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Happy Thanksgiving and Welcome to the November 2024 blog! In this month’s study as we approach the traditional holiday Season, I have usually reserved this period for material pertaining to the Birth of Christ. Since this has always been a primary reason for the existence of this research blog and a major source of inspiration for its subject matter and contents. In the interests of accuracy, as new key info presents itself, my desire is to add it to what we have. Upon finding an article by Dwight Hutchison, which I’ve included a good portion as a framework of Babylonian chronology, for Christ’s birth, to compare and cross reference with a timeline of Bible truths, in agreement with what we find in “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed.“#1 As a primary source advocating Christ’s birth in 3-2 BC, from a Biblical perspective, added value of material from Babylonian sources by Dwight Hutchison adds a unique and independent view to existing sources, that allows us to dig deeper into the history of this key period.

In the rise of ancient Babylon, king Nebuchadnezzar’s army prevailed over Judah; Israel’s southern kingdom in 604 BC, deporting many key people in the Babylonian Captivity. Among the exiles were a group of gifted, intelligent young men with their leader-Daniel. After his elevation arising from unveiling king Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, and accurately decoding it for him, Daniel was rewarded with a high position in Babylon’s royal court, including key political authority, where he was made chief over all wise men and Babylonian sooth-sayers & magicians. This was central to the narrative, placing Daniel and his friends in key positions to influence many of the royal decrees to come down, not only from Nebuchadnezzar, but most subsequent rulers including king Cyrus, during their lifetimes.

 As we have recently seen, the Babylonians were already renown in history for their study of the stars, both from a symbolic perspective and scientific view. Babylonian astronomy was most influential in the orient at the time of the Messiah’s birth. But with his team of gifted friends- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel’s rise brought a positive spiritual perspective to their work in light of the Messianic prophecies of Christ. Also, having the treasury of the cuneiform tablets-the Babylonian Star Diaries, at their disposal, these clay tablets supplied invaluable support in his work to identify and teach the Magi, the celestial signs to beware of in their search for the coming birth of Christ.

Daniel’s knowledge of the Gospel in the Stars not only enlightened his view of the OT Prophecies of Christ, but also provided key insight needed to teach the critical clues to the Zoroastrian Magi, whose monotheistic religion influenced King Cyrus, as one of the most enlightened leaders in history. As seen in the principles of the Cyrus Cylinder– his example of leadership was the first true model of diversity, that included successful rule over nations with different languages, belief systems and religions. Since a number of Persian Kings were of Zoroastrian Faith including Cyrus, this likely provided a source of religious tolerance exhibited in his rulership. Cyrus’ influence in ruling conquered nations impacted other kingdoms in history including the Roman Empire, who applied similar principles in their rule of conquered nations.

Daniel’s knowledge of the Gospel in the Stars was closer to the original, since  the initial revelation originally given, in OT Scripture was perverted in the practices of astrology and divination, much of which was rooted and further defrauded in Babylon. As in modern times, astrologers cast their horoscopes, while many held that the stars fatalistically controlled one’s destiny. Daniel, however, preserved the Tanakh, and developed his own order of scholar-disciples committed to his teaching, based on the truth of Scripture, not to include astrology or other kinds of divination, that were strictly forbidden in the Hebrew Scriptures. Daniel spent all his adult life in Babylon and later in Persia as a high official of the kings he served, while never wavering from his true service to the One true God. When Daniel was carried off in captivity to Babylon, it was a result of one of 27 sieges of Jerusalem and its Temple, the first destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, who burnt the Temple in 587-586 BC, [2 Chron. 36:17-20], the 2nd in 69-70 AD, by Titus and his Roman Legions who also burnt the Temple. In both cases Jerusalem lay desolate for the next 50 years on the Jubilee Calendar. Daniel had the occasion to interpret the dream of Nebuchadnezzar– of the large statue of four beasts in Daniel 7, where king Nebuchadnezzar was the first king of the first golden kingdom of Babylon, the golden head of this statue. It was Daniel’s privilege to also serve the King of the 2nd kingdom of Persia in this statue, of four kings who embodied the four beasts of the king’s dream. 

Daniel 7:17
These great beasts, which are four, {are} four kings, {which} shall arise out of the earth.

This was where the co-regent king Belshazzar hosted a big banquet, during which a hand appeared and wrote on the wall the words, “Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin.” Daniel was called to provide the interpretation that was, “God has numbered your days; you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting; and your kingdom has been given over to the Medes and the Persians.”

That night the Medo-Persian army conquered the city, but Daniel was kept as a government minister. He also had several dreams, described in chapt. 8 – 12 of the book of Daniel, one of these dealt with the coming of Christ: “Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in ever-lasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.” [Dan. 9:24-26, Zech. 9:9] We have a detailed study on this important prophecy in Daniel 9 in the preceding link that you can refer to for further analysis.

The above prophesy indicated that the Messiah would be “cut off” and “the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary.” This was fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by armies of Roman General Titus in 70 AD, In addition to writing his account in the book named after him, Daniel had occasion to teach this information to his inner circle of adherents. Their descendants centuries later-the Magi, based on Daniel’s teachings, armed with the knowledge of Babylonian Astronomy and the records of their Star Diaries were not only enlightened of the General time when Jesus was to be born, but certainly equipped as scholars and genuine astronomers to discern the skies for the keys to track the timing and location of Christ’s birth. A set of celestial signs involving the King Planet Jupiter were given to them described in the Bible as a “star,” rooted in the OT Biblical prophecy: “I see him, but not now, I behold him, but not near. A star shall come forth from Jacob…”  Numbers 24:17

As Hutchison points out; “The only usage of the word “Magi” in the Greek Septuagint text of the Hebrew Scriptures is in the book of Daniel.#2/7 The Magi in Daniel’s context were almost certainly Mesopotamians,”#3 along with Daniel’s Jewish friends-captive with him in the Babylonian captivity.

Hutchison lists 7 points in his “Star Proposal“ to which we are in general agreement. However, when we extend the signs of Jupiter during this key historical period to include its series of Planetary conjunctions, massings and other related celestial signs, that the King Planet took part in, we find a broader frame of events & specific signs with detailed Messianic narratives emerging from this astronomical context. Hutchison goes on;

“In the early centuries of the Christian era, almost all of the Church Fathers believed that Jesus was born sometime during 3 or 2 BC, in the 41st or 42nd year of the reign of Augustus Caesar. A small minority of modern scholars believe that Jesus was born during 3-2 BC and that Herod the Great died in early 1 BC. [Count me among this minority…] This article adopts more or less the dates of the Church Fathers, [as No Christian Church Father dates the birth of Christ before 4 BC . p. 28 JCPS]#4  In addition, the oldest church traditions indicate that Jesus was conceived at or near Passover and was born in December or January. The ancient “Feast of the Annunciation” (Gabriel’s announcement to Mary) is still celebrated at Easter (Passover).”#5 [Gabriel’s announcement to to Mary was preceded by his announcement to Zacharias the father of John the Baptist, and Hebrew Priest who served in the Temple’s Course of Abia, in May–June of 4 BC, [Lk. 1:5, 19-25]. John was conceived in Elizabeth’s womb, Zacharias’ wife who were both descendants of Aaron the brother of Moses. ppg. 133-146, JCPS].#6 Since Elisabeth conceived in June of 4 BC, Gabriel’s announcement to Mary came in the 6th month of Elisabeth’s term [Lk. 1:26–38], in Dec. 4, BC, which puts the birth of Christ in Sept. 3 BC.

However, it may be that the skies hold keys for establishing more reliable general dates both for Jesus’s birth and Herod’s death.

The Star in the East-Identifiable Celestial Kingship Events in 3/2 BC. A key element in the star story involves the star in the “east.” It has become popular in recent decades to equate the phrase “saw the star in the east,” with an early morning first visibility of a planet, star, or comet as it emerges from the solar glare (a heliacal rising). The “heliacal rising” interpretation of the passage was first suggested by various northern European scholars about one hundred years ago.#7/22 Franz Boll (1867–1924), a philologist, was once regarded as the world’s foremost expert on ancient astrology. He rejected the “heliacal rising” translation. In reality, Matthew gives us a non-technical message; he was not an astronomer. However, we know that the Heliacal rising of planets was critical to Babylonian Astronomers as is evident from this citation from Ossendrijver; “In the last three centuries before Christ, Babylonian astronomers developed an advanced mathematical astronomy. In early 2016, Mathieu Ossendrijver, a researcher at the Humboldt University in Berlin, published a paper in the journal Science which describes one recently translated calculation tablet concerning Jupiter’s daily displacement. … Babylonian astronomers construed Jupiter’s displacement along the ecliptic during the first 60 days after its first appearance as the area of a trapezoid in time-velocity space. … These computations predate the use of similar techniques by medieval European scholars by at least 14 centuries. The “Oxford calculators” of the 14th century CE, who were centered at Merton College, Oxford, are credited with formulating the “Mertonian mean speed theorem” for the distance traveled by a uniformly accelerating body, corresponding to the modern formula s = t • (v 0 + v 1 )/2, where v 0 & v 1 are initial and final velocities.”#8/14

Ossendrijver goes on to say; “Various algorithms are attested in still-surviving Babylonian cuneiform documents for calculating the synodic phenomena of the moon, and all the visible planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.” 9/16

The Prophet Daniel was strategically placed by God as a top official under the rule and administrations of multiple kings, along with his friends and fellow Magi, as agents to ensure God’s plan would be enacted. The subject of this blog adopts a great portion from research done by Dwight Hutchison, in comparison with the research found in “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed,”
to uncover certain specifics and key missing details, not only on the history of the Magi, but also pertaining to the Prophet Daniel’s relations with King Cyrus, once Daniel was placed as head over the Magi in Babylon. I’ve included Mr. Hutchison’s research because, first I respect his work, and find it provides key details filling gaps from the Babylonian Astronomy and their celestial signs surrounding the Birth of our Lord and Savior-Jesus Christ. My comparison to the narrative found in “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed,” should provide a more detailed outline, on the celestial signs leading to and marking the birth of Christ that has been in dispute up to the present time. In Babylonian terms, there were two main royal “stars.” The first royal star of importance was the king planet, the so-called “white star” (Jupiter) MUL. BABBAR. MUL.BABBAR, the planet/star of Marduk, who was head of the Babylonian pantheon, linked with messages concerning the king of Akkad in the omen texts used throughout Babylonian history.#10/24

The second royal star was LUGAL, also called Sharru (both words mean “king”), which is Regulus in the constellation Leo. The constellation of the lion was also seen as being royal. Several constellations and planets are mentioned repeatedly in Assyrian royal correspondence with Mesopotamian astronomers in the seventh century BC. However, LUGAL (Regulus) was the only individual fixed star that seems to have had central importance to the astronomers who corresponded with the king.#11/25 Parthian rulers, who dominated Mesopotamia in the first century BC, issued coins containing a star with the crescent Moon (fig. 1).#12/26 The image on all the coins almost certainly stands for Regulus. It is probable that all of Matthew’s Magi carried with them coins with the images of Phraates IV and/or his son Phrataaces.

Figure 1. Coins containing a Star with the Crescent Moon issued by the Parthian rulers, who dominated Mesopotamia in the first century BC. #13

The symbol next emerges in the Parthian Empire, beginning with the coins of Phraates V (r. 2 BC – 4 AD). Here the star represented either the Zoroastrian divinity Mithra or the divinity Tishtrya. The case for Mithra is supported by the pseudo-Zoroastrian Pontus use of the star. The crescent likely corresponds with the goddess Anahita. The star and crescent became an emblem of the Parthian kings, adopted by the rulers of the Sassanian Empire as a sign of legitimacy. In the Sassanian period the star and crescent is shown with explicitly Zoroastrian elements.#14/27

Article

Matthew’s Magi Never Visually Followed a Star Anywhere, But …In general Jupiter is a harbinger of plenty and peace, except in close connection with the Moon (except when eclipsed) when it portends the death of a king and strife in the land, unless it is identified with Mul.LUGAL (Regulus) in which case it brings long days to the king (SAA 8 283).#15/28

MUL.BABBAR and LUGAL in 3 and 2 BC 

What happened at the key moments of MUL.BABBAR’s 399-day synodic cycle?

Synodic Cycle Sign 1– MUL.BABBAR (Heliacal Rising of Jupiter)—Late July      3 BC. In the summer of 3 BC, when MUL.BABBAR first visibly rose out of the solar eastern glare with the Sun in its annual conjunction with LUGAL–[Regulus]. Babylonian Astronomers had ephemerides tables & procedure texts which could have indicated the position of the Sun in relation to LUGAL (fig. 3).#16/29 This union of  Jupiter and Regulus with the Sun, would have occurred between the June 12th, 3 BC Venus-Saturn conjunction in Taurus, and the Aug. 12th, 3 BC Jupiter–Venus union in Leo, a subsequent royal Bright and Morning Star solar conjunction in the Lion. This was the first of 3 Jupiter–Venus unions during this period.

