a messenger from the king - that the battle for control over his kingdom has been won. We are now free from the oppressor, the enemy of our king." So, if a king saw his people being oppressed by an enemy, and engaged in that battle for control. And if that king steps into the fray, battles the enemy on behalf of his people and wins. Sends his messenger to proclaim the victory. And if some of those people refuse to accept the victory from their king and instead choose to align with the enemy of the king, you can understand why God says, "So, I declared on oath in my anger, they shall never enter my rest."

We who choose the enemy of God instead of God, after He has created all of us knowing our choices leading to failures, knowing our propensity to place self on our lives' thrones. The Sovereign God has provided access to a kingdom of freedom from oppression and control. A kingdom where the King rules with justice, rightness, complete and unconditional love. A kingdom where our good, our access to the king, and our relationship with the king are priorities. And yet, we choose to walk away from that King, we can understand why God says we will never enter His rest.

His rest is part of that salvation process. It's the act of choosing and trusting in God as God. As sovereign God. As Lord of all Creation.

God describes rest as a part of the act of salvation and invites us into that process, today. Today; when you hear God's voice, do not harden your heart. 

Today; when you hear God prompting you to turn away from the demand of self, replace that demand by turning away from self and turning to rest in God, who God is, who He says He is, and what He is able to do. Trust that God already knows every detail about you, your life, what you're thinking, desiring, doing. What is being impressed upon you, thrust upon you. What you can and cannot control. Rest from that demand of self over you and everything else. Rest in God. Lean against Him, putting your full weight onto Him and into Him. Allowing Him to work out the details He planned. Knowing that, "...in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him and are called (by Him) according to His purpose (His plans for you, others and mankind)." Romans 8:28 (Emphasis and explanation added by Rose)

There is freedom in resting. Freedom knowing that we do not need to strive to answer and obey the unceasing demands of self. Freedom to ignore the god of self and turn to the God of Creation. Freedom knowing that God, through His Spirit, has searched, is searching, will continue to search your heart (will) and mind (thoughts). He knows our thoughts, intentions, and actions before we know those things. He knew all details about us before He created us. Before we thought, spoke, acted. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account." Hebrews 4:13

And yet, God still loves us. Still calls us. Still uses every detail of our lives to fulfill His purpose. Complete His plans. Complete the work He set into motion at the beginning of time. As long as it is Today, God will continue to call, invite, work on our behalf. 

Rest. Freedom. 

Freedom from worry. Freedom from the constant pull to be in control of everything. Freedom from the, "If everyone did it my way, everything would be better." Freedom from the repercussions of our decisions, and from the results of the decisions others thrust upon us. 

Rest. Trust. Freedom. 

There is freedom knowing what rest God invites us into. It is rest from what we are striving for in life, today. Rest is not stopping your work. Not simply sitting still or emptying your mind of thought to provide an opportunity to rejuvenate. Yes, that type of rest is also critically needed for wellness of being both for self and the relationship between God and yourself; God and myself. Yet, God’s rest gives freedom to be with Him. A freedom to be present with God placing your full trust into God.

The Sabbath day was created for mankind and not that mankind was created to keep the Sabbath. (Mark 2:27) During Sabbath, a person is supposed to stop the focus on self and, replace that time spent with a focus on God. Reflecting on God. Communing with God. Talking with, praying, praising, thanking. A day of reflection and gratitude for all God has done with us, through us, for us. The Sabbath day is a physical representation of the rest God invites us into - Today. Sabbath is to be a day spent with God, without the interruption and interference of selfish thoughts and actions. However, Sabbath was not meant to be a time when we ignore critical needs or urgencies. Nor a time to ignore family communing together with one another and family with God. 

However, this Sabbath rest that God invites us to enter into, is completely and fully trusting in God while letting go of the call to control. Letting go of the call to be god of our lives. The nagging demand of self. The slavery to self.

We are invited to rest Today. Now. And later.

So, Today. When you hear the call of self and, you hear the call of God, turn from that demand of self. Turn to God and His invitation to allow Him to fulfill His plans in you, for you. His plans for your good. Plans for our good. For my good. To finish the good work He began in us, in me. He knows. He sees. He understands. He is able, He is trustworthy. We can rest in Him. I can rest in Him.

