Here are some little known facts from the Bible about the most famous person in the history of the world.

Here are some little known facts from the Bible about the most famous person in the history of the world. (If you've never read the New Testament, your really an uninformed person!)

1. Jesus was happier than the people around Him. He was not a roaming Eeyore, crying and depressed about the state of mankind.
But of the Son he says,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,
the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you
with the OIL OF GLADNESS beyond your companions.” (Hebrews 1:8,9)
2. Jesus lived in a house (at least for a while). Some translations add “Levi” to the text due to the belief it must have been Levi’s house. But the original text doesn’t contain the word “Levi.” And since Levi had just left everything to follow Jesus, it is doubtful the house was his.
 13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 15 And as he reclined at table in HIS HOUSE, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. (Mark 2:13-15)
3. Jesus had money. Judas was His treasurer. Broke people don’t have treasurers.
For some thought, because Judas had the MONEY BOX, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. (John 13:29)
4. Jesus got angry when religious people wanted to maintain their traditions instead of doing something cool that would display God’s power. This is actually the ONLY time the Bible says specifically that Jesus got angry although he was probably angry when he drove the money changers out of the temple.
4 Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent. 5 And when He had looked around at them with ANGER, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. 6 Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him. (Mark 3:4-6)
5. Jesus never did anything for the poor. He never clothed anyone, housed anyone or opened a food bank. The closest thing He ever did for the poor was to feed the 5000 people who came to hear Him speak but forgot their lunch. He was not a Middle Eastern social worker. Jesus preached to the poor but did not give to the poor. Judas criticized Jesus for NOT giving money to the poor. (See Matthew 11:5, Luke 4:18, 7:22)
4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and GIVEN TO THE POOR?” (John 12:4,5)
6. Jesus wore nice clothes. His robe was worth so much money that soldiers gambled for it at His crucifixion.
They said therefore among themselves, “Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: “They divided My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots.” Therefore the soldiers did these things. (John 19:24)
7. Jesus did not come primarily to be our example. He came to die for us. Jesus lived on earth for 33 years. His ministry lasted only 3 years. Twenty-five percent of the Gospels cover one week of Jesus’ life, the week He was crucified and rose again. That is the focus of the Gospels.
For the Son of Man has come to SAVE that which was lost. (Matthew 18:11)
8. Jesus’ first miracle was not very spiritual. He helped keep a party going. He provided refreshments at a wedding party. He helped His mother by turning water into wine and thereby keeping the party going. (John 2:1-12)
9. Jesus lived under the Old Testament, not the New Testament. The New Testament did not begin until after Jesus died.
16 For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the DEATH of the testator.17 For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. (Hebrews 9:16,17)
10. Jesus is coming back again to stand on The Mount of Olives and split it in half. The prophesies about His first coming were literal, so it stands to reason the prophesies about His second coming are also literal.
And in that day His FEET WILL STAND on the Mount of Olives,
Which faces Jerusalem on the east.
And the Mount of Olives shall be SPLIT IN TWO,
From east to west,
Making a very large valley;
Half of the mountain shall move toward the north
And half of it toward the south. (Zechariah 14:4)
11. Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good, but to make dead people alive. There is a difference.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have LIFE, and that they may have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us ALIVE together with Christ, (Ephesians 2:5)
Also see Romans 6:11; Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13.
Well, maybe you did already know this but most people don’t. I think it’s important that we depict Jesus accurately as possible based on scripture.


A few more for the fun of it...

• Tov Rose According to Colossians 1, when God created the world, He created it by, through, and in Christ. This means that all time, space, and matter are all in Him. Thus Jesus is Alpha and Omega, beginning and end, all at the same moment. Consequently, the cro...See More

  14 minutes ago · Like
• 

  Tov Rose In the first century, when a boy reached his early teens, he became a man. Women married at around age 13. Ever wonder the age of the 12 disciples Jesus chose? According to renowned scholar Craig Keener, the twelve disciples were most likely in their late teens.

  12 minutes ago · Like
• 

  Tov Rose Just before His death, Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with a very potent perfume. When His body was taken down from the cross, Nicodemus put 100 pounds of myrrh and aloes on His body (the amount that was used for kings). Thus when Jesus rose again from the dead, He was fragrant. Paul makes mention of the fragrance of the resurrected Christ in 2 Corinthians. The Psalms also allude to it prophetically. The fragrance of resurrection has spiritual implications

  11 minutes ago · Like
• 

  Tov Rose Since we live in the 21st century, we easily miss the use of humor that Jesus regularly employed. Suffice it to say that He was a master at irony and wit. Many of his sayings indicate this.

  11 minutes ago · Like
• 

  Tov Rose First-century Jews believed that the Messiah (which is translated “Christ”) was to rule the entire world and save them from their enemies. First-century Gentiles knew that Caesar was Lord (or Emperor) of world. He was also regarded as the Savior of the people who brought peace to the empire. Whenever a new Emperor took the throne, the Emperor’s emissaries heralded the news of the new Caesar. The word they used for this news was “gospel.” When the early Christians preached to the Jews, they announced the “gospel” that Jesus was the Messiah – meaning, He was the Ruler and Savior of the world. When the early Christians preached to the Gentiles, they proclaimed the “gospel” that Jesus was the new Lord of the world who was also the Savior who would bring peace. So saying that Jesus is Christ and Lord in the first century were high-octane political statements that resulted in riots and persecution to those who claimed such.

Yom Kippur/The Feast of Trumpets....Is this the day Jesus was actually born?

Is Today the actual day that Jesus was born???

Scientists tell me I am silly to look to the sky for signs. The church tells me I may be a pagan astrologer. Pagan astrologers tell me the sky is all about man. But the Creator gets the first and last word... and...

"God looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there is anyone who understands." (Ps 53:2) and says, "I have made the sky for signs and changing administrations, and to demarcate days and years." They tell God's story not mine.

And on this day, the Feast of Trumpets (He always does things on His feast days and lunar calendar) a King was born and the sky trumpeted it just as John saw from God's eye view: "A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth" (Rev 12:1,2)

That woman is Virgo (the virgin) and there is only one time a year then this configuration is possible - the new moon in September - the Feast of Trumpets the 1st of Tishrei, Rosh Hashanah. And there was only one eligible year when the alignment was exactly as stated... 9/11-12 3 BC.

Tonight go look to the west at sunset. Better yet look on 9/9 when it will look more like in 3 BC.

Go tell it on the mountains!

More at www.starstory.me

Crucifixion Ain’t No Fiction: Three Hour Darkness Over the Entire World Confirmed by Historical Sources

Crucifixion Ain’t No Fiction: Three Hour Darkness Over the Entire World Confirmed by Historical Sources

Church of Darwin, Religious, s8int.com, Science, Uncategorized, Unexplained Artifact | Posted by Chris Parker

Jun 07 2013

Crucifixion. 1887 Painting by Russian Painter Vasily Vereshchagin.

