The sun, moon and stars
were created for more than to simply give light to mankind. The miraculous
redemptive plan of God was placed in the heavens for all to see before there was
even a Bible. The stars and signs that HE Placed in the heavens so long ago are
preaching a message today - JESUS IS COMING! They are telling us to get ready
for a time of trouble unknown to man up to this point in history and one that
will never be anything like it in the future. The Lord Jesus said that in
the last days the powers of the heavens would be shaken and there would be signs
in the sun, moon and the stars alerting a world lost without God the times of
the Lord's coming are near. Neighbor, it’s getting late and we are seeing those
signs in the heavens at this present time. On March 29, 2006 a total solar eclipse over Egypt that coincided with
the days of the ninth plague during Israel's exodus from Pharaoh! One day prior
to this event on March 28, 2006, Israel held its national elections and one day
later Hamas, Israel's greatest enemy, took power in the West Bank, . We're
not setting dates, we're sounding an alarm that these signs are just another
sound of a distant thunder that something major is on the prophetic horizon. We
need to be sure that our calling and election is anchored IN CHRIST and Him
Crucified. He is the only anchor for our faith in these last days!
By Chris McDonald
Text: Luke 21:25-28
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon
the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
[26] Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things
which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. [27]
And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great
glory. [28] And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift
up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
As we continue part two of our look at the cosmic signs heralding the end times,
I want to address the Biblical foundation of studying the stars to give us
greater insights to the gospel of redemption found in Jesus Christ and Him
Crucified. There is some disagreement in some circles that the idea God
placed the gospel message of Jesus in the stars is legitimate and scriptural.
Some take severe issue with the stance that there are prophetic significance in
these cosmic signs even though the Lord Jesus Himself said that "there shall be
signs in the sun, moon and in the stars."
This
fascinating theory states that before there were written Scriptures God may have
used the clustering of stars that we call constellations as object
lessons about His future plans for salvation and other prophetic subjects
including the end times, the rise of Antichrist, the Great Tribulation, Israel's
salvation and the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Books such as
The Gospel In The Stars, by Joseph A. Seiss - originally published
in 1882, E.W. Bullinger's, The Witness of the Stars,
and other books as Marilyn Hickey's "Signs in the Heavens,"
and Perry Stone's book, "Unleashing the Beast" (which we use as a
major source to draw from for the information found in these two journals), are
but a few sources of a growing movement to take a deeper look at cosmic activity
to see God's plans - and patterns of redemption - both from the past and for the
future.
This writer
wants to make it clear once again we are in NO WAY shape, form, fashion or
otherwise endorsing ANY form of astrology. Astrology is an occult perversion of
the true science of Astronomy. Astrology is strictly forbidden by the
Scriptures.
Psalm 81:12
So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own
counsels.
Isaiah 47:13-14
Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy
counsels. Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators,
stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come upon thee. [14]
Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not
deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to
warm at, nor fire to sit before it.
Jeremiah 10:1-2
Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: [2] Thus
saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the
heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are
dismayed at them.
Daniel 4:7
Then came in the magicians, the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers:
and I told the dream before them; but they did not make known unto me the
interpretation thereof.
Daniel 5:7
The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the
soothsayers. And the king spake, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever
shall read this writing, and shew me the interpretation thereof, shall be
clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the
third ruler in the kingdom.
Daniel 2:27
Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king
hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the
soothsayers, shew unto the king;
Daniel 1:20
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them,
he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were
in all his realm.
2 Kings 17:16-17
And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten
images, even two calves, and made a grove,
and worshipped all the host of heaven,
and served Baal. [17] And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass
through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to
do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.
2 Kings 23:5
And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to
burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round
about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal,
to the sun, and to the moon, and to the
planets, and to all the host of heaven.
The Bible declares that the lights in
the heavens were to be used for signs and seasons (Genesis 1:14), and it
indicates that God, who created them, calls the stars by name (Isaiah 40:26;
Psalm 147:4). Psalm 19:1-6 says that the heavens are constantly telling of the
glory of God.
Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things,
that bringeth out their host by number:
he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he
is strong in power; not one faileth.
Psalm 147:4
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and
we beheld his glory, the glory as
of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Psalm 19:1-6
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament shows his handiwork. [2] Day unto day uttereth speech,
and night unto night shows knowledge. [3] There is no speech nor language, where
their voice is not heard. [4] Their line is gone out through all the earth, and
their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the
sun, [5] Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a
strong man to run a race. [6] His going
forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and
there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
According to
John 1:14 Jesus revealed the glory of God. Therefore, the heavens foretelling
the coming of Christ is not something that should shock us as Christian
believers. Jesus is the Messiah Israel longs to see yet cannot because of the
blindness on the hearts of millions.
Verse 6 of this
passage in Psalm 19 also speaks of the apparent circuit of the Sun, which is
known to us as the ecliptic. Constellations are mentioned in the Bible
(Job 9:9; 38:31-33). Perhaps most important of all, God used heavenly signs to
lead the wise men to Christ after He was born (Matthew 2:1-2,9-10). Therefore,
Astronomy, the study of the stars, including naming stars and constellations is
not bad. It is only the perversion of this knowledge that is wrong.
Job 9:9
Which makes Arcturus,
Orion, and
Pleiades, and the chambers of the
south.
Job 38:31-33
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of
Pleiades, or loose the bands of
Orion? [32] Canst thou bring forth
Mazzaroth in his season? or canst
thou guide Arcturus with his
sons? [33] Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion
thereof in the earth?
Matthew 2:1-2
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king,
behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, [2] Saying, Where is he
that is born King of the Jews? for we
have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Matthew 2:9-10
When they had heard the king, they departed;
and, lo, the star, which they saw in the
east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
[10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
The "zodiac" in
astronomical terms is a band of the heavens within 8 degrees on either side of
the ecliptic. The word "zodiac," actually means "The Way," which is very
interesting since that was the first name given to Christianity (Acts 9:2;
19:9,23; 24:14,22). The Hebrew word Mazzaroth has the same meaning and is
translated "constellations" in Job 38:32. "Mazzaroth therefore...
clearly signifies the twelve constellations of the zodiac through which the sun
appears to pass in the course of the year, poetically likened to the "'inns,"...
in which the sun successively rests during the several monthly stages of his
annual journey." (The International Standard Bible
Encyclopedia, Vol. I, p. 312)
Job 38:32
Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth
in his season? or canst thou guide
Arcturus with his sons?
Acts 9:2
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any
of this way, whether they were
men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
Acts 19:9
But when divers were hardened, and believed not,
but spake evil of that way before
the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing
daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
Acts 19:23
And the same time there arose no small stir
about that way.
Acts 24:14
But this I confess unto thee, that after
the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers,
believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:
Acts 24:22
And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge
of that way, he deferred them,
and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the
uttermost of your matter.
Luke 1:69-70
and Acts 3:21 imply the possibility of ancient or pre-historic prophets.
