The Announcement of the Messiah’s Reign
A Psalm of David.
110:1 The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” 2 The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
As King David wrote these inspired words from God, Who was prophetically addressing David’s Lord, [Jesus Christ], to sit at the Heavenly Father’s own right hand [Eph. 2:6-7], so we as the spiritual body of his Church can enjoy the same bird’s eye view of Creation, with his enemies under our feet; [Eph. 1:19-23]. God has sent us the Rod of His strength, embodied in Christ Jesus, out of Zion to rule over our enemies!
The Hebrew word for “rod” here [H4294–mattah], is a scepter of rulership, authority, and judgment. It is also used of a branch or staff linked with the tribal authority of each of the 12 tribes of Israel. #1 The word for “rule” here is [H7287-radah], meaning to tread down as crushing grapes with one’s feet or in a winepress; [Rev. 19:15], used of exercising dominion, to subdue, prevail, subjugate, or reign. #2 We can see this authority exercised by Christ in verses 5-6 below where; “He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. 6 He shall judge among the nations…”
There is also an interesting Talmudic idiom associated with this word, tied to the idea of taking bread out of an oven. #3 [Jn. 6:31-35, 48-58 G#740, 1Cor. 10:16-17, 11:23-34]. This idiom is one for birth, that survives today as; “she has a bun in the oven,” but more importantly in Communion. We have already seen references to this in Rev. 12 with the Birth and Second Coming of Christ where, the King of Kings is declared, in his everlasting righteous Kingdom is quickly set up. Rev. 12:5 says the “woman brought forth a man-child to rule” & shepherd nations with his “rod of iron,” comparing closely to this record in Psalm 110.
3 Your people shall be volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth. 4
The Lord has sworn And will not relent, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” [Heb. 7:10-28]
Ps. 110:4 provides another critical aspect of the Lord’s ministry to Israel and all Mankind; as High Priest. In the Jerusalem Temple as the Tabernacle, the High Priest always performed a special sacrifice once a year in the Holy of Holies, at the Ark of the Covenant, to cover the sins of Israel on the Day of Atonement. Since the blood of bulls and goats could never satisfy the requirements of man’s complete redemption, a more perfect sacrifice was needed, embodied in Jesus Christ as the Passover Lamb and the High Priest, not of Aaron’s Priesthood, but after the everlasting priesthood of Melchizedek. This Righteous Priest–king symbolized in Jupiter–the king planet, called the Zedek planet–a Hebrew word for “righteousness,” typified in the Messiah, Jesus Christ as Righteous King. Genesis 49:8-10 tells us this scepter is from Leo the Lion of Judah. The brightest star in Leo, the royal tribe out of Jacob’s seed is Regulus, meaning “king,“ in Hebrew–Melech. Thus the Jupiter-Regulus triple coronation in 3-2 BC, at the birth of Christ not only crowned the righteous King, but also formed the 2 elements of the title “Melchizedek,” reflected in the triple union of Jupiter– Venus in Leo, as these two brightest planets were aligned with Regulus in the Summer and Fall of 2015. Here we find two of the three callings of Christ as Prophet, Priest and King.
Figure 2. Christ the High Priest
In this light we can understand Balaam’s great prophecy in Numbers 24, below where the star, also identified with the scepter, is coming out of Jacob.
Num. 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh, there shall come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and he shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
“Star out of Jacob and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel“- Star = [H3556-kowkab],#4 Figuratively an illustrious Prince who is the star rising out of Jacob, holding the scepter as ruler over Israel. We note the figure of speech utilized in this verse regarding the authority of the sceptre held by the Prince. This “star” linked with the sceptre rising out of Israel, is a celestial reference to the sign of Leo the Lion with specific references first for it’s brightest luminary–Regulus the king star, and brightest star on the ecliptic also known as the “heart of the Lion.” The King’s sceptre is the symbol of his power over the heathens and those who oppose his purposes, as he will rule over them with unbending authority or a “rod of iron,” [Ps. 2, Rev. 19:15].
Regulus was known by the ancients as the fixed king star that is linked with this scepter. This fulfills Jacob’s prophecy, that one holding this scepter would arise from Judah according to Gen. 49. Secondly, the regal authority of this star is established in the king planet–Jupiter, whose dominion as we have just seen, was symbolized by Leo the Lion, of the tribe of Judah- providing the regal stock from which the kingly line of Israel arose, first in King David, and ultimately in Jesus Christ from the “root of David” [Rev. 5:5]. The triple planetary Conjunction of the mobile king planet-Jupiter, with the fixed king star-Regulus in Leo from 3-2 BC, thus aligns with the prophecy of Genesis 49: 8-10, showing the maturation of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Balaam’s revelation here in Numbers 24:17 gives a Scriptural basis for a link between the “star of Jacob” [Regulus] and “Jupiter’s– Sceptre,” to the advent of Christ the King, who rose out of Jacob’s genealogical line. Thus we can see maturation of the Lion from cub to the full prowess of the reigning King in the dual elements of Rev. 12, as they apply both his birth and sufferings, to the full glory and authority of his Kingship, as he establishes his kingdom on earth.
The details of the correlation between the triple Conjunction of Jupiter and Regulus in 3-2 BC, and the record in Gen. 49, are expounded in greater detail in the following video on “The Biblical Astronomy of the Birth of Christ,” seen below.
The Triple Conjunction of Jupiter-Regulus and Genesis 49.
As we just saw in the video above, the prophecies of Balaam in Numbers 23-24 correspond to Jacob’s prophecies in Genesis 49, because they not only both deal with the destiny of Jacob/Israel in general, but they prophesy of the Promised Seed- Jesus Christ specifically, in Rev. 12:1-5. The Prophesied man-child of Rev. 12:5 who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron, is the embodiment of the sceptre of holy power, that God “caught up” [G726-harpazo] to his throne at God’s Right Hand.
An evident and recurring dual theme in Rev. 12 is not only the birth of the King of Kings, but also the birth of his kingdom of everlasting righteousness. [Rev. 12:10]. Thus we find clear references to this kingdom, in the authority of he who rules with a rod of iron, symbolized in the king’s scepter-Jupiter. In a previous post [The Blood Moon Tetrad and the Rev. 12 Heavenly Signs [Part 2.] a “birth” of Jupiter from Virgo’s womb, leads to a Rev. 12 sign –Sept. 23rd, 2017, leaving Virgo after after 42 weeks in retrograde, a normal human gestation period.
This fits with the connotations of the Hebrew word for “rule” noted above in Psalm 110:2, linked to the Talmud’s birth idiom., for the coming King. As this emphasis was evident in the skies of 3-2 BC, at Christ’s birth, so we see the triple Conjunction of Jupiter–Venus set to take place in 2015, all in Leo, the first of which we find forming in the heavens at the writing of this post. A key element confirming the Jupiter–Venus unions is their alignment with Regulus on the ecliptic in Leo, carries not only the original import of Regulus‘ triple coronation, with the king planet Jupiter, but Regulus as seen with Venus the Bright and Morning Star bears critical weight [Rev. 2:27-28] also! The planetary symbols of these unions depict the King planet Jupiter-uniting with Venus–the Bright and Morning Star, aligned with Regulus in Leo- the Lion of Judah, [Rev. 5:5], over a four month period.