“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!””….Matthew 27

Crucifixion Ain’t No Fiction: Three Hour Darkness Over the Entire World Confirmed by Historical Sources v2

by Chris Parker
The story of the longest day wherein the Lord caused the sun to stand still is recorded in Joshua 10:13 and reiterated in Habakkuk 3:11 and is discussed in my article “The Day the Sun Stood Still–Joshua’s Long Day”. Dr. Immanuel Velikovsky, in his 1950 book “WORLDS IN COLLISION, uncovered multiple worldwide sources that indicated that the event was historical; that it actually happened and was recorded in the history of peoples around the world. The fact that Velikovsky attributes the actual occurrence to a natural event rather than to a supernatural one is unimportant. The fact is that the record of the bible of this extraordinary event has been confirmed as true even by secular unbelievers.
What about the darkness that the bible tell us occurred at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ? All the accounts of the crucifixion in the gospels confirm that the unnatural darkness came upon the scene and spanned the hours between 12 noon and 3 o’clock P.M. Certain of the accounts describe the darkness as covering the “whole land”. However the Greek there could also have been interpreted as the “whole world”.
To get a bit technical, the Greek word is number G1093 and could be translated in the following ways:

1) arable land
2) the ground, the earth as a standing place
3) the main land as opposed to the sea or water
4) the earth as a whole
a) the earth as opposed to the heavens vb) the inhabited earth, the abode of men and animals
5) a country, land enclosed within fixed boundaries, a tract of land, territory, region
Whether there was darkness at noon in the middle of the day in just the “lands” around Jerusalem or over the entire world that unnatural darkness must have struck terror and wonder into the hearts of those who were engaged in the crucifixion of the Christ! Scholars both at the time and today like Velikovsky did with respect to Joshua’s longest day have tried to attribute the darkness to a natural event-namely to an eclipse. However, the Passover takes place at the wrong time of the month for a solar eclipse as we’ll discuss a bit later and at most an eclipse would last 8 or 9 minutes and not three hours. The fact that the three hours is a given as an actual event that needs to be explained by secular sources is an important confirmation of the historicity of the event.
If the darkness was indeed worldwide people experiencing it in other locations would have no clue as to why the darkness was occurring and peoples who were already in the darkness of their local time would not have noticed. The Jews and the Romans had reason to connect the dots however. These events (unnatural daytime darkness and earthquakes) even caused the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus to be frightened and to exclaim that “Surely he was the Son of God”.
The Jews on the other hand had even more reason to be afraid and to be concerned about the darkness. For almost 800 years the following prophecy of Amos had been read in the temple and in their synagogues”

“In that day,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight.
I will turn your religious festivals into mourning and all your singing into weeping. I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads. I will make that time like mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day. ….Amos Chapter 8 Around 750 BC

The naming of the exact time of the darkness and the reference to mourning for an only soon make it clear that the prophecy has to refer to the crucifixion of God’s son and the attendant darkness which the prophecy acknowledges will be over the whole world. The death of Christ was where the old law and its attendant religious festivals, ordinances and Holy days were “nailed to the cross”. In 70 A.D. the Jewish temple was destroyed which put an end to the sacrifices and the ability of the Jews to continue worshiping under the Mosaic Law.
We have the biblical account of the crucifixion which mentions darkness for three hours and earthquakes and other occurrences. We have the biblical prophecy of Amos which predicted those events 750-800 years before they occurred in great detail. What about historical, non biblical sources?
Around A.D. 50, Thallus wrote a history of the Eastern Mediterranean world spanning the time of the Trojan War (1200-1300 B.C.) to his own time. The history itself apparently no longer exists but certain quotations from the work appear in the writings of others. Julius Africanus a historian writing about A.D. 220 was one such scholar who apparently had access to Thallus’ history. Thallus had a reference not to the crucifixion in his historical account but to the daytime darkness that occurred at that time. Africanus is quoted quoting the prior work and refuting the notion that the cause of the darkness could have been an eclipse:

“On the whole world there pressed a most fearful darkness; and the rocks were rent by an earthquake, and many places in Judea and other districts were thrown down. This darkness Thallus, in the third book of his History, calls, as appears to me without reason, an eclipse of the sun. For the Hebrews celebrate the Passover on the 14th day according to the moon, and the passion of our Savior falls on the day before the Passover; but an eclipse of the sun takes place only when the moon comes under the sun.

And it cannot happen at any other time but in the interval between the first day of the new moon and the last of the old, that is, at their junction: how then should an eclipse be supposed to happen when the moon is almost diametrically opposite the sun? Let opinion pass however; let it carry the majority with it; and let this portent of the world be deemed an eclipse of the sun, like others a portent only to the eye.
Phlegon records that, in the time of Tiberius Caesar, at full moon, there was a full eclipse of the sun from the sixth hour to the ninth–manifestly that one of which we speak. But what has an eclipse in common with an earthquake, the rending rocks, and the resurrection of the dead, and so great a perturbation throughout the universe? Surely no such event as this is recorded for a long period. (XVIII.1

“Tertullian, in his Apologeticus, tells the story of the darkness that had commenced at noon during the crucifixion; those who were unaware of the prediction, he says, “no doubt thought it an eclipse”. He suggests that the evidence is still available: “You yourselves have the account of the world-portent still in your archives.”
The early historian and theologian, Rufinus of Aquileia (between 340 and 345 – 410), in his expanded work of Eusebius’ Ecclesiastical History, includes a part of the defense given to Maximinus by Lucian of Antioch, shortly before he suffered martyrdom in 312. Lucian, like Tertullian, was also convinced that an account of the darkness that accompanied the crucifixion could be found among Roman records. Ussher recorded Lucian’s corresponding statement given to Maximinus as, “Search your writings and you shall find that, in Pilate’s time, when Christ suffered, the sun was suddenly withdrawn and a darkness followed.”
The next prominent Christian historian after Eusebius, Paulus Orosius (375 – 418), wrote c. 417 that Jesus “voluntarily gave himself over to the Passion but through the impiety of the Jews, was apprehended and nailed to the cross, as a very great earthquake took place throughout the world, rocks upon mountains were split, and a great many parts of the largest cities fell by this extraordinary violence. On the same day also, at the sixth hour of the day, the Sun was entirely obscured and a loathsome night suddenly overshadowed the land, as it was said, ‘an impious age feared eternal night.’ Moreover, it was quite clear that neither the Moon nor the clouds stood in the way of the light of the Sun, so that it is reported that on that day the Moon, being fourteen days old, with the entire region of the heavens thrown in between, was farthest from the sight of the Sun, and the stars throughout the entire sky shone, then in the hours of the day or rather in that terrible night. To this, not only the authority of the Holy Gospels attest, but even some books of the Greeks.”"….Wikipedia
Many ancient historians writing shortly after the time of Christ freely acknowledged his existence but professed varying ideas about who he really was. For instance one ancient historian acknowledged his existence and even that he performed many miracles. He attributed these miracles to magic powers that he supposedly acquired while visiting Egypt.
Born around 54 A.D. Cornelius Tacitus was another noted Roman historian who noted The Crucifixion of Jesus. He stated that Jesus had been crucified by Pontius Pilate, and that Rome was in darkness during the reign of Tiberius the Caesar in AD.33.”
That’s about right.

Tags: Amos, Christian evidences, crucifixion, darkness for three hours, surely this was the son of God, the cross
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Even I make mistakes

Sometimes even Bible teachers who pride themselves on Biblical accuracy make mistakes. That is one of the reasons I tell people at the start of nearly every sermon I give, "Don't believe this man talking to you. Go and search the Word of God for yourself to prove whether or not the words are true. You're supposed to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling and to "test the spirits"". Well, sometimes even this fella talking at you makes mistakes!

After a lot of follow-up research I've discovered that something I've taught on for many years was actually not true. I was taught by one of my professors in Seminary and again by some missionaries from South Africa to the USA that the names of the curtains/doors of the Tabernacle were "The Way, The Truth and The Life."

As far as I can tell (as I said after a many months of follow-up research), I can find nothing proving what they taught me. So, until I hear otherwise, I am going to make the educated decision to say that I've been teaching this wrong. Perhaps my teachers can educate me on the their facts, but a this point they have not.

So until further notice I am calling myself wrong on this subject. Please accept my apologies.

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• Corinne Burmester, Kim Dockter and 2 others like this.
• 

  Pat Hoffman I thought those words only apply to Jesus.

  3 hours ago · Like
• 

  Tov Rose A couple of commentaries I found mention it indirectly:
  
  
  
  The way. The truth. The life. The offer corresponds with the three entrances of the tabernacle. The sinner came first to the gate, the wide open gate with its invitation to the people to come in. That way led directly to the altar and to the laver, to cleansing from sin and to peace with God. Then came the door, half as wide and twice as high as the gate. Not so many ever passed this portal, but those who could and did entered into the holy place and stood in the presence of truth—the lampstand promising illumination, the shewbread on the table offering communion, the golden altar indicating intercession—all higher truths than are grasped by those who never progress beyond a bare salvation. Beyond all this was the veil, leading into the holy of holies, where few could penetrate. There was the mystery of life: the cherubim overshadowing the mercy seat, ever occupied with the blood sprinkled there; the ark with pot of manna, the unbroken law, the rod of Aaron with its buds, blossoms, and almonds, all speaking of the deep things of Christ; and over all the shekinah glory cloud in which God himself dwelled.
  