The Bible was not written until long after the Creation and the flood, but the
oral traditions were carefully passed down until Moses could record them
under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Hebrew traditions say that Adam,
Seth and Enoch could have been among these early prophets.
Since people lived for nearly a thousand years before the flood, and, of course,
their evenings were not spent watching television, but often, sleeping under the
stars, it is certainly possible that the average person was thoroughly familiar
with the star patterns and that God might have revealed a system of identifying
the constellations which foretold the story of salvation.
Luke 1:69-70
And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant
David; [70] As he spake by the mouth of his
holy prophets, which have been since the
world began:
Acts 3:21
Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which
God hath spoken by the mouth of all his
holy prophets since the world began.
Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her
seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Genesis 3:15 is
a clear prophecy of the future conflict between the seed of the woman and the
seed of the serpent which would ultimately be fulfilled in Christ's death for
us. Read the following scenario and decide for yourself whether these
constellations make more sense in a Biblical framework or in a mythological one.
This three-fold division of the zodiac is taken from the original manuscript of
Seiss's book in the late 1800s. Each Sign has a main constellation and three
others which are called Decans, from the Semitic word "dek" which
means "part." Together these 12 Signs and their Decans appear to tell the
amazing story of the Gospel! This short summary does not even remotely come
close to giving the full picture of this type study but we feel it necessary to
lay a foundation for this message.
The first four
signs of the "Zodiac," as the Lord created them, prefigure the person, work
and triumph of the illustrious Redeemer.
Virgo,
the Virgin, is the first sign. She has an ear of wheat in one hand and a branch
in the other. The wheat is actually seed, and symbolizes the "seed of the
woman." The branch is a familiar Old Testament name for the Messiah. The
same woman is seen in the first Decan of this sign, Coma, holding
a baby, the Branch, or the Desire of Nations. The next Decan in this
group is Centaurus, a half-horse, half-man. This could represent
the child who is born, having two natures: being both God and man. The
last Constellation in this Sign is Bootes, or Arcturus,
(Job 38:32) who is the Great Shepherd and Harvester. Together these images seem
to portray, as in the Bible, the virgin birth of a child who has two natures,
and the role of that child when he is grown as The Great Shepherd, leading His
flock.
Libra, the Scales, is a pair
of balances, the universal symbol of trade or commerce. It depicts a purchase,
or in this case, a redemption. It stands for the price to be paid. The three
Decans of this sign are the Cross (or the Southern Cross), the
Victim, and the Crown. The Cross would be the most
obvious symbol possible for the death of Christ, by which the price for our sin
was paid. He Himself was the victim, and, since the victim is killed by the
Centaur, which also presumably stands for Christ (from the previous Sign), we
see again the idea that Christ willingly offered His own life. He said it
was not taken from Him, but that He laid it down Himself. Thus, He was
responsible for His own death. The Crown would picture the victory gained
through the sacrificial death.
Scorpio,
the Scorpion, is a giant deadly insect with its tail and sting ready to strike.
It obviously portrays the enemy of the Deliverer. The three Decans of this sign
all seem to depict the dreadful struggle between the Savior and the one who
would keep Him from accomplishing His work. The Decans are The Serpent,
Ophiuchus, and Hercules. The first two of these are engaged
in a fight. The serpent is coiled around Ophiuchus. At the same time the
scorpion stings the man in one heel, but the man crushes the head of the
scorpion with his other foot. Hercules, the strong man is wounded in his heel,
but places his other foot over the head of the dragon. Hercules also has a club
in his right hand poised to crush the three-headed Dog of Hell held in his other
hand. Together, these images appear to point to the triumph of the Redeemer
over the Devil who is portrayed in all of the negative symbols of the scorpion,
serpent, dragon, and three-headed Dog of Hell . This is a prophetic picture
as well of the coming unholy "trinity" of the Great Tribulation period - the
devil, the beast and the false prophet.
Sagittarius,
the Bowman, is the figure of a horse with the body, arms, and head of a man.
This is the centaur, a creature that never existed as a mere animal, but would
be an interesting depiction of the God-man with two natures. His bow is drawn,
and the arrow is pointed at the scorpion. These images continue the thought of
the struggle between good and evil from the former sign, and seem to assure us
of the sure triumph of the Savior. The three Decans of this sign are Lyra,
Ara, and Draco. Lyra, the heaven-bound eagle holds a lyre,
symbolic of the song of victory. Ara, the Altar faces downward, presumably
burning with the fires of punishment. Draco, the Dragon symbolizes Satan in the
throes of defeat, winding himself about the North Pole.
The next four
signs depict the Redeemer's future work and mediatorship. This section
would then foretell the formation and work of the Church.
Capricornus,
the Goat, is another figure of an unlikely animal, partly a goat, sinking down,
as if dying, and partly a fish with a strong tail. This could symbolize the
death and new life of the Savior. The Decans which accompany this sign are
Sagitta, the arrow of God, bringing death, Aquila, the pierced and
falling eagle, and Delphinius, the Dolphin, springing up out of the sea,
apparently with new life.
Aquarius,
the Waterman, is a man with a large vase of water which he is pouring out from
the sky. This would be an apt portrayal the giving of the Holy Spirit whose
influence Jesus likened to streams of living water (John 7:37-39). One of the
Decans of this sign is The Southern Fish, drinking in the heavenly
waters. As we all know, the early Church chose the sign of the fish to symbolize
their faith since the Greek word for fish, ichthus, forms an
acrostic meaning, "Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior." The other two Decans
are Pegasus, the winged white horse, presumably carrying the Good News
with all speed, and Cygnus, the Swan, flying with the Cross over all the
earth.
Pisces,
the Fishes, portray two large fishes. This, again, would be a valid
representation of the Church, as seen in the former sign. The vernal (spring)
equinox, the point where the Sun passes from the south to north of the celestial
equator moves very slowly from one of the 12 sections of the Zodiac to another.
During the church age that point has been in the area of Pisces. That point is
now between Pisces and Aquarius, giving rise to the false and damnable New Age
teaching that we are entering some type of "Age of Aquarius." Don't laugh too
hard - the church world is buying into this nonsense more than you and I would
care to admit or want to know.
Much of Rick
Warren's "Purpose Driven Life" book is taken from input and excerpts of Carl
Jung, the well known Psychologist who said that he looked forward to the change
from the Christian era to a new occultic age. Warren and a host of others
embrace these New Age philosophies and made them the "new" gospel today. This
"new" gospel is from the "old" serpent that will send millions to hell who do
not believe in Christ Crucified as their source of salvation!
Some of this
"revival" of the New Age Some believe this happened in 1982
(William M. Alnor, Soothsayers of the Second Advent, p. 153.),
while others believe it will happen about the year 2200 ("Aquarius",
New Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia). This New Age teaching
is just a resurgence of the ancient Babylonian mysteries which have crept into
the church world today and destroyed the faith of millions. It needs to be
rooted out by the preaching of the truth of the gospel!
