The Menorah – Prophetic Tabernacle Plan – Celestial Symbolism

History of Biblical Astronomy
The Menorah

The Menorah

The cosmology of the Hebrew Menorah is an important topic to understand when it comes to the celestial symbolism of God’s divine prophetic plan for His Tabernacle and Temple in the Old Testament. The Menorah embodies the pattern of seven seen in the Creator’s Temporal order, beginning with the Creation Week, and extending through the pattern of seven year Sabbaths, leading to Pentecost and Hebrew Jubilee. We also find this plan in 7 Administrations, or ages of time that God set up from the beginning. The Creator spun the stars and planets in their heavenly orbits to reflect His universal pattern of growth life as seen in the phi ratio, and the Fibonacci number series to rule over the four seasons and the sacred rhythms of all life. As these stellar cycles dictate the Creator’s Temporal order in Nature, humanity can join in the flow of the Song of Creation in the circadian rhythms of life, as we grow and change through the seasons of Life. God has promised to keep these seasons turning as part of His covenant with Noah after the Great Flood, [Gen. 8:22]. The Cosmology of the
Menorah is a key aspect of the plan of the Tabernacle, depicting the heavenly order of our solar system based on the principles of the phi ratio. This comes to light mainly in Revelation 1:10-20 below, where Christ stands at its center, embodying the Sun of our solar system holding seven stars in his right hand.

 

God designed the plans and blueprints of the earthly Temple and Tabernacle based on the only original version of His Heavenly Temple, [Rev. 11:19]. Hebrews 9:11-12 also tells us that the heavenly Temple is the center of worship of the Creator and True God, and also where the godly angels minister to the One True God, [Ps 104:3-4]. In the graphic below we see the structure of the Tabernacle with its Outer and Inner Courts subdividing the double-square blue-print, based on the phi-ratio. The Interior of the Tabernacle was divided into two squares, the outer square was called the Holy Place, while the inner Square was a perfect cube, called the Holiest of All, containing the Ark of the Covenant. In the Holy place was found the Table of Shewbread, where its 12 loaves of Shewbread were placed, relating to the 12 tribes of Israel, symbolized in 12 precious stones of the High Priest’s Breastplate as he ministered to the nation of Israel in the Old Testament. We find this pattern mirrored in the heavens with the 12 major signs of the zodiac containing the celestial prophecies, and also in the New Testament as Christ chose 12 Apostles to minister to his church, along with the “seven angels of the seven churches.”

As we have seen in the number symbolism already pointed out in related studies, the number 120 continues to appear in key contexts. For example, the Holy Place in Solomon’s Temple had 10 Tables of Shewbread, each with 12 loaves, [10×12=120]. This is mirrored in New Jerusalem with 12 foundations of precious stones, also with the same number of 12 pearls, angels and apostles. This number symmetry is reflected in the Book of Revelation, in the New Jerusalem whose dimensions are 12,000 furlongs square, with a wall of 144 cubits, whose human residents number 144,000, [120 x 1200].  Added to the Table of Shewbread in the inner court, were the Golden Altar and the Menorah. Even as there were 10 Shewbread tables in Solomon’s Temple, so his Temple also held 10 smaller Menorah’s, each with 7 candlesticks [7×10=70 lamps], so there were 70 souls from Jacob’s loins [Ex. 1:5] multiplied as the stars of Heaven [Gen. 15:4-6, Deut. 10:22]. This number symmetry extends to the 70 elders ruling Israel, known as the Sanhedrin, and the 70 Sabbath years Jerusalem kept while Judah was in Babylon, [Jer. 35:11]. This carries to Judgement on Jerusalem of 70, 7’s completing its transgressions, to bring in everlasting righteousness, [Dan. 9:24].  This is mirrored in the NT as Jesus also chose 70 Disciples to spread his gospel, [Lk. 10:17].

tabernacle
Hebrew Tabernacle Plan

God’s instructions to Moses regarding the Menorah are set in Exodus 25:

Exodus 25:31-40
31 And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same. 32 And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side: 33 Three bowls made like almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick. 34 And in the candlestick shall be four bowls made like almonds, with their knops and their flowers. 35 And there shall be a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, and a knop under two branches of the same, according to the six branches that proceed out of the candlestick. 36 Their knops and their branches shall be of the same: all it shall be one beaten work of pure gold. 37 And thou shalt make the seven lamps thereof: and they shall light the lamps thereof, that they may give light over against it. 38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold. 39 Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. 40 And look that thou make them after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount.

