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The Feast of Hannukah and the Magi

Birth of Jesus Christ — **The Feast of Hannukah and the Magi**

In our previous December blog post for 2017, we looked at the astronomical heritage of the Magi going back to Abraham. This final post for 2017 will focus more on this heritage through Daniel, as we compare some of the celestial signs that brought the Magi to Jerusalem during Hannukah week in 2 BC, to current heavenly signs in 2017.

“The truth regarding “his star” became accessible knowledge to the Magi going back to when the Persians took over the Babylonian Empire {Daniel 5:31}. As recorded in Daniel 6, at the time of transition, Daniel retained the high position he had held under Babylonian rule. According to Daniel 6:3, Daniel was again set over the Magi, and therefore could fully instruct them in the accurate knowledge of Biblical prophecy written in the stars. Thus, Daniel and his Judean companions in the courts of Nebuchadnezzar the Babylonian, and Darius the Persian passed their knowledge of the history and spiritual significance of the Constellations to the Magi who preserved it and hence were aware of the promise of the birth of the Judean King.” ¹

In the context of Daniel’s many Messianic prophecies, he founded and lead the Magi as the legitimate group of astronomers, preserving the principles of the Bible Patriarchs, that would play a key spiritual and historical role in recognizing and presenting gifts at the birth of the Messiah. As Gentile astronomers in recognition of the promised seed, the Magi were some of the first non-Judeans to realize the coming glory of the Son of God, as the prophecy of the Magi in Isaiah 60:3-6 indicates: “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”

Around 600 years before the birth of Christ, Daniel as Rab-mag, and chief of the Magi, proved to be an exceptional man of God. Daniel’s distinguished career not only included being a principal administrator in two world empires-the first two empires prophesied in King Necbuchadnezzar’s dream of the Great image [Dan. 2:31-47], but also wielded great political power as “ruler over the whole province of Babylon,” with his Judean companions, [Dan. 2:48-49]. The ancient Magi formed a Priesthood of the Medes known for their profound spiritual knowledge, with special expertise in interpreting dreams. Darius the Great empowered them over the state religion of Persia, [Dan. 6:1-3]. In this capacity, where both civil and political counsel was invested with religious power, the Magi became the supreme priestly caste of the Persian empire, continuing their prominence into the Seleucid and Parthian empires. Their duties even included the choice and election of the king of the realm.

Figure 1. Daniel interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, [Dan. 2:31-47].

Since the times of Daniel, the fortunes of both the Persian and the Jewish nations were closely related. Both the Persian and Israelite nations fell under Seleucid domination following the conquests of Alexander the Great. Israel regained its independence under Maccabean leadership, as the Persians became the ruling group within the Parthian Empire.

From the book of Daniel and historical sources, the meaning of the “abomination of desolation” in one sense is the desecration of the Temple when Antiochus IV set up a statue of Zeus in the Jerusalem Temple and sacrificed a pig on the altar on December 25, 167 BC, honoring the birth of the Sun god. With this act of desolation Antiochus is seen as a forerunner of the future anti-Christ, who will also defile the third Temple. This desolation of the temple motivated the Jews into a revolt resulting in their political independence for the first time since the Babylonian Captivity. As Judah Maccabee marched into Jerusalem to purify the Temple, idols were torn down and the defiled temple altar was dismantled with a new altar and holy vessels to replace them. The first day of a new feast was set to re-dedicate the Temple on the 25th of Kislev, the same day when, three years earlier, Antiochus issued his decree. This end of foreign rule has been celebrated in the current Jewish festival of Hanukkah, meaning “dedication” (of the sanctuary) from 164 B. C. until today. This feast however is not recognized as one of the main seven feasts on the Hebrew Calendar starting with Passover. Even though Hannukah was not a feast sanctioned in the OT Law, the Jews honored this feast with much esteem.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Tradition tells us however, when Judah offered prayers of dedication in the Temple in 165 BC, only one vessel of sanctified oil was found—enough for one day. Miraculously, it burned for eight days! This is remembered by the kindling of lights for eight days, in the lighting of the Menorah Lamp. With this miraculous spiritual recognition, the Feast of Dedication [John 10:22], not only memorialized the removal of idols and idolatry from the Temple during this period of the Maccabees, but Jesus Christ also honored this feast celebration during his ministry. In 27 AD when Jesus opened his ministry to Israel, there were 9 weeks from the end of the Feast of Tabernacles on Oct. 11th, [Tishri 22] to the start of the Feast of Dedication on Dec. 13th 27 AD [Kislev 25] in the late fall and early Winter of 27 to 28 AD, during which time Jesus sent out the 70, [Lk. 10:1-24].

John 10:22-25

²²And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. ²³And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. ²⁴Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. ²⁵Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.

Reverting back to the time of the Magi’s trek to Jerusalem, “The Star of Bethlehem,” as it has been known in tradition for centuries, has caused untold confusion with regards to the birth-date of Jesus Christ. Much of this confusion is due to the fact that the Magi actually presented their gifts to the child Jesus on Dec. 25th, 2 BC who was about 15 and 1/2 months old by this time. This holiday via Roman Catholic tradition, related to the pagan holiday Saturnalia, on the Winter Solstice that was celebrated as “Christ-mass,” once Christianity became the official state religion of Rome. However believer’s with any knowledge of this subject realize this was not Christ’s birthday. Dr. Earnest Martin documents the many reasons why the Eclipse of 4 BC, which many historians have favored, does not qualify as the sign marking the death of Herod. Instead, Dr. Martin makes a very strong case for the Jan. 9, 1 BC Blood Moon Eclipse as the one marking Herod’s Death. This provides a temporal framework for the birth of Christ on Sept 11th, 3 BC one hand, with this January 1 BC Eclipse on the other, when Jupiter was observed in the skies over Jerusalem and Bethlehem by the Magi.

Upon leaving the massing of planets in August of 2 BC, Jupiter continued in its westerly retrograde motion observed by the Magi in their normal early morning observations. It entered Virgo by December 4th of that year, shortly before dawn, where it took up a Meridian position during the conjunction of Venus-Mars. The eclipse that shortly preceded Herod’s death occurred on January 9, of the same year. Thus it was sometime during this five week period from December 4th to January 9th that the Magi journeyed from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and saw the star of Matt. 2:9.“²

As Dr. Earnest Martin relates:

“…This apparent westward motion of Jupiter each day would have indicated to the Magi to proceed in the same westward direction toward Jerusalem.“ During their visit with Herod, the Magi were directed to Bethlehem by the input of the Judean Scribes.” ³

Figure 2. The Caravan of the Magi entering Jerusalem.

Matthew 2:2
Saying, 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.

This question from the Magi is the first question in the NT, and very pointed one directed at Herod, who had secured the title of “King of the Jews” from Augustus Caesar, but was not able to secure Jerusalem for another three years, until after five months of Roman siege. History has no problem recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s Capital city although the UN today and the Palestinian’s are unwilling to do so. Herod gained the throne of a thorny buffer state situated between two dominating world empires of Rome and Parthia, and as then, this continues to show Jerusalem and Israel as perhaps the most contested and important piece of real estate in the world.

” Herod and his scribes had directed the Magi to Bethlehem because of a scriptural prophecy. Now the star confirmed this location by appearing directly before them as they approached the city of David. Both Scripture and the Heavens were directing them. Interestingly, their journey brought them to Jerusalem in December, at which time a joyous festival called the Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah, took place. The significance of this time is apparent when one considers that the Feast of Dedication marked the restoration of worship in the Temple after a period of foreign occupation. Now, the Magi were coming to pay respect to, or worship, the young King of the Judeans, who was the true Temple.“ ⁴[emphasis mine]

On December 25^th, 2 BC, from our website study; “The Stars over Bethlehem,” Jupiter became stationary for six days in Virgo, due to its annual retrograde motion during the Feast of Dedication, at the time of the Winter Solstice. Although Hannukah is a joyous time for Israel, and a time for gift giving, this was the opposite theme of Solstice festivals celebrated by the pagan Gentiles. Since the start of the eight day celebration of Hannukah began on December 23^rd, the Magi presented their gifts on the 3rd day of this festival. The Jews viewed Hanukkah as a 2nd feast of Tabernacles symbolizing their redemption with and the entire world to God. No fast, or mourning was allowed during the eight days of this time of joy and festivity. From the Jewish perspective, there was no better time for the Magi to present their gifts to a child in Israel than at the time of Hanukkah. Here all of Israel commemorated their triumph over the idolatry of the Gentiles and the renewal of their lives to the God of Abraham.

In a previous blog post last month we referenced the truth that the Gentile Magi arrived during Hannukah-the festival of lights, as a 2nd Feast of Tabernacles, allowing for those who missed the first one in September. It is fitting that the initial Gentile recognition and response to the light of the world took place during the festival of lights, showing God’s Grace to all mankind, [Hag. 2:7]. The timing of the winter Solstice is also key here because the Gentile Magi appeared at the expected birth of the heathen sun-god, but honored the true Son of God instead, marking a much needed transition from the heathen world’s idol practices, to the true veneration of the Promised Seed-Jesus Christ.

With both Mars and Venus in Ophiuchus, during this sign in December of 2 BC, we can see the archangel Mars-Michael, standing to protect the ascendant Morning star-the young toddler Jesus, during this time of the enemy’s attack. A noteworthy point here is Jupiter was standing still in the heavens for about six days during the Hanukkah celebration, near the intersection of the ecliptic and the Meridian in Virgo. This focuses our attention on the path of Jupiter intersecting the ecliptic; the Sun’s path, pointing out the celestial relationship between Jupiter and the Sun, not to mention their kindred symbolism.

Martin states that:

… while Jupiter was in its “standing still” position in Virgo over Bethlehem, so the Sun was also “standing still.” All know that December 25th is in the usual period of the Winter Solstice. The word Solstice means “Sun stands still.” These stationary coincidences of Jupiter and the Sun are quite related, and would have appeared significant… ⁵

Both the King Planet and the Sun were standing still during the week of Hannukah the Festival of Lights in 2 BC! This brings us to Hannukah from 12/13 to 12/21 in 2017, where the heavens are alive with follow-up celestial signs in the wake of the Rev. 12 sign of 9/23/2017. We see Jupiter in Libra moving towards the first of a triple union with Zuben El Genubi, seen below.