These planetary unions were followed by Jupiter–Venus unions in Virgo in 2016-17. This Triple Conjunction of Jupiter–Venus, the two brightest stars in the skies after the Sun and Moon, is key especially with the addition of Mercury, leading up to their planetary alignment with Regulus in Leo, forming Virgo’s Crown in a repeat of the Rev. 12:1-2; “Great Wonder in Heaven” on Sept. 23rd, 2017.
The following list dates not only the Jupiter–Venus unions in Leo during the transition from the Hebrew Sabbatical year to the Jubilee year of 2015-16, but other notable planetary conjunctions and heavenly signs in Virgo and Leo in this period:
June 30th- July 1, 2015 [Jupiter–Venus]
July 17th, 2015 [Venus–Regulus in Leo]
July 31st, 2015 [Jupiter–Venus in Leo]
August 5th 2015 [Venus–Mercury in Leo]
August 6th, 2015 [Regulus-Jupiter–Mercury in Leo]
August 7th [Jupiter–Mercury in Leo]
August 7th [Mercury–Regulus in Leo]
August 11th 2015 [Jupiter-Regulus in Leo]
August 29th 2015 [Venus–Mars]
Sept. 13th 2015 [Partial Solar Eclipse]
Sept. 17th 2015 [Sun clothing Virgo with the Moon at her feet]
Sept. 17th 2015 [Mercury–Spica in Virgo]
Sept. 21st 2015 [Hebrew Jubilee Year opens on the Day of Atonement]
Sept. 28th 2015 [Final Super Blood Moon, Feast of Trumpets]
October 8th, 2015 [Venus–Regulus in Leo]
October 17th-18th, 2015 [Jupiter–Mars in Leo]
October 21st, 2015 [Orionids Meteor Peak]
October 25-26th, 2015 [Jupiter–Venus]
October 28th, 2015 [Jupiter–Venus, Mars unite in a 1 degree triangular massing] in 2016.
October 29th, 2015 [Mercury–Spica in Virgo]
Nov. 2-3rd, 2015 [Venus–Mars]
We find that the sky is thick with heavenly signs leading up to and including the Final Super Blood Moon of the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad. The first notable signs show a Venus–Regulus union bracketed by two Jupiter–Venus Unions in the first 3 signs in July of 2015! This is a conspicuous opener as we consider the importance of
As there were 3 Jupiter–Venus Conjunctions marking the birth of Christ in 3-2 BC, so this triple union of Jupiter–Venus aligned with Regulus in Leo, reflects a similar spiritual light in 2015. In fact the Rev. 12 heavenly sign: the [Sun clothes Virgo with the Crescent Moon at her feet] on September 17th, 2015 is declared by Mercury-Gabriel located just outside the womb area of Virgo above Spica/ Al Zimach, 2 years before the repeat of the Great Wonder in Heaven, on Sept. 23rd, 2017! But there will be more heavenly signs involving Jupiter–Venus after this, leading up to the birthing of Jupiter in retrograde motion in Virgo. As we compare Jupiter’s retrograde in 2017, with Jupiter’s movements at the birth of Christ, we find some key correlations. First, it was the planet Jupiter that led the Magi to Jerusalem in search of the Promised seed. In [Matt. 2:2,9] the Magi saw Jupiter [his star in the east; G395-Anatole] meaning “in the rising.”5 Jupiter’s annual orbits including its retrograde motion, began according to Dr. Earnest Martin, on December 25 in 2 BC. As Martin states:
“Jupiter arrived at its ordinary time for retrogression and it became stationary among the stars. But this time something unusual happened. In 2 BC as seen from Jerusalem, Jupiter came to its normal stationary position over Bethlehem on December 25th…not only that, the planet assumed its stationary position while in the middle of the Constellation of Virgo, the Virgin.” 6 Thus, according to Dr. Martin, the same astronomical motion forming Jupiter’s 3 Conjunctions with Regulus, its annual retrogression, or retrograde motion triggered Jupiter to stand still in the heavens for 6 days near the crossing point of the ecliptic and the Meridian mid-body in Virgo. This took place during celebration of the Feast of Dedication-Hannukah in December of 2 BC.
Also recall the relationship between the cycles of the Sun and Jupiter, and that it was the Sun, mid-bodied in Virgo for the 20-day period, in 3 BC from August 27 to September 15th, that marked the birth of Christ. Martin goes on to say that:
“on December 25th, 2 BC at the ordinary time for the pre-dawn observations, of the Magi, Jupiter appeared in Meridian position (directly over Bethlehem) at an elevation of 68 degrees above the southern horizon. This precise position would show the planet shining directly down on Bethlehem while it was stationary among the stars.” #7
Martin’s assertion that Jupiter began its retrograde motion on December 25th, 2 BC, agrees with research by V.P. Wierwille regarding the beginning of the Feast of Dedication, that year from 12-22nd to 29th. Wierwille, also points out that;
“As the Magi left Jerusalem, they saw Jupiter on its nightly course. Looking south they saw it high in the sky, nearing its apex on the Meridian of Jerusalem and Bethlehem.” #8
As, the king planet-Jupiter was mid-body in Virgo, even as the Sun was during the birth of Christ, mirroring the light of the world, clearly marking the birth-place of the King of the Jews for the Magi. These key celestial indicators for the Magi, who would have seen the spiritual import of “his star” Jupiter, in Virgo’s mid-section during December in 2 BC, directly over Bethlehem, revealed the birthplace of the King of Kings, who would inherit David’s throne.
The next conjunction, May 23, 2024, is one of those that occurs too close to the sun for easy observation, although the August 12, 2025, conjunction is easily visible before sunrise. The table below outlines the prospects for the next five Venus–Jupiter conjunctions.
| Venus–Jupiter Conjunctions, 2024-2028, Chicago, Illinois | ||
| Date | When | Notes |
| May 23, 2024 | a.m. | The planets are only 0.2° apart, but the conjunction is only 3° from the sun. Not easily visible. |
| August 12, 2025 | a.m. | One hour before sunrise, Venus is nearly 20° up in the east-northeast. Venus–Jupiter, 0.9°. |
| June 9, 2026 | p.m. | One after sunset, Venus is over 15° above the west-northwest horizon. The Venus–Jupiter gap, 1.6°. |
| August 25, 2027 | p.m. | The planets are 0.5° apart, but about 4° from the sun. Not easily visible. |
| November 9, 2028 | a.m. | Forty-five minutes before sunrise, Venus is over 20° above the east-southeast horizon, 1.7° from Jupiter. Spica is over 10° below Venus. |
Last year’s two “blood moons” came as Israel entered a final stage of a military campaign to defeat Hamas and free Gaza from its terrorist infestation. And that came on the heels of Israeli and US efforts to end the Iranian nuclear threat with direct military strikes inside Iran.
