Oil From the Throne

 

On September 5, 2021, during Sunday worship I had this impression that Jesus was walking down the aisle by me with a lion at his side.  I began working on this painting.  I never know quite what will happen when I paint.  I thought the lion I was to paint would be majestic and wise looking but the lion instead was youthful, with eyes of anticipation.   I knew the painting wasn’t finished so I kept seeking Holy Spirit for what belonged in the fore ground.  The following week in Sunday worship I had the impression that Jesus was handing me a container of oil.  As I pondered many ways to depict oil in this painting an ancient oil lamp settled into my spirit.  This painting was emerging during the Jewish feasts of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.  

I sent this painting out to my tribe, Incense Rising to see if they had any insight as to the meaning of this painting.  I certainly had my thoughts but I knew the richness of God’s voice often emerges when we seek Him as a team.

Debra Hess, our tribe’s pastoral overseer wrote to me the following:

I love this painting.  When I looked at the lamp the phrase that came to mind was “bright and shining lamp,” which is reference to John the Baptist.  Not sure why that would be the case, other than He prepared the way for the coming of Yeshua.”

The same day Len Douglas writes, “As I was pondering this, I was led to purchase a replica clay oil lamp from this time period.  I was wondering how a clay oil lamp worked.  They are very fragile but functional.”

Later he wrote, “So here’s how an oil lamp works:  The mechanism is simple.  An absorbent wick transports liquid fuel that is consumed by the flame.  The job of the wick is to transport the fuel from the container to the flame.  Capillary action draws the liquid fuel up the wick, which prevents the wick from burning up; the flame actually burns just above the wick’s surface.

Here is the song that I’m hearing from your painting.

Oil From The Throne

Jesus is among us, with oil from the throne
Jesus is among us, with oil from the throne
Jesus is among us, with oil from the throne
Jesus is among us, with oil from the throne

The Lion is among us, with oil from the throne
The Lion is among us, with oil from the throne
The Lion is among us, with oil from the throne
The Lion is among us, with oil from the throne

Fill our lamps with oil, oil from the throne
We draw your holy oil, as we repent and atone
Ignite our flame above and let us burn so bright
Light of the world, in the darkness of night

So it goes with our tribe; I sent additional lyrics back, Len sent a chord chart and I recorded what came out of it all.

Why am I sharing all of this with you?

God speaks to us is unique ways, through visions, dreams, impressions, words, musical interludes, visual arts and countless others ways.   When these expressions are united with His Holy Word they weave His love, intent and destiny into our souls.   When we share His creative expression in us with others He triggers a cascade of revelation that alone we would never have seen.   This is the beauty and intent of the prophetic arts He gives.   It is a mixing of the anointing oil in His people which is His substance given from His heavenly realm.

The song leads us into the Jewish feast of Sukkot, Feast of Tabernacles.  This is a time that God dwelled with His people following the day of Atonement, Yom Kippur.  It was is a time of rest, feasting and spending time with God, delighting in His presence and His love.

How fitting are these lyrics for this season.  

“Jesus is among us with oil from the throne.”

We hope a little back story on this song encourages you on your journey.