If there is any
real meaning to the gradually changing position of the vernal equinox, it would
be that the Age of the Church will give way to the even more glorious age of The
Holy Spirit, The Millennium and New Beginnings. The Decans of the sign of Pisces
are The Band, Cepheus, and Andromeda.
The Band attached to the fishes is held by the Lamb (Ares, the Ram). This could
symbolize Christ's hold on His church. Cepheus is a crowned king holding a band
and scepter, with his foot planted on the pole-star as the great victor.
Andromeda is a woman in chains, threatened by the serpents of Medusa's head. She
could be a picture of the church as Christ's bride, bound and exposed on earth.
Ares,
The Ram, is a strong lamb with powerful curved horns, lying down in peace and
conscious strength over the field around it. This would be a fitting picture of
Christ in Heaven, ascended and victorious. The Decans for this sign are
Cassiopeia, Cetus, and Perseus. These all symbolize victory
and dominion. Cassiopeia is a woman enthroned. This might be the bride, now
released from bondage. Cetus, the Sea-Monster, a symbol of the evil one, is
firmly held down by Ares, still alive, but subdued. Perseus, the armed warrior
who has winged feet, would be another reference to the victorious Savior. He is
carrying away the cut-off head of a monster full of writhing serpents.
The last four
signs make the most sense if they stand for the final consummation of all
things. This section would then foretell the coming judgments on the earth and
the glorious outcome of Christ's reign. These are very relevant to our ongoing
study of the end times, the Great Tribulation period and the coming travail of
Israel in the last days.
Taurus,
the Bull, is an angry, rushing animal, which would be a meaningful symbol of God
delivering His wrath during the Tribulation. The Decans are Orion,
Eridanus, and Auriga. Orion is the warrior-prince with a sword on his
side and his foot on the hare or serpent. Eridanus, the torturous River, is the
River of Judgment belonging to Orion. Auriga, the Shepherd, is a picture of a
powerful shepherd-king who tenderly holds a she-goat and two little goats in his
left arm. This could be a picture of The Lord's comfort of the persecuted
believers of this coming period of judgment.
Gemini,
The Twins, are two human figures seated together in loving closeness. This could
portray the Marriage of the Lamb. (See Marriage Supper of the Lamb.) The Decans
are Lepus, Canis Major, and Canis Minor. Lepus is the mad
hare, the enemy under Orion's feet. Canis Major, Sirius, the Great Dog could
prefigure the Prince coming in His glory. Then Canis Minor, Procyon, The Second
Dog, would be his princely following.
Cancer
the Crab is the figure of a crab, in the act of taking and holding on with its
pincers. This could be a picture of the victorious King of Kings when He
returns, and the Decans, Ursa Minor, the Lesser Bear, Ursa
Major the Greater Bear, and Argo, could picture His privileged
followers. Ursa Minor could also mean the lesser sheepfold, and stand for the
first-born who will be rulers, and Ursa Major could be the greater sheepfold,
the ones born later. Argo, the Ship, brings the weary travelers home from their
toils and travels.
Leo, the
Lion might easily picture Christ in His final victory over the Devil. All three
of the Decans point to the destruction of the enemy, pictured as a serpent.
Hydra, the fleeing Serpent, is about to be pounced upon by the lion.
Crater, the Bowl of Wrath, is placed on the serpent. And Corvus, the
Raven, the bird of doom, is also on the serpent, devouring his carcass. The
constellations brightest star, Regulus, is the 25th brightest star in the
sky, and speaks of kingship. (This star will be dealt with a great deal in this
message as it relates to the end times).
Again, we lay this summary only as a
foundation to give deeper understanding of the signs the Lord foretold would be
seen in the heavenlies prior to His return! Jesus HIMSELF said, "AND THERE SHALL
BE SIGNS," in the heavens which include the SUN, MOON and the STARS. We
took a look at recent cosmic signs in the sun and moon in part one of this
series. This message is about the witness of the stars and some of the signs in
the planets, constellations, falling stars and meteorites heralding the soon
coming the Lord Jesus Christ.
Planets And Comets At The Time of the Exodus; At
The Time Of The End
One of the strangest petitions in Scripture is when King
Hezekiah requested that the shadow of the sundial go backwards ten degrees.
2 Kings 20:11
And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord: and he brought the shadow ten
degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz.
In order for this to happen, it would necessitate a shifting in the rotation of
the earth, and that would cause a global upheaval. Ancient historians Berosus
and Seneca said this is what occurred. Plato ascribed the conflagrations of the
world to the action of a “celestial body that, changing its path, passed close
by the earth.” This event supposedly took place at the same time Scripture
records Hezekiah’s prophetic request. This may also explain why in 701 B.C. the
ancient global calendars changed from a 360-day-a-year calendar to a calendar
with five extra days added each year. For an additional five days to be added,
some drastic change had to occur.
At the time of the Exodus 3,500 years ago, a series of ten plagues struck Egypt.
Ancient manuscripts, written on both sides, were found in Memphis, Egypt, near
the pyramids that were lamentations revealing the horror and ruins of Pharaoh’s
kingdom. When God judges a nation, He does not take up a passive stance. He
always moves with full justice and full mercy at the same time. That’s what
makes our Creator the God He is. The Creator only moves in justice and judgment
when all mercy has been exhausted. Egypt was given a chance to choose mercy and
mercy was refused. When Alan Gardiner translated these manuscripts in 1909, he
found to his own amazement that the area described on the scroll dealt with
Upper Egypt, the same area where the Hebrews lived and eventually made their
exodus.
In his book, Ages in Chaos, author Immanuel Velikovsky believes the manuscripts
alludes to the plagues that stuck Egypt at the time of the Exodus! The plagues
of Egypt included:
• Three days of darkness (Ex. 10:21)
• Large hail stones (Exodus 9:24)
• Rivers turning to blood (Exodus 7:20)
In Upper Egypt, the fields and cattle were devastated (9:25, 10:15). These
plagues were God’s answer to Pharaoh’s hardened heart and stubbornness in
refusing to “let HIS people GO!” In addition, Egypt was an idolatrous nation
with heathen gods that the one True God showed as utterly HELPLESS and FALSE when
when it came to protecting this mighty juggernaut from His wrath hands of justice.
Numerous secular historians wrote of strange and horrible plagues that struck
other parts of the Earth about the same time the Exodus was under way in Egypt.
There is some evidence from scholars point out that a massive comet passed by
the earth about the time that God opened the Red Sea. In Natural History, Pliny
wrote:
“….a terrible comet…(that) was twisted like a coil, and it was very grim to
behold.”
The Jewish Talmud reports that stones fell in Egypt and were very hot. An
Arabian writer from the ninth century named Masudi related the tradition of this
catastrophe and told of swift clouds, ants and other signs of the Lord’s rage
when many perished in Mecca.
