Virgo’s Triple Crown, The Great Pyramid and the Celestial Sphinx

Virgo’s Triple Crown, The Great Pyramid and the Celestial Sphinx

Rev. 5:5
And 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 God’s Word and its interpretation and unfolding!

Rev. 22:16
I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

These two verses both have astronomical references linked to the royal genealogy of Jesus Christ, through the house or root of David. Rev. 5:5 emphasizes the Lion of the tribe of Judah seen in the constellation Leo, with its king star Regulus, while Rev. 22:16 brings attention to Venus the bright and Morning Star. These verses suggest that we should pay attention to the heavenly signs when Venus is in Leo either individually or in conjunction or alignment with other planets including Regulus.

The prominence of the roots of Jesus Christ in these verses are seen in the astronomy of his birth on Sept. 11th 3 BC. A prime aspect of the heavenly signs linked to the birth of Christ fall into the category we have termed the Celestial Sphinx. This includes any stellar sign linking Virgo and Leo. One type of heavenly sign in this category includes what Rev. 12 calls the “crowning of Virgo with 12 stars.” This crowning can occur on at least three levels as we will see in this study.

Stellar Elements of the Great Sphinx

The original teaching and celestial witness of the signs of the zodiac is encapsulated in the signs Virgo and Leo and preserved in the ancient monument of the Giza plateau, the Great Sphinx. A key element of this astronomical truth is seen in the multi-layered crowns on the head of Virgo, that actually bridges about 10 degrees into the sign Leo on the ecliptic. We find the first of this triple level crown linked with the star Denebola; the coming judge or Lord. The star Sarcam in Leo, is a Hebrew word meaning “the joining,“ saying that this is the point where the two ends of the Zodiac have their joining.1

Figure 1. Hydra the Serpent trampled underfoot by Leo and devoured by the Raven-Corvus

Image result for Hydra constellation images

This is borne out in the decan Corvus, the Ravenbird 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, Leo and the Crab. As the Anti-Christ will present a counterfeit of the coming redeemer so this is witnessed in the stars also. The star in the eye of Corvus the Raven, called Al Chibar in Arabic means “joining together,” referring also to the union of the two ends of the true zodiac!2

 Figure 2 below depicts the first level of Virgo’s Crown focusing on the 12 stars joining Virgo and Leo around the star Denebola in Leo’s tail.

Figure 2. The first level of Virgo’s stellar Triple Crown. 1a

Image result for signs at virgos feet sept-october 2017

These 12 immobile stars are constant, unlike the stars of the 2nd level Crowning of Virgo including the nine constant stars of Leo along with key planetary alignments at prophetic times in celestial history. Thus, the first level of 12 stars provide an unchanging witness to the celestial Crowning of the Woman-Virgo, all year around, not just at the start of the Hebrew calendar in Tishri, the inception of the Hebrew Civil Year when the Sun was clothing Virgo. This teaches that the truths of the celestial witness apply to all times during the year as we see in Ps. 19:2

19:Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is not a day or night that goes by that the heavens do not pout forth their sacred knowledge. This illustrates how full of God’s revelation knowledge the celestial gospel is, for those with eyes to see and ears to hear. Sometimes the constant witness of the immobile stars however is augmented by the “wandering stars” or planets or the Greater and lesser lights that rule the day and night-the Sun and Moon. The 69-70 AD Blood Moon Tetrad marking the Roman’s destruction of the Temple is reflected in the solar and lunar eclipses of 2016, leading to the 2017 rewind of the Great Wonder of Rev. 12:1-2. Amazingly, another version of this Rev. 12 celestial wonder takes place on August 27th, in 70 AD, [Plate 1.] in between the 4/14/70 Passover Lunar Eclipse, and the 9/23/70 Rosh Hashanah Solar EclipseWow, that (9/23 date) sure keeps popping up!

