artwork by: L. L. Effler
Revelation Artist

GALLERY 5



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"HOLY" Revelation 4: 8
Artist interpretation: A visual statement of the holiness of God. Inscribed within the word HOLY is its meaning: blessed, celestial, divine, hallowed, sacred, sanctified---is the Lord God Almighty.
The use of metallic gold with letters and nature, reflects back to the art of the Middle Ages, Icon and Celtic art. The green leaves direct the viewers eye to the center of the painting, where a cross emerges. The cross represents Christ---in the center of God's holiness.

Bible reference: Exodus 3:5 & 15:11, Psalms 20:6 & 22:3, Psalms 145, Isaiah 6:3, Luke 4:34


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"THE BRANCH" Isaiah 11: 1
Artist interpretation: When we look at this scene we want to know about it. This painting visually demands interpretation. It refers to one of the prophecies in the Old Testament foretelling the coming of Christ. Portrayed is a time when God allowed His people to be chastised for their disobedience to Him. All that is left is a few of Israel and the House of Jacob. As a result, this "remnant" returns to God to lean on Him. The Assyrians conquered God's people, who were many...as trees of the forest. As we see in the painting the forest--God's people have been destroyed except a remnant--13 trees are left. Thirteen is the number symbolic of faithlessness and betrayal. God's people had betrayed Him they forgot about Him with the worship of other gods. They had no faith or trust in God...they didn't lean on Him, but full of pride looked only to themselves and other gods. So God allowed this calamity and devastation. With only a remnant remaining, He will fulfill His promises to his people. Looking to the top of the hill we see a dark cloud of blue and purple. The cloud is symbolic of God's presence. In the Bible, when God wanted to reveal himself to the Israelites he used a pillar of cloud. Clouds also reveal His power and wisdom. Purple is a color symbolic of God, it is in the cloud and covers the land...His signature is all over this scene. The blue represents heaven and heavenly love...God did not allow complete destruction. The dingy yellow of the sky symbolizes jealously. In scripture God says he is a jealous God. He does not want his children to put anything before him. We are not to worship other gods, He wants all our love, trust and faithfulness. We are to worship the Creator, not the created. Along the base of the sky we see red...the color symbolic of love and hate. In this situation, God loves His people but He hates what they've done...strayed from Him. This remnant, "shall no more lean upon the nation who defeated them, but will lean upon the Lord". From one of the "few" remaining, we see a branch growing...a new branch from an old root. As written in scripture, "And there shall come forth a Shoot out of the stock of Jesse (King David's father), and a branch out of his roots shall grow and bear fruit...and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him...of Him shall the nations inquire and seek knowledge, and His dwelling shall be glory." In the foreground we see a tree stump, look closely at the root, the name "Jesse" is inscribed. Jesse the root of the tree, Jesse the father of David. What is left of the tree...the stump, represents the remnant of the House of David, his name inscribed across it. Gazing upward, we see the new branch (Jesus) that has sprouted from the remnant (family of David), as promised by God. We identify this branch by closely looking at its' stems and leaves, which form, "the name above all names": Jesus. Our Deliverer has come!

Bible Reference: Exodus 13:21-22 20:5, Numbers 12:5, Deuteronomy 31:15, Psalms 147:8, Proverbs 8:28, Isaiah 1:11-21 & 9:6-7 & 13-20, 10:1-3, 11:1-10, 52:13-15, Matthew 1:1 & 6, 20-23, 2:23, 12:17-21, Luke 1:31-33 & 67-75


