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God's Promises
Artistic Interpretations from the Bible
and other world h
istory


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Time Periods, Scripture, Imagery, Gemstones

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Artwork coming 2024-2025

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Time Periods

Timeframe: 16th-20th Century
Authentic
Antique Baroque Frames

Baroque was an ecclesiastical artistic style formally created in 1563 running to 1758. Sharing the forms of irregularly shaped pearls,  this European style was focused on evoking emotion and passion, capturing the exact moment a specific action is occurring.
Each piece will be created on canvas and framed in one of our rare frame findings. The New Earth and New Jerusalem will be created on wood that is hand carved to match the outer frame, then inlaid with 12 gemstones in the order specified in Revelations 21.

Timeframe: 50 TO 600 AD
Christianity Symbols: 
Reproduction Art Of The Catacombs
Rudimentary drawings adorned the outside of these underground tombs connected by tunnels underneath Rome. Some of the apostles and early Christians were buried here.   
Positioned around lower outside borders

Timeframe: 16th-18th Century
Baroque Christianity Symbols:
Photographs and Reproductions of Early Spanish Coins, Cherub
s
During this period, coins featuring a cross representing the risen LORD were minted by the Spanish. The 4 types of cross styles used are shown. Cherubs also frequently adorned art and carvings during this time. 
Positioned around upper outside borders

Timeframe: Darkness to The End Times
The History of the Earth
Representing Genesis to Revelations 1, God's shining light is shown looking down near the time of the end of the old earth. Dogwood (the wood of Christ's cross) blooms radiate from above as God looks down on His works. As Christ has defeated the cross during this time, we see an exploding cross below encompassed by peaceful clouds of the current-day earth. Peeking in from the lower left side is the darkness that existed before the sun was created. The lower right depicts the fire that will cleanse the earth, starting its' restoration to the New Earth (aka original Eden).
Digital Art on Canvas

Timeframe: Future post tribulation
After the End Times to Eternity
Showing the renewed earth, there is a river of crystal, the tree of life hosting the eagle from Isaiah, and other events from Revelations  5 to 22. The New Jerusalem is on its' foundation of gemstones with walls of pearls.
Digital Art on carved wood with embossed gemstones

Bibles

Scripture

Ephesians 1
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ...11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of His Glory. 

DARKNESS TO THE END TIMES

Psalm 68:4
Sing to God, sing in praise of His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before Him—His name is the LORD.

Daniel 7
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man,(Jesus) coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Mark 13: 26 
“At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 

Revelation 1: 7
Look, He is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of Him.” So shall it be! Amen.

Psalms 19:1
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

The skies display His craftsmanship.

​

Revelation 5: 8
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

2 Peter 3:5-7
5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

​

2 Peter 3:10

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Isaiah 25
7 On this mountain He will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; 8 He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth.
The LORD has spoken.

FUTURE: post tribulation & post Millenium

Revelation 21:1
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

2 Peter 3:13

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new (kainos) earth, the home of righteousness.

Acts 3:19-21 (NIV)
19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you–even Jesus. 21 He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

​

Mark 14:25

“I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” (during communion, some churches may have cups of wine including an empty cup of that reminds us of this Hope)

Isaiah 40:31
but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

 Revelation 21

16 The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia (about 1,400 miles) in length, and as wide and high as it is long. 17 The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits (about 200 feet)] thick (high). 18 The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.

19 The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, 20 the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.

(The precise identification of some precious stones is uncertain.)

21 The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

 Revelation 21 (Hebrew)

19 The foundation stones of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of precious stone, harishon (the first) foundation stone was jasper, hasheni (the second) sapphire, hashlishi (the third)   chalcedony, harevi’i (fourth) emerald; [SHEMOT 28:17-20YESHAYAH 54:11, 12YECHEZKEL 28:1320 The fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst.

Revelation 7:17

..., he will lead them to springs of living water.

Revelation 22

1 Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.