The coincidence of the two events was unique. MUL.BABBAR was more or less in this exact position only every 83 years. Because of MUL.BABBAR’s orbit, the mornings of July 28 or 29 in 3 BC were the optimum times in all of Babylonian astronomical history for the coincidence of MUL.BABBAR/ Jupiter’s rising and the solar conjunction with LUGAL/Regulus (see statistics in the notes).#17/30

Every 12 years the planet Jupiter travels through the constellation Leo. Some incidents in Leo during the years 3 and 2 BC seem to be unique, notably the probable heliacal rising and setting of MUL.BABBAR (Jupiter) during that year. The tabular measurements are for Hillah, Iraq (near ancient Babylon / Borsippa). The Babylonians understood that every 83 years Jupiter is basically positioned in the same location among the background stars. The solar conjunctions with Regulus are often spread over two days. A Babylonian measuring unit, the UŠ, was used to measure time/distances. It corresponds to about one degree/four minutes of time in modern terms. The optimum times for the heliacal rising of MUL.BABBAR (Jupiter) while the Sun was in conjunction with LUGAL (Regulus). In ancient Babylonia, it would have taken about six minutes for the planet Jupiter to arrive at one degree above the horizon (Columns J + K ) because of the angle its rising. Over the centuries, MUL.BABBAR (Jupiter) rose higher and higher in the morning sky during its 83 year cycle until the planet became visible when the sun was in conjunction with the “king star” LUGAL (Regulus) in 3 BC. A similar pattern played out with the heliacal settings. This seems to be a celestial marker for Jupiter–the King Star & Star of Bethlehem, that only became visible in union with Regulus at the birth of Christ, in 3 BC!! #17a

The Danish expert in ancient Mesopotamian astrology, Ulla Koch-Westenholz, gives some indication of the meaning of the presence of Jupiter and Regulus in relation to the Moon. This may explain why Parthian rulers had placed Regulus with the Crescent Moon on their coins. The presence of Jupiter was also a positive link to the Moon with Regulus. We have noted this in our brief history of Lunar occultations of Regulus.

Figure 2. Portrays the constellation Leo with the Crescent Moon just beside Regulus.

In the summer of 3 BC, when MUL.BABBAR (Jupiter) first visibly rose out of the solar glare in the east, the sun was in its annual conjunction with LUGAL (Regulus). A monument, called the Lion Horoscope, found in funeral statuary at Mount Nemrut in southeast Turkey, is very similar to the coins (fig. 1).#18 The Monument portrays the constellation Leo with the Crescent Moon just beside Regulus. The royal house of Commagene, commanded the Monument, had historical links to all major royal dynasties in the region. Culturally, the Magi would have directly associated LUGAL and the Moon with kingship.

169 Volume 71, Number 3, September 2019 Dwight Hutchison

In Babylonian documents, the ideal rising time for MUL.BABBAR (Jupiter) has been described. For example, on Nov. 8, 142 BC, the astronomical diary entry reads: “The 22nd of the month, MUL.BABBAR’s first appearance in Scorpius; it was small, the rising of MUL.BABBAR to sunrise: 11°30’” (11.5 uš =46 minutes).#19/31“Ideal first appearance on the 21st.” (at 10.5 uš = 42 min).

On August 21, 109 BC, we read: “MUL.BABBAR’s first appearance in Month V, Day 18, in Leo, rising of Jupiter to sunrise: 11 uš. Ideal first appearance on the 17th.” (The previous day, it would appear that the ideal timing was about 10 uš.)#20/32 The Almanac for the Seleucid Era year 150 in Month XII (see above) has MUL.BABBAR rising on March 24, 161 BC. From the sighting of the planet Jupiter to sunrise there were about 10 uš. The ideal rising in Leo seems to have been either 10 or 11 uš from the actual visual sighting of the planet to sunrise. #21/33
The planet would not normally have been visible for the first minutes after its rising above the horizon. However, a very bright planet like Jupiter should surely have been visible within two lunar diameters or less from the horizon (within 1° of the horizon). See Babylonian historical statistics in the notes.#22/34

Below are relevant facts for Jupiter’s 3 BC rising: July 28-29th, 3 BC, at Babylon.

Rising of MUL.BABBAR: 04:22:49 LMT (Local Mean Time) Sunrise: 05:07:23 LMT

Sun center from Regulus at sunrise: 0°31′ Rounding to the nearest minute, there were 44 minutes from Jupiter–MUL.BABBAR’s rising above the horizon to sunrise. If one removes one degree to take into account MUL.BABBAR’s invisibility toward the horizon, this leaves 40 minutes=10 uš. On this day the Sun was closer to Regulus than on July 29th. #23/35 

July 29, 3 BC, at Babylon-Rising of Jupiter–MUL.BABBAR: 04:19:55 LMT. Sunrise: 05:08:06 LMT Sun center from Regulus at sunrise: 0°40′Rounding to the nearest minute, there were 48 minutes from MUL.BABBAR’s rising above the horizon to sunrise. If one removes one degree to account for MUL.BABBAR’s invisibility toward the horizon, this leaves 44 minutes = 11 uš. The two dates fall within the optimum dates for Jupiter’s appearing according to Babylonian standards (statistics in the notes).#24/36

[Jupiter Station Chart in Fig. 4 below]

Jupiter Station Chart with Planetary Conjunctions from 3 to 1 BC
Date	Conjunction	Celestials	Constellations	Scripture
May 19, 3 BC	Mercury-Saturn		Taurus
June 12, 3 BC	Venus-Saturn	Brackets	Taurus
July 28-30, 3 BC	Jupiter & Regulus Heliacal Rising	Sun	Leo	Matt. 2:2
Aug. 12, 3 BC Aug. 31, 3 BC	Jupiter-Venus #1 Mercury-Venus		Leo Leo
Sept. 9-12, 3BC Sept. 11, 3 BC Sept. 14, 3 BC	Draconid Meteors The Birth of Christ Jupiter-Regulus #1		Draco Virgo Leo	Rev. 12:3-4 Rev. 12:1-5a Gen. 49:8-10
Oct. 3 BC
Nov. 27-28, 3 BC	Jupiter’s 1st Station Lunar Occultation of Regulus	sunset	Leo	Ps. 89:34-37
Dec. 3 BC
Jan. 20, 2 BC	Jupiter’s Achronycal rise @ Sunset, with Lunar Occultation of Regulus			Gen. 49:8-10
Jan. 25th 2 BC	Jupiter’s Opposition + 58 days from 1st Station
Feb. 17, 2 BC	Jupiter-Regulus #2 & Lunar Occultation of Regulus		Leo Leo	Gen. 49:8-10
Mar. 29, 2 BC Mar. 31, 2 BC	Jupiter Station #2 Regulus set with the Moonrise.		Leo
May 8, 2 BC	Jupiter-Regulus #3 Lunar Occultation		Leo Leo	Gen. 49:8-10
June 17, 2 BC	Jupiter-Venus #2		Leo
July 28, 2 BC	Jupiter’s Heliacal setting/ Solar union		Leo
Aug. 27, 2 BC Aug. 28, 2 BC	Jupiter-Venus #3 Mars & Mercury Planetary Massing Planetary Alignment	Sun/Moon	Leo
Sept. 2 BC		Sun	Jupiter invisible
Oct. 2 BC			Crossing over
Nov. 2BC			Bethlehem
Dec. 4th, 2 BC Dec. 9, 2 BC Dec. 25, 2 BC Dec. 28, 2 BC Dec. 24-31, 2 BC	Jupiter Visible on Meridian in Bethlehem Venus-Mars Bethlehem Star Jupiter’s Stationary Pt. Feast of Dedication		Virgo Scorpius	Matt. 2:4-9
Jan. 9, 1 BC April 8, 1 BC	Total Lunar Eclipse Before Passover		Gemini Herod’s death	Matt. 2:15 Hos. 11:1
Aug. 21, 1 BC	Jupiter-Venus #3	brackets	Virgo

 The Babylonian astronomical data above denotes an emphasis on the King planet-Jupiter’s rising with the Sun in Leo, the lion [of Judah’s Hebrew tribe in [Gen. 49;8-10, Rev. 5:5] near the heart of the Lion-Regulus the King Star. This was celestial foreshadowing to the upcoming triple union of Jupiter and Regulus, starting on Sept. 14th, 3 BC, three days after the Birth of Christ on Sept. 11th 3, BC, or Tishri 1 on the Hebrew Calendar, New Years Day when all Hebrew kings counted the start of their kingly reigns, regardless of when they actually began.

Fig. 3. The First Jupiter-Regulus Conjunction marking Christ’s Birth. #25  

1.  

   The union of Jupiter and Regulus, starting on Sept. 14th, 3 BC, @ 4AM, three days after the Birth of Christ on Sept. 11th 3, BC, or Tishri 1 on the Hebrew Calendar. This is also a sign that I’ve referred to as the Celestial Sphinx; with the head of Virgo just above the horizon, linked to the lion body of Leo, as the Alpha-Omega signs of the Hebrew Mazzaroth/Zodiac, [Job 19: 23-25]. Ancient pagan astronomers in Babylon would have understood that some-thing symbolic had happened involving the king star and the king planet without any other data. The sun, known as Shamash in Babylon, was linked to justice and truth. The sun appears to have been a positive celestial object except when eclipsed. With the Bible’s first recorded appearance of “his star” in Matt. 2:2, it was “in the rising,” in late July-early Aug. of 3 BC. This is what the Magi referred to in Matt. 2:2 “we have seen his star in the east.” Ancient astronomers in the course of their regular observations always dated the star or planet’s first rising above the eastern horizon at dawn, called heliacal rising.”#26/37 

   Fig. 3a Virgo at Sunset on September 11th 3 BC.#26a 

   

   The scene on late in the day on Sept. 11, 3 BC or Tishri 1 on the Hebrew Calendar with the Sun half-set in Virgo with the Moon at her feet. This only occurs on a single day of the Year. The Sun Clothes Virgo for 20 days of the year in late Summer, but the Moon was at Virgo’s feet only on Sept. 11th/or Tishri 1-the Feast of Trumpets in 3 BC, and Virgo’s brightest star Spica on the celestial equator between the setting Sun and Moon on the horizon.
   A consistent note of interest regarding these signs bearing the celestial seal and signet of the Great Sphinx, is that most of these signs occur during the three-week annual period when the Sun is clothing Virgo, [Rev. 12:1].6 This is relevant due to its symbolism of the genuine exaltation of Mary, the woman most highly blessed among women, because she believed the words of the angel Gabriel when he told her she would bear the promised seed.This was their signal that the Messiah was born, at the 1st Jupiter–Regulus union, when they activated their plan for a Caravan to Jerusalem. So between July 29 and November 3rd, 3 BC there were astounding celestial signs and portents starting on Sept. 9-12, 3 BC Eta-Draconid Meteor Showers in Draco the Dragon, [Rev. 12:3-4] Sept. 11th actually marked the Birth of Christ itself that was then followed by the Sept. 14th, 3 BC, 1st Jupiter–Regulus conjunction in Leo. This was the first of three Jupiter–Regulus unions in Leo, which triple union of the King Star symbolized the crowning of Regulus with the King Planet Jupiter, in Fig. 4 below. The Feb. 17th, 2 BC Jupiter–Regulus union in Leo, was the 2nd union of this triple conjunction, while the May 8th, 2BC conjunction of this royal Jupiter–Regulus pair in Leo was the third. This signified the king planet Jupiter’s triple crowning of the King star Regulus,  in the near 9 months following the Birth of the Christ, on Sept. 11th, 3 BC.

   Fig. 4. Jupiter’s Triple Crowning of Regulus from Aug. 3 BC to Nov. 2 BC.#27

   

   Synodic Cycle Sign 2 MUL.BABBAR’s First Stationary Point— The end of November 3 BC, on the day MUL.BABBAR (Jupiter) had reached its first stationary point in Leo, the Moon passed directly in front of LUGAL–(Regulus) in an Occultation (fig. 4). The royal symbolism is evident in that the Moon directly linked with the “king star” LUGAL, at the same moment of the king planet’s stationary point,#28/38 or first turning point seen on Nov. 29th in Figure 4 above, as Jupiter paused to change course in retrograde motion. Babylonian astronomers counted forward about four months from heliacal rising to resolve the second stationary point date of March 29th. They did not “eyeball” the station, Hutchison says, #29/39 but as we synchronize the dates of Jupiter’s motion from data in “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed,” we have a cross–reference verification of the data from the records of ancient Babylon!Counting about four months from July 28 or 29, we arrive in late November. The Babylonian dates were usually written with the first stationary point “around” a certain date in both their records and almanacs. The actual station was on the night of November 27/28. In one rough estimation, the coincidence of MUL.BABBAR/ Jupiter’s first station being in Leo at the same moment as a lunar occultation of LUGAL/ Regulus could only happen about once in about 2,750 years.#30/40 Other estimations are longer.On Nov. 26/27 in 3 BC, the Moon occulted Regulus. The coordination of Jupiter standing still in retrograde with this Regulus’ lunar occultation together is very rare, occurring only once about every 5,000+ years. This blocking of the light from the king star Regulus by the Moon, while Jupiter–the scepter of the righteous branch stood still in the heavens, embodies a link seen in Psalm 89:34-37, and Genesis 49.

   Genesis 49:8-10.
   ⁸ “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s children shall bow down before you.  ⁹ Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? ¹⁰ The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.