"Well done, good and faithful servant... Enter your Father's rest." Matthew 25:23

Dirt is better than you

The Book of Job, Job 38 through 42, Revelation 20

Earlier this week, Mia and I were sharing within our virtual "Morning Brew with Alpha Women" group via Marco Polo. (We jokingly-not jokingly have named this for our group of two because we are both strong women of business as followers of Christ.) On Sunday October 3rd, Pastor Joby Martin of the Church of Eleven22 shared some facts about the crucifixion and Roman times that neither Mia and I had ever heard before. Not that these facts are questionable or fabricated by Joby but because, many teaching pastors neglect to provide contextual facts either because they don't know these facts or simply don't think the facts are important. Sadly, that decision to not convey facts, distorts the important meaning of the action. The profoundness is diminished. The communication is misleading. It puts punctuation to Revelation 22:18-19,

"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll."

As we chatted back-and-forth about the two facts we learned through Joby, we landed on that people knew innately right from wrong; some chose right and some chose wrong. 

I also brought into the conversation something that impacted me in my daily reading. I was in Revelation reading 19 through 22 where Chapter 20 struck me in its contrasts of significance versus insignificance and by its brevity compared to the previous chapters. 

I was amazed that Revelation chapters 1 through 19 cover about seven years of the tribulation period along with Jesus's return to earth, and the end of Satan's reign on earth by throwing the beast and the false prophet into the lake of fire, and binding Satan, throwing him into the abyss and sealing that abyss for one-thousand years. In Chapter 20, Jesus ushers in the millennial reign of a thousand years, where the believers who died during the tribulation, will reign with Jesus during that millennial time; He gives these believers (these non-deniers of Jesus as Lord God) the position of authority for rebuilding and repopulating the earth, reporting to Him as Sovereign Ruler over earth.

What amazes me is that the millennial time - a one-thousand-year period - received one chapter of 15 verses to describe this time period and yet, the previous seven years received 19 chapters with 340 verses of explanation. 

Satan's end is just as poignant in its insignificance. The great enemy of God and mankind just ends. Once God decides "this is it," there is nothing more powerful than He that can alter that decision and, God provides minimal details in Satan's demise which highlights that sovereign power God has. When it's time for evil on earth to end, an unknown angel from heaven has the key to the abyss along with the authoritative power to seize, bind, throw and seal Satan into the abyss to remain there for 1,000 years. The angel wasn't named. We are not told if this angel is as an archangel, such as Michael or Gabriel, who are chief among angels with leadership power and authority vested on them by God. No. This angel appears to be an "ordinary" angel given this position with its tasks and authority to be carried out at the designated time and command by God.

And Satan cannot overcome this angel, even though Satan was created as an archangel himself. As powerful as Satan is, God's supreme sovereign authority, power and position are unmatched.

What also struck me was the response of the people born during the millennial time and their reaction at the conclusion of this time period when Satan is released from the abyss prison and allowed to deceive people once again. Consider what is said and not said in Revelation 20; what exists and does not exist during the millennial period on earth. The beast and false prophet have been permanently judged, sentenced and vanquished to hell's lake of fire. Satan is sealed within the abyss without the ability to roam the earth; he cannot influence any person, animal or environment - he no longer rules the earth. Jesus Himself is present on earth and the supreme sovereign ruling authority. People see Him, hear His voice, can spend time with Him; the people existing on earth during this time are in the very presence of Jesus. The resurrected people, who died during the tribulation for their faith in Jesus - their refusal to worship Satan's beast - are alive and are ruling over the restoration, re-population and rebuilding of earth. (This is the first resurrection.) The people born during this time are not exposed to evil whatsoever. At least not the external evil influenced by Satan.

And yet, in verses 20:7-9 when Satan is released from the abyss for an undefined moment in time, he is able to deceive "the nations in the four corners of the earth... to gather them to battle" (against Jesus and His people). The number of people deceived by Satan "are like the sand on the seashore". In other words, during the millennial period the population grows significantly to constitute nations. And following 1,000 years of Jesus ruling in person on earth, Satan is able to deceive so many millennial-born people that the amount is innumerable by human standards.

These three verses made me think. In a world where external evil does not exist. In a world where Jesus is present, visible and operating. People are still born with the ability to choose self over everything else. To think and cause evil, to be off of perfection, to sin - syn. People still choose to rebel. People still choose to want to solely govern themselves and not have God govern them whatsoever. People still want to usurp the authority of Lord God Jesus and take His authority as their own. People choose "I don't need you Jesus. I don't want you in my life. I am the ruler of my life." People still think they can live a life without God; a life given to them by God where they live in the very presence of God and yet choose self over God. People selfishly choose to follow a rebellion when everything has been given to them; everything they need is at their disposal. Thinking they want and deserve more. And what they each have, is not enough for them; for us. Not enough for we humans.

