As we enter the late fall and winter months of November 2018, it will be fruitful to reconsider in greater detail the signs of the Celestial Prelude that led the Magi to Jerusalem, Bethlehem and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I have proposed that the triple union of Jupiter-Saturn in 7 BC was not the actual signs marking the birth of Christ, as many have contended, but a Prelude to help the Magi recognize the triple union of Jupiter-Regulus in 3-2 BC, as the genuine heavenly signs surrounding the birth of Christ. Others as we will see, hold that Christ was born in 5 or 4 BC.
Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction
It is easy to see why this Jupiter-Saturn union could be mistaken for the celestial markings of the actual birth of Christ. Its understandable when we recall that much of this tradition was based on the teachings of the Prophet Daniel, who was made the master of the Magi, and the stargazers by King Nebuchadnezzar in Babylon, [Dan. 5:11]. He continued to preside over this august group in the reign of Darius I, [Dan. 6:1-3] when the Persians took control of the Babylonian empire. Daniel’s influence on the genuine sect of the Magi, not the Magicians who followed the perverted occult path into Astrology, was notable representing a key aspect of the astronomical doctrines of these Gentile scientists, especially regarding the widely held belief in the general sign marking the coming of the Messiah during this period in history. Obviously the Magi were aware of the truths of the Celestial Gospel concerning the coming redeemer, since it was their unrivaled expertise in Astronomy that led them to Jerusalem in the first place. As Matt. 2:3 tells us, their reputation clearly preceded them as Herod, and all Jerusalem was troubled at their appearance. Herod seems to hold the Magi’s opinion regarding the star that lead them to Jerusalem, above the belief of his own scribes and chief priests, which is evident in the secret meeting he arranged with the Magi in Matt. 2:7.
The activity in the first Chart below compares the signs of 7-4 BC, ahead of the signs that began the following year in the 2nd Chart. Previously our focus mainly concerned the triple planetary union of Jupiter-Saturn in 7 BC, in comparison with the triple planetary Conjunction of Jupiter and Regulus 4 years later. In this study we will focus more on the intervening period of celestial signs in 6-4 BC, providing more detail leading to the birth of Christ. We will add details on some other signs like the two Blood Moons in 5 BC, to more fully sketch out and establish this comparison. What gets our attention with these Blood Moons is not only do they take place in the Spring and Fall Seasons of the Hebrew Calendar, but the March 23rd Blood Moon Total Lunar eclipse falls on the evening of Passover on March 22nd opening the date of the 23rd on this calendar starting the week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Also in the Fall of that year, a 2nd Blood Moon Total Lunar Eclipse, occurred opening the week of Hebrew Feast of Tabernacles, Sept. 15th. This was preceded by a Partial Solar Eclipse the evening of Sept. 1st that started the Feast of Trumpets on the 2nd of September, giving us a triad of Luni-Solar Eclipses on Hebrew Feast and holy days in 5 BC, also marked by Nova Capricornus, a notable set of Celestial Pageantry leading to Christ’s birth to be sure.
The Celestial Prelude of 7 to 4 BC
| BC Dates | Conjunction of Planets | Constellation |
| May 27th, 7 | Jupiter-Saturn | Pisces |
| Sept. 15th, 7 | Jupiter, Saturn; [ring cycle], Sun & Earth aligned. | Pisces |
| Oct. 5th, 7 | Jupiter-Saturn | Pisces |
| Dec. 1st , 7 | Jupiter-Saturn | Pisces |
| Feb. 25th 6 | Triangular massing of Jupiter, Saturn & Mars | Pisces |
| Mar. 5th , 6 | Jupiter-Mars | Pisces |
| Mar. 23rd, 5 |
Total Lunar Eclipse [Unleavened Bread Feast] |
Virgo  |
| April 15-20, 6 | Lunar occultation | Series |
| March 23rd 5 | Nova | Capricorn |
| Sept. 1st, 5 |
Partial Solar Eclipse [Feast of Trumpets] |
 |
| Sept. 15th, 5 |
Total Lunar Eclipse [Tabernacles Feast Week] |
Pisces |
| April 4 BC | Nova | Aquila |
In March, 5 BC, and according to some records again in April, 4 BC, a Comet with no tail, or a Nova, appeared first in Capricorn, the sign of Christ the coming Sacrifice, and later in Aquila the Eagle, a decan of Capricorn and enemy of the Serpent. The Pisces conjunctions of 7/6 BC would have directed the Magi’s attention toward Jerusalem, but this unique Nova in Capricorn two years later, during the feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread marked by Blood Moons may also have confirmed for the Magi the General Sign of the Celestial Prelude, seen in what E.W. Bullinger uncovered below. He references the popular belief regarding this general sign that was visible in and before the first century: “a traditional prophecy well known in the East, carefully preserved and handed down, that a new star would appear in this sign [Coma] when he whom it foretold, would be born.” 1 This tradition was at least partially based on Balaam’s declaration in Numbers 24, telling us that Balaam’s prophecy holds for us, at least a twofold import.