  
  
  
  John Phillips, The John Phillips Commentary Series – Exploring the Gospel of John: An Expository Commentary,
  
  
  
  
  The Old Testament temple which succeeded the Mosaic tabernacle was marked by partitions. There were three entrances into the three departments: the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies. Then there were sections partitioned off for priests, Israel, women, and Gentiles. Christ, by His death, took out the veil, and He became the Way (the outer court), the Truth (the Holy Place), and the Life (the Holy of Holies). Now we come through Christ directly into the presence of God the Father. Those who come to Him are removed from their little departments and are placed in Christ, the new Temple where there are no departments. The Cross dissolves the fences, and the gospel is preached to the Gentiles, those who were afar off, and to the Jews, those who were near. What a picture we have here!
  
  
  
  
  J. Vernon McGee, Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee

  3 hours ago · Like

The Seven Feasts of Moses

The Seven Feasts of Moses
The Torah - the five books of Moses - details seven feasts during the Hebrew calendar:¹ Three feasts are in the spring, in the month of Nisan: Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits. Then fifty days later there is the Feast of Weeks, Shavout, also known as Pentecost.
There are three remaining feasts in the fall, in the month of Tishri: the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles. (There are two reckonings of the Hebrew year: the civil year starts in the fall on the 1st of Tishri; the religious calendar starts in the spring in the month of Nisan.² )

Their Prophetic Role
While each of these feasts has a historical commemorative role, they also have a prophetic role. Jesus indicated this in Matthew 5:17:
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Paul also emphasized that in Romans 15:4:
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning...
The prophetic role of the feasts is also highlighted in Colossians 2:16 and 17:
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come...

The Feast of Trumpets
The Jewish New Year (Rosh Ha' Shana), along with the Feast of Trumpets, begins on the 1st of Tishri.
Immediately following the Feast of Trumpets begins the seven Days of Affliction, in anticipation of the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur , the Day of Atonement,³ is observed on the 10th of Tishri. This day was a day of sin offerings and numerous other rituals as it was the most solemn of all the observances.
This was the day - the only day - that the High Priest was able to enter the Holy of Holies,⁴ and then only after elaborate ceremonial washings, offerings, and associated rituals.
This was also the day that two goats were selected, one for an offering and one as the "scapegoat."⁵
(The lottery box, used to select which goat was to serve in which capacity, has been fashioned for service in the forthcoming Temple and may be seen during a visit to the Temple Institute in Jerusalem today.)
As many aspects of the feasts were prophetic, the scapegoat is also Messianic.⁶
Even the seven days preceding, the Days of Affliction, are an affliction of preparation, suggestive of the threshing floor, which is also a prophetic idiom.⁷
Since the loss of the Temple in 70 A.D., the God-centered observances of the Torah have tragically been replaced with a man-centered, good works system of appeasement through prayer, charity, and penitence.
However, it appears that a return to the traditional ways is on the horizon with the plans to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.⁸

Succoth (The Feast of Tabernacles)
Five days later, on the 15th of Tishri, is the final feast of the year: Succoth, the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Booths. This lasts for eight days and is one of the three feasts that were compulsory for all Jewish males.⁹
It is fascinating to visit Israel at this time and observe them build their temporary "booths" in the traditional way, leaving deliberate gaps in the branches to view the stars at night, and for the wind to blow through during the day. This is intended to remind them of the wilderness wanderings.
At the end of the eight days, they leave their temporary dwellings to return to their permanent homes. (This is one of the reasons some suspect that this feast, rather than the Feast of Trumpets, is suggestive of the Rapture of the Church. Also, there appears to be a hint by Peter, desiring to build "succoths" at the transfiguration.¹⁰ ) This day, traditionally, is the day that Solomon dedicated the first Temple.
This feast also involved a daily processional to the Pool of Siloam to fetch water for the Temple. This ceremonial procession is the setting for the events of John 7, where Jesus offers them "living water."¹¹
This procession involved four types of branches: the willow, the myrtle, the palm, and a citrus.¹² The willow has no smell and no fruit. The myrtle has smell, but no fruit. The palm has no smell, but bears fruit. The citrus has both smell and bears fruit. This sounds reminiscent of the four soils of the first "kingdom parable" of Matthew 13, doesn't it?¹³
The prophetic implications of this climactic feast are many. Most scholars associate it with the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom in Israel.¹⁴
 
In Summary
Most observers note that the first three feasts, in the first month of the religious year -Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Feast of First Fruits - are prophetic of the Lord's First Coming. They each were also fulfilled on the day they were observed.
Between these three feasts and the final three feasts is the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, which is predictive of the Church. (It is also the only feast in which leavened bread is ordained!)
It is believed that the last three feasts, in the 7th month, are prophetic of the Lord's Second Coming. That is why many are particularly watchful in the fall of each year. For more background, schedule Tov Rose to speak to your group: 651-686-5600.

1. Leviticus 23; Numbers 28, 29; Deuteronomy 16.
2. Exodus 12:2.
3. Leviticus 16:1-19; 23:26-32.
4. Hebrews 9:1-16.
5. Leviticus 16:20-34.
6. 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:6; 52:15.
7. Luke 3:16,17. Note the location of Ruth (a Gentile bride-to-be) during the threshing floor scene (Ruth 3:8,9): at Boaz's (the kinsman-redeemer) feet.
8. See The Coming Temple Update, Chuck Missler
9. Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and the Feast of Tabernacles were mandatory: Deuteronomy 16:16.
10. Matthew 17:4.
11. John 7:2, 10, 37-39.
12. Thanks to Doug Wetmore for his insights.
13. Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23.
14. Hosea 5:15-6:3; Zechariah 14:4, 9, 16.

Want to Support the Ministry of Tov Rose? You can do so through my ministry partner, Chosen People Ministries International, by filling in the Special Designation field: TOV ROSE right here.

From Tov Rose; RE: The Seven Feasts of Moses and Why Should Christians Care?

