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Elandain β€” Heaven's Rebellion

Published: 2009-05-08 20:59:23 +0000 UTC; Views: 31901; Favourites: 563; Downloads: 341
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Description This is my entry for the Good vs. Evil contest by Wacom.

Painter X, Photoshop CS3
Wacom Intuos 3
About three weeks

"And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." Revelation 12:7-9

The prevalent worldview likes to blur the lines between good and evil, or even make them one in the same. Another view suggests that the universe requires both good and evil to maintain balance. But the war in heaven described in Revelation illustrates an important truth: good and evil are absolutes, and have been constantly at war from that point. But evil did not always exist. They are not co-dependent or symbiotic, and they are certainly not balanced. Good triumphed in the beginning, and will triumph again in the end.

C.S. Lewis spoke at length on the subject in several of his books. For proof that good and evil are not equal yet independent forces in a dualist universe, he cites the following conundrum, which I will paraphrase. In order for a dualist view of the universe to be correct, both good and evil must exist solely for the purpose of opposing one another; Good is good for its own sake, and evil is evil for its own sake. It is certainly possible for something to be good for the sake of being good. A mother's love for her child is good in a perfectly selfless way, and is dependent on nothing. But can something bad exist only for the sake of being bad? When we look at the motive for any crime, there is something good which is the goal of the evil action; money, power, safety, pleasure- these are all things which are inherently good, in themselves. The evil lies in pursuing them in the wrong methods or for the wrong reasons. In addition, the skills which allow a bad person to accomplish something evil are, in themselves, good; cunning, wit, strength, charisma.

Good can and does exist for its own sake. Evil is a parasite, and cannot exist without taking for its own things which are good. This is evidence that we live in a fallen world. What once was good and perfect is corrupted by the cancer of evil.

A tutorial of this piece can be found here: [link]
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Comments: 215

Shinseinasenshi [2015-04-18 19:57:19 +0000 UTC]

Amazing work. You've got another follower.

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GearArcana-No37 [2015-03-17 09:05:10 +0000 UTC]

This is awesome! Well done Elandain!

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aladd02 [2014-01-15 18:52:43 +0000 UTC]

Hey I really dig this image.Β  A College Christian Brotherhood I'm organizing at Shepherd University is looking for a cool image of Michael to use in ads and t-shirts. Would you mind if we use your image in any of this?Β  If not I understand.

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ijustlikehalo [2013-12-30 22:38:01 +0000 UTC]

From a christian perspective,the idea of Good and Evil being equals is quite nonsensical. Lucifer, Sama’el, Satan or Shayṭān is nothing more than a mere Archangel. Strong as he may have been he was unable to defeat the champion of Heaven, Micha'el. What chances would he have against God? Even the portrayals of The Fallen One are rather rampant. He is nevertheless still an angel, only that he’s locked in a dimension of pure pain and anguish. His Pride and Jealously are the things that keep him chained. There’s a chance he took the job as Tempter of Man specifically to speed up his sentence and be released for good behavior. He tempts men thus sending the sinners to Hell whilst delivering the Pure to Heaven. I don’t even associate the Fallen Angels with demons. For all we know Lucifer and his comrades could have started exterminating the vermin to make their sentence more enjoyable.

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sin-and-love In reply to ijustlikehalo [2015-03-11 17:37:18 +0000 UTC]

The idea that "Tempter of man" was a needed position placed on an angel by God is not a Christian doctrine.

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Red-Jirachi-2 [2013-09-15 07:45:16 +0000 UTC]

Absolutism is insanity.

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yoyonah [2013-08-11 05:23:11 +0000 UTC]

Very wonderful. I love it.

