signs in the stars

7/31/2019 Signs in the Stars

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During the design and construction of the universe God determined that clocks andcalendars would be based on the motion of the moon, the earth, the planets and otherobjects in the heavens.

And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to separate theday from the night; and let them be for signs ('oth, markers, indicators) and forseasons (moadhim, "solemn assembly") and for days and years, and let them belights in the firmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth." And it was so.And God made the two great lights, the greater light to rule the day, and thelesser light to rule the night; he made the stars also. And God set them in thefirmament of the heavens to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day andover the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that itwas good. And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day. (Genesis1:14-19)

"Dynamical" time is to this day measured in terms of the rotational period of theearth on its axis, the month is basically a lunar cycle and the year an orbital period ofthe earth's motion around the sun. In Newtonian physics these clock rates depend onthe mass of the objects involved, the gravitational constant, G, the size and separationdistance of various bodies and any initial momentum imparted to them duringcreation week. Atomic time (the rate of radioactive decay processes, or the internalperiods of motions within the nucleus), is the standard clock of modern science.Atomic time and dynamical time are probably not running in lock step, theproportionality constant being c, the velocity of light, which experimental data

Signs in the Stars?

By Lambert DolphinMalcolm Bowden, Barry Setterfield and Helen Fryman

Page 1 of 34Signs in the Stars?

5/24/2012http://www.ldolphin.org/zodiac/index.html


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suggests is not a fixed constant as G is. God's clocks and calendars (as far as historyis concerned) run on dynamical time not atomic time.

The sun (a type of Christ) rules the day on earth, and the moon (type of the church)rules the night (of Christ's visible absence from among us). Special stars (the Star ofBethlehem being one example), comets, meteors, super novas, eclipses, and thealignments of the planets may in some cases have been intended by our Creator tomark special seasons of history on our planet. The feasts of the Jewish lunar calendaryear most certainly were intended to be teaching tools pointing to the redemptivehistory of Israel. (2)

Were the positions of the constellations and the alignments of the planets throughoutthe year intended by God to be teaching tools for His people? Is Babylonian (and thelater Egyptian and then Greek) astrology a corruption of what was once a pure proto-Hebrew star-chart system intended for spiritual enlightenment? Astronomer DannyFaulkner thinks not. (1) Writing for an Australian creation journal, Faulkner arguesthat modern gospel-in-the-stars arguments originate from only two principal sourcesJoseph Seiss and E. W. Bullinger (3, 4) who both seem to have been influenced byFrances Rolleston (5) who wrote on this topic in 1862. Faulkner suggests weabandon what he feels is a lot of extra-biblical baggage concerning the stars andconstellations.

British creation writer Malcolm Bowden is one of a number of reputable scholarswho assert that claims of "no message in the stars" can not be so easily dismissed.

There are a great many references of astronomical significance scattered through theBible. Paul argues in Romans 10:18 that all men have clear evidence of God fromcreation itself: "But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for 'Their voice hasgone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.'" Bowdencomments, "In this passage we see the glory of God set forth for all to see. Now thismay be in the awesomeness of space and of the uncountable numbers of stars. Theseare there for all to see and wonder. But it is also possible that it was in the names ofthe constellations and stars that the real message lay that Paul could have beenreferring to. Indeed, this is far more likely when we are told that it was God himself




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who named the stars in Psalm 147:4: "He tells the number of the stars; he calls themall by their names." if God gave them their names, surely this is added evidence thatthey were named not just for identification but so that He may set out His plan ofsalvation for fallen mankind." (6)

From Daniel it is clear that magic arts, divination and astrology were indeed animportant part of the religion and culture of Babylon. Earlier, Moses presented aclear warning to Israel, "beware lest you lift up your eyes to heaven, and when yousee the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn awayand worship them and serve them, things which the LORD your God has allotted toall the peoples under the whole heaven." (Deuteronomy 4:19) That divination,astrology and channeling pose grave, occultic dangers to God's people is clear:

"When you come into the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall notlearn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be foundamong you any one who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, any one whopractices divination, a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or a

medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For whoever does these things is anabomination to the LORD; and because of these abominable practices the LORDyour God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before theLORD your God. For these nations, which you are about to dispossess, give heedto soothsayers and to diviners; but as for you, the LORD your God has notallowed you so to do. (Deuteronomy 18:9-14)

Idolatry consists in revering the created thing rather than the creator. Behind theworship of sun, moon and stars are the demonic powers of the heavenly realm (1Cor.10:20). Angels, fallen and unfallen, are God's instruments in the government of thephysical world and nature (Hebrews 2:5). Seeking answers about the future in the

stars-then or now-brings us under the control of demonic agencies-to our own harmand destruction.




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But the existence of powerful counterfeits in the world strongly suggests that thereexists a real body of truth that was lost, or corrupted by the god of this world. Allancient civilizations for some reason have ended up with twelve only constellations(signs) of the Zodiac, and many legends connected with these signs contain similarthemes and stories. In studying such matters science can not be the final arbitrator,for much truth about man and his history is passed down through the stories,traditions, through the art, music, poetry, and literature of earlier civilizations. Ourgeneration lives under an illusion that we know more and are more advanced thanwere the men of old. The reverse is true. Mankind has been moving inexorablydownhill all the way-especially in the matter of quality of life, richness of culture andsocial life. We live near the end of history, far removed from the profound realitiesmen knew before the Flood.

The case for the Gospel in the Stars can not be settled definitively with the presentevidence. I agree with Malcolm Bowden in preferring not to dismiss myths, legends,and even folk-tales as part of a genuine legacy of truth concerning actual, historicalrealities transmitted by tradition and literature-to be studied with discernment yetwith respect. If I discard Bullinger and Seiss from my library (because these authorsdid not write inspired books that are recognized in the Biblical canon), I may as wellthrow out my sermon collections, favorite hymns, my C.S. Lewis collection, J.R.RTolkien, and George MacDonald. Into the trash would go "The Legends of the Jews,"my copy of Josephus, and my William Corliss collection on the anomalies of science.After such a purge, my library would be a tidy place indeed--reduced to a few bookson modern science (needed for my work), a Bible or two, and a half-dozen lexiconsand dictionaries. I love my books, without them my spiritual and emotional lifewould be sterile indeed. The full truth about God and the mysteries of the universe

we live in is not that easily reduced as Faulkner would have us believe. Godquestioned wise old Job in his mature years and found him quite ignorant of manythings,

"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you haveunderstanding. Who determined its measurements --surely you know! Or whostretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid itscornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of Godshouted for joy. Have you commanded the morning since your days began, andcaused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of theearth, and the wicked be shaken out of it Have you comprehended the expanse of

the earth? Declare, if you know all this. Where is the way to the dwelling of light,and where is the place of darkness, that you may take it to its territory and thatyou may discern the paths to its home. Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, orloose the cords of Orion? Can you lead forth the Mazzaroth in their season, orcan you guide the Bear with its children? Do you know the ordinances of theheavens? Can you establish their rule on the earth. (Job 38)

The Bible indicates that God not only named the stars Himself, but that Heestablished them for signs as well as seasons. The ancients must have known this, orthe magi would never have recognized the sign in the stars indicating the birth of




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Christ. It is just as easy for us to fall into the error denying God's uses of the stars onthe basis of currently known science as it is to swing the other direction and becomeinvolved in the errors of astrology and fortune-telling. As God reminded Job, there ismuch we do not know and cannot explain. Let us keep an open mind and constantlyevaluate information from other sources alongside the solid, unchanging truth ofScripture.

Notes:

1. Danny Faulkner,Is There a Gospel in the Stars?Creation Ex Nihilo TechnicalJournal, Vol. 12, No. 2, 1998 PO Box 6302, Acacia Ridge, D.C., Queensland, 4110,Australia.

2. Chuck Missler, The Feasts of Israel, audio briefing package, Koinonia House,1994.

3. E. W. Maunder,Astronomy and the Bible Epworth Press, London, 1922. Availablefrom http://kessinger.net

4. Joseph Seiss, The Gospel in the Stars, Kregel Press 1972. (First published in 1882)

5. E. W. Bullinger, The Witness of the Stars, Kregel Press 1991 (First published

1893)

6. FrancesRolleston, Mazzaroth, or The Constellations, 1863 (op). Other recentbooks based on Rolleston, Fleming, Kenneth C., God's Voice in the Stars: ZodiacSigns and Bible Truth, Loizeaux Brothers, Neptune, New Jersey, 1981 and Capt,Raymond, E., The Glory of the Stars: A Study of the Zodiac, Artisan Sales, ThousandOaks, California, 1976.

