"I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." By persecuting the Church, Christ's members upon earth, Paul has been persecuting Christ himself. The figures surrounding Christ centripetally, like spokes of a wheel, represent the persecuted Church; for even while they are pilgrims upon the earth they are citizens of heaven. A bolt from heaven explodes upon earth, sending Paul's entourage scattering. Paul is clothed in green and rose -- colors of spring, of rebirth.