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SenpenBanka [2012-12-02 04:52:45 +0000 UTC]

I find this to be a very powerful piece. It is an excellent visualization of the point you are trying to make. I find it interesting how if one ignores the biblical implications, you see a rather evil-looking archangel attacking a comparatively innocent dragon while thousands of other angels watch on in silent complacency. Almost a statement of how people let injustices come to pass, simply waiting for someone else to stand up ("bystander syndrome") and how something seemingly benign can actually be a force of great evil. Whether or not this was your intention, I still enjoy the duality of the picture.

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dragonmaximus [2012-09-22 18:32:32 +0000 UTC]

bellissimo

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Red-Jirachi-2 [2012-07-15 23:42:06 +0000 UTC]

Good and evil are nothing compared to the majesty of creation

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TheBestIsaac [2012-07-14 22:17:12 +0000 UTC]

Great drawing!

You are truly blessed with great talent for drawing and wisdom. I really enjoyed reading you comment on the subject of good and evil and the discussions in the earlier comments. Really fun to see how only a biblical view on this subject is truly logical.

May God be glorified by you art and you writings!

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vika2 [2012-07-02 04:27:16 +0000 UTC]

good,but its will be great if michael more big and strong and hold a big sword

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Rocket377 [2012-06-20 22:22:36 +0000 UTC]

thats cool

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Tahuzilla [2012-05-22 17:37:41 +0000 UTC]

I don't really like this depiction of Michael, makes him look evil...

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ChildOfGod87 [2012-04-01 05:04:26 +0000 UTC]

beautifully done my friend.

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Brony4 [2012-03-28 23:32:57 +0000 UTC]

My friend you are wise, are rare quality. Prepare yourself for the battle a head. For Satan will lead his army againist heaven after the revelation. All creation will go to war and be drafted, one last time. I hope to see you on the battlefield my brother.

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EuropeanCar650 [2012-01-25 05:57:41 +0000 UTC]

Very good! You should do more of these!

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NanaCasas [2012-01-24 02:34:19 +0000 UTC]

This is a very cool visual on the spiritual warfare that goes on all around us, even though we can't see it! And although this is a representation of Revelation 12:7-9, it certainly can represent present day warfare in the spiritual realm. It is time for Christians to wake up from their complacent slumber and take a stand against the enemy whenever, and wherever the opportunity arises. We don't need to be afraid if we are walking in the Lord's footsteps, and rely on His word for guidance. Plus, it is a good thing if we have a support system of prayer warriors who will stand with us. Believers need to be ready at all times.

Okay, I'm off of my soap box now. You did a fine job on this piece. I like it! :0)

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PsychoticGenesis [2012-01-22 04:25:02 +0000 UTC]

This is beautiful! Is it bad that I'm a Christian, yet I love to draw dragons? :<

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Tahuzilla In reply to PsychoticGenesis [2012-05-22 17:38:05 +0000 UTC]

Not at all.

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PsychoticGenesis In reply to Tahuzilla [2012-08-10 02:31:18 +0000 UTC]

I hope so.. but ever since I started reading revelations, I always think of the evil one whenever I draw a lizard or a dragon Dx

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sin-and-love In reply to PsychoticGenesis [2015-03-11 17:39:16 +0000 UTC]

Try to imagine him before his fall. I imagine that he was a beautiful and regal Chinese dragon. Hence "the serpent."

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Tahuzilla In reply to PsychoticGenesis [2012-08-22 13:15:08 +0000 UTC]

xD Me too, Lol.

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Errational [2011-11-28 06:22:36 +0000 UTC]

Love. It. And I love the fact that I found someone who believes the same I do. Thank you for making my night.

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HellIncorporated [2011-11-14 05:09:54 +0000 UTC]

Hi, I'd like to ask permission to feature your excellent work, with credit and link, on an upcoming page of my website, which will be titled "Battle in Heaven" and feature works on that theme.

www.HellIncorporated.com

Please let me know! Thanks!

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CptnEdge [2011-10-24 22:08:55 +0000 UTC]

Love it

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Txt2monkey [2011-10-21 11:31:17 +0000 UTC]

Verry good image and i wholeheartedly agree with you...nice verse for this image

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XxforbiddenartistxX [2011-10-13 00:21:36 +0000 UTC]

YES.