Plate 1. The Rev. 12 sign on August 27th, 70 AD: with a Jupiter-Venus union! 3

The woman has her 1st level crown of 12 stars, and Jupiter and Venus are in such close conjunction they appear to merge into one star as they did in 2 BC, except this time they appear in Leo’s lower rear paw, emphasizing Virgo’s 1st level crown, [Fig. 2]. The Sun is clothing Virgo with the Moon near her feet. The King Planet Jupiter and Venus are also aligned with Mercury-Gabriel and the King Star Regulus in Leo, as the 2nd level crowning of Virgo. What is extraordinary with this version of the Rev. 12 Sign is that it occurs in the center of the Blood Moon Tetrad marking the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD. This was also the last time Jerusalem was in control of Israel until the 6-day war of 1967 marked by the 1967-68 Blood Moon Tetrad. The first level crowning of Virgo also foreshadowed the Celestial Sphinx prophecy of the birth of Christ 3 days prior to the 1st of 3 Jupiter-Regulus conjunctions marking the birth of Christ in 3-2 BC, pictured below [Fig. 5].

There were key planetary conjunctions that took place marking the Birth of Christ, in the constellations Virgo and Leo. Since these are the Mazzaroth signs that constitute the alphaomega signs of the Hebrew Zodiac, forming the Celestial Sphinx, it embodies a living practical example of Biblical Astronomy embodied in the Great Sphinx. As an exemplar of Biblical Archaeo-Astronomy, the Great Sphinx is a true living artifact of the divine science of Biblical Astronomy preserved by the Creator and utilized through history, marking not only Jesus’ birth, but also heavenly signs of the Second Coming of His only Begotten Son.

Figure 3. Virgo at Sunset on September 11th 3 BC. 4

great sphinx

A consistent interest regarding Jesus’ birth signs is that they bear the celestial seal and signet of the Great Sphinx, the Alpha and Omega signs of the Hebrew Mazzaroth. The signs occurring in a 3-week annual period when the Sun is clothing Virgo, in the Rev. 12:1 sign including Virgo’s Crowns are a focus of this study.5 Virgo’s symbolism first relates to a genuine exaltation of Mary, the woman most highly blessed among women, because she believed the words of the arch-angel Gabriel when he told her she would bear the promised seed. This woman of Rev. 12 also symbolizes Israel, specifically the tribe of Judah in this context as the root of David.
In addition, the Sun in Virgo marks the annual start of the Hebrew Civil Year, in the month of Tishri. With this in mind, we note in the relief from the ceiling of the Temple of Esneh [Fig. 4], 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.6 This stellar image seen at the same temple site housing the Dendera zodiac, provides archaeological evidence, for the union of Virgo and Leo affirmed in the two stellar aspects of the Sphinx monument.

Virgo is seen at the far right below, prominently holding her grain stalk, or branch as shown in he 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 4. Sun in Virgo, in the Temple of Esneh, on the Giza Plateau. 7

great sphinx

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, as it moves through the 12 Mazzaroth signs during the year, [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. A key indicator of the central importance of these stellar aspects of the Great Sphinx, is our recognition of the Celestial Sphinx, pictured below, Virgo and Leo the lion provide the basis of signs of the triple union of Jupiter-Regulus in Leo, in 3 BC linked to Gen. 49:8-10. This is a corner-stone linking the Sphinx both to the Celestial Gospel and God’s Word, in their unified testimony to the Coming Promised Seed, starting with the 1st Jupiter-Regulus conjunction 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. 5] 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 a view of what an observer in Jerusalem facing east would have seen on this date, providing a clear view of the astronomical symbolism of the Celestial Sphinx as a key marker and monumental prediction of Jesus’ birthday on Sept. 11th, a prophecy of the birth of Christ preserved in stone from antiquity! This monolithic marker serves as a prophecy provided in Rev. 12:1-5, in the sign of Virgo, further establishing this truth.

Figure 5. 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 Sphinxand marking the first Jupiter-Regulus Conjunction in Leo. 8

head of a woman and body of a lion

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 in the last 10 degrees of Leo.”9

Virgo’s head is seen in Fig. 5, just below and adjacent to the star Denebola in the tail of the Lion, unifying the circle of the zodiac. Figure 6 below depicts the Second level of Virgo’s crowning, including the nine stars of Leo with three planets; Venus, Mars and Mercury aligned on Sept. 23rd 2017, with Regulus, seen below.