With that uncertain geopolitical stage as a backdrop, the world just saw a “ring of fire” solar eclipse on Feb. 17, 2026. On Feb. 27-28, 2026 the Planets aligned for US & Israel’s strike on Iran, that is set to be followed by a 3rd “Purim Blood Moon” on March 3, 2026, a few days later. This culminates 3 months later with a June 9th, 2026 post sunset Jupiter–Venus Union with only a 1.6° gap between the planets.
Aug. 12, 2026. Total solar eclipse, & [8/27/26]
The first of those events is a “ring of fire” eclipse where the moon will pass between Earth and the Sun, without entirely eclipsing the Sun, allowing a halo of its fiery glow to still be seen. The “ring of fire,” also known as an annular solar eclipse, will mainly be visible in southern South America, Africa, and the Atlantic.
The second event, the “blood moon,” will last for nearly an hour on March 3, 2026, and will be visible across the Americas, Australia, and Asia.
The third major celestial event of this year, the total solar eclipse, will pass over the Arctic Ocean, Greenland, Iceland, the Atlantic Ocean, Portugal, and northern Spain.
‘A Golden Age of Solar Eclipses’: 3 Total Eclipses and 3 ‘Rings of Fire’ in 3 Years
The Feb. 17 “ring of fire” and the Aug. 12 total solar eclipse also kick off a new series of eclipses in each category. Space.com has dubbed this unusual schedule of events “a golden age of solar eclipses.”
Starting in February, we will see a cycle of three “ring of fire” eclipses within just three years, as well as a series of three total solar eclipses within those same three years.
The “rings of fire” will occur in Feb. 2026, Feb. 2027, and Jan. 2028. Then, in August, we will kick off a stretch of three total solar eclipses in just 710 days. The three total eclipses will occur in August 2026, August 2027, and July 2028.
In the blood moon on March 14, 2025, the lunar surface turned red for more than an hour over North and South America. The second one on September 7, 2025, lasted 82 minutes and was visible over Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
The third blood moon in this series will arrive on the Jewish holy day of Purim, on March 3, 2026. It will be visible for nearly an hour from Asia to parts of North America.
If you would like to read the full story, you can visit our content partners at CBN News.
Here are Blood Moon Eclipses including 3 consecutive Purim Lunar Eclipses over the last three years;
5 Eclipses in 2024
3/24-25/2024 Purim Total Eclipse
4/8/2024 Total Solar Eclipse
9/17-18/24 Partial Lunar Eclipse
10/2/24 Annular Total Eclipse
10/17/24 Lunar Eclipse
4 Eclipses in 2025
- Mar 13–14, 2025 — Purim Total Lunar Eclipse
- Mar 29, 2025 – Partial Solar Eclipse (this page)
- Sep 7–8, 2025 — Total Lunar Eclipse
- Sep 21, 2025 – Partial Solar Eclipse
4 Eclipses in 2026
- Feb 17, 2026 – Annular Solar Eclipse
- Mar 2–3, 2026 — Purim Total Lunar Eclipse
- Aug 12, 2026 – Total Solar Eclipse
- Aug 27–28, 2026 — Partial Lunar Eclipse #12
As the 2025 Purim Lunar eclipse was in process between Leo and Virgo, it was located exactly where the Head of Virgo is crowned near the Tail of Leo, as the Moon passed from the constellation Leo, the Lion the coming Lion King-Jesus, to Virgo, the virgin, or bride.
Jon Nessle taught us the record in his recent 8/15/23 Session 1b of Chapter 5 in the OT History class, when Persian King Darius I–reached his golden scepter to his beautiful Queen Esther, [Est. 5:1-3] upon entering royal courts uninvited, resulted in saving his Jewish populace, from Haman’s planned genocide. #13 With futuristic views, Cassiopeia can also embody the saved bride of Christ, he delivered. Even as King Darius I saved all Israel with his extended scepter, so Christ has saved all Israel and his Church, who embody two versions of Christ’s Bride, and the “Woman” of Rev. 12:1-2, 4-6, 13-17. Cepheus has set his foot over the North Pole Star; “Al Ruccaba” depicted in a time-lapse photo below, showing how all the stars centered around the King of Kings. [I Cor. 15:24-28].
These signs and constellations at the North Pole, or circumpolar stars are reflective of the “Royal Family” since they never set. The ancients called them the imperishables. With the King’s right foot standing over his 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.
Figure 3. Cepheus Decan with Cassiopeia and Ursa Minor.#14
Even in a veiled mythology we find in the light of the narrative of a returning Good Shepherd-redeemer shining through to deliver his flocks, whom he laid down his life for.
“Star out of Jacob and a scepter shall rise out of Israel“; Star=[H3556; kowkab] #15. Figuratively an illustrious Prince who is the star rising from Jacob, holding the scepter as ruler over Israel. We notice a figure of speech utilized in this verse regarding the authority of the scepter held by the Prince.
This “star” linked with the scepter rising out of Israel, is a celestial reference to the sign of Leo the Lion with specific implications first for it’s brightest luminary, of the Lion.” The King’s scepter is the symbol of his power over the heathens and those who oppose his purposes, as he will rule over them with a “rod of iron,” or unbending authority, [Ps. 2, Rev. 19:15].
Regulus was known by the ancients as the fixed king star linked to this scepter. This fulfills Jacob’s prophecy, that the one holding this scepter would arise out of Judah according to Gen. 49. Secondly, the established regal authority of this star found in the king planet–Jupiter, whose authority we have just seen, symbolized by Leo the Lion, of the tribe of Judah that provided the regal stock from which the kingly line of Israel arose, 1st in King David, later in Ahasuerus/Darius 1-Esther’s husband and ultimately in Jesus Christ from the “root of David” [Rev. 5:5]. The triple planetary Conjunction of a mobile king planet–Jupiter, with a king star-Regulus in Leo [3-2 BC], aligns in Gen. 49: 8-10 prophecies, showing a Maturing of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Balaam’s message in Num. 24:17 provides a Scriptural basis for the link between the “star of Jacob” [Regulus] and the “Sceptre–Jupiter,” to the advent of Christ the King, who came from Jacob. So we find a mature Lion King, from cub to full prowess of the reigning King in dual elements of Rev. 12, applied not only to Christ’s Birth and full sufferings, but also including authority and glory of the line of Kingship, leading to Christ as he establishes his kingdom on Earth.