Figure 3. 12/21/2017 union of Jupiter-Zuben El Genubi in Libra, with Mars near Spica in Virgo. 6

The significance of Libra not only refers to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but also includes the judgement of God on mankind. The ONLY way man can be weighed in Libra’s balances and NOT found wanting, is believing in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God who bought our redemption by spilling his innocent blood at the cross, [Rom. 10:9-10]. This truth is embodied in Libra’s star, Zuben Al Chemali-the Price that Covers! 7

Jesus is the only one ever who was not only qualified, but actually laid down his life for all mankind, making him the only Way of Salvation, the Alpha and Omega-the first and last way God made available for the redemption of all humanity. Last month in our Nov. 15th blog, I supplied the Christ-centric interpretation of the Saturn-Venus union in Sagittarius which follows. In this blog we will see an alternative view of this sign based on the first of the four riders of the Apocalypse. [Rev. 6]

To brighten our holiday season this year, there is a Christmas Day conjunction of Saturn and Venus in Sagittarius! On Dec. 25th, 2017 Venus the bright and Morning Star unites with Saturn, displaying Christ’s victory over the evil one, as seen in Sagittarius where our quickly returning Lord Jesus Christ is portrayed in triumph, conquering to conquer! Here the star picture of the mounted Archer has his arrow aimed at the red heart of the Scorpion–Antares, while the foot of Ophiuchus crushes the Scorpion’s heart. As we noted in our previous blog post, Saturn has just completed its triple union with Saiph, the star in Ophiuchus’ other foot which was stung by the Scorpion, bruising the heel of the 1st and 2nd Adam’s, [Gen. 3:15]. This shows Satan’s persistent evil to obstruct God’s purposes any way he can, even though he knows he is defeated. This planetary conjunction near the conqueror’s Bow, shows the deadly accuracy of our Lord’s aim [Figure 4] to destroy the works of the enemy, [I John 3:8b].

The Hannukah feast and celebration is founded upon the defiling of the Jerusalem Temple by Antiochus IV. As a forerunner of the future anti-Christ who will declare himself-God in the third Jerusalem Temple [2 Thess. 2:3-12], the celestial signs surrounding Hannukah week deserve closer scrutiny. We find during the week of Hannukah on 12/17/2017 a massing of planets in Ophiuchus, [Fig. 4] and Venus in union with the star Saiph in the Serpent-bearer’s bruised foot. This planetary alignment in Ophiuchus includes the presence of Mercury, and the Sun. Also both the Moon and Venus are located in Ophiuchus’ wounded leg. This takes place eight days prior to the Christmas day union of Venus and Saturn in Sagittarius. Sagittarius like certain other Mazzaroth signs can have a dual meaning depending on the planets occupying its space. In the classic sense of the Sun moving in the 12 houses of the Mazzaroth [Ps. 19], each sign carries a specific meaning regarding the Sun of God-Jesus Christ, [Mal.4:2]. However, when a planet like Saturn-Satan enters a sign of the zodiac, it carries a darker significance related to the enemy. Normally, the 12 Mazzaroth signs tell of the Christ, but when we see Saturn in Sagittarius we may also be viewing signs related to the anti-Christ, especially during Hannukah for the reasons stated above. As we shared in some recent blogs, the Saturn-Saiph triple union in Ophiuchus occurred while Jupiter was in Virgo’s womb. These concurrent triple conjunctions resulted from the retrograde motions of the planets involved. This also included the Mercury’s retrograde around Regulus in Leo, as Jupiter was exiting the womb of Virgo. Mercury’s retrograde during this time occurred from Aug 13 to September 5, 2017. As Jupiter departed Virgo’s birth canal, Saturn was moving towards the bow of Sagittarius. It is interesting that one of Sagittarius‘ brightest stars is named Nunki-meaning the prince of the earth, which also relates to the anti-Christ. We find an example of this in [Dan. 9:25-27] where the first prince refers to the Messiah in v.25, but the second prince comes with his army to destroy the city and the sanctuary, not something the Messiah will ever do. This prince was Titus the future Roman Emperor, who like Antiochus VI was a forerunner of the Antichrist. 8

Figure 4. Massing of Planets in Ophiuchus during Hannukah Week in Dec. 2017. 9

As stated above, Venus the bright and morning star in its lead up to the Christmas day union with Saturn, is in conjunction with the star Saiph in Ophiuchus’ foot. This is a follow-up to the previous triple union between Saturn and Saiph, which completed Sept. 6th 2017. As Venus joins Saturn in Sagittarius we can see elements of Rev. 6 coming to life.

Rev. 6:1-2

1. And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. +²And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

Sagittarius is pictured below as a mythical beast called a Centaur-which forms the combined bodies of a horse and a man. So we have a bowman riding a horse, unified with his steed, with his crown [Corona Australis] going forth conquering to conquer…Daniel spoke about “beasts” in his prophecies [Dan. 7:17, 23] in reference to kings that would arise out of the earth. John in the book of Revelation [13:18] also refers to the number of the beast. 10

Figure 5. Sagittarius and Scorpius-Jamieson

As a follow -up to the Mercury retrograde concluding the first week of September 2017, Mercury’s next retrograde, according to NASA began in Sagittarius on December 3rd, encompassing the entire week of Hannukah 2017. A result of Mercury’s final retrograde of 2017 includes a triple union with Saturn in Sagittarius. The first conjunction of Mercury-Saturn on November 28 is the first in this series of three Mercury-Saturn conjunctions. A triple conjunction is when two planets, or a planet and star, appear together in close proximity on three different occasions in a short time-frame. The second Mercury-Saturn conjunction occurs on Dec. 6, 2017, when Mercury moves less than 1.5^o under Saturn. After the 2nd meeting of Mercury with Saturn, the messenger planet in retrograde unites with Venus, heralding the bright and morning star on December 15. The third union in this triple conjunction will be the closest of this series, with Mercury swinging about 0.7^o (seven-tenths of a degree) south of Saturn on January 13, 2018. This Jan. 13th conjunction next year will be easily visible [Fig. 6], in the morning sky since the shining Crescent Moon will spot-light Mercury and Saturn together.

Figure 6. The third of three unions of Mercury-Saturn from Nov. 28th 2017, to Jan. 13th, 2018. 11

The fall and winter of 2017 has been a beehive of triple planetary conjunctions leading up to and surrounding the Rev. 12 sign on 9/23/2017. I have linked many of the studies that tell this story in this final blog post of 2017, especially for the many new friends we have welcomed into the Biblical Astronomy Fellowship this year! If you take the time to check out the details of these linked studies, it will bless you in getting a fuller picture of what the Heavenly Father has set in the heavens for our edification for a time such as this. It is a genuine pleasure to meet you all, and I’m enjoying all the comments and feedback with all of your individual contributions!

Its a joy to share with such a fun and sharp bunch of folks, and I wish all of you the best of Holiday Seasons and the opportunity to help each other into a prosperous and blessed New Year!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

God Bless each and every one of you and your families…

Amen!!

Footnotes

1. Jesus Christ our Promised Seed, American Christian Press, p. 17.

2. THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, Dr. Earnest Martin

3. IBID, Dr. Earnest Martin p. 47.

4. Jesus Christ our Promised Seed, American Christian Press, p. 63-64

5. THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, Dr. Earnest Martin

6. Picture credit on Plate 3: https://jeffreylhunt.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/2017-2018

7. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger p. 46

8. The Abomination of Desolation and other Prophetic terms of Biblical Eschatology [ppg. 4,8] Jon Nessle

9. Stellarium Ophiuchus Planetary Alignment Hannukah 2017.

10. The Abomination of Desolation and other Prophetic terms of Biblical Eschatology [ppg. 4,8] Jon Nessle

11. Bruce McClure “Tonight” Saturn-Mercury 1st of three [http://earthsky.org/tonight/mercurysaturn-conjunction-on-november-28]

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The Biblical Astronomy of the Christmas Day Signs in 2 BC and 2017

The Biblical Astronomy of the Christmas Day Signs in 2 BC and 2017

This week we were all reminded of the importance of the Jupiter-Venus conjunction series and the critical role it has played regarding the birth of Christ, with their dazzling June 17th, 2 BC union, as Jupiter and Venus were closely aligned in Leo. As we have noted this continuing series related to the Celestial Sphinx relating to the modern Blood Moon Tetrads, our eyes have been opened to the key role embodied by this series, with its end-time applications. The Nov. 13th, Jupiter-Venus union saw the King Planet and the bright and Morning Star, less than 1/3 of a degree apart, 1 [Rev. 22:16]. During the Jupiter-Venus conjunction, Mars was mid-body in the constellation Virgo. Both Mars and Jupiter are moving east, Mars towards Virgo, and Jupiter moving towards Libra. Following the celestial signs around the 9/23/2017, Rev. 12 sign, Venus is involved in some noteworthy activity. While moving through Leo playing its part in forming the 12 stars in Virgo’s Crown and the 2017 triple union of Mercury-Regulus, Venus and Mars converge in Leo, remaining in close proximity in the first week of October. Rising in the dawn skies of October 5th, Venus passes 2 tenths of a degree from the arch-angel Mars-Michael, as seen in Plate 1 below. 2

Plate 1. Oct. 5th, 2017 Venus-Mars Conjunction in Leo

On Nov. 19th, after leaving its union with Venus, Jupiter unites with Zuben El Genubi in Libra, on its easterly ecliptic path into Sagittarius.
After the November 13th Jupiter-Venus union, the king planet continues on its ecliptic approach entering Libra, where it will remain forty-one weeks, in a subsequent 9-month retrograde into 2018. This is the first of a triple union between Jupiter and Zuben El Genubi in Libra, that will be completed in summer of 2018, resulting from Jupiter’s retrograde in Libra. The dates for this triple union are supplied below; 3

1. 12/21/2017 union of Jupiter-Zuben El Genubi in Libra.
2. 6/2/2018 union of Jupiter-Zuben El Genubi in Libra.
3. 8/15/2018 union of Jupiter-Zuben El Genubi in Libra.

In later Nov. 2017, we find Mars the archangel Michael moving into conjunction with Spica in the morning sky, see [Plate 3]. This union takes place on November 29th, with Mars 3 degrees north of Spica. Below we can see the Jupiter-Mars conjunction in Libra in early January 2018. This sets the stage for the triple conjunction of Jupiter-Zuben El Genubi in Libra based on the 2018 retrograde of Jupiter.