7. Malcolm Bowden, True Science Agrees with the Bible, Sovereign Publications




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1998, Box 88, Bromley, Kent, BR2 9PF.

8. Chuck Missler, Signs in the Heavens, audio briefing package, Koinonia House,1994.

9. In his bookSigns in the Heavens Avi Ben Mordechai presents evidence frommiddle-eastern archaeology and from ancient Jewish writings confirming the

antiquity of a genuine Hebrew astrological system of teaching linked to the Bible.ISBN 978-09643355-7-3. Available from Millennium 7000 Communications Int'l.,Millennium 7000, P.O. Box 700, Kila, MT 59920. Telephone inquires: 1-800-880-2656.

10. The Star of Bethlehem, by Dr. David Bohlin

11. Biblical Injunction: Present day astrology is Babylonian in origin, and hencedemonically inspired. As part of the Law of Moses, God commanded the Jews to stayclear of the pagan occultic practices that were (even then) common in the peoples

they lived among. Astrology was one of these: "Take careful heed to yourselves, foryou saw no form when the LORD spoke to you at Horeb out of the midst of the fire,lest you act corruptly and make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anyfigure: the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any animal that is on the earthor the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the air, the likeness of anything thatcreeps on the ground or the likeness of any fish that is in the water beneath the earth.And take heed, lest you lift your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun, themoon, and the stars, all the host of heaven, you feel driven to worship them and servethem, which the LORD your God has given to all the peoples under the wholeheaven as a heritage. But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the ironfurnace, out of Egypt, to be His people, an inheritance, as you are thisday." (Deuteronomy 4:15-20)

12. Internet web sites dealing with this subject abound. The following are just afew:

a. STAR LIGHT - STAR BRIGHT, The Gospel in the Stars, by Frederick C. Kubicekhttp://www.unlimited glory.org/starlight.htm

b. E. W. Bullinger: http://philologos.org/;

c. The Correct Way to Read the Constellationshttp://www.lampholderpub.com/page11.html;

d. Astrology Myths and legends, http://www.lampholderpub.com/;

e. "Let Them Be for Signs" (a defense of Seiss and Bullinger),http://www.netcom.com/~horse/head.html




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f. Astronomy and the Bible, by Dr. Donald D. Young suggests a corruption by Satanof an original message in the stars, (link closed).

g. Ezequiel Gonzalez discusses references in the Bible to astronomical events and"God's Law written in the Heavens, (link closed).

h. D. W. Belote discusses Biblical signs in the heavens and the probable corruption

of ancient knowledge, http://www.ipa.net/~rkbelote/orion.htm;

i. The Gospel in the Stars, or Astrology and Occultism, by Dave Hunthttp://rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/Psychology/astrol.htm

j. The Twelve Mystical Signs of the Zodiac (non-Biblical)http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Delphi/2093/zodiac.html

k. Is the Gospel Spelled Out Gospel in the Stars? (Christian Answers Net)http://christiananswers.net/q-sum/edn-c019.html

and finally, the web site

l.http://www.ukans.edu/history/index/europe/ancient_rome/E/Roman/RomanSites*/Topics/lists 47 web sites on astrology and religion and mythology.

October 29, 1998

Addenda

On Culture: Legend and Tradition

by Helen Fryman

Despite technological advances from the printing press to the web, people stillremember information best if it is put into the form of stories or songs. Men have notchanged in this regard. We do not have cultural memories of past technologicalachievements, but we do have memories passed down to us of events and truths putin the form of what we today regard as legends and mythologies. We know themythological elements can build fast even within a person's lifetime. We alreadyneed to strip away mythological elements from the lives of people such as John F.Kennedy, Albert Einstein, and Princess Diana if we want to know about them. This iseven more true of George Washington and Johnny Appleseed and others who really




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lived and had an impact on their times. If we want to know about these people, weneed to be able to take out the mythological elements and hone in on the truths thatare there underneath. How much more so do we need to be conscious of the realitiesthat might easily lie behind the ancient stories?

The introduction toLarousse World Mythology, (1965, Auge, Gillon, Hollier-Larousse, Moreau et Cie; and the Hamlyn Publishing Group Limited. Englishtranslation by Patricia Beardsworth, published in the USA in 1989 by Gallery Books,New York City), p. 9, the following brings light to the current understanding ofmythology in history:

[T]oday the myth is no longer considered a mode of thought reserved for primitivesocieties. If each one of us considers the matter carefully and honestly, he will beforced to recognise that myth is far from foreign to our daily thought, and, what ismore, that it is far from opposed in essence to scientific thought.

It is the object of the myth, as of science, to explain the world, to make its phenomenaintelligible.

I would also submit that it is the object of the myth and the legend to transmit knownevents and truths from one generation to another. There is a myth that comes out ofthe Solomon Islands regarding a change in appearance of the moon. People threwrocks at it and scarred its face. ["Why the Moon Has a Dirty Face" from Fairy Tales

from the Pacific Islands, as retold by A.W. Reed, A.H. and A.W. Reed, NewZealand, 1969]. Take away the mythological elements and there is a question thatremains: is there, within the memory of men, a time when the moon was hit soseverely by meteor or asteroid impacts that its appearance, even from earth, waschanged? There are some other interesting elements in this story, including a possiblereference to a time long before that when the moon seemed larger, and that there mayhave been objects that struck the earth at the same time that the moon's face wasgetting dirty.

People like Velikovsky and Hancock have tried to follow some of these trails left bythe myths and legends and have been ridiculed. Language and memories deterioratewith time, but that does not mean that still, at the heart of them both, there is notmuch to be learned that is true and real. As medicine looks more closely at ancientremedies and is finding some modern answers, as archaeology is looking at the Bible

and finding references that explain what it is finding in the ruins, as history itself isalso taking a closer look at some ancient writings, so we also need to be verycautious about throwing out the old stories because they contain mythologicalelements. We need to know if there are truths underneath the mythologicalwrappings. We need to pay more attention to what our ancestors have passed downto us.

10/30/98




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HOW GOD PREACHED THE GOSPEL TO ABRAHAM

by Barry Setterfield

INTRODUCTION

In the Biblical book of Galatians, the Jewish Rabbi Paul, who had studied under thewell-known and widely respected Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), made a significant comment.In Galatians 3:8 Paul stated that "the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify theGentiles through faith, preached in advance the Gospel unto Abraham ..." The endresult is stated in Genesis 15:6 namely "that Abraham believed God (by faith) and itwas counted to him for righteousness." Paul's comment in Galatians implies that justas Abraham believed the Gospel by faith when it was preached to him by God, so, ina similar way, the Gentiles will be justified by faith in the same Gospel. The questionis, "How did God preach the Gospel to Abraham, and what was that Gospel?" A briefglance at Genesis 15:5 shows that the stars were intimately involved in this process,while Galatians 3:16 implies it was not the number of stars but the story they toldthat was important. So star names seem to be involved in this process. Let us lookmore deeply into this.

WHO NAMED THE STARS?

In Genesis 1:14 we are told that the stars are to be for SIGNS, seasons, days andyears.

The seasons, days and years are familiar to us, but what about the SIGNS? Signs aredesigned to give us information; they carry a message. If we are traveling down thefreeway and see a sign that reads "Los Angeles 200 miles", this gives us information.In a similar way the star signs also carry a message. But how is this message given?It is certainly not through demonic astrology which is condemned by the Scripturesof Truth. No, rather it appears that the message of the stars may be given by theirNAMES and the constellation patterns. This conclusion is reached as a result offurther Scriptural comment on the matter.

