Ancient Rival

Sometimes I do artwork as spiritual warfare. This particular piece is one of those. It began as an abstract photo of a red plastic screen at a restaurant. In it I began to see shapes, and as I worked on it, this is what it became. It's not the "prettiest" art, but to me it is important, because it depicts a devious enemy of the the Church of Jesus Christ.

I'm not going to write much about the evil spirit we call Jezebel, because there is plenty of material out there to study. A great resource is a book by John Paul Jackson, titled "The Veiled Ploy". I'll put up a link as soon as I get my connection upgraded. I've had plenty of experience with this evil spirit, having been under its influence in the past; but the Lord enabled me to break free of it and combat it at various times when I have encountered it. I will share what I have personally learned from the Lord about this evil spirit.

The book of Revelation speaks of this evil spirit in the letters to the seven churches. Jesus says to the church of Thyatira: "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols." Revelation 2:20 NKJV It's quite certain that He is not talking of a particular woman here, or of woman at all, but a spirit whose characteristics are seen clearly in the Old Testament figure, Jezebel. Here, the Lord is revealing that this spirit is still at work in the church, and it must be overcome.

To see the Jezebel spirit in action, read the passages in I and II Kings that refer to this "queen", Ahab's wife: e.g., I Kings 16: 31; 18:4, 19; 19:2; 21:23-25; II Kings 9:22; 30-37. In the realm of the spirit, this evil entity will behave the same way. There is subtlety to it, as well as intimidation when it doesn't win by seduction. A demonic spirit is not male or female, and can work through or influence a person of either sex. Calling a woman a "Jezebel" is not the love of Christ, but it is common to see that spirit working through a "witchy" woman who doesn't respect men, especially her husband. Nonetheless, I have seen men who were totally given over to the Jezebel spirit, and their wives strongly controlled by the counterpart spirit we could just as well call Ahab (submissive, wrongly, to the controlling spirit).

The Satanic spirit we call Jezebel is jealous of the Church-- who is betrothed to Jesus, and is being prepared as a spotless Bride, full of glory and power, and who will rule and reign with Christ at His return. As Satan wants to be "like God" and tries to gain worship for himself, he has a counterfeit for everything he sees God do. This evil spirit works to get the true Bride away from her pure love of Christ, and to seduce her into defiling herself with occult practices, sexual immorality, and spiritual adultery and idolatry. It hates all things and people of God that are prophetic, and it tries to seduce people into using prophetic giftings for power and profit, and to lead others astray with false prophecy.

The Jezebel spirit especially hates the Bride of Christ, marriage, proper authority, proper male-female relationships, and godly creativity and imagination (because this births things from God). An Ahab-Jezebel type relationship is something to be repented of, whether in a Christian marriage or in a pastor-church relationship. [As I wrote this, I got a revelation that the Jezebel spirit is behind abortion, physical and spiritual! I haven't done a specific study on this, but it was confirmed to me by a prophetic friend after I posted this blog. I will be seeking the Lord for more insight into the topic, and will blog on it soon in "Fireberries" -- see link on top page].

It must be kept in mind that the Bride of Christ is not an individual person, but the Church as a whole, and that individualistic doctrines of brideship are most likely ideas promoted by the Jezebel spirit to keep a child of God separate from the Body, in pride and rebellion, and open to seductive and occult ideas that pollute the spirit and infect others.

As will be more and more evident, the Jezebel spirit will set "herself" up as the false bride of a false christ, and will seat herself luxuriously upon an idolatrous throne right in the midst of the apostate church: "So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication." Revelation 17:3-4 NKJV

This artwork reminds me of the following verse, now that I'm writing about it, for in it there is a man hidden in a cave-like place, and there is a rescuer coming with a torch: "For so it was, while Jezebel massacred the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah had taken one hundred prophets and hidden them, fifty to a cave, and had fed them with bread and water." I Kings 18:4 NKJV

The redness of this picture speaks to me of not only the bloody history of the original Jezebel, and of that influencing spirit's destructive work, but also of the blood of Jesus: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." Revelation 12:11 NKJV. Jesus has already overcome Satan and his tactics, and is coming to His Church in power (as the Lion of Judah) to help her enforce His victory. [Now, with the additional insight on abortion, I am seeing this red, cave-like place as a womb!!].

I believe we must fight to deliver the young people who are being seduced enmasse by the "dark side" of fantasy and witchcraft to such things as Harry Potter. There is a major difference between something birthed by a demonic spirit and something birthed by the Lord such as C.S. Lewis's fantasy writing or Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings"(at least partially, as I don't claim these works to be perfectly God-inspired-- are any of us?).