Plate 2. The Jan. 7th, 2018 Jupiter-Mars conjunction 4

In the morning sky on January 7, 2018, Mars finally overtakes Jupiter in Libra, in an eye-opening conjunction, with Mars only 3 tenths of a degree separated from Jupiter. The Jupiter–Mars union of January 7th 2018 takes place after the first of 3 unions Jupiter will undergo in Libra, this time about 1/2 a degree apart from Libra’s brightest star– Zuben El-genubi. December 21st 2017, finds Jupiter in direct motion passing North of Libra’s alpha star, meaning “the purchase or price which is deficient.“5 Jupiter’s union with this bright star in Libra speaks to man’s inability to redeem himself, because he has been weighed in the balances and found wanting.

Plate 3. 12/21/2017 union of Jupiter-Zuben El Genubi in Libra, with Mars near Spica. 6

The significance of Libra not only refers to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, but also includes the judgement of God on mankind. The ONLY way man can be weighed in the balances and NOT found wanting, is by Believing in Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of God who bought our redemption by spilling his innocent blood at the cross, [Rom. 10:9-10]. This truth is embodied in Libra’s star, Zuben Al Chemali-the Price that Covers! 7

Jesus is the only one ever who was not only qualified, but actually laid down his life for all man-kind, which makes him the only Way of Salvation, the Alpha and Omega-the first and last way God made available for the redemption of all humanity.

To brighten our holiday season this year, we will be treated to a Christmas Day conjunction of Saturn and Venus in Sagittarius! On Dec. 25th, 2017 Venus the bright and Morning Star unites with Saturn, displaying Christ’s victory over the evil one, as seen in Sagittarius where our quickly returning Lord Jesus Christ is portrayed in triumph, conquering to conquer! Here the star picture of the mounted Archer has his arrow aimed at the red heart of the Scorpion–Antares, while the foot of Ophiuchus crushes the Scorpion’s heart underfoot. As we noted in our previous blog post, Saturn has just completed its triple union with Saiph, the star in Ophiuchus’ other foot which was stung by the Scorpion, bruising the heel of the 1st and 2nd Adams, [Gen. 3:15]. This shows Satan’s persistent evil to obstruct God’s purposes any way he can, even though he knows he is defeated. This planetary conjunction near the conqueror’s Bow, shows the deadly accuracy of our Lord’s aim [Plate 4] to destroy the works of the enemy, [I John 3:8b].

Plate 4. The Arrow of Sagittarius aimed in the Galactic Center to the Heart of the Scorpion.

Of course, this week’s Jupiter-Venus union on Nov. 13th, 2017 reminds us of the Jupiter-Venus conjunctions marking the birth of Christ, on Sept. 11th, 3 BC. With the arrival of the new born king on the scene his sufferings to fulfill the OT Law as the Passover Lamb were ahead of him, where now he is looking forward to his Glory in eternal victory, and the redemption of his purchased possession–the Church of his spiritual body. The Christmas Day conjunction of Saturn and Venus in Sagittarius, recalls the exploits of the Magi in 3-2 BC, with notable celestial activity.

Matthew 2:9

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

“According to astronomical calculations, Jupiter was not visible crossing the Meridian, the “high point” over Bethlehem from September through November of 2 BC …However by December 4 of 2 BC, Jupiter became visible at the Meridian shortly before dawn…the eclipse
shortly preceding Herod’s death occurred on January 9, 1 BC. Thus it was sometime during this five week period from December 4th to January 9th that the Magi journeyed from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and saw the star of Matt. 2:9.“⁸

In reference to “came and stood over” in verse 9:

“Astronomically, stars and planets are similar to the sun in that they rise in the east and set in the west. Furthermore, a star or planet is like the sun in that it will reach a high point in the sky in relation 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. Consider the stars and planets in their nightly courses. They rise in the east. At some time during the night each will reach its highest point in relation to the observer, the Meridian. If this occurs in the southern sky as one is travelling south, as with the Magi travelling from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, the star would appear to come and stand over one’s destination.“⁹

We should recall at this juncture Jupiter’s annual activities including its retrograde motion, began on December 25th, 2 BC. 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 viewed from Jerusalem, Jupiter came to its normal stationary position directly 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.“ ¹⁰

Thus, according to Martin, the same astronomical phenomena that initiated Jupiter’s three Conjunctions with Regulus, its annual retrograde motion would have caused Jupiter to stand still in the heavens for about six days near the intersection of the ecliptic and the Meridian mid-body in Virgo. This occurred in week of the celebration of the Feast of Dedication in December of 2 BC. Also recall the relationship between the cycles of the Sun and Jupiter, and that the Sun, mid-bodied in Virgo for the twenty-day period, from August 27th to September 15th, marked the birth of the promised seed.

Martin goes on to say that: “on December 25th, 2 BC at the ordinary time for the Magi’s pre-dawn observations, Jupiter would have been seen 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.” ¹¹

Martin’s assertion that Jupiter began its retrograde motion on December 25th, 2 BC, aligns with the start of the Feast of Dedication, that year which was from December 22 to 29. 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. Thus, the king planet-Jupiter was clothing Virgo, as the Sun did during the birth of the promised seed, mirroring the movement of the light of the world, while clearly marking the birthplace of the King of the Jews for the Magi.

Plate 5. The Journey of the Magi (1894) by James Jaques Joseph Tissot “12

These were important celestial indicators for the Magi, who would have seen the spiritual significance of “his star”—Jupiter, in” Virgo during the month of December in 2 BC, directly over Bethlehem, indicating the birthplace of the King of Kings, who would inherit David’s throne. In this light, we can understand Balaam’s great prophecy in Numbers 24, as a reference to this.

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) figuratively an illustrious Prince who is the star to rise out of Jacob, holding the scepter as ruler over Israel. 13 We should note the figure of speech polysyndetyn utilized in this verse regarding the “many ands” which emphasize each aspect of the verse appearing between the “ands.” This “star” was associated with the sceptre rising out of Israel, is a celestial reference to the sign of Leo the Lion with specific implications for it’s brightest luminary, Regulus the king star, the 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, by which he will rule over them with an unbending authority or “rod of iron,” [Ps. 2, Rev. 19:15]. Regulus was known by the ancients as the only king star which is linked with this scepter. This fulfills Jacob’s prophesy, that one holding this scepter would arise out of Judah according to Genesis 49. Secondly, the regal authority of this star is established in the king planet-Jupiter, whose authority as we have just seen, was symbolized by Leo the Lion, of the tribe of Judah that provided 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 king planet Jupiter, with the king star Regulus in Leo from 3-2 BC, thus aligns specifically with the prophecy of Genesis 49:8-10, which shows the maturation of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Balaam’s revelation here in Numbers 24:17 provides a Scriptural basis for the connection between the “star of Jacob” [Jupiter] and the “Sceptre,” to the advent of Christ the King, who came forth out of Jacob’s genealogical line. Secondly, there is a celestial double meaning in the phrase: Star out of Jacob, with connotations for both the general and specific aspects of our Celestial Prelude. The complete details of the correlation between the triple Conjunction of Jupiter and Regulus in 3-2 BC, and the record in Gen. 49, is available through our bookstore on the DVD “The Biblical Astronomy of the Birth of Christ.” This unique teaching provides the in-depth instruction on the celestial pageantry of the birth of Christ, along with the history of the Magi and numerous related Biblical Astronomy topics that time does not allow in this blog post.

As we have shown, the ecliptic is structured so that each of the 12 primary signs of the zodiac of 30 degrees has three decans associated with them, of 10 degrees each. The first decan of Virgo called Coma, is depicted in the Dendera zodiac as a seated mother nourishing her infant son. Coma is the Hebrew name of this Constellation which means “the desired.” The Egyptian name for this decan of Virgo was Shes-nu the desired son, [Hagg. 2:7].14 It was in the head of this child, the desired of the nations, as Haggai prophesied him to be, that a supernova appeared over 100 years prior to the birth of Christ. E.W. Bullinger refers below, to the popular belief regarding this general sign that was prevalent in and before the first century BC:

“a traditional prophecy well known in the East, carefully preserved and handed down, that a new star would appear in this sign [Coma] when he whom it foretold, would be born.” ¹⁵

^{Plate 6. Jupiter-Saturn triple Conjunction of 7 BC.}

This tradition was based on Balaam’s declaration in Numbers 24, meaning that Balaam’s prophecy holds additional import. First, The new star, or supernova located in the head of the infant in Coma, visible for a total of over 270 years, was the general sign that prepared the Magi to be on watch for specific aspects of the second part of the Celestial Prelude, involving the series of celestial signs from 7-5 BC. These signs seen in the triple planetary Conjunction of Jupiter-Saturn in 7 BC would set the stage for the Magi’s recognition of the triple planetary union of Jupiter-Regulus from 3-2 BC, marking the long prophesied birth of the promised seed. Here we see the third aspect of Balaam’s prophecy in relation to the scepter, symbolic of the reign of the king planet Jupiter. As we have seen in our study, Jupiter is the planet that the Magi called “his Star” in Matt. 2:2.

“there shall come a star out of Jacob“- In Numbers 24:17, when “Jacob” is referred to, it refers not only to his seed, but also the land that was promised to him, in his Covenant with God. Bullinger states in reference to this star in Numbers 24:17 that the word “come” is, come forth (as in the Revised Version). He translates “there shall come a Star out of Jacob,” as: “There shall come forth a star at or over the inheritance or possessions of Jacob,” thus indicating the locality which would be on the Meridian of this star.”¹⁶ [emphasis mine]

This “Star out of Jacob” would not only be unique in its Messianic symbolism, of the Promised Seed, but also because of the terrestrial link of his birthplace-Bethlehem of Judea, in the Promised Land of Jacob’s inheritance. This holy land, especially the town of Bethlehem, was specifically marked out by his star-Jupiter, as God guided the Magi to the birthplace of both David and Christ. Rolleston has an notable remark regarding this:

“The Magi forewarned that the star must appear over Jacob, over his inheritance, would see that star in Coma passing over the center of that inheritance: but as it would also appear to pass vertically over every part of it that was nearly in the Latitude of Jerusalem, thus they could not at once fix on the spot of the Messiah’s birth, therefore they went to inquire; the Latitude, as it were, being given by the star, the longitude by the prophecy.” ¹⁷
Rolleston’s quote reveals that she also fell victim to the confusion between the general and specific signs of the Celestial Prelude. It was not the new star in Coma that led the Magi to Bethlehem, which had been shining brightly for over 100 years, but the Scepter–Jupiter in Virgo stationary due to its retrograde motion during the winter Solstice that stood over Bethlehem, the inheritance of Jacob, that inspired the great joy of the Magi. It was the dual triple Conjunctions of Jupiter-Saturn that identified the king planet as “His Star,” and the same star that got them started on their caravan which led them to Jerusalem in August of 3 BC. Since Coma is the “L”-shaped decan of Virgo, pictured below, adjacent to the Woman in the heavens, the Magi saw both the supernova in Coma, AND Jupiter in Virgo, simultaneously aligned on the Meridian in the same part of the skies over Bethlehem. We have depicted this graphically in the banner of this blog post.