   Figure 5. Total Solar Eclipse on August 21st 2017.#31/Stellarium

   

   On January 20 in 2 BC, Jupiter rose just after sunset (Acronycal rising). During this key phase of Jupiter’s cycle, the full Moon occulted Regulus. This was a facsimile of the event previously in Nov. 3 BC. This lunar Occultation of the king star Regulus while Jupiter is standing still at sunset on the horizon, took place in the Hebrew month of Shevat, [our Jan./Feb.] a name which is taken from the Hebrew word for the ruler’s staff/scepter, [shebet], found in [Gen. 49:10, Num. 24:17, Ps. 45:6, H7626–scepter]. The “lawgiver from between his feet,” directly references to the king star Regulus in Leo.#32/41

   The second conjunction of Jupiter and Regulus occurred on February 17, 2 BC. Amazingly, the Moon was positioned during this exact time between the Jupiter–Regulus union. “At about 5 a.m., looking at the western horizon, an observer would have seen the Moon directly between Jupiter & Regulus. The Moon would have been occulting the star Regulus with the lower fifth of the Moon’s diameter. Then, on May 8/9, 2 B.C. (82 days later) the same conjunction occurred again. This time however, the Moon occulted Regulus by the top 1/5th of its diameter. The last conjunction would not have been seen in Palestine as the Moon was already below the horizon in the west, yet astronomers such as the Magi would have known what was happening.” #33

   After the planet’s three separate conjunctions with Regulus, the last two of which included Lunar occultations of Regulus, Jupiter then resumed its west-ward journey, as viewed by the Magi. On June 17, 2 BC. Jupiter had the rarest of  a spectacle of reunions with Venus. The two planets were a mere .04 degree from each other and they would have appeared to people on earth as a unified “double-star” which only the sharpest eyes would have been able to separate. As the final crowning point in the Crowning of Regulus by Jupiter, it was unique.  #34

   As Dr. Martin points out; “These celestial signs including Jupiter’s path, lead the Magi toward Jerusalem in their expectations of the arrival of the Messianic king. This dazzling June 17th, 2, BC Jupiter–Venus union, heralded an entrance of this foretold king when they were both morning stars about ten months prior, completed this introduction with an impressively rare evening star re-union.”#35 This eye–opening reunion also provided the celestial brackets surrounding this triple coronation of the new born King by Jupiter and Regulus was emphasized by another triple Conjunction of Jupiter and Venus, first on Aug. 12th, 3BC, the 2nd and most spectacular was June 17th, 2, BC, followed by the 3rd just over a year later on Aug. 21st, 1 BC. But these were not the only Jupiter–Venus unions during this period, as there was a notable Massing of Planets in Leo of Jupiter, Venus, Mars, and Mercury, with Jupiter and Mars in conjunction. This union of the King Planet Jupiter with Mars–Michael the warrior Archangel showed the unity and protection of the angels of light with the Lord and Messiah-king, [Ps. 91:11-13]. This occurred on Aug. 27th, 2BC, followed the next day with the alignment of planets Jupiter, Venus and Mars with the Sun and Moon, on Aug. 28th, 2 BC. 

   Figure 4. MUL.BABBAR’s first station in Leo at the same moment as a lunar occultation of LUGAL.

   MUL.BABBAR’s Acronychal Rising—January 2 BC 170 Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith–Synodic Cycle Sign 3.

   An acronychal rising of a planet or star is its last visible rising in the east just after sunset. Afterwards the object is already visible above the horizon in the eastern sky after sunset. The last visible acronychal rising was always several days before the true planetary opposition. It is impossible to actually see the planet rise above the horizon precisely at sunset. In another segment of the zodiac away from Leo, the Babylonians added 58 days to the date of the first stationary point to get the acronychal rising date for MUL.BABBAR (fig. 5).#36/40

   The planet’s actual opposition was on January 26 in 2 BC. But January 24/25,
   2 BC, was 58 days after Nov. 27/28, 3 BC (First Station). The acronychal rising was often listed at about the time of true opposition (see Late Babylonian Text—LBAT 1409).#37/41

   However, according to Swerdlow, Babylonian procedural methods indicate acronychal risings at either 5°, 6° or 2° from true opposition, depending on the method which was employed. The Babylonians usually listed the date of the acronychal rising as “around” a certain date. The Alcyone archaeo-astronomy application, using an “arcus visionis” approach, gives the acronychal rising date as January 20, 2 BC.#39/42

   January 20, 2 BC, could have been a possible candidate for MUL.BABBAR’s visible acronychal rising. Again, there was a clear connection to royalty through a simultaneous occultation and a possible Acronychal rising.

   Synodic Cycle Sign 4 MUL.BABBAR—Second Stationary Point—

   Late March [29th] 2 BC MUL.BABBAR’s second stationary phase was about four months after the first station. During its first and second stationary phase, the planet Jupiter is visually stationary for about two weeks. The Babylonians called the midpoint of that period the stationary point (fig. 6). Technically, Jupiter’s 2nd station was on March 29 in the Spring of 2 BC, [Fig. 4] The station was calculated from the acronychal rising or the first station. In this case, the planet stopped its motion about 2.4° west of Regulus.#40/43

   Article

   Matthew’s Magi Never Visually Followed a Star Anywhere, But … In the early evening on January 20, 2 BC, when seen from Babylon, the full Moon passed in front of LUGAL/Regulus again, making a second occultation in two months. [Figure 5. MUL.BABBAR’s/Jupiter’s visible acronychal rising.]

   On March 31st, MUL.BABBAR/Jupiter set in the west just moments before the
   Moon rose in the east. Minutes later, Regulus set as the Moon rose. Could this have been symbolically royal for Babylonian astronomers? Similar incidents involving simultaneous risings and settings of objects were occasionally mentioned in Babylonian astronomical records. They often spoke of “one god seeing another” when referring to similar incidents with the Sun and Moon. On March 31, 2 BC, the Moon could feasibly have been linked with Jupiter’s stationary phase.#41/44

   Figure 6. The stationary point of MUL.BABBAR.

   Synodic Cycle Sign 5-171 Volume 71, Number 3, September 2019
   MUL.BABBAR–Heliacal Setting—Late July, 2 BC When MUL.BABBAR (Jupiter)
   finally made its heliacal setting in the west at the end of the planetary cycle,
   the sun was again in conjunction with LUGAL (Regulus) in the constellation Leo (fig. 7). This would have been about four months from the second station event. The optimum last visibility of MUL.BABBAR seems to have been about 10 or 11 uš after sunset, (40 to 44 minutes after sunset).#42/45 If MUL.BABBAR was last visible at 1° above the horizon, it set six minutes later (47 – 6 = 41 minutes or 10.25 uš).

   Messianic Implications

   The events surrounding MUL.BABBAR’s setting in 2 BC give a near mirror image of the planet’s rising one year earlier. The Alcyone archaeo-astronomy application gives MUL.BABBAR’s last visibility on July 28, if arcus visionis altitudes are the following:

   (MUL.BABBAR: +1° / Sun: -7°16′).
   July 28, 2 BC, at Babylon. Sunset: 07:03:09 LMT #43/46
   Setting of MUL.BABBAR: 07:52:50 LMT
   Sun center from Regulus at sunset: 0°21′
   Sunset to MUL.BABBAR’s setting = 50 minutes
   If MUL.BABBAR was last visible at 1° above the horizon, it set six minutes later (50 – 6 = 44 minutes or 11 uš). July 29, 2 BC, at Babylon #44/47

   Sunset: 07:02:33 LMT #45/48

   Setting of MUL.BABBAR: 07:49:34 LMT
   Sun center from Regulus at sunset: 0°57′
   Sunset to MUL.BABBAR’s setting = 47 minutes

   Figure 7. MUL.BABBAR made its heliacal setting in the west at the end of the planetary cycle, while the Sun was in conjunction with LUGAL/Regulus in the constellation Leo.

    All the above incidents involved the Sun or Moon as well as MUL.BABBAR and LUGAL. From a Babylonian perspective, there were royal implications to the extended series of unique celestial signs. These events could have been easily associated with the arrival of a truly great king. But such a series of events, all centered on MUL.BABBAR’s synodic cycle, was unknown in their omen catalog. The Magi may have been surprised and questioning. But, from a Jewish view, these incidents could have also called to mind the Messiah. It would not have been impossible for pagan Babylonians to become familiar with Jewish concepts. The Jewish community was a large one in Mesopotamia in the first century BC. Aramaic was the common language in the region. Also, scholars and many others would have spoken Greek. The Greek Septuagint text of the Hebrew Scriptures was available for any who had questions about Jewish beliefs. At some point in Jewish history, the planet Jupiter came to be called “Sedeq” (Tzedek) meaning “righteousness.” The planet Jupiter probably was commonly referred to by this name by about AD 200.#46/49

   It may have even carried this name in much earlier generations. The Jewish Messiah was spoken of as the “Righteous One” by early Christians (Acts 3:14; 7:52; and 22:14, Ps. 89:35-37). This referred to the prophesied son of David, the righteous king of Jeremiah 23:5–6 and 33:14–17. Associating “Sedeq” with the king of the Jews would not have been difficult. The Jewish equivalent of LUGAL was the word “Melech” meaning “king.” One can see Messianic implications by linking two names Melech and Sedeq (the king of righteousness–Melchizedek). #47/50

   But in addition, LUGAL/Regulus in the lion constellation, evoked memories of Genesis 49:8–10 concerning the young lion of Judah [Rev. 5:5] and the rule of the Shiloh, [Jesus’ 7 Gen. titles] The Messianic text of Psalm 89 also mentions the heavens several times. In the later part of this Psalm we read;

   … I will not lie to David. His descendants shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before Me.

   It shall be established forever like the Moon, and the witness in the sky is faithful. (Ps. 89:35–37) 50 Here the enduring nature of the throne of David is associated directly with both the Sun and the Moon.

   Dwight Hutchison

   p. 172 Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

   Each of the five synodic events in 3 and 2 BC were linked with the sun and moon. In addition, remarkably, during two of the three conjunctions of MUL.BABBAR and LUGAL during this same cycle, the Moon was positioned just beside the two “stars” [Jupiter & Regulus] on February 17, 2 BC, and May 8, 2 BC (fig. 8).

   Matthew’s Magi Never Visually Followed a Star Anywhere, But …p. 172 

   In addition, during the relatively spectacular conjunction which visually united MUL.BABBAR (Sedeq/Jupiter) and Dilbat (Venus) on June 17, 2 BC, the full Moon appeared in the east. The Jewish name of Dilbat is “Nogah,” meaning “brightness.” Sedeq and Nogah together evoke the “bright Righteous One” in the lion constellation beside the king star LUGAL/ Regulus (fig. 9).

   By themselves the five signs connected to MUL.BABBAR’s synodic cycle would have been enough to alert any Babylonian astronomer to the probability that something was happening concerning royalty. However, this series of events could have been supplemented by other celestial phenomena and symbolic associations.  [Figure 8. Moon positioned beside the two “stars.” Top: February 17, 2 BC; Bottom: May 8/9, 2 BC.] It may have been many months
   before the astronomers came to the conclusion that the unfolding series of celestial events had something to do with the Jewish Messiah. Before the Prophet Daniel’s arrival, the Babylonian Magi may have been complete pagans. However, the repeated and unique celestial signs, with Jewish prophecies and royal symbolism, apparently convinced them. A series of royal celestial signs all connected directly with the synodic cycle of MUL.BABBAR would have been completely unknown. Such a series is not found in the omen texts, but the royal nature of at least three or four of the synodic events is beyond dispute. Based on this series of unique events, one can affirm MUL.BABBAR (Sedeq/ Jupiter), during this unique planetary cycle in 3 and 2 BC became the Messiah’s Star.

   The Star in the West— Rethinking the Key Text

   Explanations of the Star of Bethlehem rise and fall based on Matthew 2:9 “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.” (NKJV)

   As the Magi’s observations of Jupiter, from its initial heliacal rising back in their homeland, through its various formations and conjunctions that sent them on their trek to Jerusalem, now confirming their destination to Bethlehem on its approach of the Meridian above it, as seen in the graphic below pictured with the “L“ shaped Coma decan of Virgo, and the general sign of its Supernova shining brightly, visible to the naked eye.

   

   Figure 9. During the relatively spectacular conjunction which visually united MUL.BABBAR (Sedeq/Jupiter) and Dilbat (Venus) on June 17, 2 BC in the west, the full moon appeared in the east.

   173 Volume 71, Number 3, September 2019, p.173 

   In recent times, this passage has been interpreted to mean that the star went visually in front of the wise men from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. The eastern church fathers thought that the wise men had visually followed the star all the way from where they had been in the East to Judea and then on to Bethlehem. However, these ideas may not be what Matthew had in mind. In fact, the traditional interpretation of the text of the star as a visual guide may be profoundly in error. There may be an alternate literal reading of the text which can avoid the intellectual, scientific, and mystical puzzles of the traditional reading. One way of understanding Matthew’s text would be to look at other passages in Matthew, which use the same keywords. Matthew uses the Greek verb, προάγω (proago), with the specific meaning of “to precede” or “to go ahead of,” in other passages in his gospel.#48/51 In Matthew 14:22, we read: “[Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead (προάγειν) of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away.” Jesus then goes up on a mountain to pray and later meets the disciples on the sea. Jesus was not visually following the disciples at any moment, but he had simply sent them on ahead of him.

   During the last supper, Jesus made the following statement: “But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you (προάξω) to Galilee” (Matt. 26:32, see also Mark 14:28). After Jesus was raised from the dead, an angel appeared to some of his followers and said to them: “Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you (προάγει) into Galilee, there you will see Him …” (Matt. 28:7, see also Mark 16:7).

   It is clear that the disciples did not follow Jesus visually to Galilee after the resurrection in the same sense that one usually thinks about the wise men following the star. The disciples arrived chronologically in Galilee after Jesus already had arrived there. Jesus had “preceded” them there. In like manner, the star was waiting for the wise men upon their arrival in Bethlehem, just as Jesus later was waiting for the disciples. The star preceded the Magi to Bethlehem, but not as a visual guide. Matthew 2:9 simply sends the reader back to the East before describing the event in the West.

