THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD – (2)
PART TWO
IN the first part of this article we saw part of God’s divine message written in the stars as revealed in six signs of the Zodiac with the three constellations related individually to each of these signs. In this concluding Part 2. the six remaining signs of the Zodiac, each with their three related constellations are considered.
Psalm 19:2,3 & 4 records the existence of this message:
“Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world”.
Ancient astronomical records which hold the key to reading this divine message consist mainly of very old planispheres. These are drawings or carvings showing maps of the stars, which also include illustrations of the various figures which make up the forty-eight constellations, twelve of which are the twelve signs of the Zodiac. Most ancient names had a basic meaning, and it is the meanings of some three hundred names of the constellations and their attendant stars, which together reveal the Divine message. As Psalm 19-3 says ‘there is no speech or language where their voice is not heard’. For example a star in the constellation VIRGO is called TSEMECH in Hebrew meaning ‘the Branch’.
Most of the ancient civilizations practised astronomy and kept detailed records. The various names are in several languages including Greek (G), Egyptian (E), Hebrew (H), Arabic (A), Chaldee (C), Latin (L), and Akkadian (AK). Where known, the language is shown by the bracketed capital.
It can be considered certain that these constellations were first produced and put in place by the Almighty. The detail of the message and its identical message with that of Scripture, must prove this as will be shown. The term DECAN used in tabulating each of the three constellations related to each sign of the Zodiac, is an Arabic word similarly used hereafter. The word ZODIAC is an astronomical term, and was defined in Part 1. Here the word has been adapted to mean a planisphere or star map showing stars and illustrations of constellations. Figure numbers relate to a Zodiac divided into four parts numbered one to four.
Our investigations then continue starting with paragraph 7 Pisces:
7. PISCES (Figure 3)
The Fishes. This sign is pictured as two separate fish each tethered separately by their tails to the neck of CETUS the sea monster. The Hebrew name is DAGIM meaning the fishes. Here there is a related meaning to multitudes. An old Egyptian name is PICOT ORION or PISCES HORI which mean ‘the fishes of him that cometh’. Here we can safely understand that the fishes refer to the multitudes of the decendants of Israel, particularly of Joseph. The sign PISCES has always been associated with true Israel. Genesis 48:16 relates:
“… let them (Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph’s sons) grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth”.
The term ‘my people’ spoken by God, according to Dr Scofield, always refers to the Children of Israel. It must be remembered that the Church, the body of Christ, is not mentioned in Scripture until Matthew 16:18. Paul confirms in Romans 16:25:
“… according to the revelation of the mystery, (The Church) which was kept secret since the world began”.
To advocate the doctrine that the Church has replaced Israel is contrary to Scripture. Israel is part of the Church and the Church is universal. Israel was instituted about 3,700 years ago, the church about 1,970 years ago. The great majority of present day decendants of Israel are totally unaware of their identity. Do not be led by the precepts of man, Scripture is the only reliable source of God’s precepts. Isaiah 43-21 tells us:
“This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise!”
Again, Isaiah 40:5 & 8:
“the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it”, and “the word of our God shall stand for ever”. God’s WORD is irrevocable, all of it. If we do not believe one small part of the Word, we are then guilty of disbelief, and Christianity is based on belief or faith!
To return to Pisces, two star names in this sign have come down to us, the first is OKDA (H) meaning ‘the united’ and SAMACA (A) ‘the upheld’. These refer to the redeemed seed of the houses of Judah and Israel (the ten tribes) finally united under one king, the Messiah.
DECAN 7.1 THE BAND. (Figure 3)
This constellation does not appear in current Zodiacs or star charts showing constellations. Antarah, an Arabian poet of the sixth century refers to it as a separate sign from PISCES. An old Egyptian name U-OR means ‘he cometh’. An Arabic name AL RISHA means ‘the band’ or *‘the bridle’. Hosea may well be referring to this in chapter 11:4:
“I (God) drew them (Israel) with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws…”
The message on this sign alone is obscure and needs to be considered with PISCES and the next DECAN.