Plate 6. Coma an ancient Decan of Virgo

Here we see the Witness of the Stars, and the Scriptures, working together to bring the Magi to the toddler Jesus, because their alert observation of “his star” brought them to Jerusalem and the scribe’s declaration from Micah 5:2, when Herod questioned them, sent the Magi south towards Bethlehem. Tracking again the historical references to the Coma supernova, Ignatius, one of the Church Fathers and the Bishop of Antioch, in about 69 AD, records that: “At the appearance of the Lord a star shone forth brighter than all other stars.” If we are careful not to confuse this reference with the planet Jupiter, we can deduce that this supernova was still visible to Ignatius over 200 years after it first appeared, thus marking the general time-frame of Jesus’ birth. Joseph Seiss has some viable historical references which narrow down the period wherein this supernova was visible:

“Hipparchus about one hundred twenty-five years before Christ, observed it [the Coma supernova] as a new star, and was led by it to draw up his catalog of stars. Ptolemy, about one hundred and fifty years after Christ, refers to it as having been observed by Hipparchus, but as having become so faint as hardly to be any longer distinguishable.” ¹⁸
A point of interest here regarding Hipparchus is that he is generally credited with the discovery of the precession of the equinoxes by modern science in about 134 BC. He reportedly came upon this discovery while studying the star Spica, on a celestial map produced by his predecessor, Timocharis. He noticed that Spica was about 2 degrees away from it’s location on the star map, and decided that its movement averaged one degree every 75 years; [close to the actual 72 years]. This is a key to remember in our study of Dendera’s zodiac related to Spica, and this general sign detailed in other sections of our [www.try-god.com] website. Rolleston also records the appearance of this bright new star in 125 BC, so bright that it was visible during the day.

The Magi would have witnessed both this star shining brightly in Coma, in the head of the young desired son, seen as already standing on his mother’s lap, not as an infant in a manger, [Plate 7]. Just below Coma in Virgo, Jupiter was in retrograde motion standing still on the Meridian, on December 25th during their early morning observations around 4:25 am in 2 BC, Jupiter was standing high overhead, directly above Bethlehem, as the Magi approached from Jerusalem, the general sign in harmony with the specific. This gives another reason why the Magi were the only group to recognize the specific signs of the Messiah’s birth, because the general sign was a fixture in Coma from about 128 BC to 150 AD, marking the general period the Promised Seed would appear. The typical person wouldn’t have noticed any irregularity in the heavens, because it does not stand out unless coupled with the knowledge of the specific signs, regarding Jupiter, which brought the Magi to Israel in the first place. This is another reason why the Magi were overjoyed when they saw “his star” over Bethlehem. Also of interest, is the truth that the Gentile Magi arrived during Hannukah-the festival of lights, also recognized as the second Feast of Tabernacles in Israel, allowed for those who missed the first one in September. It is fitting that the initial Gentile recognition and response to the light of the world took place during this appropriate time, indicating God’s Grace to all mankind, [Hag. 2:7]. The timing of the winter Solstice is also key here because the Gentile Magi appeared at the time of the expected birth of the heathen sun-god, but honored the true Son of God instead, marking a much needed transition from the world’s idol practices, to the true veneration of the Promised Seed-Jesus Christ. This understanding of the distinction between the general and specific signs surrounding the birth of Christ should clear up the majority of the confusion and controversy related to this topic of study, if the Bible is recognized as the standard of truth, supported by history and the accuracy of the Biblical Astronomy as detailed here.

With both Mars and Venus in Ophiuchus, during this sign in December of 2 BC, we can see the archangel Mars-Michael, standing to protect the ascendant Morning star-the toddler Jesus Christ, during this time of the enemy’s attack. A noteworthy point here is Jupiter standing still in the heavens for about six days during the Hanukkah celebration, near the intersection of the ecliptic and the Meridian in Virgo. This focuses our attention on the path of Jupiter intersecting the ecliptic; the Sun’s path, pointing out the celestial relationship between Jupiter and the Sun, not to mention their kindred symbolism.

Martin states that:

… while Jupiter was in its “standing still” position over Bethlehem, the Sun was also “standing still.” All know that December 25th is in the usual period of the Winter Solstice. The word Solstice means “Sun stands still.” These stationary coincidences of Jupiter and the Sun are quite related, and would have appeared significant… ¹⁹

Plate 7. Sunset Horizon 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 verse 2, is not only used of the Sun and light in general, but it and two of it’s derivatives occur in [Isaiah 60:1-3, Jer. 23:5]. As we have seen in regards to Jer. 23:5, the planet Jupiter, the sedeq planet is associated with the Messiah, Jesus Christ the righteous zemach-branch, and is one of five primary Old Testament prophecies pertaining to this Branch, as the coming promised seed. However, with the stationary choreography of Jupiter and the Sun, we have an added Messianic-solar link. The reference of “arise” above, is very interesting when considered not only from the aspect of Jupiter standing still, in Virgo, but also referring to the zemach-branch and the setting time of the star Spica in Virgo, whose ancient Hebrew star name refers to the four-fold ministry of Christ seen in the four Gospels. Thus it serves as a singular celestial marker of the moment of Christ’s birth, following on the heels between the setting Sun and New Crescent Moon at Virgo’s feet, [Plate 7] during the first moments of Tishri 1, in 3 BC! Thus, Virgo set the context for both Jupiter standing still on the Meridian as a reference to Bethlehem, the birth-place of Jesus Christ, and the star-set of Spica in reference to Jesus’ birth-time, at the beginning of New Year’s day, Tishri 1, on Israel’s Calendar.

This scenario provides us with the exact moments of the birth of Christ, about 20 minutes after sunset, with the setting of the Star Spica, coinciding with the first appearance of the Crescent New Moon on the first of Tishri, the newly born king was manifested to his earthly parents Mary and Joseph. Fifteen months later in Dec. 2 BC, the Magi paid their visit and homage to the toddler Jesus, imparting their gifts unto the young king, which would finance the impending trip of the royal family to Egypt, and away from Herod.

With this year’s Christmas conjunction we are reminded of our Lord’s 1st Advent, but even more we see his quick and victorious Return for the redeeming of the Church of his spiritual body, that we may ever enjoy our victory with him and the Heavenly Father.

Amen!

Footnotes

1. Starry Night Pro, Astronomy Software on Jupiter-Venus union of Nov. 13th, 2017.
2. Bruce McClure in “Tonight” for Plate 1 picture credit.
3. Starry Night Pro, Astronomy Software on the triple union dates of Jupiter-Zuben El Genubi in Libra, 2017-18.
4. Picture credit on Plate 2: https://jeffreylhunt.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/2017-2018
5. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger p. 45
6. Picture credit on Plate 3: https://jeffreylhunt.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/2017-2018
7. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger p. 46
8. Jesus Christ Our Promised Seed, p. 235. American Christian Press
9. IBID p. 234.
10. THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, Dr. Earnest Martin p. 49.
11. Ibid
12. Picture credit on Plate 5; The Journey of the Magi (1894) by James Jaques Joseph Tissot
13. Strong’s Concordance on H3556, James Strong.
14. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger
15. The Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger ppg. 36-37.
16. IBID footnote p.37
17. The Mazzaroth, Frances Rolleston. Footnote on “The Star of Bethlehem.”
18. The Gospel in the Stars, Joseph Seiss, p. 161.
19. THE STAR THAT ASTONISHED THE WORLD, Dr. Earnest Martin. p. 60.

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The Modern Blood Moon Tetrads and the Mars-Spica Triple Conjunctions

The Modern Blood Moon Tetrads and the Mars-Spica Triple Conjunctions

As we continue our review of the heavenly signs surrounding the replay of the Rev. 12 wonder, Part 1 of this review focused on the Triple Conjunction of Jupiter-Spica in Virgo. This post will feature the Mars-Spica triple unions in Virgo, that began in the Spring of 2014. Since we did not initiate our Blood Moon Blog until July of 2014, we did not provide the in-depth coverage of the first signs of the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad, as we have since. This Blog post will help rectify that oversight. First however, we need to give some added context to the backdrop of the Rev. 12 sign in light of the Celestial Sphinx. As we saw in Part 1 of this study, heavenly signs in Virgo and Leo require extra attention since they embody the alpha and omega constellations of the Mazzaroth, the Hebrew Zodiac. Virgo’s seasonal position in the skies in relation to the Harvest seasons and feasts of the Hebrew Calendar speak volumes to us, and was something the faithful of Israel paid attention to in light of the OT Book of Ruth below.

God’s plan of redemption was structured around the feasts of the Hebrew Calendar illustrating future events in Bible prophecy. The better we understand how these feasts are fulfilled in the ministry of Christ as Prophet, Priest and King, the fuller our grasp will be of the end-times we are living in. The Feast of Unleavened Bread shows the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the first-fruits from the dead, [I Cor. 15:20-23]. The wheat harvest of the Feast of Pentecost aligns with the giving of the holy spirit on the Day of Pentecost, when the apostles and believers first spoke in tongues. The Feast of Tabernacles depicts the resurrection of the just and unjust, in the harvest at the end of the world.1 This was highlighted by the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad especially in the Blood Moons during the Feast of Tabernacles of both years, emphasized during the Jubilee year of 2015.

