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A vision of such beauty it could not be truly represented by paint and paper. This vision the artist saw was one of splendor and majesty. In the midst of a glistening mist that fell like gentle colorful gems there was an atmosphere of complete adoration. Praise rang out in all humility from those who willingly and anxiously threw their crowns at the Master’s feet. His power and glory reverberate from His throne in flashes of lightning and colorful rainbows. The rich crowns filled with jewels, sparkling with gold just add to the grandeur of the scene. The redeemed of all races become showered with the splash of their crowns piercing the River before the Throne. An elder bows behind the throne having thrown his crown from his own throne. King Jesus was enfolded by a robe that shone like rubies and diamonds as He stood at the foot of His throne. After the artist had the vision the artist found it in Revelations 4:2-7. The lion beast, and other details mentioned above, were added by the artist to the painting to make it more scripturally accurate.

Inspired by: Deuteronomy 6:5-7; Psalms 16:8,11; Genesis 3:8-9

Completed September 2002

This painting was a result of a painting that the artist’s son, asked for when he was learning to sleep in his “big boy bed”. He had simply asked for a picture of Jesus to hang on his wall so he could look at it as he went to sleep. The artist prayed about just how to portray Jesus. A super hero Jesus with lots of muscle, riding on a white horse, would make him feel safe. A kind Jesus surrounded by toddlers would seem too out dated, as he got older and more “cool”. A Jesus in the clouds may have seemed too far away, unapproachable or only for future encounter. The artist finally decided on a kind, smiling Jesus sitting on a smooth rock in the shade of a beautiful garden. His arms are out stretched beckoning him to come, sit on His lap. A couple of fish swim in the shadows of a pond just to the left of the path in front of Jesus feet. The srtist’s son loved to feed the fish at a local nursery.

This image of Jesus was so compelling to the artist that the artist wanted to do a version for adults. This adult version shows Jesus patting the rock on which He sat beckoning the viewer to come, sit next to Him, instead of on His lap. Zooming in on Jesus the fishpond was cut out along with Jesus toes.

God had created man in the beginning to enjoy friendship with him. He used to come down and walk in the garden with Adam. He still desires a loving, trusting relationship with His creation. Walking in the garden in the cool of the day is a perfect place to escape to in order to enjoy the friendship of the Lord. In the business of American life, quiet times with Jesus are easily squeezed out. The first and most important commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength. Spending time talking with and listening to Jesus is one vital way of fulfilling this command. Just taking time to love Him and focus on His desires is something every child of God should make a priority in their lives.

In the summer of 2000 Karla Shrake approached the artist about painting a cover for the book she was getting published. She wanted an Elijah theme. Through many drafts they discovered it was not what the publisher felt would work.

The artist was intrigued by the subject and went on to paint a version for personal collection. Wanting to make the painting scripturaly correct was important to the artist. Most artistic renditions of this subject put Elijah in the chariot of fire. However, this artist understood the text differently. The scripture reference represented is 2 Kings 2:6-13. Because of Elijah’s persistence in being with Elijah everywhere he went that day there had to be something that happened that would separate the two. It came in the form of a sure distraction. The chariot and horses of fire were driven by, what Elisha called “the horsemen of Israel”. The outline of one of these horsemen can be seen in the chariot. Meanwhile, as a separate phenomenon occurring at the same time, a whirlwind lifted Elijah to Heaven.

As Elijah left the ground, his mantle was blown off and landed nearby. Some people show Elisha reaching for the mantle before it hit the ground. The Bible passage says that Elisha did not pick up Elijah’s mantle until after he had realized that Elijah was gone and then tore his own clothes in grief. Recovering the mantle was an important event. The mantle of a prophet in Old Testament times signified the prophets anointing. It was a prayer shawl complete with tzit tzit (tassels) on the four corners. They were only made by Rabbis according to the specifics laid out in the law. Elisha had requested a double portion of the anointing that Elijah had. God promised this would happen when he saw Elijah taken up. Therefore, Elijah’s departure was also what triggered the onset of Elisha’s double portion anointing.

