Angels And Sheep

I cut this down from an old Easter or Resurrection Day, if your prefer. Three angels and a pair of lambs, likely from the 1920′ s or even before. Photographers still make pictures with lambs, I once saw a sign, at a studio, nearby. What a sweet way to capture the season and make us think of ourselves as His sheep and He, the Good Shepherd.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:10,11.

The Bible mentions sheep often, and while the Lord is our shepherd, He uses angels to help us stay in the fold as sheep have a tendency to stray. Let’s be sure follow Him and let His goodness and mercy follow us.

Have a blessed Palm Sunday, and Resurrection Day!

 

Awakening

1angelawake004

This piece is entitled ” The Great Awakening ” from 1897,  by Herbert Schmalz, this one features a beautiful woman wearing a Grecian style dress, her hand is being held buy a tall  angel. Some think it is a guardian angel welcoming her to heaven.

I tend to agree that it is more likely a representation of the angel of death, in which case, I believe she would pass on by him and go with the Lord and other angels. It does give one pause to think about the eternal consequences of our decisions on earth.

Some say the angel is Azrael, the angel of death from Islam and thee are Rabbinic writing with that name in Judaism, but not necessarily clarifying that. As a believer in Christ, I know the death of a saint, anyone who passes in Him, is sacred to Him and I do believe that He cones for you and probably angels as well. And they won’t look like this, fear is not the Lord’s way, reverence is. Here is the painting in color, a very Victorian image.

GreatAwakening-Schmalz-L

 

Angelic Artwork

(detail) King David, 1878. Oil on canvas. Gustave Moreau (1826-1898) Hammer Museum

What a glorious angel in red and gold, another detail but nonetheless striking Seated and with a wonderful halo. What is this angel there for? To drive away spirits from Saul or perhaps guard the king’s palace? Angels do not have fear, demons do.

Angels move in and out of the pages of the Bible and are powerful and also minister, they bring messages and orders from God. They are commanded to carry out His orders and to protect His people, but sometimes we fail to listen to warning or even neglect our walk with God.

Let’s look at the full painting.

Olive Branch Angel

angel-holding-an-olive-branch-1480 Hans Memling

Isn’t this a fabulous angel holding the olive branch that represents peace. The painting is by German artist Hans Memling, you may be familiar with his painting of Christ’s face on the napkin in the painting of St. Veronica.

In a world that needs His peace, John 14:27, that is a promise from Christ Himself, we often settle for a false sense of peace. The world and its leaders need prayer, I believe there will be a lot going on, including war, possibly the Rapture, before there is a false peace declared and Jesus returns.

Rebecca Jones