There were 7 weeks of counting, that linked Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread with Pentecost. At the time of the first Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, Israel left the bondage of Egypt. A major transition point during the Exodus was the giving of the Law at Sinai, to which Pentecost became linked. The last Passover embodied in Jesus Christ symbolizes not only Israel’s Exodus from Egypt, but the Church’s Exodus from death and bondage in the OT Law. The current Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014–2015, conspicuously marks the Passover feasts of both these years in the last Blood Moon Tetrad that will not occur again on Hebrew feasts or holy days, for another 500 years! Christ’s redeeming work led to Pentecost in 28 AD, when the new birth first became available, and the gift of holy spirit was poured out as prophesied by Joel [Joel 2:28-31], starting a new spiritual administration, the Age of Grace. Christ was resurrected at the first harvest during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, as the first-fruits of the dead. At Pentecost in 28 AD, the believers were made a harvest, manifesting the first-fruits of the holy spirit as they spoke in tongues for the first time; [Rom. 8:23]. Believer’s in the Age of Grace having the first-fruits of the spirit, will meet Christ in the air in his victorious return for his Saints, gathering us together, [I Thess. 4:14-17]. Christians in the current end times are warned by a series of Blood Moon Tetrads, among other heavenly signs, leading to the last days prior to our gathering together unto the Lord. The final, and complete harvest will be at the return of Christ with his Saints, when the enemies of God are vanquished. God’s Word describes this and what follows as the harvest at the end of the world.² [Matt. 13:38-39]

As the first-fruits from the dead, Jesus Christ is the crown of God’s spiritual harvest, being resurrected at the first harvest during the feast of Unleavened Bread. At the very time of offering the first-fruits according to Leviticus 23:10-11, Jesus Christ furnished himself as the first-fruits from the dead, the first in a long line of believers who will conquer death.

One aspect in the celestial relationship to these feasts is seen clearly in connection with the Book of Ruth. This short story in the OT Bible record holds great insight for our understanding of the Lord’s Feasts, as they relate to the 1st and second appearances of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ruth was a Gentile woman, of the Moabites, who by God’s Grace and Mercy was included in the Royal genealogy of King David. Ruth 2:11-12 records Boaz’ high opinion of Ruth and her reward, for her trust under the Hand of the God of Israel. Ruth came to Bethlehem with Naomi, at the start of the Barley harvest [Ruth 1:22 to 2:22], gleaning in the fields of Boaz to the end of the Barley and Wheat harvests, [Ruth 2:23]. Following this she obeys Naomi’s instruction to go to Boaz, activating her right of the eastern custom called kinsman redeemer. Since Boaz was part of Naomi’s family, and both Ruth and Naomi’s husbands had died, it became Boaz’ right to take Ruth in marriage, if a closer kinsman didn’t activate this right ahead of him. Ruth 3:9 shows how Ruth presented herself to Boaz and how he covered her with his cloak, signifying his acceptance and protection of her, in their resulting impending marriage.

As we consider the skies during this time of year in Israel, its instructive to realize Virgo’s position during this harvest season. When viewed historically, we find astronomers as early as Caesius, linking Virgo with Ruth gleaning in the fields of Boaz.³Annually we find Virgo’s position mirroring the harvest seasons as follows. Virgo arises in the East during the Barley harvest and Wave Offering, at the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

Virgo at Sunset on September 11th 3 BC, marking Christ’s Birth.

Virgo is at zenith, the highest point in the sky during early evening at the start of the Wheat harvest, during the Pentecost Feast. Finally, Virgo is setting in the early evening western skies of the latter harvest, during the Feast of Tabernacles. As we see in the graphic above, this matches Virgo’s position on the eve of September 11th, in 3 BC!⁴ We should be reminded that this was the period when the Sun was clothing Virgo, giving us a beautiful link to Boaz spreading his cloak over Ruth, as a figurative sign of his acceptance and protection of her. Since Boaz was part of the royal genealogy leading to the Christ, the Sun of Righteousness and the light of the world, enlightening Virgo is truly a beautiful celestial figure aligning with this Scriptural truth. It also embodies the Bride-groom [Ps. 19:5], as Christ, the light of the world clothing his Bride-Israel, a figure of the marriage supper of the Lamb, all foreshadowed in Boaz redeeming his kins-woman Ruth! This Marriage Supper of the Lamb will occur during the Feast of Tabernacles, while the latter harvest relates to the 14th day of this seventh month of Tishri.

Also, when the Gentile Ruth came to Bethlehem, the birthplace of both David and Jesus and was allowed by God’s Grace, to share in the Lord’s royal genealogy, she was a forerunner of the Gentile Magi who came to Nazareth as the first Gentiles to recognize the promised seed. Remember that it was his star–Jupiter in Virgo leading the Magi to Jerusalem, for their meeting with Herod in search of Jesus. The graphic below depicts, not only the 12 signs of the Hebrew Zodiac mosaic in the floor of this Hebrew Temple, as seen quartered in the four points of the compass or the Cardinal directions.

Hebrew Temple Zodiac

This perspective on the Book of Ruth gives us a panoramic view of the Biblical harvest feasts in light of the celestial events surrounding the birth of Christ. We can see that these harvest feasts were first addressed to Israel in the Old Testament, with important applications to the Blood Moon Tetrads in the Age of Grace marking the victorious return of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we recognize Jesus Christ; the master key to unlocking God’s Word, both written in the heavens and in Scripture, our understanding of the majesty of God’s Word and Works to and for man, is enlightened at new levels of understanding. To establish this pattern we should also expect to see the pattern of these sacred feasts and holy days appointed by the Heavenly Father evident in the ministry of Christ to Israel.

The Seven Phases of the Ministry of Jesus Christ

The following teaching pertains to and documents the length of the ministry of Jesus Christ as a literal period of 70 weeks according to the prophecies of Daniel 9. If we look at the period of Christ’s Ministry on Earth during his first Advent, we must first realize that the length of his ministry could not be three years because he had to fulfill every jot and tittle of the OT Law or else he would have left mankind un-redeemed, and our salvation incomplete. According to [Ex. 12:5] Jesus as the embodiment of the Passover Lamb [Jn. 1:29, 36] had to be “a lamb of the first year without spot or blemish,” so the length of his ministry could not exceed 2 years at the maximum! The following chart from Rev. Jon Nessle’s Seminar on The Lord Jesus Christ, 5 discloses the seven phases of Christ’s Ministry and the length of his ministry-just over a year. Many of these phases of Christ’s ministry were announced with audible words from heaven, like his baptism where the thunderous sonic boom saying ; “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” We have also added the links of these seven phases of Christ’s ministry to Israel with the Lord’s Feasts on the Hebrew Calendar.

The Seven Phases of Christ’s Ministry

Christ Titles Length Ministry Events-Dates

Jesus Christ-Righteous 40 days Baptism-Temptation

Jesus Christ-Evangelist 3 months Ministry Inception

Jesus Christ-Apostle 3 months Pentecost-Tishri 10

Jesus Christ-High Priest 6 months Tishri 10-Nisan 10

Jesus Christ our Passover 7 days Nisan 10-Resurrection

Jesus Christ-Firstborn 40 days Resurrection-Ascension

Jesus Christ-Ascended One 10 days Ascension-Pentecost

The events above illustrate the opening of the Christ Administration, and capping off the OT
Law with the Ministry of John the Baptist. In [Matt. 3:17] The Voice of God in an audible “
mandate from heaven” decreed Jesus as “His Beloved Son.” This opened the ministry phase
of Christ the Righteous, at his baptism on Nisan 1/ Feb 16th, 27 AD marking his next 40 days
of temptation. During the 2nd phase of Christ’s ministry as the Evangelist, he called the 12
Apostles and did his first Temple cleansing at Passover, Nisan/14-21/27 AD. John 4:1 tells
us the “Pharisees heard that Jesus had gained and baptized more disciples than John,” also
during the 2nd phase of his ministry.6 Christ the Apostle is seen in the Sivan 13th Sabbath,
when he proclaimed the “acceptable year of the Lord” at Pentecost, [Isa. 61:1-2, Lk. 4:17-21].
Note that this “year” is in the singular, meaning the entire length of his ministry did not
exceed two years, as verified by Christ and Isaiah. Jesus Christ the High Priest is seen
starting with Tishri 1 where he turns 30 years of age, becoming eligible for the Priesthood
for the first time, prior to the Feast of Tabernacles. In this phase of his ministry Jesus began
teaching his disciples about his coming sufferings and death, laying down his life as both the
High Priest and perfect Sacrifice. This phase was also marked by an audible mandate from
heaven at the Mount of Transfiguration [Matt. 17:1-8]. Jesus Christ our Passover is seen
in his two entries into Jerusalem, the 2nd of which marked the day that the Passover Lamb
was selected by the priests of Israel, Nisan 8-4/22/28 [Lk. 19:29-48]. The Apostle Paul
also refers to these aspects of Christ’s ministry phases as the Passover [I Cor. 5:7], and as the first-born from the dead once Christ is Resurrected, Nisan 17-5/1/28 to 6/10/28 [Col. 1:18]. With the Ascension of Christ leading to Pentecost, we see the birthday of the Church of the body of
Christ. This opens the Age of Grace in the book of Acts, with sounds from Heaven; [Acts 2:4]
and the Apostle Peter’s sermon, saving over 3000 new believers in their spiritual rebirth. Herein
we still reside today, as we look to the end of the Age of Grace climaxing with the Return of Christ
FOR his Saints, [I Thess. 4:13-18]. ⁷

Thus the pattern of the Lord’s Feasts are all highlighted with major events and transitions in the 7 phases of Christ’s ministry of 70 weeks, as we expect to see this pattern established with the conclusion of the Age of Grace with more voices and sounds from Heaven when Christ returns FOR his Saints, [I Thess. 4:16]. These are the same Feasts of the Lord that have been highlighted by the Blood Moon Tetrads since the Ascension of Christ, culminating in the 2014-15 Blood Moon Tetrad, followed by the Solar and Lunar eclipses of 2016-2017 leading to the rewind of the Rev. 12 sign on 9-23-17 and the Hebrew feasts of 2017.

April 15th, 2014 opening Blood Moon of the 2014-2015 Tetrad

A key aspect of the opening of the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad was the Mars-Spica triple conjunction in Virgo. This was based on the retrograde motion of Mars in Virgo’s womb, as seen above during which Mars passed Spica three times in Virgo, foreshadowing the triple conjunction of Jupiter-Spica in Virgo’s womb in 2017. The dates of this Mars-Spica triple conjunction in Virgo are as follows:

Mars-Spica #1: Feb 1st, 2014 in Virgo
Mars Spica #2: March 27th, 2014 in Virgo
Mars-Spica #3: June 13th, 2014 in Virgo

The opening Blood Moon of the 2014-2015 Tetrad took place on April 15th, 2014 marking the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread, between the second and third Mars-Spica unions. What is fascinating is that Mars in retrograde not only marks the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrads, but also the previous two Blood Moon Tetrads in 1949-50 and 1967-68!! In addition to this, the triple planetary conjunctions linked with the Mars’ retrograde also mark all three sets of modern Blood Moon Tetrads according to the pattern of the Celestial Sphinx as follows, in a reverse timeline:

Mars-Spica #1: Jan. 20th, 1967 in Virgo
Mars-Spica #2: Apr. 20th, 1967 in Virgo
Mars-Spica #3: July 4th, 1967 in Virgo

The Second 1967 Mars-Spica union took place 4 days before Passover. Here Mars-Michael the warrior arch-angel stands strong in battle against the Arab enemies of Israel, not only in the 6-day war, but also in the previous war for Israel’s independence, as seen at the Mars-Regulus triple conjunction in Leo in 1947-48′. Israeli military forces recaptured Jerusalem and the Temple Mount on June 7th, 1967, three days after the third Mars-Spica union in Virgo.