Inspired by Hebrews 4:15-16; John 19:1-3; Mark 15:16-19; Matthew 27:27-31

Coined an “Echo Painting” by the artist, this painting shows a situation happening in the present that echoes a similar situation that happened in the past. In this case, the man being harmed is in a place and time where he is a minority. He is being unfairly abused with no one to defend him. He is alone and vulnerable. In the shadows there emerges faint ripples of an echo. A situation that happened long ago is being replayed in a much lesser degree. The graffiti on the walls in the background calls with the same message that can be heard as the blood of Jesus cries out. It is a message of hope. Jesus, this mistreated man’s Savior, wants him to know that he is not alone. Jesus too was once a minority in the Roman Empire. He was wrongly arrested and tried then brutally beaten with no one to defend Him. He chose to make Himself vulnerable to the accuser’s attack. The heavily armed soldiers (one of which can be seen as an echo of the aggressor) gathered around Him, pointing, laughing and mocking Him as they hurt him unjustly. Jesus own echo can be seen behind the one He yearns to encourage. “Trust in Me” Jesus cries. “I have been where you are. I am your priest who can sympathize with you, and help you. Take courage, your reward for being persecuted for My sake will be great.”

The River was the artist’s first inspired painting. Having been touched mightily by God in the River of His Holy Spirit, such as can be found in John 7:38 and Revelations 22:1; The artist felt led to paint what was seen in the hearts of people as they experienced this flow of God. Many different attitudes can be seen throughout the painting. At the top there are protestors carrying signs that say, “No Laughter” “False Teaching” and “Not Biblical”. Other skeptics stand aloof with their arms crossed, and feet set in resistance. These scoffers analyze from a distance not entering into the experience. Rather they judge only by what they see on the outside, ignorant of the supernatural surgery-taking place on the inside. Some even get close and try to peer intently at any possible scientific explanation (seen as the man peering at his reflection in the water). Then there are those who had protested then got close enough to be touched by the reality and truth. These come to their senses and climb into this mighty river flowing down.

Those who have ears to hear come running in pure excitement to receive this great blessing God lavishes upon them. Those thirsty come and soak, some jumping head first into the River, others easing in with caution. A preacher stands proclaiming the truth of the River from God’s own Word. Parents help their children in; while a wife leads her husband by the hand to the River. A young couple runs in victory holding high a cane that is no longer needed. This actually represents a young couple that the artist went to church with at the time. The wife had developed MS and could not walk without assistance. After praying and seeking God’s face the young lady was healed of MS.

Some of those touched by God in this move danced before Him with joy, while others opened up their hearts as much as they could as an empty vessel at the base of a waterfall eager to be filled to overflowing. Then others who had been filled continued to receive more by just laying in a position to receive becoming saturated as if floating suspended in God’s Spirit.

Finally, there were those who wanted what they had seen others receive; yet they just could not come to a point of receiving for themselves. They did not want to let go of something in their lives though it hindered them. Some just could not let go of teachings they had become so familiar with that put God in a box and did not allow for His Spirit to do a work in an unusual way for them. For these unfortunate souls life seemed like a desert waste land shown by the dead tree and barren land surrounding the man bent over in desperation, weeping in his hands.

Completed March 9, 2003.