In Isaiah 40:26 and Psalm 147:4 we find two statements that God personally gave thestars their names. This is significant. Adam was given the prerogative of naming theanimals, but God felt it important enough to name the stars Himself. It might beasked when did this naming take place? The answer is given in Isaiah 40:26. whenHe "Brought out the (starry) host by number, He called them all by their names", thatis at the Creation event. So these star names have been known since Creation. InPsalm 147:4 the second statement reads "He TELLS the number of the stars; He callsthem all by their names." The word translated "TELL" (Hebrew 'saphar') is a census-taking word. It literally means "to recount, to list in sequence (as with a name and anumber - like the military), to enumerate, to take a census of, to tabulate, to tell-out,




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or number."

STAR NAMES AND LANGUAGES

One important fact emerges here. Many star and constellation names in a variety oflanguages around the world have a similar meaning. For example, one constellationwas known as Virgo to the Romans, Bethulah to the Hebrews, Parthenos to the

Greeks, and Kanya to the Indians, but all mean "VIRGIN". Linguistically, thisstrongly implies there was a common origin for the names. It is accepted theory thatthe three main linguistic branches from which most languages diverged had acommon origin in Anatolia (see Gamkrelidze and Ivanov in Scientific AmericanMarch 1990, or Colin Renfrew in Scientific American October 1989). Scripturally,this division of languages occurred at Babel, which was near Anatolia. This wouldimply an origin of star and constellation names prior to the Babel event whichsuggests that they may have been known as far back as Noah and the Flood.Linguistically, that is as far back as we can go. However, the Isaiah 40:26 statementtakes us right back to the Creation and Adam.

In the mid to late 19th century, star names became fixed by astronomical convention.The name chosen for a given star was sometimes the Latin, or Hebrew, or Chaldean,or Arabic version of the original name. As a result of this process, some names havebeen lost. However, those who studied this topic in detail, namely Frances Rolleston,Joseph A. Seiss, and E. W. Bullinger wrote at a time when the star names in otherlanguages were still extant. Some important information on these matters can also befound in Jamieson's Celestial Atlas of 1822 which appeared well before astronomicalconvention fixed the names.

Rolleston's work of 1862 comprised 221 pages of small typeface in four parts. Theauthor died just prior to the completion of Part 4. In Part 2 there is an extensive studyof star names in a variety of languages, and their primitive roots. Most give aconcordant testimony. However, as noted by a number of recent commentators on thetopic, modern Arabic interpretations are often discordant with the overall picture thatemerges. However, Rolleston did point out the source of this problem on page 5 ofPart 1. The difficulty arises because modern Arabic use of the basic roots of wordsgives meanings that are divergent from ancient Arabic. By reference to the ancientArabic use of roots, corroboration of the story given by the other star names isusually obtained.

SEASONS AND CONSTELLATIONS

The time or season of the year used to be known by the constellations passingoverhead or the one that the Sun was in. In Job 38:32 God said to His upright servant"Can you bring forth Mazzaroth (the 12 signs) in their season?" These 12 signs formthe path that the Sun appears to take in the heavens, namely the Zodiac. The wordZODIAC comes from the Greek word ZOAD meaning "a way, a step, a circuit, acircle". In Chaldean the word has similar associated meanings. Psalm 19:6 actually




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uses the Hebrew equivalent of this word where it states that "(the Sun) goes from oneend of heaven, and his CIRCUIT is unto the other end of it:"

There is evidence that the constellation patterns making up the Zodiac, and indeedthe rest of the night sky, were formed and named by God. In Job 26:13 we find thestatement "By His Spirit He has garnished and decorated the heavens; His hand hasformed the FLEEING SERPENT." Note that in Hebrew poetic style the heavens andthe fleeing serpent are connected. So we ask "Is there a fleeing serpent in theheavens?" The answer is YES! The constellation of HYDRA. It is a particularly aptconstellation to remark upon as it is the longest constellation in the sky. It takes 7hours to pass overhead. This comment in Job implies that the Spirit of God Himselfformed and decorated the heavens with the constellation patterns, and, as shownabove, He gave them their names as well. Obviously, Abraham was familiar with theconstellation patterns and star names because God used the message there to instructhim. What is this message?

THE STARS CARRY A GOSPEL MESSAGE

In Romans 10, Rabbi Paul gives us some key verses to help with this. Verse 15 states"and how shall they preach except they be sent? As it is written 'How beautiful arethe feet of them that preach the GOSPEL OF PEACE, and bring GLAD TIDINGS ofgood things'." So the bringing of the GOOD NEWS, the GOSPEL OF PEACE iswhat Paul is talking about here in this context. In verse 18, Paul then goes on to say:"But have they (the heathen) not heard? YES! Truly they have heard! For 'theirsound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world'." What afascinating statement! Paul says here that the heathen have heard the Gospel ofPeace, because "THEIR sound went into all the earth and THEIR words unto theends of the world." The question is who are the "THEY" that are doing thepreaching? Well, if you have a marginal reference, you find that Paul is quotingdirectly from Psalm 19:4 where the stars are being spoken of. Indeed, Psalm 19:3gives the additional information that "there is no speech or language where (the stars)voice is not heard." Therefore, the "THEY" in Psalm 19 and Romans 10:18 are thestars in the heavens. As a consequence, it can only be concluded that it is the starsthat are preaching the Gospel - in a particular way by their names and thearrangement of the constellation patterns.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUN

The next point to note comes from Psalm 19:4-6. Dr. D. E. Spencer paraphrasesverse 4 as "In amongst these starry witnesses, God has established a dwelling placefor the Sun." The next verse goes on to describe the SUN as the HeavenlyBridegroom, who comes forth to run his race and returns to his place of origin. But inthe Bible, John the baptiser speaks of Christ (Messiah) as coming down from heaven,and calls Him the "Bridegroom" (John 3:25-31). The beloved disciple John alsorefers to the relationship of Christ to His Church as that of a heavenly bridegroom




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with an earthly bride, while Rabbi Paul echoes the idea in Ephesians 5.

It is therefore apparent from Psalm 19 and the other passages that the Sun representsChrist, the heavenly Bridegroom.

This idea is accentuated by the prophet Malachi. He calls Israel's Messiah the SUNof Righteousness who will blaze forth for the sake of His people in the Last Day(Malachi 4:2). So the Sun represents Christ, the light of the world (John 8:12), whocame from heaven, ran His race on earth, and returned to Heaven. The race that theSun runs is given by the Zodiac constellations or star patterns, so all the strong-manfigures along the Zodiac represent Christ the SUN of Righteousness and the work Hewas to do. Note further that Psalm 19 is in two parts: In Part 1 we have the messageof the stars - In Part 2 we have the message of God's word, the Bible being discussed.One is set against the other in such a way that David, who wrote this Psalm about1000 BC, is implying that the message in the stars and the message in the Scripturesare one and the same.

THE STRONG MAN CONSTELLATION FIGURES

The story told by the strong man figures of the sky has been corrupted by Greek andRoman mythology. This was recognised by Jamieson in his Celestial Atlas publishedin 1822. On page 40 he states that "The Lion does not seem to have been placedamong the zodiacal symbols because Hercules was fabled to have slain the NemeanLion. It would seem, to the contrary, that Hercules, who represented the Sun, wassaid to have slain the Nemean Lion, because Leo was ALREADY a zodiacal sign."Notice here that this nineteenth century astronomer actually states that the Sun (thelight of the world) is symbolised by the strong man Hercules. This is in agreementwith the Biblical interpretation which identifies the strong man who runs his racealong the path of the Sun as Jesus Christ the victor.

Another point is also pertinent. The Greeks thought of each of these "strong man"figures as being a different deity. In the Biblical interpretation they representdifferent works of the same person, namely Jesus Christ the Messiah. Even though itwill pre-empt the discussion later, an example may be appropriate. To the Greeks, theZodiac sign of Gemini the Twins represented Apollo and Hercules, the twin sons ofZeus, the chief deity. The Roman equivalent was Castor and Pollux which star namesare retained today. It is shown later that these two pictures are of the same Lord JesusChrist in His twin role as the Son of God and also the Son of Man.

THE ORIGIN OF MYTHOLOGY AND TRADITION:

Interestingly enough, the skeptic Volney is recorded by Rolleston as saying that"Everywhere in antiquity is the existence of the tradition of the expected conquerorof the serpent, a divine person, born of a woman, who was to come." Rolleston notedthat Volney "sees this tradition reflected in the constellations, but why it should bethere he does not say."(Part 1 page 19). A very similar statement is made by Depuis




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in L'Origine des Cultes who admits that this tradition was prevalent in all nations.Greek, Roman and other pagan mythologies have been built around this messagefrom the stars and as a result must be considered as a perversion of the original.Nevertheless as Dr. D. E. Spencer concluded "Pagan mythology still retainssufficient of the truth for you to recognise it." (Word Key "Mazzaroth," broadcastover radio HCJB 1972).