   Bethlehem: A Possible Scenario

   While the wise men were in their homeland, the star MUL.BABBAR (Jupiter), in association with other celestial objects, gave several symbolic indications that a great king was certainly arising. The Magi took this as an announcement about the king’s birth. After having received the star’s message, the wise men went to Judea. At every moment during their expedition, the men journeyed during the daytime like normal travelers. The way to Judea was well known. They were not looking to the star for visual guidance because the star’s purpose had been to give a message. The star was a sign concerning the Messiah. It was not a guide. Over a period of months, MUL.BABBAR came to be positioned well above the men’s heads during a good portion of each night. In the days before the Magi arrived in Bethlehem, the star was near to the zenith in the night-time skies. The Magi thought that the star had delivered its royal message while the men had been in the East. They were not expecting any other sign in the West. But after their arrival in Bethlehem itself, the men suddenly realized that the star was again in a symbolically significant position “above the place where the child was” (fig. 10). Dwight Hutchison

   On the timeline presented here, the Magi would have unexpectedly arrived in Bethlehem in late December 2 BC. There would have been no reason that the men should have expected any other celestial signs. They never expected to arrive in Bethlehem. But considering their previous experience in the East, it’s not hard to imagine that Jupiter’s stationary point on December 28, 2 BC, could have been symbolically meaningful to them. Volume 71, Number 3, September 2019, p. 173#

   “The Magi’s journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem [after their meeting with Herod], had to occur between Sept. 11^th 3, BC, and Herod’s death some time prior to Passover in April of 1 BC. Furthermore, Herod chose to execute the children two years and under, based on the time of the star’s first rising, the time of which he had learned from the Magi when he privately conferred with them. Since the Star’s initial conjunction was Aug. 12^th 3 BC, what is recorded in Matt. 2:9 occurred between Sept. of 2 BC, and April of 1 BC, a
   7-month period.”
   According to astronomical calculations Jupiter was not visible crossing the Meridian, the “high point,” over Bethlehem from Sept. through November of 2 BC. During this time Jupiter was too close to the Sun to be visible when it reached Meridian. However, by Dec. 4^th of 2 BC, Jupiter became visible at the Meridian shortly before dawn. From Dec. 4^th till Herod’s death before Pass-over on April 8^th, Jupiter continued to visibly cross the meridian each night at a progressively earlier time. However, the eclipse that shortly preceded Herod’s death occurred Jan. 9, 1 BC. It was sometime during this five-week period, from Dec. 4^th, 2 BC, to Jan. 9, 1 BC that the Magi completed their trek from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and saw the star of Matt. 2:9. #49/52

   The sky picture that the Magi beheld in their approach to Bethlehem is found in the blog banner for last month as the header for that teaching. Since the star picture of Rev. 12 provides a stellar image that marked the birth of Christ on the eve of Sept. 11th, 3 BC, was visible in the pre-dawn sky of Sept. 12th, 3 BC. The Magi would have departed for Bethlehem from Jerusalem some time after Dec. 4th, 2 BC, as Jupiter was not visible crossing the Meridian over Bethlehem before then for at least the previous three months, so what is recorded in Matt. 2:9 occurred between Sept. of 2 BC and April of 1 BC.

   Figure 10. The star was in a symbolically significant position

   “above the place where the child was.”
   According to the text of “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed” the phrase “came and stood over” in Matt. 2:9 is notable. “Astronomically stars and planets are similar to the Sun in that they rise in the east and set in the west. They are also similar in that they will reach a high point in the sky relative to the observer. At this point it is on the Meridian [longitude] of the observer. During the day, the Sun reaches this point at noon. So the stars and planets in their courses rise in the east, at some point during the night they reach their highest point at Meridian. Since the Magi were travelling South from Jerusalem on their short 5 mile trip towards Bethlehem, Jupiter would appear to stand over Bethlehem. This is not a reference to Jupiter’s station or standstill, it merely reaches its apex at the Meridian of the observer, where it then appears to descend in the western sky. In Matt. 2:9, the word “stood” is “histemi” in the Greek meaning to stand as opposed to rise or fall. Since Jupiter was not visible crossing the Meridian over the high point in Bethlehem from Sept.-Nov. 2 BC, it did not become visible until Dec. 4th of 2 BC, shortly before dawn. From Dec. 4th till Herod’s death before Passover on April 8th, Jupiter continued to visibly cross this Meridian nightly, 4 minutes earlier each day. By Dec. 24th Jupiter crossed & stood at the highest point on Meridian, directly over Bethlehem @ 4:44AM, counted from [Paul Neugebauer-Sterntafeln, Leipsic, 1912] #50/53

   p.174 Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

   Matthew’s terminology about the star “standing over the place where the child was” is simply affirming that the star was present in the sky while the men were in the town, it having “preceded” them there. Matthew’s terminology about MUL.BABBAR’s “standing over” the town (and indeed all Judea in the latter part of the night) was not specifically an astronomical reference to the planet’s first station. 52

   However, in the context, MUL.BABBAR’s first station may have been symbolically significant celestial event for the Magi while the
   planet was located over Bethlehem. While a relatively unspectacular planetary station is not at all impressive for modern skeptics or believers, symbolically it would have recalled the Magi’s experience in the East. If MUL.BABBAR’s first station took place at the moment of their unexpected arrival in Bethlehem, the Magi certainly would have rejoiced, in that the planet’s station was a heavenly sign.

   Conclusion
   The Star of Bethlehem seems to have been connected to symbolic royal celestial events at the heart of Babylonian planetary science. The star was not discovered through the Babylonian omen catalog or their normal astrology. The star over Bethlehem was not spectacular. It was not necessary for the star to be overly luminous or visually remarkable. However, the star was symbolically significant. The wise men never followed the star any-where visually, but the star was waiting for them upon their arrival in Bethlehem. David’s throne will indeed be established for ages to come, even as the sun and the moon have endured for ages past. The witness in the sky is faithful (Ps. 89:34–37, Ps. 19). ☼ [The Celestial Gospel]

   The Jupiter Station Chart presented above is a primary purpose of this study, to add the Jupiter Stations from a Babylonian view from Hutchison, to the Fig. 4 info from “Jesus Christ our Passover.” This data together with a more complete picture of the Planetary conjunction, alignment and massing activity, with key eclipses allow us a more accurate picture and celestial context of the signs surrounding the Star of Bethlehem. As always, I welcome any and all questions and comments.

   God Bless!

   Rene’

   Summary

   Footnotes [postscript]
   The footnotes for this month’s blog are a combination of Notes from Dwight Hutchison’s Article on “Matthew’s Magi Never Visually Followed a Star Anywhere, But …, and notes from “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed,” [JCPS]
   as a side-by-side comparison to enhance and fill in details from both works, to enlighten the field of this topic. I respect and commend Mr. Hutchison’s Article, especially the work on the dates of the Jupiter Stations from a Babylonian view, and how they fit with the Fig. 4 Chart on Jupiter’s Triple Crowning of Regulus from Aug. 3 BC to Nov. 2 BC. This represents the heart of this study, that charts the primary Celestial Signs surrounding the Birth of Christ that I have worked for 35+ years.

   1 “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed.” American Christian Press, 1982, VP Wierwille.
   2/7 Daniel 1:20; 2:2, 10, 27; 4:7; 5:7, 11, 15.
   3. IBID
   4. “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed.” American Christian Press, p. 28
   5. “Matthew’s Magi Never Visually Followed a Star Anywhere, But …Dwight Hutchison
   6. “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed.” American Christian Press, ppg. 133-146.
   7. Daniel 1:20; 2:2, 10, 27; 4:7; 5:7, 11, 15.
   8. Mathieu Ossendrijver et al., “Ancient Babylonian Astronomers Calculated Jupiter’s Position from the Area under a Time-Velocity Graph,” Science 351, no. 6272 (January 29, 2016): 482–84.
   9. IBID
   10./24. See the example from Reiner and Pingree, Babylonian Planetary Omens.
   11./25. Simo Parpola, Letters from Assyrian Scholars to the Kings Esarhaddon and Assurbanipal, Part II: Commentary and Appendices (University Park, PA: Eisenbrauns, 2007), 420–22.
   12./26 Mithradates III and Orodes II ruled about 50 years before the birth of Christ. But Phraates IV (38–2 BC) and his son Phrataaces (2 BC–AD 4) ruled at the time of Jesus’s birth.
   13./ Used by permission from www.cngcoins.com
   14./27 See also the Coins section of the website www.parthia .com.
   15./28  Ulla Koch-Westenholz, Mesopotamian Astrology: An Intro- duction to Babylonian and Assyrian Celestial Divination (København, Denmark: Museum Tusculanum Press, 1995), 121.
   16./29 Otto Neugebauer, The Exact Sciences in Antiquity (Mineola, NY: Dover, 1969), 121; Ossendrijver, Babylonian Mathematical Astronomy, 145; and Michael R. Molnar, The Star of Bethlehem: The Legacy of the Magi (Piscataway, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2013). It should be noted as well that Molnar’s entire star theory is built on invisible incidents which took place in the solar glare.
   17./30 Webpage https://buff.ly/2HNdDys provides an annotated bibliography of many star interpretations.
   17a. One can download a table with several recorded and estimated ideal risings of Jupiter at the following address: https://buff.ly/2XjTxTk.
   18./ [https:// https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-Lion-horoscope-A-complete-copy-of-the-original-stele-as-found-donated-by-the_fig6_342235096]
   19./31 Abraham Sachs and Hermann Hunger, Astronomical Diaries and Related Texts from Babylonia, Vol. III: Diaries from 164 BC to 61 BC: Texts and Plates (Wien, Germany: Ver- lag der Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, 1996), 127. The eighth time is as follows: Jupiter rises (JR): 5:37:21; Sun rises (SR): 6:26:48. Difference = 50 minutes. Sighting took place at 1 US (50 minutes – 46 minutes = 4 minutes = 1 US). 46 minutes = 11.5 US. The seventh JR: 5:40:13/SR: 6:25:51. Difference 46 minutes = 11.5 US. Ideal at 10.5 US or 42 minutes.
   20./32 Ibid., 359. There is an error in the text. The dates should be the seventeenth and eighteenth of the fifth month, not the seventh and eighth. Earlier Jupiter was invisible, being only about 3 degrees from the sun.
   21./33 This seems to vary according to the planet’s position in the zodiac, the angle of the rising, etc.
   22./34 The sun and moon are typically about 30 minutes of arc in diameter. The planet could be seen at about 1 US above the horizon. One can download a table with several recorded and estimated ideal risings of Jupiter at the following address: https://buff.ly/2XjTxTk.
   23./35 The numbers in Babylonian “time/degrees” (uš) are for Al-Hillah, Iraq (near ancient Babylon).
   24./36 Sunrise is here defined as the lip of the sun crossing the horizon.
   25. “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed.” American Christian Press, p. 45.
   26./37 “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed.” American Christian Press, 1982.
   26a. Virgo at Sunset on September 11th 3 BC.#26a 
   Picture credit for Fig. 3a from “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed.” American Christian Press, p. 71.
   27. IBID, p.61
   28./38 Ossendrijver, Babylonian Mathematical Astronomy, 251, 257. In one part of the zodiac, not including Leo, Jupiter’s station was calculated as 123 days from the heliacal rising. We no longer have the exact formula for the station in Leo.
   29./39 This rough statistical result is the least common multiple of the synodic period of Jupiter (11.86 years) and the lunar nodal period (18.6 years) = 11,029.8. But, also, the moon passes the ecliptic twice near Regulus in 18.6 years. Two stationary phases of Jupiter should fall in Leo every 11.86 years.
   30./40  Ossendrijver, Babylonian Mathematical Astronomy, 257. In their procedure texts, the Babylonians calculated syn- odic events differently according to Jupiter’s place in the zodiac.
   31./ Figure 5 picture credit from Stellarium Astronomical Software.
   32./41 Swerdlow, The Babylonian Theory of the Planets, 200–201.
   33./ [Askelm.com] Dr. Earnest Martin]
   34. “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed.” American Christian Press, p. 48.
   35. [Askelm.com] Dr. Earnest Martin]
   36./40 Ossendrijver, Babylonian Mathematical Astronomy, 257. In their procedure texts, the Babylonians calculated syn- odic events differently according to Jupiter’s place in the zodiac
   37./41 Swerdlow, The Babylonian Theory of the Planets, 200–201.
   38./42 N. M. Swerdlow, “Acronychal Risings in Babylonian Planetary Theory,” Archive for History of Exact Sciences 54, no. 1 (1999): 61.
   39./43 Result of using the “default variable” settings assuming the planet was visible at 1° above the horizon. The planet was 4°18′ below the horizon when the sun was completely set. It was one degree above the horizon 30 minutes after sunset.
   40./44 For example, MUL.BABBAR’s settings in the cuneiform document LBAT 1409 in 147, 146, 144, and 143 BC indicate settings from about 9 uš or less to 11 uš (sunset to the set- ting of MUL.BABBAR). The setting dates are often much less precise than the rising dates. The word “about” a cer- tain date is often used in Babylonian documents.
   41./45 The numbers in Babylonian “time/degrees” (uš) are for Al-Hillah, Iraq (near ancient Babylon).
   42./46 Sunset is here defined as the top lip of the sun crossing below the horizon (sun completely hidden).
   43./47 The numbers in Babylonian “time/degrees” (uš) are for Al-Hillah, Iraq (near ancient Babylon).
   44./48 IBID #46
   45./49 Sedeq was the name used by Abba Arikka (AD 175–247), also called Rav or Rab. See “Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shabbat,” www.come-and-hear.com/ shabbath/ shabbath _156.html#PARTa. (The reader should see Folio 156a and Shabbath 156b.)
   46./50 All Bible references unless otherwise indicated are from the New American Standard Bible (La Habra, CA: Lockman Foundation, 1995).
   47./51 In judicial contexts, the verb προάγω (proago) can also mean “to lead” individuals before authorities. It is used repeatedly in this sense in the book of Acts (12:6; 16:30; and 25:26). 
   48./52 Babylonian documents often mention planets “standing” in particular locations during lunar and solar eclipses, meaning that the planet was present, it was located, or positioned in the sky during the event.
   49./53 “Jesus Christ our Promised Seed.” American Christian Press, p. 235, JCPS
   50./54 IBID, [Paul Neugebauer-Sterntafeln, Leipsic, 1912] [ppg. 235-7 JCPS]

    

    

    

    

The Rev. 12 sign, Virgo’s Crown and the Birth and Return of Christ

Welcome to the October 2024 Blog! A premise of this study centers on the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ, that occurred from April 28th to June 10th, including the first Pentecost and birth of the Church of the body of Christ, on June 20th of 28 AD. Christ’s birth as a central point in all history is even recognized by the secular world, when time reckoning changed shortly after Christ’s birth, from BC to AD. Knowing the position of the Planet Jupiter in Biblical Astronomy is usually a good indicator of what’s going on as the King planet–Jupiter plays a key role. During this time in 28 AD, Jupiter was found in Capricornus, at the time when our Lord finished the work of his earthly ministry. On April 24th, 28 AD, Jupiter was in conjunction with a star in the fish-tail of Capricornus, Deneb Al Gedi, seen below.