The first modern Blood Moon Tetrad was highlighted by a Mars-Regulus Triple union in Leo as follows:

Mars-Regulus #1: Nov. 28th, 1947 in Leo
Mars-Regulus #2: Feb. 18th, 1948 in Leo
Mars-Regulus #3: May 19th, 1948 in Leo

The Third Mars-Regulus union took place 5 days after Israel’s Declaration of Independence on May 14th 1948.

The first Mars retrograde marked the first modern Blood Moon Tetrad in 1947-48 in Leo, with a Mars-Regulus triple conjunction. The following 2 Mars retrogrades marked the next two Blood Moon Tetrads in Virgo, with 2 sets of triple planetary conjunctions of Mars-Spica. Here we find an emphasis on the Alpha and Omega signs of the Hebrew Mazzaroth as seen in the Celestial Sphinx signs leading to the replay of the Rev. 12 sign in Virgo.

In this study we have reviewed the pattern of the Lord’s Feasts, highlighted with major events and transitions in the 7 phases of Christ’s ministry of 70 weeks. We have also witnessed how the signs of the Celestial Sphinx in Virgo and Leo at both the birth of Christ, and during the modern day Blood Moon Tetrads, have been marked with triple planetary conjunctions of Jupiter and Mars resulting from these planetary retrogrades as we have noted previously in the aspects of the Celestial Prelude. In our next blog we will study some added triple conjunctions that emphasize this message even more! The Heavenly Father is certainly working overtime to get our attention regarding the significance of our current times. As Ministers of Reconciliation, we can all speak the wonderful words of Christ’s redemption truths that have been marked so clearly both in God’s Word, and in the heavens!!

Footnotes

1. Jesus Christ our Passover, VP Wierwille, ppg. 407-408
2. Jesus Christ our Passover, VP Weirwille, p. 409
3. Star Lore, Myths, Legends and Facts. William Tyler Olcott, p. 385.
4. Graphic Credit from Jesus Christ our Promised Seed, VP Wierwille
5. Seminar on the Lord Jesus Christ, Rev. Jon Nessle
6. “Sound Out 84-A Harmony of the Gospels” American Christian Press 1984.
7. Seminar on The Lord Jesus Christ, Rev. Jon Nessle

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The Celestial Sphinx and the Jupiter-Spica Triple Conjunction of 2017.

The Celestial Sphinx and the Jupiter-Spica Triple Conjunction of 2017.

Now that the Sept. 23rd, 2017 date has passed, we can now exhale and take stock of what has been going on in the heavens during this time! Plenty!! As I have documented for over 20 years in the Celestial Prelude, it was the retrograde motion of the King planet Jupiter in the Triple crowning of the King star Regulus in Leo, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, that represented the celestial coronation of Jesus Christ the Promised Seed, on Sept. 14th, 3 BC, three days after Christ’s birth. As one of the 12 Characteristics of the Celestial Prelude, planets in retrograde play a key role in the celestial signs marking both the Birth and Return of Christ, specifically Jupiter. As we will document in our next couple of blog posts, there are other key planets in retrograde that bring a powerful and enlightening message related to Jesus Christ in the end-times.

First however, we need to set the context of the Celestial Sphinx, and nothing I know will do this better than our introduction to this subject from the study on The Great Sphinx below, edited and updated for our purposes here, [www.try-god.com].

As the earliest colossal statue in the world, the Great Sphinx is truly a monumental marvel of ancient Egypt. Due to prevailing uncertainty about the architectural symbolism of the Great Sphinx, a number of “alternative theories” have been circulating of late, regarding its age and the traditions associated with it. Due to the large number of minor sphinxes that remain intact from ancient Egypt, the Great Sphinx has regrettably been lumped in with many of its inferior later copies, like the ram-headed sphinxes based on idols like Amun-Ra, or the Pharaohs; (sphinxes with a man’s head). Because of evidence uncovered and detailed in this study, I believe it is a mistake to include this singular exemplar of the Great Sphinx, the model of all its lesser reproductions, along with inferior copies like the ram-headed Crio-sphinxes. The Great Sphinx was not viewed as a symbol of the sun god in ancient Egypt until much later in the New Kingdom dynasties. These numerous degraded forms of the great original are merely deified idols from the pantheon of the Egyptian star religion, and the worship of the solar cult. One purpose of this study is to explore other symbolic functions and associations of the Great Sphinx prior to this corruption.

The Great Sphinx

A possible later derivation of the word “sphinx” is found in the Egyptian “shesep ankh,” meaning a living image.1 However, instead of the living idol images of gods or pharaohs, a proposal of this study is that the Great Sphinx was originally intended as an oracle of the promised seed and the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Both Herbert Lockyer and Rolleston state, that the Great Sphinx symbolizes the summer Solstice 4000 years before Christ, sealed by the union of Virgo and Leo. Frances Rolleston notes that this junction of Virgo and Leo is marked by the star Denebola, which is a name meaning “the Lord or Judge who comes quickly,” thus representing the living image, of the Lord Jesus Christ coming in judgment.2

As the star marking the link between Virgo and Leo, the alpha and omega signs [Rev. 1:8] of the Biblical zodiac, this prophetic message of the coming Messiah has endured as the largest, and most famous sculpture on the planet.

The Constellation Leo

The image of the Lord returning in judgment is marked in the Egyptian Planisphere by a youth bearing a branch.3 As the great colossal statue to the light of the world and monumental epitome of the Sun of Righteousness [Mal. 4:2], this great prophecy in stone of man’s coming redeemer, harmonizes with the witness to the Patriarchal astronomers and later, the Written Scriptures. This theme goes back to the likely prehistoric origins of the Great Sphinx, prior to the unification of ancient Egypt under Menes/Narmer. According to this and later research, the Great Sphinx was built as a representation of Virgo‘s head on the body of Leo the Lion.4 This union of zodiacal signs symbolized the start and finish of the ancient zodiac of the Biblical Patriarchs, as the celestial scroll relates the promise of a Coming Redeemer for Mankind. The original purpose of this great monument to man’s redeemer, as the embodiment of the Sun of Righteousness, became defiled in the heathen star religions of ancient cultures, that ultimately formed a myriad mythologies spreading across the face of the earth. The roots of the solar cult in Egypt, Babylon and many other cultures of the ancient world can be traced back to the misapplication of this idea, of the Sun of Righteousness. The following overview of some of the oracular and celestial aspects of the Great Sphinx will be new to many readers, but when taken in the context of the following evidence from Archaeo-Astronomy and the Bible, we can begin to see the Great Sphinx from a newly enlightened perspective. This memorial to the promised seed carved out of the Giza plateau, has stood for ages facing east, envisioning both the first and second advents of the Lord Jesus Christ. As the imperious sentinels of Giza, the Great Sphinx and the Great Pyramid are the foremost ancient monuments, having stood the test of time, foreshadowing the Son of God as no other landmarks in human history. These last surviving wonders of the ancient world have remained singularly poised, high above the barren shifting sands of human ignorance, safely founded on prehistoric bedrock of truth, prophesying of the Coming Promised Seed, in harmony with the stars and Scriptures. Their combined witness sounds out from the geographic center of the Earth’s landmass, ever ringing upward in concert with the testimony of the celestial luminaries. These monolithic monuments of the Giza plateau, the Great Pyramid and the Great Sphinx, serve as prime examples of our thesis, showing the roots of what Joseph Campbell called the world monomyth , the idea that all the world’s myths are rooted in one master overarching epic narrative. I believe as others have before me, that this master myth has celestial roots, and that these roots ultimately lead us to the Revelatory Astronomy of the Biblical Patriarchs, Adam, Seth and Enoch. It is my hope that the following overview of the Great Sphinx, from the Bible’s view, will serve as important step along this path of understanding. In our condensed survey of the Biblical Astronomy of the Birth and Return of Christ, a number of aspects of the Great Sphinx surface, that have either gone unnoticed or been misinterpreted in the past centuries. Our review of the celestial signs surrounding the birth of Christ gave us an introduction to some unique aspects of the Great Sphinx, which we will expand on in this study. A prime aspect of the heavenly signs linked to the Celestial Sphinx is that we find unique planetary conjunctions that took place marking the Birth of Jesus Christ, in the constellations Virgo and Leo. Since these are the zodiac signs that constitute the alpha-omega signs of the Hebrew Zodiac, forming the Celestial Sphinx, it embodies a living practical example of Biblical Astronomy that the Great Sphinx itself memorializes. As a prime example of Biblical Archaeo-Astronomy, the Great Sphinx is a true living artifact of the divine science of Biblical Astronomy that the Creator utilizes today, marking the heavenly signs of the Second Coming of His only Begotten Son.

Virgo at Sunset on September 11th 3 BC. 5

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. In addition, the Sun in Virgo marks the annual start of the Hebrew Civil Year, in the month of Tishri. In this light, we notice in the relief from the ceiling of the Temple of Esneh [Fig. A], the basic stellar figures of Virgo and Leo are unified in the Great Sphinx, pictured with the solar disk crowning the head of the woman-“sun clothing Virgo,” who is joined with the body of the Lion’s extended claws, above the serpent Hydra.7 This clear stellar image found at the same temple site housing the Dendera zodiac, provides strong archaeological support, not for the union of Virgo and Leo only, affirmed in the two stellar aspects of the Sphinx monument, but also the exaltation of the woman-Virgo. She is shown at the far right below, prominently holding her grain stalk, or branch as she is shown in the Dendera zodiac, symbolizing her bearing the promised seed and the light of the world. Her branch represents the Alpha Star of Virgo-Spica, Al Zemach, the branch or offspring of God the Father, [Jer. 23:5].