The current heavens and earth have long been subject to God’s curse because of mankind’s sin. All creation “has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth” (Romans 8:22) as it awaits the fulfillment of God’s plan and “the children of God to be revealed” (verse 19).

 

Heaven and earth will pass away (Mark 13:31), and they will be replaced by the new heavens and the new earth. At that time, the Lord, seated on His throne, says, “I am making everything new!” (Revelation 21:5). In the new creation, sin will be totally eradicated, and “there shall be no more curse” (Revelation 22:3, NKJV).The new heaven and new earth are also mentioned in Isaiah 65:17, Isaiah 66:22, and 2 Peter 3:13. Peter tells us that the new heaven and new earth will be “where righteousness dwells.” Isaiah says that “the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.”

 

Things will be completely new, and the old order of things, with the accompanying sorrow and tragedy, will be gone. The new earth will be free from sin, evil, sickness, suffering, and death. It will be similar to our current earth but without the curse of sin. It will be earth as God originally intended it to be. It will be Eden restored.

 

A major feature of the new earth will be the New Jerusalem. John calls it “the Holy City . . . coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). This glorious city, with its streets of gold and pearly gates, is situated on a new, glorious earth. The tree of life will be there (Revelation 22:2). This city represents the final state of redeemed mankind, forever in fellowship with God: “God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. . . . His servants will serve him. They will see his face” (Revelation 21:3; 22:3–4).

 

In the new heavens and new earth, Scripture says, there are seven things notable for their absence—seven things that are “no more”:

  1. no more sea (Revelation 21:1)

  2. no more death (Revelation 21:4)

  3. no more mourning (Revelation 21:4)

  4. no more weeping (Revelation 21:4)

  5. no more pain (Revelation 21:4)

  6. no more curse (Revelation 22:3)

  7. no more night (Revelation 22:5)

 

The creation of the new heavens and new earth brings the promise that God “will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4). This event comes after the tribulation, after the Lord’s second coming, after the millennial kingdom, after the final rebellion, after the final judgment of Satan, and after the great white throne judgment.

 

The brief description of the new heavens and new earth is the last glimpse into eternity that the Bible gives.

Camera

Imagery

DOGWOOD BLOSSOMS
Photographed, coincidentally, as church bells rang on Easter Sunday 2023 across the street from a Knoxville church.

CATACOMBS

CLOUDS

COINS


CHERUBS

EAGLE

FIRE

THE KING SPRING OF CRYSTAL RIVER, FL

 

INSENSE
Tree fruit of the Clusia Rosea, also called the "pitch apple" tree. Its' dry latex is sometimes burned like incense in churches. Latex and floral resin have antiseptic properties and have been used to seal wounds.

Polished Stones

Gemstones

Over thousands of years, the actual gemstones specified in the scriptural text are sometimes hard to determine. For example, some of the gemstones were discovered more recently and inherited an older gemstone name.

There are many lists that provide the name of the current-day gemstone thought to be referenced in Rev 21. One of the most comprehensive lists is the book The 12 Gemstones of Revelation written by Mary Trask. 


Both Rev 21 New Jerusalem and Exodus 28 Aaron's breastplate specify 12 gemstones. There are several similarities in the layers and stones. These are compared below showing the current text from Rev 21, Hebrew text references for Rev 21, and the gemstones of Aaron's breastplate.

Understanding that differences may exist, Mary Trask reminds us that these are all His gemstones, put here for us to enjoy while coming close to God. She includes a note regarding the precious stones in Aaron's breastplate, being that we are all precious gems meant to lean against the chest of Jesus.
That is the perfect mindset for enjoying this art.