Verse 37 indicates the purpose of the Menorah lamps, “that they may give light…’ It is noteworthy that this is the same purpose of the heavenly luminaries stated in Genesis 1:14-16. Interestingly, the word for “lights” in the firmament, [Gen. 1:14, 16: *H216-maor] is the same word used in reference to the lamps of the Menorah, (Exodus 20:27, 35:14). Moreover, the same Hebrew word referring to the Menorah’s individual lamps, also refers to the individual heavenly lights of the Sun and Moon in Gen. 1:16. So we see perfect relation between the purpose of the individual celestial cycles and the individual lamps of the candlestick, to shed light upon the Earth. The emphasis with a Sun-centered system is placed on the Light of God. God’s Light is the Source of Life on Earth, even as God is the Source of Light. The geometric structure of the Menorah reveals intricate details as we take a deeper look into the 3 Knops, 3 flowers and 3 Bowls on each of the branches off the central Menorah shaft. [Ex. 25:33] tells us of 3 bowls made like almonds, each with a Knob and Flower blossom on all 6 branches, showing [3x3x3=9] ornaments on each branch times 3 branches=27 on each side of the central Servant Branch [27×2=54], added to the 12 ornaments on the central branch [54+12=66]. Numerically this is interesting because there are 27 O.T. books in the Bible, and a total of 66 books in the entire Bible.  Since the Bible embodies all Scriptural light for Mankind, as a lamp unto our feet, [Ps. 119:105] it is a fitting truth. These numbers appear again related to certain heavenly cycles below, also mirrored in the 9 full series of colored curtains of Cherubimeach of 27 cubits on the Tabernacle’s internal walls.  It is interesting to note an correlation of these numbers to the internal and external measurements of the Tabernacle. The internal measures were 12 cubits wide by 29.5 cubits long. This links to the Luni-Solar cycle of 12 lunar months, with a 29.5308-day, lunar synodic month, [29 43/81 days]. The Tabernacle’s external measures were 30 cubits long by 12 1/3 cubits wide. The 12 1/3 cubits translates to 12.368 lunar synodic months per solar year [12 7/19] harmonizing with the luni-solar cycle 12/30 day months according to the Phi ratio, over the 50-year Jubilee period.

tabernacle plan menorah
Hebrew Menorah Mosaic


Revelation 1:10-20

10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What you see, write in a book, and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia; to Ephesus, and Smyrna, and Pergamos, and Thyatira, and Sardis, and  Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter; 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 candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.

  Verses 12-16 above relate the description of the “Son of Man” as the one in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks, shining as the Sun in his strength, [v.16]. This identifies the Sun, personified in Jesus Christ, [Mal. 4:2] holding seven stars, shining in the center of the seven branches of the candlestick. These seven heavenly luminaries are associated with the angels of the seven churches in Rev. 1:20. Here God’s Word draws a direct comparison, first, between the Sun in the center of the Candlestick, embodied in Jesus Christ. This sets the context wherein we can understand the symbolism of the other branches of the Menorah. Secondly, the angels of the seven churches are embodied in Seven Stars held in Jesus Christ’s right hand. At this point, we should notice the mythological roots of planetary symbolism, how the planets MercuryGabriel, Mars-Michael, Saturn-Satan and the Sun and light of the worldJesus Christ, also called the Covenant Angel named Wonderful, [Judg 13:18], are linked with these stars.