Figure A. Sun in Virgo, in the Temple of Esneh, on the Giza Plateau. 8

The union of the ends of the ecliptic
in the Great Sphinx, with the Sun in Virgo, as seen in the Temple of Esneh.

This sets the basic context of the original function of the Great Sphinx, including:

The unity of the Biblical zodiac which starts at Virgo and ends in Leo.
The original role of the Sun in this context of “clothing Virgo,” along with embodying the solar aspects of the Sphinx as the Sun of Righteousness. [Ps. 19]
A Stone monument bearing parallel witness to the coming redeemer found both in the Stars and in Scripture.

With this in mind, lets look at some specific stellar aspects of the Great Sphinx.

Stellar Elements of the Great Sphinx

The original teaching of the celestial witness of the signs of the zodiac is encapsulated in the signs Virgo and Leo and preserved in this ancient monument of the Giza plateau, the Great Sphinx. A key astronomical truth in support of this is seen in the crowned head of Virgo actually bridging about 10 degrees into the sign Leo on the ecliptic. We have already made reference to this in connection with the star Denebola. The star Sarcam in Leo, is a Hebrew word meaning “the joining“, saying that here is the point where the two ends of the Zodiacal circle have their joining.9 This is borne out in the decan Corvus, the bird of prey devouring Hydra the abhorred serpent, a decan of Virgo. This serpent actually mirrors these signs of the Stellar gospel-the Celestial Sphinx extending below Leo’s claws including the signs of Virgo the virgin and the Crab. As the Anti-Christ will present a counterfeit of the coming redeemer so we find this witness in the stars also.
The bright star in the eye of Corvus the Raven, called Al Chibar in Arabic means “joining together,” referring also to the union of as these two ends of the true zodiac!9 This also fits with the start of the Hebrew calendar in Tishri, the equivalent of our September-October, the inception of the Hebrew Civil Year when the Sun was clothing Virgo.

Figure B. Axis E on the Dendera Zodiac. 10

The heavens declared Jesus’ arrival with the setting of the star Spica, Virgo’s branch on our September 11th, of 3 BC, between the setting Sun and Moon in Virgo. This is firmly secured by the fifth axis evident in the Dendera zodiac, in the Egyptian Temple of Esneh, subdividing the zodiac in the same way depicted on the ceiling of the Portico of that temple site; between Leo the Lion, and Virgo the woman, seen above with Axis E. 11
This truth is graphically depicted in the Dendera Zodiac Poster in the margin to the right, and available in our Bookstore. In addition to marking the Alpha and Omega of the celestial canon, the Great Sphinx mirrors the binding of Scripture together from Genesis to Revelation, as seen in the Red Thread references to Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah in both Gen. 49:8-10 and Rev. 5:5, the first and last books of the Bible.

Rev. 5:5
⁵And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Only Jesus Christ is qualified to “open the Book” of Scripture because he is the protagonist of the Greatest Book in History, and the Master-key to its interpretation and unfolding!
Another indicator of the central importance to these stellar aspects of the Great Sphinx, is our recognition of the Celestial Sphinx, pictured below, Virgo and Leo the lion provide the basis for the signs of the triple union of Jupiter-Regulus in Leo, in 3 BC related to Gen. 49:8-10. This is the foundation key linking the Sphinx both to the Celestial Gospel and God’s Word, in their unified testimony to the Coming Promised Seed. In the link below you can view an excerpt from my DVD teaching on the Jupiter-Regulus triple conjunction starting 3 days after Christ’s birth on Sept. 14th 3 BC.

As we view the celestial context of this first union of Jupiter and Regulus, [Fig. B] we can see the head of Virgo rising above the eastern horizon just below the full body of Leo the Lion on the ecliptic. This is the view of what an observer standing in Jerusalem facing east would have seen on this date, providing a clear aspect of the astronomical symbolism of the Celestial Sphinx as an important marker and monumental prediction of Jesus’ birthday on September 11th, a prophecy of the birth of Christ preserved in stone from antiquity!

This serves as a monolithic marker to the prophecy provided in Rev. 12:1-5, in the sign of Virgo, further establishing this truth.

Figure B. The Celestial Sphinx. The Head of the Woman and the Body of the Lion as seen on Sept. 14th, 3 BC, on the eastern horizon from Jerusalem forming the Great Sphinx, and marking the first Jupiter-Regulus Conjunction in Leo. 12

We find these landmarks at the head and tail of the zodiac, which adds light to Dr. Martin’s observation that: “the woman Virgo is the Constellation of Headship for all 12 signs. The head position of Virgo is located within the last 10 degrees of Leo.”13 Virgo’s head is seen in Fig. B, just below and adjacent to the star Denebola in the tail of the Lion, unifying the circle of the zodiac. The Sphinx also unifies the Biblical canon, establishing the chronological order of God’s written revelation, in the Bible’s earliest book of Job.

Job 19:23-25
Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! [24] That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock forever! [25] For I know that my redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:

These verses are indicative not only of Job’s knowledge of his coming redeemer, that he knew of from the Celestial Gospel, but also of his faith that this redeemer would stand at a future latter day upon the earth. This knowledge directly corresponds both, with a witness that was engraved in the rock forever, remaining unto our day, and the witnesses of the celestial and written gospels. The word “For,” beginning verse 25, grammatically depicts the purpose of his words along with a monumental witness in stone, whose longevity has lasted into our day, as a witness to the redeemer that Job foresaw so long ago. Thus Job’s reference, in this majestic declaration of his redeemer, graven in rock forever, is readily associated with this enduring monument on the Giza plateau, analogous with the prophecy written in the stars between Leo and Virgo. In the only Patriarchal book with Genesis in the Bible, Job’s words certainly stand out as a reference to the witness of the stars and in stone, the witness God provided to the Biblical Patriarchs in the Bible’s first book written by Job. To further cement the link between the Great Sphinx and God’s Word, let’s take a look at Psalm 19:

Psalm 19:1-5

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night shows knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath He set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The word “line” in verse four refers to the ecliptic as the path in the Sun’s Tabernacle, at the end of the verse. These 12 houses or “Tabernacles of the Sun” refer to the 12 signs of the zodiac and the 12 tribes of Israel, the Bride of the Bridegroom, [Gen. 22:15-19]. Here, the Bible compares the Sun to a Bridegroom in verse 5, running a race-course through the circuit of heaven, the 12 signs of the ecliptic and their decans. The Great Sphinx elucidates the details of Psalm 19 because it unifies these Tabernacles of the Sun, first with Virgo, the woman, the Bride-Israel and last with Leo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Thus, all 12 tribes are presented to the Lord in preparation for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, preserved in a great monument of stone for the ages. As this ever-lasting monolithic witnesses to the Astronomy of the Biblical Patriarchs, the Great Sphinx and the Great Pyramid have timelessly preserved these statutes of Patriarchal Astronomy, The witness of Scripture continues in the Book of Job, which contains more overt astronomical references, with ancient Biblical star names than any other book in the Bible.

Job 38:31-33
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?

This is logical from a Biblical perspective because other than the Books of Genesis and Job, all God gave His Patriarchs was the stellar witness and celestial narrative of the promised redeemer of man. When we consider the Hebrew word “mazzaroth,” we find a very early reference to the 12 signs of the zodiac, occurring only in Job. There are later references to the 12 signs of the ecliptic in Scripture, but this gives us more evidence of the antiquity of this knowledge of the entire zodiac, in the context of the Biblical Patriarchs. When Job spoke these words however, the Bible, or even the Pentateuch had not been written yet by Moses the lawgiver. Thus, we see in verse 23, Job’s desire that his book would be part of the sacred written oracles that would correspond to this bedrock truth of the Great Sphinx, engraved in stone as a testimony to his coming redeemer.

The word “graven” *H2710 [chaqaq] in Job 19:24 means: to cut, carve, hew, square, quarry, mason or engrave. This is the same word translated as “lawgiver” in Gen. 49:10, and is the same root for the word “ordinances” in Job 38:33, thus the ordinances or laws of God related to the Celestial Sphinx, and their dominion in the earth, doubtlessly are engraved in stone. As we say God’s Word is set in stone. It is a known historical and archaeological fact that the Great Sphinx was carved out of an ancient rock formation on the Giza plateau, which is consistent with the testimony of God’s Word in Job 19:23, where the word “rock” [*H6697] means “a cliff, sharp rock compressed, or boulder.”

Another point to realize regarding this word [chaqaq] is that it is translated as “Lawgiver” in Deut. 33:21 and “governors” in Judges 5:14. This links to an alternative Egyptian name of the Sphinx; Bel-hit, that also means the “Lord who cometh,” as seen in Deut. 33:21. Deuteronomy 33 records the Song of Moses, and the 5th chapter of Judges records the Song of Deborah, both of which list the Tribes of Israel. The 20th verse tells us the stars fought from heaven…

²⁰They fought from heaven; the stars in their courses fought against Sisera.

The witness of the stars, especially when combined with God’s Written Word have an impact against the darkness of this world. Another occurrence of “Lawgiver” is seen below in Genesis 49, also a listing of the Tribes of Israel, all of which refer to the Biblical zodiac, containing celestial and Scriptural links to each of the tribes. These Biblical lists of the 12 tribes of Israel are refined in the discussion of the breastplate of Israel’s High Priest, that also models its symbolism of the Hebrew Zodiac, or Mazzaroth. There is no man who is able to halt these celestial cycles and seasons set in motion by the Creator, thus the surety of the return of His promised seed for his people is set in the firmament, in stone and embodied in the Man Christ Jesus, is a mandate from heaven!

Gen 49:10
The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah“- “sceptre” is shebet in the Hebrew, the same word used in Numbers 24:17; referring to the “star out of Jacob and sceptre of Israel.” This star out of Jacob is a clear reference to the King planet Jupiter which is covered in detail in the Astronomy of the Birth of Christ section of the [www.try-god.com] web-site.

“lawgiver from between his feet“- Regulus the king star and the alpha star in Leo. “The Arabic word “regel” means “foot” and is identical in meaning to the Aramaic word “regla” and the Hebrew word “regel” tying in with “from between his feet” above. In this one verse the Lion of Judah, Leo, intertwined with the lawgiver coming from between his feet, symbolizing the king star Regulus [see Psalm 60:9]. This gives a clear Biblical picture of the stellar elements of the Jupiter-Regulus triple union in Leo the lion of the tribe of Judah revealed in the 3 aspects of Genesis 49:9!