Rolleston (Part 1 p.23) elaborates on this: "Should the tradition of the Divine yetwoman-born Conqueror of the serpent, crushing His foe, but suffering from itsvenom, be met with among all nations, it is only what might have been anticipatedamong the descendants of one common father. From the Grecian Hercules, halfhuman and half divine, subduing the hydra and dying from its poison; from theIndian incarnation of the Divinity, the virgin-born Krishna, slaying a serpent andwounded by it in the heel; to the serpent-worship of Mexico, and that of the woman-born and unfathered deity Mexitli; this image is everywhere present, pointing to oneorigin of the tradition and the race."

Dr. Spencer gave a further example of interest. In mythology "Zeus, the supremedeity of the Greeks reigned on Mount Olympus 'in the midst' of the twelve lessergods of the Greeks." He then points to the pre-existent truth that has been corruptedby this mythology and makes an important observation. "Is it not more than chancethat just as the blazing fire of the Sun dwells in the midst of the twelve constellationsof Mazzaroth, so the blazing pillar of fire was the dwelling place of Jehovah in themidst of the twelve tribes of Israel? Furthermore, can it be mere chance that JesusChrist, 'the Light of the world', is the One who dwelt in a tabernacle of flesh in themidst of the twelve disciples?" (The Gospel in the Stars, pp. 20, 53).

GOD'S PROMISE TO ABRAHAM

As noted at the beginning, Galatians 3:8 says that God preached the Gospel untoAbraham. It is important that we know when He did this as the stars were mentionedby God to Abraham on two distinct occasions, once in Genesis 15, then again inGenesis 22. We must not confuse these two separate incidents. Galatians 3:6 gives usthe answer to this question. Rabbi Paul states that it was on the occasion when"Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness." Importantly aswe search both Genesis passages, it becomes apparent that this quote comes directlyfrom Genesis 15:6. The context was given by Genesis 15:5. Abraham was childlessand had no heir. Then God "brought him forth abroad, and said, 'Look now towardsheaven, and TELL the stars if you be able to list them'; and He said unto him, 'Soshall your seed be'."

Several important points emerge from this interview that Abraham had with theAlmighty. In the first place, the word "TELL" is the same census-taking word asused in Psalm 147:4 so the star names are in view here. The second point is vital. TheAlmighty made a key comment when Abraham had finished listing off the star




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names. He said: "So shall your seed be." Does this mean that Abraham was to havemany children? We have Rabbi Paul's exegesis of the original Hebrew on this. InGalatians 3:16, Paul says: "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.He said not, And to seeds (plural) as of many; but as of one, 'And to your seed(singular) WHICH IS CHRIST!"

Here is an amazing statement! Abraham lists the star names in sequence fromconstellation to constellation telling the story of the stars from their names, and Godsays to him "So will your seed, the Messiah, be." Here was the promise to Abrahamthat the Messiah would come from his lineage. Furthermore, the Gospel wasobviously associated with these star names as Galatians 3:8 states that God preachedthe Gospel to Abraham on that occasion - a Gospel associated with the coming of theMessiah, Jesus Christ.

It is important not to confuse this incident in Abraham's life with a later one. On thesecond occasion in Genesis 22:17, Abraham was promised seed like "the stars ofheaven and the sand of the sea shore for multitude." This is a different interview withthe Lord when the Patriarch received a different promise. According to Paul inGalatians 3, it was specifically on the first occasion in Genesis 15 that Messiah waspromised from Abraham's lineage and Abraham believed God. Finally note that Godpreached the Gospel of Christ to Abraham by this method, and by faith Abrahamaccepted the message. The stars must therefore be preaching the same message inevery language around the world, because Psalm 19 states that there is no speech orlanguage where their voice is not heard.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SPHINX

Well, if there is a message in the stars, where does the story begin since the Zodiac isa circle. An important clue is obtained from the Sphinx in Egypt. The word SPHINXcomes from the Greek word SPHIGGO which means to "bind closely together". Thesignificance of this meaning becomes apparent when ancient Egyptian Zodiacs areinspected. In those zodiacs such as one in the tombs of the kings at Karnak, thesphinx curiously linked the 12 signs together. Its woman-like face gazed upon thesign of Virgo, while its lion-like body and tail pointed to Leo. Dr Spencer notes thatseveral other places in the Near East have similar inscriptions. Dr Spencer writes:"The sphinx is the key symbol which shows where the story in the stars begins andends. It begins with Virgo the Virgin, and the first coming of Jesus Christ as Saviour;and closes with Leo the Lion, marking the Return of Messiah as the Lord of Glory. Itbegins with the story of His coming in humility and seeming defeat, and climaxeswith the story of His coming again in power and overwhelming victory."

A PERSONAL TESTIMONY

Dr Spencer had a reason to be sure of that. On his radio study "Mazzaroth", he statedthat on one occasion in the late 1960's he preached in Los Angeles at the Church ofthe Open Door on Romans 10:18 and concluded that all men had heard the Gospel in




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one way or another. After the service was over a very old woman introduced herselfto him. She had been a missionary in Japan in her youth. She said to Dr Spencer: "Iwas sent far up into the hills to teach a class of women who had never seen aChristian of any kind. They had never heard the Gospel. They had never heard thename of Jesus from the lips of anyone. It was before the days of radio and television,and few of them could even read. They were totally without the knowledge of theGospel of Christ as far as I knew. Yet when I had finished telling them the beautifulstory of the Redeemer, whose shed blood had paid the price for their sins, an oldcrone stood to her feet and said 'Missy! That is the same story that I have been tellingmy village for years, but this is the first time we have ever heard the Redeemer'sname.' Upon careful inquiry, I discovered that she had been repeating the names ofthe stars along the path of the Sun from the ancient Japanese charts of the Zodiac.These, she said, told exactly the same story that I had shared with them concerningthe Lord Jesus Christ." This missionary then went on to tell Dr. Spencer that theGospel message is even hidden cryptically in the characters of the Oriental alphabets.For example, the Chinese word for "COME" consists of a figure on a large central

cross with a smaller cross on either side, while the word for "RIGHTEOUSNESS"consists of a slain lamb over the pronoun "I."

With that introduction, we are now prepared to examine briefly the 12 signs of theZodiac to see what the Story says in its essence. Let us take note of the clue given bythe Sphinx and begin with the constellation Virgo.

11/18/98




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Image Credit: NASA and The Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA);

Acknowledgment: Ray A. Lucas (STScI/AURA)

A wheel within a wheelSPACE TELESCOPE SCIENCE INSTITUTE PHOTO RELEASE

Posted: September 5, 2002

A nearly perfect ring of hot, blue stars pinwheels about the yellow nucleus of anunusual galaxy known as Hoag's Object. This image from NASA's Hubble SpaceTelescope captures a face-on view of the galaxy's ring of stars, revealing more detailthan any existing photo of this object. The image may help astronomers unravel clueson how such strange objects form. The entire galaxy is about 120,000 light-yearswide, which is slightly larger than our Milky Way Galaxy. The blue ring, which isdominated by clusters of young, massive stars, contrasts sharply with the yellownucleus of mostly older stars. What appears to be a "gap" separating the two stellarpopulations may actually contain some star clusters that are almost too faint to see.Curiously, an object that bears an uncanny resemblance to Hoag's Object can be seen

in the gap at the one o'clock position. The object is probably a background ringgalaxy.

Ring-shaped galaxies can form in several different ways. One possible scenario isthrough a collision with another galaxy. Sometimes the second galaxy speedsthrough the first, leaving a "splash" of star formation. But in Hoag's Object there isno sign of the second galaxy, which leads to the suspicion that the blue ring of starsmay be the shredded remains of a galaxy that passed nearby. Some astronomersestimate that the encounter occurred about 2 to 3 billion years ago.