Mary Trask
1 jasper
2 sapphire/lapis
3
chalcedony/turquoise
4 emerald
5 ony
x
6 carnelian
7 chrisolite
8 beryl
9 topaz
10 chrysoprase
11 jacinth
12 (top) amethyst

Rev 21 Hebrew 
1 jasper
2 sapphire
3 chalcedony
4 emerald
5 sardonyx
6 carnelian
7 chrysolite
8 beryl
9 topaz
10 chrysoprase
11 jacinth
12 amethyst

Aaron's
Breastplate

1 carnelian
2 peridot
3 garnet
4 turquoise
5 lapis lazuli
6 white jasper
7 copal
8 agate
9 amethyst
10 aquamarine
11 onyx
12 jasper
 

Rev 21 NLT
1 jasper
2 sapphire
3 agate
4 emerald
5 onyx
6 ruby
7 chrisolite
8 beryl
9 topaz
10 turquiose
11 jacinth
12 (top) amethyst

Aaron's Breast Plate Stones from Exodus.
Originally written in Greek. 

1. Odem. Red stone from the volcano of Mount Odem. Possibilities: carnelian (most likely for breastplate), chalcedony, sard, ruby (too hard to carve)

2. Pitdah - translated now as topaz (although too hard to carve) from the island of topazios (now zabargad) but thought to be the green Peridot stone that was commonly mined there. Simeon's stone.

3. Barricad. Garnet (red) or emerald (green). Ancient word of smaragdos is translated to emerald now. KJV translated to carbuncle (almandine garnett). Associated to Levi's tribe, flag was black, white, and red so garnett makes the most sense.

4. Nofekh. Turquoise or emerald.  From the Siani Peninsula, Egypt (originally called Mafkat, which means country of turquoise). Stone of the tribe of Judah, their flag was the color of the sky, so turquoise makes the most sense.

5. Sapphir. Sapphire (too hard to carve) or Lapis Lazuli. Lapis Lazuli was mined since 4,000 BC and KJV called Old World Lapis Lazuli the gemstone sapphire.

6. Yahalum. Diamond (not available during breastplate and 4x harder than ruby). Translated to mean stone of hardness and the color of the moon. White jasper (opaque, and hard), chalcedony (translucent)

7. Leshem. Red zircon (jacinth), amber. KJV translated lehsem to ligure (derived from lingurium). Ligurium was a warm mythical stone that attracted small particles, similar to amber or copal (the same organic material as amber, but softer and less than 10 million years old). 

8.  Shevo.  Agate with a distinct band, a form of chalcedony. Named after the Achates River (now Dirillo River) in the island of Sicily, Italy. Gad's stone.

9. Ahlamah. Amethyst, a form of quartz in shades from very clear purple to a very deep purple. Consistently translated over the centuries.

10. Tarsis. Pearl, mother of pearl, aquamarine, beryl, wire silver (long thin like thick hair). Usually translated as beryl, an unusual luster, color of the sea, ocean water. Parcepolis (near Babalon in Persia) had a silver mine although translations of 'color of the sea' leads the translation of this stone towards aquamarine.

11. Shoham. Onyx. Another form of Chalcedony. Ancient translations show Beryl, although not in recent times. 

12. Yashpeh. Jasper. Chrysoprase. Revelation describes jasper that transmits light and is green however Rev (Greek) and Exodis (Hebrew) were written years apart and in different languages. Stone of Benjamin, whose flag had many colors like a colorful jasper.

Image by Nathan Dumlao

Thank You's & References

Rev. David Taylor, Christ Community Church, Montreat NC while serving at The Cove with encouragement, prayers, and discussion

Pastor Steve Lawes, Keys Vineyard Church, Big Pine Key, FL motivating sermons and insight

Pastor Rex Rogers, Cornerstone Zion Church, Knoxville, TN motivating sermons

Pastor Dan Downs, Knoxville Church motivating sermons and discussions

David Webb, Manager TruGreen, Seed Identification, Knoxville TN

My Mother-in-law Tootie Snyder for sharing many YouTube video sermons, including those of Pastors David Jerimiah & Greg Laurie

My wife Tracey for her continual encouragement, research, love and support.

https://www.gemstones.com/gemopedia
*(formerly the Gemopedia from Jewelry Television)*

Jewelry Television (JTV) and jtv.com with several shows and company resources during my short tenure there.

The excellent book The 12 Gemstones of Revelation, written by the author Mary Trask
https://heartreflectionsministries.com/

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