What do Christian Bale, Britney Spears and Jesus all have in common? Read on to find out.
Shortly after I got saved, I was hanging with a bunch of friends at a Denny’s restaurant late at night, something that was quite common for us. Sitting with my (future) wife and I, was a friend of a friend of ours that had attended the Ringling College of Art and Design. Right before we left, she used a Sharpie to make a quick drawing on a napkin. It was an expressive line drawing of a crucified Jesus with the caption “No Nails Next Time!” I always thought it would make a cool shirt, and 20 years later I still have that napkin. When I first read it, the quote struck me as interesting and different. I don’t remember what she might have meant by it, but to me it means that Jesus came as a meek and mild man and was crucified, but the next time He would return as a triumphant king bringing judgment.
For years I have kept that quote rolling around in my head. Finally one day at work I made a doodle showing the face of Christ with a sword coming out of it based on Revelations 19:15 [show] From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. (ESV)
, another image that had stuck in my head since I was a young kid at Westminster Academy. I tried working on the drawing to bring it to life, but alas, that is not one of my strong suits. Eventually I decided to build it from images I could readily use and go from there to the finished design.
So where does this bring in Christian Bale and Britney Spears? Christian Bale is the foundation of the artwork as the screaming face. Britney Spears was the long flowing locks as well as the beard. Here is a mock-up of the shirt as well as the artwork so far. Click on either picture to see a larger version.
Revelations 19:11-16 (NASB)
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. 12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself. 13 He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. 15 From His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty. 16 And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”