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This unusual galaxy was discovered in 1950 by astronomer Art Hoag. Hoag thoughtthe smoke-ring-like object resembled a planetary nebula, the glowing remains of aSun-like star. But he quickly discounted that possibility, suggesting that themysterious object was most likely a galaxy. Observations in the 1970s confirmed thisprediction, though many of the details of Hoag's galaxy remain a mystery.

The galaxy is 600 million light-years away in the constellation Serpens. The WideField and Planetary Camera 2 took this image on July 9, 2001...

THE GOSPEL IN THE STARS

By Malcolm Bowden

The immediate reaction of some people when raising this topic is to wonder whether

they are being invited to dabble in a Christianised form of astrology. Let me reassurethe reader that no such aim is intended, in fact it is quite the opposite. Far fromforetelling the future for personal knowledge or gain, the names of the zodiac tell thesorry story of man's fall and the glorious way of redemption prepared for believers.

Much of what follows has been obtained from Bullinger (Bull) and Seiss (Sei), andboth of these acknowledge their debt to Frances Rolleston's foundational work

Mazzaroth, or the Constellations (Roll). Their reliance on this early work can be seenin the number of times both authors have almost the same wording. They werewriting in 1893 (Bullinger) and 1882 (Seiss) but modern reprints are still available.

There are other smaller books but they are synopses of these earlier works. Whatfollows is also a synopsis and the interested reader can obtain either of these booksfor further information.

Before examining each of the constellations on the ecliptic, (those through which thesun passes during the year) we will discuss the evidence that indicates that they werenamed for a spiritual purpose.

1. Astrology a deceptive replacement

If the meaning behind the names of the constellations and stars were to be a reminderof God's plan of salvation for fallen mankind, we would expect this to be attacked bySatan. He would adopt his usual tactic of transforming it into a deceptive practice sothat its original meaning became totally obscured. This is probably the reason for therise of astrology and its use of the constellations to delude those who are ignorant ofthe Christian message they contain.

2. A Biblical basis for this approach?




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Bullinger refers to Romans 10:18 where Paul is saying that the gospel was clear to allmen:

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, "their sound went into all the earth,and their words unto the ends of the world".

Paul is quoting from Psalm 19 which reads as follows:

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth Hishandiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night shewethknowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Theirline is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. Inthem he hath set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a bridegroom coming out ofhis chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race (Psalm 19:1-5).

In this passage we see the glory of God set forth for all to see. Now this may be inthe awesomeness of space and of the uncountable numbers of stars. These are there

for all to see and wonder. But it is also possible that it was in the names of theconstellations and stars that the real message lay that Paul could have been referringto. Indeed, this is far more likely when we are told that it was God himself whonamed the stars in Psalm 147:4:

He telleth the number of the stars;he calleth them all by their names.

We will see the spiritual significance in very many of the names given to the stars inwhat follows, but if God gave them their names, surely this is added evidence that

they were named not just for identification but so that He may set out His plan ofsalvation for fallen mankind.

3. The Universality of the names of stars and constellations

Bullinger says that "the twelve signs are the same, both as to the meaning of theirnames and as to their order in all the ancient nations of the world(emphasishis)" (Bull:9). He then refers to the antiquity of the Chinese, Chaldean and Egyptianrecords but gives no evidence. Rolleston however supplies more on this.

She notes that all constellations began with Aries - in Latium, Egypt Arabia, Indiaand China (p 11). Astronomers also measure their star positions from the "First Pointof Aries". In the Chinese names, nine of them were obviously connected to thepresent system. The Sanskrit was also said to have a complete correlation. TheBuddhist system, which started with Aries, had. eleven with similar names (p27).Traces of the zodiac were also found in China, India, Egypt, South Seas, Etruria(Etruscans) and Mexico (p15).

Several ancient authorities state that they had a spiritual intention. The Arab




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astronomer Albumazar said that "many attributed to them a divine and propheticvirtue." Cicero said that "The signs are measured out, so that in so many descriptionsdivine wisdom might appear.

Depuis, inL 'Origin des Cults had collected a vast number of traditions prevalent inall nations of "a divine person, born of a woman, suffering in conflict with a serpent,but triumphing over him at last, and finds the same reflected in the figures of theancient constellations."

4. The ancient origin of the names

Rolleston says that the zodiac is attributed to Seth (the son of Adam) and to Enoch.She suggests that the Jews kept the word and the prophecy, the Arabs preserved thenames of the stars while the Greeks and the Egyptians transmitted the figures towhich they belong (p11).

Persian and Arab traditions and Josephus ascribe its invention to Seth and Enoch(Bull: 10). The Jews called Enoch the Great Scribe who wrote books on sacredwisdom, particularly astronomy, and he is quoted in Jude vv14-15.

The Chaldean Epic of Creation says that the great god Anu created the "mansions inthe sky". Again we see the naming of the constellations by the supreme God himselfand not by a human being. With the names being so widespread, then, as with thefolk stories of the Flood, we can assume that their origin was before the dispersalfrom Babel. If the traditions are accepted, then we are dealing with God's revelationto Adam of the way of redemption after his Fall.

We have set out the ancient origin of the names in order to support the claim that thatthey have been given by God, particularly in view of Psalm 147:4 quoted above. Wecan, therefore, expect them to have particular significance for fallen mankind. Thelanguages most frequently mentioned are Hebrew, Latin, Arabic and Persian and itwill be obvious that these are all fairly near each other geographically. We will givethe various names of some of the stars which have the same meaning in differentlanguages when they are provided.

5. Critics of the Gospel interpretation

Seiss notes that secular anthropologists acknowledge that many ancient cultures hadmythologies that were remarkably similar to the basic events of Christian history.They often have a god who is born to a virgin mother, slays a dragon to savemankind, was entombed and rose again, eventually ascending to heaven. So similarwere these accounts that Volney tried to claim that Christ never existed and was onlya mythical character who embodied these concepts.One critic is Allen (Alle) who is dismissive of those who read the gospel into thenames. He charges them with attempting to "alter the sky figures" for their own




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purpose and calls them "iconoclasts" of the accepted scheme. However, having listedtwelve notable authorities, he specifically comments; "The recent efforts of MissFrances Rollestonand Dr. Seiss are especially remarkable" (Alle:28). This is almosthis only comment on her work and he seems to be according it grudging approval forits scholarly research. Bullinger is not mentioned.

His only other reference to what he admits is her "singular" work is to critise herexplanation of how the name of one star was derived (p20 1). Her work may containother errors he chose not to mention but as this was the only fault he points to, itcould indicate the thoroughness and reliability of her work.

6. The pictures and constellation shapes

One of the most surprising aspects of any constellation is the almost completeabsence of any correlation between the shape of the star pattern and the picturepainted around them. About the only constellation to which this would not apply isthe Southern Cross which is obvious, but for all others there seems to be norelevance.

For example, who would have made the shape of a flying horse, Pegasus, from onebright star and few others in the constellation? Indeed, take any of the constellationsand see if there is much connection between the positions of the few stars in it andthe picture around it in Fig. 1.

How could these ancient pictures have become attached to these specific groups ofstars? One can only conjecture that this was yet another gift from God to mankind for

all generations. It is possible that He has presented these pictures to Adam of Hisredemptive plan and they have been transferred in these forms down throughsucceeding generations.Obviously, it is also possible that they are the figments of man's imagination forgodless purposes, but as we examine the names of the stars the evidence graduallysupports the proposal that they have a deeply spiritual Christian meaning.

7. Modern names

There were efforts in the 17th century to give names to groups of stars not within the

known constellations. The banality of such names as the Air Pump, the Telescope,the Indian, the Balloon etc. only served to highlight the more significant andmeaningful names that the ancient constellations possessed. Of all the many aspectsof life that could have been portrayed in the names of the constellations and stars, itis significant how many. refer to "judgement", "strong saviour", "weighed in thebalance" etc.

As the true meaning of the names was lost, nations such as the Greeks gave some ofthem spurious names which they acknowledged. However, the original names can be




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obtained from older cultures. Bullinger points out that if the names were given toenable astronomers to identify the stars, then all the stars would have been included.In fact, the reverse is the case for certain stars are used to identify the pictures - themore important consideration.

