The One sitting on the throne is Jesus Christ with the markings of the wounds of the cross on His hands. He is carrying the world in His left hand meaning He is the Pantocrator—the controller of everyone and everything including kings, nations, armies, nature, earth, and the universe. The cross at the top of the world signifies Christ blessing the world with His salvation and His love of man (see John 3:16).

The golden scepter in Jesus’ right hand means He is the King and Ruler and has the power to put one to death or to extend the scepter that one may live (see Esther 4:11; 5:2). He is the One Who came to us to tell us about the Father, to save us from our sins, and to judge everyone according to his or her deeds.

The book on His lap is the scroll that was sealed and no one could open except the Lamb (see Revelation 5:1-10). Christ is the One who holds the keys of Hades and of death (see Revelation 1:18). He is the Judge Who saved the world through His sacrifice, and therefore, the only One Who can judge the world. The book represents the book of life (see Revelation 20:12) and is open meaning God knows everything. In the open book are words written in Greek that are pronounced “EGO EIMI” meaning “I AM OF MY OWN DOING” or “MY EXISTENCE IS OF MY OWN DOING.” In Arabic it translates to “ANA KAEN BEZATEE.” On the same page are the words written in Greek, “I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA” which means “I AM THE BEGINNING AND THE END, THE FIRST AND THE LAST” (see Revelation 1:8, 17).

The three words at the bottom of the artwork in Greek and are “HOLY” “HOLY” “HOLY” (see Revelation 4:8).

Surrounding Jesus Christ, the Pantocrator sitting on a throne, are four living creatures: a man, an eagle, a lion, and a calf. The man represents the Incarnate God as the Son of Man. The calf represents His crucifixion. The lion represents His resurrection. And the eagle represents His ascension to His throne as the Father, the King of kings.

In the outer area are twenty-four elders clothed in white garments with their golden crowns laid at their feet (see Revelation 4:4). The picture shows seventeen of the twenty-four elders who represent the priesthood of the Old and the New Testaments—the twelve tribes of Israel from the Old Testament and the twelve disciples from the New Testament. Together the twenty-four represent all those who are at the service of God worshiping and giving Him glory for all of His work towards mankind. The golden bowls of incense represent the prayers of the saints for the whole world and their praising of the Lord (see Revelation 5:8). The 12 elders on each side signify Christ at the center or the bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the proof that God exists.

The artist and iconographer is George Edward. George was born in El Minia, Egypt in 1961. He graduated from El Minia University in 1983 with a BSc degree in Science and Education. He developed his specific love for illustrations and found great interest in Coptic Iconography (Coptic Church paintings). George essentially followed the footsteps of his grandfather in scripting church books by hand when the printing press was not readily available. He drew icons for churches in Egypt, Europe, and the United States before he finally immigrated to the U.S. under special request by churches in the United States. His paintings fulfilled the Coptic congregations’ desire to have artwork in their newly built churches in the States that closely resembled that of their mother churches in Egypt. George’s artwork was found to be more touching in reflecting the Coptic culture and heritage than traditional artwork. This painting is among his best art.

I have known George Edward for nearly ten years. The first time I came across his paintings, I knew he was heading for a great future as an iconographer. The style of his paintings brings into perspective a personal sense of interaction with the image. For example, he painted the face and eyes of Jesus in such a way that you feel He is looking directly at you and you can almost feel His touch. George has a unique talent in perceiving biblical events and personalities and transferring them into icons. His contribution to the field of iconography in the Coptic Church will be enjoyed for generations to come. I won’t be surprised if one day he is called the Michelangelo of the Coptic Heritage.