This made me think about the contrast of Job versus Satan outlined in the Book of Job. I wrote a piece about the Book of Job in November 2010 called Dirt Proves Satan Wrong. Job is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Although it's difficult for me to understand the first 37 chapters because it's sometimes difficult to know who is speaking - Job or one of his friends - and, what is said by Job and his friends is some truth, some misperception about God and, some false information all twisted together. These human conversations sound like the conversations that Satan had with Eve and Eve had with Adam causing the break in relationship with God. Yet, in Chapter 38, God steps into the conversation to correctly state the truth - His truth. Because He is the standard of truth. You can read God's sense of humor, his power, authority, and the details He provides about His act of creation with the joy that His creation brings Him. This is always mind boggling and amazing to me.

God enters the perceived educated conversation with sarcasm and correction telling a palatable description of His creation. 

It is evident that Job has not been suffering away from the presence of God. On the contrary, God was present with Job and heard Job's prayers and the conversation between he and his friends. It's almost as if Job and his three friends were talking about God forgetting that God was sitting there listening. Like those times when you're with a group of friends who forget you're sitting with them and they begin to talk about you and something you experienced, changing the details to suit themselves and then when you enter the conversation to correct the shared details, they rebuff you because they like their version better.

God starts with, "Where were you when I created the world. Certainly you were there. Go ahead; tell me how I created the world and everything in it while the morning stars sang." (Rose's paraphrase) And then God describes the environment during creation and some of the aspects He created and why.

I love this because you see the artist within God. Prior to creating the universe and everything in it, God created the angels, gave them roles, duties and responsibilities. One of those duties is to witness God in the very act of creating while corporately cheering and providing the creation music. The angels sang worship music and that worship music provided an artistic environment for God as He creates all of creation.

As an artist, when I create art, I set my environment to foster creating. I pull out my tools and supplies, arranging them to see everything I need, know where everything is and can grab what is needed while creating. I set up my canvas or tape my paper onto my drafting table. I ensure the room has enough light, both daylight and man made light. And, I select a playlist of music, set up the speakers and volume to create a room of sound to inspire and set the rhythm for creating. While I create art, I use both hands, sometimes sing along, my body moves to the rhythm of the music and sometimes I dance. I see, hear and feel the art of creation stepping into it to become one with it. The experience is amazing.

It seems God does the same thing. And why not? If I am created in the image of the Triune God. If God has gifted me with the ability to create art. If God allows me to taste the art of creation as He is the master creator. Then why would not the innate desire to create an atmosphere to foster creation not be a part of that process? Not mimic God's act of creation?

In Job 38:6-7, God tells Job and his friends that the morning stars sang and the angels shouted for joy, as God created all of creation. I think that is really significant and inspiring. I can almost hear God say, "Watch this!" and as He creates, the angels shout in awe and sing joyfully because of what they witnessed.

However, the overall theme of Job to me is the reality that some beings choose God and some do not. Some people, faced with insurmountable pain and suffering, choose God while others who live a blessed life choose self over God. And the same thing can be said in reverse. Some people (and angelic beings) ultimately choose God as God. They believe in Him - who He is, who He says He is - at their very core of self. And whether life is easy or hard, they know God is God and choose a life with God rather than a life without God. While others choose a life where they are the gods of their own lives.

Revelation 20 and Job illustrate that difference to me.

The one thing that really strikes me is the difference between angelic beings and human beings. The angelic beings were created before all of creation with the purpose of witnessing God creating while also providing the musical environment with which God enjoyed creating. They saw God create the seen and the unseen. The stars, planets, moons, suns, galaxies. The earth, the atmosphere, the land, the seas and the fresh water bodies. They saw God step onto earth, dig into the dirt He just created and model a man out of clay; a piece of artwork that in someway resembled God Himself. They saw God stoop down to this clay model of Himself, cup His hands around the head of this clay figure and kiss it while breathing into it. Suddenly, the clay softens and bends transforming from dirt to flesh and the artwork becomes alive. Human being is created and, when that being opens his eyes and takes in his first breath, he sees God Himself looking back at him. Adam's first breath and first sight is of God looking back at him, lovingly holding him in His arms.

The angels stand in awe. They shout for amazing joy! They sing praising God for what they just witnessed and for God being God of all creation including themselves and now this being.

Since Satan was also called the Morning Star and an archangel in charge of leading the angelic worship team, perhaps he asked God if this human being would be under his authority. The angelic beings reported to him so maybe Satan thought man would report to him also. Maybe he asked God, what is that and is he mine?

We do know that one-third of all of the angelic beings, who see God face-to-face and live in his presence at all times, chose to rebel against God following Satan's lead. They all want to be there own gods. These angels witnessed God creating, see Him on His throne, know His love and power and yet they choose to want to usurp God's supreme authority over them. After all, they are created beings as well and yet they think they can attain a God-like status above Him, instead of Him, replacing Him.