Figure 6. Level Two of Virgo’s Crown in Leo. 10

Image result for Rev. 12 Sign on Sept 23rd 2017 images

In view of the showcase of heavenly signs surrounding to 9-23-17 replay of the Rev. 12 wonder, we take note of the matched sets of triple planetary conjunctions leading to this sign. As we view recent events, in past light of Jupiter’s role in the Celestial Prelude, the 2017 triple conjunction of Jupiter-Spica was heralded by two unions of Mercury and Spica in 2015, in a 6-week period. The first conjunction occurred Sept. 17th, 2015, with the 2nd on October 29th, 2015Mercury-Gabriel, as messenger arch-angel gives two proclamations resulting from its retrograde motion, foreshadowing Jupiter’s 2017 retrograde motion in Virgo, forming the triple conjunction of Jupiter-Spica. Mercury-Gabriel established the triple union of Jupiter-Spica on Oct. 11th, 2016, in a pre-dawn union with Jupiter, as Mercury passed within a degree of Jupiter during a Sunrise union.

Recall that all this took 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 two 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 Mazzaroth circle in its alpha and omega signs. This is consistent with signs at the birth of Christ like the dazzling Jupiter-Venus union in Leo on June 17th of 2 BC. It was also two Jupiter-Venus conjunctions that 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 SphinxFor instance, with Jupiter’s retrograde activity in Virgo last fall, we also witnessed key events in Leo around the king star Regulus-the heart of the Lion. These signs mirrored the planetary alignment in Leo  surrounding the birth of Christ with Jupiter, Mars, Mercury and Venus all amassed in Leo,  in August of 2 BC including a second level crowning of Virgo.

The 1st Jupiter-Venus Conjunction marking the birth of Christ took place on August 12th, 3 BC, in Leo, the 2nd June 17th of 2 BC, also in Leo with the last one occurring on Aug. 21st 1 BC, in Virgo. Here we find a variation on a Celestial Sphinx sign directing us to the planetary unions of Jupiter-Venus, marking the initial fulfillment of the Rev. 12 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.

Jupiter-Venus Conjunction
jupiter-venus

With these triple conjunctions of Jupiter-Venus and the Celestial Sphinx signs in mind, other triple planetary conjunctions related to the Celestial Sphinx would also arrest our attention. We find this in the recent activity of Jupiter and Venus related to the Celestial Sphinx signs of 2017. 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, capped off in Nov. 2017:

Aug. 27th, 2016 [Jupiter enters Virgo]
Feb. 26th, 2017
Nov. 13th, 2017

However, before the final Jupiter-Venus union in Virgo in 2017, 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 was 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. 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 Christthe Coming Promised Seed.

As we view the Sept. 9th birthing of Jupiter from Virgo’s womb, completing Jupiter’s retrograde in Virgo, we also found 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 being delivered. Jupiter’s birthing is a key pre-Tribulation sign alerting us that the woman of Rev. 12:2 is “with child and travailing in birth” pangs. With Jupiter’s birthing on Sept. 9th, a Mercury-Regulus conjunction also took place on 9/9/2017. This is key because this Mercury –Regulus union is part of another triple conjunction based on the retrograde motion of Mercury in Leo concurrent with Jupiter’s retro dance in Virgo. This added link unifies the two aspects of the Celestial Sphinx, and is the 2nd matched set of triple unions leading to the replay of the Rev. 12 sign on 9/23/17.

Figure 7. The Third level Crown of Virgo

In addition to marking the Alpha and Omega of celestial canon, these concurrent  Great Sphinx signs not only mirror the binding of Scripture together from Genesis to Revelation, but also represent the 3rd level of Virgo’s Crown as the entire circle of the Mazzaroth is highlighted above the head of the woman. Her Promised Seed is the unifying subject in every book of the Bible and every constellation on the zodiacal circle, as seen in references to Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah in both Gen. 49:8-10 and Rev. 5:5, and Rev. 12, the first and last books of the Bible.

Figure 8. Axis E on the Dendera Zodiac. 9

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 established in the 5th 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. 10 Even as the birth of Christ is prophesied by the Great Sphinx, and the Dendera Zodiac, so also the Great Pyramid is an even greater witness to Christ, as Isaiah prophesied;

Isa. 19:19-21
19 In that day there will be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the Lord at its border20 And it will be for a sign and for a witness to the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt; for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them21 Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day, and will make sacrifice and offering; yes, they will make a vow to the Lord and perform it.