DECAN 7.2 ANDROMEDA. (Figure 3)
The chained woman. Today this sign is called the Princess of Ethiopia. The picture shows a seated woman with chains holding feet and arms. The Hebrew name is SIRRA ‘the chained’. An Egyptian name is SET ‘set up as a queen’. The brightest star in the head is ALPHIRATZ (A) meaning ‘the broken down’. A star at the lower left side of the body is MIRACH (H) ‘the weak’. The star in her left foot is called AL MARACH (A) or AL AMAK K (A) which means ‘struck down’. Other unidentified stars are MIZAR meaning ‘the weak’, and AL MARA (A) ‘the afflicted’. This sign represents Israel captive and afflicted as they were in the last few centuries before the birth of Jesus and afterwards. The next DECAN has a message of deliverance.
DECAN 7.3. CEPHEUS (Figure 3)
The King. The picture behind CYGNUS, shows a kingly figure with crown and sceptre enthroned with his left foot on the present Polar star AL RUCCABA in the constellation URSA MINOR. An Egyptian name for this sign is PE-KU-HOR meaning ‘this one cometh to rule’.
CEPHEUS (G) means ‘the branch’. An ancient Ethiopian name was HYK ‘a king’. The brightest star in the left shoulder is AL DERAMIN meaning ‘coming quickly’.. In the centre of the body is AL PHIRK (A) ‘the redeemer’. In the left knee is AL RAI meaning ‘who bruises or breaks’. Here the message becomes clear, CEPHEUS represents the Messiah King, King of Israel, redeemer of all mankind. Scripture has many well known references to confirm this message.
8. ARIES (Figure 3)
The Ram or Lamb. The picture shows a Ram or Lamb alive and seemingly well. The Hebrew name is TALEH ‘the lamb’. The Arabic name is AL HAMAL ‘the sheep; gentle; merciful’. The Syriac name is AMROO meaning ‘lamb’. St. John 1-29 quotes John the Baptist’s words:
“Behold the lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. “.
An old Akkadian name was BARRAZIGGAR ‘the sacrifice of righteousness’. The brightest star is EL NATH or EL NATIK, meaning ‘wounded, slain’. The next star in the left horn, ALSHERATANG meaning ‘the bruised or wounded’. A star near Al Sheratang is MESARTIM (H) meaning ‘the bound’. The divine message is about the lamb of God who was slain, but is raised up from the dead and lives for evermore. Revelation 5-12 eloquently relates:
“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing “.
At the time of the crucifixion the Sun in its joumeyings was over a place marked by the stars EL NATH and AL SHERATAN, the names of which mean ‘wounded, slain’, and ‘the bruised or wounded’.
DECAN 8.1. CASSIOPEIA. (Figure 3)
The enthroned woman. The Arabic name is AL SEDOR ‘the freed’. An Egyptian name is SET ‘set up as a queen’! Albumazer records that in ancient times, she was called ‘the daughter of splendour’. Cassiopeia certainly means similarly ‘the enthroned, the beautiful’. Another name RUCHBA (A) means ‘the enthroned’. The brightest star in the left breast SCHEDIR (H) means ‘the freed’. The star in the top of the chair CAPH (H) means ‘the branch’.
This constellation is sited between CEPHEUS and ANDROMEDA. The divine message of Cassiopeia reveals her to be the Lamb’s wife, the bride, Israel redeemed by the Lamb that was slain. Isaiah confirms this in chapter 54-5:
“For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called”.
DECAN 8.2. CETUS. (Figure 3)
The sea monster (not a fish). This is the largest constellation and is shown with the two fishes of Pisces tethered to the back of its neck. An Egyptian name is KNEM which means ‘subdued’. The brightest star in the face, is MENKAR ‘the bound or chained enemy’. The star in the tail is DIPHDA or DENEB KAITOS meaning ‘overthrown or thrust down’. In the neck is the star MIRA ‘the rebel’. The message here is that CETUS represents Satan, the rebel, overthrown and subdued. Revelation 20:1&2 gives the Scriptural story of this:
“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years “.