In Ages of Chaos, Velikovsky writes:
“Plagues of insects, drought and earthquake in the night….clouds sweeping the
ground (tornadoes?) (and) a tidal flood carrying away entire tribes. These
disturbances were experienced in Arabia and Egypt alike.”
Whatever method God used to judge the Egyptians, the impact was felt as far away
in Arabia. Astronomers seem to think the Egyptian catastrophe was rooted in some
form of a heavenly activity, perhaps by a comet passing close to the earth’s
orbit. In early history, the planets were considered wandering stars. Modern
science states we have NINE planets, but the early Hebrews recognized only
SEVEN. The seven-branched candlestick in the ancient Jewish Temple was a picture
of the seven planets. Called the menorah, it consisted of seven gold branches
filled with olive oil that provided light for the holy place.
“The Temple…had in it three things that were very wonderful and famous among all
mankind: the candlestick, the table (of showbread), and the altar of incense.
Now the seven lamps signified the seven planets; for so many there were
springing out of the candlestick. (Josephus, War of the Jews, V. 5)”
The Time of Creation, The Time of The End
According to
Perry Stone in his tremendous book, Unleashing the Beast," modern software can trace the position of the sun, moon and the stars in history
as far back as 3996 B.C. According to some models, the seven planets were in a
straight line at the time of creation of Adam. This alignment looked similar to
the seven lamps sitting on top of the menorah. According to computer models, a
similar alignment occurred the year that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.
Another similar event occurred on August 3, 70 A.D. when the Temple was
destroyed by Titus.
In recent times, the moon and eight of the planets lined up in a STRAIGHT line
on various occasions.
One such alignment occurred during the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah on
December 1, 1997 and lasted for eight days (the length of the entire feast
celebration . From west to east it was Pluto, Mercury, Mars,
Neptune, Jupiter, and Saturn.
Another similar planetary alignment occurred on May 2000 which all the
visible planets were lined up next to the sun. This event was repeated on May 5,
2002, which stands out on a political note because it was this day when Islamic
militants laid siege to the Church of the Nativity where Christ was born in
Bethlehem. In the sky over Bethlehem, during an Islamic siege, the Lord may have
been given the world a warning sign that His coming was getting close and the
sword of Islam was about to take over the world.
A very similar event occurred on
April 1, 2 B.C., when the planets Saturn, Venus, Mars formed a triangular
conjunction that could be seen in Israel - directly over the Church of the
Nativity of Bethlehem.
A sign that proclaimed the BIRTH of King Messiah was seen nearly 2,000 years
later – to show us that the times we’re living in are drawing us close to the
RETURN of KING MESSIAH JESUS!!!!! Praise God. Heathen astrologers teach that planetary alignments were once
thought to create dangerous stress on the earth. That is false and again based
upon a demonic foundation. These alignments
DO serve as a sign and a visible indicator of prophetic parallels of coming
events, the rise of Antichrist, the Great Tribulation period and the Second
Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Events on Mars and Jupiter
In early history, Mars was recognized by the Romans and Greeks as a planet of
war. Among the Hebrews, the planet Jupiter had a special meaning. The Hebrew
name is “Tzedeq,” which means “righteous one.” It was called the Star of David
and it represented kingship, coronations and the birth of kings. In 1994, a
cosmic event involving Jupiter excited both astronomers and rabbis. A comet
known as the Shoemaker-Levi comet broke in to 21 pieces. For SEVEN straight
days, from July 16-July 22, a series of 16 fragments from the comet began to
bombard the surface of Jupiter.
These impacts caused several explosions more powerful than the nuclear bombs
dropped on Japan during World War II and larger than the diameter of the earth!
Jewish tradition says that when Jupiter is “hit” in the heavens, it is a sign of
the end of the world. Well, the world has not ended, but it is very powerful to
note that when this activity began on July 16, 1994, it was the 9th of AV on the
Hebrew calendar. This was the anniversary of the destruction of both Jewish
Temples in 587 B.C. and A.D. 70
This bombardment occurred on the same day that secret talks to discuss
exchanging Israel’s land for peace through the Oslo Agreements in Norway. Since
the planet Jupiter was considered to be the planet representing King David, and
he was given the promise of a throne in Jerusalem, the bombardment was in
prophetic terms a picture of future “strikes” on the Jewish people, Israel and
Jerusalem during the coming Great Tribulation. Jeremiah called this a time of
“Jacob’s trouble.”
Jeremiah 30:7
Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of
Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
Israel will experience her greatest onslaught of bloodshed in her history from
the Antichrist, whom a growing number believe to be an offspring of Ishmael.
Daniel says the time of the end will be a time of false covenants and a man with
fierce countenance that will bring the world to the brink of total destruction.
Daniel 9:27
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of
the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the
overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the
consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
There will be an “overspreading” of abominations and he shall make it desolate.
In July, 1994, the heavens declared a prophetic picture of what was coming to
Israel and the entire world in the not too distant future. These are the signs in the heaven Jesus
spoke about.
Noah’s Comet And Being Warned By God
Pastor Stone and other Jewish experts
say according to Jewish tradition, not only are planetary alignments bad omens or
prophetic foreshadowing, comets are also considered a bad omen. These often
appear several years before a major war or disaster. In ancient history, nations
would not enter into battle after a comet was observed. One of the first comets
to ever be named was discovered by Sir Edmund Halley. Named “Halley’s Comet,” it
reappears about every 78 years. Researchers note that this comet appeared in 12
B.C. at the time Herod was extending the Temple platform in Jerusalem.
It reappeared in A.D. 66, four years prior to the destruction of Jerusalem and
the Temple. In the 20th Century, the comet streaked through the heavens in 1910,
just FOUR years prior to the outbreak of World War I. More recently, the comet
was seen on the earth in 1986, just four years before the conflict in the
Persian Gulf (1991). God is giving heavenly warnings of what is coming each time
this comet enters our galaxy and earth’s view.
On August 9, 1974, the comet Kohoutek was in our solar system. During that time,
all nine leaders of the Common Market fell, and President Nixon left office
following the Watergate Scandal. August 9, 1974, fell on the 9th of Av, the most
dreaded and negative day of the year among the Hebrew people. Let us make it
clear again that NEITHER the planets NOR are the stars CREATING these negative
effects on earth. That is nonsense. This activity is merely INDICATORS and SIGNS
of prophetic seasons on earth.
Hale-Bopp Comet - Noah's Comet?
The initial discovery of this large comet was April 27, 1993. On the Hebrew
calendar that day was the 6th of Iyar. Some 45 years prior, on the same date on
the Hebrew Calendar, the British Mandate over Palestine ended. On our regular
calendar this day was May 15, 1948, the official day Israel was re-birthed as a
nation. On August 2, 1995, the pre-discovery images were found on plates taken
at the Anglo-Australian Observatory that showed the comet was active.
It was spotted again, July 23, 1995 in the constellation Sagittarius, the
half-man, half-beast constellation (perhaps a picture of the coming Antichrist).