Figure 1. Jupiter-Deneb Algedi union seen from Jerusalem on April 24, 28 AD. #1

A key related point is our April 24th on the calendar of the Hebrews was Aviv 10, also the day the Passover Lambs were selected, [Ex. 12:3]. The meaning of the star Deneb Al Gedi is “the sacrifice cometh,” which fits since that same day, on Aviv 10-Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey as the perfect sacrifice to redeem all mankind, [Matt. 21:1-11, Zech. 9:9]. #2

This provides key context for the planetary motion of some of our planets like Mars, Venus & Mercury. The narrative of the Planisphere Axis of Gen. 3:15 is a theme of this blog, shown in very powerful ways in the Gospel in the Stars, as seen in the truths shedding light on this stellar axis as it intersects decan’s, constellations and Stars across the heavens in Fig. 2 below. The Planisphere Axis of Gen. 3:15 enlightens our understanding of the Celestial Gospel in new ways as we find below.

Gen. 3:15
¹⁵ 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.

Figure 2. Genesis 3:15 Planisphere Axis. #3

This “Genesis 3:15 axis” extends across the sky via North pole and intersects numerous stars relating aspects of the theme of Genesis 3:15, from various views. For starters at the bottom of the planisphere, we find the Scorpion sign –Scorpius, whose prominent tail stringer we find under the heel of Ophiuchus the Serpent-bearer sign, engaged in a struggle with the Serpent –Serpens. The Axis intersects the heel star of the Serpent-bearer; Ophiuchus, called Saiph, in the LXX Greek meaning “bruised,” or wounded, in Gen. 3:15. #4

Fig. 2a. Scorpius stinging Ophiuchus’ heel, as he battles Serpens. 

This same Greek word is found in Gen. 3:15 for “bruised,” as the other leg of Ophiuchus is poised over the Scorpion’s head, striking his fatal blow, crushing the enemy. We find added evidence in the Wednesday night lunar signs of April 28th, 28 AD, after Christ was crucified. During this evening the 1st Full Moon after the Spring Equinox, in 28 AD, as the traditional Moon for Easter, passed over Ophiuchus’ heel-embodying the Man who had just laid down his life, as he shed his sinless blood to redeem all mankind, fulfilling an aspect of the Gen. 3:15 Messianic Prophecy. This Paschal Moon seen from Jerusalem, rose about 7:16 pm, and set about 6:15 am Jerusalem standard time, on the eve of April 28th and morning of April 29th, 28 AD. #5

In the next graphic of Plate 1, we will begin to document the planetary motion of Mars, and later Mercury and Venus, to illustrate some key dates in spiritual history from a Bible Astronomy viewpoint. We will also note key relationships with these planets, and what we can learn from their symbolism, in various contexts, starting with their links to the Gen. 3:15 Planisphere Axis. 

Plate 1. Path of Mars from March 1 to June 10, 28 A.D. #6

One aspect of this Gen. 3:15 prophecy is established in the motion of the Red Planet-Mars during the time, from March 1st to June 10th, 28 AD. The motion of Mars was set initially at Ophiuchus’ wounded heel, but Mars halts to start a retrograde motion before arriving at his heel. Once in retrograde, Mar’s path shifted to the Scorpion’s head, reaching the center of it’s head when it ceased on June 10th, 28 AD, to resume its normal motion. The green dots on Mars’ path in Plate 1, above show 5-day steps, in the near 100 days from March 1st to June 10th, 28 AD. As Mars veered away from Ophiuchus’ wounded Heel to his other foot, that actively crushed the Scorpion’s head, this other leg is shown in the green stars; Phi, Chi, & Psi Ophiuchi, it appears Mars–Michael, the Warrior-Archangel was motivated to partake in some of this action of pounding the enemy, into submission,–crushing his head in violent grinding motions. This was key since June 10th was also the day of Christ’s Ascension, the Day of THE Decisive blow- the knockout punch to the Scorpion‘s head in the spiritual War of the Ages, as Jesus our Lord and King, put his enemies to rest under his feet, seen below [Fig. 7 & 8], in Cepheus the Crowned King; [Ps. 110:1, Heb. 10:12-13]. #7

The Red Planet Mars also embodies the atoning blood of Christ, halted for 10 days waiting until the day of Pentecost, for the birth of the Church, the Body of Christ, when the Comforter, the gift of holy spirit was poured out, and the Apostles first spoke in tongues, and rivers of living waters flowed from their bellies, with millions more sharing in this New Birth over the last 2000+ years, [Acts 2:1ff.]. Can you imagine what the enemy’s head looks like after getting his due from Mars–Michael, who ground in our Lord’s victory message for 10 days between Ascension and Pentecost? Talk about ugly, WOW!! Finally, our–Almighty God, and Heavenly Father disclosed the Great Mystery ambush He pulled on the Adversary, as our Lord & Christ, revealed the role of the angels led by Michael, showing us his example of what we should do to the enemies of God who dare to stand against us– in Christ, as our victorious exploits will shine on our victory stand in a brilliant display of spiritual riches in Pentecost, and the Age of Grace.

There were key celestial signs with our solar system planets during the period of Christ’s birth. The 3 Jupiter-Venus unions in the birth of Christ from 3-2 BC, forecast 3 Jupiter-Venus Conjunctions that occurred in 2015, with added heavenly signs of Jupiter–Venus marking his birth. On Aug. 27th-28th of 3 BC, a massing of planets with Jupiter-Venus, was part of an alignment of Jupiter, Venus, and Mars, with the king star Regulus in Leo, forming the 12 star Crown above Virgo’s head. This Rev. 12 sign and alignment of planets in Leo; during Christ’s birth, [Sun clothing Virgo with the Moon at her feet] was repeated also on Sept. 23rd, 2017!

As we saw the 2015 triple union of Jupiter and Venus mirrored in the triple conjunction of Jupiter and Venus in 3-2 BC during Christ’s birth, we also saw Venus united with Regulus and Mercury in 2016. As Mercury the Arch-angel, Gabriel heralded the position of Regulus, the King star-Brightest star in Leo, with Venus in the Lion of Judah, on the ecliptic, forming Virgo’s Crown. [Rev. 5:5].

There was a 1 degree Triangular massing of Jupiter-Venus, and Mars in Leo on Oct. 28th, 2015, preceded earlier in the month by a planetary alignment in Leo with Regulus, [see Figure 3 below]. This is significant first, because it refers to the planetary massing-the 5th trait of the Celestial Prelude, but also due to its resemblance with the Rev. 12 sign; Virgo crowned with 12 stars, consisting of the 9 fixed stars in Leo, combined with the planets Jupiter, Venus and Mars, forming the Crown of 12 stars over Virgo’s head. This alignment set the stage for the Feast of Tabernacles week, marked by the Super Blood Moon of Sept. 28th. A like planetary alignment qued up in Sept. 2017, with these planets, except Mercury replaced Jupiter in Leo, as Jupiter was birthed in Virgo. This was key celestial foreshadowing 2 years before Jupiter’s birth in Virgo, a rewind of the Rev. 12:1-2 wonder in heaven.

Figure 3. Planetary Alignment in Leo, October 3rd, 2015. #8

As there were 3 Jupiter-Venus Conjunctions marking the Rev. 12 birth signs of Christ in 3-2 BC, so this triple alignment of Jupiter-Mars, & Venus in Leo with Regulus, reflecting like spiritual light in the context of the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014–2015.

Jupiter-Venus Conjunctions of the Celestial Sphinx.

The following dates witnessed Jupiter-Venus conjunctions in Leo in the Hebrew Jubilee year of 2015-2016:

June 30th, 2015
August 25th, 2015
October 26th, 2015 

The following dates saw Jupiter-Venus conjunctions in Virgo in 2016:

July 27th, 2016
Feb. 26th, 2017
Nov. 13th, 2017

Comparing these heavenly signs near the birth of Christ, with the modern signs of the Blood Moon Tetrad before 2017, as Jupiter’s annual retrograde motion enters Virgo in Aug. 26-27th 2016, for a total of 294 days, into 2017, it only spends 40 days in Virgo’s mid-section, foreshadowing the birthing of the Messiah’s Kingdom. Jupiter marks its entrance into Virgo with a second Jupiter-Venus union of 2016. This is worthy of our attention indicating a key event with the King Planet–Jupiter relating to his virgin Bride–Virgo/Israel in   Virgo’s Crowning of the 9 stars of Leo plus 3 added planets of Mercury, Venus and Mars aligned with the king star Regulus in Leo, totaling 12 stars of Virgo’s Crown. This not only alerted us to be watchful of the Sun Clothing Virgo leading directly to these signs of 9-23-2017, but it also shows the Great Pyramid’s Christ angle alignment of Venus and Regulus in Leo, during this period on 9-20-2017! [Rev. 1:8, 11-17, 20- Jesus as the Alpha & Omega] [Rev. 21: 3-7, 22:12-13, 16]

Figure 4. The Celestial Sphinx. The Head of the Woman and the Body of the Lion seen as a Birth Sign of Christ on Sept. 14th, 3 BC, on the eastern horizon from Jerusalem forming the elements of the Great Sphinx, and marking the first Jupiter-Regulus Conjunction in Leo. #9

We find these landmarks at the head and tail of the zodiac, that adds light to Dr. Martin’s observation that: “the woman Virgo is the Constellation of Headship for all 12 signs. Virgo’s head position is found in the last 10 degrees of Leo.”10

Virgo’s head is seen in Fig. 4, just below and adjacent to the star Denebola in the tail of the Lion, unifies the circle of the zodiac. The Sphinx also unifies the Biblical canon, establishing the canonical order of God’s written revelation, in Genesis to Revelation, in the Bible’s earliest book of Job, [Job 19:23-25]. Even as Christ embodies the Alpha- Omega [Rev. 1:9-20] not only in the Celestial Gospel, but in the Signs of the ecliptic, and in the Scripture’s also. Thus, we have all the keys needed to prepare for his Return.

 We find both Mars-Michael the Warrior Archangel and Mercury-Gabriel the Messenger Archangel in close vicinity with Regulus, in Leo for Jupiter’s birth in Virgo. With Jupiter’s birthing on Sept. 9^th, a Mercury–Regulus union also occurs on 9/9/2017. This is a Celestial Sphinx Sign since the Mercury–Regulus union is part of another triple conjunction based on the retrograde motion of Mercury in Leo, concurrent with Jupiter’s retro–dance in Virgo. This added link unifies two aspects of the Celestial Sphinx, in the 2nd matched set-triple crowning that leads to a replay of the Rev. 12 sign on 9/23/17.

Figure 5. The 3 Planets in Leo near Regulus from 9-9-17 to 9-17-17. #11

Stellarium 2 from Bobmoler.wordpress.com

Next on Sept. 16^th 2017, a Mercury–Mars union follows. Here we see Mercury–Gabriel heralding the King star Regulus, followed by a union of Gabriel with Mars-Michael, showing their solidarity with the Lord Jesus Christ, in their stance against the red dragon of Rev. 12:3-4. After this on Sept. 20th was an alignment of Venus–Regulus related to the Great Pyramid, in Figs. 7-8 below. [Rev. 22:16]

The Great Pyramid and Sphinx, the two monumental witnesses in stone on the Giza Plateau, tell a coordinated story forming the Astronomical tenets of the Bible Patriarchs. These ancient watchers of Giza, the Great Sphinx seen in Virgo the head of the woman with Leo the Lion’s body, facing the eastern Fall equinox, the Sphinx leads to the Pyramid’s Sunset horizon view of Virgo. The example of the Great Sphinx forms a dual testimony with the Pyramid set in the Dendera Temple’s Hieroglyph of Figure 6. below. With the Sun-crown on the horizon over the female head of the hybrid Virgo-Lion, so the Ascending passage Christ angle of Fig. 7 aligns Venus–Regulus in Leo. Usually, the Sun’s annual visits to Virgo for 20 days, go with the Moon at Virgo’s feet, only one day each year, to fulfill the elements of the Rev. 12:1-2 sign. In these times we must pay close heed to Virgo’s celestial activity, as the Magi did, this we’ve documented in the 12 Traits of the Celestial Prelude. In this way, the Great Pyramid & Sphinx publish both astronomical and Scriptural witnesses of a Sept. 11th, 3BC date for the birth of Christ with monumentally unique evidence.

Figure 6. The Great Sphinx pictured in the Sun over the Lion’s female-head, between Virgo holding her wheat stalk [Spica] and Leo the lion’s body. #12

The union of the ends of the ecliptic in the Great Sphinx, the Alpha-Omega sign with the Sun in Virgo, as seen in the ancient Egyptian Temple of Esneh.

The heiroglyph for the Sun in Virgo is pictured above in Fig. 6 the relief in the Temple of Esneh, removes any doubt in the nature or gender of the female-headed Lion, not male Pharaoh! As the Great Pyramid aligns to the horizon Sun in Virgo, crossing a first layer of truth based in the Great Sphinx and the Pyramid’s combined testimony of the Rev. 12 sign, as seen in Fig. 7 below, but doesn’t stop there. As the Pyramid’s horizon view extends beyond Virgo, we see  its focus on Coma, a main Decan of Virgo, as the Coma Supernova exploded in the child’s head, in Figs. 6a. & 7, later corrupted into the image of Berenice’s Wig in Greek Myth.