The Seven Feasts of Moses
The Torah - the five books of Moses - details seven feasts during the Hebrew calendar:¹ Three feasts are in the spring, in the month of Nisan: Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of First Fruits. Then fifty days later there is the Feast of Weeks, Shavout, also known as Pentecost.
There are three remaining feasts in the fall, in the month of Tishri: the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Tabernacles. (There are two reckonings of the Hebrew year: the civil year starts in the fall on the 1st of Tishri; the religious calendar starts in the spring in the month of Nisan.² )
Their Prophetic Role
While each of these feasts has a historical commemorative role, they also have a prophetic role. Jesus indicated this in Matthew 5:17:
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Paul also emphasized that in Romans 15:4:
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning...
The prophetic role of the feasts is also highlighted in Colossians 2:16 and 17:
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come...
The Feast of Trumpets
The Jewish New Year (Rosh Ha' Shana), along with the Feast of Trumpets, begins on the 1st of Tishri.
Immediately following the Feast of Trumpets begins the seven Days of Affliction, in anticipation of the Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur , the Day of Atonement,³ is observed on the 10th of Tishri. This day was a day of sin offerings and numerous other rituals as it was the most solemn of all the observances.
This was the day - the only day - that the High Priest was able to enter the Holy of Holies,⁴ and then only after elaborate ceremonial washings, offerings, and associated rituals.
This was also the day that two goats were selected, one for an offering and one as the "scapegoat."⁵
(The lottery box, used to select which goat was to serve in which capacity, has been fashioned for service in the forthcoming Temple and may be seen during a visit to the Temple Institute in Jerusalem today.)
As many aspects of the feasts were prophetic, the scapegoat is also Messianic.⁶
Even the seven days preceding, the Days of Affliction, are an affliction of preparation, suggestive of the threshing floor, which is also a prophetic idiom.⁷
Since the loss of the Temple in 70 A.D., the God-centered observances of the Torah have tragically been replaced with a man-centered, good works system of appeasement through prayer, charity, and penitence.
However, it appears that a return to the traditional ways is on the horizon with the plans to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.⁸
Succoth (The Feast of Tabernacles)
Five days later, on the 15th of Tishri, is the final feast of the year: Succoth, the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Booths. This lasts for eight days and is one of the three feasts that were compulsory for all Jewish males.⁹
It is fascinating to visit Israel at this time and observe them build their temporary "booths" in the traditional way, leaving deliberate gaps in the branches to view the stars at night, and for the wind to blow through during the day. This is intended to remind them of the wilderness wanderings.
At the end of the eight days, they leave their temporary dwellings to return to their permanent homes. (This is one of the reasons some suspect that this feast, rather than the Feast of Trumpets, is suggestive of the Rapture of the Church. Also, there appears to be a hint by Peter, desiring to build "succoths" at the transfiguration.¹⁰ ) This day, traditionally, is the day that Solomon dedicated the first Temple.
This feast also involved a daily processional to the Pool of Siloam to fetch water for the Temple. This ceremonial procession is the setting for the events of John 7, where Jesus offers them "living water."¹¹
This procession involved four types of branches: the willow, the myrtle, the palm, and a citrus.¹² The willow has no smell and no fruit. The myrtle has smell, but no fruit. The palm has no smell, but bears fruit. The citrus has both smell and bears fruit. This sounds reminiscent of the four soils of the first "kingdom parable" of Matthew 13, doesn't it?¹³
The prophetic implications of this climactic feast are many. Most scholars associate it with the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom in Israel.¹⁴
In Summary
Most observers note that the first three feasts, in the first month of the religious year -Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, and Feast of First Fruits - are prophetic of the Lord's First Coming. They each were also fulfilled on the day they were observed.
Between these three feasts and the final three feasts is the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost, which is predictive of the Church. (It is also the only feast in which leavened bread is ordained!)
It is believed that the last three feasts, in the 7th month, are prophetic of the Lord's Second Coming. That is why many are particularly watchful in the fall of each year. For more background, schedule Tov Rose to speak to your group: 651-686-5600.

1. Leviticus 23; Numbers 28, 29; Deuteronomy 16.
2. Exodus 12:2.
3. Leviticus 16:1-19; 23:26-32.
4. Hebrews 9:1-16.
5. Leviticus 16:20-34.
6. 2 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:6; 52:15.
7. Luke 3:16,17. Note the location of Ruth (a Gentile bride-to-be) during the threshing floor scene (Ruth 3:8,9): at Boaz's (the kinsman-redeemer) feet.
8. See The Coming Temple Update, Chuck Missler
9. Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and the Feast of Tabernacles were mandatory: Deuteronomy 16:16.
10. Matthew 17:4.
11. John 7:2, 10, 37-39.
12. Thanks to Doug Wetmore for his insights.
13. Matthew 13:3-9; 18-23.
14. Hosea 5:15-6:3; Zechariah 14:4, 9, 16.

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The Heavens Declare the Glory of GOD

"Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years," -- Genesis 1:14.
Might God have used the stars as an eternal sign to man of His salvation plan?

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Vega ("He Shall Be Exalted"), Procyon("The Redeemer"), Pollux ("He Who Comes to Suffer"); The names of the stars speak of the Messiah, Jesus! The stars are awesome evidence of God's work. It appears that God had an additional purpose in the stars. When you closely examine the names of the stars and constellations, it appears they tell an important story of salvation. For example, among the brightest stars seen from the earth are Vega which means He Shall Be Exalted, Procyon which means The Redeemer and Pollux which means He Who Comes to Suffer. Although the information presented here cannot be substantiated except by the star and constellation names themselves, there does appear to be an incredible "coincidence" that the names and pictures of the stars and their constellations should completely and without modification fit the Biblical account. Scripture doesn't speak much about the stars and their use in describing God's plans. We do know that God created and named the stars (Gen 1:14, Psalm 147:4). It seems reasonable that He might have used the stars as an eternal sign to man of His salvation plan. It also seems reasonable that Satan would try to pervert God's sign by introducing Astrology -- which has obscured all other meanings. Let's begin by exploring what Scripture says about the stars.

Stars Are Marks of "Appointed Times" When God created the heavens and the earth, He said: said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years," -- Genesis 1:14. "Days and years" in Genesis 1:14 describe one purpose for the astronomical bodies, that of measuring time, such as years, months and days. The phrase "for signs to mark seasons" describes a more intriguing use of the astronomical bodies. The Hebrew word used for seasons, moed, means a set time or appointed time. Moed is also used to refer to the feasts of Leviticus, appointed times the Israelites were to celebrate, which also teach of God's plan for mankind. Understanding the Hebrew root word moed, we see that a purpose of the stars is to serve as signs to mark appointed times. Could it be that they are intended to be a prophetic tool to show God's plans?

Stars Teach of Jesus How might the stars be used as a prophetic tool? Romans chapters 9 and 10 give us some indications. In these chapters, the Apostle Paul states that during Old Testament times, Israelites didn't know the righteousness that comes from faith in Jesus and sought to establish their own righteousness, even though righteousness by faith had been revealed to them. In Romans 10:18 Paul quotes Psalm 19 to describe how righteousness by faith in Jesus had been revealed to the Israelites: But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." Psalm 19 describes the heavens. Verses 1-4 follow: The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. By quoting Psalm 19 in this context, Paul could be saying that the stars had revealed the message of righteousness by faith in Jesus. Day after day, night after night the stars told the whole earth of God's plans for salvation. But how could the stars tell of God's plans? It appears that they speak through star and constellation names and pictures.

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God Named the Stars Although it takes a great deal of imagination to see the pictures associated with the constellations by looking at the star groupings, ancient civilizations all over the world (China, Babylon, Central America, Scandinavia, India, Rome, Greece, Persia, Egypt and Israel) called the constellations by the same or similar names and portrayed them with the same pictures. The zodiac in all of these ancient civilizations had the same twelve signs in the same order. What could explain this consistency, at a time when travel and communications were limited? The similarity of the names and pictures points to a common source -- but who gave the stars and constellations their names and meanings? Psalm 147:4 suggests that this Source was God, "He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name."

The zodiac is mentioned twice in Scriptures, in Job 38:32 and in 2 Kings 23:5, with the Hebrew word Mazzaroth, which means "The Separated", "The Divided" or "The Apportioned." In Job 38:32, God challenges Job to bring forth the Mazzaroth in its season. Could it be that God brings the constellations of the Mazzaroth forth for viewing at the proper time to show His plan? When we examine the star and constellation names, we see events that will happen in the salvation of man. Some events that the stars depict have occurred, such as the first coming of Jesus. Others are yet to be fulfilled, such as the gathering of the believers. Astrology has distorted the original purpose of the stars by using the same constellations of the zodiac, but attaching different meanings to them. Astrology claims to foretell future events based on the supposed influence of the astronomical bodies on day to day human life.

How to Read God's Plan God's plan for man's salvation must be viewed in the proper sequence to be understood. Where the astrological zodiac goes from constellation Aries through constellation Pieces, God's Mazzaroth begins with constellation Virgo and ends with constellation Leo. Early zodiacs, such as the zodiac of Dendereh, dating back to 2000 BC confirm this. In the zodiac of Dendereh, a picture of the Sphinx is placed between Virgo and Leo. The Sphinx has the head of a woman and the body of a lion. According to scholars, the purpose of the Sphinx was to show the beginning and ending points for the ancient zodiac. The ancient zodiac started with Virgo the Virgin, shown by the woman's head, and ended with Leo the Lion, shown by the lion's body. Each of the twelve constellations of God's Mazzaroth has a prophetic meaning that tells part of the story of God's plan for man's salvation. Associated constellations and star names add to this prophetic revelation.