As we consider the import of the Penumbral Lunar Eclipses in 2016, and the Purim Blood Moon, of March 2025, we uncover a relation to the Penumbral Lunar Eclipses that took place in 70 AD marking the Roman’s destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This shows us the mark of God’s Judgment on Israel as seen in the history of the Sieges of Jerusalem, which total 27 in number; [9×3] including 3-the number of divine completeness related to Judgment=9.
This Siege of Jerusalem is the 20th such instance, in the history of Israel, this one being carried out by forces under Roman Titus in 70 AD, as the Temple was burnt in spite of Titus’ orders against it .#16
The following summary from our Biblical Blood Moon Calendar post, shows the 70 AD Roman Temple Destruction as Jesus Prophesied, [Matt. 24:1-2]. I’ve added the three Consecutive Purim Eclipses, from 2024-2026 for this blog.
Figure 4. Solar & Lunar Eclipses in 69-71 AD. 2016 Solar & Lunar Eclipses omitting Adar 2:
Partial Lunar Sukkot 10/18/69
Total Solar Nisan 1 3/30/70 Total Solar Eclipse 3/9/2016-Nisan 1
Penum Lunar Passover 4/14/70 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Passover 3/23/2016/ Nisan 14
Rev. 12 sign [central sign] 8/27/70 with a Jupiter–Venus union!
Annular Solar Rosh Hash 9/23/70 Annular Solar Eclipse 9/3/2016/Trumpets Feast
Penum Lunar Sukkot 10/08/70 Penumbral Lunar Eclipse 9/16/ Sukkot 9-16 to 9/23/16
Partial Lunar Purim 3/4/71
Total Lunar Purim 3/24-25/24 Total Lunar Eclipse
Total Lunar Purim 3/14-15/25 Total Lunar Eclipse
Total Lunar Purim 3/2-3/2026 Total Lunar Eclipse
Added notes of interest for Chart below refers to the Nisan 1–Total Solar Eclipse on 3/30/70 above, mirrored in the upcoming Blood Moon Eclipse also on 3/30/2033 that’s reflected during the times of Esther on 3/31/471 BC. Please refer to the Comparison Chart for Repeating Eclipses from modern AD dates of 2024-2033 to BC dates of Ancient Israel/Persia under King Darius I-Queen Esther, from 480-469 BC.#17 A more comprehensive Chart covering all dates along these lines is forthcoming soon.
Comparison Chart for Repeating Eclipse Tetrads |
||||
| Eclipse Date | AD | Sun/Moon | Eclipse Date | BC |
| 3/30/2033 | AD | Lunar | 3/31/471 | BC |
| 4/14/2033 | AD | Solar | 4/14/471 | BC |
| 9/23/2033 | AD | Lunar | 9/23/471 | BC |
| 10/8/2033 | AD | Solar | 10/8/471 | BC |
The 69-71 AD Blood Moon Tetrad marking the Roman’s destroying the Temple 400 years after the Repeating Matching Eclipses of Esther & Mordecai from 469-480 BC is reflected also in the Solar & Lunar eclipses of 2016, leading to the 2017 rewind of the Great Wonder of Rev. 12:1-2. Amazingly, another version of this Rev. 12 Celestial Wonder takes place on August 27th, in 70 AD, [Plate 1.] below, between a 4/14/70 Passover Lunar Eclipse, and a 9/23/70 AD Rosh Hashanah Solar Eclipse! The idea that the Rev. 12 sign appears in the 69-71 AD Eclipse Tetrad with an 3/4/71 Purim Partial Lunar Eclipse sets an early precedent linking the Rev. 12 sign with a Jupiter–Venus Union, in a context of Purim Blood Moon Lunar eclipses.
Plate 1. The Rev. 12 sign on August 27th, 70 AD: with a Jupiter–Venus union! #18
The woman’s 1st level Crown of 12 stars, with Jupiter and Venus in such close union, they appear to merge into one star in a singular light, foreshadowing a Jupiter–Venus union near Christ’s birth in 2 BC, except this time they are seen in Leo’s lower rear paw, establishing Virgo’s 1st level crown, [Plate. 2] below showing the first level of Virgo’s Crown focusing on 12 stationary stars over Virgo’s head, around Leo’s tail with the star Denebola, and a 70 AD Jupiter–Venus union in Leo’s hind paw.
Plate 2. The first level of Virgo’s stellar Triple Crown.#19
These 12 immobile stars are constant, unlike the stars of the 2nd level Crowning of Virgo seen in the nine constant stars of Leo along with key planetary formations at prophetic times in celestial history. Therefore, a first level Crown of 12 stars provides an constant witness to the celestial Crowning of the Woman-Virgo, all year around, not just on special days to open the Hebrew calendar in Tishri, [Christ’s Birth] at the inception of the Hebrew Civil Year when the Sun clothes Virgo. These 12 stars above Virgo’s head with the star Zavijava encircles Leo’s tail and lower hind leg [see Plate 1] with 4 stars in Virgo and 8 Leonine stars.
As the Sun clothes Virgo with the Moon near her feet, the King Planet Jupiter & Venus align with Mercury-Gabriel at the King Star Regulus in Leo, forming a 2nd level crowning of Virgo, with 3 extra planets. The focus of this version of the Rev. 12;1-2 Sign, is it occurs central in the Eclipse Tetrad–sealing the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem’s Temple. This was also the last time Israel ruled Jerusalem till the 6-day war of 1967, marked by a 1967-68 Blood Moon Tetrad.
This 1st level Virgo crowning also foreshadowed a Celestial Sphinx prophecy of Christ’s birth-3 days before the first of 3 Jupiter–Regulus unions marking the birth of Christ 9/11 in 3-2 BC, this triple crowning of Regulus mirroring the Triple Crowning of Virgo.
It is key to note if a ripe Barley determination was made by the Total Solar Eclipse on March 9th, 2016 it would also have aligned with Nisan 1, as seen above with the same sign on 3/30/70 AD! As remarkable as this comparison of Solar and Lunar eclipse signs between 70 AD and 2016 is, it’s more striking when we consider their relation to Purim Eclipses! As seen in the above Eclipse Comparison Chart; a Purim Blood Moon in 71 AD was the last Purim Lunar Eclipse we can find in the intervening period till a Total Purim Lunar Eclipse in 2016. We find intriguing parallels here in that these Solar & Lunar eclipses marked the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD, while today we await the return of a 3rd Temple in Jerusalem-a next logical step in fulfilling Bible Prophecy, tracking on Israel’s reclamation of Jerusalem, with the 1967-68′ Blood Moon Tetrad, in the 6-day War with Egypt. Thus we find key aspects of these Luni–Solar Eclipses, not only in 2016-17 but also again in 2024-2026 as they align with the only other Purim Eclipses on Hebrew Feasts that do not cluster as Blood Moon Tetrads over the last 2000 years!
Are there other links between Esther and the Rev. 12 Sign?
As we view elements of the 2nd Book of Esther we find strong viable links to the record of Rev. 12.