It was reported that the comet was 50 times brighter than Halley’s Comet.
The Hale-Bopp comet was eventually seen by the human eye during the entire year
of 1998. According to Bob Wadsworth, a Christian astronomer, the last time this
comet was seen by the human eye was 4,200 years ago about the same time NOAH
built the ark! According to Seder Olam Rabbah, an ancient Jewish text, a comet
did appear in the heavens at the time Noah was building the ark. Imagine that.
Some 4,200 years later, seeing the same comet that was visible at the time when
Noah was warned the flood was coming.
Matthew 24:37-39
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. [38]
For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
[39] And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also
the coming of the Son of man be.
Hebrews 11:7- By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet,
moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he
condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
The cosmic sign of Noah’s day was again repeated in our generation. 1998 was a
very unusual year as well in itself. Record floods reeked havoc in the South,
tornadoes hit the cities of Nashville, Orlando and Birmingham. The tornado in
Birmingham that hit April 18, 1998 is estimated to have had winds approaching
375 mph! Israel was in the middle of utter chaos at this time as well with the
ongoing pressure of the Clinton Administration to give up the Golan Heights to
Syria and the West Bank to the Palestinians. And who can forget that infamous
summer and fall when then President Clinton was impeached for lying to a grand
jury.
On May 20, 1997, the Hale-Bopp comet entered Orion and had exited it by June 16.
The comet was positioned in Orion during the Jewish Feast of Pentecost (June 11,
1997). In 1998, it was reported in Israel, that, according to Jewish oral
tradition, when a comet was seen passing through Orion, it was a “sign” that the
earth would be destroyed. The combination of the bombardment of Jupiter and the
huge Hale-Bopp comet created a stir among prophecy students who endeavor to
discern the signs of the times and the signs of the heavens.
Luke 21:25
And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon
the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Matthew 16:3
And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and
lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not
discern the signs of the times?
On an additional note, the Hale-Bopp comet was visible on earth; it was the year
5758 on the Jewish calendar. Each letter of the Hebrew alphabet has a number
value, and the numbers can be interchanged as letters of the alphabet. The name
NOAH in Hebrew is two letters – Nun and Het. The numerical value of Nun is 50,
and the value of Het is 8. Therefore the Hebrew name of Noah totals 58. How
powerful a witness in the stars that the comet Noah witnessed in his day
reappeared unexpectedly 4,200 years later at time when the last two numbers on
the Jewish calendar SPELLS NOAH in Hebrew? There shall be SIGNS in the heavens,
the sun, the moon AND THE STARS.
Falling Stars and 9-11-2001
Bible prophecy teachers and Christian astronomers believe major prophetic events
are also connected to falling stars or meteorite showers. When any strange
cosmic activity happens on a Jewish feast day or other noted season marking
Jewish history, it is taken as either a good or bad omen, depending upon how the
ancient teachers viewed the previous patterns of such activity in history.
One may say, "Hasn't there always been comets, eclipses and meteorite showers?
What is so important about these?" These are important because they are falling
on Hebrew feast days and are happening during times when other Biblical
prophecies are being fulfilled. Some, such as Hale Bopp, have a pattern
associated with the days of Noah. Since Jesus said there would be signs in the
sun, moon, and stars, then we must be aware of these signs and understand how to
properly discern them.
Rabbis say one day during the Jewish year that is considered the worst day in
Hebrew history is the 9th of Av, or Tisha B’av. According to Jewish tradition,
the following bad events occurred on the 9th of Av:
• The 10 spies brought an evil report to Moses.
• The first Temple /Solomon's) was destroyed by the Babylonians.
• The second Temple, built by Zerubbabel, was destroyed by the Romans.
• In A.D. 71, the Romans plowed the city under with salt and destroyed the third
Temple (Herod's).
• The messianic hero, Shimon Bar Kochba, and his men were destroyed.
• England expelled its entire Jewish population in A.D. 1492.
• Twenty-one huge meteorites hit Jupiter in 1994
• A huge meteorite shower hit Earth in 1997
In his historical writings, the Jewish historian Josephus gave a list of the
strange and supernatural signs that occurred four years prior to the destruction
of Jerusalem:
“The signs were so evident and did plainly foretell their future desolation ...
Thus there was a star resembling a sword, which stood over the city, and a comet
that continued a whole year ... on the feast of unleavened bread on the eighth
day of Nisan at the at the ninth hour of the night, so great a light shown round
about the altar and the holy house, that it appeared to be bright day time;
which lasted for an hour ... At the same time a heifer, as she was led to
sacrifice, brought forth a lamb in the midst of the temple. Moreover, the
eastern gate of the inner court of the temple, which was of brass, and vastly
heavy, and rested upon a basis armed with iron, and had bolts fastened very
deep into the first floor, which was made of entire stone, was seen to be opened
of its own accord about the sixth hour of the night. Those who kept the Temple
came running to the captain of the Temple, and told him of it: who then came up
hither, and not without great difficulty, was able to shut the gate again”
(Josephus, Antiquities, War of the Jews.)
These series of cosmic signs began occurring four years prior to the actual
destruction of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple. The comet that passed through in
the year A.D. 66 was believed to be Halley's Comet. The most unusual cosmic sign
was the "star was shaped like a sword." Naturally this was interpreted as a sign
of war with the Romans, and the eventual defeat of the Jewish revolt. The
meaning of the "star shaped like a sword" has been a mystery until recently.
During a meteorite shower in Italy in 1998, a photograph of it displayed the
falling stars fashioning the shape of a large sword in the heavens! Four years
prior to Israel's war with the Romans that led to Jerusalem's demise, the star
like a sword was a cosmic warning of impending danger. In late 1986, a little
more than four years prior to America's war on terrorism, and approximately four
years prior to the Catholic Church experiencing its worst internal conflict in
hundreds of years, a meteorite shower formed a sword over Italy!
In November of 2001, another meteorite shower, the Leonid shower, occurred over
Jerusalem, this time with cosmic dust appearing to be falling from the paw of
the constellation of Leo the Lion. As stated earlier, the lion is the emblem of
the tribe of Judah, the tribe where our Lord sprang from and is identified with.
This meteorite shower also formed the shape of a long sword in the sky. Was the
sign that Josephus recorded, the star shaped like a sword, a meteorite shower
that was visible over Jerusalem during the time of the Lord’s birth? If so, we
are experiencing a repeat of the same type of signs and going headlong to the
advent of the rapture, Antichrist and the Great Tribulation period.
The Star in Bethlehem and the End Times
Due to the corruption of astronomy that was birthed by astrology, the true
understanding of the signs in the heavens was lost and the myth-seekers and
stargazers took the symbols of the twelve constellations and began applying
them to the personal, daily lives of people.
After hundreds of years, Christian researchers are now reexamining and
revisiting the original meaning of the stars and their signs. Such a book is W.
