THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD – (1)
PART ONE
MANY years ago, I came across the following story:
“A virgin shall bear a son called the branch, the gloriously beautiful, who shall come down and have dominion. He shall be desired and longed for, but also he shall be despised and be a sin offering. He shall be pierced, but will also pierce. He is the heretofore and the hereafter. He will come suddenly to rule, subdue, govern and tread under foot”.
This story does not ORIGINATE from any book or human record whatsoever. It has been recorded and hidden in the stars of the heavens. It has nothing to do with Astrology. It is revealed through the most ancient fundamental principles of Astronomy, plus the ancient meanings of the names of forty eight constellations or star pictures and their attendant stars. The above story comes from the constellation VIRGO and its three attendant constellations COMA, CENTAURUS and BOOTES. It gives only a part picture of the whole story written in the stars.
Ancient astronomical records which have come down to us over many thousands of years, reveal this extraordinary message of God’s divine will directed towards mankind. According to Scripture, this message was in place long before the Bible canon was drawn up.
In many of the ancient civilizations, Astronomy was widely practised. Surprisingly accurate records of star charts and particularly constellations were produced. They will be referred to as Zodiacs hereafter.
The night sky appears to be identical to us each time we see it. It appears to revolve once every twenty four hours due to the revolving of the earth. However, in addition to this, the whole universe as seen from earth is very slowly revolving about one degree of arc every seventy one years. Therefore, the positions of the stars and also the constellations, as seen today, are different to those seen several thousand years ago. As a result of this phenomenon astronomers are able to calculate the approximate date of ancient Zodiacs. Accordingly, some are known to date back several thousand years, long before the birth of Jesus the Christ. Some can even be proved to be copies of more ancient Zodiacs.
The various ancient constellations were apparently named similarly and had similar identifying figures irrespective of which civilization they originated from, as will be shown. In addition, the names of the various stars within each constellation had meanings which were also similar. From the ORIGINAL meanings of the names of the constellations and their attendant stars, God’s divine message to mankind – for that is what it is – is revealed. Unfortunately, however, we do not have a complete picture. Some constellation names and figures as well as star names have been lost or altered by intent or accident. For example, both the Egyptians and the Greeks changed some names etc., for their own purposes. However, sufficient original evidence has been handed down from ancient times, and thanks to the records of many individuals over several millennia, it is available to us today.
Scripture confirms the existence of this message in the stars. Psalm 19:1-6 states:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor 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. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun. Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 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”.
Verses 2,3, and 4 quite clearly record the existence of this message in the stars. Paul refers to this in Romans 10:18, speaking about Israel he says:
“But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”
Notice that both quotations state that the words went to all corners of the world. So all mankind could have seen it! This in turn is proven by the astronomical records of a number of ancient civilizations which have come down to us.
Genesis 1:16 tells us:“he (God) made the stars.”
Psalm 147:4 adds: “He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names”.
Isaiah 40:26 continues the story: “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.”
Job 9:8 & 9 tells us: “(God) Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south “.
God himself speaks to Job in 38:31 & 32: “Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?”
Mazzaroth is an ancient name for the constellations, including the twelve signs of the Zodiac, which were originally also the names of the months of the year. Amos tells us in his book chapter 5 verse 8:
“Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion”
Arcturus, Orion and the Pleiades (the seven stars) are ancient star names and are still used today. These quotations surely tell us that God was responsible for these and all other stars and therefore of course also for the constellations. Because of the similarity of the figures representing the constellations in several ancient civilizations, we can safely conclude that the ORIGINAL figures also must have come from God. Josephus and Persian and Arabian traditions ascribe the practice of Astronomy to Seth and Enoch. These antediluvian patriarchs may well, by inspiration, have drawn up the original figures. Isaiah 45:12 provides a suitable conclusion to this part where he records God’s words:
“… I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded”
From ancient records and Zodiacs, we find that the original constellations were forty-eight in number. Twelve of the constellations are referred to as the signs of the Zodiac. The correct meaning of Zodiac is the name given to a strip of the sky about 16 degrees of arc wide, the centre line of which is the apparent yearly path of the sun called the ecliptic. The twelve signs of the Zodiac are sited nominally within this part of the sky. Each of these signs relate to three additional constellations referred to as decans in ancient Arabian astronomical records, and will be so named hereafter as the first, second and third decan with each sign of the Zodiac.
The various names of the constellations and attendant stars are from various civilizations and languages and are marked:
(AK) Akkadian: (L) Latin: (C) Chaldee: (A) Arabic: (H) Hebrew: (E) Egyptian: (G) Greek.