Numbers 24:17
17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.4
First, Balaam’s revelation refers to the advent of Christ the King, the ascendant bright and Morning Star, who came forth out of Jacob’s genealogical line. This genealogical line was marked astronomically by the similarity in the Jupiter-Saturn triple conjunctions surrounding both the births of Abram and Christ. Secondly, there is a celestial double meaning in the phrase: Star out of Jacob, with connotations for both the general and specific aspects of our Celestial Prelude. The new star, or supernova in the head of the infant in Coma, visible over 200 years, before 7 BC, was the general sign, the Star out of Jacob, that prepared the Magi to watch for specific aspects of the second part of the Celestial Prelude, including the Jupiter–Saturn triple unions of 7 BC in Pisces. We find this 2nd aspect of Balaam’s prophecy relating to the scepter, symbolic of the reign of the king planet-Jupiter.
As we progress in our study it becomes plain that Jupiter was the planet the Magi referred to as “his Star” in Matthew 2:2. The Magi noted the triple union of Jupiter and Saturn, that gave them a blueprint for the actual signs marking Christ’s birth, 4 years later. A Jupiter-Venus sign in August of 3 BC motivated them to begin their caravan to Jerusalem. Both of these aspects of the General and Specific celestial signs marking the birth of Christ are covered in more detail in the study on “The Stars Over Bethlehem,“ showing what the Magi observed in the skies overhead at the Messiah’s birth, both in Virgo and Coma.
They reached Judea years before the death of Herod, Jan. 9th, 1 BC marked by a Blood Moon, not to be confused with the Blood Moons of the 5 BC on Spring Passover, or during the fall feast of Tabernacles coinciding with Nova Capricornus. Over the last 18 years, when I first proposed the idea of a “Celestial Prelude,” and published it on [www.try-god.com], I have not been aware of any similar proposed theories that have come to the surface. There are however, some folks that have arrived at different conclusions from the same data. I recently came across some research by Jonathan Gray that falls into this category. Gray documents the history of what I have referred to as the General Sign of the Celestial Prelude in his book; “The Sting of the Scorpion,” where he states;
“FACT 9: Both Gentile and Jewish peoples preserved an ancient prophecy that in the period in which the Promised One should be born, there would appear a very bright star in the sky (22/161). This new star was to appear in the sign of the Virgin (5/36-37). A new and peculiar star did make its appearance in the period immediately preceding Jesus’ birth; it was so bright as to be visible even in the day time; and it continued in the sky during the whole period of Jesus’ lifetime, and for a period thereafter (22/161-163). It was in the first decan of Virgo, namely Coma, the sign of the Infant accompanying the Virgin, and it marked the very head of that Infant. The calculations on these remarkable incidents in the sky are recorded in ancient Mesopotamian and Chinese documents (10/239-247). They have been repeatedly re-examined by noted astronomers and pronounced to be correct. The facts thus stand attested by the best science. There can be no doubt that the conjunctions all in the sign of Pisces, along with the new star in the Virgin and Child (Coma) indicated that the One now born could be none other than the divine-human Seed of the woman. Is it any wonder that the Magi, as they approached Jerusalem, grew excited? That they were soon to see the illustrious Virgin-born Deliverer of the world, whom the zodiac and all sacred writings had been proclaiming from remotest antiquity, they had no longer the least shadow of a doubt. For long ages the world had awaited him. The time was now.” 2
Gray attests to the same historical evidence I first documented in the late 90’s regarding the “Coma Supernova,” but arrives at different conclusions regarding the birth of Christ due to his belief that Herod died in 4 BC. We find evidence for his belief towards the end of the next quote from Gray.
