Image of Momentary and Lasting Sorrow and Joy

Top Title: Image of the Temporal and Eternal Sorrow and Joy

On the Cross: Jesus says I am the way, the truth, the life.

On right-side cloud: There is a river of life, on the two sides of the river there is the tree of life, whose leaves can heal all people

On left-side cloud: Because he waits for the city built on a foundation, which is built by God.

Right Couplet: Look closely at the world’s sorrows and joys, the people of glory eventually return to sorrow.

Left Couplet: Look up at heaven’s joy and blessings, only through relying on Jesus will one receive eternal salvation.

Description: The drawings in this image express a two-pronged message in the Christian Bible. As the Apostle Paul said, “what is seen is transient, what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18), this image is divided into two levels with a cross in between. The lower half of the picture shows a crumbling fortress, indicating that although a fortress is built strong, one day it will fall (Hebrews 13:14, and 11:10). Under the foot of the fortress lies a coffin, which symbolizes the mortality of all humans on earth (Psalms 90:10, Job 14:10). The old woman with a walking stick coming out of the city gates and the elderly man sitting under the tree symbolize that all humans energy is weak (Acts 12:3-6). The decaying trees and falling branches symbolize the trees withering away (Ezekiel 31, Daniel 4:4-27). The little graves on top of the hill symbolize the fact that human flesh will one day return to the earth (Matthew 16:26, 1 John 2:7, Acts 12:7, Hebrews 9:27, John 5:28-29, Daniel 12:20). The house on fire in the middle of the woods reminds that disasters happen when people are not paying attention (Proverbs 27:1, James 4:13-14). What is written above reminds us that all that we see, all that we have made, and all that we are do not last. If all created things do not last, how can we on earth inherit eternal blessings? According to the Christian Bible, the Lord Jesus can grant eternal life to all who believe in Him. As a result, the center of this painting features a cross, indicating that all can gain eternal life through the works of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross (John 5:24, 637-40). Beside the cross there is a bridge. The paths next to the bridge symbolize people’s repentance and faith (Acts 20:21). The cross reaches high into the clouds, which means that the Lord Jesus’ cross will unite heaven and earth. The city gate in the upper half of the picture refer to the gates of Heaven (Hebrews 11:16, Revelation 22:14 and 21:27). There are many people entering the gates of Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Revelation 7:13-14). On top of a hill in the midst of the city is a throne, and the cross and the crown above the throne symbolize the Lord Jesus’ victory over death, having the power to grant eternal life (Revelation 21:4-5). The rays of light emanating from the throne indicate Jesus’ glorious light (Revelations 4:2-3 and 21:23). The river that flows from the throne symbolizes the river of life, the trees beside the river are the medicine for souls, and the houses next to it are the eternal homes of peace (Revelation 22:1-2, John 14:2, Revelation 7:16-17). Looked at in this way, the upper level depicts the heavenly blessing that will never fail or wither away.

Bottom Inscription: Cat. No. 1016 “The Temporal and the Eternal” by Mrs. W.G. Davis, Printed by Shanghai Business Printing Press, Published by The Religious Tract Society, Hankow & Shanghai; Hankou Poyang Street, Shanghai Yuanmingyuan Rd; Published by the Religious Tract Society