Revelation 12 records the Crowning of Virgo, that we have referenced in detail, even as Israel’s Queen/protector–Esther was Crowned by King Xerxes I in Est. 2:18 below, even inaugurating her own Purim Feast to her!
15 Now when the turn of Esther, the daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had taken her for his daughter, was come to go in unto the king, she required nothing but what Hegai the king’s chamberlain, the keeper of women, appointed. And Esther obtained favour [2580–chen; favor, grace, charm, 69x in OT, 47x– “find favor in the eyes of” often in relations of inferior-superior, in Prov. aesthetic charm or beauty from 2603; chanan-gracious inclination, favorable, kind, mercy, lovely, espec. to needy. 2604 Aram. equiv. Dan. 4:24, 6:12, implore favor.] #20 in sight of all them looking upon her. 16 So Esther was taken to king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in 7th year of his reign. 17 And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace [2580–chen]; and favor [2617-checed; the attitude of God’s Love, 1 Jn. 4:8, 16] that contains mercy in His Eternal Covenant relations with Israel, [Ps. 136]. The lovingkindness & benevolent beauty of God. From [2616–chacad; kind & merciful, 3x in OT, here, 2 Sam. 22:18-26, 40, Ps. 18.26.#21
This set Esther far above the other concubines of King Ahasuerus!] in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her Queen instead of Vashti. 18 Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther’s feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.
The figure Polysyndetyn; many “ands” emphasized the key elements of vs. 15 & 17, showing what set Esther apart from other women. Her amazing heart for God and her loving compassion for His people made all the difference for her. The Lion King’s Love for his Queen Esther is exemplary to Christ’s love for his Bride – the Church, was beyond compare [Eph. 5:21-33]. Thus she was worthy of Grace and Kingly Favor, resulting in the King crowning her whose wondrous grace and favor were as the Sun clothing her, and the Moon under her feet. So her head was crowned with 12 stars as she embodied the unity of God’s People.
An evident and recurring dual theme in Rev. 12 is not only the birth of the King of Kings, but also the birth of his kingdom of everlasting righteousness. Thus we find clear reference to this kingdom, in the authority of he who rules with a rod of iron, symbolized in the king’s scepter–Jupiter. In a previous post [The Blood Moon Tetrad and the Rev. 12 Heavenly Signs [Part II.] we noted how the birth of Jupiter from Virgo’s womb, links to Christ’s kingdom at God’s Right Hand in Rev. 12:5. Once Christ was born and completed his earthly ministry he was caught up in his Ascension to God and his throne in the period leading to the Rev. 12 sign on Sept. 23rd, 2017. This date saw Great Pyramid signs of the Christ angle alignments with a Venus–Regulus union in Leo. This fits the context and connotations of the Hebrew word for “rule” [7287-radah; subdue, reign, prevail, dominion, Joel 4:13, Gen. 1:28, Num. 24:19, 1 Kg. 5:4] noted in Psalm 110:1-6.#22 As this emphasis was evident in the sky in 3-2 BC, at the birth of Christ, we also find the triple union of Jupiter–Venus in 2015, in Leo, two years ahead of the 2017 signs, as a Celestial Prelude to the Return of Christ, a as Celestial Encore, seen in the signs of 5 BC leading to 3 BC. A key element of these Jupiter–Venus unions was their alignment with Regulus on the ecliptic in Leo, carried not only the original import of Regulus‘ triple coronation, by Jupiter the king planet, but the bright and Morning Star-Venus‘ adding its beauty also [Rev. 2:27-28].
June 30th- July 1, 2015 [Jupiter–Venus]
July 31st, 2015 [Jupiter–Venus]
October 25-26th, 2015 [Jupiter–Venus]
October 28th, 2015 [Jupiter–Venus, Mars unite in a 1 degree triangular massing]
These planetary unions were followed with added Jupiter–Venus unions that took place in Virgo in 2016-17. This Triple Conjunction of Jupiter–Venus, the two brighter stars in the heavens after the Sun and Moon, was notable especially with the addition of Mercury, [Rev. 5:5]. The dates above show Jupiter–Venus unions in Leo during the Hebrew Sabbatical/Jubilee year of 2015:
BLOOD MOON TETRAD 2014-2015 Summary
Sept. 13th 2015 [Partial Solar Eclipse-Rosh Hashanah]
Sept. 17th 2015 [Sun clothing Virgo with the Moon at her feet] Rev. 12
Sept. 17th 2015 [Mercury–Spica in Virgo]
Sept. 23rd, 2015 [Hebrew Jubilee Year opens on the Day of Atonement]
Sept. 28th 2015 [Final Super Blood Moon, Feast of Trumpets]
October 8th, 2015 [Venus–Regulus in Leo]
Super Blood Moon over Jerusalem
On Sept. 17th the Sun appears in Virgo clothing the stellar woman of Israel, with the Moon at her feet, as found in [Rev. 12]. For added emphasis the planet Mercury-Gabriel is in union also on the 17th, with Spica-Al Zimach. This star tells a unique story of the Messiah Jesus Christ’s 4-fold ministry as King in Matthew, Son of Man in Luke, Servant in Mark and Son of God, in John, as the Four Gospels relate the Ministry of Christ.
Viewing the ministry of Christ embodied in 7 feasts of Israel above, when we combine the narrative of Jesus‘ birth signs from [Rev. 12], that also relate the story of his victorious Second Coming seen in the dual significance of the Bible’s record in [Rev. 12], we find an emphasis placed on this theme by the Hand of the Almighty that can’t be ignored. As we’re in a generation of 1948’s reformed nation of Israel (fig tree) to witness the time of the Lord’s return we must heed Christ’s warning (Luke 21:32). As Christ said; “This generation shall not pass away until all these things take place.” (Matt. 24:32-34). The miracle signs God has shown to help Israel win wars vs. Arab-Muslim enemies, with far less troops and equipment, recalls Old Testament battles as God delivered His people.
The key celestial signs with our solar system planets of Christ’s Birth in 3-2 BC were 3 Jupiter–Venus unions, that forecast 3 Jupiter–Venus Conjunctions in 2015, with added Heavenly signs of Jupiter–Venus at his birth. On Aug. 27-28th of 3 BC, a Planetary massing of Jupiter–Venus & Mars held alignment of
3 planets, with king star Regulus in Leo, forming a 12 star Crown overhead of Virgo. This 2015 Rev. 12 sign planetary alignment in Leo; with Sun clothing Virgo and Moon at her feet] was repeated on Sept. 23rd, of 2017!
The Great Pyramid’s witness in Biblical Archaeo-Astronomy embodies [2 Peter 1:19-21], in Venus‘ Morning Star alignment with Regulus at dawn on Rosh Hashanah, 9–23–2017, via the Christ angle measures in the Pyramid’s Ascending and Descending passages. If these heavenly signs point to a key future sunrise Dawning of The Lord’s Day to Return FOR his Saints, fore-shadowed in the Sept. 2017 signs, we will hold our Hope & faith in Christ-opening to Everlasting Righteousness in the Lord Jesus Christ.