This fearsome being Satan has overwhelmed mankind, and the only being capable of removing him completely, is the Lamb of God, Jesus the Messiah, the Holy one of Israel, The Lord of hosts.
DECAN 8.3. PERSEUS. (Figure 3)
A mighty man, the breaker. The Hebrew name is PERETZ from which PERSEUS (G) comes. The picture is of a mighty man sword in hand, with wings on his feet, carrying the head of the enemy in his left hand. The Greeks called the head Medusa. But, the Hebrew name MEDUSA means ‘trodden under foot’. Another name is ROSH SATAN (H) ‘the head of the adversary’. An Arabic name is AL ONEH meaning ‘the subdued’. Also we have AL GHOUL (A) meaning ‘the evil spirit’. A bright star in the waist MIRAK means ‘who helps’. Another star in the right shoulder is AL GENIB (A) ‘who carries away’. A star in the left foot called ATHIK means ‘who breaks’. Thus, the message carries on here, showing our Redeemer, the mighty man, of infinite ability destroying our great enemy Satan. Scripture gives many descriptions of Satan – I Peter 5:8 ; Genesis 3:1; and 2 Corinthians 11:14:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”.
“Now the serpent (Satan) was more subtle than any beast of the field”.
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light”.
9. TAURUS. (Figure 3)
The Bull. The picture is of a large bull, head down charging forward. The various names of this sign in other languages all mean the same ‘the bull’. One Hebrew name SHUR infers both ‘coming and ruling’.
A Hebrew poetical name is REEM inferring ‘power, exaltation, and pre-eminence.’ This constellation has a large number of stars. The brightest star in the eye is AL DEBARAN (C) meaning ‘the leader’ or ‘governor’. A star in the left horn is EL NATH (A) meaning ‘wounded or slain’ no doubt referring to the coming lord first being slain. The sign contains an asterism named THE PLEIADES (G) which means ‘the congregation of the Judge or Ruler’, and is a Greek translation of CHIMA (H) which means an ‘accumulation’. THE PLEIADES are mentioned in Job 9:9 & 38:31 and contain many stars the brightest being AL CYONE (A) meaning ‘the centre’. Another group of stars, on the bull’s face is called THE HYADES meaning ‘the congregated’. The message here tells that Jesus the anointed one comes to rule, judge and reign. Revelation 19:10 tells us:
“… for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy”.
This tells us that, as in this constellation, the prime message of prophecy is that our Redeemer and Lord is coming to reign.
DECAN 9.1 ORION. (Figure 4)
The coming prince. Today he is called the Great Hunter which is irrelevant. The picture shows a mighty man in front of Taurus. He is obviously triumphant. The ancient Egyptian name is HAGAT meaning ‘this is he who triumphs’. The name was probably spelt OARION originally, providing a variant meaning ‘coming forth as light’. The Akkadian name was UR-ANA ‘the light of heaven’. The name ORION appears in Job 9:9 and 38:31 and Amos 5:8. This constellation is a magnificent sight with 78 stars. As ‘the coming prince’ he stands with his left foot on LEPUS the enemy. His sword has the head and body of a lamb, his right hand holds a club, and his left hand holds the head and skin of a lion. Stars confirm who he is. The brightest in the right shoulder is BETELGEUZ,.meaning ‘the coming of the branch’. In the left foot is RIGEL or RIGOL “the foot that crusheth”. In the left shoulder is BELLATRIX meaning ‘quickly coming’ or ‘swiftly destroying’. A star in the belt AL NITAK (A) means ‘the wounded one’, reminding us that this deliverer was once wounded. Other unidentified but named stars relate similar meanings – ‘who bruises’, ‘treading on’, ‘the branch’, ‘the mighty’, ‘the ruler,’ ‘the strong’, ‘coming forth’. So the divine star message adds detail of the coming return or second advent of the Messiah. Isaiah tells us of this event in chapter 40:5:
”and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together”.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 adds more:
“And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming”.