Figure 1. Coma the first Decan of Virgo from the Dendera Zodiac
Regarding the Magi, Gray says;
“We cannot doubt that they were following some written or traditional prediction, a prediction referring to some general warning that was to be followed by a definite sign. It is clear that this warning had occurred two years previously, and it was this warning that caused the Magi to look for his sign, “his star in the East” (Matt. 2:2). So it was that these wise men from the East came asking for a newborn king and saying that they had seen his star in the East. Herod, the Roman-appointed puppet king, was nervous about the possible usurper of his throne and “inquired… what time the star appeared” (v. 7). The visitors must have informed him concerning the conjunctions and the associated omens. The jealous despot sent his murderers to Bethlehem to butcher an estimated twenty unweaned male infants living there. He was playing it safe. An attestation of the slaughter of the Bethlehem babies comes from Augustus Caesar (Macrobius, Saturnalia, lib.2, ch. 4). It is mentioned by Pascal (Pensees, 753 in the Penquin edition). Perhaps by this action Herod felt secure. Fat chance: within months, he was dead – and so lost the throne anyway! As for the star, some may regard it as entirely mythical, some as miraculous*, but it is also possible to suppose and inquire after an actual celestial phenomenon back of the account.” 3
Some of the varied conclusions Gray holds are based on a common error in this field, that Herod died in 4 BC as opposed to the much more likely date of Jan. 1 BC, where Dr. Ernest Martin, shows that this eclipse is the only one that meets all the evidence required by Josephus and others, [Askelm.org]. 4 This error of linking the March 13, 4 BC Blood Moon to Herod’s death is a major determinant of his thesis of a 4 BC birth of Christ. The signs Gray notes in 5-4 BC are thus designed to support the birth of Christ during this time, but he is not alone in this false assumption. Yet this date is too early for the birth of Christ to fit with other aspects of the Biblical timeline of Christ’s ministry. The “general warning” Gray refers to above, that the Magi followed to a “definite sign” appears to be the Jupiter-Saturn triple union two years prior. So he considers this triple union of planets as a general warning pointing to the Nova Capricornus that followed also in Pisces. As Gray points out; “at the precise hour of midnight in the third week of September 5 BC, the sign of PISCES (everywhere regarded as a sign of the people of Israel), witnessed this constellation reaching its zenith on the meridian above Bethlehem, the prophesied birth-place of the coming Messiah.” 5 Gray also states earlier in the same year both Virgo and Coma were rising on the eastern horizon, seen from Jerusalem.
Figure 2. Jupiter-Saturn Triple union in Pisces. 6
Gray correctly points out the regular annual period when the Sun is clothing Virgo [Rev. 12:1-2] but makes no reference to the Moon being at the Virgin’s feet… 6 “It is a further ASTRONOMICAL Truth that on this date the SUN stood in Virgo (regarded the sign of the Virgin mother from whom the divine-human Redeemer was to be born. 16 David’s prophecy (2 Sam. 23:4) “And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the SUN riseth,” is explained in the Jewish Midrash on this passage (par. 29, ed, Lemberg, p 56b, lines 7-9 from the top) as applying to the appearance of the Messiah (9/30). He is also termed the SUN of Righteousness and the LIGHT of the world (Mal. 4:2; John 8:12). So now, at the appointed time, the SUN stands in the VIRGIN.” 7
Gray recognizes the Sun’s annual trek through Virgo but leaves out the Moon, so his evidence falls short of the events describing the birth of Christ at this earlier time, which IS however fulfilled 2 years later. Gray’s general timeline is correct, which is described in his next reference below, but like many others not all the details fit.
“The Herodians knew that the time for the appearance of Messiah was at hand. The general expectation of the Jews as the time for Messiah’s appearance had arrived. Hence the Jews sent priests and Levites to John the Baptist, to ask him, Who are you? “And he confessed… I am not Messiah.” Then when Jesus himself appeared, many said, “This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world” (Jn. 1:19, 20; 6:14; 7:40, 41). John the Baptist understood the chronology of Daniel’s prophecy and made it one of the bases of his appeal, “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 3:2).” 8
Gray’s incomplete timeline of events marking the birth of Christ omits key details that allow us to separate truth from error. But the information he supplies is not without value if applied to the genuine timeline of Christ’s birth. Below Gray refers to a general time-frame of the Messiah’s return based on teachings from the Talmud– “The School of Prophets,” headed by Elijah.
“THE JEWISH EXPECTATION: “HE’S DUE” There cannot be the slightest doubt that the portents announcing the birth of Jesus were understood by the rabbis (see page 23). But, more than that, they had the amazing prophecy of Daniel. Early Jewish documents such as the Septuagint (LXX) translation (285-246 B.C.) and the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs (c. 100 B.C.) interpret Daniel’s time prophecy (ch. 9:24-27) as referring to the Messiah (12/824-825; 13/47). Indeed, whether Essene, Hellenistic, Pharisaic or Zealot, “the most usual interpretations [of Dan.9:24-27] of Judaism until after 70 AD… were of the Messianic kind” (3/521). Notice this statement in the Talmud: The Tanna debe Eliyyehu [School of Elijah] teaches:
The world is to exist six thousand years. In the first two thousand there was desolation; for two thousand years the Torah flourished; and the next two thousand years is the Messianic era” (Talmud Sanhedrin, 97a, Vol.2, p.657).” 9
c. 4000 BC Abraham Messiah The End
| c.2000 yrs | ______c. 2000 yrs ______ | ____ c. 2000 yrs _____ |
The Desolation Era Hebrew Torah Era Messianic (Christ) Era
We can see the relevance of this history in light of the consistency between the signs surrounding both the births of Abraham & Moses, leading to Christ. Aspects of the Hebrew Faith were based on ancient traditions going back to the birth of Moses and Abraham, because it was believed the birth of Moses was also marked by a triple union of Jupiter and Saturn. We have detailed the signs surrounding these triple unions marking the births of Abraham and Moses for this very reason. These triple unions of Jupiter and Saturn would be a prophecy from deep antiquity that the Piscean Age would bring forth God’s eternal purpose in the revelation and personal presence of Jesus Christ, the promised seed of the woman. In the following reference to Jupiter-Saturn triple unions related to the birth of Moses, R.H. Allen has probably isolated at least part of the quote by Abrabanel referenced by Kepler:
“The Rabbis held a tradition, recorded by Abrabanel in the 15th Century, that a similar Conjunction took place three years previous to the birth of Moses, and they anticipated another at their Messiah’s advent.”10 [emphasis mine]
With this in mind, plus the fact that Moses was a forerunner of Jesus [Acts 3:22ff], it is worth noting that in the three years following the triple union of Jupiter and Saturn, and the Triangular massing of planets in February of 6 BC, Jesus Christ was born. Even so, the triple union of Jupiter and Saturn in Taurus starting in the summer of 1536 BC, was the prelude to the birth of Moses. Perhaps the highest compliment we can pay the Magi is that they were genuine Gentile believers who sought for, and accurately anticipated the first coming of Jesus Christ, according to the ancient science learned from Daniel and the Astronomy they applied from their own traditions of Zoroastrianism. As Matthew 2:10 states; they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. The exceeding greatness of their joy, however was not founded upon their sighting of “his star” only, but on both the General and Specific signs of this Celestial Prelude, and all that Jupiter represented regarding the first coming of Jesus Christ the promised seed written in the stars. The roots of their knowledge of the Promised Seed trace to the monotheistic teachings of Zoroaster. A second man of the same name was said to have coexisted with Daniel in the reign of “Darius the Mede” in the 5th – 6th Centuries. We find a reason for their joy, in Rolleston’s quoting of Abulfaragius below:
“Zeradusht {Zoroaster} taught the Persians that in the latter times a virgin should bring forth a son, and that when he should be born a star should appear, and should shine and be conspicuous in the midst of the figure of the virgin. It is then said that he commanded his disciples, the Magi, when they should see the star, that they should go forth where it directed them, and offer gifts to him that should be born.”11 (emphasis mine)
This confirms what we have already seen in Zoroastrian writings concerning the coming of the promised seed. The Magi would certainly have been joyfully awestruck when they realized the dual witness of the supernova in Coma, along with “his star,” the king planet Jupiter at rest in the mid-section of Virgo, on their way to Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy written in the stars, and established by their teachers, Zoroaster and the prophet Daniel. A graphic rendition of this is found in our banner at the top of this blog post. It shows both the general sign of the Celestial Prelude next to the specific sign of Jupiter in Virgo, directly over Bethlehem, as the Magi testified to the Creator’s precision, with the Rhythms of His celestial cycles in perfect harmony, bringing the Magi to their appointed destiny as witnesses of His purpose of the ages, the foretold arrival of the redeemer of Mankind.
The Nova’s in Capricorn and Aquila would have drawn the Magi’s attention to the General Sign of the Celestial Prelude, the Supernova in the head of the infant in his mother’s lap in Figure 1. Capricorn emphasized the perfect Sacrifice of our Lord and Savior laying down his life for the salvation of all mankind.
The Celestial Signs of 3 BC to 1 BC
| May 19th, 3 BC | Mercury-Saturn | Taurus |
| June 12th, 3 BC | Venus-Saturn | Taurus |
| Aug. 31st, 3 BC | Jupiter-Venus | Leo |
| Sept. 9-12, 3BC | Eta-Draconid Meteor Showers | Draco |
| Sept. 14th, 3 BC | Jupiter-Regulus | Leo |
| Feb. 17th, 2 BC | Jupiter-Regulus | Leo |
| March 31st, 2 BC | Triangular massing of Venus, Mars & Saturn | Taurus |
| May 8th, 2 BC | Jupiter-Regulus | Leo |
| June 17th, 2 BC | Jupiter-Venus | Leo |
| Aug. 27th, 2 BC massing of planets | Jupiter, Venus, Mars & Mercury | Leo |
| Aug. 28th, 2 BC | Alignment of Jupiter, Venus & Mars, Sun & Moon. | Leo |
| Dec. 9th, 2 BC | Venus-Mars | Scorpius |
| Dec. 25th, 2 BC | “Star of Bethlehem” | Virgo |
| Jan. 9th, 1 BC. Total Lunar Eclipse | Gemini-Death of Herod | |
| Aug. 21st, 1 BC | Jupiter-Venus | Virgo |
The Coma supernova set the stage for the triple union of Jupiter-Saturn in 7 BC leading to the birth of Christ. This union in Pisces also marked a transition in the ages of the precession of the equinoxes, from the Age of Aries to the Age of Pisces. This was not only the case in ancient Israel but the world-views of many ancient cultures including, Sumeria, Babylon, Egypt, Persia and the Meso-Americas., all held similar views. According to this pattern, Jupiter-Saturn triple unions occur in Pisces only once every 800 years, exhibiting how this series subdivides the precession, that totals a period of about 25,000 years. Since every 30 cycles of Jupiter-Saturn triple unions in Pisces totals a period of 24,000 years, this period is near enough to the full cycle of precession, to warrant our attention. This new Precessional Age was highlighted because for the prior 2160 years, Aries was the sign wherein the Sunrise occurred on the Spring equinox. The Triple union of Jupiter-Saturn marked the first time that the Sun arose in the Sign of Pisces, on the Spring equinox, signifying a new Precessional Age, the Age of Pisces. Over 2000 years has already passed since this opening of the Piscean Age, and the Birth of Christ that occurred four years later. The Sign of Pisces contains two fish, one swimming vertically towards the North Pole and the other horizontally along the ecliptic. The fish represent the houses of Judah and Israel, further disclosing the Promised Seed would come out of the Royal House of Judah. Christ had to be the Son of Adam, Abraham and David to fulfill all righteousness. The fullness of the gap between the sufferings of the Lord, seen during his first coming, and his glorious return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords continues to take place in the Piscean Age. Finally, this triple Conjunction of Jupiter-Saturn in Pisces gave the Magi all they needed to identify the signs marking the birth of Christ when the triple union of Jupiter-Regulus took place in Leo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. This panoramic view of Biblical and Celestial History, beautifully encapsulates how God utilized the Natural Law witness in the heavens, coordinated with Divine Scripture, to reveal in increasing detail, the identity of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ.
Heb 11:3 Through faith4102 we understand3539 that the3588 worlds165 were framed2675 by the word4487 of God,2316 so that things which are seen991 were not3361 made1096 of1537 things which do appear.5316
”worlds” [G165 aion] ages of time were repaired, or set back in order by the individual spoken Words [G4487 rhema] of God.56 Thus we can trace the Audible Spoken Words of God in Scripture at the inception of each Spiritual Administration.
“framed” [G2675-katartizo] means; to establish, set up, arrange, complete, perfect, finish, refit, repair, mend.57 [I Cor. 1:10, Gal. 6:1, I Thess. 3:10]
Each of the seven temporal administrations represents a step closer in the progression towards the total reparation of the ages of Time, thrown into chaos by Lucifer’s revolt in the 1st Heaven and Earth. As the Entropy Law was instituted, resulting from the disobedience of Adam and Eve, the enemy became “Time Lord” in the kingdoms of this world. The Entropy Law, also known as the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, or “Time’s Arrow,” dictates the degradation of all matter in Creation, inexorably moving from higher degrees of order to lower states of order. This is the palpable effect of the release of sin nature on Creation, [Romans 8:19-23]. The Creator is the only One Who could reclaim the rule of the Temporal World, and from Eternity past, He set His plan in motion to be carried out in Jesus Christ. Each Spiritual Age /Administration brings Man closer to the Return of Paradise in Christ, where God’s order will be restored forever. In this way Christ is seen as the consummation of the ages, the center and embodiment of God’s plan to repair the damage done by the enemy, at the fall of man. As all history turns upon the Messiah- the axis of temporal order [BC/AD], so all men look to the Messianic prophecies of his appearing in faith of this restoration of the Ages.
In summary it is the Scriptures of Messianic prophecies that provide irrefutable proof of the identity of Jesus Christ. All the singularly unique signs, miracles and wonders that followed his life and ministry, pale in comparison to the collective witness in Biblical Prophecy of his appearing. As powerful as the single threads of Messianic truth are in foretelling of his earthly sufferings, it is the unified record in the tapestry of Messianic truth, and the Celestial Gospel, that together provide the complete fulfillment of his everlasting Glory as the Red Thread, forming an unbreakable chain of sacred evidence binding God’s Written Word and all Creation, into a unified whole. This mighty Chronicle of the Ages, consummated in the embodiment of God’s Word made flesh, brought to life in the only begotten Son of God, make the life, ministry and truth of Jesus Christ absolutely indisputable, because they are built upon the unshakable ground and foundation of the Eternal Rock-Who is our God and Loving Heavenly Father!
God Bless…
Footnotes
1. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger
2. The Sting of the Scorpion, Jonathan Gray
3. Ibid
4. The Star that Astonished the World, Ernest L. Martin ppg. 72-106
5. The Sting of the Scorpion, Jonathan Gray
6. Graphic video credit for Figure 2, from [Bobmoler.wordpress.com]
7. The Sting of the Scorpion, Jonathan Gray
8. Ibid
9. Ibid
10. “Star Names Their Lore and Meaning,” R.H. Allen
11. “The Mazzaroth,” Frances Rolleston, Footnote on “The Star of Bethlehem.
12. Strong’s Concordance, [G165 aion], James Strong
13. Ibid, [G2675-katartizo]
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