8. Did Abram "tell out" the gospel story?

In Genesis 15:5, in the Authorised Version, we read that God told Abram to"tell" (Hebrew "sephar")the stars, if thou be able to number (sephar) them: and hesaid unto him 'so shall thy seed be'". This is usually translated in more modernversions as "count the stars" and the NKJV adds "so shall your descendants (zera,seed) be." (NIV - "offspring").

It is noticeable that the word "sephar" is used for both "tell" and "number" and totranslate it as referring to "counting the number of the stars" is perfectly acceptable,but should it be used in this passage?

The Hebrew word "sephar" can also mean "recount, commune, account, declare,shew forth, speak, talk, tell (out), writer." All these imply more than just counting anumber of objects but can allude to recounting a story.

Furthermore, Paul examines this passage in detail in Galatians 3:16 where he says"He saith not, 'And to Seeds', as of many; but as of one, 'And to thy seed, which isChrist'". He is at pains to point out that the word "seed" was singular in the Hebrewand referred to Christ (as the Coming One). Now if the word "seed" is singular, itdoes not fit with the translation of this passage as referring to counting innumerable

stars and saying "this is how many descendants you will have".

There is therefore an alternative, or additional, view of this passage as Paulconsidered it. It could refer to the future advent of one person - the Saviour. God mayhave told Abraham to "read out" the story in the stars of the gospel record of futureevents that was apparently also known by ancient peoples.

Accordingly, this passage could therefore be loosely paraphrased:

Go outside your tent and recount to yourself[and to futuregenerations?] the story that is in names given to the stars and

constellations. They will tell you of one person, descended fromyou, who will come - Christ - who will save His people.

9. Job's witness.

The oldest book in the Bible was written by Job who lived about 2150 BC, not longafter the Flood. Already the names of the stars and constellations are fixed for herefers to Orion (38:31), Mazzaroth (the zodiac) and Arcturus (3 8:32). His referenceto "binding the Pleiades" (38:31) is interesting as this group of stars are




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unaccountably stationary in their relative positions and not moving away from eachother as expected. How did Job know this? This particular question struck BarrySetterfield forcibly before he became a Christian and made him rethink his life.

In Job 26:13 we read:

By His spirit He hath garnished the heavens; His hand hath formed the crooked

serpent.

The first reference is the to the heavens but it is not clear whether the secondreference is to living serpents or the "fleeing serpent" in the sky (Hydra). If the latteris intended, as suggested by the first statement, then it is God Himself who shapedthe constellations, and then gave them the spiritual message that they contain.

10. The Tower of Babel?

Before continuing, we will examine one doubtful reference by Bullinger. In the

Authorised Version, the incident of the Tower of Babel refers to men "building atower whose top may reach unto heaven". In the original the "may reach" is not thereand has been added to make sense. It literally reads "a top unto heaven" and couldindicate that the top of the tower would be dedicated to heaven, i.e. the worship ofheavenly bodies. It is this that would have angered God more than just the building ahigh tower.

Bullinger quotes a Lt. Gen. Chesney who excavated the ruins of Babylon and whodescribed the mound known to the Arabs as Birs Nimroud. This is 153 ft. high andthe square base has 400 ft. long sides. He claimed that there were seven stages made

of bricks in different colours each representative of one of the planets. On the topwas a tower on the summit of which were the signs of the Zodiac.

This sounds very interesting but Bullinger obtained the information in a veryroundabout way; from the sermon of a preacher who said he had copied it fromChesney's private notes. One would have thought that this very specificarchaeological evidence, that considerably alters our understanding of this importantevent in the Bible, would have been corroborated by other excavators and becomemore widely known. As this seems to be the only reference it should be treated withconsiderable reservation.

11. The days of the week.

For the reader's interest, this might be the best point to give the origin of the namesfor the days of the week. They are all based upon the names of the planets that werethose of Saxon gods and Seiss gives the following:

Sun-day, Mun (moon) - day, Tue (Tuisco - Anglo-Saxon name for Mars) -day, Wed(Woden - A. Sax. for Mercury) - day, Thurs (Thor- AS. for Jupiter) - day, Fri (Friga




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or Freiya = AS. for Venus) - day, Satur (Saturn) -day.That a seven day week has been known from the earliest days of antiquity and havebeen followed in most civilisations is evidence that they were based upon the sixdays of creation and the seventh day of rest as we read in Genesis

THE ZODIAC

With that introduction, we will only briefly refer to the various Christian aspects ofthe names etc. We would mention that for each main constellation in the Zodiac onthe path through which the sun passes, there are generally three other constellations,associated with it, called "decans". These are listed A, B, and C under eachconstellation. In what follows we will be brief and use only a "note" form.

In both books, each author gave the name of many stars and then would say how thiswas relevant to some aspect of the Christian faith. At times, these connections weresomewhat forced and one had the impression that virtually every star name had to befitted into the system somewhere. There is sufficient evidence of the spiritual natureof the Zodiac names without forcing every name to comply.

Those given below are only a selection of the best of those where the relevance isclear. The Christian allusion will be obvious to most, but we give some of thebiblical references. There are a number of "strong men", such as Hercules,Ophiuchus, Centaur etc. who are symbolic of the coming Christ and the variousnames and roles relative to the Gospel hardly need explanation. Surprisingly, I couldfind no star chart that gave both the lines joining selected stars used in astronomicalcharts and the figures of the zodiac. The zodiac chart illustrated on pages 420-1 was

compiled with some difficulty by carefully combining these two sources.

The start of the Zodiac

Although Rolleston said that the constellations start with Aries, Bullinger and Seissstart with Virgo, the woman, and the last one is Leo, the lion. Bullinger contends thatthis is indicated as the starting point in the Egyptian pantheon of gods by the Sphinx,which has the head of a woman and the body of a lion. Thus the two ends are joinedto complete the circle.

1. VIRGO

This is the first constellation of the circuit which the Greeks wronglyrenamed Ceres. A virgin (Is. 7:14) holding a branch (Jer. 23:5-6) and anear of corn. Corn = seed (Latin Spica, the modern name of this bright star.Old name was Arabic Al Zimach seed). Star Zavijaveh means "gloriouslybeautiful" (Is. 4:2).

(A) Coma. Woman with a child on her lap - Name means Desire of all




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nations"Albumazer, an Arabic astronomer of the 8th century, said that thePersians, Chaldeans and Egyptians said this was a young woman (Persian= virgin) on a throne nourishing an infant boy, having a Hebrew nameIhesu which in Greek is called Christos. Shakespeare referred to this as"the good boy in Virgo's lap" (Titus Andronicus Act 4 Sc. 5).Original Egyptian name Shes-nu = the desired son. Renamed by theEgyptians as Coma Berenice = The hair or wig of Berenice.The possible connection of this decan with the Star of Bethlehem will bediscussed at the end of this section.

(B) Centaur. Half man - half horse. Said to indicate the two natures ofChrist (?). Hebrew name is Beza or Al Beze (Arabic) = the despised (Is.53:3)

(C) Bootes. A man with a spear and sickle (Rev. 14:15-16). Name The

Coming One (Ps. 96:13). Arcturus, the name of the bright star in the leftknee= the keeper (of those) going up on the heights. Star Nekkar thepierced (Zec. 12:10).

2. LIBRA

Latin = Libra (scales). A pair of scales (Heb. Mozanaim). Arabic - AlZubena (= purchase or redemption).Star names; - lower scale - Zuben al Genubi - Arabic (the price which isdeficient) (Ps. 62:9) - upper scale - Zuben al Chemali - Arabic (the price

that covers). Alternative name - al Gubi heaped up (the value of theredemption). Zuben al Akrab - The price of the conflict.

(A) Crux = the cross

(B) Lupus or Victima (Beast slain or victim)

(C) Corona = A crown

3. SCORPIO A Scorpion.

Cqptic = Isidis (the attack of the enemy)

(A) and (B) Ophiuchus and Serpens. The "strong man" Ophiuchus(serpent-holder) wrestles with the serpent who is reaching for the crown.The scorpion is stinging the heel of Ophiuchus, who is treading on thescorpion (Gen. 3:15). In his heel is the star Antares (= wounding).

(C) Hercules - the mighty vanquisher. Foot is placed on the coiled dragons




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neck. Star Ras al Gethi = the head of him who bruises (Gen. 3:15).

