The Revelation of St. John (1558) - Page 4

Aa ii
This is a "signature mark," used by early printers to ensure the pages were folded and bound in the correct order.

John saw one among seven candlesticks, having in his right hand seven stars, in his mouth a sword, and a face like the sun. Revelation 1.
original Latin: "Ioānes uidit quendam inter ſeptem candelabra, habentem in dextera ſeptem ſtellas, in ore gladium, faciem ſicut ſol. Apocal.1."

John saw one among seven candlesticks, who had seven stars in his right hand, a sword in his mouth, and a face like the sun. Revelation 1.
original German: "Johannes ſahe einen vnder ſiben leuchtern / der het ſiben ſtern an der rechten handt / ein ſchwerdt im mund / ein angeſicht als die Sonn. Apoc. 1."

This page features a prominent woodcut illustration of the "Vision of the Son of Man."

In the image, the Apostle John kneels in the foreground, looking up in terror and awe. Above him stands a celestial figure described in the text. Key symbols include:

Seven Candlesticks: Representing the seven early Christian churches of Asia Minor.
Seven Stars: Held in the figure's right hand, symbolizing the "angels" or leaders of those churches.
The Sword: A double-edged sword emerges from the figure's mouth, representing the power of the Word of God or divine judgment.
The Radiant Face: The figure’s face shines like the sun, emphasizing his divine nature.

This specific woodcut style is typical of the Frankfurt school of illustrators working for the Egenolff press, characterized by dense hatching and dramatic composition.