Figure 9. Kings Chamber Star Shaft and Descending Passage Star alignments on Sept. 20-21, 2017. 11

 

On Rosh Hashanah leading to the Rev. 12 sign on 9-23-17 certain shafts and passages built into the Great Pyramid exhibit astronomical alignments on this date prophesying of, and witnessing to Jesus Christ. As we can see in Figure 9 above the King’s Chamber star shaft of the Great Pyramid is aligned to Regulus and Venus in Leo, while the Descending Passage is aligned to Jupiter in Virgo. Here we not only have a separate corroboration of the Celestial Sphinx from the Great Pyramid, but we too find a rendition of the 3rd level of Virgo’s Crown, pointed out in these Rosh Hasanah alignments of the Great Pyramid!

On September 23, 2017 there were four planets in the vicinity that complete the sign marking the Celestial Sphinx. Mercury, Venus, Mars, are in Leo with Jupiter in Virgo. In Leo at this time was Mars, Venus and Mercury. With Leo consisting of nine primary stars, the three wandering stars form the crown of twelve stars upon the head of the woman. Jupiter in Israel  is known as the planet of the Messiah. Jupiter enters the sign of Virgo on August 27, 2016, which coincides with a close union of Venus. The August 27, 2016 conjunction comes 400 days before Yom Kippur, which always ends Teshuvah, the 40 day Season of RepentanceAs the sign of Revelation 12 forms on Sept. 23, 2017, Jupiter is in the womb of Virgo 400 days [40 x 10], about to be born. As we recall, the meaning of Tribulation refers to the period of labor pains before birth. The world is going to endure a period of judgement resulting in the Messiah’s Kingdom. This sign foreshadows seven future years–the worst in human history. These celestial signs represent an announcement and warning of the Great Tribulation. There is still time to claim God’s deliverance for those who put their trust in Christ, [Rom. 10:9-10]. God will rescue the believers to heaven prior to the awful judgement. Yet many will miss this opportunity, but God’s grace still abounds for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but they will have to endure the Tribulation.

God included a special heavenly sign linked to the Great Wonder of Rev. 12. If we backtrack, 1260 days from the Rev. 12 sign, we conspicuously arrive at the day of the 1st Blood Moon lunar eclipse in the 2014-2015 Tetrad, [Joel 2:30-32]. This Passover lunar eclipse of April 15, 2014 occurred at a key location in the heavens near the star Spica in Virgo. Jesus as the Seed of the Woman became the perfect sacrifice for all mankind on Passover. He was the ear of grain that must die so that life can abound. Spica in Hebrew is Zerah meaning “seed”–the offspring of God, and its the same word found in the first prophecy of the Promised Seed in Gen. 3:15. Thus it is the perfect precursor to the Jupiter-Spica triple conjunction that occurred  in Virgo’s womb, leading to the Jupiter’s birthing, as the sign warning of Jesus’ return to earth.

Figure 10. The Blood Moon Tetrad and the signs of 2017. 12

Robert Breaker Exposed false prophet | What will happen on September 23 2017

The sign of Revelation 12 is a logical celestial sign warning that the Tribulation is coming, not that it is here yet as is implied in Fig. 10. This is a key heavenly sign that links the Blood Moon Tetrad to the Rev. 12 sign on 9-23-17. The woman of Rev. 12 can embody multiple meanings in this prophecy. We have spent much time documenting this woman as Virgo, the only sign of a woman of the 12 primary constellations of the Hebrew Mazzaroth. We also showed earlier in the post, linked to the root of David, this woman could also symbolize the tribe of Judah. Also the virgin can embody (Israel) as the woman entering her labor pains, preparing to go through tribulation. When we combine this in context of recent blog posts foreshadowing the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, we can see that for the Church in these days, our time is short. When we combine the setting of Rev. 12, with the 2014-15 Blood Moon Tetrads and 9-23-17 sign, we have very specific markers from different perspectives pointing towards the return of Christ, quickly.

Some doubt the dual significance of the Rev. 12 sign which already had been depicted with the multiple symbolism of the Woman of Rev. 12:1-2, 4-6, 13 that is readily seen in the difference between the woman of verses 1-2 [Virgo] as opposed to the woman of v.6 who fled to the wilderness for 1260 days, which does not match the time that Joseph, Mary and Jesus spent in Egypt, to get away from Herod and those who sought the child’s life. Thus within the space of the first 6 verses of Rev. 12 we already have three different meanings for the “woman.”  Not only does the time frame not match, but the 1260 days matches the end-time periods of 42 months [13:4] and time, times and half a time [12:13-14], so we can see the the woman being persecuted by the serpent was not Mary, but Israel. Thus it is obvious that the Rev. 12 sign in the context of the 12th chapter alone refers not only to the birth of Christ but the end times also leading to the return of Christ.