Figure numbers viz. 1, 2, 3* & 4* refer to the four diagrams hereafter, each of which is a quarter part of a Zodiac which it is hoped is as near as our information allows to a copy of an original.
The final confirmation of the authenticity of the Divine message in the stars, and that it must have been placed by God in ancient times, rests in the nature of the message itself which is now considered.
1) VIRGO: (Figure 1)
The first sign of the Zodiac we start with is VIRGO (L) the virgin, because it is the obvious starting point of the divine message, as will be seen. The sign Virgo is represented by a picture of a woman with a branch in the right hand and ears of corn or wheat in the left hand. Virgo means ‘a virgin’, another name is BETHULAH (H) meaning also a virgin. In this connection Isaiah 7:14 says:
“Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son”.
In Arabic we have the name VIRGA (A) meaning ‘a branch’. Another name SUNBUL means ‘an ear of corn’. The ear of corn in the picture draws our attention to the bright star AL ZIMACH (A) as being important. Another name is TSEMECH (H). Both of these names mean ‘the branch’. The modern name is SPICA (L) meaning ‘an ear of corn’. Another star called ZAVIJAVEH means ‘the gloriously beautiful’. Isaiah 4:2 echoes these names:
“In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious,”
A further star AL MUREDDIN (A) means ‘who shall come down’ or ‘who shall have dominion’. This last star is also called VINDEMATRIX (C) meaning ‘the son or branch who cometh’.
Thus VIRGO tells of a virgin bearing a son called the branch who shall come down.
Decan 1.1 COMA (Figure 1)
This name means ‘the desired’ or ‘the longed for’. Albumazar, an 8th Century astronomer, tells us that this ancient sign was represented by a pure virgin nursing an infant BOY with a Hebrew name which the Greeks called CHRISTOS. Modern star charts or Zodiacs show a picture of a woman’s hair called Coma Berenices. However the ancient Egyptian name was SHES-NU (E) which means ‘the desired son’. The picture shown in Figure 1 comes from the Denderah temple in Egypt. No further detail is available here.
COMA then tells of the desired son. Haggai 2:7 also tells us:
“… the desire of all nations shall come…”
Decan 1.2 CENTAURUS (Figure 1)
The Centaur. The Hebrew name for this sign was BEZEH and the Arabic name was AL BEZE, both of which mean ‘the despised’ Another name for this sign was ASMEAH (H) which means a ‘an offering’. The Greek name was CHEIRON which means ‘the pierced’ or ‘who pierces’.
The brightest star is TOLIMAN which means ‘the heretofore and the hereafter’. Isaiah 53:3 shows again the closeness of Scripture: “He is despised and rejected of men”
Revelation 1:8 adds further confirmation: “… saith the Lord which is, and which was, and which is to come”
CENTAURUS’s message then is of the despised one v the everlasting one.
Decan 1.3 BOOTES (Figure 1)
The coming one. The modern name is The Bear Driver. If this were the original, why the sickle? The picture shows a man walking rapidly with a spear in his right hand and a sickle in the left hand. An ancient name was SMAT (E) meaning ‘one who rules, subdues and governs’. Another name is BAU (E) meaning ‘the coming one’. It is probable that the most ancient name was ARCTURUS which is also the name of the brightest star and means ‘he cometh’. The star in the spear head is called AL KATUROPS (A), meaning ‘the branch treading under foot’. A star below the waist is MIRAC meaning ‘the coming forth’. The star in the head is named NEKKA and means ‘the pierced’. Bootes surely identifies the Messiah, the coming one who was pierced who comes to rule, subdue and tread all evil under foot –The Branch. Revelation 14:14-16 confirms the divine message in the stars:
“one … like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle … he … thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped”.
2) LIBRA: (Figure 1)
The Scales. The sign ‘picture’ shows a pair of scales. Libra is a Latin name meaning ‘weighing’. Other names are MOZANAIM (R) meaning ‘the scales weighing’ and AL ZUBENA (A) meaning ‘purchase or redemption’. The picture is probably not the original one. A much older name TULKA (AK) means ‘a sacred mound’ or ‘a holy altar’. This relates more closely to the star meanings hereafter. The brightest star in the lower scale is ZUBEN AL GENUBI (A) and means ‘the purchase or price which is deficient’. This tells us that man is weighed in the balance and found wanting.
Daniel 5:27 refers to Belshazzar: “Thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting “.
In the upper scale the star ZUBEN AL CHEMALI (A) means ‘the price which covers’ Paul in I Corinthians 7:23 tells us that a price which covers has been paid: “Ye are bought with a price” The sacrifice on the cross.