In my artwork, a unicorn or flying horse represents the creative and imaginative power that God placed in us, which is part of His nature and image. In this picture, the unicorn, not evil of itself, is being drawn to the seductive power of Jezebel. It is the Church's job to see the young generation, called to be prophetic and powerful in warfare against evil, delivered from the captivation of the enemy and trained and released against that enemy. We must see to it that our creative powers are used by the Holy Spirit and not by the devil.

It is crucial that all of us in the Body of Christ be cleansed of everything that is related to this seductive and rebellious spirit. Time is running out, but there is an open window of freedom available to all who will call out to God for help.

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The credits for the images used in this composite have been listed on my Flickr stream, with links to them: http://www.flickr.com/photos/artezoe/3232829658/

Discovery

Although this composite may look like a simple fairytale or illustration for a child's story, it is much more than that. Remember that the pictures I blog about here are visual parables, or at least illustrations or pictoral representations of spiritual truths. When these are imparted by the Holy Spirit to you, the truth becomes revelation. Once you have a little knowledge of the "language" being spoken, you can get some illumination.

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Doorways, which I use often in my artwork, are quite obvious symbols--they're entrances to somewhere you're not yet. This one's permanently open, although somewhat hidden, if you don't know what you're looking for. This is also a living door to somewhere safe and inviting, not a dark and threatening door. It can be interpreted as either the Door into the family and Kingdom of God (Jesus said, "I am the door." John 10: 1-15), or else a door into another "place", experience or understanding within that Kingdom. The little girl (who happens to be my granddaughter) may be discovering the doorway for the first time, meaning she is being drawn by the Father into the family of God, and she is ready and welcoming the new thing.

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I see this artwork a little deeper though, and I think the little girl represents the child of God (if you are "born again", then you are a child of God). The reason I say this is that she seems to already be in a garden, or a manicured grounds, and that this is a special place within it. She is also dressed like a "princess", representing that she already knows her place in the family and in the Kingdom. The dove (actually, it's a pigeon here, but it will do as a representation) always stands for the Holy Spirit in my artwork. Here, He has already done His job and has led her to this passageway. She has gotten a glimpse inside, and she's excited!

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The name of the background photo is "Secret Garden" (for credits and links to the other photos used in this collage, see my Flickr stream:http://www.flickr.com/photos/artezoe/3185912827/), so far, a mystery, as are many of the "places" in the Kingdom until they are revealed to us. God knows what we are ready to receive at any given time; and receive is what this little princess is about to do.

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Beyond the entrance to this place, that shines with a richer light than where she is at present, stands a beautiful white horse. I don't know all that this horse could stand for, but I do know that, here, it surely represents this little child's dream. She is enraptured by seeing him, and though she is twirling in joy, she will run in to embrace him in just a moment!

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Honestly, my heart swells at this very moment in gratitude for my Heavenly Father's gifts!. How often He has surprised me and overwhelmed me with His love! Sometimes it's been in response to long held dreams and prayers, and sometimes it's been a complete surprise. He knows me better than I know myself, and He has placed dreams in my heart and then made them come true. So, at least on one level, this noble horse represents the Father's good gifts and provisions (e.g. companionship, transportation).

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"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21

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"Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4

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"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11 (Another reference ends a little differently: "how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Luke 11:13).

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Those of us who are born again of the Spirit (John 3:1-21) are children of God, but we are still supposed to grow up in Him and become mature. The Father doesn't stop surprising us, though, or giving us gifts; however, the gifts become more powerful, and require more responsibility the "older" we get.

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Even though this little girl looks young, she has been given a large responsibility in the care of this horse. It also appears that the horse knows her and is awaiting her entrance with patience and love. This horse could be seen as a new move of the Holy Spirit in her life, one with more power and authority [appropriate follow-up reading would be Rick Joyner's "The Torch and The Sword"].

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I also see another, even deeper meaning to this artwork. In the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ is shown as returning on a white horse. Could it be that the archetypal "knight in shining armor" (always shown riding a white horse) is actually based on this? It is almost every little girl's dream to be "swept off her feet" by a "knight in shining armor"! Disney® and company have certainly capitalized on this with all their "Disney Princesses"™ merchandise. Some cynics scorn this, but I see it as an indication that it is more than just a girlish fantasy. In the greater reality of things, it is the Bride (one picture of the Church) who longs for her Prince, her "knight in shining armor" to appear. Jesus Christ will return for her, when she is fully mature, trained to "ride", and ready to do battle and to reign with Him.

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"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19: 11-16 [all verses are from the New King James Version]. I suggest reading this whole chapter, and even through to the end of the book, as you'll see the Bride there.

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I hope this artwork and these words encourage you to enter into that deeper, more intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father (or to come into the Kingdom for the first time via the new birth). He has many awesome gifts for you, many new and glorious revelations and experiences to share with you, and most of all, He Himself to spend forever getting to Know.