This painting is to show one of the church’s missions in this world. The church is to be the body of Jesus and to continue doing what works that Jesus did when He was on earth. To the far left of the painting a church building sits in a brightly lit parking lot. A man, one of the last to have just come out of a church service, waves amicably to a rough character at the end of the parking lot. The rest of the people having come from church can be seen meeting with other people loitering in the street in front of Joe’s Bar and Grill next door. Instead of avoiding the hurting people, for safety’s sake or out of apathy or lack of love, the Believers from church take time to love the people that are going through hard times. The “bag lady” receives a warm much needed hug from a loving young lady from church not afraid of dirt, germs or tears from this lonely woman. A man sits down to share God’s life giving words with a young man. Taking time to listen to him as he smokes a cigarette and talks of the band represented by the snake on his shirt, the Believer does not condemn him. These satanic symbol t-shirts are popular among the crowd who does not seek to lift God up with the clothes that they wear. In the background stands a man with a facial expression of pleasant surprise. A believer has just laid hands on this man, praying for his healing. The man lifts the bandage to discover that he has been healed. An older man, bound by years of prideful reckless living comes out the door of the bar seeking to be free from the endless emptiness. A Believer complies joyfully with love in his heart for this misled tortured man. The demons are cast out with authority by the Believer who knows that at the name of Jesus every knee must bow. The blood of Jesus sets this old timer free from bondage when he repents and makes Jesus his Lord. He will not be tortured, confused or enslaved by the demons any more now that some one cared enough to share Jesus with him. The bag lady’s cart displays a gift generously given by the Believers. This Bible will help to guide and comfort her and all she shares it with from now until church lets out again.

Completed September 2, 2004.

This painting to shows what it means to be redeemed. First the sinner repents, turning from all that is bad in God’s eyes. The enemy still tries to accuse the sinner of what he has repented of. The angel will not accept the accusations on behalf of God. The accusations, in fact, are being erased from heaven’s records by the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross. The angel lifts the chains that were broken off of the repenter’s life, setting him free. The repenter’s name is written in The Book Of Life. Then comes an obedient act of being baptized in water. United with Jesus in His death and resurrection, the redeemed person’s spirit springs to new life. This spirit can be seen inside the outline of the natural body. As the Redeemed is faithful and hungry to grow in God, his spirit grows. The elevated images show a process of the spirit getting bigger and eventually growing much bigger than the natural body. The Redeemed learns to encourage his spirit to intimidate his natural body instead of the natural body intimidating the spirit.

As the redeemed walks in his new surrendered life to God, he constantly seeks direction and wisdom from God’s word. His spirit’s growth is due to being fed by the word coming into the Redeemed’s heart (through his eyes and ears) and being mixed with his faith. God’s word in the spirit realm is food for the spirit, seen in the painting as the piece of bread. Angels bring him some of his needs, gifts from the Father. These gifts include pieces of armor to guard him against the enemy, and the material prosperity (seen as a harvest of grain) he needs to enjoy and to be a blessing to other people. The pair of pruning shears can be seen as a part of the interaction from Heaven. God disciplines, and prunes His children like an excellent Father who loves His son and wants to encourage him to reach his potential and receive the highest possible achievement.

Half way up his journey in heavenly places the Redeemed gets baptized in the Holy Spirit. This really increases the size of his spirit man. The power from God is seen as lightning bolts. This is a direct connection to God’s throne via the Holy Spirit of God living in the Redeemed. Holy Spirit is there from the very moment of salvation but increases in measure at the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Behind the elevated images can be seen a river of water flowing from the throne. This is the living water that sustains and refreshes the Redeemed on his daily walk. Staying in the river is the ideal place for the Redeemed to be, for it represents the place of the presence of God.

The Redeemed stays faithful to abide in God’s word and live by the spirit. He learns to speak what he believes from meditating on God’s word and to believe in what God says rather than what he sees with his natural body’s eyes. This allows his spirit’s eyes to see clearer and his spirit’s mouth to speak more boldly. The Redeemed speaks God’s word over his life and circumstances. This word of God coming out of his mouth is in the form of a spiritual substance taking the shape of a seed. As the seeds are sown by the Redeemed, the result begins to grow and angels bring in the harvest. Other angels can be seen leaving to obey the voice of God’s word being spoken by the Redeemed. The Redeemed trains his physical body to obey his spirit man. The Redeemed is grafted into Jesus’ body, seated in heavenly places. He then reigns in life through Jesus, with Jesus’ authority and wisdom guided by the Holy Spirit.