Fig. 6a. The Decan of Virgo-Coma [from the Dendera Zodiac]

Figure 7. Virgo “clothed with the Sun with the Moon at her feet” on 9-11-3 BC, with the decan Coma “Berenices” pictured according to Greek Myth as a woman’s wig.#13

The Almighty has provided many examples from History and Nature, not to mention numerous Biblical miracles that confirm His Prophetic Word, as the combined witness of Biblical Archaeo-Astronomy in the Great Pyramid, gives us some excellent depictions of; [2 Peter 1:19-21], in the Morning Star [Venus] aligned with the King Star Regulus at dawn on Rosh Hashanah, Sept. 23rd, 2017, via the measures of the Great Pyramid’s Ascending/and Descending passages, in Fig. 7 above. If these heavenly signs are pointing to a future sun-rise and Dawning of The Day of the Lord’s Return FOR his Saints, prescient in these Sept. 2017 signs, we will hold to our faith and Hope in Christ’s Return opening to our Everlasting Righteousness in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Figure 9. The 3 Belt stars of Orion reflecting the 3 Pyramids of Giza. #15

 As Scripture teaches in Isaiah 19, the Great Pyramid has much to say as one of the most ancient monumental witnesses of Jesus Christ on planet Earth. The Fig. 8 graphic above shows the Great Pyramid’s geographical position mirroring the 1st star Al-Nitak in Orion’s Belt. Somebody at Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth looking up at this first belt star of Orion (Al Nitak–the wounded one) the meridian angle of this star above the horizon matches the slope angle of the Great Pyramid itself—51 degrees & 51 mins.#16 This gives confirming evidence of the Pyramid’s existing geographic “Bethlehem line” marking the birthplace of Christ, with the same measure of the Christ Angle [26 degrees .18′ 9.7″…] #17 marking the union of Venus and Regulus in Leo on Sept. 20, 2017.

As we find a reflection of the stars of Orion’s belt, mirrored in this 3-Pyramid Masterplan of the Giza complex, the highway marked by the Great Pyramid’s Bethlehem Line also marks the way traveled through the desert wilderness when Israel was led by Moses in their Exodus, to finally cross over into the Promised Land. This Bethlehem Line originated from the 26. degree angle of the Pyramid’s Ascending and Descending passages, laid out geographically on the earth’s surface, leading to Bethlehem, and then Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. The Bethlehem line extends through Israel via the Jordan River, where Jesus Christ was baptized by John the Baptist, matching the location of the Israelites crossing this river with the Ark of the Covenant, that parted the waters of this river, marking Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land. I have referred to the Great Pyramid as the primary boundary stone monument marking the Land God Promised to Israel, the touchstone of the Astronomy of Bible Patriarchs, that embodies God’s Covenants of the Scriptures, the Stars, written in Stone and Incarnate in the Man Jesus Christ.

Figure 10. The Bethlehem Line of the Great Pyramid. #18.

The view of the prophetic aspects of the Great Pyramid in light of its Ascending and Descending Passage angles supports what the Scriptures say about the witness of Christ in the Great Pyramid in Isaiah 19:19-20. Its evident from this graphic [Fig. 8] there is a central importance to the planets Jupiter and Venus in marking the Birth and Second Coming of the Lord. As we have reviewed 3 Mercury–Venus unions of 2016, the planetary activity leading to the heavenly signs of 2017, are noteworthy in light of the Great Pyramid.

The masterplan idea for Giza’s Plateau appears to be based on certain keys apparent in the design elements of Giza, including the “Christ angle” of 26 degrees 18′ 9.7“, that not only matches the slope angle of the Great Pyramid’s Ascending and Descending Passage’s, but also was an alignment key for the entire Giza Plateau itself. #19  Another design feature of this masterplan is the Causeways from each Pyramid, and their orientation. Hancock & Bauval tell us; “the causeway of the 3rd pyramid, like the gaze of the Sphinx, is targeted due East. The causeway of the 2nd Pyramid points 14 degrees south of due East. The Causeway of the Great Pyramid is 14 degrees North of due East. The arrangement is precise, geometrical, obviously deliberate, with each significant structure bearing a designed relationship to every other structure-and the whole contained within a large circular artificial ‘horizon‘ that is apparently centered on the Apex of the 2nd Pyramid with its rim lying just to the west of the rump of the Sphinx.“#20  

This is noteworthy since only the Great Pyramid, of all Egypt’s pyramids, was built with ascending and descending passages, which becomes more interesting as we note the related Venus planetary alignment with Regulus on New Year’s Day of Rosh Hashanah in 2017.

According to Daniel Matson, he noted the importance of viewing the Autumn equinox instead of the Spring equinox in this context, on his now defunct website, resulting from his untimely and unfortunate passing;

“Robert Bauval first suggested the Orion Theory in his 1994 book, “The Orion Mystery.” His theory holds that the Pyramids he designated as Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, were based on the idea that these pyramids were built during the reigns of these Egyptian Pharaoh’s, are aligned depicting the belt stars of Orion—meaning, if one looks south, the Great Pyramid (Khufu) is embodied in the lower left belt star known as Al Nitak, as the northeast pyramid. This is logical since viewing Orion at the Meridian means, one must look South. But with, a Pyramid building date circa 10,500 BC, in the “Orion Correlation Theory,“ holding to a Vernal equinox scenario, opposes to our findings in Fig. 8, with Orion at Meridian during dawn at the onset of spring.” 21

Figure 11. The Great Sphinx facing due east with Orion & Sirius rising at its lowest point closest to the Horizon, [in agreement with Fig. 8 above.] #22

From The Message of the Sphinx by Bauval and Hancock.

As Matson stated; “The prophetic view taken here, is that the Giza pyramids were built looking forward down the corridors of time. This requires a view towards the other equinox, at the beginning of autumn when Orion will be at Meridian during dawn.”23 This is supported also by the orientation of the Great Sphinx looking due east to the junction of Virgo/Leo at sunrise of the autumnal equinox. About 2000 years ago Orion (Al Nitak) hit the dawn-meridian in its heliacal rising, also the target of the Southern star shaft of the King’s Chamber, on Aug. 26th, coinciding with the meridian passage of Kochab of Ursa Minor, aligned with the Northern star shaft of the Queen’s Chamber. Matson says; “Presently this alignment is on September 20th due to the precession of the equinoxes, makes it quite close to the Fall Equinox on Sept. of 2017 when the signs similar to Christ’s birth were seen again. #24

This coordination of star alignments were specifically marked by the Great Pyramid star shafts, carries a notable narrative that has gone unnoticed for millennia, that [Matson] revealed for the first time. A key to revealing this narrative was uncovered as we noticed the original meaning of ancient star names marked by the Great Pyramid. Al Nitak of Orion means the “wounded one,” referring to Christ’s sacrifice laying down his life in his first advent, as we find in the Gen. 3:15 axis. The heliacal rising of Al Nitak, not only agrees with the star Kochab’s meridian passage in Ursa Minor, meaning-“waiting for him who comes,” referring to the Second Coming of Christ, that occurred also with the Sunrise in Leo, as seen in Fig. 7 above. Even as these Rev. 12 sky signs were replayed in 2017, we will find like signs replaying again the years 2028, and 2047.

This prophecy of the Sonrise of the Ages forecasts the victorious return of Christ when he defeats and crushes the dragon enemy with a fatal head blow seen also in the star pictures of the Gen. 3:15 axis.

Certainly, the theme of this Sonrise is not unfamiliar, having revolved in the sky  for eons, as seen in the Gen. 3:15 axis. However, the witness of the star shafts of the Great Pyramid added to this theme is decidedly news to modern ears. The names in this celestial showcase were changed to the idol gods of Egypt, due to an ancient corruption in the astrology of their star religion, but this darkness only shaded the truth for so long, before the Light of Almighty GOD ultimately prevails. This ancient Egyptian Sonrise marked by the Great Sphinx, embodied in the Great Pyramid, resounds from the Giza Plateau foreshadowing the Son-set marking Christ’s birth seen from Jerusalem in 3 BC, in Figure 12 below.

The signs marking Jesus’ birth took place near the intersection of the ecliptic & the Meridian in Virgo. Figure 12 below shows the moments of Christ’s birth, marked by the setting of the star Spica, between the setting Sun with the Moon at Virgo’s feet, [Rev. 12:1-2] and the supernova in the Coma Decan, witnessed by the naked eye, shining in the child’s head at this time. This graphic provides a close up view of the Figure 7 celestial setting in the Rev. 12 Sign marking the Birth of Christ, with the Sun clothing Virgo and the Moon at her feet. It shows the Sun setting on the Horizon with the Bright star of Virgo’s wheat sheaves called Spica, whose setting time marked the actual moments of Christ’s birth between Sunset and Moonset on Sept. 11th in 3 BC.

Figure 12. Sunset Horizon view from Jerusalem at Christ’s birth on 9-11-3 BC.

Malachi 4:2 
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

The word “arise” in Mal. 4:2, is used of the Sun and light in general, but it and two of its usages also occur in [Isa. 60:1-3, Jer. 23:5]. As we’ve stated before, Jer. 23:5, the planet Jupiter, the sedeq planet links with the Messiah, Jesus Christ the righteous Zemach-branch, as one of 5 primary OT titles and Branch prophecies pertaining to the coming promised seed.

According to Matson, the basic idea is that the Pyramid complex is a map of the heavens at a time near the return of Christ. The pyramids show what is to be at meridian (Al Nitak in Orion), while the causeways and the Great Sphinx are aligned east from the pyramids, showing the importance of the rising Sun and other stars rising in the east. #25 The Figure 11 graphic above shows the Sun in Leo, with Orion on the meridian at dawn while, Sirius is at its lowest point just above the horizon. As we’ll see, the role of Sirius; brightest star in the heavens, tells key aspects of the narrative regarding the fallen Prince and 1st Star of the Morning.

Matson’s Key, was finding a candidate for a Rosh Hashanah alignment that linked with Orion’s meridian dawn alignment. As Rosh Hashanah begins at sunset and signs precede events, the harmony for Rosh Hashanah to start at sunset on September 20th of 2017, then puts Rosh Hashanah on Sept. 21st, on the Hebrew Calendar. #26 This also fits the astronomical scene, a precedent of these events, on Rosh Hashanah at Christ’s birth on Sept. 11th, 3 BC.

With Sept. 21st as the Autumn Equinox, in accord with Rosh Hashanah and the meridian alignment of Al Nitak at dawn, could Rosh Hashanah be the key?  The answer to Matson’s question here is found not only in the heavenly signs of the birth of Christ, but also the historical meaning of the holy day- Rosh Hashanah. This Hebrew Holiday recognizes God’s Creation of the World, and initiates a 10-day period called the Days of Awe, a time of repentance ending in Yom Kippur– the Day of Atonement. The Days of Awe–Rosh Hashanah began as an OT royal enthronement ritual, while the “Day of Judgment” elements of the holiday surfaced later. In spite of Rosh Hashanah being the 7th month, it came to designate the New Year. A further significance of Tishri as the seventh month, is found in its function as the Sabbath of the year. Blasts on the shofar horn, are the most potent symbol of this holiday. The weight of shofar blasts alludes to recalling the Binding of Isaac in [Gen. 22]. The story and the shofar serve as reminders of God’s Covenant with His people-Israel, carrying the message of hope, looking forward to the sacrifice and return of Christ.

We have pointed out in previous blogs, how the dual significance of the Rev. 12:1-2 prophecy, applies not only to the birth of Christ, but to the victory of his Return also! Even as heavenly signs specifically marked the birth of Jesus Christ, supporting the witness of God’s Word, so we have seen similar sky signs marking the Lord’s Return. Even as these Rev. 12 heavenly signs were replayed in 2017, we will find similar signs in the next 4 years, in 2028, and 2047.

As we return now to the Gen. 3:15 axis theme extending to the next sign, we find it intersecting the decan of Scorpius called Hercules, whose foot is put over the Head of Draco the Serpent–dragon at the North pole. The axis runs between the two heads of Hercules and Ophiuchus, who are inverted but in alignment to each other. The star in Hercules head is called Ras Al Gethi, that means the head of him who bruises, keeping with the Gen. 3:15 theme. #27 As this axis extends down to Hercules’ left foot, it shows the result of Ophiuchus‘ battle with the Serpent, as Hercules left foot crushes the Dragon’s head, seen in Fig. 13, destroying the devil’s works. As Hercules kneels, his right heel is lifted up as if wounded, seen in some star maps with a spear through his heel. [Rev. 12:9-10, Ps. 74:12-14]

Figure 13. Hercules’ foot over the Dragon crushing it’s Head. #28

As a result of Draco the Dragon’s head being crushed with a fatal blow to the star Rastaban-meaning the head of the subtle, from the descending foot of Hercules, the Dragon’s former position as the Covering Archangel over all the angelic choirs of heaven [Ezek. 28:12-19] was stripped from him forever, and his position embodied in the ancient North Pole is superseded by Jesus Christ, the Risen Morning Star in place of the fallen Morning Star, [Isa. 14:12]. In Figure #13 above the star Thuban–the subtle as the former Northern Pole star, the central star in the heavens around which all other denizens of the universe revolve. A detailed graphic of Draco at the North Pole including the location of the pole star today in Ursa Minor is found in Figure 14 below.

Figure 14. Draco and Cepheus above Ursa Minor at the North Pole.