In Revelation 10:16 the word for “stars” in reference to the seven stars held in Jesus’ right hand in the Greek is the word “aster [*G792]. This word is used in reference to both angels and to heavenly bodies whether fixed or wandering stars, like the planet Jupiter [Matt. 2:2, 7, 9 & 10]. Matt. 2:2 is especially interesting in this light because here the Magi address the first question of the New Testament; “Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east and are come to worship him.”

As we have seen, Jupiter is proven as the star of the Messiah, and as the King planet, it is prominently mentioned by the Magi as identifying Jesus as the King of the Jews. Another Biblical title of the Messiah correlating to a stellar identity, is Jesus as the Morning Star, (Rev. 2:28, 22:16). This relates to the planet Venus, seen in it’s morning and evening star appearances. This title of the Morning Star only occurs one other place in God’s Word, (Isa. 14:12), in reference to Lucifer, while still in his angelic first estate. As the 1st bright and Morning Star, Lucifer was second only to God in authority, but his dominion over the angelic realm was stripped from him when iniquity was found in him, in his attempted coup’ in heaven. Christ has superseded him as the new Morning Star, and Lucifer’s former authority over the archangels Michael and Gabriel was transferred to Christ, who is seated at the right hand of the Father. Since Christ Jesus supersedes Lucifer’s original ministry as the Bright and Morning Star, the planet Venus symbolizes both an angelic and spiritual dominion as the “Covenant Angel named Wonderful,” [Judges 13:18]. This Covenant Angel whose name was not revealed, but kept secret at that point in the Old Testament, because as part of the mystery of Jesus’ future angelic dominion, had the princes of this world, or the operatives of the fallen Satan gotten wind of it, they never would have crucified the Lord of Glory, (I Cor. 2:8). This Hebrew word for “wonderful” [*H6382] also appears in the famous prophecy of Christ in Isaiah 9:6, describing him as a wonderful or miraculous Counselor. Those who follow his counsel will partake in the supernatural signs and wonders that are produced from belief in his Words. Even the Scribes and Pharisees called him Rabbi, [Jn. 6:25] so God’s Word recognizes Christ as a Marvelous Teacher, even as the Archangel Gabriel is named when delivering God’s messages unto men.

It is thus interesting that heavenly signs involving the planet Venus are included in the signs leading up to the Blood Moon Tetrad 0f 2014-2015. A Venus transit and a Total Solar eclipse, took place in 2012, as these events were prophesied in Mayan Astrology. On the 5th & 6th of June 2012, there was a Venus transit, along with a Solar eclipse on the eve of November 13th, both important dates on the Tzolkin Calendar of the Maya, foretelling these events over a 1000 years ago! This Solar Eclipse was one of two triads of Solar eclipses framing the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-2015, as singular heavenly beacons and signposts marking this Blood Moon Tetrad with particular emphasis. Venus transits many times occur in pairs, eight years apart. The last one happened in 2004, paired with the recent one in 2012, which appeared between the horns of Taurus, the Bull. Biblically, Taurus symbolizes the lord returning in judgment on mankind with his horns set to pierce and destroy his enemies. This marked the Mayan Acopcalypse, which as we all know did not happen exactly the way they predicted. It is however, instructive to realize what really goes on with a Venus Transit, since we won’t be seeing another one for quite a while. The graphic below depicts an example of the phi ratio geometry manifested in the fibonacci number series as it relates to Venus Transits, and the celestial dynamics of our solar system.    

