. . . This wood cut (Plate 2.10) combines two visions, one in the sky, and another on the ground which supplement each other. As proof of their authenticity the text underneath the picture claims that they were simultaneously seen in several places in Germany. A large blood-red sun surrounded by three bunches of brushwood separates two armies, one clouds underneath a white cross, signifying the return of Christ, as pointed out by Luther in 1522, and a bier, serving as a ‘momento mori,’ while the bunches of brushwood serve as signs of divine punishments to come. Underneath the sun a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire unites the two visions. This chariot, similar to that which took the prophet Elijah up to heaven signifies not ony the return of the prophet, but also that the End is at hand. This interpretation is confirmed by the vision of the ground which depicts the return of Christ the Child announced by the cherub while young girl is confronted by Death equipped with a bow and arrow. The vision is then authenticated by the four burghers in the lower right-hand corner of the wood cut. ~ Page 82
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Dinesh said: