Creation Revelation. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever. Psalm 119:160

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1 Creation Revelation God is in the details Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 R1 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever. Psalm 119:160 Signs in the Heavens, Part 1 of 2 The Star over Bethlehem Then God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth ; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-19 In Genesis 1:14-19 God made the great light givers that we see in our sky. The Sun and Moon are the prominent light sources for the earth. Then, almost as an afterthought, He made the stars also. Besides being used to provide light, the Sun, Moon, and stars were for signs, for seasons, and for time keeping. We want to make clear that we are not referring to astrology in the modern sense of fortune telling, but let us look at what is meant by signs. God caused a written record to be made which contained the origin and history of mankind, the calling of a special people to carry His message, and prophecies of things to come until the end of the world. Moses penned the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament) about 1,500 BC, approximately 2,500 years after creation. E.W. Bullinger poses the question that since the world for more than 2,500 years was without a written revelation from God, Did God leave Himself without a witness? The Bible affirms that He did not. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:18-20 In Psalm 19:1 we find that the heavens declare (are telling) the glory of God. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. Psalm 19:1 Visit us at

2 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 2 of 16 Did the original meaning of the Zodiac once declare the glory of God? This cannot be proven with total satisfaction, but the symbolism depicted and various ancient names for the stars in the constellations are intriguing. Some reading this will consider that since we have God s Word we do not need to contemplate further how he reveals Himself to mankind. We know that many of the tribes of the world, even some in remote areas today, used memory techniques to relate their history to future generations. Is it beyond possibility that early man received a revelation from God that outlined the complete plan of our redemption? Perhaps early man devised a method to remember this revelation by using the fixed signs he saw in the sky? Possibly, God showed him the design in the heavens? No one can know for sure. One thing we do know for certain is that early man did devise a mythological meaning to what we call the Zodiac. What concerns some, as they consider whether the so-called Gospel in the stars was the original meaning of the Zodiac, is the occultic future telling system the Zodiac has become. For this reason many shy away from learning about it. Some that did not shy away from telling the story are Bible teachers, theologians, and authors, Joseph A. Seiss, E. W. Bullinger, Henry M. Morris, D. James Kennedy and J. R. Church. In a recent Prophecy in the News article, Jupiter and Venus in Conjunction, J. R. Church had this to say: God intended for the night sky to tell the story of the Gospel. It was His first Bible laid out for mankind. It tells the story of the seed of the woman, as seen in Virgo, defeating the seed of the serpent, as seen in Scorpio. 1 In this article we will discuss some aspects of the Gospel in the Stars while presenting an intriguing historical study regarding the birth date of Jesus. If the evidence presented is correct, it is possible that John gave us the birth date of Jesus on a certain date and year with an accuracy of 1-1/2 hours. It is interesting to note that Josephus specifically mentions that Seth, a virtuous man, and his descendants invented that peculiar sort of wisdom which is concerned with the heavenly bodies, and their order. Now this Seth, when he was brought up, and came to those years in which he could discern what was good, became a virtuous man; and as he was himself of an excellent character, so did he leave children behind him who imitated his virtues. All these proved to be of good dispositions. They also inhabited the same country without dissensions, and in a happy condition, without any misfortunes falling upon them, till they died. They also were the inventors of that peculiar sort of wisdom which is concerned with the heavenly bodies, and their order. And that their inventions might not be lost before they were sufficiently known, upon Adam s prediction that the world was to be destroyed at one time by the force of fire, and at another time by the violence and quantity of water, they made two pillars, the one of brick, the other of stone: they inscribed their discoveries on them both, that in case the pillar of brick should be destroyed by the flood, the pillar of stone might remain, and exhibit those discoveries to mankind; and also inform them that there was another pillar of brick erected by them. Now this remains in the land of Siriad to this day. 2 This implies that Seth and his offspring knew and understood the fixed positions of the stars and star groups. Let s now consider the Zodiac. The Zodiac What is called the Zodiac today is a series of twelve constellations that are at fixed positions in reference to the earth arranged around what is called the ecliptic, the apparent annual path of the Sun across the heavens. This ecliptic is divided into twelve equal zones. 3 THE ZODIAC 4 It is most interesting to note the particular layout of Israel s camp in the wilderness. It might be said that the camp of Israel in the wilderness was arranged, either intentionally or unintentionally, in the form of the Zodiac. 5 According to Joseph A. Seiss, this can be seen by studying

3 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 3 of 16 the blessings of Israel (Jacob) in Genesis chapter 49, and of Moses in Deuteronomy chapter The Sphinx in Egypt has the head of a man (woman) and the body of a lion. A Zodiac in the Temple of Esneh, in Egypt, has a Sphinx placed between the signs of Virgo and Leo indicating that the Zodiac begins with Virgo and ends with Leo. 7 Bullinger depicts Israel s camp as follows: ISRAEL S CAMP 8 (c) Scorpio, the Scorpion = Sting to be inflicted on the promised Seed. (d) Sagittarius, the Archer = Corruption of the human race through demonism. (e) Capricornus, the Goat-Fish = Utter wickedness of mankind. (f) Aquarius, the W ater Pourer = Destruction of the primeval world by water. (g) Pisces, the Fishes = Emergence of the true people of God. (h) Aries, the Ram = Sacrifice of an innocent Substitute for sins. (i) Taurus, the Bull = Resurrection of the slain Ram as the mighty Bull. (j) Gemini, the Twins = The dual nature of the reigning King. (k) Cancer, the Crab = Ingathering of the redeemed from all ages. (l) Leo, the Lion = Destruction of the fleeing serpent by the great King. Virgo 11 Let s examine Virgo more closely to see if we can see the reason for the Gospel interpretation. Virgo means the Virgin. The promised Seed of the woman and the virgin birth of the Messiah are prophesied in Genesis 3: Other Jewish sources confirm the connection of the tribes of Israel to the constellations of the Zodiac. 9 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15 The Gospel in the Stars 10 The Hebrew name for the constellations of the Zodiac is the Mazzaroth. God, in His conversation with Job, mentions this star arrangement as follows: Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, or loose the belt of Orion? Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season? or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth?" Job 38:31-33 NKJV The word Mazzaroth literally means constellations but all scholars agree that it refers to the Zodiac. It is believed by some that the Zodiac has been corrupted from its originally intended meaning as seen below: (a) Virgo, the Virgin = Promised Seed of the Woman. (b) Libra, the Balances = Scales of divine justice. Notice that Virgo is pictured with a branch and some ears of corn in her hands. The ears of corn would refer to the Seed of the woman. The branch is a reference to the Messiah.

4 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 4 of 16 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:5, 6 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. Zechariah 3:8 The Messiah is to be born of the virgin. Woman does not have seed, man does. Genesis 3:15 clearly indicates that a woman will conceive without the help of a man. 13 Coma 14 the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth. Numbers 24:17 An Arab Christian Historian, Abulfaragius (1,226-1,286 AD), says that the Persian Zoroaster, who was a pupil of Daniel, predicted to the Magians (Persian astronomers) that the appearance of a new star would signify the birth of a mysterious child whom they were to adore. Another source, the Zend Avesta, indicates the star would appear in the constellation Virgo. 16 The Magi knew to look for a star, but, could they determine in advance the general location where the child would be born? The Magi could determine the longitude as being the land of Jacob by the prophecy of Numbers 24:17. The latitude would be determined by the passage of the star overhead at midnight every 24 hours. It would then be a simple matter for the Magi to locate the very spot that the star would be vertical. 17 There is a tradition that when the Magi arrived at Bethlehem, they refreshed themselves at the town well. They rejoiced when they discovered that the overhead star was reflected down the vertical well shaft on the water below, indicating that they had at last arrived at the location they were seeking. 18 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Matthew 2:9, 10 Bootes 19 There is another constellation near the branch in Virgo s hand called Coma, which means the desired, or the longed for. Coma was pictured by the ancients as the mother and child. Its position near the branch would indicate that the desired one is the Messiah. Today, Coma has been corrupted to represent woman s hair. However, the ancient Egyptian name for this constellation is She-nu, the desired son. The Zodiac in the temple of Denderah in Egypt, dating to about 2,000 years BC, shows a woman and a child, not woman s hair. Bullinger relates that there was a tradition in the East that a new star would appear in this sign when He whom it foretold should be born. 15 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite

5 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 5 of 16 There is yet another constellation near the branch in the hand of Virgo that is called Bootes, meaning the coming one. 20 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. Psalm 96:13 The Greeks called him Bootes, meaning the coming. The ancient name was probably Arcturus, which means He cometh. 21 Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. Job 9:9 To the ancient Egyptians he was Smat, meaning one who rules, subdues, and governs. They also referred to him as Bau, meaning the coming one. The name of the star in the spearhead means the branch, treading underfoot. The star below his waist on his right side means the coming forth as an arrow, or the preserver, guarding. And finally, the name of the star in his head means the pierced. Alternately it means, who bruises. 22 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. Psalm 22:16 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15 There is a sickle in the other hand of Bootes. We are reminded that finally Christ will be Judge and Harvester of the earth. 23 The Day and hour of Jesus Birth 29 6:15 to 7:45pm on 11 September 3 BC And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. Revelation 14:15, 16 The Day and Hour of Jesus Birth The Magi knew that the Hebrews considered the constellation Pisces to represent Israel. The wandering star (planet) that we know as the planet Saturn designated Jerusalem, while Jupiter indicated royalty. 24 On 29 May in the year 7 BC, Saturn and Jupiter came together in Pisces. This happened again on 3 October 7 BC, and a third time on 4 December 7 BC, each in Pisces. It s interesting to note that the conjunction that occurred on 3 October in 7 BC occurred on the Jewish Day of Atonement. The usual occurrence of a conjunction of these stars was once in 804 years. But this happened three times in a single year. In the spring of 6 BC there occurred in Pisces a triple conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars. 25 The word star in the first century could also mean planets, or wandering stars. 26 We will now look at two verses in Revelation chapter 12 that may have significance in determining the actual birth date of Jesus. John, in writing the opening verses of Revelation 12, clearly depicts the woman as being Israel, but may also be pointing back in time to reveal the birth date of Jesus when he wrote: And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child

6 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 6 of 16 cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. Revelation 12:1, 2 The twelve stars crowning the woman s head certainly is a reference to the twelve tribes of Israel. The woman herself is no doubt Israel. So, out of Israel would come the Messiah. Why would this specific illustration be used by John concerning a woman clothed with the Sun? Notice that the wonder appeared in heaven. Is John giving the exact date that the Messiah was born by the position of the stars in the heavens? In this respect, the significance of the twelve stars as a crown points to the twelve signs of the Zodiac, of which Virgo is the beginning point. 27 The word wonder, or as some translate sign in Greek is the exact word normally used to refer to a zodiacal sign. 28 When was Christ born? There are biblical, astronomical, and historical reasons to believe that the birth of Christ occurred in 3 BC. A Roman census took place between August and October of 3 BC. This census taken in 3 BC was like an oath of obedience and is recorded in the Res Gestae of Augustus Caesar. The purpose was for conferring an award upon Caesar called the Pater Patriae in early 2 BC. 30 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Revelation 12:1 NKJV The following illustrates the apparent stopping of a planet and its reversal (retrograde). The stopping and reversal is only a visual effect due to the position of the earth s orbit and the relative movement of the planet. A person standing on the earth while viewing Jupiter would see Jupiter appear to stop and reverse its motion. The planet does not actually stop or reverse. Retrograde 34 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Luke 2:1-3 Several significant conjunctions occurred, beginning in May 3 BC, including the Morning Star conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in August of 3 BC, and culminating in the Evening Star conjunction of Jupiter. 31 A conjunction of Jupiter, the King planet, with Regulus, the King star, in Leo, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, on 14 September 3 BC, would begin a series of three such occurrences during 3 and 2 BC. The other occurrences were on 17 February 2 BC and 8 May 2 BC. The visual effect of Jupiter in its retrograde motion would cause Jupiter to appear to circle, or crown Regulus. The brightness of this display may account for the star the Magi saw. 32 The only time during this period when the Woman (Virgo) is clothed with the Sun, and the Moon is under her feet, is between 6:15PM and 7:45PM on 11 September 3 BC. 33 Look at Revelation 12:1 once again, this time using the New King James Version. The following graphically portray the interaction of Jupiter and Regulus in Leo. Regulus and Jupiter 35

7 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 7 of 16 Leo and Regulus 36 servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD. Leviticus 23:23-25 Does the Date Add Up? To determine if this date for Jesus birth adds up, we need to begin with the birth of John the Baptist. Regulus is located between Leo s feet and is the star nearest the Sun on the ecliptic (the Sun s path). Because of this relationship the early Jews associated the star Regulus, the King star, with the Messiah. 37 Jupiter, the King planet, on 12 August 3 BC, rose in conjunction with Venus, the mother, as the morning star in Leo. On 17 June 2 BC, Jupiter again was in conjunction with Venus in Leo. Finally in a grand display on 27 August 2 BC, there was an unusual massing of four planets in Leo (Judah) - Jupiter, Mars (war), Venus, and Mercury (the messenger of the gods). All of these occurrences involved Jupiter. It could be that the Magi were following the planet Jupiter to Bethlehem. 38 As previously mentioned, it is conceivable that the apostle John was calling attention to Christ s birth date with the depiction of the woman of Revelation chapter 12. The context of Revelation 12 certainly is referring to the birth of Christ. It was common practice at that time to know the times and seasons by the stars. The woman depicted in Revelation 12 could therefore be the constellation Virgo. The birth of Christ would have occurred at a time when she was being clothed with the Sun and the Moon was situated under her feet. That time occurred on 11 September in 3 BC between the hours of 6:15pm to 7:45pm local (Bethlehem) time. An interesting thing about this date is that it was Tishri one on the Jewish calendar, the Jewish New Year, the Day of Trumpets, Rosh ha-shanah. 39 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation. Ye shall do no There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest s office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. Luke 1:5, 8-14 There were twenty-four priestly courses of temple service. The course that John the Baptist s father, Zacharias, served was the eighth, Abijah (Abia). 40 Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. Now the first lot came forth to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, The fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, 1 Chronicles 24:1, 5, 7-10 Zacharias was told that Elisabeth shall bear him a son, not that she already had conceived. This made the conception of John to be most likely after the Temple course was finished, June 4 BC. The ecclesiastical year differed from the civil year in that it began with Nisan (March/April). One Nisan in 4 BC was 29 March. The courses that year ran as follows: first, 24 to 31 March; second, 31 March to 7 April; third, 7 April to 21 April (extended due to Passover), and so on. The eighth

8 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 8 of 16 course would have been from 19 May until 26 May 4 BC. During this time Gabriel appeared to Zacharias to announce John the Baptist s conception. Elisabeth, Zacharias wife, would have conceived sometime after the announcement. Allowing 280 days between conception and birth, John was born about 10 March 3 BC. Jesus was conceived in the sixth month of Elisabeth s pregnancy, December 4 BC, making His birth to be September in 3 BC. 41 Also, the angel told Mary (Jesus mother) that her cousin was in her sixth month. Mary s conception would have taken place in December of 4 BC for Jesus to be born in September of 3 BC. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. Luke 1:36 John the Baptist Conceived Nativity Chronology Jesus Conceived Six Months Later John the Baptist Born Jesus Born Christmas Around 25 December 2 BC Jupiter would appear stopped in the constellation Virgo. After their stop at Jerusalem the Magi may have been drawn to Bethlehem at this time to pay homage with gifts to the new King. Jesus would have been a toddler at that time. Daniel was essentially a Magi himself. The Magi would recall the teachings of Daniel to earlier Magi regarding the prophecies of the expected Messiah. Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him. When Herod the king heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, In Bethlehem about June 4 BC about December 4 BC about 10 March 3 BC 11 September 3 BC of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel. Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also. When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Matthew 2:1-12 Herod was able to calculate how old Jesus should have been at this time by asking the wise men exactly when they first saw the star (various conjunctions involving Jupiter with Venus and Regulus beginning in 3 BC). It is evident that Jesus was a young child, not an infant in the manger by this time. He must have been about 1 year and 3 months old. This is why Herod killed all the children up to the age of two years in the vicinity of Bethlehem. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Matthew 2:16 The Sabbath Years The majority of the early Christian writers before 400 AD place Jesus birth between 3 and 1 BC. Since 400 AD, confusion as to Herod s death date has caused researchers to place Jesus birth too early. New evidence shows that 36 BC was a sabbatical year, making Herod s death to be 1 BC. This is seen in the fact that Herod captured Jerusalem in the sabbatical year of 36 BC. King Antigonus died a few months later. Josephus says that Herod reigned 34 years

9 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 9 of 16 after the death of King Antigonus, making his death to be 1 BC, not 4 BC, as is supposed. 42 This confusion arose because Josephus puts Herod s death at the time of an eclipse before a springtime Passover. A partial eclipse occurred on 13 March 4 BC. We however find a total eclipse on 10 January 1 BC, twelve and a half weeks before Passover. 43 Since Herod was alive at the time of Jesus birth, Herod s death is a key factor in determining the date of Jesus birth. Sabbatical years would begin in September/ October (Tishri) in one year, and run until September/ October (Tishri) of the following year. 44 This corresponded with the civil calendar. At the beginning of Jesus ministry we find in John 4:35 that he refers to fields being white already to harvest, yet he tells the disciples that harvest is still four months away. This seems curious. If the fields are ready for harvest, then why is the harvest still 4 months way? Do you not say, There are still four months and then comes the harvest? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! John 4:35 The explanation is simple the only time when this could occur is during a sabbatical year, when it would be unlawful to harvest until the sabbatical year was over in the month of Tishri, September/October. The grain in the fields would have been the grain that had fallen to the ground at the time of the previous harvest. There was a sabbatical year in 27/28 AD. Therefore, Jesus spoke these words in late May or early June of 28 AD. Jesus would have been about 30 years old at this time if he was born in 3 BC. 45 Luke says that Jesus was about 30 years of age at the beginning of His ministry. Irenaeus, in his Against Heresies, confirms that Jesus was in His 30th year at the beginning of His ministry. 46 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age. Luke 3:23 In Luke 4:16-19, Jesus, quoting Isaiah, indicates that the beginning of His ministry was a Sabbath year when He proclaims the acceptable year of the Lord. 47 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Luke 4:16-19 To give perspective to what Jesus was proclaiming the following verses of Leviticus describes the law of the sabbaths of years. And you shall count seven sabbaths of years for yourself, seven times seven years; and the time of the seven sabbaths of years shall be to you forty-nine years. Then you shall cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall make the trumpet to sound throughout all your land. And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout all the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you; and each of you shall return to his possession, and each of you shall return to his family. That fiftieth year shall be a Jubilee to you; in it you shall neither sow nor reap what grows of its own accord, nor gather the grapes of your untended vine. For it is the Jubilee; it shall be holy to you; you shall eat its produce from the field. In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his possession. And if you sell anything to your neighbor or buy from your neighbor s hand, you shall not oppress one another. According to the number of years after the Jubilee you shall buy from your neighbor, and according to the number of years of crops he shall sell to you. According to the multitude of years you shall increase its price, and according to the fewer number of years you shall diminish its price; for he sells to you according to the number of the years of the crops. Therefore you shall not oppress one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 25:8-17 When Jesus quoted Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth He stopped short of completing Isaiah s prophetic words. He left out the last part, which has significance to His Second Coming described in the book of Revelation. and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, Isaiah 61:2 If Jesus was born in 3 BC, then the beginning of His ministry should be in a Jubilee year (27/28 AD), and He is said to be about 30 years old. He should also be in His 33 rd year at the time of His crucifixion. The date for His crucifixion is considered by many scholars to be 11 April 32 AD. Notice next how this agrees with the chronology of Jesus life.

10 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 10 of 16

11 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 11 of 16 The following are printouts from a computer astronomy program illustrating the signs in the sky that have been discussed in this article. 10 SEPTEMBER 3 BC 6:30 PM MOON NOT YET UNDER WOMAN S FEET, BUT SUN IS CLOTHING HER. NOTICE JUPITER NEAR REGULUS IN LEO. ONE MONTH LATER, 12 SEPTEMBER 3 BC 6:30 PM MOON NOW IN LIBRA ABOUT A YEAR LATER, 27 AUGUST 2 BC MASSING OF JUPITER, MERCURY, VENUS, AND MARS IN LEO, WHILE SUN IS IN VIRGO AND MOON IS IN LEO. BIRTH DATE OF JESUS 11 SEPTEMBER 3 BC 6:30 PM SUN CLOTHING WOMAN. MOON UNDER HER FEET. JUPITER STILL NEAR REGULUS IN LEO.

12 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 12 of 16 The Blessing of the Sun A Sign of the End? And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. Genesis 1:14-19 The Sun On Wednesday 8 April 2009 (14 Nisan, year 5769) the Jews celebrated a recurring festival known as the Blessing of the Sun (Birchat HaChama). This festival was last celebrated on 8 April 1981 (8 Nisan, year 5741). This blessing follows a twenty-eight year cycle that always occurs on a Wednesday which begins at the vernal equinox at 6 pm on Tuesday, when the Sun is in the exact alignment it was at the moment of creation. Note that the Jewish day runs from 6 pm to 6 pm. The Jews have a tradition that the Sun was created at the vernal equinox position (when day and night have equal length), at the beginning of the night of our fourth day, in year one of our counting. They realized that once in every twenty-eight years the equinox should be at the same time on the fourth day of the week, at the same hour. This year (2009) has special significance, Birchat HaChama falls on Wednesday, Erev Pesech (Passover), Seder night. This same alignment with Passover first occurred when Moses led Israel out from the bondage of Egypt. 48 When God created the heaven and the earth, He created the light-givers on the fourth day. Saturday is considered the Sabbath day; the seventh day when God rested. Therefore, the fourth day would be Wednesday. God created the heavenly bodies on Wednesday, the starting position. Birchat HaChama is celebrated at the end of the twenty-eight year cycle when the sun returns to its creation (starting) position in relation to the earth. It is the position the Sun was in relative to the earth when God created the Sun. 49 Passover is celebrated on 14 Nisan according to the Scriptures. Nisan is the first month of the year in the Hebrew calendar, corresponding to March/April. Exodus 12:18 describes the observance of the first Passover during the final plague when the angel of death passed over the Hebrew homes. This plague took the life of the first born Egyptian males in order to convince Pharaoh to let Israel leave Egypt. 50 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at even, ye shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at even. Exodus 12:18 There is more to these instructions that have implications to the final sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah in the redemption of all mankind. The sign for the destroyer to pass over (bypass) the houses of Israel was the sign of the cross made by blood of the freshly slain lamb painted on the doorposts and lintels of the doorway to the Israelite homes. Seven days shall there be no leaven found in your houses: for whosoever eateth that which is leavened, even that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he be a stranger, or born in the land. Ye shall eat nothing leavened; in all your habitations shall ye eat unleavened bread. Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the Lord will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service? That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the Lord s passover, who

13 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 13 of 16 passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped. Exodus 12:19-27 Like the Passover, Birchat HaChama seems to be associated with redemption. The Talmud reveals that the month of Nisan, in which Birchat HaChama occurs, is the month of redemption. The Jewish year is now 5769, nearly six thousand years of Jewish history. 51 In fact, the Jewish year, 5,769 (2009), is about 240 years short due to manipulations by Jewish scholars in AD to make Bar Kokhbah the messiah predicted by Daniel chapter 9. In Jewish thinking, Jesus could not possibly be the messiah. Therefore, adding back the missing 240 years would make our current year (2009) to be 6009 on the Jewish calendar. 52 Some scholars believe that, like the creation week of seven days, there will be six thousand years of human history, with the one-thousand years Millennial Kingdom being the seventh. Interestingly, the Sun was created on the fourth day. The Son, Jesus Christ, was born after four thousand years (the fourth day), and two thousand years have now passed since that time for a total of six thousand years (six days). If this is true, then we should be approaching the time of the seven years Tribulation, the precursor to the Millennium (the seventh day). 53 Notice the wording of the following verses: Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. Hosea 6:1-3 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. Psalm 90:4 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8 The wording of these three preceding verses is provocative, even though Psalm 90 and 2 Peter 3 are speaking about God not being bound by time. In an alternate interpretation, Hosea also speaks of one day being a thousand years (Psa 90:4; 2 Pe 3:8). When applied to Hosea 6:2, it is said to refer to two thousand years since Christ s First Coming, and as He arose on the third day, Israel will receive forgiveness and enter into the Millennial Kingdom, the final one-thousand years. During the six thousand years since creation, there has been only three times on which Birchat HaChama falls on the 14 th of Nisan (Passover). 54 The first time Birchat HaChama fell on Passover was when Israel ate the first Passover lamb before fleeing Egypt (Exodus 12:18-27). The second occurred just before the miracle of Purim. Esther fasted from 14 to 16 Nisan before her plea to the King to save the Jews. Then, in the following year the Jews were saved. 55 Then were the king s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king s ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the king s provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. Esther 3:12, 13 On 13 Nisan, 523 BC, evil Haman convinced the king of Persia to kill all the Israelite captives eleven months later in the month of Adar. Queen Esther was persuaded to intercede on their behalf. It is believed that she fasted from 14 thru 16 Nisan in preparation, and finally presented herself to the King on 16 Nisan. Esther succeeded in her goal, and it is also believed that evil Haman was hanged on 17 Nisan. 56 In Adar (the twelfth month), the time Haman had plotted to kill them, the Jews got revenge on their enemies. Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king s commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them, (though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;) The Jews gathered themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, to lay

14 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 14 of 16 hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could withstand them; for the fear of them fell upon all people. And all the rulers of the provinces, and the lieutenants, and the deputies, and officers of the king, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai fell upon them. For Mordecai was great in the king s house, and his fame went out throughout all the provinces: for this man Mordecai waxed greater and greater. Thus the Jews smote all their enemies with the stroke of the sword, and slaughter, and destruction, and did what they would unto those that hated them. Esther 9:1-5 The Feast of Purim is celebrated as a result on 14 and 15 Adar (March). And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, Esther 9:20, 21 The Coming of Messiah The Jews are still waiting for their Messiah. They failed to recognize Him when he came as the suffering servant. Notice what Jewish scholars have said about the timing of the coming of their Messiah. The GRA writes in his sefer Safra D Tzinusa: one year during which redemption can come, and that is the year after the Shmita year [Sabbatical year] (this year 5768), for that is when the Chesed is revealed in the mouth of Yesod, and that is when Mashiach [Messiah] comes. The sabbatical year is September 2007/2008 (5768). One year after the sabbatical year is September 2008/ 2009 (5769). Finally, in 2009, again Birchat HaChama fell on the 14 th of Nisan. Could it be that redemption will soon follow? Kadosh Elyon writes that, This will be the last time ever and shortly afterwards, the Geulah, redemption MUST come. 57 The Moon The number twenty-eight is a prominent number in several other cycles. For example, a woman s menstrual cycle is twenty eight days, human gestation is two hundred and eighty days (10 x 28), and the Moon takes twenty eight days to completely circle the Earth. The number twenty-eight is four times seven, of which four signifies completion or fullness, while seven signifies connection. Therefore the number twenty-eight signifies a complete connection, the closing of the cycle. 58 The Moon returns to its starting position every nineteen years. The next time the Moon will return to its starting position will be in Every five hundred and thirty two years (28 x 19) the Sun and Moon return to their starting position in the same year. 59 However, this will be the first time since AD. that there is a seven year gap between Birchat HaChama and the starting position of the Moon. 60 Is the Rapture Near? The Rabbis taught that Messiah would come in the first year of a seven-year cycle. The year 2008 (2007/ 2008) was the last year of a seven-year cycle. The year 2009 is the first year of a new seven-year cycle which ends in Our Bible teaches that Jesus will come for His church before the beginning of the seven-years Tribulation, and will come again at the Second Coming at the end of the seven years (see 1 Th 4:13-5:9; Rev 3:10; Rev 19:11-21). Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Revelation 3:10 Much has been said recently about the last date on the Mayan calendar being 21 December Interestingly, this date approximates the mid-point of the current seven year gap between the Sun and Lunar cycles. The Bible indicates that at the midpoint of the Tribulation, Antichrist will enter the rebuilt Jewish Temple and proclaim himself to be God (Dan 9:27; Mat 24:15; 2 Th 2:3, 4). And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [seven years]: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Daniel 9:27 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) Matthew 24:15 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so