DECAN 9.2 ERIDANUS. (Figures 3 & 4)
The river of the Judge. The picture shows a river flowing from ORION. It is a very large constellation and runs off our planisphere from Fig. 3. The brightest star near the end of the river is ACHERNAR meaning ‘the after part of the river’. The star near the source of the river is CURSA meaning ‘bent down’. A star in the second bend in the river is ZOURAC (A) meaning ‘flowing’. An unidentified star OZHA means ‘the going forth’. The name ‘river’ is usually associated with water. But it seems that this river is more likely to be fire. Greek myths connected to this sign, indicate that it probably was originally associated with fire. Daniel in chapter 7 verses 9 & 10 tells us:
“… his (The Ancient of days) throne was like the fiery flame, … A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: … the judgement was set, and the books were opened”.
Psalm 97:3 gives a similar detail:
“A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about”.
We can only conclude that this DECAN relates the same story as the quotations which are but a few of the many similar ones in prophecy.
DECAN 9.3. AURIGA. (Figure 4)
The Shepherd. The picture which is sited next to PERSEUS shows a seated man with a she goat clinging to his left shoulder. He holds two tiny kids with his left hand. The modern name for this sign is THE CHARIOTEER(?) True, in Latin AURIGA means a coachman or charioteer, but much earlier records show a shepherd. AURIGA comes from a Hebrew root meaning a shepherd. Isaiah 40-11 tells us:
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom “.
The brightest star in the goat’s body is ALIOTH (H) meaning ‘a she goat’. Its modern name is CAPELLA with the same meaning. A star in the right arm called MENKILION has the meaning ‘band or chain of the goats’ which the shepherd appears to be holding in his right hand. Is not this a band of compassion, the sheep or goats never to be lost again? In the right foot is the star EL NATH meaning ‘wounded or slain’. Psalm 37:38, 39 relates:
“But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord;”
This sign’s meaning is well described by this quotation.
10. GEMINA. (Figure 4)
The twins. The picture shows two young figures, the ‘twins’, one with a bow and one with a club. The bow holder has a harp. The stars in this sign reveal the message. A star in the head of the bow holder is called APOLLO meaning ‘ruler or judge’. In the head of the clubholder is the star HERCULES which means ‘who cometh to labour or suffer’. The modern names of these two stars are CASTOR & POLLUX respectively. A star in the left foot of the club holder is AL HENAH (A) meaning ‘hurt, wounded, or afflicted’. A star in the centre of the picture is called WASAT which means ‘set’ meaning ‘composing himself to complete the task fully’. The message here is that the ‘twins’ represent Jesus the man, the Christ at his first advent where he suffered and died for us all, and Jesus at his future second advent when he will come in power and great glory as King to rule and remove all evil. In the picture the ‘twins’ appear to be at peace and rest on completion of their tasks. Psalm 72 records the scenario. Verse 7 encourages us:
“In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth”
DECAN 10.1. LEPUS. (Figure 4)
The Hare, but in this context, the enemy. The names and pictures of these DECANS related to GEMINI are of later origin and tell us very little. In the temple of Denderah in Egypt, the Zodiac has a different picture showing a bird on a serpent beneath ORION’S feet. The name is BASHTI-BEKI meaning ‘confounded and failings’. The stars give more information. The brightest star ARNEBO (H) means ‘the enemy of him that cometh’. The Arabic name ARNEBETH has the same meaning. Other unidentified stars are – NIBAL ‘the mad’; RAKIS ‘the bound’ and SUGIA ‘the deceiver’. These provide a clear answer. In previous signs the enemy has always represented Satan by one of his many names, and here this sign relates to the same. Psalm 60 verse 12 puts the meaning in most eloquent prose:
“Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies”.
