He Who Was, And Is,
And Is To Come
Foreground sculpture by David Wynne
A three-part series of paintings by artist Virginia Mull, depicting
the Crucifixion (titled 'The Cost'), Resurrection (titled 'Awake') and
'The Return of Jesus Christ'
Painted over a twenty three year period, these carefully researched and prayerfully executed canvases bring to life the fundamentals of Christianity. Viewers are drawn in to consider the reality of what the Bible records about the death, resurrection and foretold return of
Jesus Christ
Son of God
Saviour for all mankind
"Virginia Mull has created a striking and thought-provoking exhibition that produced considerable interest amongst those who viewed it in Ely Cathedral. The starkness of the crucifixion, the joy and radiance of the resurrection and the challenge of the return of Christ are powerfully presented."
"Many words could describe the affect of the exhibition: shocking, arresting, haunting... It is a beautiful experience which stays with you and which will not let you overlook the suffering that Christ bore on the cross. It had a profound effect on those who spent time with it, and provided a powerful focus for prayer and meditation."
'The Cost'
Commissioned to be a visual aid for Bible students of the crucifixion narrative, 'The Cost' became a vignette of three equally important events. The props used as references - the crown of thorns, bloodied loincloth, nails, timber and rope - are exhibited alongside the painting.
Jesus' face shows the plucked out beard, spit, beatings, dust and dirt from abuse and wounds from the crown of thorns. A fly sits on his open lip wound - the devil, called 'Baal-zebub' meaning 'Lord of the flies'. Here Satan gorges on Jesus' blood believing he has won the victory.
"I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting."Isaiah 50:6
"They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him."Mark 15:17
"They spit on him, and took a staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him."Matthew 27:30-31
"We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."Isaiah 53:6
"He (Pilate) had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified."Mark 15:15
"I offered my back to those who beat me."Isaiah 50:6
"Though my back was cut to ribbons with their whips"Psalm 129:3 LB
"... and by his wounds we are healed."Isaiah 53:5
The manner for scourging involved the victim being tied to a post with his arms above his head. Here, the brutal action has taken place to the right, just off the canvas. The Roman soldiers have cut the ropes and Jesus' body has fallen to the left. Remains of the rope, and cutting-in wounds are visible on his wrists. There are 39 lashes of a 4-thonged flagrum across His back - 40 lashes were believed to kill a victim; Jesus was not to die in this way.
Are you the ant? Near Jesus' elbow is a small ant. This creature has traversed these slabs every day, going about his daily business, oblivious to the tremendous sacrifice that has been endured for him, evident all around him if he would but take notice. Are you the ant?
This position on the cross is the recognised method used by the Romans at the time of Jesus (see article by Rev. Dr. J.H. Charlesworth For full article click here). A Roman soldier's bloodied handprint grasps Jesus' leg to enable hammering in the nail; likewise under Jesus' arms by the ropes. Jeering faces mock him in the sky - the baying mobs crying out, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" Upper Heaven is black; closed shut to Jesus' plea, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"
"Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgression, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."Isaiah 53:4-5
Background Research
Rev. Dr. J.H. Charlesworth's article in - 'Expository Times', February 1973, citing Dr. N. Haas (of the Department of Anatomy Hebrew University - Hadassah Medical School) - Crucifixion posture. Rev. Dr. Charlesworth concludes, "The major extrabiblical paradigm for crucifixion is no longer Josephus; it is the archeological data summarized" (in the above publication article).
David Michael, responsible for assisting with the Hebrew 'word wealth' contributions to the Spirit-Filled Life Bible published by Thomas Nelson Inc - Hebrew, Greek and Latin texts.
British Red Cross - fresh wound activity, blood flow.
Various Internet Sites and other media references - graphic flesh mutilation and bruising images.
'Awake'
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The painting is round as the viewer is witnessing through the stone that covered the tomb, the moment of resurrection.
"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightening stood beside them."Luke 24:1-4
Two angels minister to Jesus - one brings him clothing and the other 'folds the headcloth to leave in a place by itself' (John 20:6-7 NKJV)
The air fluoresces around the burial slab - a scientific description of the power effect of the resurrection.