A star near and below the lower scale ZUBENAKRABI (A) or ZUBEN AL AKRAB (A) means ‘the price of the conflict’
LIBRA then says, we have been weighed and found wanting, but a price which covers has been paid.
Decan 2.1 CRUX (Figure 1)
This name means a cross. But a deeper meaning is ‘it is finished’. The more popular name is the Southern Cross, and it is not visible from northern latitudes. This sign is situated immediately below Centaurus. Another name was ADOM (H) meaning ‘cutting off’.
Daniel 9:26 refers: “And … shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself:”
The meaning of Crux was echoed by Jesus on the cross Just before he ‘yielded up the spirit’ (Matthew 27:50) saying in John 19-30. ‘It is finished’.
Decan 2.2 LUPUS: (Figure 1)
Although known as the wolf, this picture could be that of any animal. However, the important point is that it has been slain and is falling down dead. Other names are THERA (G) meaning ‘a beast’ and VICTIMA (L) ‘the victim slain’. The sign is called THE VICTIM in Figure 1, here the CENTAUR is performing the slaying. In the Zodiac, in the temple of Denderah in Egypt this sign is pictured as a little child. In view of the divine message so far, this would be more appropriate. Nevertheless the message is the same – the victim (Jesus) gives up his life. (For us all). John 10:17, 18 draws our attention to an important point:
“… I (Jesus) lay down my life, that I might take it up again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”
The power of God is infinite make no mistake, but so is his mercy!
Decan 2.3 CORONA: (Figure 1)
The crown. The modern name Corona Borealis meaning ‘the northern crown’. Another name is ATARAH (H) ‘a royal crown.’ The Arabic name is AL ICLIL (A) ‘an ornament or jewel’. The brightest star has the name AL PHECCA ‘the shining’. A royal crown can only be destined for a king.
LIBRA tells us that man has been found wanting, but is redeemed by the price which covers; the redeemer having been slain so paying the price for the sins of all. Finally the redeemer is crowned.
Figure 1
3) SCORPIO: (Figures 1 & 2)
The Scorpion. The sign shows SCORPIO trying to sting the heel of a mighty man OPHIUCHUS, who struggles with SERPENS the serpent. But the man crushes the Scorpion’s heart with his foot. The Hebrew name AKRAB means ‘scorpion’ but it also means ‘conflict or war’. The Coptic name is ISIDIS meaning ‘the attack of the enemy’ or ‘oppression’. Another name is AL AKRAB (A) ‘wounding him that cometh’. The brightest star is ANTARES meaning ‘the wounding’. It should be noted also in Figure 1 that the serpent is trying to seize the royal crown CORONA.
In this sign we see the conflict between the man and the serpent and the scorpion. The following three Decans add more detail.
Decans 3.1 & 3.2 SERPENS & OPHIUCHUS (Figures 1 & 2)
As has been said the Scorpion, the Serpens and Ophiuchus are all fighting. The name OPHIUCHUS (H) and AFEICHUS (A) both mean ‘the serpent held’. The brightest star in the head of Ophiuchus is RAS AL HAGUS (A) meaning ‘the head of him that holds’. A star in the same figure’s foot is called SAIPH (H) meaning ‘bruised’. Genesis 3:15 gives the prophecy of this bruising:
“And I (God) will put enmity between thee and the woman (Eve) and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel”
At this stage of the message we can see the battle between ‘the rulers of the darkness of this world’ (Ephesians 6:12) and our mighty Redeemer.
Decan 3.3 HERCULES (Figure 2)
The mighty man. In the picture he is seen bending on one knee, with his left foot over the head of DRACO the dragon. His right hand grasps a club and the left hand holds a triple headed monster CERBERUS. In Arabic he is called AL GISCALE ‘the strong one’. In the temple of Denderah in Egypt, a similar figure is called BAU meaning ‘who cometh’. The brightest star in the head is called RAS AL GETHI (A) meaning ‘the head of him that bruises’. In the right arm base is a star named KORNEPHORUS meaning ‘the branch kneeling’. In the right elbow is a star named MARSIC meaning ‘the wounding’. In the upper left arm, a star named MA’ASYN meaning ‘the sin offering’. Finally in the lower part of the right arm is CAIAM or GUIAM meaning ‘punishing’. In Arabic it means ‘treading under foot’.
These names and their meanings completely portray the Messiah crushing that old serpent (Satan) so rescuing the world from sin. Isaiah 27:1 refers:
“The Lord shall punish leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the seal”.