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Messiah's Two Comings Described The twelve constellations and their associated stars clearly depict the work of Jesus the Messiah as Savior of man. Jesus' first coming to suffer and die for our salvation, the blessings we have received and His second coming as a conquering King and Judge are portrayed. Because there is so much detail in the story of God's plan as revealed by the stars, we will first summarize the story, then provide more detail in later sections. The virgin birth of our Redeemer is described by Virgo, a virgin woman. Libra, the scales tells how our Redeemer paid the required price (scales were used for trading). Scorpio shows a scorpion wounding a man's heel, while being trodden under foot, in fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 "[the seed of the woman] will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Sagittarius shows a duel-natured being (God-man) victorious over the serpent.

Jesus, the Goat of Atonement slain and resurrected to redeem His people is symbolized by Capricornus, the dying goat having the tail of a live fish. The pouring out of the Holy Spirit to God's people is shown by Aquarius, "pourer forth of water". Pisces, pictured as two fish tied together with a band to Cetus, the sea monster represents God's people restrained from freedom and blessing by being tied to the sea monster (the serpent). Aries, a vigorous though wounded lamb with a crown encircling his head symbolizes Jesus, the Lamb of God, as in Revelation 5:12: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Associated stars picture a woman (the church) prepared as a bride, as in Revelation 19:7: "...For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." The second coming of Jesus to judge the earth is portrayed by Taurus, a ferocious bull and a symbol of power and rule in ancient Israel. The dual nature of Jesus in His two appearances -- the Suffering Servant and Conquering King -- is pictured by Gemini the twins. God's people will be sheltered during His wrath, as pictured by Cancer, "To Hold Or Encircle". Leo the Lion is a symbol of Jesus, "the Lion of the tribe of Judah", referenced in Revelation 5:5. Leo also depicts the destruction of the serpent through God's wrath.

For convenience, we describe the constellations in three groups that describe three aspects of the work of Jesus as Savior of man. The first group of four constellations describe His first coming as a Suffering Servant. The middle group shows the result of His suffering, the blessings to the redeemed. The last group portrays His second coming as the Reigning Judge.

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The Redeemer’s First Coming

Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius show the Redeemer’s first coming. Virgo depicts our Redeemer's virgin birth. Libra, the Scales tells how our Redeemer paid the required price (scales were used for trading). Scorpio shows a Scorpion wounding a man's heel, while being trodden under foot, in fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 "[the seed of the woman] will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Sagittarius shows a duel-natured being (God-man) victorious over the serpent.

The Promised Seed of the Virgin Virgo tells of the virgin birth of the Desired Son that would be a Despised Sin Offering to redeem man. Virgo is Latin and means a virgin. Virga in Latin means a branch. Both words are used to refer to Jesus in the Latin Vulgate. Isaiah 11:1 refers to Jesus as the Branch and Matthew 1:23 refers to Jesus as virgin-born. Virgo is a virgin woman holding an ear of wheat in her left hand and a branch in her right hand. The ear of wheat refers to the Seed of the woman who is to bruise the head of the serpent as was described in Genesis 3:15. In John 12:24, Jesus refers to himself as the "Kernel of Wheat" that would fall to the ground and die in order to bring forth fruit. The three associated decans (constellations) include:

Coma, The Desired of all Nations. In Hebrew, Coma means "The Desired" or "Longed For". The picture of Coma is a woman with a child in her arms. In ancient Egypt this decan was called Shesnu (The Desired Son). The Desired Son is Jesus. The Hebrew form of the word Coma is used in Haggai 2:7, "The desire of all nations shall come". Centaurus, The Despised Sin Offering. Centaurus is a figure of a Being with two natures (God and man) piercing Lupus, the enemy (a decan of Libra) with a spear. The Hebrew name is Bezeh (The Despised). This word is used in Isaiah 53:3 to describe Jesus: "He was despised and rejected of men". Other names for the constellation include Asmeath (A Sin Offering) and Cherion (Greek: "The Pierced" or "One Who Pierces"). The dual-natured Being is over the Cross (a decan of Libra), showing his own death. Toliman (The Heretofore and Hereafter) is the brightest star in Centaurus.

Bootes, He Cometh. Bootes is pictured by a man walking quickly, with a spear in his right hand and a sickle in his left hand. Bootes comes from the Hebrew Bo, and means "The Coming". Names of associated stars include: Al Katurops (The Branch, Treading Under Foot), Mirac or Mizar or Izar (The Coming Forth as an Arrow; The Preserver; or Guarding), Muphride (Who Separates), Nekkar (The Pierced), Merga (Who Bruises).

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Name	Meaning (Translation)
Tsemech	The Branch; Hebrew word exclusively refers to Messiah
Zavijaveh	The Gloriously Beautiful
Vindemiatrix	The Son Who Comes, the Branch Who Comes
Subilah	Who Carries
Subilon	Ear of Wheat (John 12:24)
Coma	The Desired Son; woman with child (Hag 2:7)
Centaurus	Dual Natured Being piercing enemy; also called Bezeh,: The Despised and Asmeath, A sin offering
Toliman	The Heretofore and the Hereafter
Bootes	He Cometh; picture: man walking quickly
Al Katurops	The Branch
Mirac	Coming Forth as an Arrow
Muphride	Who Separates
Nekkar	The Pierced
Merga	Who Bruises

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The Required Price Paid Libra tells how Jesus paid the price to redeem us through His death on the cross and gained the crown of glory. Libra is portrayed by a pair of scales. Scales were often used in trading, to weigh the price paid. In Arabic, the constellation was called Al Zubena (purchase or redemption). The brightest stars of the constellation include Zuben Al Genubi (The Price Which Is Deficient) and Zuben Al Chemali (The Price Which Covers). The Price Which is Deficient undoubtedly refers to man's attempt to pay for his own redemption. The Price Which Covers refers to Jesus' sacrifice. The three associated decans (constellations) include:

Crux (the Southern Cross), The Cross Endured. In Hebrew its name was Adom, (Cutting Off), which was referred to in Daniel 9:26 "And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off..."(KJV). This constellation was just visible in Jerusalem at Jesus' first coming. It has not been seen in northern latitudes since then. Lupus (or Victima), The Victim Slain. This decan shows an animal that is falling down dead. The modern name for this constellation is Lupus, (Wolf). It is also known as Victima (Latin: The Victim) and Asedah (Hebrew: To Be Slain). In the zodiac of Dendereh, Lupus is portrayed as a child called Sura (a lamb). Isaiah 53:7: "He was lead like a lamb to the slaughter..."

Corona (the Northern Crown), The Crown Bestowed. Corona is a picture of a crown of glory. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death..." Hebrews 2:9. In Hebrew this constellation is called Atarah (Royal Crown). The brightest star in this constellation is Alpacca, (The Shining).

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Name	Meaning (Translation)
Zuben Al Genubi	The price which is deficient
Zuben Al Chemali	The price which covers
Crux; The Southern Cross	The cross, also called Adom, the cutting off (Dan 9:26)
Lupus	The wolf slain, also called Victima, the victim slain
Corona	The crown bestowed
Alpacca	The Shining

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He Bruises the Serpent's Head; the Serpent Bruises His Heel Scorpio shows the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 where God was speaking to the serpent after Adam's fall: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Scorpio the scorpion is trying to wound a man's heel, but is trodden under foot. The ancient name of this constellation is Akrab, ("A Scorpion", "Wounding", "Conflict" or "War"). The brightest star in Scorpio is Antares (The Wounding), which is red in color. Leseth, a star in the Scorpion's tail means The Perverse, representing Satan. Associated decans (constellations) include:

Serpens (the Serpent), The Serpent Struggling for Dominion. This decan will be described with decan Ophiuchus. The brightest star is Unuk (Encompassing). It is also known as Alyah (Hebrew: The Accursed); and Al Hay (Arabic: The Reptile). The star in the serpent's jaw is Cheleb (The Serpent Enfolding). Ophiuchus (the Man), The Struggle with the Enemy. Together with Serpens, this decan shows the man (Ophiuchus) grasping the snake (Serpens) while stepping on the Scorpion's heart (shown by the red star Antares: The Wounding). The serpent is trying to get the Crown (a decan of Libra), to obtain dominion. The Greek name Ophiuchus is derived from Hebrew Afeichus (The Serpent Held). Stars include Ras al Hagus (The Head of Him Who Holds), Triophas (Treading Under Foot), Saiph (Bruised), Carnebus (The Wounding) and Megeros (Contending).