DECAN 10.2. CANIS MAJOR. (Figure 4)
The great dog. This name and picture tells nothing. Again the stars provide the message. The brightest star in the dog’s head is SIRIUS meaning ‘the prince’ as does the Hebrew name SAR. SIRIUS is the brightest star in the heavens, its magnitude is 1.46, a very beautiful star, and its name accordingly very appropriate. Other ancient names of this star are – KASISTA (AK) ‘leader and prince’; TISTRYA (P) or TISTAR (P) ‘the chieftain of the east’. In the left foot a star called MIRZAM means ‘the prince and ruler’. A star in the body WESEN means ‘the bright, the shining’. In the right hind leg is a star called ADHARA ‘the glorious’. Several unidentified stars confirm the same message – ASCHERE (H) ‘who shall come’; AL SHIRA AL .JEMENIYA (A) ‘the prince or chief of the right hand’; SEIR (E) ‘the prince’; ABUR (H) & AL HABOR (A) both mean ‘the mighty’; and MULTIPHEN (A) ‘the leader the chief’. The message here is best summed up by Revelation 19:6:
“King of Kings and Lord of Lords”.
Referring to Satan, the Angel Gabriel says in Daniel 8:25:
“… he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many; he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand”.
DECAN 10.3 CANIS MINOR. (Figure 4)
The little dog. Again a Greek picture and a Latin name, certainly not an ancient original. Passing straightway to the stars of this small constellation – the brightest star in the body is named PROCYON meaning ‘redeemer’ the Prince who was slain. A star in the neck is ALGOMEISA (A) meaning ‘the burdened, loaded, bearing for others’. Other unidentified stars are – AL SHIRA (A) or AL SHEMELIYA (A) ‘the prince or chief of the left hand’; AL GOMEYRA (A) ‘who completes or perfects’. The message from GEMINA, and its three DECANS tells us first of the completed tasks of the Messiah in the two Advents and then of the trodden down enemy, and of our wonderful Redeemer, Prince of princes and Prince of peace.
11. CANCER. (Figure 4)
The Crab. According to Dr Bullinger, this sign is not like the original ancient picture or name. In the temple of Denderah in Egypt the name of this sign is KLARIA meaning ‘cattle folds’. The Arabic name to AL SARTAN ‘who holds or binds’. There is no Hebrew word for Crab, it would be referred to as just vermin. The Latin name CANCER and the Greek name KARKINOS both mean ‘holding or encircling’ hence the crab. Central in the sign is a small group of stars called today a Beehive. The ancient name is PRAESEPE meaning ‘a multitude or offspring’. The brightest star in the head is TEGMINE meaning ‘holding’. A star in the lower large claw is called ACUBENE which both in Hebrew and Arabic means ‘the sheltering’ or ‘hiding place’. Another star named MA’ALAPH (A) means ‘assembled thousands’. Finally a star called AL HIMAREIN (A) means ‘the kids or lambs’.. The meanings of these star names surely tell us of the redeemed untold thousands held safely together by our blessed redeemer King.