With an interval of 1260 days, between the 9-28-15 Passover Blood Moon, and the Rev. 12 sign falling 9/20 to 9/23/2017, a Feast of Trumpets; fell 9/21. Between the Great Pyramid sign of a Christ Angle alignment in Leo, and a Rev. 12 sign and Wonder, the Pyramid depicts other alignments in Orion’s Belt, in the last remaining Wonder of the Ancient world, that we should recognize.
Plate 3. The Great Pyramid’s Ascending Passage alignment with the Venus–Regulus union in Leo, 9-20-2017 on Rosh Hashanah, as the Coming Prince in Orion, is found at the Meridian alignment of Al-Nitak at dawn. #23
As the Great Pyramid Sunset alignments opened to New Years Day on Rosh Hashanah in Sept. 2017, added Sunrise alignments with the Great Pyramid’s Ascending Passage union of Venus–Regulus in Leo. This key 9/20/17 lineup & union was built-into the Ascending Passage Christ angle as the Great Khufu Pyramid was constructed, not to be revealed for thousands of years, on Rosh Hashanah, with added alignments of the 1st Star Al-Nitak in Orion’s Belt, via the Great Pyramid’s missing Apex. [vertical Green line]
We must envision the multiple horizon alignments of the Great Pyramid with the rising and setting Sun on this pivotal day in history, with the narratives of truth they each carry. As the Apex alignment of the Great Pyramid goes thru the star Al-Nitak, the next 2 Giza Pyramid’s also link to belt stars in Kaphre/ Al-Nilam, & Menkaure/ Mintaka, in Plate 3, with the next two stars of Orion’s Belt. Not only is the planet Venus aligned with Regulus, but Mars & Mercury were also aligned with Venus and Regulus in Leo, and these 3 Pyramids on the Giza Plateau. The key aspect of the Rev. 12 sign of 3 planets in Virgo’s Crown was the Sept. 23rd, 2017 alignment with Orion’s three Belt Stars–a prophecy of Orion-Christ’s return. As the Celestial Prelude prophesied of Christ’s birth in his first Advent, so these key Celestial Signs prophesy of our Lord’s Return also.
In Plate 3, the Great Pyramid’s Apex/Chief-cornerstone, is aligned in “the Coming Prince,” Orion, specified in “the wounded one,” Orion’s key Belt star; Al-Nitak, The Great Pyramid alignment in Orion’s Al Nitak, watched over the birth of Christ, at Bethlehem @51.51 degrees, New Year’s–Rosh Hashanah, on his birthday – 9/11/3 BC. We find the Great Pyramid’s Apex/Chief Cornerstone aligned in the star Al Nitak at zenith/ meridian, also on Rosh Hashanah again in 2017, linking the two key dates together for all time. [Isa. 28:16, Eph. 2:19-22]
The Year of Jubilee began on September 23, 2015, the Day of Atonement, two years to the day ahead of the 9-23-2017, Feast of Trumpets with the signs of the Great Pyramid alignments set to return in 2028, we must continue to serve the Lord, and be ready to walk through those “golden doors” that God will open for us.
Romans 8:22-23, “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.” (NIV)
As we consider the impact of the Purim Blood Moon Lunar eclipse: that came to life before our eyes this past weekend. On March 29th the Nisan 1 eclipse will follow suit. As I watched the Purim Blood Moon form over my house, it was one of the more thrilling astronomical events I’ve seen, and I’m blessed to bring you folks my observations!
Spectacular Venus-Regulus conjunction in early October!
Depending on where you live worldwide, the planet Venus and bright star Regulus – Heart of the Lion in the constellation Leo – will sweep closest together on our sky’s dome on the morning of October 2 or 3, 2020. But don’t wait until then to see them. Get up before dawn tomorrow (as much as 90 minutes before sunrise) and look eastward. You can’t miss Venus. It’s the brightest starlike object in the the eastern predawn sky. Regulus will be the bright star nearby. Venus and Regulus are already in the same field of view in binoculars. They’re a beautiful and interesting sight, coming together in a way that won’t happen again for another 8 years.
Regulus, in Leo, ranks as a 1st-magnitude star, that is, one of our sky’s brightest stars. This star pales next to dazzling Venus, the planet of love and beauty, now well over 100 times brighter than Regulus. If your sky is lit with city lights, and you see Venus but not Regulus, aim binoculars at Venus, and Regulus should come into view. We think most of you will see both objects with the unaided eye, though. In fact, we think people around the world will notice the very bright object in the east before sunup (Venus) with a fainter, but still pretty bright, object (Regulus) nearby and think:
What is that?!
The actual conjunction of the planet and star – when the two meet in right ascension on our sky’s dome – will fall on October 3 at 00:00 UTC. Translate UTC to your time. At that time, Venus will pass extremely close to Regulus, a bit closer than 0.1 degrees south of the star. For reference, that gap between Venus and Regulus at their closest approach is about 1/5th the moon’s angular diameter.
We in North America won’t witness this exact moment of conjunction, by the way. It’ll take place when Venus and Regulus are below our horizon.
But, no matter where you live, maybe you can see the pattern of stars around Regulus? To see these stars, you’ll need to look as long as possible before sunrise, when the sky is still as dark as possible. This pattern has the shape of a backwards question mark. It’s not a constellation in and of itself, but it’s a noticeable pattern within the constellation Leo: an asterism shaped like a backwards question mark. This asterism in Leo is called The Sickle.
But no matter where you live, and whether or not you can view the scene at the precise moment of conjunction, be sure to enjoy the close coupling of Venus and Regulus in the predawn and dawn sky on October 2 and 3, 2020.
Where is the best place on Earth to be, to witness this conjunction? From the right spot on Earth (western Asia), Venus will come achingly close to brushing against Regulus. Just remember, although Venus and Regulus are nearly on the same line of sight on the sky’s dome, they are not close together in space. Venus is a touch more than one astronomical unit (Earth-sun distance) from Earth, whereas the star Regulus is way out there, at about 79 light-years distant. One light-year equals 63,240 astronomical units, and one astronomical unit equals about 93 million miles or 150 km.
Venus is well known for its 8-year cycle, whereby this world returns to virtually the same spot in the starry heavens every 8 years. This is because Venus circles the sun 13 times for every time Earth circles the sun 8 times. The 8-year cycle means that Venus will again meet up with Regulus for super-close conjunctions in two years in early October 2028, 2036 and 2044.
Read more: The 8-year cycle and 5 ‘petals’ of Venus
By 2052, the Venus-Regulus conjunction will take place in late September instead of early October.
