Painting on canvas by Megan Hensley July 2009Hebrews 10:19-25
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
It was in May 2009 that the Lord began to show me things in my spirit that I sensed were coming to pass. Things that I wish would not happen, but will come to pass, never the less, because it has been given by prophetic revelation in the Holy Scriptures. It was during a time of prayer that an image flashed before me and all the loose ends were tied together, revealing a peace and urgency in my spirit; an image that held the answers for me. Thus the painting was born, revealing the image I saw that day.
I am sure most everyone is already aware of the story of the temple, the veil, the sacrifice for sins, and the role of the priest from reading the biblical accounts in Scripture. However, it is of the upmost importance that we understand the revelation of what it means to us. The revelation is no longer something that will be in the future; the future is here and quickly fading into the past.
Take a minute and reflect on the progression of events over the past 20 years. Take note as to how fast technology has changed, how liberal the world has become, and how the Church has fallen away. Look around at the younger generations and note how many of them have chosen to turn their backs on God or have never had the opportunity even to be exposed to the real God. The world is in travail and no one can stop it. It is now our jobs as Christians to stop pointing fingers and judging people for the way they look, act, or sound. We are being called to love them and show them what God is about. The Scriptures tell us, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:1-2).
We need to realize the power we have as Christians and the authority God has given us. We need to walk in the path that God intended for us and become ministers to a lost and dying world. Remember, in a world that is filled with darkness, you may be the only light! Consequently, thoughts arise, I am not worthy of that role; I am not perfect; I cannot be used mightily. Forget those thoughts! That is Satan trying to strip away the power that we as Christians possess! The Word of God tells us, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength" (1 Corinthians 1:25). We are one in Him. We have the ability to overcome the foolish ways of the spirit world.
This is what the imagery held within the painting. We have been given the role we must play in the Kingdom and how crucial that role is; but how are we supposed to win this fight. The answer is in the picture. We read in Matthew 27:50-51 that Jesus died upon the cross and the moment He gave up his spirit, the temple veil was rent from top to bottom. The veil was placed there to separate all from the Holy of Holies, except for the high priest who would make sacrifices to God for the sins of the people. When the veil was rent, that meant that we no longer had to look to a priest to go before God; we were invited to go boldly before His throne! Acts 17:24 tells us that God is not limited to being in a temple. The Scriptures also proceed to tell us that He gives life to all, is the creator of all, and it is in Him that we have our being.
In this picture, you will find the veil has been rent, opening up into a beautiful garden that is calm and full of peace, a garden that seems larger than life. This is because the garden represents God's Presence or the throne room of God. Directly behind the veil is a stream of water that is constantly moving, never to get stale or stagnant. You can tell that it is a calm stream, yet it moves with haste in a constant motion as though it has a job that must be completed. This stream is the love, peace, mercy, grace, and the Spirit of God that is being poured out to all people. There is nothing that stops anyone from getting to it and it does not come with a price. People are only required to open their eyes and look. The Bible tells us that God seeks throughout the whole earth to find people who are willing to serve him. This is the place that God has opened up for all people to come and find refuge. This is the place that we as Christians need to go to seek God's face. It is here that we will be filled with His Spirit and compassion, knowing that our God is a God of plenty. He does not give miniscule amounts; He gives in abundance, until our cups run over!
As you can see in the painting, a person is at the river praying to God, entering boldly before His throne. This person is in a seated position with all intentions of spending time in warfare, understanding that the battle they are fighting is a serious one and not to be taken lightly. They have gone before God, willing to spend time in prayer and intercession. As you can see, God kept His promises and poured His Spirit out upon them and through their obedience, a new stream has been created going out into the world. Now, people will see how great the God we serve is and will feel drawn into His Presence. God is looking to fill us up with His Spirit, allowing us to take Him wherever we go, ministering to all we come in contact with. He wants us to be vessels He can fill and flow out of.
Always remember, "You are of Christ, and Christ is of God" (1 Corinthians 3:23).