--I found a dollar!

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NakaseArt [2011-08-17 00:56:07 +0000 UTC]

This is being sold here: [link]

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KaizokuShojo [2011-08-12 04:43:33 +0000 UTC]

This really looks great.

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thunder7 [2011-07-02 02:41:16 +0000 UTC]

Very cool, Wish I could draw like this, gives me some to strive for

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theFIERCEwarriorCAT [2011-06-25 05:45:39 +0000 UTC]

cool ^^ and interesting

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Donlvir [2011-05-14 16:13:37 +0000 UTC]

Evil...is a matter of perspective. Of observation and opinion.

Nothing more. To me, for example, your angel looks more evil, bloody and wrathful than the dragon.

Evil is evil for it's own sake. Goodness is good for it's own sake. Evil corrupts the good, but why can goodness not corrupt evil? Answer? It can.

Maybe, the goodness is a cancer?

Personally I don't believe in stereotypical 'good' and 'bad' figures, like God or Satan.


I believe in Man. For the best are between vice and virtue.

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Elandain In reply to Donlvir [2011-05-14 19:43:51 +0000 UTC]

And what evidence, logical or otherwise, do you have to support this?

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Sweetheart-Samantha [2011-03-13 16:43:48 +0000 UTC]

this is beautifully done

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Hydraman123 [2011-03-06 20:18:16 +0000 UTC]

awesome! i also like that concept of the relationship of good and evil. what is it called, the belief that good and evil are not symbiotic?
this really contradicts with the yin-yang concept, at least on the basis of good and evil's relationship

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Elandain In reply to Hydraman123 [2011-03-08 14:30:57 +0000 UTC]

I don't know if it has its own name, but the concept accompanies most kinds of theism. Thanks for the comments!

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Rafael-Domination [2011-02-08 06:18:44 +0000 UTC]

"They are not co-dependent or symbiotic, and they are certainly not balanced. Good triumphed in the beginning, and will triumph again in the end."

I like that. Only in the realm of fiction are the force of evil a match for the forces of good. If it that wasn't so, there would be no drama, no sense of intensity or risk. You have an awesome way of thinking that goes well with your awesome skills.

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Elandain In reply to Rafael-Domination [2011-02-08 13:03:26 +0000 UTC]

Thanks very much, I appreciate it.

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Rafael-Domination In reply to Elandain [2011-02-09 10:39:32 +0000 UTC]

Very welcome, you are.

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1illustratinglady [2011-01-16 17:39:53 +0000 UTC]

I featured this very powerful artwork in my journal this week!!

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Elandain In reply to 1illustratinglady [2011-01-18 13:24:24 +0000 UTC]

Thanks!

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1illustratinglady In reply to Elandain [2011-01-19 06:18:45 +0000 UTC]

You are welcome!!

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cereal-in-a-bowl [2010-12-13 16:12:17 +0000 UTC]

Wow....what an awesome way of depicting Saint Michael the archangel...

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InkOfTime [2010-11-06 08:40:13 +0000 UTC]

Not only is it a moving, powerful image, but once I read the artists comments, I just knew I had to add this to my favorites. Thank you so much for sharing both your art and your thoughtful, truthful words.

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Elandain In reply to InkOfTime [2010-11-09 15:57:35 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for reading it!

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Mimi7789 [2010-09-15 02:51:21 +0000 UTC]

Nice job.
Keep ip up and God bless.

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olymbos01 [2010-08-28 12:41:18 +0000 UTC]

Amazing piece executing Revelation perfectly.

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Ashen-Burn [2010-08-18 00:58:51 +0000 UTC]

This is awesome. I am speechless.

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Elandain In reply to Ashen-Burn [2010-08-18 16:44:07 +0000 UTC]

Thank you!

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