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With an interval of 1260 days between the Passover Blood Moon, and this Rev. 12 sign from Sept. 23 to Sept. 25, we find the Feast of Trumpets 2017, on Sept. 21st. This day is located between the sign involving the Great Pyramid and Great Wonder of Rev. 12. We saw earlier how the Great Pyramid witnesses of Christ during this time, but there are other examples of astronomical alignments linked to this last remaining Wonder of the Ancient world that we should be aware of. As we find in Figure 11 below the Apex of the Great Pyramid is aligned with “the Coming PrinceOrion, specifically with the main star of Orion’s Belt-Al Nitak-the wounded one. One of the Pyramid’s alignments that witnesses to the birth of Christ is that Al Nitak in Orion was seen over Bethlehem at 51.51 degrees, on the day of Christ’s birth-on Rosh Hashanah (our Sept. 11th) of 3 BC. So again we find the apex or Chief Cornerstone of the Great Pyramid aligned with the star Al Nitak at meridian or zenith on Rosh Hashanah of 2017, linking these two key dates together for all time. For those doubting our thesis for the birth of Christ on 9/11 3 BC, here is more strong evidence supporting our case. There are archaeo-astronomical theories supporting the pattern of the three large Pyramids on the Giza Plateau reflecting the three stars of Orion’s belt, when transposed to the ground, where Al Nitak’s position matches the Great Pyramid. These links take you to other studies on this blog covering added Great Pyramid alignments related to Bethlehem and the birth of Christ.

Figure 11. Great Pyramid astronomical alignments on Rosh Hashanah 2017.

The alignment of the King’s Chamber Passage in the Great Pyramid to this union of Regulus-Venus in Leo, in the dawn light on the morning before Rosh Hashanah, 2017, the King Star Regulus is unified with Venus the Bright and Morning Star – in Leo the lion (Rev. 2:28, 22:16 & 1 Pet. 1:19). With Regulus and Venus in the rising together “as a morning star” in the east at the 26.3-degree Christ angle, determining the orientation of various shafts and passages in the Great Pyramid, reminds us of 2 Peter;

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

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

Amen…

 

Footnotes

1. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger. p. 169
1a. The astronomer, Professor Thorley, has shown that there are exactly twelve stars surrounding the head of Virgo as we view them from the earth. If one will look at Norton’s Star Atlas, twelve visible stars will be seen around Virgo’s head. They are, according to astronomical terminology: (1) Pi, (2) Nu, (3) Beta, (4) Sigma, (5) Chi, (6) Iota – these six stars form the southern hemisphere around the head of Virgo. Then there are (7) Theta, (8) Star 60, (9) Delta, (10) Star 93, (11) Beta, (12) Omicron – these last six form the northern hemisphere around the head of Virgo.
2. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger. p. 169
3.  Stellarium Astronomical Software on Aug. 27th, 70 AD
4. Jesus Christ our Promised Seed, American Christian Press, p. 71
5. The Star that Astonished the World, Earnest Martin, p.187.
6. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger. p. 21-22
7. Ibid
8. Jesus Christ our Promised Seed, V.P. Wierweille, p. 45.
9. The Star that Astonished the World, Earnest Martin, p.186.
10. Stellarium Astronomical Software image of Virgo and Leo on Sept. 23rd, 2017
11. The Skies of Memory, John Lash [picture credit]
12. The Atlantis Blueprint, Colin Wilson & Rand Flem-Ath. ppg 167-172.
13. Signs of the End – The Oracle in Stone
14. Figure 11 Picture credit [endtimesforecaster.blogspot.com]

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The Super-Moon Triad, Blood Moon Tetrad and The Jerusalem Temple

 The Super-Moon Triad, Blood Moon Tetrad and The Jerusalem Temple

As the heavens open their dialogue for the New Year of 2018, there is a noted lunar theme in the air! In this first blog of 2018, we are highlighting the Super Blood Moon on Jan 31st. This is part of a series of Super Moons wrapping up 2017 and starting 2018. A Super-Moon occurs when the Moon reaches peak fullness during its closest approach to Earth. Super-Moons appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than normal. Super-Moons can occur multiple times per year, as we are seeing with the current Super-Moon Triad. The Dec. 3rd Super-Moon in Virgo was the only one in 2017, but 2018 opens with another in Taurus on New Year’s Day!