And here is man, where aside from Adam and Eve, we don't see God. Unlike those that saw, heard and walked with Jesus, we don't see Him. We see the evidence of God yet we don't see Him. We don't hear God's voice audibly speak to us. We don't smell God's presence. So when we choose to believe, trust and follow God, our faith is in some ways greater than the faith of angels.  

Yet, even though Satan rebels, is thrown to earth where he roams and influences the earth - seeking to kill and destroy, trying to take as many of God's beloved human creation with him. It's an, "if I can't have them then you can't have them," bent on destruction. Even though Satan is quite powerful, he has no authority over God. He cannot attain the power God has. He must ask God for permission to do anything.

In Job, Satan asks God if he can harm Job and he's given permission to take Job to the edge of death itself. But God knows that Job will choose God over self. Even in Job's misperception of God. Even in Job's amazing pain, anguish and suffering. Even when there seems to be no reason to believe in, trust and choose God.

To me, it's as if God is saying to Satan and the rebellious angels, "You see me all the time. You were there with me when I created the universes and everything in it. You know who I am and yet, you choose to walk away and try to take what is mine claiming it as yours. Here is my beloved Job. A man, created out of the dirt. You have thrown everything you can at him and yet, Job still chooses me. Job still knows I am God. Dirt is better than you."

Innately, we all know the difference between right and wrong. Innately, we know the difference between truth and not-truth. Innately, we know God is God and no one can usurp God's authority and sovereign position. Innately, we know God is the very definition of love. And yet, God allows us to choose to love, follow and believe Him at His very being and word. His love for us is so deep that He is willing to allow us that choice. A choice with profound implications yet, we are given that choice. 

Perhaps because those of us who choose God whether we are angelic beings or fashioned from the clay of the earth, we choose God out of love for Him. With everything stripped down - both blessings and sufferings removed - we choose God so therefor, our love for God is pure.

And perhaps this is the ultimate outcome God seeks. Pure love for Him. So we can experience pure love from Him to us for ever and ever. 

After all, this is why we were created. 

 

Valuing what's been given to Us

When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, "Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom You have given Him. ~John 17:1-3

God blessed them (man and women) and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." ~Genesis 1:28

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This weekend in church (Eleven22), we were in John, chapter 17 verses 1 through 26 and immediately, I was struck by a realization of comparisons. 

Pastor Joby Martin explained "...glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You," which only added punctuation to that comparison. Joby said that when Jesus prayed, "glorify your Son," the context does not lend to what we consider the act of glorifying. Where people laud over and gush about us, shining the light on us. No. This "glorify" was more aligned with, "The time has come for You to use me, Father, for Your purpose. Bruise me. Do whatever is necessary that fulfills Your purpose of saving human kind. Complete Your purpose through me so, I bring You the glory You deserve."

What struck me is that Jesus recognized that God gave Him authority over all human kind, and yet Jesus valued that authority and its specific purpose without challenging God about that purpose, in order to fulfill the responsibility given to Him. 

In contrast, God gave mankind the authority to rule over creation - everything in the sea, the skies and on the earth - and yet we not only challenged that responsibility, we thought we could rule over all creation without God. When we decided to disobey God and eat a forbidden fruit - the only thing in all creation that was forbidden for us - we did that (and continue to do that) with the mindset of wanting to take God's sovereign ruling authority from God, claim that authority as ours, claim ourselves equal to God, and dismiss Him as not needed or necessary. 

And yet Jesus valued that God-given responsibility, knowing He was given all authority over mankind to provide the ability to live with God eternally, and knowing that in order to give eternal life, His life was to be given in exchange. He valued that deemed authority in such a way as to not deviate from his charge. Even though Jesus is equal to God. Even to complete abandonment by all who knew Him. Even to public humiliation. Even to brutal force used against His body. Even to allowing people to torture Him to death.

Our authority was to live in a perfect creation where God Himself would join us to share our days. We were able to enjoy being with God in His physical presence. We were to live in this gorgeous abundance and have authority over everything God created to be in this environment. We were to live and multiply and everything associated with the act of multiplying. We were given the authority to live and be joyful and we chose (and choose) not to value that responsibility. We challenge God. We are not satisfied with the level of authority He has given us and attempt to grab His authority, claiming it as ours; taking His creation as our possession and dismissing Him from life. 

Who are we that God gave us authority over His earthly creation? Who are we that God cares for us and, wants to save us from our self-created destruction? Who are we that God pursues us even in our defiance? Who are we that Jesus valued the God-given responsibility to fulfill the critically needed actions to save us from our self-created destruction? Who are we that God loves us?

Perhaps (Jacob), we should value God and what God has given us.