The Center Panel of the Revelation of St. John

In these posts, I am describing the imagery in the 3 panels of the Revelation painting, a 12' x 4' tryptic of 4' x 4' panels.

This 4' x 4' section is in the center of the Revelation of  St. John tryptic, and depicts the Apostle John as he received the letters from Jesus Christ to the 7 churches in the 7 cities depicted in the background. (Rev. Chapters 1-3)

Below are details of this center panel where John is on the island of Patmos where he was exiled for years. At the time of the writing of the Book of Revelation, John was the last surviving disciple.

This is the image of John receiving the Book of letters to the 7 churches (Rev.1) There was a debate whether or not John received 7 books, or 7 letters that went into one single book. It was eventually agreed by most that he received one book of 7 letters, which I depicted here. These letters are often read today as we reflect on God's words to His Church, such as how He spoke to the church at Laodicea, to whom it was said, "You have lost your first love." I pray we never hear those words.

The Lord is described in Chapter 1 with hair white as snow, holding the keys of Death and Hades, standing amidst the lampstands holding the 7 stars (1:16)

Here is the Lord with hair like snow.

Chapter 1:16  describes 7 stars in the Lord's hand, which I depicted as an orb with stars etched into it.

Here are some of the 7 lampstands described in Rev. 1:12 and 13. Some were behind the figure, so they aren't all visible.

Lampstands, birds and feet

There are many angels with trumpets in 2 of the panels. (Rev. 8) Most didn't have good news. There is one angel announcing the coming of the Lord, which is really good news, so I placed it here in the center panel (Rev. 11:15)

There is an angel with a book, and other angels accompanying him

Revelation Chapter 7:1 describes 4 Angels holding back the winds. This panel has 2 of those angels in the top corners, one in the left corner and one in the right corner. The other 2 angels, measured exactly like these are in the 2 other panels.

There are 2 Witnesses described in Chapter 11 who came preaching the Word of God. They were both killed because people didn't want to hear; but they rose to life again, shocking the world before they disappeared.

Here I added two sheep just for their representation of the people of God as they are often referred to by Jesus. Many times He spoke of His sheep hearing His voice, and taught parables about the Good Shepherd, which He said in reference to Himself.

This center panel is 48 x 48", and is flanked by the other two panels of the same size. This was actually the first one I painted. Although each panel is a painting unto itself, they all connect together. Some of the figures are walking off this panel onto the one to the left, the Tribulation panel.