This 2nd Super-Moon sets the stage for the third Super-Moon of this series, which is not only a Super-Moon, but as the 2nd Full Moon in January 2018, it qualifies as a Blue Moon, an event occurring every 2.5 years, in this special case, a Super Blue Moon. With two Super-Moons in January, on the 1st and 31st, the final lunar sign in this Super-Moon series pulls a trifecta, also being a Total Lunar Eclipse. Thus we have a rare Super-Blue-Blood Moon.

A notable recent Super-Blood Moon happened back in Sept. 2015 as the sky burst with heavenly signs. The 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad capped off with the first known Super Blood Moon on a Hebrew feast. The Blood Moon Tetrad wrapped up with the Super Blood Moon on Tabernacles FeastSept. 28, 2015. The history of Blood Moon Tetrads teaches we could expect efforts to persecute Israel along with the Christian Church, while maintaining expectations that the Almighty always protects His people. The modern Blood Moon Tetrads have been significant in marking the restoration of Israel, as a sovereign nation, with its reclamation of Jerusalem. The next logical step observers are on the look out for relates to the restoration of the Temple of Israel and its daily sacrificesPreparation along these lines has been active in Israel for a number of years, but we may expect some developments in this area along political fronts continuing, with President Trump’s recent announcement of the planned move of the US Embassy from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem, as part of a historic recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Figure 1. Super Blood Moon on Sept. 28th was visible from Jerusalem.

Blood Moon Over Jerusalem

Image result for Blood Moon over the Wailing Wall image

Announcement of the Messiah’s Reign

A Psalm of David.
110:1 The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!

 Thus we can see how the current Super-Moon Triad summarized by the Super-Blue-Blood Moon opening 2018, is linked to the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad. The spiritual impact of these luni-solar heavenly signs will not be realized individually as much as collectively. Also the fact that the culmination of the Blood Moon Tetrad in 2015 exhibited a series of signs leading to the Rev. 12 sign on 9/23/2017, is a major key to keep in mind.
As the Figure 1 chart tells us, exactly 2 years prior to the 9/23/2017 Rev. 12 sign, the 50 year Jubilee fell on the Day of Atonement on the Hebrew calendar. As we pay attention to the celestial context of the heavenly signs surrounding the Blood Moon Tetrad, we will gain a fuller understanding of their significance.

Some primary celestial markers for the birth of Christ were the Jupiter-Venus unions from 3 to 1 BC.  The Triple Conjunction of Jupiter-Venus, the two brightest stars in the heavens after the Sun and Moon, is notable especially with the addition of Mercury, leading to the planetary alignment with Regulus in Leo, forming the Crown of Virgo in the replay of the Rev. 12:1-2; “Great Wonder in Heaven” on Sept. 23rd 2017. The following list dates  not only the Jupiter-Venus conjunctions in Leo during the transition from the Hebrew Sabbatical year to the Jubilee year of 2015-16, but other notable planetary conjunctions and heavenly signs in Virgo and Leo during this period shedding light on the Celestial Sphinx:

32831844

June 30th- July 1, 2015 [Jupiter-Venus]
July 17th, 2015 [Venus-Regulus]

July 31st, 2015 [Jupiter-Venus]
August 5th 2015 [Venus-Mercury in Leo]
August 6th, 2015 [Regulus-Jupiter-Mercury in Leo]
August 7th [Jupiter-Mercury in Leo]
August 7th [Mercury-Regulus in Leo]
August 11th 2015
 [Jupiter-Regulus in Leo]
August 29th 2015 [Venus-Mars]
Sept. 13th 2015 [Partial Solar Eclipse]
Sept. 17th 2015 [Sun clothing Virgo with the Moon at her feet]
Sept. 17th 2015 [Mercury-Spica in Virgo]
Sept. 21st 2015 [Hebrew Jubilee Year opens 
on the Day of Atonement]
Sept. 28th 2015 [Final Super Blood Moon, Feast of Trumpets]
October 8th, 2015 [Venus-Regulus in Leo]
October 17th-18th, 2015 [Jupiter-Mars in Leo]
October 21st, 2015 [Orionids Meteor Peak]

October 25-26th, 2015 [Jupiter-Venus]
October 28th, 2015 [Jupiter-Venus, Mars unite in a 1 degree triangular massing] in 2016.
October 29th, 2015 [Mercury -Spica in Virgo]
Nov. 2-3rd, 2015 [Venus-Mars]

We can see from this list that the sky was thick with heavenly signs leading up to and including the Final Super Blood Moon of the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad.

