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Verse:But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. —2 Peter 3:13, NIV
Images produce long-lasting memories that time cannot erase.
A Chinese proverb says, “Hearing something a hundred times isn’t better than seeing it once.” A popular English saying adds, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Based on this principle, over the years, Adventist artists have portrayed many crucial elements of the plan of salvation. One of the most insightful and inspiring collections of such pictures is the Eden to Eden art gallery in the main lobby of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists headquarters. Dedicated on April 12, 2015, the display has more than seventy paintings by various artists. The lower lobby has several pieces related to the Old Testament period. The art in the upper lobby and its hallway portrays the New Testament era. And the atrium displays images of the redeemed in the heavenly courts.
The whole exhibit reaches its climax with Nathan Greene’s original painting, The Blessed Hope, an amazing portrayal of Christ’s second coming.
Each painting carries a meaningful visual message, but the whole thematic sequence illustrates that we are now on the very border of eternity.
The Eden to Eden exhibit is a microcosmic representation of the plan of salvation, which will receive an unprecedented macrocosmic display at the end of the millennium when the New Jerusalem and God’s throne will be on this earth (Revelation 21:1–3). Ellen White describes the scene: Above the throne is revealed the cross; and like a panoramic view appear the scenes of Adam’s temptation and fall, and the successive steps in the great plan of redemption... The awful spectacle appears just as it was.
Satan, his angels, and his subjects have no power to turn from the picture of their own work. Each actor recalls the part which he performed.
Human history is coming to its end, and each of us is an actor on the stage of life. According to God’s plan, everything is in place for our salvation.
And now heaven and earth are carefully watching our performance (1 Corinthians 4:9; Hebrews 12:1, 2). May you and I faithfully persevere on our journey to the restored Eden. Please, don’t allow anything or anyone to distract you from this goal!