4. SAGITTARIUS - The Archer

Same meaning in several languages (Rev. 6:2). Star Naim = The graciousone.

(A) Lyra - The harp. The name indicates the praise of God. Brightest staris Vega = He shall be exalted. (Ps. 2 1:13)

(B) Ara - the Altar. The burning fire prepared for His enemies.

(C) Draco - The Dragon. The name comes from the Greek= Trodden on(Ps. 91:13). Brightest star Thuban = The subtle. Names of other stars allrefer to similar aspects of the dragon.

5. CAPRICORNUS - The Sea Goat

Ancient pictures are half goat,half fish; i.e. the sacrifice and those who itis sacrificed for (Christians use of the fish as a symbol). Second brighteststar Deneb al Gedi = the sacrifice cometh. Others have similar meanings.

(A) Sagitta = The Arrow that pierces (Ps. 38:2).

(B) Aquila = Eagle. This has been wounded by the arrow. Names of starsare "wounding piercing" etc.

(C) Delphinus - The Dolphin. The one who rises.

6. AQUARIUS= The Water Bearer (Is. 44:3)

(A) Piscis Australis = The Southern Fish. Star Fom al Haut = the mouth ofthe fish

(B) Pegasus = The Winged Horse

(C) Cygnus =The Swan. Brightest star Deneb = The Judge or Adige =flying swiftly.

7.PISCES = The Fish.

Star names indicate "the fish (multitudes) of those who will follow"- i.e.The Church (Ps. 115:14).

(A)The Band - (that unites the two fish) (Hos. 11:4)




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(B) Andromeda - The Chained Woman (who will be delivered).

(C) Cepheus - The Crowned King.

8. Aries - The Ram or Lamb (John 1:29)

Brightest star El Nath = wounded, slain; (others similar).

(A) Cassiopeia - The Beautiful Enthroned Woman. The captive womannow delivered. Brightest star Schedir (Hebrew) = freed. 2nd star Caph =The Branch (of victory). (Is. 54:1-8, 62:3-5).

(B) Cetus - the sea monster. The enemy bound.

(C) Perseus - The Breaker. Hebrew = Peretz. Greek= Perses (Micah 2:13).Winged feet = coming swiftly. Head he carries wrongly called Medusa byGreeks; Hebrew Rosh Satan = Head of the Adversary.

9. Taurus - The Bull

The Pleiades = The congregation of the judge.

(A) Orion - The coming Prince. Hebrew Oarion = light. He holds a cluband the head of "the roaring lion" (1 Pet. 5:8). Betelgeuz = The coming ofthe branch. Rigol = the foot that crushes. Al Nitak = the wounded one.

(B) Eridanus - The River of the Judge. Star names refer to "flowing" etc.(Dan. 7:10; Nahum 1:8).

(C) Auriga - The Shepherd (Is. 40:10-11). Hebrew root = shepherd. Starp Capella (Latin) = she goat.

10. Gemini - The Twins

There is some confusion of the pictures for this constellation in the

different languages, but they generally refer to two people. Probablyreferring to the two natures of Christ and his eventual victory.

(A) Lepus - The Hare (the enemy); trodden under Orion's foot. Star namesrefer to "the deceiver" etc.

(B) Canis Major (The Dog) or Sirius (The Prince). Sirius is the brightest ofall stars. (Is. 9:6).




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(C) Canis Minor - The Second Dog. Star Procyon Redeemer.

11. Cancer - The Crab

There are a variety of pictures for this constellation. The meaning isuncertain.

(A) Ursa Minor - The Little Bear. No bears found in any ancient Zodiacs.Confusion may be from Hebrew Dohver Sheepfold, Dovh Bear.

(B) Ursa Major - The Great Bear. Possibly "Sheepfold" as Ursa Minor asAl Naish "assembled together"; Dubhe = "Herd of animals or a flock" etc.Many stars similarly named.

(C) Argo - The Ship. Became part of Greek Argonaut story. Meaning isthe "Return of the travellers".

12. Leo - The Lion

The Lion of the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5). Hebrew name means "Lionhunting down its prey". Name in other languages similar. Denebola Judgewho cometh.

(A) Hydra - The Serpent. Hydra means "He is abhorred". Star namessimilar.

(B) Crater - The Cup. The pouring out of wrath on the wicked (Ps. 75:8).

(C) Corvus - The Raven. Birds of prey devouring the Serpent.

Truly, "Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of theworld'." Mankind is left with no excuses.(from Reference 6 above, with permission of the author)

Ancient Israel, the Zodiac, and the Sun God - By Thomas Horn RNU News Sr.

Reporter

A recent edition ofBiblical Archaeology Review asks an interesting question: Didsome ancient Jews observe the Zodiac and worship Helios, the Greek sun god?Raiders News Update believes 2 Kings 23: 11 and similar verses prove this to betrue--but what does this mean?

RNU.com (Raiders News Update) - Archaeologist Zeev Weiss describes a mosaicrecently uncovered in an ancient Jewish synagogue in Sepphoris in which a zodiac




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surrounds a striking portrayal of the Greek sun god Helios. Evidently similar artworkhas been discovered in synagogues at Tiberias, Khirbet Susiya, Na'aran, Husifa,Yafia, Beit Alpha and Sephoris.

Lucille Roussin, writing for the March-April edition of BAR believes she knows whythe mosaics were made, and her explanation might bother some people.

"The Babylonian Talmud (Shabbat 156b) records a debate about the validity ofastrology for Jews," she says. "Rabbi Hanina, a Babylonian who came to Palestine tostudy with the great Judah ha Nasi, compiler of the Mishna, said, 'The planetaryinfluence gives wisdom, the planetary influence gives wealth and Israel stands underplanetary influence.' In contrast, Rabbi Yohanan, who lived in about 250 C.E.,declared, 'There are no constellations for Israel.'"

According to Roussin the rest of Shabbat 156b "is devoted to arguments in support ofRabbi Yohanan's position against planetary influence." Roussin points out that thisvery argument proves that some Jews did indeed believe "that Israel stood underplanetary influence" and that Helios was probably a related minor deity to whomthey offered prayer.

Either way, Roussin cannot help but ask, "What in the world is a Greek god doing ina synagogue?" The same questions provided fodder in the RNU book, The GodsWho Walk Among Us.

While Roussin's assumptions are correct in that "Synagogue mosaics from the lateRoman and early Byzantine periods in Palestine offer evidence that Jews did indeedbelieve that Israel stood under planetary influence," she fails to address the bigger

issues of 1) where did the ancient Hebrews derive such a notion; 2) did similarreligious concepts exist in divergent cultures simultaneously around the world; and3) does this weaken or support the fundamentalist biblical view of a single Creator.

"What in the world is a Greek god doing in a synagogue?"

Can zodiacs and dedications to a Greek god in an ancient Jewish synagogue actuallyprovide support for the notion that Yahweh is the one true God and Creator?Probably, and the somewhat unorthodox conclusion begins with a simple idea calledOriginal Revelation.

The basic premise is that a perfect revelation existed between God and man "in thebeginning." The first man Adam was one with God and perceived divine knowledgefrom the mind of God. The human was "in tune" with the mental processes of God,and understood, therefore, what God knew about science, astronomy, cosmology,eschatology, and so on.

After the fall, Adam was "detached" from the mind of God, but retained an imperfectmemory of the Original Revelation including a knowledge of God's plan of




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redemption. This point of view seems reasonable when one considers that the earliesthistorical and archeological records from civilizations around the world consistentlypoint back to and repeat portions of a similar Creation story.

Two things began to occur in the decades after the Fall: 1) information from theoriginal revelation became distant and distorted as it was dispersed among thenations and as it was passed from generation to generation; and 2) (for those whobelieve in a real Devil) the realm of Satan seized upon this opportunity to receiveworship, and to turn people away from Yahweh, by distorting and counterfeiting theoriginal revelation with pagan ideas and "gods". Instead of viewing the galaxy andstars as a heavenly map laid out by God, men began celebrating the stars andworshiping the 'deities' believed represented by them. "Professing themselves to bewise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God..." (Rom.1:22-23).