Hercules (The Mighty One), The Mighty One Humbled, Yet Victorious. This decan shows a mighty man kneeling on one knee, with his right heel lifted as if wounded and his left foot over the head of the dragon Draco (a decan of the Sagittarius sign). He has a club in his right hand and a three-headed monster in his left. A skin of a lion that he has slain is thrown around him. Stars include Ras al Gethi (The Head of Him Who Bruises), Kornephorus (The Branch, Kneeling), Marsic (The Wounding), Ma'asyn (The Sin Offering) and Guiam (Punishing). In Psalms 91:13 "...the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet." (KJV)

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Name	Meaning (Translation)
Serpens	The serpent trying to obtain the Crown (Corona in Libira)
Ophiciuchus	The Man struggling with serpent; Afeichus, the Serpent Held
Hercules	The Mighty One with wounded heel, victorious over serpent
Antares	The Wounding (red in color)
Lesath	The perverse; in scorpion's tail, represents Satan
Unuk	Encompassing; also Alyah, the accursed (in serpent)
Cheleb	The Serpent Enfolding
Rasal Hagus	The head of him who holds
Triophas	Treading under foot
Saiph	Bruised
Carmebus	The wounding
Megeros	Contending
Ras al Gethi	The head of him who bruises
Kornephorus	The Branch, kneeling
Marsic	The wounding
Guiam	Punishing

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The Redeemer's Triumph Sagittarius shows the dual-natured (God-man) Redeemer about to shoot an arrow through the enemy Scorpio's heart. In Hebrew, Sagittarius means Archer. It's Accadian name is Nunki (Prince of the Earth). Psalm 21:9-13 is a good Scriptural description of this constellation. Associated constellation Ara's fire is shown in verse 9: "...you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them." Verse 12 portrays archer Sagittarius: "for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow." Verse 13 shows associated constellation Lyre's praise: "Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might." Associated decans (constellations) include:

Lyre, Praise for the Victorious Redeemer. Lyre is a picture of a lyre or harp. The name of its bright star, Vega, means "He Shall Be Exalted". Ara (the Altar), Consuming Fire Prepared for His Enemies. Ara is an upside-down altar with fire blazing downward, depicting the lake of fire. The ancient Arab name for it was Al Mugamra (Completing or Finishing). The Greek word Ara is used as a curse to the enemy who will one day be cast into "eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10). Psalm 21:9-13 describes the fire of Ara (v. 9:"...you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them."), the archer Sagittarius (v. 12:"for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow."), and the praise depicted by Lyre (v. 13:"Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.").

Draco (the Dragon) The Serpent Cast Out. Draco is a great dragon that has been cast out. Draco in Greek means "Trodden On". The Hebrew is Darach (To Tread). Psalm 91:13 speaks of this "...the dragon shalt thou trample under feet." (KJV) One of the stars in the head of Draco is named Rastaban (The Head of the Subtle) or in Arabic, Al Waid (Who Is to Be Destroyed). Other stars include Ethanin (The Long Serpent), Thuban (The Subtle), Giansar (The Punished Enemy) and El Atik (The Fraudulent)

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Name	Meaning (Translation)
Naim	The Gracious One
Al Shalua	The Dart
Al Warida	Who Comes Forth
Lyre	Harp
Vega	He shall be exalted
Ara	Upside down alter with fire blazing downward
Draco	The great dragon who has been cast out
Rastaban	The head of the subtle
Ethanin	The long serpent
Glansar	The punished enemy
El Atik	The fraudulent

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The Blessings to the Redeemed

The result of the Redeemer's work, the blessings to the redeemed are shown by the second group. The constellations include Capricornus, The Atoning Sacrifice and Resurrection; Aquarius, The Holy Spirit Poured Upon the Redeemed; Pieces, The Redeemed Blessed Though Bound (depicting the current Church Age); and Aries, The Crowned Lamb and His Bride.

The Atoning Sacrifice and Resurrection Capricornus is a symbol of the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus and the blessings procured for the redeemed. Capricornus is Latin for "goat" and is depicted by a dying goat having the tail of a live fish. It symbolizes the Goat of Atonement slain for the redeemed and new life coming forth. In Old Testament times, the goat was used as a sin offering, "...to take away the guilt of the community by making atonement for them before the LORD.", Leviticus 10:16-17. Associated decans (constellations) include:

Sagitta (the Arrow), The Arrow of God Set Forth. This arrow is not meant for the enemy, but for the Son of God, and is sent by God. This is also seen in the prophecy about Jesus Christ in Psalm 38:2, "For your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down upon me."

Aquila (the Eagle), The Pierced One Falling. Aquila is a falling eagle. Its stars include Altair (The Wounding), Al Cair (The Piercing), Tarared (Wounded or Torn), Al Shain (Bright, Red Colored), Al Okal (Wounded in the Heel). Delphinus (the Dolphin), The Dead One Rising Again. This is a dolphin that is full of life, with his head up and leaping out of the sea. This shows resurrection from death.

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Name	Meaning (Translation)
Daneb Al Gedi	The Sacrifice Cometh
Dabih	The Sacrifice Slain
Ma'asad	The Slaying
Sa'ad al Naschira	Who Carries
Sagitta	The Arrow
Aquila	A Falling Eagle
Altair	The Wounding
Al Cair	The Piercing
Tarared	Wounded or Torn
Al Shain	Bright, Red Colored
Al Okal	Wounded in the Heel
Delphinus	The Dolphin; The Dead One Rising Again

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Living Waters of Blessing Poured Forth for the Redeemed Aquarius is a symbol of the giving of the Holy Spirit to God's people. Aquarius (Latin: pourer forth of water) shows a man pouring water from an urn into the mouth of a fish. The water represents the Holy Spirit (represented in Scripture as water or wind) and the fish represents God's people. The Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus. This pouring of the Holy Spirit is referenced in Isaiah 44:3 "For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants." The man in the constellation is called Hupei Tirion ("The Place of Him Coming Down" or "Poured Forth"). Associated decans (constellations) include:

Piscis Austrinus (the Southern Fish), The Blessings Received. In Arabic, its name is Fom al Haut (The Mouth of the Fish). This decan is a fish with a wide open mouth into which flows water from Aquarius. This is a picture of the church receiving the blessings of the Holy Spirit. Pegasus (the Winged Horse), The Soon Return of the Redeemer. This decan is a winged horse. Peka or Pega means "Chief" and Sus means "Swiftly Coming". The stars in this constellation include Markab (Returning From Afar), Scheat (Who Carries), Enif (The Branch), Matar (Who Causes to Overflow with Joy). From the stars, we see the message that the Branch (Jesus) is swiftly returning from afar. This message is also given in Revelation 22:20: "Surely I come quickly". (KJV)

Cygnus (the Swan), The Sure Return of the Redeemer. This decan is pictured as a swan flying across the heavens. In both Greek and Latin its name means "circling" and "returning". In the zodiac of Dendereh, it was called Tesark (This From Afar). Stars include Deneb (The Lord Comes), Albireo (Flying Quickly), Sadr (Who Returns as in a Circle), Azel (Who Returns Quickly) and Fafage (Shining Forth).