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"NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD" Hebrews 10: 4-14
Artist interpretation: This painting refers to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the love of God. The Bible states that no man took Christ's life, He laid it down-- His death was voluntary. The number three carries this divine theme throughout the painting. Three, the number of completion...beginning, middle, and end. Christ's last words, "It is finished", indicate completion of His earthly work...including the world's redemption. The blood represents the blood of Christ. As the viewer follows the flow across the painting, blood droplets fall onto the garment, forming a triangular shape. The triangle, symbolic of the Trinity, suggests three equal parts joined into one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three, the number of colors in the painting: red, white, and black. Red: the color of blood, the color symbolic of love. Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice, shed His blood. The reason: love. Referring to the Bible, John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life". Christ died for our sins. His sacrifice paid the price...His blood reconciled our relationship with God. No one else, nothing but the blood of Jesus …the unblemished, sacrificial Lamb of God, could make this atonement. Looking at the painting, we see the blood with the crown of thorns "above" the robed person "below". This refers to the fact that Christ came down to us from Heaven. Notice how the thin red color cuts all the way through the wide, black area. Thus so, with His blood Christ made a way...He cut through the great divide between mankind and God the Father. His blood has made us righteous; we can now come before God-- through Christ! White: the color symbolic of purity. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. He was FULLY man, FULLY God. This is shown in the painting, look at His "bloodline", one side has a white line and the other doesn't...an illustration of His humanity and purity. The robed person represents mankind. What once were filthy, soiled, sin-stained rags are now made whole...washed white, by the blood of Jesus. He has allowed us to receive a new life--free from blemish, through forgiveness. Black: the color symbolic of death...Christ's death. The black crown of thorns: an emblem of His crucifixion. Black: a color which refers to darkness. The Prince of Darkness, Satan--Christ's blood cut through his plan of our separation from God. In the painting, the darkness refers to being lost without Christ...eternal emptiness, void of God. The broad black area cuts across the painting, top left to right. Then, the narrow flow of blood is headed in the opposite direction. These opposing directions refer to the choice of direction we take in our lives. As we reflect on the words, "broad" and "narrow", we think of an opening, a gate, a road, a path. Brought to mind is the scripture, Matthew 7:13-14, where Jesus says, "...for wide is the gate and broad the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it. But narrow is the gate and difficult the way which leads to life, and few are those who find it". Jesus Christ is that narrow gate. In scripture, John 10:10, Jesus says,"The thief (Satan) comes only to steal, and kill, and to destroy: I came that they might have life, and that they might have it abundantly". Nothing but His blood can: make us white as snow, or whole, or give us life...abundant and eternal. Nothing but His blood provides: forgiveness...reconciliation...redemption, before God. Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Bible References, in sequence: Hebrews 9:14, John 19:30 & 3:16, 1John 5:7, 1Peter 1:19, John 8:23, 1Corinthian 1:30, Mattthew 1:18-20, Revelation 7:14, 2Corinthian 5:17, James-chapter 4, Ephesians 4:17-32 & 5:1-20, 1Peter 4:1-9, Revelation 1:17-18, 2Corinthian 5:17-21, Revelation 4:8-11 & 5:1-9


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"THE LAST SUPPER" Inspired Luke 22: 1-38
Artist Interpretation: In New Testament times Passover was a pilgrim festival. Large numbers of people gathered in Jerusalem to observe this celebration. As written in scripture, the time of Passover had come. Jesus sent His disciples ahead to pursue a man carrying a water jug, who would lead them to an "upper room" prepared for them. Here we see Jesus and His Twelve Disciples celebrating Passover. To the right we see a doorway, which led them upstairs. Beside the doorway we see a bench and water basin for foot washing. When they had entered Jesus washed the feet of each Disciple, took His garment and dried them. Jesus was showing them an example of servanthood, something we as followers must have towards mankind no one is superior. It's a clear night the stars light the sky to a brilliant sapphire blue. The room is lit with torches and oil lamps, large jars hold wine and water. On the wall, three carpets with three themes. First, "Victory": the burgundy carpet, has the letter V, palm branches, and the ram. We see palms arranged in the shape of a "V" and the letter throughout the design. Palm branches are symbolic of Christ's victory over sin and death. The ram which fights with the wolf and overcomes him, thus so Christ battles with Satan and is victorious. Second, "Holy Communion": grapes-wine and grain-bread. Third, we have the beautiful blue carpet, "The Church". The Greek cross along the border symbolizes the Church of Christ. The willow tree flourishes and remains whole, no matter how many branches are cut. Therefore, it symbolizes the Gospel of Christ, which remains intact. Also the pomegranate refers to the Church, as we see the inner unity of countless seeds in one...Christ. Passover commemorates the Israelites' last meal in Egypt...their slavery, and liberation under God. As seen on the table the meal consists of a lamb: symbolic of the blood of the lamb put on the doorpost so no plague would come to them, they would be "passed over". Bitter herbs: symbolic of the bitterness of captivity under the Egyptians. And unleavened bread: which does not require kneading nor time for rising. The meal is almost over.