E. Bullinger's Witness in the Stars. The stars in the sky are a visible word
picture of the progression of God's revelation of Jesus Christ.
At the time of the birth of Christ, there were wise men from Persia and Babylon
called Magi. These men were trained to scrutinize the alignment and position of
the planets in the constellations. When certain planets were positioned within
certain constellations, it was understood as a sign of a coming war, or possibly
the birth of a king. Such was the case when the Magi came to King Herod and
announced the birth of a Jewish king. These astronomers had seen His star in the
east (Matthew 2:2).
Matthew 2:2
Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in
the east, and are come to worship him.
The Star of Bethlehem described in the Gospel of Matthew has a number of
similarities with a star that appeared over Jerusalem in 66 CE that was
described by Josephus in The Jewish War (6.5.3 289). In particular, both
Josephus and Matthew talked of a star that stood in the sky in an apparently
miraculous way, contrary to the natural movements of the heavens.
The star these Wise Men saw was likely a conjunction of certain planets that
created a very bright star in the heavens. Astronomers note that on August 12, 3
B.C., Jupiter (the king star) and Venus (the morning star) were in conjunction.
Any conjunction with Jupiter was considered a sign of the birth of a leader or
royalty. There were cosmic signs at the Lord’s FIRST ADVENT, and an earmark of
His SECOND ADVENT will be cosmic events!
Many of the symbols used in the Book of Revelation - the lamb with two horns,
the dragon, the virgin woman in travail, and the lion - are all part of the
ancient symbols connected to major constellations.
The Sign of the Grand Cross
Referencing Perry's excellent book, “Unleashing the Beast,”
again, henotes that prior
to the new millennium, a total solar eclipse over the Middle East was
interpreted by some as a sign of the time of the end. On August 11, 1999, a
total solar eclipse occurred over Israel. In Europe and the Middle East, from
start to finish, it lasted from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., about three hours. At
the time of the eclipse, four planets - Mars, Saturn, Jupiter, and Uranus - were
positioned in such a manner that, if a person were to draw an invisible line
from one planet to another, it would form an X-shaped cross.
Called a "Grand Cross," this unique sign becomes more interesting when we
consider the time in which the eclipse and the positioning of these four planets
occurred. Christian astronomers point out that on Passover, April 28 in A.D. 28,
the same four planets were in a similar position to form a Grand Cross. Some
scholars believe this was the time of the crucifixion.
If April 28 in A.D. 28 is the first day, and we move forward using the ancient
360 day a year prophetic calendar, then 2,000 years later (720,000 days) the
date is August 11, 1999, the same day the three-hour eclipse occurred from 12:00
p.m. to 3:00 p.m. The New Testament notes that as Christ hung on the cross,
there was darkness upon the earth for three hours, from the third to the ninth
hour (Luke 23:44). This was from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Both days fell on a
Wednesday.
Luke 23:44
And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth
until the ninth hour.
Pastor Stone mentions in his book that this sign of the grand cross sent Muslims
believed this was a sign the world was coming to an end and the day of judgment
was about to arrive. Other Muslims believe a tradition that a time of great
darkness will precede the day of judgment. Many remained locked in their homes,
praying.
How interesting it is that the sign of the Grand Cross, a unique positioning of
four planets, was seen in darkness as the sun was hidden for three hours,
stretching from the Middle East into Europe! The next day, August 12, 1999, the
new moon was visible at sunset. The 12th of August was the first day of Elul on
the Hebrew calendar, which began a 40-day period of repentance, known as the
Days of Awe that concludes on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
In a prophetic sense, this eclipse is a deeper reminder to ALL that the earth is
about to enter into her darkest hour and the ONLY answer and solution is the
CROSS of CHRIST and placing our faith in HIS FINISHED WORK! Mankind needs to
REPENT and BELIEVE!
A month later after this event, Israel celebrated its New Year on September 11,
1999 – 24 months to the day of America’s darkest day in her history.
The Tragedy Of 9-11-2001; The Prophetic Significance
This writer and his wife were in Boston, MA on September 10, 2001 sitting in
Logan Airport like thousands of others. Lisa had not been on a large airplane
since she was in college and had a little trepidation. Pregnant then with our
son Caleb, who is now 4, she sat there in the lobby with me talking about the
trip home. We had no idea that the very airport she would fly home from in a few
hours would be used as a launching pad for the worst terrorist attack on
American soil in our history less than 24 hours later. We had tried hard to get
her plane ticket changed for one day later so we could spend one more day
together (I was up in New Hampshire on business). Had we been successful she
would have flown out of Logan on 9-11-2001. We know now that
God’s hand of providence blocked that from happening to send divine protection.
When the news came in the next
morning, Lisa had already gotten home and called me about 8:50 A.M. after the
first plane had hit the North Tower. I was working in Manchester N.H. and had
just gotten back to the hotel room when this all happened. Manchester was about
30 miles north of Boston, where no one there, nor any other person in America knew what would take place
that fateful September day would change America and the world forever.
The events of 9-11-2001 will forever shape events in the Middle East, America,
Europe and all of Asia that will have eternal effects on end time events. It is the belief of this writer that a page was turned
in prophetic history – one we’ll never return from – and one that will more than
likely define America’s existence as a free nation depending on how this nation
responds. Right after 9-11, the nation had a brief and I mean BRIEF moment where
it paused and looked inward to find the reasons why the once most powerful
nation in the world was hit by fanatical Muslim terrorists who destroyed the
Pentagon, World Trade Center and had the White House and Air Force One in their
sites. We got very patriotic, but we didn’t repent.
For a brief moment America’s political atmosphere changed from one of
partisanship and almost treasonous dialogue by some in Washington D.C. to one of
unity and a feeling that when those planes hit the World Trade Center, they were
not directed at either the Democratic or the Republican parties- they were
directed at AMERICA. That too, lasted only a brief time.
Religious leaders like Pat Robertson
and Jerry Falwell said the events were tied to America’s embracing of
homosexuality and abortion. Of course, the liberal media and sadly, many in the
church, shredded both leaders and rebuked them as being “insensitive.” The truth
is never welcomed by those who try and justify sin. America’s liberal media and
apostate church leadership cried out in disgust feeling that God would never
judge our nation for such. WRONG. If God don’t judge America for homosexuality,
then Sodom and Gomorrah deserve an apology.
Friend, NO APOLOGY is coming from God. God need not apologize to ANY man or
movement.
The month of September and the day (11th) itself are very significant and
prophetic – both in Islam, Christian and American history, and in the scope of
prophetic events to come. Many Islamic terrorist attacks have occurred in the
month of September:
• September 6, 1970-Palestinian militants hijacked four different airliners in
one day.
• September 5, 1972.-Black September terrorists executed an attack at the
Olympics
• September 10, 1976-Croatian terrorists hijacked a TWA airliner.
• September 23, 1983-An Omni Gulf airbus was brought down by a bomb.