Figure 2
4) SAGITTARIUS: (Figure 2)
The Archer. The picture of this sign shows in outward form, a Centaur, he is holding a bow with the arrow pointing at the heart of the Scorpion. The Hebrew name is KESITH meaning ‘the Archer’. The Arabic name is AL KAUS ‘the arrow’. In Coptic it is PIMAERE ‘the graciousness’ or ‘Beauty of the coming forth’. The Greek name is TOXOTES ‘the Archer’. The various star names tell a similar story – NAIM (H) and AL NAIM (A) ‘the gracious one’; AL WARIDA (A) ‘who comes forth’; RUCHBA ER RAMI (A) ‘the riding of the bowman’.
This sign tells us of a gracious being riding forth to conquer the enemy. Revelation 6:2 relates the same story:
“… behold a white horse; and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him; and he went forth conquering and to conquer”.
Decan 4.1 LYRA: (Figure 2)
The Lyre or Harp. The Lyre represents music and praise. The brightest star VEGA means ‘he shall be exalted’. The star SULAPHAT means ‘springing up’ or ‘ascending’ as in praise. Psalm 21:13 is very relevant:
“Be thou exalted, Lord, in thine own strength: so will we sing and praise thy power”.
Decan 4.2 ARA: (Figure 2)
The Altar. Placed below the Scorpion’s tail, it is a small asterism of nine stars. The picture shows a fire burning on an altar. The Arabic name is AL MUGAMRA, ‘the completing’ or ‘finishing’. The Greek name was ARA usually meaning ‘cursing’. This sign, though brief in message, tells of the future removal from the earth of the curse of evil. Matthew 25:41 describes the scene:
“Then shall he (King Jesus) say also unto them (the goats of verse 33) on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels”.
Decan 4.3 DRACO: (Figures 2 & 1)
The Dragon. A Dragon as far as we know, has never been seen. But we have many descriptions and pictures handed down through the ages. The picture here appears to represent a large serpent like figure, wriggling and being cast down. Revelation 12:9 tells the story:
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world…”
Draco means ‘trodden on’. In the Zodiac Figure 2 we see Hercules, the mighty man (representing God) treading on the head of the Dragon. The Brightest star THUBAN (H) means ‘the subtle’. Nearly 5,000 years ago this star was the Pole star. The star in the head RASTABAN (H) means ‘the head of the subtle’. In Arabic it is called AL WAID which means ‘who is to be destroyed’. Another star in the head ETHANIN means ‘the long serpent or dragon’. Other unidentified stars are: GIANSAR (H) ‘the punished enemy’; AL DIB (A) ‘the reptile’; EL ATHIK (A) ‘the fraudful’. The message of this sign is clear – the Dragon being cast down from heaven.
5) CAPRICORNUS: (Figure 2)
The Goat. All ancient Zodiacs show this sign – with some variations – as a goat with a fish tail. Capncomus is the current Latin name. The Hebrew name is GEDI ‘the kid’ or ‘cut off’. The star between the horns of the goat is AL GEDI (A) ‘the kid’ or ‘the goat’. In the tail is DENEB AL GEDI (A) meaning ‘the sacrifice cometh’. Other unidentified stars are AL DABIK (A) and AL DEHABEH (A) both meaning ‘the sacrifice slain’; SA’AD AL NASCHIRA (A) meaning ‘the record of the cutting off’. Leviticus 9:15:
“And he brought the people’s offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first”
This quotation records the Goat sin offering for the Children of Israel and here in the sign, the message is of the Goat (Redeemer) being sacrificed as a sin offering for all mankind.
Decan 5.1 SAGGITA: (Figure 2)
The Arrow. The meaning of this sign is obscure. The arrow, sited between Aquila and Cygnus is coming from an unknown origin to an unknown target. It is certainly not coming from SAGITTARIUS, his arrow has not left his bow. The Hebrew name is SHAM meaning ‘destroying or desolate’. Both David and Job record personally the experience of God’s arrows of chastisement. In all probability it seems most likely that this sign refers to the pierced and wounded Redeemer, giving up his life for mankind as in Capricornus.
Decan 5.2 AQUILA: (Figure 2)
The Eagle. The picture is of a wounded dying eagle. The stars in this sign tell us the message. The brightest star in the Eagle’s neck AL TAIR (A) means ‘the wounding’; The star in the throat AL SHAIN (A) means ‘the bright’ with the added meaning in this case of being scarlet coloured; The star in the back TARARED means ‘wounded’ or ‘torn’; in the lower wing star ALCAIR (A) means ‘the piercing’ and in the tail we have AL OKAL (A) meaning ‘wounded in the heel’ These star names give a clear message of the wounded and dying Redeemer.