The 3rd Saggittarius decan above is Draco the dragon, with Hercules’ Foot over its head, inside the top circle of the Northern Polar Venn Diagram. Astronomically we find the dynamic equatorial pole, gradually encircling the static pole of the ecliptic, at the center of the upper circle. The common area between these overlapping polar wheels is called a vesica of the Venn Diagram. This shows us the precession of the poles, as the equatorial pole shifted from Thuban–the star in Draco’s tail, to Polaris of Ursa Minor over the past 5000 years. This fulfills the promise of the Coming redeemer, as our Gen. 3:15 axis passes through the current pole star Polaris, seen under-foot of Cepheus, the Crowned King, [Eph. 1:20-22]. This celestial image of the King of kings is fulfilled in Christ Jesus, who presides over the central star of the heavens, formerly under Draco’s dominion. Inside the Polar circle, vesica we see a triangle enclosing the Little Bear of Ursa Minor. This polar triangle forms the Ecliptic pole at the center of this upper circle, along with two pole stars, one Thuban the former pole star in the Dragon’s tail at the circle’s perimeter and Apex of this triangle above the head of the bear. The other is the current pole star-Polaris, at the lower-left corner, of the triangle’s base. As we can see in Figure 16 below, the Pole star marked Al Ruccaba, is underfoot of Cepheus, the King decan seated at God’s right Hand. The closest star to the tip of Ursa Minor’s tail, in Fig. 14 means “the Branch,” who exerts his four-fold authority in the four Messianic Titles; of Servant, King, Son of Man, & Son of God, over all Creation. The serpent’s destruction, is thus not only seen in the crushing fatal blow to the serpent’s head, but also is witnessed in the outcome of Ophiuchus’ struggle, with the Serpent, denied the Crown [Corona in Fig. 2a] of Dominion.

Zech. 6:12-13 “Thus speaks the Lord of Hosts, saying behold the man whose name is the Branch; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the Temple of the Lord.” v. 13 “Even he shall build the Temple of the Lord; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”

We see the woman’s promised seed, clothed in the celestial royalty of absolute Dominion over all Creation, corresponding to the “Branch;” the holy scion of God in light of the branch prophecies in God’s Word. As the only Crowned star picture in the heavens, the name “Cepheus” in the Dendera Zodiac, is known in ancient Egypt as Pe-Ku-hor; meaning “one coming to rule–” a consistent theme of the star names below. The three primary stars of Cepheus are as follows; [seen in Fig. 15 below]

1. Al Deramin-he who comes quickly from the right Arm or Hand of the Father-The Hand of Blessing.
2. Al Phirk-signifying the Redeemer of the stars of his flocks [Ursa Minor and Major].
3. Al Rai–The Shepherd who bruises or breaks. [Ps. 23; and the 7 Redemptive Names of God embodied in the Shepherd.]

Figure 15. Cepheus Decan. #29

Thus, we have the Redeeming Shepherd coming quickly from the right hand of God, who bruises or breaks, to redeem his flocks. A unique feature of the 3  primary stars here at the North Celestial Pole, as the Pole star recedes via the Precession of the Poles, each of these 3 brightest stars in Cepheus will inherit the title and function of Pole star, currently occupied by Polaris–[Al Ruccaba] of Usra Minor. Starting about 4000 AD in 1500-year intervals, these 3 primary stars of Cepheus will occupy the coveted Northern “Pole Position;”

1st  Al Deramin
2^nd Al Phirk
3^rd Al Rai

Cepheus as the crowned and bearded King decked in his royal robes, seated on his polar throne, the 3rd and final decan of the sign, “Pisces,” holding His scepter raised in his left hand stretched out to Cassiopeia, the decan of the sign, as part of the next primary constellation group of “Aries, the Ram.” Rev. Jon Nessle has taught this record in his 8/15/23 Chapt. 5, Session 1b, of the OT History Class, as King of Persia-Darius I, points his golden scepter to Queen Esther, [Esth. 5:1-3] who entered the royal court- uninvited; saving the Jews in his kingdom, from Haman’s evil genocidal plot against Israel. In a futurist view, Cassiopeia can also embody the bride of Christ, delivered by him. Even as King Darius I, saved all Israel with the action of his extended scepter, so King Jesus has saved all his church. With Cepheus’ foot over the North Pole Star; “Al Ruccaba” is depicted in a time-lapse photo below, showing how all the stars revolve around the King of Kings. [I Cor. 15: 24-28].

The signs and constellations at the North Pole, or circumpolar stars reflect the “Royal Family” since they never set. They were known in ancient times as the imperishables. The celestial images of Ursa Major and Minor seen as Bears is a corruption of more contemporary Astronomy, as no bear ever had a tail as long as that of Ursa Minor, in Fig. 14. The image in Fig. 16 below is much more accurate, with the King’s right foot seated over penned and guarded sheep of Ursa Minor, we can see Jesus the Shepherd protecting his flock of the “little dipper,” from his enemies that will be trodden underfoot. This theme of Jesus as the Shepherd protecting his sheep, is extended in this Gen. 3:15 axis, seen below in Fig. 17, in the constellation Auriga the Shepherd.

Figure 16. The Cepheus Decan. #30

Even in this veiled mythology we can see the light of the story of the returning Good Shepherd-redeemer shining through to deliver his flocks, whom he laid down his life for. Bullinger refers to this precession of the North pole and Al Ruccaba specifically as follows:

“Although the star does not revolve like the others, the central point in the heavens is very slowly but steadily moving. When these constellations were formed the Dragon possessed this important point, and the star alpha, in Draco, marked this central point. But by its gradual recession, that point is sufficiently near the star Al Ruccaba, in the Lesser Sheepfold, (Ursa Minor) for it to be what is called “the Polar Star.” But how was it known five or 6,000 years ago? How could it have been known when it received its name, which means the turned or ridden on? That it was known is clear: so likewise was it made known in the written Word that the original blessing included not only the multiplication of the seed of the faithful Abraham, but it was then added, “And thy seed shall possess the gate of thy enemies,” [Gen. 22:17]. #31

Again the Royal Red Thread of truth runs through the Gen. 3:15 Axis, because in the knee of Cepheus’ leg over Polaris/Al Ruccaba, holds the star–Al Rai, meaning “he who bruises or breaks,” #32  Since the man-King Jesus/Cepheus, is crowned with the crown of Dominion who ultimately breaks and destroys the serpent, this name Al Rai mirrors the star Rigel in Orion, matching with Cepheus, just as the star Saiph pairs Orion with Ophiuchus at both ends of this axis! In the Creator’s design, Who named and aligned the stars, in their courses, tells the divine narrative of Christ’s Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension, that we witness in the Celestial Gospel! Our Father in Heaven has watermarked His narrative both in Scripture and Written in the Stars, with the same divine inspiration that proves the Star Gospel emerged from this One Source of undeniable truth. The Creator’s signature on His handiwork is all the proof required to depict the genuine validity of His Almighty Hand to underwrite the Celestial Gospel. As the divine words of Scripture perfectly agree in their witness of the stellar narrative of the Ages, so the Star Gospel agrees with God’s Written Word in all their key details.

Here we see the promised seed of the woman clothed in the celestial royalty of absolute dominion over all Creation. The name “Cepheus” has likely Egyptian linguistic roots in “Cheops” or Khufu, the Pharoah linked with the 1st Pyramid in Orion’s Belt, the Great Pyramid. [Isa. 19:19-20]

This is a good time bring up the previous point on the Egyptian Pharaoh’s link to the three Pyramids of Giza. The sticking point here is the orthodox Egyptian chronologies tie the 4th Dynasty under Khufu [2700-2600 BC], to the building period of the Great Pyramid, in Khufu’s reign. Fortunately, there exists strong  archaeological & historical evidence to the contrary, in agreement with highly accurate Great Pyramid astronomy.

Since this astronomical evidence involving the Great Pyramid from Herschel, Smyth and Lowell is incompatible with orthodox Egyptian chronologies, we can see an alternative chronology more in line with archaeological & historical evidence. Some of this evidence we find in the Great Sphinx, which was built as a key part of the Giza master-plan including the Pyramids, and causeways of the Giza Plateau, linked to the Great Sphinx. This is part of an evolving concept of the historical narrative of these famed monuments of ancient Egypt, framing a Giza Masterplan. The Inventory Stela provides some strong evidence, from Pharaoh Khufu himself, that he was not the Great Pyramid’s builder, and that the Great Pyramid and Great Sphinx, already existed during his reign. Other Egyptologists like James H. Breasted, includes the Inventory Stela in his official Fourth Dynasty list of artifacts, stating it “bore all the marks of authenticity.” #33

Also, the French Egyptologist Gaston Maspero; whose popular work, “The Dawn of Civilization,” stated that this Stela was indeed a factual record of the life and deeds of Khufu. #34

With the exception of a few die-hards, most Egyptologists consent to the accumulating body of archaeological and geological evidence, indicating that the Great Sphinx dates much older than the 4th Dynasty, and the Sphinx was only restored by Chephren, not built during his reign. Added evidence from the 19th century ‘Inventory Stele‘ uncovered near the Sphinx says Chephren’s predecessor-Khufu/Pharaoh Cheops; ordered a temple built beside the Great Sphinx, meaning the Sphinx already existed at this earlier time, and was not built by Chephren. As the astronomical elements of the Dendera Zodiac that inspired the Great Sphinx must predate it, we can see how the antiquity of the the Dendera Zodiac and the Great Sphinx are inseparably joined, giving us a truer idea for the ages of these monumentally intertwined ancient artifacts.

In building the Great Sphinx’s adjoining temple, quarried stone blocks of 200+ tons were used, with some Sphinx temple masonry matching building stones of the Pyramids, including causeways linking the Pyramids to the Great Sphinx. This reflects strong links between these uniquely historic monuments on a number of design and construction levels, even in support of a Giza master-plan.  It is logical that some of the quarried blocks were used to construct the temple, as the Sphinx was carved out of existing nearby rock. It may suggest a master-plan for construction blueprints in building and design elements of the Giza Plateau including the Great Sphinx, its temples & the Great Pyramid complex. [Job 19:23-25]

Let’s look at with the next decan highlighted in our Gen. 3:15 Planisphere Axis, which is Auriga, as seen below in Figure 17. Our axis touches the point where the large horn of Taurus, the charging Bull pierces the heel of our Shepherd-Auriga. Keeping with our Gen. 3:15 theme, we find the signs and decans of our Axis marking the Bull’s horn, that strikes the heel of Auriga’s right foot, at the star named Al Nath, meaning the wounded or slain. The unmistakable nature of this repeating theme as seen in this alignment of heels across the heavens, is breathtaking in scope as it integrates the witness of the stars on the ecliptic with those of the celestial equator, in the unified message of the polar and ecliptic stars, seen in The Celestial Gospels for all time.

Figure 17. Auriga The Shepherd. 35

Bullinger says; “He is the Good Shepherd who gave his life for the Sheep, [Jn. 10:11], the Great Shepherd who was resurrected from the dead, [Heb. 13:20] and now the Chief Shepherd, [I Pet. 5:4] seen in the day of his coming glory.”36 Auriga depicts the exalted, mighty Savior, exercising his loving mercy and salvation in the midst of the scenes of judgment, as the Scriptures tell us, that in the midst of wrath he remembers mercy. (Hab. 3:2)

Auriga holds the 6th brightest star in the sky: Capella, the goat star; chief star in this decan meaning “She-goat,“#37 marking the heart of the mother goat. She and her kids are safe in the arms of the Shepherd. Here we find the Shepherd ruling in his authority, rescuing his own from evil, to gather and and protect his sheep. As our Gen. 3:15 Axis closely by-passes Capella before reaching the star Al Nath at the tip of the bull’s horn piercing his heel, Auriga sits astride the Milky Way, symbolic of Jesus Christ, not only as the lamb of God, but judging as a Lion, returning to execute judgment against evil-doers. Here the 3-fold witness of the Jupiter-Regulus triple union, starting at Christ’s birth seen in the 3 stages of the maturation of Leo the Lion mirrors Christ this 3-fold Shepherd on the Planisphere Axis. My Gen. 49 video below, depicts truths of the Great Sphinx signs marking the birth of Christ

If we now look at the other end of the Gen. 3:15 Planisphere Axis, we find amazingly it intersects Orion, right at the star in Orion’s foot named Rigel,#38 meaning “the foot that crushes,” which fits as it’s pictured crushing the enemy. The main star in Orion’s other leg incredibly is “Saiph” the same star name for “bruised“ we saw in Ophiuchus, found in Gen. 3:15! Not only do we find both ends of this amazing Planisphere axis agreeing with the same star name tied to Gen. 3:15, but before the axis reaches Orion’s foot, it intersects the bright star in Orion’s shoulder called Bellatrix, meaning “swiftly destroying,” in reference to the swift demise of the enemy at the hands of the Lord Jesus Christ. #39

The name Orion appears three times in the Bible (Job 9:9, 38:31; Amos 5:8). Rolleston rightly noted that Kesil is the Hebrew word translated as “Orion” in all three uses (Rolleston 1865, part 2, p. 30).#40 “Rolleston viewed Orion as a type of Christ. Part of this came from the name “Orion.”

The meaning and source of this name is obscure, but, as R.A. Allen says (1963, p. 304), 41 it is rooted in the Akkadian, and means “Light of Heaven,” an apparent appeal to Matthew 4:16 on Rolleston’s part.” We are more drawn to Star lore from a biblical and Hebraic view, than astrology, though ancient Egyptian myth proves to hold many of the Celestial Gospel themes in their original star names and decans. Many of these themes survived the corruption of idol myths linked to the Egyptian Solar cult of RA, and Pharaoh’s links to it, so that some ancient truths of the Celestial Gospel survived, in the Dendera Zodiac, for example with its Coma decan Greek corruption in Coma Berniece’s, wig as seen in Fig. 6a above, and the Hare underfoot of Orion, noted in Fig. 18 below.

Figure 18. The decan of Orion, with Rigel-his foot star opening the River of Judgement; Eridanus, as his other leg crushes the Hare-Lepus, while the Bull gores the heel star of Auriga– Al Nath. #42

The original meaning of Orion is “coming forth as light.”#43 The same word is used in Genesis. 1:17 and Isa. 60:1, referring to the light of the celestial sky & its luminaries.

Job 38:31-33
31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? 32 Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? Or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? 33 Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? Canst thou set the dominion thereof in the Earth?

