The St. John's Bible-Vision of the New Jerusalem

Vision of the New Jerusalem, 2011

Revelation 21:16-27

Donald Jackson

Scribe: Donald Jackson

Vellum, with ink, paint and gold

"The last chapters of Revelation 

bring God's creation full circle 

with many allusions to the first chapters in Genesis.

 These final passages provide hope in the face

 of all the misery so far described in the book. 

Unlike much of the other apocalyptic 

literature of its day,

 revelations does not swell on destruction. 

Rather it focuses on fulfillment 

and redemption of creation 

by describing the heavenly Jerusalem, 

constructed in perfect measurements, 

adorned with precious stones, 

and paved in gold. 

All evil, pain and death are banished

 by the eternal goodness of God. 

There is no sun or moon, 

for the divine light will shine eternally.

In the Saint John's Bible, the New Jerusalem 

is reminiscent for the temple 

described by the prophet, Ezekiel. 

Golden ribbons double up as rivers or canals, 

descending from the throne, the source of light,

 and nurturing the Tree of Life on the far right. 

The repetition of the number twelve-

 twelve pearls, twelve gates, twelve fruits on the tree-

emphasizes perfection as it calls to mind 

the foundation of the Church in the twelve apostles.

On June 18, 2011, Donald and Mabel Jackson 

presented this illumination to the community

 of Saint John's Abbey and University 

in the great Abbey Church on the Collegeville campus.

 Abbot John Klassen,  

and Fr. Robert Koopmann, 

 president of Saint John's University, 

placed the folio on the Abbey Church altar

 and burnished two gold Benedictine crosses

 (seen on the lower right corner of the folio)

 marking this last folio with a symbol of its new home,

 thus bringing the 15-year creation phase

 of the Saint John's Bible to a celebratory close."

Thus ends the sharing of the photos

 from our trip to see the Saint John's Bible,

 in Dover, Delaware at the Biggs Museum.

Biggs Museum

On this blog I have shared 

a piece of the exhibited work.

What an appreciation 

I have for this amazing work

 by this collection of artists. 

Illuminated journaling in the margins,

telling a piece of the story visually,

to Bring Him Glory.

 The study of this work 

gives me encouragement to continue

 Bible Journaling- 

the journey in the margins of my Bible.