God wants to raise the Church up to be more like Him. It is in such pressing times as these, with the rapture drawing near, that the Church needs to rise up and find the strength that God has given us. God desires to raise up a mighty army and we need to be part of it.
Ephesians 2:18-22
“For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
Joel 2:28-29
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
I am sure most everyone is already aware of the story of the temple, the veil, the sacrifice for sins, and the role of the priest from reading the biblical accounts in Scripture. However, it is of the upmost importance that we understand the revelation of what it means to us. The revelation is no longer something that will be in the future; the future is here and quickly fading into the past.
Take a minute and reflect on the progression of events over the past 20 years. Take note as to how fast technology has changed, how liberal the world has become, and how the Church has fallen away. Look around at the younger generations and note how many of them have chosen to turn their backs on God or have never had the opportunity even to be exposed to the real God. The world is in travail and no one can stop it. It is now our jobs as Christians to stop pointing fingers and judging people for the way they look, act, or sound. We are being called to love them and show them what God is about. The Scriptures tell us, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:1-2).
We need to realize the power we have as Christians and the authority God has given us. We need to walk in the path that God intended for us and become ministers to a lost and dying world. Remember, in a world that is filled with darkness, you may be the only light! Consequently, thoughts arise, I am not worthy of that role; I am not perfect; I cannot be used mightily. Forget those thoughts! That is Satan trying to strip away the power that we as Christians possess! The Word of God tells us, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength" (1 Corinthians 1:25). We are one in Him. We have the ability to overcome the foolish ways of the spirit world.
This is what the imagery held within the painting. We have been given the role we must play in the Kingdom and how crucial that role is; but how are we supposed to win this fight. The answer is in the picture. We read in Matthew 27:50-51 that Jesus died upon the cross and the moment He gave up his spirit, the temple veil was rent from top to bottom. The veil was placed there to separate all from the Holy of Holies, except for the high priest who would make sacrifices to God for the sins of the people. When the veil was rent, that meant that we no longer had to look to a priest to go before God; we were invited to go boldly before His throne! Acts 17:24 tells us that God is not limited to being in a temple. The Scriptures also proceed to tell us that He gives life to all, is the creator of all, and it is in Him that we have our being.
In this picture, you will find the veil has been rent, opening up into a beautiful garden that is calm and full of peace, a garden that seems larger than life. This is because the garden represents God's Presence or the throne room of God. Directly behind the veil is a stream of water that is constantly moving, never to get stale or stagnant. You can tell that it is a calm stream, yet it moves with haste in a constant motion as though it has a job that must be completed. This stream is the love, peace, mercy, grace, and the Spirit of God that is being poured out to all people. There is nothing that stops anyone from getting to it and it does not come with a price. People are only required to open their eyes and look. The Bible tells us that God seeks throughout the whole earth to find people who are willing to serve him. This is the place that God has opened up for all people to come and find refuge. This is the place that we as Christians need to go to seek God's face. It is here that we will be filled with His Spirit and compassion, knowing that our God is a God of plenty. He does not give miniscule amounts; He gives in abundance, until our cups run over!
As you can see in the painting, a person is at the river praying to God, entering boldly before His throne. This person is in a seated position with all intentions of spending time in warfare, understanding that the battle they are fighting is a serious one and not to be taken lightly. They have gone before God, willing to spend time in prayer and intercession. As you can see, God kept His promises and poured His Spirit out upon them and through their obedience, a new stream has been created going out into the world. Now, people will see how great the God we serve is and will feel drawn into His Presence. God is looking to fill us up with His Spirit, allowing us to take Him wherever we go, ministering to all we come in contact with. He wants us to be vessels He can fill and flow out of.
Always remember, "You are of Christ, and Christ is of God" (1 Corinthians 3:23).
God wants to raise the Church up to be more like Him. It is in such pressing times as these, with the rapture drawing near, that the Church needs to rise up and find the strength that God has given us. God desires to raise up a mighty army and we need to be part of it.
Ephesians 2:18-22
“For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. In Him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
Joel 2:28-29
"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
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