16 April 2009

Legos: The perfect medium for the book of Revelation

It's impossible for a sane person to take the Book of Revelation seriously. But it can be a lot of fun to read -- especially when illustrated with legos.

The Reverend Brendan Powell Smith has begun to do stories from the book of Revelation. The first four are now available here.

What other medium could deal with this description of Jesus?

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword. Revelation 1:12-16

Here's the illustration from the Brick Testament.

Now that's what Jesus looks like!

Or used to, anyway. Jesus' appearance changes a bit toward the end of Revelation. By then he has tortured and killed billions of people. And you just can't do that without messing up your clothes a bit. So Jesus' gown is dripping with blood, but he still has the sword sticking out of his mouth.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Revelation 19:11-15

But I guess we'll have to wait to see the new lego Jesus with his clothes dripping in blood.

9 comments:

FrodoSaves said...

The macro lens and narrow depth of field really bring out the hatred in his eyes. Well done.

Also, he looks an awful lot like the abominable snowman. Who knew?

Therine said...

This is really too awesome. I believe that illustration just made my day.

Marc Henning said...

I am so grateful to you for pointing me in the direction of that website - haven't laughed so much in years and have to restrict myself to only 10 minutes per day. The book of Job is particularly to be recommended. Thank you!

PersonalFailure said...

I was going with Zeus after an odd incident involving Mars, Mercury, a bet and a lot of ambrosia, but, yeah, the snowman . . .

busterggi said...

Was jesus an albino before the resurrection or was that just a side effect?

Matthew Blanchette said...

Holy JEEZ!!!

Damn, that's even scarier than the Sasquatch/God picture you posted a while back... :S

Unknown said...

I'd laugh at the Book of Revelation (clearly the work of someone suffering from severe mental illness) if so many people didn't take it seriously.

Just like I'd laugh at the Qu'ran (also written by someone with severe mental illness) if so many people didn't take it seriously.

And yes, the Brick Testament rules.

200bunnies said...

I just stumbled across this blog post, and while it was written quite a while ago, I was hoping you wouldn't mind me leaving what I have to say anyway.

Firstly, very funny picture! If you were indeed taking this passage literally, it'd be quite ridiculous! Imagine trying to speak with a sword in your mouth, or walking around with glowing bronze for feet! It'd be awful.

I stumbled across this post because I'm prepping a talk on this very passage, and I was seeing if anyone had any funny pictures of it for an introduction, so thank you.

But seriously, the writer here isn't actually being an idiot. I'd give his writing credit even if I didn't believe it.

The robe and the sash are priestly garments, eluding to Christ's ultimate priest nature (check out the book of Hebrews) and the mysterious figure in Daniel chapter 10. The "albino" description of Jesus here (again, I'm not not appreciating your humour, it did make me smile) is showing his wisdom and purity, similar to the description of the Father in Daniel chapter 7. The eyes of blazing fire are not eyes of hatred, why would he be looking with hatred at someone to whom he says, "Do not be afraid"? Rather, I reckon John's referring to the fact that nothing is hidden from Jesus, he sees everything. The feet of bronze, I'll be honest, I'm less sure about, perhaps some kind of firm foundation? I'll look into it. The sound of the rushing waters is his power and strength, as is the sharp double-edged sword (Rev 19). His face is described as shining like the sun to reflect his glory and brilliance (Rev 21:23), and the stars and lampstands are explained in the passage.

I don't think John's insane, and you don't have to be insane to take Revelation seriously. To take it literally, perhaps, but it's symbolic, everything symbolises something else, and it was sent to Churches of Christians who needed hope and encouragement in the oppression and persecution of the Roman Empire against them, which John himself was suffering (Patmos was a prison exile colony) (check out what Tacitus has to say: ""Consequently, to get rid of the report, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class hated for their abominations, called Christians by the populace. Christus, from whom the name had its origin, suffered the extreme penalty during the reign of Tiberius at the hands of one of our procurators, Pontius Pilatus, and a most mischievous superstition, thus checked for the moment, again broke out not only in Judæa, the first source of the evil, but even in Rome, where all things hideous and shameful from every part of the world find their centre and become popular. Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacitus)

Feel free to disagree, just thought I'd offer a counter opinion.

All the best to you.

Unknown said...

Thank you for posting this explanation for them :)