DECAN 11.1 URSA MINOR. (Figures 1 & 4)
The Little Bear. It appears to be established that the original names and pictures of this sign and the following one are different to the present day ones published and shown in Figure 4. Apart from this no bear exists with such a corpulent tail and no bears are shown in any Chaldean, Egyptian, Persian or Indian planispheres or Zodiacs as they are called in this article. In ancient antediluvian times different names and pictures must have been used as shown by the star names of these two DECANS. The brightest star in URSA MINOR is DUBHEH (H) meaning ‘a herd of animals’. In Arabic the star is named DUBAH meaning cattle. In Hebrew it is maned DOHVER meaning ‘a fold’, a further Hebrew name is DOHVEH meaning ‘rest or security’. We can therefore understand that the message refers to a sheepfold in this case the Lesser Sheepfold. The brightest star at the end of the tail is AL RUCCABA (A) which means ‘the turned or ridden on’ and is today known as the POLE STAR or POLARIS. It marks the point vertically above our earth’s north pole in the celestial sphere. In actual fact it is slightly off centre and we need star tables to be able to locate true north. When these constellations (NOT stars) were first drawn up say 5000 or 6000 years ago, the star THUBAN, in the constellation DRACO (DECAN 4.3) was then the Pole star. This is due to the gradual revolving of the heavens referred to on the first page of this article. From the above evidence there surely can be no doubt that we see the hand of the Almighty in these constellations and star names. He must have had a reason for arranging for the present position of the star AL RUCCABA (The pole Star now known as Polaris) to be vertically above our north pole, bearing in mind the meaning of the name AL RUCCABA as being ‘the turned or ridden on’. From Earth the heavens appear to revolve round the Pole star which itself appears to remain stationary, as the meaning of that star name implies. The writer has no wish to speculate on this, but the question arises. Is this related to Luke 21- 25?:
“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon earth distress of nations, with perplexity;”
Other stars in this sign are KOCHAB ‘waiting him who cometh’ AL PHERKADAIN (A) ‘the calves’ or ‘the young’; AL GEDI (A) ‘the kid’; AL KAID ‘the assembled’; ARCAS or ARCTOS ‘a travelling company’ or ‘the stronghold of the saved’. So this part of the message paints a picture of the redeemed waiting in a secure place – the lesser sheepfold – for their redeemer to come.
DECAN 11.2. URSA MAJOR. (Figure 4)
The great bear. As was established in the last DECAN 11.1 the name little bear is not the original and the same applies to this DECAN. The great bear is not the original name. It will be seen that an ancient name was the Greater Sheepfold or similar. In Arabic it is still called AL NAISH or ANNAISH ‘the assembled together’ as sheep in a fold. The brightest star is DUBHE ‘a herd of animals or a flock’. Central in the body is the star MERACH (H) ‘the flock’. In Arabic it means ‘purchased’. The star near the tail is PHAEDA or PHACDA meaning ‘visited, guarded or numbered’. A star in the tail ALIOTH means ‘the she goat’. Midway in the tail is MIZAR meaning ‘separate or small’. Near the last is AL COR (A) ‘the lamb’. A star at the end of the tail BENET NAISH (A) means ‘the Daughters of the assembly’. Unidentified stars are – EL ALCOLA (A) ‘the sheepfold’. CAB’D AL ASAD ‘multitude, many assembled’. MAGREZ ‘separated’; EL KAPHRAN (H) ‘redeemed and ransomed’. The divine message here is best summed up by Jeremiah 31:10:
“Hear the word of the Lord, 0 ye nations, and declare it in the Isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock “.
DECAN 11-3. ARGO. (Figure 4)
The Ship. Modern constellation maps show this sign as PUPPIS, ‘the stern of Argo’. Argo means ‘company of travellers’. The picture shows a ship located just below the celestial equator beside CANIS MAJOR and beneath the head of HYDRA. Only a portion of this sign’s stars are visible in Britain. The brightest star is CANOPIS which means ‘the possession of him who cometh’. Unidentified stars are – SEPHINA ‘the multitude’ or ‘abundance’; TUREIS ‘the possession’; ASMIDISKA ‘the released who travel’ SOHEIL (A) ‘the desired’; SUBILON ‘the branch’. The message here indicates a large company of the redeemed (released) travellers belonging to him who comes (the Messiah). Isaiah 51:11 refers-:
“Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion”.
Isaiah 60 also confirms this message and should be read.
12. LEO. (Figure 4)
This is the twelfth sign of the Zodiac and is The Lion. The picture is of a large Lion sited beside the Crab. The Hebrew name is ARIEH meaning ‘the lion hunting down his prey’. The Arabic name is AL ASAD ‘A lion coming vehemently, leaping forth as aflame’. The brightest star on the Ecliptic is REGULUS meaning ‘treading under foot’. A star in the tip of the tail is DENEBOLA meaning ‘the Judge or Lord who cometh’. A star in the mane is called ALGIEBHA (A) meaning ‘the exaltation’. The star on the back is ZOSMA ‘shining forth’. An unidentified star named AL DAFERA (A) means ‘the enemy put down’. Numbers 24:8,9 gives a good summary of the sign:
“…he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows. He couched, he lay down as a lion and as a great lion…”
Revelation 5:5 tells us who this lion is:
“…behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed…”
This is of course the great Messiah, Jesus the King.