• September 20, 1984-Islamic radicals bombed the U.S. Embassy in Beirut
• September i1, tool-Terrorists flew airplanes into the Twin Towers and the
Pentagon
The month of September has been marked as a month for terrorist attacks. Often,
the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, falls in the month of September. Several historical scholar - both
Biblical and secular even, note there is a great
possibility the birth of Christ may also have occurred in the month of September
with growing evidence it took place on – you guessed it – 9-11!!!!!!!!!!
While nobody is certain about the actual birthday of Christ, scholars do note that
the Bible states the Magi came to see Him in Bethlehem after "seeing His star in the east"
(Matthew 2:2). These Magi were possibly chief men of the Persian religion. They
were among six tribes of the Medes. In history, they would have interpreted the
dreams of the Persian leaders and were noted for their genuine knowledge in the
natural and spiritual realms. They were also familiar with the astronomical
phenomena.
There was also a religious belief among the Persians that three deliverers would
come. Two would be prophets who would reform the world and raise up a kingdom,
and a third would rule the kingdom and raise the dead. These men may have been
influenced by the Jewish Scriptures and history left in their nation after the
Jews returned from Babylonian captivity. The Magi's reference to "his star" may
be this verse:
Numbers 24:17
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come
a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the
corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Because the Hebrew prophet Daniel held a high position in the Persian Empire,
it’s a good possibility the wise men of the Medes and Persians were familiar
with Daniel's prophecies concerning the future of Israel. These prophecies,
along with the predictions in the Torah, gave these men an understanding that a
king Messiah would one day be born in Israel.
Daniel 6:3
Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an
excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole
realm.
So, it was a cosmic occurrence in the heavens that precipitated the interest of
the Magi in journeying to Israel to visit the infant child destined to be the
King of the Jews. It appears this mysterious star was actually formed by some
type of planetary conjunction that developed within one of the major
constellations.
Western Christians traditionally
celebrate Christ's birth on December 25. It may be possible that He was
conceived at this time, but His birth would have actually occurred in the early
Fall, more than likely on or near one of the Fall feasts of Israel, which
usually occur in September. Shepherds would not have been out tending sheep in
December - too COLD!
Scholars have placed Christ's birth from as early as 7 B.C. to as late as 1 B.C.
No early church source places the birth of Christ before 4 B.C. In fact, Clement
of Alexandria, Tertullian, Julius Africanus, Bishop Hippolytus of Rome, Origen
and Euseubus all date the birth of Christ between 3 B.C. and 2 B.C. Also,
Josephus records an eclipse that occurred at the death of Herod.
Secular history records five major eclipses from 5 B.C. to January 9, 1 B.C.
Jesus was in Egypt at the time Herod died, and the angels told Joseph it was
safe to bring Jesus back to Israel (Matthew 2:19-20). Most evidence points to
the January 9, 1 B.C. eclipse being the one that occurred at Herod's death. This
would coincide with Jesus' birth being either 2 or 3 B.C., since Christ was in
Egypt for a brief time as an infant.
Matthew 2:19-20
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to
Joseph in Egypt, [20] Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother,
and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's
life.
The Magi saw "His star." The ancients considered all heavenly bodies as stars,
including the planets (except the sun and moon). In ancient history, Jupiter was
considered the star of kingship, even among ancient Jewish scholars.
The stars also foretold the birth of Moses. Three years before the birth of
Moses, Jupiter and Saturn were in conjunction in the constellation Pisces.
Josephus, Abarbanel, Eliazar and other historians affirm that Egyptian
astronomers interpreted this sign as an indicator that a great man would be born
among the Jews. Perhaps this is why Pharaoh placed heavier workloads on the
Hebrews. In both events, the slaughter of innocent children followed seeking to
destroy a deliverer!!!!!
In 1973, the devil pushed through a damnable law in Roe. V. Wade which legalized
abortion. A well-known prophetic voice said the Lord told him that this too was
an effort to destroy a generation of young men and women God had ordained to
preach the gospel unlike it’s ever been preached before. Thousands were killed,
but thousands more survived. It is the opinion of this writer that those who
survived will be used in some of the most riveting powerful ministries known to
mankind to bring deliverance to THIS generation. Satan has always tried to
destroy God’s plan by killing babies.
The common denominator between ALL of
these events is cosmic signs in the heavens! What cosmic event happened between
3 and 2 B.C. that would have served as a sign of the birth of the King of the
Jews? In both 3 B.C. and 2 B.C., there was a series of conjunctions that
involved the planet Jupiter. In 3 B.C. Jupiter, the planet representing King
David was in conjunction with Regulus, the star of kingship, in the
constellation Leo the Lion, considered to represent the tribe of Judah. This
conjunction in the lion would have served as a sign of the birth of a leader.
Stone believes the Book of Revelation
gives a prophetic scene that unfolded at the birth of Christ, and tells us how
Satan attempted to kill Christ after His birth: “And there appeared a great
wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and
upon her head a crown of twelve stars: and she being with child travailing in
birth, and pained to be delivered” (Revelation 12:1, 2).
This writer feels the man
child in Revelation 12 is the 144,000 Jewish remnants, but many times
scriptures, especially prophetic ones, have double meanings. This passage in
Revelation 12 may have a literal fulfillment in the 144,000 AND also be a
spiritual picture of the initial birth of our Lord. I don’t disagree with Pastor
Stone’s assessment even though I feel this passage in it’s literal fulfillment
refers to the 144,000 remnant of Israel who will be translated in the middle of
the Tribulation period, and be “caught up” to God. Israel will travail during
the last days and bring forth these evangelists who will be full of the Holy
Ghost and preach the gospel to non-believing Israel. That is another subject,
another time.
As this scene relates to our current message, there are graphic terms describing
the astronomical activity at the time of Christ's birth. Mary, Christ's mother,
was a virgin. The constellation Virgo represents a virgin. In Revelation 12, the
sun appears to "clothe the woman."
As the sun travels its elliptical trajectory through a year, it enters into the
body of the constellation Virgo. The sun is in the area between the neck and the
knees, for approximately 24 hours. A new moon is formed during this period under
the feet of Virgo.
According to Biblical astronomers, on September 11, 3 B.C., the sun and moon were in
such a position in the constellation Virgo. On September 11, sunset was at 6:18
p.m. and moonset at 7:39 p.m. It would have been during this 81minute period of
time that Christ would have been born in Bethlehem, the city of David, of the
tribe of Judah! The Gospel of Luke indicates the shepherds visited the child at
night. This was Tishri 1 on the Jewish calendar.