In his book, The Real Meaning Of The Zodiac, Dr. James Kennedy echoes suchideas, pointing out that the ancient signs of the Zodiac record a singular and originalrevelation--a kind of Gospel in the stars--and that the message of the stars, althoughconverted into astrology after the fall of man, originally recorded the Gospel of God.He writes:

There exists in the writings of virtually all civilized nations a description of the majorstars in the heavens-- something which might be called their "Constellations of theZodiac" or the "Signs of the Zodiac," of which there are twelve. If you go back intime to Rome, or beyond that to Greece, or before that to Egypt, Persia, Assyria, orBabylonia--regardless of how far back you go, there is a remarkable phenomenon:Nearly all nations had the same twelve signs, representing the same twelve things,placed in the same order....The book of Job, which is thought by many to be theoldest book of the Bible, goes back to approximately 2150 B.C., which is 650 yearsbefore Moses came upon the scene to write the Pentateuch; over 1,100 years beforeHomer wrote the Odyssey and the Illiad; and 1,500 years before Thales, the first ofthe philosophers, was born. In chapter 38, God finally breaks in and speaks to Joband to his false comforters. As He is questioning Job, showing him and hiscompanions their ignorance, God says to them: "Canst thou bind the sweet influencesof Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in hisseason? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?" (Job 38:31,32).

We see here reference to the constellations of Orion and Pleiades, and the starArcturus. Also in the book of Job there is reference to Cetus, the Sea Monster, and toDraco, the Great Dragon. I would call your attention to Job 38:32a: "Canst thou bringforth Mazzaroth in his season?" Mazzaroth is a Hebrew word which means "TheConstellations of the Zodiac." In what may be the oldest book in all of humanhistory, we find that the constellations of the zodiac were already clearly known andunderstood... Having made it clear that the Bible expressly, explicitly, and repeatedlycondemns what is now known as astrology, the fact remains that there was a God-




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given Gospel [universally acknowledged original revelation] in the stars which laysbeyond and behind that which has now been corrupted.

In his book Dr. Kennedy strongly condemns the practice of astrology, while assertinghis view that the constellations of the zodiac were likely given by God to the firstman as "record-keepers" of the original revelation of God.

The original prophetic significance of the zodiac is summarized by Kennedy thus:

VIRGO: Seed of the Woman, Desire of nations, Man of humiliation, becomesexalted Shepherd and Harvester.

LIBRA: The scales demand a price to be paid, Cross to endure, the Victim slain, aCrown purchased.

SCORPIO: A Conflict, Serpent's coils, Struggle with the Enemy, the EvilVanquisher.

SAGITTARIUS: The double-natured One triumphs as a Warrior, Pleases theHeavens, Builds fires of punishment, Casts down the Dragon.

CAPRICORNUS: Life comes from death, He's the Arrow of God, Pierced, Springsup again in abundant life.

AQUARIUS: Life-waters from on High, Drinking the heavenly river, Delivering theGood News, Carrying the Cross over the earth.

PISCES: The Redeemer's People multiplied, Supported and led by the Lamb, TheBride is exposed on earth, the Bridegroom is exalted.

ARIES: The Lamb is found worthy, the Bride is made ready, Satan is bound, theBreaker triumphs.

TAURUS: The conquering Ruler comes, the sublime Vanquisher, the greatJudgment, the ruling Shepherd.

GEMINI: The Marriage of the Lamb, the Enemy is trodden down, the Prince comes

in great Glory.

CANCER: The great Bride, the Church and Israel, are brought safely into thekingdom.

LEO: The Lion King is aroused for rending, the Serpent flees, the Bowl of Wrath isupon him, his Carcass is devoured.

Whatever one makes of Kennedy and other people's zodiac conclusions, one cannot




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help but be amazed by the Gospel similarities.

If similar assumptions made in The Gods Who Walk Among Us can be accepted--that an original revelation was corrupted after the fall of man and subsequentlydegenerated into the mythologies of the pagan gods--one would expect to findnumerous examples of such corruption from as far back as the beginning of historyand within various civilizations around the world. Since the myths behind the godswould thus be "borrowed" ideas, the corrupted texts would be similar to the originaltruth, and, in that sense, evidence of a particular and original revelation.

In this case a representation of the Greek sun god Helios in an ancient Jewishsynagogue might be perceived as pointing back in time to an Original Revelation thatwas distorted as a result of the Fall of man.

Furthermore, If the distortions of the original revelation were in fact energized by anevil supernaturalism, the goal of the alterations would have been to draw peopleaway from the worship of Yahweh through a close but distorted association with anoriginal truth. According to researchers like Kennedy and Horn we thus find a zodiacin an ancient Jewish synagogue. In Spiritual Warfare--The Invisible Invasion asimilar example of original revelation plagiarized by Satan in order to draw menaway from the worship of Yahweh is given. Concerning Asclepius, the Greek god ofhealing, we read:

At the base of Pergamum's hill stood the shrine of Asclepius, equipped with its ownlibrary, theater, sleeping chambers used in healing rituals, and long undergroundtunnels joining various other shrines to which pagans journeyed to receive thehealing powers of Apollo's favorite son. The Christian Church considered thesemystical powers as demonic, for the worship of Asclepius focused on the image of aserpent, sometimes called Glycon, a figure some historians see as the origin for themodern symbol of healing-a serpent winding about a pole. Asclepius carried the loftytitle, the hero god of healing.

In Numbers 21, Moses designed the brazen serpent on a pole that was used of God asan oracle of healing. 743 years later, in 2 Kings 18:4, we find that Israel had began toworship the brazen serpent with offerings and incense. From here the image wasadopted into Greek mythology where it became the symbol of Asclepius, the Greekgod of healing.

Asclepius was reported to have cured untold numbers from every conceivabledisease--even raising a man from the dead. This caused Apollo through his Oracle atDelphi to declare, "Oh Asclepius!, thou who art born a great joy to all mortals, whomlovely Coronis bare to me, the child of love, at rocky Epidaurus." Such a healer washe reported to be, that Pluto, god of Hades, complained to Zeus that hardly anyonewas dying anymore, and so Zeus destroyed Asclepius with a thunderbolt. Afterward,Apollo pleaded with Zeus to restore his son and this intercession so moved Zeus thathe not only brought Asclepius back to life, but immortalized him as the god of




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medicine. First at Thessaly, and finally throughout the Greek and Roman world,Asclepius was worshiped as the saviour god of healing.

Greek mythology stated that Asclepius had the power to heal the sick and to bringthe dead back to life by drawing blood out from the side of the goddess of justice.Asclepius was symbolized by a serpent winding about a pole, and he was called thegreat "Physician." The obvious intention of the serpent on a pole in Numbers 21 wasto focus mankind on the coming Messiah, the true Great Physician, who would hangupon a pole and would deliver His followers from sickness and from death by theblood that ran out from His side.

Thus we find glaring examples of God's "revelations" plagiarized for demonicpurposes. RNU's research eventually uncovered dozens of such examples andsummarized them in The Gods Who Walk Among Us.

The worship of the Greek god Helios by ancient Jews refers back to a time whenOriginal Revelation was splintered and truth was fractured and men "changed thetruth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than theCreator, who is blessed for ever. Amen" (Romans 1:25). (July 9, 2004)

Psalm 147

Praise the LORD!For it is good to sing praises to our God;

for he is gracious,and a song of praise is seemly.

The LORD builds up Jerusalem;he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted,and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars,he gives to all of them their names.

Great is our LORD,and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure.The LORD lifts up the downtrodden,

he casts the wicked to the ground.

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;make melody to our God upon the lyre!

He covers the heavens with clouds,he prepares rain for the earth,

he makes grass grow upon the hills.




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He gives to the beasts their food,and to the young ravens which cry.

His delight is not in the strength of the horse,nor his pleasure in the legs of a man;

but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,in those who hope in his steadfast love.

Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem!Praise your God, O Zion!For he strengthens the bars of your gates;

he blesses your sons within you.He makes peace in your borders;

he fills you with the finest of the wheat.

He sends forth his command to the earth;his word runs swiftly.

He gives snow like wool;he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.

He casts forth his ice like morsels;

who can stand before his cold?He sends forth his word, and melts them;

he makes his wind blow,and the waters flow.

He declares his word to Jacob,his statutes and ordinances to Israel.

He has not dealt thus with any other nation;they do not know his ordinances.

Praise the LORD!




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Lambert [email protected]

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