15 Volume 13, Issue 3 Summer 2009 Page 15 of 16 that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shew ing himself that he is God. 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 4 Signs Just as at the birth of Christ, the sky is again telling the glory of God in its displays. On 1 December 2008 a conjunction of Jupiter and Venus occurred. In the Greek and Roman mythologies Jupiter was the king of the gods, while Venus was the goddess of love. But further back in time, earlier civilizations considered Jupiter to be a sign of the messiah, and Venus was thought to be a symbol of His bride. 63 Conclusion No one knows for sure the day or hour, or even the year of Jesus return for the church (the Rapture) or His Second Coming, but we can be sure of this the signs are pointing to those events happening soon. The world is wicked and evil men do even more wicked things as the time draws near. The last time that God judged the world in the time of Noah He had this to say: And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5 Jesus also spoke of the time that would one day come whereby the world would again be judged as follows: But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Matthew 24:36-39 If God judged the world in Noah s time with a flood, and judged the wicked of Sodom, how much more will he wait before His wrath is kindled on this rebellious world? The time is now; don t put off repentance and acceptance of the Lord Jesus, unless you be also judged. God does not want you to perish, but to accept His free gift of eternal life with Him. You may think that you are good, but if you reject Jesus, then you are in the rebellion that first came on the creation in Genesis chapter 3. Time is short; you may not have another chance! (Endnotes) 1 J. R. Church, JUPITER AND VENUS IN CONJUNCTION, Prophecy in the News, January 2009, p From Josephus: ANTIQUITIES OF THE JEWS, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved, 7 [1.7]. 3 Wikipedia, ZODIAC, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Zodiac denotes an annual cycle of twelve stations or signs along the ecliptic, the apparent path of the Sun across the heavens, dividing the ecliptic into twelve equal zones of celestial longitude. 4 Henry M. Morris, THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR MODERN SCIENCE, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1984, p E. W. Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, Reprint of the 1893 ed., 1967, p. 18. Ernest L. Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, Portland, OR: ASK Publications, second edition, 1996, p. 41, 42. Joseph A. Seiss, THE GOSPEL IN THE STARS, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, (first published as The Gospel in the Stars: or, Primeval Astronomy), 1882, 1972, pp. 145, Seiss, THE GOSPEL IN THE STARS, pp. 145, Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, pp Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, p. 18. See also: Hillel ben David (Greg Killian), THE MAZZAROTH (ZODIAC), 9 Hillel ben David (Greg Killian), THE MAZZAROTH (ZODIAC), 10 Morris, THE BIBLICAL BASIS FOR MODERN SCIENCE, p see also Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS. 11 Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, plate 1. Seiss, THE GOSPEL IN THE STARS, p Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, p. 29, Seiss, THE GOSPEL IN THE STARS, p Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, plate 2. Seiss, THE GOSPEL IN THE STARS, p Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, p Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, pp. 37, Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, pp. 37, Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, pp. 37, Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, plate 4, Seiss, THE GOSPEL IN THE STARS, p Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, p Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, p Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, pp. 42, Bullinger, THE WITNESS OF THE STARS, p Seiss, THE GOSPEL IN THE STARS, pp. 162, 163. Robert W. Faid, A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO BIBLICAL MYSTERIES, Green Forest, AZ: New Leaf Press, 1993, p Faid, A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH TO BIBLICAL MYSTERIES, pp. 55, Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, p. 18. Seiss, THE GOSPEL IN THE STARS, p Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, p Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, p Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, p Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, pp. 9, 75, 76, 188, Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, pp. 12, Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, pp , Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, pp. 86, Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, p Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, p Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, p. 50. The 3 June 5 AD. date shown in this picture has no significance for our current discussion. It was a conjunction of Saturn and Mars in Leo. 37 Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, pp Martin, THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, pp