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Name	Meaning (Translation)
Hupel Tirion	The Place of Him Coming Down; Poured Forth
Sadal Suud	The Pourer Out
Sheat	Who Goes and Returns
Meon	An Urn
Picis Austinus	The Southern Fish; Fish receiving water from Aquarius; Depicts blessings to God's people
Pegasus	Pega means "chief"; Sus means "Swiftly coming"
Markah	Returning from Afar
Scheat	Who Carries
Enif	The Branch
Matar	Who Causes to Overflow WIth Joy
Cygnus	Circling, Returning; The Sure Return of the Redeemer
Deneb	The Lord Comes
Albireo	Flying Quickly
Sadr	Who Returns as in a Circle
Azel	Who Returns Quickly
Fafage	Shining Forth

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Deliverance Out of Bondage Pisces is pictured as two fish that are tied together with a band (one of the associated constellations) to Cetus, the sea monster (a constellation of Aries). The fish, a symbol of God's people, are restrained from freedom and blessing by being tied to the sea monster. Another of the associated constellations shows a chained woman (God's people) and the third associated constellation shows the Deliverer near by. The Egyptian name from the zodiac of Dendereh is Picot Orion or Pisces Hori (The Fishes of Him That Cometh). Associated decans (constellations) include:

The Band, The Redeemed Bound, But Binding Their Enemy. This is the band that connects the two fish and the sea monster (Cetus, a decan of Aries). Its Egyptian name was U-or (He Cometh). In Arabic it was called Al Risha (The Band or Bridle). Andromeda (the Chained Woman), The Redeemed in Their Bondage and Affliction. Andromeda is a picture of a woman whose arms and feet are chained, in misery and trouble. The chained woman represents Christ's church in bondage to sin. In Hebrew it is called Sirra (The Chained). The names of its stars are: Alpheratz (The Broken Down), Adhil (The Afflicted), Mirach (The Weak), and Al Mara (The Afflicted). The Deliverer (Cepheus) will free her, as in Isaiah 52:1-3: "...loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For thus saith the Lord, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; and ye shall be redeemed without money."(KJV)

Cepheus (the Crowned King), Their Redeemer Coming to Rule. Cepheus is a glorious king, crowned, enthroned with a scepter in his hand. Cepheus means "the Branch". It is also called Hyk (The King). In the zodiac of Dendereh it was called Pekahor (This One Cometh to Rule). Its stars include Al Deramin (Coming Quickly), Al Phirk (The Redeemer) and Al Rai (Who Bruises or Breaks).

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Alsamaca	The Uphold
Okda	The United
The Band	Band that connects two fish with Sea Monster
Andromeda	The Chained Woman
Alpheratz	The Broken Down
Adhil	The Afflicted
Mirach	The Weak
Al Mara	The Afflicted
Cepheus	Crowned King, Enthroned with a scepter in His hand
Al Deramin	Coming quickly
Al Phirk	The Redeemer
Al Ral	Who Bruises or Breaks

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The Crowned Lamb and His Bride Aries, a vigorous ram or lamb with a crown encircling his head, is a symbol of the crowned Messiah, Jesus and His Bride the church. In Latin, Aries means "the Lamb", "the Chief" or "the Head". Revelation 5:12, in describing the Messiah says: "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" When Jesus was crucified on the 14th of the Jewish month Nisan, the sun had entered Aries and was at the spot of the stars El Nath (Wounded, Slain) and Al Sheratan (The Bruised, The Wounded). The associated constellation Cassiopeia is a picture of the church (God's people) prepared as a bride, as in Revelation 19:7: "...For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." Associated decans (constellations) include:

Cassiopeia (The Enthroned Woman), The Captive Delivered and Preparing for her Husband, the Redeemer. Cassiopeia is the same woman who was chained in Pisces, now freed and enthroned. She is fixing her hair with her left hand and adjusting her robe with her right hand. Cassiopeia means "the enthroned" or "the beautiful". In Arabic it is Ruchba (The Enthroned). In the zodiac of Dendereh it is known as Set (Set Up As Queen). An ancient name was "The Daughter of Splendor". Its stars include Schedir (The Freed) and Caph (The Branch). Cetus (the Sea Monster), The Great Enemy Bound. Cetus is the largest of the constellations. It represents Satan. Its stars include Mira (The Rebel - Satan was the angel who rebelled against God), Menkar (The Bound or Chained Enemy), and Diphda (The Overthrown).

Perseus (the Breaker), "The Breaker" Delivering the Redeemed. Perseus is a soldier with a sword in his right hand and a helmet on his head. In his left hand he carries his adversary's head dripping blood. Perseus is Latin for "the breaker". In Hebrew, it is Peretz (The Breaker). In Micah 2:12-13, the Messiah to come (Jesus Christ) is portrayed as the Breaker that goes ahead of His people: "...I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah...The breaker is come up before them..."(KJV). In the zodiac of Dendereh, Perseus was known as Kar Knem (Who Fights and Subdues). Stars include Mirfak (Who Helps), Algenib (Who Carries Away) and Atik (Who Breaks). The star in the adversary's head is called Algol (The Demon) also known as Rosh Satan (The Head of the Adversary).

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Name	Meaning (Translation)
El Nath	Wounded, Slain
Al Sheratan	The Bruised, The Wounded
Cassiopeia	The Enthroned Woman
Caph	The Branch
Cetus	The Sea Monster
Mira	The Rebel
Menkar	The Bound or Chained Enemy
Diphda	The Overthrown
Perseus	The Breaker
Mirfac	Who Helps
Algenib	Who Carries Away
Atik	Who Breaks
Algol	The Demon

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The Redeemer's Second Coming

The second coming of the Redeemer is shown by the third group of constellations. The constellations include Taurus, The Coming Judge of the Earth; Gemini, The Duel Natured King; Cancer, His Possessions Held Secure; and Leo, The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

The Coming Judge of the Earth Taurus, a ferocious bull called rimu in the Hebrew Scriptures portrays Jesus' second coming to judge the earth. The wild bull symbolizes power and rule. In Numbers 23:22, Balaam described God's power in leading Israel: "God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox (Hebrew: rimu)." Stars include The Pleiades (Congregation of the Judge), Aldeberan (The Governor, Captain, Leader) and Elnath (The Wounded). Jude 14-15 describes the Lord's coming for judgment: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone..." The three associated decans (constellations) include:

Orion The Glorious One. Orion is a mighty hunter (a picture of Jesus) with a big club in his right hand and a lion skin in his left hand. His left foot is raised to kill Lepus, his enemy (a decan of Gemini). Orion means "Coming Forth as a Light". In Hebrew this constellation is called Chesil (A Strong One, a Hero). The Egyptians called it Hagat (This Is He Who Triumphs). The hilt of Orion's sword is the figure of a Lamb. Stars include Betelgeuse (The Coming of the Branch), Rigel (The Foot That Crushes), Bellatrix (Quickly Coming or Swiftly Destroying), Saiph (Bruised), Alnitak (The Wounded One), Mintaka (Dividing as a Sacrifice), Algebor (The Mighty), Alnagjed (The Prince), Almirzam (The Ruler), and Heka (Coming). Orion is a symbol of the Lord, the Light coming forth, as in Isaiah 60:1-2: "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee..."(KJV)

Eridanus Wrath of God Poured Out on His Enemies. Eridanus is a river of fire that wanders through the sky toward Cetus (a decan of Aries), through the northern hemisphere ending at the star Achernar (The After Part of the River) in the southern hemisphere. Other stars include Cursa (Bent Down) and Zourac (Flowing). The fiery stream of God's wrath in judgment is referenced in Daniel 7:9-10: "A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened." (KJV) Auriga, Protection of the Redeemed in the Day of Wrath. Auriga is a picture of a shepherd holding a mother goat with a pair of kids - safe and protected in the arms of the shepherd. Its stars include Capella (She Goat), Men Kalinan (The Chain of the Goats), Elnath (Wounded or Slain - as in John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep"), and Haedi (The Kids). In Ezekiel 34:22 God speaks of His flock: "I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another."