This is the moment when Jesus takes the bread, gives praise and thanks and says, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me". And He passed the bread to His disciples to eat. As we see, Jesus is in the middle of his twelve disciples. As written in scripture, John is to His right. "The beloved" disciple is dressed in red...the color of love. Beside him is his older brother James the Greater. Then we see Peter, passionate Peter said he would never deny Jesus...he would die for Him. Yet, as Jesus foretold, Peter denied Him three times that night. Peter is clothed in golden yellow, symbolic of revealed faith. And a key hangs from his belt...the key to Heaven. Peter was one of the first two Disciples called by Jesus. He and his brother Andrew, beside him, were fishermen. Andrew was the first Disciple to be called. Then Philip, who Jesus called along with Andrew and Peter. And Bartholomew. Look along the sides of the table, there are symbols, one concerning each Disciple. Along the edge beside Bartholomew, we see a knife the instrument of his eventual martyrdom. He was flayed alive and crucified. Next we see the "T", tau-cross, which we identify the martyrdom of Philip...crucified. Then Andrew, who was later tortured and tied to a cross to prolong his suffering, this cross was in the shape of a "X". Following the edge of the table, we see an upside down cross. Peter was crucified head down...he felt he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Christ. Next is the sword, James the Greater was beheaded upon his return from one of many trips, spreading the Gospel. For John we see a cup and snake, representing a cup of poison he was ordered to drink...when he lifted the cup the poison departed as a snake. And the Latin cross, representing the cross of Christ's crucifixion. To Jesus' left is Thomas, remembered for his "doubting", his symbol is the spear the instrument of his eventual martyrdom. Next is Judas Thaddaeus and Simon, supposedly they traveled together ministering, during this time Judas was beheaded with a halberd and Simon sawed asunder. Now we come to Judas Iscariot, all bent over- he hasn't touched his food, his head cover is painted a dingy yellow which suggests deceit and treason...he betrayed Jesus. Scripture tells us, at this time Satan had already entered Judas...symbolic of the devil: an owl is perched behind him, glaring at him as if urging him on. Following the symbols we see a rope for Judas, his last act was to hang himself. Next is Matthew, who wrote and preached, he was martyred...beheaded with an ax. And last, James the Less, a relative of Jesus, was also martyred, beat to death with a club. As we look back to Jesus he looks straight at us. Yes, His body was broken for us. His halo implies His holiness. Behind Him we see steps going up, stairs symbolize change. Each step represents a change to come: 1-Judas betrays Him 2-The people turn on Him 3-He is beaten and thrown in prison 4-He is crucified 5-He dies and is buried 6-He is resurrected 7-He ascends to Heaven. At the top of the stairs the atmosphere is heavenly, look closely and you will see an impression of a dove...the Holy Spirit to come.

Bible reference: Genesis 22:1-14, Exodus 12:1-30, Matthew 3:16 & 10: 2 & 16:15-19, & chapter 26, Mark chapter 14,& 16:19-20, Luke 22:1-34, John chapter 13, 20:19-29, 1Corinthians 10:16, Ephesians 1: 22-23, Colossians 1:18


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"FEAR NOT" Inspired Matthew 28:18
Artist interpretation: A portrait of Christ in the fullness of His love. He is our help in times of trouble and our calm in the storm. Immediately drawn to the face, we gaze into His eyes and are filled with peace. We feel comfort and reassurance; we know he is with us. Hands we nailed to the cross; He extends with love, grace and mercy. Angels resembling fire and wind He sends out to aid and assist us. Jesus our Saviour and Redeemer is portrayed among the golden clouds of heavenly splendor. Clothed in pure white, an aura of glory shines round about Him. A golden halo reveals His deity: emphasized in three areas- Father, Son, Holy Spirit- the Trinity is present. In the halo we see a hint of green; this color is symbolic of new life…life now over death. Christ conquered the grave; through Him we now have eternal life. We also have eternal security; He promised to never leave us nor forsake us! Over His shoulder we see what looks like a seal or signet filled with colors of the rainbow, and letters. This serves as a symbol of His eternal promises: the circle represents eternity, no beginning nor end; the rainbow colors are a sign of covenant/promise. The letters remind us of the words of Christ: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” Revelation 22:13. Inside the circle the top letters are Greek for alpha and omega, reading left to right. Then reading right to left are the Hebrew letters symbolic for first and last (beginning and end). Jesus Christ has always been, and will always be…our Deliverer, Prince of Peace, Lord of lords, King of kings, the Mighty One, Lord of everything! Jesus said: “I am with you always”. Rejoice and fear not!

Bible References: Genesis 9:13; Psalms 34:17, 91:11, 104:4; Matthew 28:20; Mark 4:38-40; Luke 10:20, 24:6-8; John 1:1-18, 3:16, 6:40, 16:22, 17:2; Romans 5:11; Philippians 3:1, 4:4; Revelation19:16

Original paintings, Hand-embellished Canvas Giclees, and open-edition prints available: click on PRICE LIST link below. Looking forward to hearing from you!

All artwork is original and copyrighted.
Images may not be used without permission of artist L.L. Effler.
"Revelation Art" is a Trademark of L. L. Effler

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