Decan 5.3 DELPHINUS: (Figure 2)
The Dolphin. The picture of this sign is of a live fish with its head upwards. The ancient names for this sign are: DALAPH (H) ‘pouring out of water’; DALAPH (A) ‘coming quickly’; SCALOOIN (A) ‘swift’ as in the flowing of water. A Persian Zodiac shows a stream of water with the fish. This is the water of life as in Revelation 21:6:
“It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely”.
The message of Capricornus and its attendant Decans tells of the sacrificial Goat, representing the Messiah, dying but living in its after part, the wounding and falling (the eagle) and the rising triumphant (the dolphin.)
6) AQUARIUS: (Figure 3*)
The water carrier. The picture shows a seated man pouring out water from an urn into the mouth of a fish. Aquarius is a Latin name meaning ‘pourer forth of water’. The Hebrew name DELI and the Arabic name DELU both mean ‘the water urn’ or ‘bucket’. In the temple of Denderah in Egypt the man is called HUPEITIRION meaning ‘the place of him coming down or poured forth’. The star in the right shoulder is SA’AD AL MELIK (A) and means ‘the record of the pouring forth’. Another star in the left shoulder is SA’AD AL SUND (A) meaning ‘who goeth and returneth’ or ‘the pourer out’. The star in the lower right leg is SCHEAT (H) ‘who goeth and retumeth’. The bright star on the urn MON or MEON (E) means ‘an urn’. This sign tells of the future pouring forth, by the promised one, of his spirit and blessings. Isaiah 44:3 confirms this:
“For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground; I will pour my spirit upon thy seed (Israel) and my blessing upon thine offspring”.
All creation also will be similarly treated as shown in Isaiah 51:3:
“… he (The Lord) will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord…”
Decan 6.1 PISCIS AUSTRINUS: (Figure 3*)
The southern fish. This constellation is connected with Aquarius, the water is poured out into the fish’s mouth. The bright star in the fish’s head is called FOM AL HAUT (A) meaning ‘the mouth of the fish’. In these constellations, a fish represents redeemed mankind including the Children of Israel. So the message here tells of the promised blessings for the redeemed.
Decan 6.2 PEGASUS: (Figure 3*)
The winged horse. This is no ordinary horse; such an animal is unknown in creation. The brightest star on the neck is MARKAB (H) meaning ‘returning from afar’. The star in the top of the left foreleg is SCHEAT meaning ‘who goeth and returneth’ (The same name as in Aquarius above.) A star in the wing is AL GENB (A) means ‘who carries’. In the nose is star ENEF which means ‘the water’. Lastly, the star in the left leg below SCHEAT is called MATAR (A) meaning ‘who causes to overflow’. This constellation further confirms the pouring out of blessings at the coming of the Messiah.
Decan 6.3 CYGNUS: (Figures 2 & 3*)
The Swan. The picture is of a swift flying swan descending to earth. The brightest star in mid body is DENEB ‘he judges’ (another repeat from Capricornus) Another name is ADIGE meaning ‘flying swiftly’. A star in the beak is AL BIREO (A) also meaning ‘flying swiftly’. A star near DENEB is SADR (H) means ‘who returns’ as in a circle. Two stars in the tail are AZEL meaning ‘who goes and returns quickly’, and FAFAGE meaning ‘gloriously shining forth’. Cygnus tells us of the swift return of the Messiah & Judge. Revelation 22:20:
“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I (Jesus) come quickly”.
So far we have considered the divine message as revealed in twenty-four constellations, including six signs of the Zodiac. Briefly, it tells us:
‘A virgin shall bear a son called The Branch, he shall be much desired and shall come down. But he shall also be despised and rejected by men and shall be pierced. Man has been weighed in the balance and found wanting, but a price which covers will be paid by he who shall come down. There will be conflict between The Branch and the serpent, the scorpion and the dragon, all representing the forces of evil. The Branch will crush these forces and rescue mankind, and praise for him will rise up. The enemy, the forces of evil, will be destroyed. The redeemed of mankind will be saved and many blessings will be poured down’.
The full weight of the message written in the stars when completed in Part 2 will show overwhelming evidence that God will overcome all evil and redeem all of those of mankind who will accept his free gift of such redemption by believing in the gracious Son of God. There is no other way or hope of following on into the promised life eternal for mankind, at the conclusion of this present earthly life.
*Figure 3 will be included in Part 2 of this article