DECAN 12.1 HYDRA. (Figures. 1 & 4)
The Serpent. HYDRA means ‘he is abhorred’. This is a large constellation, it stretches beneath VIRGO, LEO and CANCER. The brightest star is AL PHARD (A) an ancient name meaning ‘the separated, the put away’. A further star named AL DRIAN (A) means ‘the abhorred’. One more ancient star name has survived, it is MINCHAR AL SUGIA meaning ‘the piercing of the deceiver’. HYDRA represents that old serpent the Devil and Satan to be put away by the Lion of the tribe of Judah, The Lord Jesus, The Messiah.
DECAN 12-2 CRATER (Figures. 1 & 4)
The Cup. This constellation forms part of HYDRA on which it appears to be fixed. The picture shows a large cup with handles. This can be no other that ‘the cup of his (God) indignation’ in Revelation 14:10 and ‘the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath’ of Revelation 16:19. Only one star name is revealed, it is AL CHES (A) meaning ‘the cup’.
DECAN 12.3 CORVUS. (Figure 1)
The Raven. The Zodiac in the Temple of Denderah in Egypt gives it the name HER-NA. The two words combined mean ‘the breaking up of the enemy’. The star in the birds eye is AL CHIBAR (A) meaning ‘joining together’. The name in Hebrew is CHIBAR meaning ‘accursed’. A star in the right wing is AL GOREB (A) from the Hebrew Oreb meaning ‘the raven’. An unidentified star MINCHAR AL GOREB means ‘the raven tearing to pieces’. The divine message ends with CORVUS and shows HYDRA the serpent (Satan) conquered and facing everlasting punishment.
The twelve ancient signs of the Zodiac, each with three attendant constellations, together relate the Scriptural story, starting with the virgin birth of Jesus the Christ, to the death on the cross and the future return of Him in power and glory as redeemer King followed by the final removal of the great enemy Satan and all his associated evil in mankind and in creation. Do not overlook the latter. This message in the stars is an exact account as in the Scriptural Word. But it was in place and known on earth thousands of years before the Bible canon was written. The Psalmist knew about it (Psalm 19) Paul knew about it (Romans 10:18) and what about the Wise Men who came to worship the infant Jesus? Matthew 2:1,2 tells us:
“behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, 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 wise men were almost certainly astronomers, possibly, Magi from Persia. Their obvious foreknowledge of the birth of the Holy Child, must have come previously from the divine message in the stars. They may well have seen or heard of the prophetical writings of Isaiah and other prophets. Dr Bullinger says that there was a well known tradition in the east that a star would appear in the heavens, in the constellation of COMA at the time of the Birth. The ancient Christian writers Ignatius and Prudentius confirm that what was almost certainly a new star, appeared at the time of the birth of Jesus. It is possible that Numbers 24:17 also refers to this star. We know that some of the message of the stars has been lost, therefore there may have been further information concerning this star of Bethlehem in the original message. Perhaps the last two lines of the second verse of that old traditional Carol, The first Noel, record actual history!
They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East beyond them far.
And to the earth it gave great light
And so it continued both day and night.
Surely nothing, other than a bright star would ‘continue’ and produce ‘great light’ visible ‘both day and night’.
Ancient astronomical records reveal that most of the ancient civilizations knew about this stellar message. It was ‘written’ in the heavens long ago revealing the everlasting existence and promise of the Son of God thousands of years before Jesus preached his gospel of salvation. Truly, all mankind in general has no excuse for ignoring this wonderful story. Salvation is a free gift to all, to the Israelites and all mankind.
With acknowledgements and thanks to all who produced and/or preserved the ancient records and to Frances Rolleston and to Dr E. W Bullinger D.D. for their writings on this subject in the 19th Century.