Francis Rolleston was an early adopter that the Celestial Gospel narrating the path of Christ on the ecliptic-or the Sun’s path, as the 12 signs of the Mazzaroth in Job 38 above, and Psalm 19. The pattern of Christ between, the alpha/omega signs of the Great Sphinx–Virgo & Leo the Lion, both Ophiuchus and Orion at each end of the Gen. 3:15 Planisphere Axis. We see obvious parallels in Gen. 3 :15’s stellar map, and Christ is identified with both Ophiuchus and Orion in the Celestial Gospel, as the ancient meanings of the stars are allowed their voice.

Their witness of truth shines through any confusion resulting from the darkness of corrupt astrology. God is the One Who named and numbered the stars and we have already seen how these ancient Star names match Greek and Hebrew Bible words, like those used in Gen. 3:15 to accomplish the task God sent them to do. An example of this kind of corruption of ancient constellations is found regarding the image being crushed below Orion’s foot.

Figure 19. Dendera Zodiac with Decans. #44

 

Rolleston “observed that although in most charts Orion’s foot rests on a hare, in at least one ancient Indian star chart there is snake in place of the hare. Presumably, this snake has bitten, or bruised, Orion’s heel, as he is crushing the serpent’s head to fulfill the first Messianic prophecy (Genesis 3:15).”#45 Of course, this depiction of a serpent instead of a Hare is not limited to Indian zodiacs, but was also the case in the Dendera zodiac; [see the Bull in the upper right of the zodiac, over the Man under Taurus with his foot atop a snake], along with Persian zodiacs also. #46

 As we have seen in the square Dendera Zodiac it’s not only one of the oldest planispheres around, as found with its depiction of the Great Sphinx, but it is also a uniquely great source to identify ancient decans, like one describing Lepus the “hare,” as a serpent. According to Seiss, Persian & Egyptian zodiacs also include the image of the serpent under Orion’s foot, caught in the claws of a hawk or eagle, as seen in Fig. 19 above. #47

The Pyramid’s southern Star shaft in the Queen’s Chamber points to Sirius the Dog Star and brightest star in the sky, as the Queen’s Chamber North shaft is aligned on the star Kochab of Ursa Minor, holding the same polar sign found on our Gen. 3:15 Axis in Fig. 14. Ursa Minor is the pole star’s location today- underfoot of Cepheus, the Crowned King. This image of the King of Kings is fulfilled in Christ Jesus, who rules over this central star of the sky, formerly Thuban under the dominion of the Dragon–Lucifer in his first estate. This records a transition in spiritual power from Lucifer the fallen Morning Star, who previously was the leading archangel over all angels of heaven, until iniquity was found in him. The treachery of this failed coup vs. the Heavenly Father, removed him from his seat-assumed by Christ the ascendant Morning Star, who is now seated at the right hand of the Almighty, [Eph. 1: 19–23]. This story of the fallen Morning Star is also related in the Star Sirius–the Prince.

The dual alignment of Thuban below the pole with the Pleiades above the pole in 2170 BC, calculated by Piazzi Smyth, not only supports the key application of the autumnal equinox related to Rosh Hashanah, as we will see below, but also reveals a key point about how the Pleiades saw the fall of the 1st Morning Star- Lucifer. [Isa. 14:12]

 In China’s astronomical records, the Pleiades star cluster was among the earliest of Lunar houses on record, dating to 2357 BC, when the star Alcyone in the Pleiades near the vernal equinox. #48 The 7 stars of the famed cluster were identified by Job [9:9, 38:31] and referred to collectively as a “heap or accumulation“ and the congregation of the judge or ruler,” said also to be referenced in Rev. 1 as a “mystery.” Since the Great Mystery is not revealed before the Day of Pentecost in 28 AD, it does not disclose truths relating to the spiritual body of Christ or the congregation of his Church. But what about relationships between of the angelic realms? Rev. 1:20 refers to the angelic order in relation to Christ and the 7 churches in his right hand.

Rev. 1:20
²⁰ The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candle-sticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

Figure 20. The Pleiades Star Cluster #49

Now that the ascended Christ has supplanted the fallen Morning Star, he inherited rulership over the remaining choirs and cohorts of the angelic hosts previously under Lucifer. This is part of the mystery of the seven stars, of angels held in Christ’s right hand, reminding us of the divine 7-fold pattern of the Cherubim according to a regular distribution around the structure of the four colored curtains of Tabernacle walls of both the Holy Place, and the Holiest of all. As this pattern is in the earthly Tabernacle, so we find it in the Heavenly Tabernacle, as Rev. 15:5-8 reveals,  seen in Part 1 . [cp. Rev. 8–9]

Since the Celestial Gospel is a pictorial skyscape, paralleling God’s Word, at times it tells a composite story of the truth of Christ. This axis is a good example of a composite pictorial depiction of Gospel truth, supported by the meanings of individual star names in these constellations and decans of the star signs, along with planetary motions and unions, as we have seen in this record with Mars, and Virgo’s Crown. The combined images of the Gen. 3:15 Axis shows not only 3 heavenly giants in combat with Serpentine foes, but also a fourth decan on this axis taking the central star in the heavens away from Draco the dragon’s control. Once the serpent-crushed by Orion, replaces the Hare from later zodiacs the Gen. 3:15 Axis becomes a powerful unified image in multiple signs along the axis, all centered on the Genesis 3:15 theme.

Figure 21. Paths of Venus and Mercury from April 28 to June 10, 28 A.D.#50

The Fig. 21 image above shows the motion of planets Venus the bright and Morning Star, with Mercury–Gabriel, from April 28th, to June 10th, 28 AD. Both planets first moved towards Gemini, when they each went into retro-grade motions, setting them on course for Orion’s club.#44 We have seen how Orion, on this side of the Gen. 3:15 axis embodies Christ, as Ophiuchus does-180 degrees away, on the other side of this axis. As the two planets arrive in a coordinated attack to energize Orion’s raised club, on June 10th, 28 AD, they are joined by the Moon, on the same day Mars reached the center of the head of the Scorpion, grinding the message home of its inevitable defeat in a Battle of the Ages. Orion beholding the Bull’s horns of Taurus in his upward view, he finds the planet Saturn placed between the horns of dilemma to unleash its doom in Fig. 21

We must also recall from Fig. 18 above, a tip of one of the Bull horns pierces the heel of Auriga the Shepherd, at a star with the same name in both signs & Constellations–Al Nath in [Aries & Auriga]; that means the wounded or Slain. With Saturn–Satan placed between the horns of Taurus, as the main spiritual power behind the bruising of Auriga’s heel, drawing the fury of Orion’s Club empowered by the bright & Morning Star-Venus, heralded by Mercury–Gabriel the Messenger Archangel, while Mars delivers a massive Passover punch to Scorpio’s head, being crushed underfoot of Ophiuchus. When you anger the Almighty, there’s hell-fire and judgment to pay…from all angles, & archangel’s.

The Rev. 12 heavenly sign: the [Sun clothing Virgo with the Crescent Moon at her feet] on September 17th, 2015 is announced by Mercury–Gabriel located beside Virgo’s womb, united with Spica/Al Zimach on this day, 2 years before the rewind of the Great Wonder in Heaven, on Sept. 23rd 2017, seen below.

Figure 22. Rev. 12 Sign [Sun clothing Virgo with the Moon at her feet].#51

Figure 23. Cetus the Sea-Monster tries to alter the course of Eridanus with its forelegs. #52

With the conclusion of our Gen. 3:15 axis running down through Orion, we find issuing out of Orion’s foot-star Rigel, the River of the Judge–Eridanus, [Hab. 3:5]. This last heel alignment across the sky shows Jesus‘ righteous judgment against all the evil of the enemy. Over the river banks of Eridanus, the futile attempts of the Serpent–Cetus‘, [Fig. 23 above] to alter or stop the inexorable flow of this river into its undying judgment fires with its forelegs. But, there is no escape for the evil, from their doom, residing in the Lake of fire, due to their callous revolt against the Almighty God. So, their doom awaits where hell–fires of judgment pool, in the Second Death, [2 Thess. 1:7-8].

Added keys found in Figure. 23, include the shackles that bond the fish of Pisces–binding bands that tie them to Cetus the Sea-monster. These bonds were broken by Aries the Ram, with matching star name-Al Nath shared the sky over our Lord at his crucifixion, in Auriga’s heel, as darkness obscured the light of the Sun in Aries. The King Planet Jupiter we too find in retrograde motion in Aries, as seen in other planets during this period from March 1st-June 10th, 28 AD. With Jupiter’s retrograde motion focused on the binding bands of the fish of Pisces, broken as a result of the Lamb’s perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ; [Jn. 1:29] in Figure 23, as the forelegs of the lamb stretch across these bands. The brightest star in Aries in some charts is Al Hamal, in others Al Nath, with the same name meaning- “wounded” already seen in Auriga’s heel, being gored by the Taurus the Bull’s horn, fitting once again with the Gen. 3:15 Axis theme of the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension.

The alignment of the Ascending Passage in the Great Pyramid to this union of Regulus–Venus in Leo, on Rosh Hashanah 2017, the morning dawn light of the King Star Regulus unifies with Venus the Bright and Morning Star in Leo the Lion (Rev. 2:28, 22:16 & 1 Pet. 1:19). With Regulus & Venus rising together, “as a morning star” in the east at a 26.3-degree Christ angle, resolved by the direction of the Great Pyramid’s Ascending passage, reminds us of 2 Peter;

2 Peter 1:19
¹⁹ And so we have the prophetic word confirmed,^[a] which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

We began this study with Rev. 5:5 & 22:16 with a focus on Venus the bright and Morning star and the king star Regulus, and here we see 2 Peter 1:19 bringing into focus to the recent signs on Rosh Hashanah 2017, as the dawn of a new day sheds its resplendent light in our hearts. It is the hope of the return of Jesus Christ that we are anticipating which anchors our soul in this dark and perverse world, keeping us moving forward on the path of the light of His Word with our God and Heavenly Father.

It is a genuine pleasure to bring these truths to a body of wonderful believers like yourselves, who appreciate and enjoy them as we share in our one body fellowship with each other. As we enjoy the Love and blessings of the Lord this month, let me know how God has abundantly blessed you!

God Bless!

Rene’

Footnotes

1. Biblical Astronomy Newsletter, Picture credit, Bob Wadsworth.
2. IBID
3. Witness of the Stars, Planisphere, picture credit, E.W. Bullinger.
4. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger, p. 58
5. Biblical Astronomy Newsletter, Bob Wadsworth
6. Ibid, Plate 1-Picture Credit.
7. Biblical Astronomy Newsletter, Bob Wadsworth
8. Figure 3. picture credit, Sky and Telescope Magazine, 2015.
9. Figure 4. picture credit, Jesus Christ our Promised Seed, p. 45, VP Wierwille, The Celestial Sphinx.
10. The Star that Astonished the World, p. 186, Dr. Ernest L. Martin.
11. Figure 5. video credit, Stellarium 2 from Bobmoler.wordpress.com
12. Figure 6. Picture credit; Witness of the Stars, EW. Bullinger, p. 21.
13. Figure 7. Picture credit, Tetrad and the Signs of 2017,[https://earthsky.org/human-world/biblical-signs-in-the-sky-september-23-2017/]
14. Figure 8. The Great Pyramid’s Ascending Passage alignment with the Venus-Regulus union in Leo, 9-20-2017.
15. Figure 9. The 3 Belt stars of Orion reflect the 3 Pyramids of Giza,
The Orion Mystery, p. 134, Robert Bauval.
16. Decoding the Great Pyramid, p. 41, P. Lemesurier.
17. IBID, p. 45, P. Lemesurier.
18. Fig. 10 Picture credit; Pillar of Enoch Ministries, Lehman.
19. Decoding the Great Pyramid, P. Lemesurier.
20. Message of the Sphinx, p. 34, Graham Hancock & Robert Bauval.
21. Daniel Matson website [watchfortheday.com].
22. Fig. 11, picture credit; Message of the Sphinx, G. Hancock & R. Bauval.
23. Daniel Matson website [watchfortheday.com].
24. IBID
25. IBID
26. IBID
27. Witness of the Stars, EW. Bullinger, p. 59.
28. Fig. 13 pix credit; [http://godsamazingstarsecret.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-fourth-star-family-part-3.html]
29. Figure 14, pix credit, for Cepheus decan. [https://emmausroadministries.international/2020/06/05/the-real-story-in-the-stars-part-22-cepheus-the-king/]
30. Fig. 16 pix credit, [https://emmausroadministries.international/2020/06/05/the-real-story-in-the-stars-part-22-cepheus-the-king/]
31. Witness of the Stars, EW. Bullinger,
32. IBID, p. 103.
33. Official Fourth Dynasty list of artifacts; James H. Breasted,
34. The Dawn of Civilization, Gaston Maspero
35. Witness of the Stars, EW. Bullinger, p. 133.
36. Fig. 17.-Picture credit; IBID, Bullinger, p. 135.
37. IBID, p. 134.
38. IBID, p. 126.
39. IBID. p. 127.
40. The Mazzaroth, Frances Rolleston 1865, part 2, p. 30)
41. “Star Names their Lore and Meaning,” R.A. Allen says (1963, p. 304)
42. Picture credit for Figure 18. [www.Alamy.com]
43. Witness of the Stars, EW. Bullinger, p. 125.
44. Fig. 19, https://www.afrikaiswoke.com/ancient-kemets-dendera-zodiac-the-worlds-first-zodiac/
45. The Mazzaroth, Frances Rolleston, 1865.
46. IBID, #44.
47. The Gospel in the Stars, p. Joseph Seiss
48. Star Lore Myths Legends and Facts, p. 409 William Tyler Olcott
49. Fig. 20 Picture credit; Pleiades/Orion [Pinterest.com]
50. Fig. 21 Picture Credit; Biblical Astronomy Newsletter, Bob Wadsworth
51. Fig. 22 Picture credit; Stellarium 2
52. Fig. 23 Picture credit; Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger, p. 112.