September 11, 3 B.C. was also a Jewish feast day known as Rosh Hashanah. This is
the Jewish New Year. According to Hebrew tradition, Rosh Hashanah is the time
Adam was created. The reckoning of the Chronicles of the king was counted from
first Tishri 1, because it was the beginning or head of the year on the Hebrew
calendar (Rosh means head). This date is believed by other researchers such as Craig Chester,
co-founder of the Monterey Institute for the Research of Astronomy, to be the
actual day Christ was born in Bethlehem. Dr. Ernest Martin, in his book The Star
of Bethlehem: the Star that Astonished the World, also indicates that according
to the cosmic signs, the birth of Christ was on September 11, 3 B.C. These books
and articles were written years before the attack that shook the world! As
Pastor Stone states, “Those who assume the Bible says little about the
importance of cosmic activity should perhaps reconsider their opinions in the
light of the Scriptures.” This writer agrees with that last statement with a
hearty “amen.”
The Terrorist Attack on 9-11 – The Satanic Root
One can be almost certain that Al-Qaeda did not position America's terrorist
attack for September 11 as an assault on Christianity because of Christ's
birthday. Yet, if this date is correct, it is imaginable that our spiritual
adversary selected September 11 as the season for a major strike as a mockery of
America, which is globally recognized as a Christian nation.
The prophetic imagery in Revelation 12 is that of a male child being born to
rule the nations. It pictures the dragon (Satan) attempting to destroy the
child. The man child, who is Christ, is "caught up to the throne of God."
Afterwards, Satan sets his attention towards a remnant of believers.
According to Biblical prophecy, the Antichrist and the false prophet will
produce their own supernatural signs to impress humanity to follow their
diabolical program (see Revelation 13:12-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:9).
Rev. 13:12-15
And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the
earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly
wound was healed. [13] And he doeth great wonders, so that he makes fire come
down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, [14] And deceives them that
dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in
the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should
make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. [15]
And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the
beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image
of the beast should be killed.
2 Thes. 2:9
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs
and lying wonders,
With such warning, we should not be surprised when strange and unusual signs
begin to appear in the Muslim world. After all, the Apostle Paul warned of the
danger of spiritual deception inspired by satanic signs and wonders:
2 Thessalonians 2:9-11
Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying
wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;
because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And
for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a
lie .
In Closing
Muslims, Jews and Christians believe there are certain signs of the end of the
age. The Muslims believe in a coming liberator known as the “mahdi,” and various
signs of the end of time. Religious, yet unsaved, Jews are looking for the Messiah and
have a series of Old Testament prophecies that indicate the birth pangs of the
Messiah have arrived. True born-again believers - both Jew and Gentile -
see both Old and New Testament
revelations to form a Scriptural end-time theology.
The difference between Christian theology and Islamic beliefs is that, to the
Christian, the Bible is a book of prophecy and redemption; while the Koran is a
book of false promises built upon false premises pointing a false picture of a
false prophet-Mohammed. The fulfillment of Biblical signs gives ample proof that
the Scriptures are true. Cosmic signs are only one part of the evidence that
indicates we are in the time of the end, but they are ever increasing in scope
and intensity and are
worth our attention.
The purpose of these two messages by
this writer are to merely jolt us into a deeper study of end time events and see
the hand of the Lord in the heavens declaring to us the end is near. No, the
world is not going to end, but the age we live in known as the Time of the Gentiles
is coming to an end! More journals
are coming about the prophetic times we live in. It’s something burning on my
heart like a flame that cannot be quenched.
As I close, I received an email from a dear couple near Cincinnati, Ohio who
read the first part of this message and left us a precious post on the
guestbook. In their post, it was relayed how they too have felt a recent
constraining of the Holy Spirit that something huge is on both the political and
prophetic horizons here in America as well as the entire world.
The precious couple said they are actively warning all who will listen to make
their calling and election sure! We join them with those sentiments today. There
are times when these journals take weeks in between to develop. This writer
seeks the Lord’s face about what to write about while other times we may just
write something to make sure our site is kept up to date. I can tell you that
the recent journals concerning the end times are Holy Spirit birthed and
directed! Our hearts are burning with the need to warn that the time is near and
the JUDGE is even at the door! These writings recently have flowed like a river
and I can’t say that has always been the case since we started this website in
1998.
I don’t say what I say next with any type of self-serving spirit. The Lord has
helped us pen over 200 journals since 1998. That amounts to about 20 books that
have never been published. I have thought many times to try and do that but our
prayer for Spirit Journals is that these journals bless and encourage others
more than they get put in a book and make a profit. Freely we have received and
I pray we have freely given. The Lord knows what we write here and He knows the
frustration at times we’ve felt in not being able to do even more.
I said all of that to come back to my real point. The purpose of Spirit Journals
is to edify, EXHORT and encourage. These messages on the signs of the heavens in
these last days are EXHORTATION for ALL to WATCH and PRAY for we do not know when
the Bridegroom cometh!
There is a DEEP need for us to get ready for the rapture. Jesus is coming friend
and He’s coming SOON! Look for a cave if you want to – I’m not looking to hide –
I’m looking to be translated. Stay here and fight the Antichrist if you want to
– I’m not looking for the Antichrist – I’m looking for THE CHRIST! As the song
goes, “I hear the sound of a MIGHTY RUSHING WIND, and it’s closer now – than
it’s ever been; I can ALMOST hear the trumpet, as Gabriel sounds it call – at
the MIDNIGHT CRY, when Jesus comes again. When Jesus STEPS OUT on a cloud of
GLORY, the dead in Christ shall RISE, and MEET Him in the air. Then those who
shall remain, shall be clearly changed. At the MIDNIGHT CRY, when JESUS COMES
AGAIN. “
Neighbor, I feel that deep in my heart today and I pray you do too. If you’re
not sure you know you’ll go should the trump sound – I pray you make that
decision to be born again TODAY. Jesus Christ loves you and has come to set you
free from sin. He reaches out to you through the words of these journals, arms
outstretched with a heart full of love, not condemnation. He beckons you to be
saved today and so do we. It’s getting late neighbor and its harvest time.
Praise God.
If you've been
blessed by this journal or would like to leave a comment, please post it below
on our guestbook.
Matthew 24:21-28 - For then shall be great
tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no,
nor ever shall be. [22] And except those days should be shortened, there should
no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. [23]
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it
not. [24] For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall
show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall
deceive the very elect. [25] Behold, I have told you before. [26] Wherefore if
they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he
is in the secret chambers; believe it not. [27] For as the lightning cometh
out of the east, and shines even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the
Son of man be.
Click here for
Bibliography and sources of further study Signs of the Heavens
Rev. 5:5 -
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of
Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven
seals thereof.
THIS
JOURNAL IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT SHAPE FORM OR FASHION OF THE DEMONIC PRACTICE OF
ASTROLOGY. WE WROTE THIS SEVERAL MONTHS BACK TO MERELY DISCUSS SOME
EXAMPLES OF WHAT THE LORD SAID WOULD OCCUR IN THE LAST DAYS - HE CLEARLY SAID
"SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS," meaning the Stars, Moon, Sun, Etc. We're not trying to
draw any conclusions to patterns in the constellations to start a doctrine. READ
THE WORD, SEEK THE LORD, not the stars and you will understand! God bless