"But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.'"Matthew 28:5-6
"Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"1 Corinthians 15:54-55
The full robe signifies Jesus is no longer a servant but a King; the longer the robe the less servile the wearer. He also now has silk slippers; sandals are for servants and leather shoes involves death ... Jesus has defeated death. The sash is woven in the colours of the High Priest - Jesus is our High Priest. It bears the Alpha and Omega Greek letters as that is how Jesus describes himself (Revelation 22:13). Jesus holds the Jewish mantle as he still retains his (now resurrected) humanity and Jewish lineage.
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."1 Corinthians 15:20
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live."John 11:25 NKJV
The Holy Spirit here appears in his 'flame' manifestation. It is not an actual flame, but 'as like of fire' (Acts 2:3) a supernatural appearance of a divine entity.
'The Return of Jesus Christ'
This large canvas, measuring 11ft x 8ft (335cm x 244cm), shows the foretold return of Jesus Christ as described in Revelation 19:11-17. "I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: king of kings and lord of lords. And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in mid-air, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God," (Rev. 19:11-17).
Revelation 1:7 says that "Every eye will see Him". The battle formation depicted here for Jesus' second Advent is the Star of David - Jesus' first Advent was announced by the Star of Bethlehem. "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". (Rev. 1:7)
The Star of David's points continue to span outwards as the armies of Heaven emerge from the centre and materialise into the seen realm until they completely encompass the entire globe.
Revelation 19:14Jesus is heading for planet Earth where the Bible tells us his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives which faces Jerusalem. "On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south."
Zechariah 14:4
The double-edged sword of judgement, an emblem of 'The Word of God' as engraved in Greek and Hebrew along the blade, pierces Space ahead of Jesus. The sword's hilt becomes the same Cross of Calvary as seen in 'The Cost'. Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross gives him the full authority and right to return in judgement.
Upon Jesus' horse's back is an elaborate golden caparison. It tells the Bible's narrative in symbols along the hem from left to right: The apple of the Garden of Eden (hidden behind Jesus' boot), the Ten Commandments tablets, the Star of Bethlehem, the Last Supper Passover bread and wine, the Cross, the stone across the tomb.
The Holy Spirit as a dove and tongues of fire dominate the caparison.
Jesus' boots are embossed with a bunch of grapes design - Jesus comes to tread the winepress of the wrath of God (Rev. 19:15)
The mantle clasp is the Alpha and Omega.
"On his head are many crowns" (Rev. 19:12) - crowns were originally a band of gold. Here there are many bands, one above the other, signifying Jesus' absolute dominion as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
This title adorns Jesus' mantle, in Greek, the New Testament language. It reads backwards as one views it from the underside of the billowing garment.
At the top right of the canvas can be seen a further figure.
John describes that, after he sees Jesus returning with his army, he then sees an angel standing in the sun, calling all the birds to feast on the flesh of the slain in the ensuing battle on Earth.
Revelation 19:17-18
An imaginary line from the sun, through the angel, the centre of the Star of David to Jesus' Star point, to Earth ... brings Jesus' arrival to Jerusalem.
Public Response
"I am stunned. Deeply moving. He is coming back!"
"This afternoon you have widened my vision, and given me so much to reflect on, inspired me and given me hope. Thank you for your amazing research. I have been blessed by being with your paintings."
"Absolutely amazing and totally indescribable. Holy Spirit inspired and executed without a doubt!"
"An overwhelming and hugely thought provoking series of paintings. Thank you for the thoughts it creates of Jesus' suffering and resurrection."
"For the first time in my life I heard an artist call her work ministry, and I am reminded once again that our gifts (my gift) is for service to God. This series of paintings has ministered to me."
"As a Jungian Psychoanalyst, I feel very enriched studying this depiction, stretching many dimensions in our mind, Thanks"
"I have not felt such emotions when viewing art in a long while. Very thought provoking. Thank you."
"I tried many times to visualise Revelation and was never able to. It's not until today that I have seen anyone capture even a fraction of the glory that is to come."
"Seeing it all together like this, and in a space like this is very moving. The art both shines and pierces. Truly mesmerising!"
"Inspiring, distressing and yet encouraging."
"These are far more than impressive paintings. They carry in them the Gospel message in full exposure and confrontation, delivering a loud call to remember, to contemplate, to self-evaluate and to bring about decision making."
"Words are not enough."
Poem by Stephanie Vilkner
Vision
The vision for this three part exhibition is to tour suitable venues where visitors can spend time with the paintings giving opportunity to experience God for themselves. Eventually the desire is for the exhibition to find a permanent display home.
All Scriptures taken from the New International Version unless otherwise stated.