“Lawgiver“- *H2710 [chaqaq] meaning; to cut or engrave, inscribe, establish, ordain, to decree, to be a leader, a ruler, a lawgiver; a scepter. It occurs 19 times in the Hebrew O.T. The primary meaning is “writing or drawing in the sense of etching” [Isa. 30:8; in a book] The root can mean to enact a decree [In Prov. 8:15 its used of a governor decreeing justice with wisdom.] This word [chaqaq] attests to the power of the coordinated decrees of God’s Word first written in the stars, then later in stone and in the Scripture, providing a great precedent for the idea of all language being rooted in the celestial alphabet. [Ex. 32:13-16].

Finally the Word (logos) was made flesh in Jesus Christ, and God’s Word incarnate dwelt with us. These manifold witnesses to God’s omnipotent glory and Grace, all incorporate the awesome beauty and mathematical Symmetry that unveil the accuracy of all His means of divine revelation, embodied in the spoken and written word, in the stars in stone and finally in the flesh. As the Red Thread and master key to the interpretation of God’s Word, Jesus is the lawgiver, after the form of Moses, the one decreeing righteous judgment as the embodiment of the Word made flesh.

With this historical and Biblical background on the Great Sphinx, and its celestial reflection in the birth of Christ, we will now move to the context of the Celestial Sphinx in the end-times.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

In view of the current celestial showcase of heavenly signs surrounding to 9-23-17 replay of the Rev. 12 signs, there are matched sets of triple planetary conjunctions taking place. As we fast-forward to current events, in past light of Jupiter’s role in the Celestial Prelude, the 2017 triple conjunction of Jupiter-Spica was heralded by two Mercury-Spica unions in 2015, within a 6-week period. The first conjunction occurred Sept. 17^th, 2015, and the 2^nd on October 29^th, 2015. Mercury-Gabriel, as messenger arch-angel gives two proclamations resulting from its retrograde motion, foreshadowing Jupiter’s 2017 retrograde motion in Virgo, forming a triple conjunction of Jupiter-Spica. This is part of the first set of planetary triple unions we will focus on in the next few blogs. Mercury-Gabriel establishes the triple union of Jupiter-Spica on Oct. 11^th, 2016, that followed in a pre-dawn union with Jupiter, as Mercury passed within a degree of Jupiter in a Sunrise union.

Remember that this takes place during the Jupiter-Venus conjunction series from 2015-2017, as part of the Celestial Sphinx signs in Virgo and Leo. This conjunction series includes 2 triple unions of Jupiter-Venus, one each in Leo then in Virgo, the head of the Woman united with the body of the Lion, as the two main components of the Great Sphinx, unifying the circle of the Hebrew zodiac in its alpha and omega signs. We find this manifested at the birth of Christ in a dazzling Jupiter-Venus conjunction in Leo on June 17th of 2 BC. It was also 2 Jupiter-Venus conjunctions that actually bracketed the majority of heavenly signs marking the birth of Christ in 3-1 BC.

A guiding principle of the study of the Celestial Sphinx dictates that we should be watchful of activity in the heavens related to both components of the Celestial Sphinx. For instance, with Jupiter’s recent retrograde activity in Virgo, we also find important events in Leo around the king star Regulus-the heart of the Lion.

The 1st Jupiter-Venus Conjunction marking the birth of Christ took place on August 31st 3 BC, in Leo, with the last one occurring on August 21st 1 BC, in Virgo. Here we find an interesting variation on a Celestial Sphinx sign directing us to the planetary unions of Jupiter-Venus, marking the initial fulfillment of the Rev. 12:1-2 prophecy relating to the sufferings of Christ in his ministry as the Passover Lamb. This alerts us that we should look for similar Celestial Sphinx signs as a precursor to the Lord’s Second Coming.

Keeping in mind the context of the triple conjunctions of Jupiter-Venus and the Celestial Sphinx signs, other triple planetary conjunctions related to the Celestial Sphinx will also arrest our attention. First lets document the recent activity of Jupiter and Venus related to the Celestial Sphinx.

The following dates for signs of the Celestial Sphinx 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 2016-17, with only Nov. 2017 remaining:

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

However, before the final Jupiter-Venus union in Virgo, Jupiter starts its 42-week retrograde motion in Virgo’s womb, during which time Jupiter completes another triple conjunction with Spica in Virgo! As we can see Jupiter’s dance card is very full in 2017. The precedent for this at the birth of Christ is seen in the coronation of God’s only begotten Son in the heavens with the triple conjunction of the King planet Jupiter with the King star Regulus in Leo in 3-2 BC, starting 3 days after Christ’s birth, based also on Jupiter’s retrograde motion. As we have seen regarding Jeremiah’s messianic prophecy [Jer. 23:5], Jupiter the sedeq planet is linked with the Messiah, Jesus Christ the righteous zemach-branch, in one of 5 primary Old Testament prophecies regarding the Branch-Al Zemach, as Jesus Christ, the Coming Promised Seed.

As we view the Sept. 9^th birthing of Jupiter from Virgo’s womb, completing Jupiter’s retrograde in Virgo, we also find important events in Leo around the king star Regulus the heart of the Lion. We can see both Mars-Michael the warrior arch-angel and Mercury-Gabriel the messenger arch-angel in close vicinity with Regulus, as Jupiter is delivered. With Jupiter’s birthing on Sept. 9^th, a Mercury-Regulus conjunction also occurs on 9/9/2017. This is a revelation because 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 is added link unifying the two aspects of the Celestial Sphinx, is the 2nd matched set triple crowning unions leading to the replay of the Rev. 12 sign on 9/23/17.

Figure C. Planets in Leo around Regulus from 9-9-17 to 9-17-17.

Stellarium 2 from Bobmoler.wordpress.com

Next on Sept. 16^th, 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, seen below.

Figure D. Great Pyramid Star Shaft Alignments on Rosh Hashanah 2017.

Signs of the End – The Oracle in Stone

Here the star shafts of the Great Pyramid according to the Christ Angle, agree with the Celestial Sphinx, as Regulus and Venus are aligned in Leo the Lion, while Jupiter is in Virgo. The Venus-Regulus conjunction in Leo on Sept. 20th is shown below.

We also find the Sun entering Virgo in preparation of “Clothing” the celestial virgin in light, in the annual 20-day period the Sun spends in Virgo. This not only recalls the kinship between the cycles of the Sun and Jupiter, but was also forecast two years earlier on Sept. 17th, 2015, as a trait of the Celestial Prelude, when the Sun entered Virgo, with a cluster of signs, shedding light on the replay of the Rev. 12 sign two years later.

As was the case at the birth of Christ the dispostion of Spica revealed the details and exact timing of Jesus’ birth. In 3 BC, it was the setting times of the Sun and Moon that framed the setting time of Spica, the branch and offspring of God the Father. So Spica plays a key role also in the replay of the Rev. 12 sign of 2017.

Jupiter’s first union with Spica took place on January 20^th, 2017, where Jupiter is moving in an eastward direction against the stars in its normal orbit. On Jan. 20^th Jupiter first passes Spica only about 3.5 degrees apart. We cab see this depicted in Figure 1 below from [Bobmoler.wordpress.com]

Figure 1. January 20, 2017 Jupiter first conjunction with Spica

On Feb. 9^th, 2017 Jupiter first appears to stand still, beginning its retrograde motion, as seen in Figure 2. below.

Figure 2. February 9, 2017, Jupiter appears to be stationary.

On Feb, 23^rd, 2017 Jupiter passes Spica a second time in retrograde nearly 4 degrees apart, as seen in Figure 3 below.

Figure 3. Second Jupiter-Spica union on Feb. 23^rd.

On June 8^th, 2017 Jupiter ends its retrograde motion, returning to its normal easterly orbit. Then on Sept. 5^th, 2017 Jupiter passes by Spica for the third time, completing its 2017 triple conjunction.

We find this pictured below in Figure 4.

Figure 4. Jupiter following its 3^rd union with Spica, on Sept. 5th, this time only 3.3 degrees apart, seen above on Sept. 9^th, 2017 exiting Virgo’s Womb. This was four days prior to Jupiter exiting the womb of Virgo, in its gestation period with Spica on Sept. 9^th, 2017. With Jupiter the King Planet’s triple crowning of Spica the branch and offspring of God, in Virgo, we see the alpha sign of the Celestial Sphinx highlighted, with the crowing of its alpha star.

Figure 5. Jupiter-Venus union with Mars also in Virgo.

This is also two weeks prior to the replay of the Rev. 12 sign in Virgo on Sept. 23^rd, 2017. Jupiter and Spica then merge into the Sun’s brilliance in a Solar union on October 27^th, before the King Planet Jupiter returns to its engagement with Venus the Bright and Morning Star to complete its triple union in Virgo on Nov. 13^th, 2017, as seen above in Figure 5.

Also in Figure 5 above we find Mars-Michael in Virgo. Part 2 of this blog will exhibit how the triple conjunction of Mars-Spica in Virgo in 2014 foreshadowed this triple union of Jupiter-Spica in 2017.

The Heavenly Father is surely doing His best to get our attention with these aspects of the Celestial Scroll jumping out of the sky for those paying attention! What a great way to emphasize his Season of Repentance that started with the Aug. 21st Total Solar Eclipse leading to Yom Kippur-the holiest day on the sacred Hebrew Calendar, the Day of Atonement. May the peace of God rule in your hearts as you walk daily with the Lord.

Footnotes

1 Ancient Egypt, Lorna Oakes & Lucia Gahlin, p.428.

2 Mazzaroth or, the Constellations: The Sphinx, Frances Rolleston

3 Star Names their Lore and Meaning, R.H. Allen. p. 465.

4 Star Lore, Myths, Legends and Facts, William Tyler Olcott, p.386.

5 Jesus Christ our Promised Seed, V.P. Wierweille, p. 71

6 The Star that Astonished the World, Earnest Martin, p.187.

7 Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger. p. 21-22

8 IBID.

9 Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger. p. 169

10 The Skies of Memory, John Lash [picture credit]

11 The Atlantis Blueprint, Colin Wilso & Rand Flem-Ath. ppg 167-172.

12 Jesus Christ our Promised Seed, V.P. Wierweille, p. 45.

13 The Star that Astonished the World, Earnest Martin, p.186.

14 Jupiter-Spica conjunction graphics are from Bobmoler.wordpress.com