Here is a picture of what happens when someone repents. The chains of sin and darkness are lifted off the one who is repenting. The accusations of the enemy against the sinner are erased for good out of the records of heaven by the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross. The filthy rags soaked with sin are thrown into the sea of forgetfulness, never to be brought up again. Meanwhile, the enemy tries to hold on tight to the one who sinned but is ripped off. A part of the repenter’s shirt can seen caught in the door as the enemy still grips it tightly. The angels slam the door on the enemy, and secure it closed.

The feathers at the top of the painting represent the protective covering of God coming over the forgiven believer. Only repentance can make it possible for a sinner to come to God or restore a believer back to God’s protection. God will not turn away someone who sincerely and diligently seeks Him. God looks for those who are humble before Him and truly believe His Word. Fear of God is not being afraid of God but being afraid of being away from God, out from under God’s protection. Choosing to live one’s own way instead of exactly how God commands leads that one out from under God’s protection. They then become an open target for the enemy.

Repentance is a beautiful thing that should take place as often as a believer realizes he has sinned. It should be immediate and sincere. Shame and denial are signs of pride, self righteousness or even an ignorance of God’s love and desire to forgive. Not only does God forgive quickly, He also forgets the matter as if the sin had never happened. It is wiped clean from the record. The only ones to bring it up again would either be the one that repented or the enemy trying to bring guilt or condemnation. God’s Word said He is faithful to forgive and remove the unrighteousness from those who repent. It is done and final.

Completed March 23, 2004.

This is the companion piece to Waiting To Obey. The owner of the house has returned to commune with God. Being led by Holy Spirit she speaks out in faith and authority the words of God. As the words are still leaving the daughter of God’s mouth the angel can be seen leaping into action; Psalms 103:20. The palm tree that outlined the angel stands to the left of the painting now. The other half of the pool casts reflections of the morning’s activity.

The voice that the angels obey may just be the voice that comes from a child of God who is being led by God’s Spirit. That voice backed by faith speaking God’s words acts as orders for the angel. God’s people speaking His word as directed by His Spirit sets a blue print in motion that the world around them must follow. John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” The Word is the final authority that all life must obey as sent forth from God through His people which is His contact on earth.

Completed February 12, 2004.

The typical Christmas tradition has parents telling their children that Santa Clause watches to see if they have been bad or good. If he decides that they have been good then he will bring them a gift that they request of him. They are encouraged to either write Santa Clause a letter or go to the location that Santa currently is and sit on his lap to tell him in person what they want. The children dream of the reindeer and sleigh that their parents tell them that Santa Clause travels in to deliver the presents. They fix him a little snack of cookies and milk setting it by the fire place through which they were told he would enter. The parents take a few minutes to tell the children about Jesus coming to earth as a baby. They may even read a short story about Jesus. They put most of their energy and emphasis on Santa though, because they think the children will enjoy a nice magical story better. They feel it makes the season more fun. Finally, Christmas morning the children awake to find the present they asked him for under the Christmas tree. They open it with excitement thinking that Santa himself had delivered it secretly in the night. They joyfully thank Santa Clause while they sit in awe of how real he appears to be since the present they asked for is actually there. Meanwhile, Yahweh Yireh (God our Provider) Who is truly real and loves the family, has generously provided the parents with the means to get the present. The parents do not realize that Yahweh Yireh, Father of Jesus Christ, longs for the children to dream of Him. It saddens Him when they give gratitude and adoration to an imaginary character, in no way linking this act of love to Him. He sent His own son to die for them. Being real, the children can talk to Him any time of the year. Being God, there is plenty to dream about and imagine concerning Him making the season more fun than believing in some imaginary character.