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I always enjoy writing out the interpretations of these pieces, as I always receive more about them as I do, which always blesses me immensely!

Come Further In

This composite image was inspired by C.S. Lewis's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". If you've read it, you'll be reminded of the lamppost, the 100-year-winter brought about by the illegitimate "reign" of the White Witch, and Aslan's coming, which brought about a quick reversal of it all. Here I have depicted the breakthrough of Spring. We are standing at the lamppost, just at the edge of Narnia, as if we had just walked through the wardrobe and entered another world! Aslan is calling us to come further in, as the Beavers called the Pevensies, before they had met Aslan.

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I love compositing (although I get very impatient sometimes with the finishing off of all the edges! if I do a picture the way I want, it has soooo many edges to clean up. It's good for my character.). This media gives me a full range of expression in a surrealistic genre, which allows me to express the spiritual reality I am trying to convey. I am only limited to my vision/imagination and the images I can find. For a list of credits, please see the Flickr post: http://flickr.com/photos/9014943@N06/3095793249/

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My use of lion imagery in my artwork is limited to one meaning: Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah. I don't use the other biblical identification, that is, the devil prowling around as a roaring lion. I was happy to find a lion photo so perfect for this "painting", as he seems to be smiling, and not threatening. C.S. Lewis, as well, used the lion imagery to create a character in Aslan that is so expressive of the character of Christ that I seek to emulate him. It is quite evident to me that he knew the Lord personally.

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Controversial it may be, but C.S. Lewis's use of "magic" and beings from classical mythology in his fictional works conveys spiritual things in a way that can be understood by anyone. He speaks into the imaginative capacity and the longing for spiritual things which typify so much of what we see in fantasy genres today. Yet his motives remain completely different and pure. He also employs the archetypal teaching methods of the ancient fairytales, an understanding that has mostly been lost. It is still a viable teaching and training tool.

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I hope to be worthy to wear the mantle that Lewis left behind for those who would carry a message of Kingdom reality to those who seek to know the truth, especially the young. This generation is hungry for spiritual things, with a need for a strong identity and a desire for power to deal with the evil they see. Satan is working overtime to give them what they desire, but they don't know they're being trapped into the evil they wish to combat. It is up to the citizens of the Kingdom of God to reach the young with the truth of the good news, and it's going to take great imagination and power-packed expression to do so. It's a visual generation, and so I want to use visual imagery, along with writing, to speak to the heart.

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So, what am I saying with this artwork? That Aslan, although a fictional character, stands for Jesus Christ the true King of all Who is calling us to know Him personally, and to follow Him into His Kingdom. Narnia stands for the true realm of the spirit and godly imagination, where we can discover who we are and what we are meant to do. Here is a place where we can picture the purposes of Heaven being worked out in the physical world. It is a place where Heaven and Earth connect, and the Sons of Adam and the Daughters of Eve are taught to reign. We learn to fight the enemies of God with truth and to take down the evil works of such enemies, in our own minds as well as in the world around us, for the good of others. We learn to serve one another and be obedient to the voice of the Spirit, and to step out in faith. In this story, the coldness of the heart is being melted and the heart renewed by real encounters with the King.

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In this artwork, the lamppost also signifies those who are called to be "lightbearers", to guide others along the Way, into the Kingdom of God. As the lamppost was planted in Narnia, and its light was a perpetual one, so our light will be if we are rooted in the Word of God and stay in our appointed places. Staying filled with the oil of the Spirit is a concern as we pour out what we have been given, but if we're connected into the Vine, we will always be alive and full of oil.

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The blossoming branches I have placed here are almond trees. This has a great deal of significance. First, it's a prophetic picture of Christ's anointing and authority in Aaron's rod that budded (Numbers 17:8-10; Hebrews 9:4). It also reminds of the golden lampstand in the Mosaic temple, which was shaped like a blossoming almond tree (Exodus 25:33), giving us the spiritual picture of one who lives in the presence of God and stays lit. There is also a verse in Jeremiah: Moreover the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Jeremiah, what do you see?" And I said, "I see a branch of an almond tree." Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word." (Jeremiah 1:12-13 NKJV). The almond tree is the first to blossom in Spring. This speaks to me of the need for us to be hearing from the Lord about the times and seasons and to be ready to speak and demonstrate these things in an early and timely fashion, for "concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you." (I Thess. 5:1 NKJV), meaning it was considered normal to know what's going on. Jesus promised that we could know things in advance: "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. "(John 16:13 NKJV)

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I may "paint" in parables, but this blog is for those who desire to know the meanings in them. Jesus told the meanings of His parables to His disciples. If you're reading this, Jesus words pertain to you: And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'(Luke 8:10 NKJV) If you're His disciple, He will guide you into all truth.