St Bernards High Altar
St Bernards Church- Catholic
page 16
The Apocalyptic Christ - Our Eternal Priest, Prophet & King
The author of the Book of Revelation or Apocalypse
uses images to suggest Christ's universal power (seven horns) and knowledge
(seven eyes). Another significant feature of apocalyptic writing is
the use of symbolic colors (1, 13-16) and numbers (four signifies the world;
six, imperfections; seven, totality or perfection; twelve, Israel's tribes
or the 12 Apostles; thousand, immensity).
This picture was a creation of a Benedictine Monk
in Germany with its setting from the Apocalypse Chapter 5, 4-10.
"I wept bitterly because no one in heaven
or on earth or under the earth could be found to open the scroll (book) or
examine its contents. One of the elders said to me:" Do not weep. The Lion
of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David (messianic titles applied to Christ)
has won the right by his victory to open the scroll with its seven seals
(ribbons) - Then, I saw a Lamb standing, a Lamb that had been slain. The
lamb came and received the scroll from the right hand of the One who sat
on the throne. This new hymn was sung:
Worthy are you to receive the scroll and break
open its seals, for you were slain. With your blood you purchased for God
men of every race and tongue, of every people and nation. You made
them a kingdom, and priests to serve our God, and they shall reign on the
earth".
Starting from bottom of picture: - from Right to
Left -
1st Angel holding plaque of eagle - Eagle is a
symbol of St. John the Apostle who begins his gospel with the words"
In the beginning was the Word - and the Word was God". Our Lord Jesus Christ
is God.
The scroll or book is a symbol of God's plan to
be carried out only by the Lamb, Jesus Christ His Son.
The Lamb of God standing on the book of seven seals
with the banner of victory is the risen Christ.
The 2nd Angel holding plaque of pelican feeding
her young with her blood symbolizes Christ who gave & gives us the Merits
of his blood through the seven sacraments.
Angel holding -"Veronica's veil"' - shows us His
appreciation of Little Things done for Him on his road to Calvary.
Our Lord as the "Son of Man wearing an ankle-length
robe" verifies His Priesthood (EX. 28. 4).
The seven crosses on the robe symbolizes the perfection
of His Priesthood on the Cross & in the Mass.
The crown on His Head is indicative of His Kingship
as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords - Rev. 19, 16".
The seven doves around His Head suggests the fullness
and completeness of His gifts to man through the Holy Spirit.
The Angel holding the "INRI" plaque is also telling
us who He is on the Cross, just as Pilate would have it: "Jesus of Nazareth
King of the Jews".
The six angels - three on each side - holding the
instruments of His crucifixion in their hands show how God in His Divine
Providence uses the imperfections of Man to accomplish His Will.
Centennial Dinner Aug 31, 1975.
Go to Page 17 of St Bernard's, Page
18 of Mining for Souls.
Back to Page 15 of St. Bernard's
Back to Page 1 of St. Bernard's
Go to Page 1 of Mining for Souls.(cover
page)
Go to Page 1 of The History
of Lyon Mountain.
Rod Bigelow
Box 13 Chazy Lake
Dannemora, N.Y. 12929
rodbigelow@netzero.net 
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