The conjunction of Venus and Regulus on October 1, 2044, will count as super special because Venus will actually occult (pass directly in front of) Regulus on that date. We consulted SKYCAL about the next three Venus–Regulus conjunctions in October 2028, 2036 and 2044. Here’s what we came up with:
October 2, 2028, at 06:44 UTC: Venus passes 0.1 degrees south of Regulus
October 1, 2036, at 20:00 UTC: Venus passes 0.1 degrees south of Regulus
October 1, 2044, at 09:21 UTC: Venus passes 0 degrees of Regulus (occultation)
Will you be around to see these sky events? We hope so!
Planetary occultations of 1st-magnitude stars are extremely rare. The last time it happened was when Venus occulted Regulus on July 7, 1959, and the next time will be when Venus occults Regulus on October 1, 2044. Before 1959, the last time it happened was when Venus occulted Spica on November 10, 1783, and after 2044, the next time will be when Venus occults Spica on September 7, 2197.
There are a total of 11 planetary occultations of 1st-magnitude stars during the time period from 1000-3000 A.D.
September 2, 1080: Mercury occults Regulus
September 11, 1128: Venus occults Regulus
October 30, 1201: Venus occults Antares
November 10, 1783: Venus occults Spica
July 7, 1959: Venus occults Regulus
October 1, 2044: Venus occults Regulus
September 2, 2197: Venus occults Spica
August 1, 2253: Mercury occults Regulus
October 6, 2271: Venus occults Regulus
November 17, 2400: Venus occults Antares
August 6, 2608: Mercury occuts RegulusSource: “Mathematical Astronomy Morsels” by Jean Meeus, page 160.
Note: Before 1582, the dates are given by the Julian calendar, while those after 1582 are Gregorian calendar dates
Bottom line: Brilliant Venus, in and of itself, is worth getting up for, but the tantalizingly close encounter of Venus with the star Regulus – gearing up to happen now in our predawn sky – won’t happen again for another 8 years.
About the Author:
Bruce McClure served as lead writer for EarthSky’s popular Tonight pages from 2004 to 2021, when he opted for a much-deserved retirement. He’s a sundial aficionado, whose love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia and sailing in the North Atlantic, where he earned his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. He also wrote and hosted public astronomy programs and planetarium programs in and around his home in upstate New York.
Jon Paulien
There are five texts in the book of Revelation that include a time period covering 1260 days in one form or another. Two of these texts specifically utilize the phrase “1260 days” (Rev 11:3 and 12:6), two others the phrase “42 months” (Rev 11:2 and 13:5), and the fifth the enigmatic “time, times, and half a time” of Daniel 7:25 (Rev 12:14, cf. Dan 12:7).
Chapters 12 & 13 of Revelation contain repeated references to Daniel 7. There are also strong allusions to Daniel 12 in Revelation 10.1 So the use of this time period in Revelation is based on Daniel 7:25 (cf. Dan 12:7) more than it is on Elijah’s drought or the length of Jesus’ ministry. It is exegetically appropriate, therefore, to study all seven 1260-day texts in Daniel and Revelation together, as Adventists have done in the past.There are five texts in the book of Revelation that include a time period covering 1260 days in one form or another. Two of these texts specifically utilize the phrase “1260 days” (Rev 11:3 and 12:6), two others the phrase “42 months” (Rev 11:2 and 13:5), and the fifth the enigmatic “time, times, and half a time” of Daniel 7:25 (Rev. 12:14, cf. Dan 12:7).
Chapters 12 and 13 of Revelation contain repeated references to Daniel 7. There are also strong allusions to Daniel 12 in Revelation 10.2 So the use of this time period in Revelation is based on Daniel 7:25 (cf. Dan 12:7) more than it is on Elijah’s drought or the length of Jesus’ ministry. It is exegetically appropriate, therefore, to study all seven 1260-day texts in Daniel and Revelation together, as Adventists have done in the past.
I. Revelation 11
The first two occurrences of the 1260 days are found immediately following Revelation 10:8-11. In Revelation 11 John continues to be engaged (Rev 11:1-2) and addressed (11:3ff.) by a voice in heaven (Rev 10:8). The standpoint from which John experiences chapter 11 may be his own. Since the 42 months and 1260 days are expressed in the future tense, these periods of time were future from the standpoint of John.
The two witnesses themselves are introduced in Revelation 11:3-6. The introduction includes a description of their appearance and of their characteristics and actions in the present (11:4-6) and in the future tenses (11:3). Whatever interpretation we place on the two witnesses, they had some role already in John’s first century context. At some later point in history, they would “prophesy” for 1260 days, clothed in sackcloth. Then they would experience death, resurrection, and ascension (11:7-13). The response to this ascension by the “remnant” in the great city (fear and giving glory to God—Rev 11:13) is the response called for in the first angel’s message of Revelation 14:7. So this response would seem to be an end-time event, just before the sounding of the seventh trumpet.
II. Character Sequences in Revelation 12
Adventists have traditionally understood Revelation 12 to offer an apocalyptic prophecy of three sequential stages of Christian history. The first stage is the Christ-event back in the first century (Rev 12:1-5). The third is the final battle between the dragon and the Remnant (12:17). The second is the vast middle period of 1260 years (Rev 12:6, 14). [of papal supremacy in the Middle Ages and beyond (Rev 12:6, 13-16). Support for this view can be found in the way two of the characters in the narrative go through successive experiences over time.
First of all, a woman appears in heaven, clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head (12:1). The woman of Revelation 12 has a “pedigree” that carries back well into the time of the Old Testament prophets.3 But in verse 5 she acts in the context of the vision, giving birth to a male child who is generally recognized to be a symbol of Jesus. After she gives birth to the child (12:5) she is seen fleeing into the desert for “1260 days” (12:6). So the experience of the woman in Revelation 12:1-6 is actually depicted in three stages: (1) the time of her appearance & pregnancy; (2) the time of giving birth; and (3) the time of fleeing into the desert.
The second character to be introduced in this chapter is the dragon (Rev 12:3-4), who represents Satan (Rev 12:9). Scholars widely recognize that the dragon’s attack on the male child in Revelation 12:5 represents Herod’s attempt to destroy the Christ child (Matt 2:1-18).4 Prior to his attack on the male child, the tail of the dragon sweeps a third of the stars out of the sky and flings them to earth (Rev 12:4). After his attack on the male child, the dragon pursues the woman into the desert (12:13-16) and eventually makes war with the remnant of her seed (12:17). So the chapter 12 dragon in is described in terms of four successive stages: (1) his attack on a third of the stars (12:4); (2) his attack on the male child (12:4-5, 7-9); (3) his attack on the woman herself (12:13-16); and finally (4) his war against the remnant (12:17). The first of these stages is prior to the action of the vision, which begins with the dragon’s threat against the male child.