Venus Transits 2004 / 2012
Venus Transit Pentagon

In the Almighty’s Intelligent Design of Creation, examples of golden section Symmetry embodied in phi ratio patterns abound in our solar system. They are God’s geometric finger prints indicating the pattern of natural growth-life, which only God can originate as the True Source of all living things. The Earth-the garden home of Man, abounds with examples of phi Symmetry in all Four Kingdoms of life. A beautiful illustration of this is found first in a comparison of Venus-Earth orbits. The 2 planets orbit the Sun in a phi ratio, harmony, depicted above in a geometic pentagonal pattern. Since their mean orbital distances link to  [1+1/phi2]:1.5
The phi ratio relationship is also found in Venus’ closest and furthest distances from the Earth, defined as [phi4 :1] to 99.99% accuracy, which are depicted as two 5-pointed stars, one within the other!Also when the 5 triangles associated with these stars are nested together, we find Golden Spirals emerging, as seen in the nautilus spirals at the center of galactic swirls millions of light years in diameter, forming the pattern of numerous spiral galaxies. Additionally, Venus forms a beautiful 5-petalled flower around the Earth every 8 years, equivalent to 13 Venus years, revealing the Fibonacci series [5:8:13] based on the phi ratio, ordering Space-Time planetary orbits in our solar system.7 This five-pointed star whose segments relate to phi, are also found in Nature for example in the center of an apple.  Only the Creator’s Hand working in His handiworks can account for this symmetric beauty underlying all Creation, since “random chance” most assuredly cannot.

The actual celestial scene referred to in the Mayan doomsday astrology is pictured below on 12/21/2012. Our view as we take an approach from Biblical Astronomy provides the wisdom of God’s Word applied to the message of the heavens, leading up to the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-2015. This sets a general context of the victorious return of Jesus Christ as prophesied by the Blood Moons and Solar eclipses referenced by the Prophet Joel.

Ophiuchus’ battle versus his enemy is pictured in this Constellation group as Scorpio and Serpens. This gives us an example of taking a composite view to glean the truth from these celestial signs. Man’s struggle for dominion against the serpent is highlighted by the temporary wound the serpent inflicts on him, as shown by the scorpion’s stinging of his heel [Gen. 3:15]. The star picture of this initial prophecy of the promised seed cannot be fully grasped, unless we take a composite view of this celestial scene [Ophiuchus, Serpens, Corona Sagittarius & Scorpius]. The same can be said of the four serpents in the sky, where the function and mode of operation of the evil one is concerned. A Biblical view of these celestial signs focused on the galactic center of the Milky Way Galaxy, is best understood as a representation of Genesis 3:15.

The graphic below from the Voyager17 Astronomy program depicts the sky on this predicted date for the end of the world, based on the Mayan Astrology. The primary components of the scene are Sagittarius, embodying the returning Lord Jesus Christ, riding his flying white steed in ultimate victory in the spiritual warfare against the dragon and his brood, represented by Scorpius the scorpion. The Sun is centered at the tip of Sagittaruis” arrow which is aimed at the red star Antares, the heart of the Scorpion, as its  being crushed from above by the foot of Ophiuchus, revealing the light of the world shining his inescapable light on the kingdom of darkness, totally exposing the evil works of the enemy while conquering and laying waste to them all.

Bruising the enemy's head
The Second Coming of Christ

As The Sun of God arises here with healing in his wings, the light of the world is pictured at the heel of Ophiuchus. This is the heel wound inflicted by the Scorpion, but his sacrificial death was not only temporary, but also the most liberating act mankind has ever experienced, since it was this singular sacrifice of  Christ, that freed all mankind from the slavery and tyranny of the Adversary. This loving sacrifice that fulfilled the Father’s masterplan to redeem mankind, was faithfully and obediently carried out by Jesus Christ, resulting in the
deadly wound he inflicts on the serpent. This image of Jesus as the great healer of all our wounds, as he delivers us with his perfect sacrifice, that only he could offer as the innocent blood and perfect man, is the ideal image to broadcast on the celestial showcase, leading up to the crescendo of the Victorious Second Coming of our Conquering Lord and Savior. As the Bible tells us in Joel 2:31 these celestial signs of the Blood Moon and Solar eclipses will occur before this great and notable day of the Lord comes to pass

As we uncover the spiritual context of the celestial signs surrounding the prophecies of Joel, we are awakened to some of the deeper truths surrounding the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-2015. Taken in the context of the series of Blood Moon Tetrads over the last 2000 years in ther history of Israel, we cannot help but notice a pattern emerging for those who have eyes to see and ears to hear and discern the signs of the end of days, leading to the victorious return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Footnotes

Strongs Concordance to the Bible was utilized for Greek and Hebrew Word definitions.

All Scriptural references are taken from the KJV unless otherwise stated.