of incense symbolizes the prayers of the faithful, and especially the holy sacrifice of the Mass offered to God through the ministry of the priesthood represented here, as elsewhere, by the angel. The altar of incense, and the altar of holocaust mentioned in vi, 9, probably symbolize Christ who offered Himself "a propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world," and is "always Irving to make intercession for us." [1]
5. The fire taken from the altar symbolizes the merits of Christ which give value to all our works and prayers, as the fire kindles the incense and sends forth its sweet perfumes. The fire is cast upon earth; in other words the merits of Christ are offered to the unfaithful who reject them and thus bring down the punishments of God, thunders, lightnings, and earthquakes. A similar punishment is predicted below in verse 7.
6. The seven angels preparing to sound their trumpets represent the bishops and priests of the Church going forth to preach the Gospel to every creature. Their voice shall resound through the world like a trumpet-blast. Christ said to His Apostles: "That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light; and that which you hear in the ear, preach ye upon the house-tops." [2]
7. Some will hearken to the voice of Christ in the