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Name	Meaning (Translation)
The Pleiades	Congregation of the Judge
Aldeberan	The Governor, Captain, Leader
Elnath	The wounded or slain
Orion	Mighty Hunter; Coming Forth as a Light; Carries sword with hilt having the figure of a lamb
Betelgeuse	The Coming of the Branch
Rigel	The Foot That Crushes
Bellatrix	Quickly Coming or Swiftly Destroying
Saiph	Bruised
Alnitak	The Wounded One
Mintaka	Dividing as a Sacrifice
Algebor	The Mighty
Alnagjed	The Prince
Almirzam	The Ruler
Heka	Coming
Eridanus	River of Fire
Acherna	The after part of the river
Sourac	Flowing
Auriga	Shepherd holding safe a mother goat with kids
Men Kalinan	Chain of the Goats
Haedi	The Kids

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The Dual Natured King Gemini symbolizes the dual nature of the Messiah: Suffering Servant and Conquering King. The twins of Gemini were called Castor and Pollux in Latin, and Apollo and Hercules in Greek. Apollo or Castor means "Ruler" or "Judge". Hercules or Pollux means "Who Comes to Labor or Suffer". Stars include: in the foot of Pollux - Alhena (Hurt, Wounded or Afflicted); in the leg of Castor - Mebsuta (Treading Under Foot). This is a fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Associated decans (constellations) include:

Lepus The Enemy Trodden Underfoot (a picture of Satan). Lepus is a rabbit that is located below Orion's foot (the foot that contains the star Rigel "The Foot That Crushes"). An ancient Persian zodiac shows this constellation as a snake, which is likely its original representation. Its stars include Arneb (The Enemy of Him Who Comes), Nibal (The Mad), and Sugia (The Deceiver).

Canis Major, Coming Prince of Glory. The modern picture of Canis Major is a dog. The ancient representation was Naz (The Hawk Coming Swiftly Down). Stars include Sirius (The Prince), Mirzam (Ruler), Adara (The Glorious), Wezea (The Bright, The Shining) and Alshira Aljemeniya (The Prince of the Right Hand). Canis Minor, The Coming Redeemer. The modern picture of Canis Minor is a dog, smaller than Canis Major. The ancient Egyptians called it Sebak (The Conquering or Victorious). Its ancient picture was a human with a hawk's head. Its stars include Procyon (Redeemer, Saviour), Gomeisa (Burdened or Bearing for Others), Alshira Alshemeliya (The Prince of the Left Hand).

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Name	Meaning (Translation)
Alhena	Hurt, wounded or afflicted
Lepus	Modern: Rabbit; Ancient: Snake
Arneh	The Enemy of Him Who Comes
Sugia	The Deceiver
Canis Major	Modern: A Dog; Ancient: The Hawk Coming Swiftly Down
Sirius	Prince
Mirzam	Ruler
Adara	The Glorious
Wezea	The Bright, The Shining
Alshira Aljemeniya	The Prince of the Right Hand
Canis Minor	Modern: Dog; Ancient: The Conquering or Victorious
Procyon	Redeemer, Savior
Gomeisa	Burdened or Bearing for Others

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His Possessions Held Secure Cancer is a symbol of a shelter for God's people. Cancer comes from a Latin root word "To Hold Or Encircle". In the zodiac of Dendereh it was called Klaria (Cattlefolds). The modern picture for Cancer is a crab. From the translations of its name and the names of its stars, it's likely that it had a different ancient picture. Its stars include Tegmine (Holding), Acubene (Sheltering or Hiding Place), Ma'alaph (Assemble Thousands), Alhimarean (The Kids or Lambs) and Praesepe (Multitude). The three associated decans (constellations) are:

Ursa Minor, The Stronghold of the Saved. Ursa Minor is known as the Little Bear. Another name for it was Arcas (The Stronghold of the Saved). It is felt that the Greeks may have mistakenly thought the constellation was called by the Persian word Dob (Bear) rather than the Hebrew word Dowb (Sheepfold). Thus the original meaning of this constellation may have been a sheepfold, thus representing the church. Ursa Major, The Assembled Flock. Ursa Major is known as the Big Bear. Job 9:9 and 38:32 refer to this constellation. The Hebrew word used means "To Hasten or Assemble Together". The constellation is called Alnaish (The Assembled Together) by the Arabs. As with Ursa Minor, it is felt that the Greeks may have mistakenly thought the constellation was called by the Persian word Dob (Bear) rather than the Hebrew word Dowb (Sheepfold). Stars include Dubhe (A Heard or A Flock), Merak (Flock), Phad (Guarded or Numbered), Megrez (Separated), Alioth (She Goat), Mizar (Small), Alcor (The Lamb), and Alcaid (The Assembled).

Argo, The Travelers Safely Home. Argo means "A Company of Travelers". Its stars include Canopus (The Possession of Him Who Comes), Tureis (Possession), Soheil (The Desired), Asmidiska (The Travelers Released) and Sephina (Abundance).

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Name	Meaning (Translation)
Tegmine	Holding
Acubene	Sheltering or Hiding Place
Ma'alaph	Assemble Thousands
Alhimarean	The Kids or Lambs
Praesepe	Multitude
Ursa Minor	Modern: Little Bear; Ancient: Stronghold of the Saved
Ursa Major	Modern: Big Bear; Ancient: The Assembled Together
Dubhe	A Herd or Flock
Merak	Flock
Phad	Guarded or Numbered
Megrez	Separated
Alcor	The Lamb
Alcaid	The Assembled
Argo	A company of travelers
Canopus	The Possession of Him Who Comes
Tureis	Possession
Soheil	The Desired
Asmidiska	The Travelers Released
Sephina	Abundance

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Lion of Judah Leo the Lion is a symbol of "the Lion of the tribe of Judah", Jesus, referenced in Revelation 5:5. In the zodiac of Dendereh, the word Knem (Who Conquers) is written under the constellation of Leo. In Hebrew it was called Arieh (Lion). In Syriac it was Aryo (The Rending Lion). Leo is a lion standing on the serpent Hydra. Its stars include Regulus (Treading Underfoot), Denebola (The Judge Who Comes), Algiebha (The Exaltation), Zozma (Shining Forth), Minchar Alasad (The Tearing of the Lion) and Aldafera (Enemy Put Down). The three associated decans (constellations) are:

Hydra, The Old Serpent Destroyed. Hydra means "The Abhorred" and is a picture of a serpent (Satan) being destroyed. Its brightest star is Alphard (The Excluded or Put Out of the Way). Revelation 20:10 speaks of this event: "And the devil that deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone...and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever"(KJV).

Crater, The Wrath of God Poured Out on The Serpent. Crater is a picture of a cup. It symbolizes the cup of the wrath of God, mentioned in Revelation 14:10 and Revelation 16:19. Corvus, The Devouring of the Old Serpent. Corvus is a raven who is tearing at the flesh of the serpent Hydra. In Revelation 19:17-18 it describes fowl eating the flesh of the enemy. Stars include Alchibar (Accursed), Algoreb (Raven), Minchar Algoreb (The Raven Tearing to Pieces) and Minchar Alsugia (The Deceiver Torn to Pieces).

Summary of Associated Stars and Constellations

Name	Meaning (Translation)
Regulus	Treading Underfoot
Denebola	The Judge Who Comes
Algiebha	The Exaltation
Zozma	Shining Forth
Minchar Alasad	The Tearing of the Lion
Aldafera	Enemy Put Down
Hydra	The Abhorred; pictured as a serpent
Alphard	The Excluded or Put
Crater	Cup (of the wrath of God; Rev 14:10 and 16:19)
Corvus	Raven tearing flesh of Serpent Hydra
Alchibar	Accursed
Algoreb	Raven
Minchar Algoreb	The Raven Tearing to Pieces
Minchar Alsugia	The Deceiver Torn to Pieces

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Heavens Declare the Glory of God

The stars speak God's message of salvation. They tell of prophecies that have been fulfilled, such as the virgin birth, atoning sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus and the giving of the Holy Spirit. Through the stars we can foresee events that have yet to be fulfilled, such as the day of God's wrath, the safety of God's people during God's judgment upon the world and the coming of Jesus to judge and to rule.
Although the practice of Astrology has distracted us from the true purpose of the stars, God's meanings still come shining through as the Light of the World.

Due to limited space, all of the star and associated constellation names and meanings could not be described here. Two good books for further study and references for this booklet are "The Witness of the Stars" by E. W. Bullinger and "God's Voice in the Stars" by Kenneth C. Fleming. Scripture quotations are from the New International Version copyright 1985 by The Zondervan Corporation, except where noted (KJV= King James Version).

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