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In this Rembrandt etching we have a very controversial image indeed.
Some scholars have named it “Dr. Faustus”, since it illustrates
a scholarly individual immersed in his laboratory with a small book
(of secrets?) a globe of the world and the appearance in mid air of
an “occultic” or mysterious hand pointing to some arcane
information in mid air.
I believe instead of the Faustian interpretation, we have an alchemist
at work. Not just an alchemist but a “Christian” alchemist,
because of the nature of the symbols themselves. The letters "INRI"
are initials for the Latin title that Pontius Pilate had written over
the head of Jesus
Christ on the cross (John 19:19). Latin was the official language of
the Roman Empire./p>
The words were "Iesvs Nazarenvs Rex Ivdaeorvm. "Latin uses
"I" instead of the English "J", and "V"
instead of "U" (i.e., Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum). The
English translation is "Jesus of Nazareth, the
King of the Jews."
The Early Church adopted the first letters of each word of this inscription
"INRI" as a symbol. Throughout the centuries INRI has appeared
in many paintings of the crucifixion.
By the way, Pilate's title for Christ was actually written in three
languages.
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was,
JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was
crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek,
and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, "Write
not, 'The King of the Jews;' but that he said, 'I am King of the Jews'."
Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written."-John
19:19-22 (KJV)
I also have taken the liberty to replace Rembrandts etched skull in
the background with the crystal skull, and the book and the emblem in
mid air I have added fire my favorite subject. The fire of burning the
gross elements of our human nature away to be replaced by the gold of
our God given Spirit, by way of the alchemical processes by the actions
of the Holy Spirit.
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