Jesus Is

Inspired by John 1:1, John 11:25, John 14:6, Ps 118:22, Rev 1:8, Rev 5:12

Jesus is – A glowing sunset offsets an empty, weathered cross. Underneath is an empty tomb connected to a small pathway that leads in front of a large rock on which sits a glowing angel who is motioning to come see inside the empty tomb in which there is a ledge with an empty body cloth laying flat. Throughout the entire painting there are lines that help to form the different shapes described above, yet at the same time they spell out words. The following is a list of the words that can be found as you study the painting: Truth, Life, Resurrection, Lamb that was slain, Word, Way, Alpha and Omega, Chief Corner Stone. Also, a name becomes evident when one isolates the yellow color (found on the cross, the setting sun, the mouth to the tomb, the ledge inside the tomb and the angles wings). The yellow color spells “I AM”.

Inspired by Colossians 1:13, 1Peter 2:9

Delivered From Darkness – Jesus our Savior reaches down and delivers us from a world of darkness filled with evil. This pit from which we come is often filled with those who laugh at our belief in God, others try to persuade us to join them in their destructive behavior, others are just lost in a numb stupor, others just want to be “cool” in the eyes of man and stay away from “nerdy” decisions. Meanwhile, the light of His glorious kingdom to which we are delivered shines bright and those waiting for us to join them rejoice at our decision to be God’s child. Others in Jesus’ light fall to their knees in thankfulness for the answer to their prayers that they have been praying for us. In the center of the painting, Jesus’ arm united with the arm of the girl being delivered forms a cross with nail prints in it. A small ledge in the background helps to form the cross bar of the cross.

Inspired by: Matthew 10:8; Mark 16:17-18; John 14:12; Luke 10:16

Completed October 2002

A turning point in the artist’s life was the return to a ministry in the hospital. As a chaplain’s assistant the artist felt God’s call to allow Him to use the artist to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons and simply bring encouragement to the hurting, making His name known. The artist stepped out in faith, charged with excitement knowing that it was God Who would be doing the work, supplying the strength and healing power needed. God had taught the artist that one must empty oneself completely so that anything that took place would be a result of His power and wisdom and compassion, not theirs.

Stepping into the hospital the artist would leave opinions, biases, self indulgences behind and submit to God’s leading and filling. Through a series of “hospital dreams” the artist had, God showed that He had removed the fear that the artist had possessed for so long. It was a fear of intimidation, a fear of inadequacy and ignorance. It was now gone. When the artist walked in the room, God walked in the room. Those who rejected the artist rejected God. The artist learned that His presence was inside; the artist’s life was hidden with Jesus in God. He was the artist’s adequacy, strength; the One Who supplied wisdom and the words in the artist’s mouth. It was His compassion drawing the artist to each room, shining through the artist’s eyes. When patients would complement the artist for being so kind, the artist would have to say, “It is the Lord Who wanted to touch you today. It is He Who loves you and wants to get closer to you.” Proverbs 3:6 became clearer to the artist as the artist acknowledged Him in all ways. It was as if the artist wasn’t even there but could see and hear all that went on between God and the precious life He wanted to touch.

In an effort to try to get the people the artist prayed for to get their eyes off of the artist onto Jesus the artist painted this painting to give them a clear picture of what was really happening when a chaplain prayed. The artist hoped it would help them to understand that Jesus was there doing the work instead of a chaplain. Without Jesus, a chaplain can do nothing to heal.

Ministering Angels At The Altar

This painting was inspired by Hebrews 1:14. Revision completed on February 22, 2001.

Many protestant church altars call invite people to come and be touched by the Lord. Many times the Lord sends His angels to do the work that He commands. From left to right the situations are as follows: A preacher has come to the altar for more of God’s anointing, fresh oil is being poured out from a cup that overflows; Psalms 23:5 An elderly woman who has just recently been widowed comes forward – she just needs a hug; Matthew 4:11, Mark 1:13, Luke 22:43 A man who has been bound by Satan through some addiction for years lays prostrate in humility as the angel cuts him free; Proverbs 5:22; Galatians 5:1; Romans 6:6-7. However, it is only Jesus blood that can free people from sin. A man who surrenders to the call to take God’s message to the nations is being cleansed for the call by a hot coal in the tongs held by an angel. Isaiah 6:5-7

