POWER OF SYMBOLS
(Hebrews 1: God spoke in many and varied ways....) God of imagery and spectacle: pillar of cloud/fire, parting of the Red Sea, fallen walls of Jericho, chariots of fire, the cross, the communion, star of Bethlehem, rainbow
SYMBOLS AS KINGDOM LANGUAGE
IMAGES COMMUNICATE through the eye-gate, bypass the abstract of intellect
Symbols allow spirit to communicate to flesh
SPIRIT TO SPIRIT Communication can happen without understanding. Virtue can be transmitted (healing-Paul's handkerchief, woman/blood-hem of garment)
IMAGE-the concrete picture(literal) Ex. water-wet substance, river, ocean, rain (Moses-rock)
SYMBOL- positive/negative, connotations associations and significance Ex. water (woman at well-salvation : wouldn't have the meaning with out literal life-giving properties of water)
METAPHORE-comparison (I Cor 3:6)Paul: I plant, Apollos watered/ figurative "planting")
SIMILE- uses "like or as" to make comparison: (Prov.25:25 "Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.")
TYPES: symbol that prefigures a personality: serpent on pole (the cross), incense altar (Christ as intercessor), Abraham's ram (Christ as Atoner), goat (sin-bearer) , cherubim & mercy seat (the Godhead), David (type of Christ as shepherd-king), Boaz (kinsman-redeemer)
ARCHETYPES: patterns, the universal elements of human existance. It is either an image, a plot-motif, or a character type.
Negative-PositiveArchetypes: angels-demons, bride-harlot, hero-villain, feast-famine, covenant-abandonment, kingdom gov't-anarchy,kings robe-filthy garment, strength-deformity, olive tree-thorn tree, palace-dungeon, jewels-rocks or dirt, day-night, harmony-cacaphony, ascent-descent, straight-crooked, advancing-retreating
USING SYMBOLIC LANGUAGE
COLORS (GEMS, METALS) speak truths (examples ?)
NUMBERS confirm truth (Hebrew letters have numbers assigned...) (examples ?)
acrostics--153 fish numbers of God's name--to confirm His presence
(bells on Yeshua banner--cube of 3--His perfect priesthood)
MATERIALS - Kingdom espressed in rich fabrics: silk, brocades, velvets, jewels
IN MOVEMENT & DRAMA
Gestures
breathing: impart life, clapping-victory, lifted hand-vow,honor; hand on head-blessing; kneeling-worship, homage; walking-advancing, progress; pointing finger-scorn
Tableaus: worship at throne (Rev.4), crucifixion, coming for Bride Scenarios:
Motifs or patterns (meeting of intended, clothing, conflict and
resolution, reversal --enemy overthown, youngest over
firstborn
Conventions (recurring things in motifs such as betrothal, at a well, going to the father, etc.)
IN ART
Banners:
layers of meaning, build on single focus (Living Word)
truth in images, design (includes shape) and colors
message also from movement, sound, smell
Flags:
simple images, fire, water, oil, wind, glory, blood, wine,
single concepts: glory, royalty, holiness,
Icon painting: images of eternal truth for meditation & impartation
said to be done under an anointing
IN GARMENTS
Dancer as "banner" (you yourselves are our letter...known and read byeveryone.... 2Cor. 3:2) Not only movements, but life and
appearance speak
Garments used prophetically can symbolically represent states of
being
Virtues : holiness (white), glory(gold) , royalty(purple), truth (silver) strength(armour), joy (favor-many colors)
Anti-virtues (vices: sin (red or black), brokeness, poverty (torn,dirty), mourning (black, shrouded), bondage
chains
Work of the HS: grace (blue, dove), maturity (olive tree,
dk.green)new life(green-new growth or
butterfly-metamorphosis), purification(fire motif)
Scriptural characters: Bride of Christ, shepherd-king, Pharoah (enemy) Moses, Israel, harlot, beggar,
OBJECTS
Word expressed in physical forms
Sword, crown, torah, shofar, scepter, cross, tabernacle furniture
Tallit, rose or lily, water jar
IN ENVIRONMENT
Build a physical "habitation" tabernacle/temple model
Concepts of symmetry
Central focus that leads to God
Objects for meditation
Theory of light alteration (stained glass windows)
IN PAGEANTRY
All the elements of the visual come together here, movement,
garments, environment, banners flags and holy objects.
1. celebration and rejoicing
2. portayals of biblical events
3. scenes of prophetic events
4. proclamation of truth and the character of God and His kingdom
5. a model of intercession
6. a picture of the army of God
7. a model of the worship of heaven
CONCLUSION: Power, anointing reside in the Word of God. Expression of the Word of God must be the first requirement in choice of symbolic images. Sentimental and nostalgic images will move the emotions, but not reach the spirit. In the sense that the Word is made flesh in us, the power and anointing also reside within us. In our actions and portrayals, we walk out the scriptural imagery that imparts truth. To speak things of eternal significance, the Word of Truth must be communicated in the language of the Scriptures. To operate in the Kingdom, you must use the language , concepts, and models of the Kingdom.