III. Three Phases of Action in Revelation 12
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The Time of the First Advent. Stage 1 of the visionary sequence of Revelation 12, then, focuses on the dragon’s attack against the male child in v. 5. When the male child reaches heaven war breaks out there, resulting in the dragon and his angels’ loss of their place in heaven and are hurled down to earth (12:7-9). When did this casting out of heaven take place? When Jesus sat down next to the Heavenly Father, at his Ressurection and Ascension the devil was kicked out of heaven, down to earth. Verse 10 clearly addresses the same point in time as the war of verses 7-9. So the first phase of the visionary sequence runs from the incarnation of Jesus through the expulsion of Satan from heaven.5
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The Broad Sweep of Christian History. Revelation 12, verses 6 and 12, both seem to mark a transition between the time of Jesus’ first-century mission, on earth in verse 5 and in heaven in verse 10, and the woman’s exile into the desert. Since the language of Revelation 12:6 (1260 days) and 12:14 (time, times, and half a time) is clearly parallel, and both follow events related to the first century, it is likely that they cover the same historical period.
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The Final Attack on the Remnant. Revelation 12:17 is not only the conclusion to chapter 12, it serves as a summary introduction to Revelation’s portrayal of a great final crisis at the conclusion of earth’s history (Rev 13-14). It indicates that there are two sides in the final conflict, represented by the dragon and the remnant of the woman’s seed.
In Revelation 12, therefore, one can detect three stages of Christian history running from the time of Jesus and John to the end of all things. When we note that at least two of the main characters in the chapter were active in the time before the birth of Jesus (which we will call Stage Zero below), there are a total of four successive stages of history. These can be summarized as follows:
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1) Stage Zero: Before the Time of the Vision (12:1-4) The original war in heaven (4) 2) Stage One: The Time of Jesus and John (12:5, 7-12) The woman gives birth to the male child (5) 3) Stage Two: The Serpent Attacks the Woman (12:6, 13-16) The dragon pursues the woman (13) 4) Stage Three: The Dragon and the Remnant, (Rev 12:17, etc.) The dragon is angry and goes away to make war (12:17) |
The two 1260-day texts of Revelation 12, then, both occur in Stage Two, the central period of Christian history. They characterize something important about the history between the first-century mission of Jesus and the final battle at the end. This median location in time after the writing of Revelation parallels the situation of the two occurrences in chapter 11. This is further evidence that all five occurrences of “1260 days” are a reference to the same period of history.
IV. Revelation 13
Revelation 13 outlines in more detail the dragon’s final war against the remnant of the woman’s seed (Rev 12:17). This could suggest that the reference to “42 months” in Revelation 13:5 belongs to the final battle and is, therefore, not to be equated with the four earlier references. However, a little noticed feature of chapter 13 is the way the tenses of the main verbs shift at significant points throughout the chapter. These tenses need to be read in the context of the final attack of Revelation 12:17. Two beasts (from the sea and the earth) are first intro’d using verbs in the past tense (aorist, imperfect, and perfect indicatives—Rev 13:1-7; 13:11).6 In New Testament Greek, aorist indicative verbs express action as a point of time in the past. The actions in these introductions, therefore, occur prior to the dragon’s final war against the remnant (Rev 12:17; 13:8-10, 12-18).
In each of the two scenes (Rev 13:1-10 & 11-18), the Greek of Revelation 13 moves from an introductory description in the past tense (Rev 13:1-7; 13:11) to a mixture of present and future tenses (Rev 13:8-10; 13:12-18), describing the actions of these two beasts in context of the final attack of Rev 12:17. So two stages of history are clearly marked off by the Greek tenses signaling events prior to the dragon’s war (past tense) and the events of the war itself (present and future tenses).7
Revelation 13, therefore, does not contain all four stages of the dragon’s war, as described in Revelation 12. It offers info related to the last two stages of his actions, listed as Stage Two and Stage Three in the chart for Rev 12. The past tense portions of Revelation 13 correspond to Stage Two, the events before the final battle. The present and future tenses of the main verbs in chap. 13 correspond to the final attack on the remnant, first mentioned in Rev. 12:17. Note the relationship between Revelation 12 and 13 in the following chart:
Relation of Revelation 12 and 13
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Rev 12 |
Rev 13 |
Grk. Grammar | |
|
Stage One |
Dragon vs. Male Child (v. 5) Enthronement of Christ (v. 7-12) |
||
|
Stage Two |
1260 days (13-15) Earth helps woman (16) |
42 months (1-7) Beast from the earth (11) |
Past tenses in chapter 13 |
|
Stage Three |
Dragon vs. Remnant (17) |
Worldwide worship of the Beast (8-10, 12-18) |
Present & future tenses in chap 13 |
The 42-month period of Revelation 13:5, therefore, is not part of a final battle (Stage Three) of Christian history. The beast from the sea “is given authority” to rule for 42 months. The sea beast’s actions does not move into the present or future tenses until verse 8. As part of Stage Two, the 42 months of Rev. 13:5 belong to the middle period of church history, between events of 1st advent of Jesus and the events leading up to his second coming. Note a comparison of all three chapters in Revelation where 1260-day passages occur. They firmly entrench at the heart of the Christian era, not at its edges.
|
Rev 11 |
Rev 12 |
Rev 13 |
|
10:8 – 11:1 |
12:1-5, 7-12 |
— |
|
11:1-13 |
12:6, 13-16 |
13:1-7, 11 |
|
11:15-18 |
12:17 |
13:8-10, 12-18 |
V. Conclusion
The traditional Seventh-day Adventist historicist perspective is that the five 1260-day prophecies of Revelation 11-13 all refer to the same period of history, the middle period of Christian history between the time of John and the events of the end. This perspective is exegetically sound. While John gives no evidence that he is aware of 2000 years of Christian history, his prophetic message clearly marks out the three stages of that history and the central role of the 1260 days within it.
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Compare Rev 10:5-6 with Dan 12:4-7.
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Rev 12:1-2 is based on the Old Testament image of a virtuous woman as a symbol of faithful Israel (Isa 26:16-27; 54:5; 66:7-14; Hos 2:14-20).
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Beale, The Book of Revelation, 639; and J. Ramsey Michaels, Revelation, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1997), 147.
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While the heavenly war of Rev 12:7-9 is set in the context of Jesus’ Ascension to heaven in AD 31, it echoes an earlier war described briefly in Rev 12:4 (the dragon’s attack on the stars of heaven). That war took place before the creation of earth (Rev 13:8 ).
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I am referring to the main verbs, of course, not verbs in subordinate clauses, whose tense is not relevant to the point.
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Rev 13:1-7 = past tense; Rev 13:8-10 = present and future tenses; Rev 13:11 = past tense; Rev 13:12-18 = present and future tenses.
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I am indebted to the chart by Hans LaRondelle in “The End-Time Message in Historical Perspective,” Ministry, December, 1996, 13.
Celestial Signs in 2026: Another Blood Moon, a Ring of Fire and Total Solar Eclipse