In Their Midst

Completed on May 8, 2007, this painting portrays what it could look like in the spirit realm during a worship service. Jesus promised, “Where ever two or three are gathered in My Name, there I am in their midst.” Matthew 18:20 People get out of a worship service what they put into it. God does not have to have perfection; He just desires sincere devotion and undivided attention to Him. This means that if He does begin to deal with a believer, they need to be open to what He is going to do and how it will affect them. God loves music and it is often times during a worship service that God does His healing of broken hearts and drawing of spiritually hungry ones close to Him. This delicate spiritual surgery often times has side affects such as weeping, joyful shouting, shaking, laughing, and other outward appearances. Again, the outward appearances are just the side affects of what is truly happening in the heart, soul or body. Those who see the side affects do not know or understand the intensity of what the one being touched by God is experiencing. From the lack of understanding some times comes a response of condemnation toward the outward manifestation, claiming that the person is only trying to get attention. This is demonstrated by the woman who is hiding behind her paper to the left of the man being anointed by Jesus. Some may make fun of it, such as the teens on the row just behind her; while others get offended by what they view as a disturbance. This is displayed by the man to the right of the lady being touched by Jesus. Those that have experienced God’s surgery, His healing, His love or His life change know, understand and see the outward appearance as something wonderful, something to rejoice over. Jesus lives inside each believer through faith and the strengthening of the inner man by His Spirit. He is capable of touching many people all at one time. But there are those times when He shares a moment so intimate, so powerful it feels as if He is right in front of the believer laying hands on them personally, lovingly. The believer can be surrounded by others who are preoccupied with busy schedules, those who are just there for the social benefit, those that feel they are fulfilling a duty, those that get offended easy and lose quickly any life-changing word of God that may come their way, or even those who are ignorant of the power and love of God through songs of praise but are forced to be there by their parents. The teen checking his watch at the bottom center of the painting gives a picture of this. Even still, if any believer (God is not partial) is hungry for the things of God, determined to focus on only Him and open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and full of faith expecting God to touch them in some way then God delights to satisfy their hungry heart.

Basket of Seed

Completed on October 2, 2007; this painting represents an offering basket typical of the kind passed to receive the tithes and offerings of a local church. Not only tithing money but also the offering money beyond tithing given to God is seen as a seed planted into His kingdom. This painting shows what the offerings could look like in the spirit realm. Since the Holy Spirit lives inside each believer, He can direct them in the amount to give as well as when and where to give. This seed should be prayed over and sown (given) in faith. This means that the sower sows excitedly expecting a future harvest to come from the seed sown. God’s covenant to bless His people is tied to the giving of their tithe to God’s store house, which in the present day is the church that the sower is involved in for the purpose of receiving teaching and revelation plus an opportunity to help others. As God’s people give their tithe God promises to pour out blessing and also to rebuke The Devourer (spiritual enemy that tries to steal and devour the sower’s harvest) on behalf of those who have given. The back ground of the painting gives the illusion of rich soil plowed and ready for the deposit of seed. The usher carrying the basket blends in as children of God actively serving in their church can be rich soil to sow into. The small amount just to the left of the center of the basket, even though it is a few coins, has been prayed over and given as an act of reverent worship to God and is seen as seed full of life in the spirit realm. The sower of these coins (seated near the front to glean every word taught) just recently came to understand the spiritual concept of sowing seeds and is starting with what little he has. The ten dollar bill in the top center of the painting comes from another reverent sower, as well as a few one dollar bills from other sowers (near the botton of the painting) who have just learned the powerful, joyful way of giving. The stack of twenty dollar bills just to the right of the center of the basket was put in by a church goer who sits farther back. He is less concerned about hearing the words spoken by the pastor and does not put much faith in getting a harvest from his money given. He, in fact, sees it more as money lost from his wallet. Yet he gives because he remembered hearing his parents always say it was the right thing to do. Even more than that, it is excess money that he did not pray over, therefore it is viewed as shriveled, crusty seed that has little life left in it. The one dollar bill to the right of the stack of twenties and the ten dollar bill toward the bottom left of the painting are moneys carelessly tossed in by those who just give out of their excess money so they do not look bad when the basket is passed. This money as well, is viewed as small dry seeds of little spiritual value. There is a one hundred dollar bill, seen as seed bursting with life, fresh, healthy and ready to be planted, located just to the lower right of the center of the painting. The large bill was sown by a person who not only loves God but one who obeys God’s commands faithfully. This mature child of God has known of this powerful spiritual law of sowing and reaping for a long time and has joyfully, expectantly worshipped God with the first and best of all his money. As a result, God has abundantly blessed him with more seed to sow. The more the man sows, the more God gives, for this wise servant of God has learned that God blesses His people so they can then be better equipped to bless others. Not only is this man extravagant in his worship of God with his money but he is also generous when he humbly (and many times anonymously) gives to others. His spiritual seed is multiplied and brings him a rich harvest every time.

Clothed With Authority

This painting completed August 20, 2007, shows what it could look like in the spirit realm as different children of God do different things with the authority that they have received through Jesus. When someone chooses to give their life to Jesus, living the way He commands, then that person becomes a part of Jesus body which carries with it the authority that Jesus has. Jesus Spirit dwells in their heart and goes where they go. When the Holy Spirit impresses inside them the Words of God and they speak these words vocally while believing them, then the enemy (Satan) and created things except other humans must obey the authority in which they speak. The top half of the painting is of a glimpse of Heaven. Jesus on the throne sitting at the right hand of God the Father is seen as having many “layers”. All those who have given their lives to Jesus are united with Him in His death and also in His resurrection. God has raised them up with Jesus and seated them in heavenly places in Jesus. These are the believers who truly believe who God has given them the grace to be in Jesus and they sit and rule with Jesus on His throne. God the Father and Jesus are seen here from the knees down overseeing the angels placing a robe of authority on the new believer. The angels place a crown on the believer’s head to complete the promises and sign of authority. There are people seen just spending time in the throne room worshipping at the foot of the throne. In the upper left of the painting there is the hand of an angel recording the endowment of authority into the record books of Heaven. The gates, each made of one large pearl are open as believers come and go before the throne at will. Outside the gates of Heaven and down here on earth, the enemy can be seen with his own authority symbol on the side of his robe. Satan here is accusing and condemning a believer who has just received Jesus authority. He is using his old tactics of intimidation and deception to get the believer who has complete authority over him to remove that authority and hand it over, just as Adam did many years ago. Behind Satan can be seen someone who had been deceived as well and handed over his authority. Yet this one has learned of the deception of the enemy, repented and has come to take back the authority that is rightfully his. The believer sitting on the ground just behind (above) the wagon of Satan represents believers who received the authority yet were not taught that they had it by their pastor or leader. They lay it aside and just sit letting life happen any way it will instead of reigning for their king, using His authority to make the earth a good place as He desires His children to do. He does not desire them to use it on each other nor on other humans that are not in His kingdom. The believer in the lower left hand corner of the painting is exercising his authority over a situation that is trying to obstruct the will of God on earth. This spiritual mountain moves out of obedience to the words of God spoken out in faith by the one with Jesus’ authority. The believer in the lower right corner of the painting is using his Master’s authority to slice easily through a net in which the spiritual enemy tried to ensnare him. A demon can be seen running terrified of the authority that it recognizes so well. God’s people are given His authority to destroy the works of the spiritual enemy and to bring their king’s reign in the earth and make the earth a pleasant prosperous place. The Lord God’s reign is one of love, justice, kindness and righteousness. He is holy and just and righteous in all His ways. Those led by His Spirit are truly sons of His. They are those who can speak His words in authority. If they try to speak on their own their demands will be without God’s authority; and go unheeded by the spiritual enemy.