As there were 3 Jupiter-Venus Conjunctions marking the birth of Christ in 3-2 BC, so this triple union of Jupiter-Venus aligned with Regulus in Leo, reflects a similar spiritual light in 2015. In fact the Rev. 12 heavenly sign:  the [Sun clothing Virgo with the Crescent Moon at her feet] on September 17th, 2015 is announced by Mercury-Gabriel located just outside the womb area of Virgo above Spica/Al Zimach, 2 years ahead of the replay of the Great Wonder in Heaven, on Sept. 23rd 2017! This shows us how the planetary movements surrounding the both the birth of Christ in 3-2 BC, and the heavenly signs of the Blood Moon Tetrad leading to the signs of 2017 mirror each other.

The Jan. 31st, 2018 Blood Moon will also be visible in Israel as the moon is rising. It is the first of 3 consecutive Blood Moons visible in Israel. The 2nd occurs on July 27/28, 2018 and the 3rd on Jan. 20-21, 2019. This Blood Moon lunar triple of 2018-2019 follows 7 years after the lunar triple of  2010-2011 Blood Moons also visible in Israel. As we can see below, these two sets of Blood Moon Lunar triples framed the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad, marking Hebrew Feast and holy days in 2014-15. The Chart below also shows us layers of Total Solar Eclipses, for instance the solar eclipse located outside each lunar triple.

Figure 1. 2014-2015 Biblical Tetrad  1

Jesus On My Mind - Blood Moon Tetrads and Triples and Solar Eclipses

 

The 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad was centered between the saddest days on the Hebrew Calendar, the days of Av marked by two lunar triples framing this Tetrad between 2010-11 and 2018-19. These Lunar triples or triads are Blood Moon lunar eclipses that do not fall on Hebrew Feast or holy days, bracketing the Blood Moon Tetrad that did. Also the 2nd Blood Moon of each lunar triple was visible over Jerusalem. These lunar triples recall the Jerusalem Temple being destroyed on two key occasions in their history, in the Hebrew Sabbath years of 586-587 BC and 69-70 AD. This Jubilee calendar also marks 27-28 AD as a Jubilee year, denoting the year Jesus opens his ministry to Israel, as seen in [Isa. 61:1ff & Lk. 4:18-19].


The 2010-2011 Lunar triple
dates prior to the Blood Moon Tetrad and Eclipses of 2016 are seen below:

12/21/2010
6/15/2011
12/10/2011

The 2018-2019 Lunar triple dates after the Blood Moon Tetrad and eclipses of 2016 are seen below:

1/31/2018
7/27/2018
1/21/2019

Further observations linking the Total Solar Eclipse of Aug. 21st 2017 to the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-2015, and the eclipses of 2016 is found in the fact that each Lunar triple framing this Tetrad is itself framed by a series of Total Solar eclipses! This Total Solar Eclipse series is related to the “Days of Av” as a set of 4 Total Solar Eclipses, all taking place on the 1st of Av. The first bracket framing the Lunar triple is actually the 3rd total solar eclipse in a set of 3 total solar eclipses on the 1st of Av, as seen in Figure 1.

As we have documented in previous blog posts on June 24th and August of 2017, the Aug. 21st Total Solar Eclipse initiated the 40-day Season of Repentance leading to Yom Kippur 2017. However, when viewed in the celestial framework of this series of Total Solar Eclipses bracketing the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad, we are provided a clear picture of the relationship between these solar eclipses and the Blood Moon Tetrad.

The Chart below reflects both series of Partial and Total Solar Eclipses framing the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-2015.

Figure 2. Lunar Triads and Solar Eclipses framing the Blood Moon Tetrad  2

Blood moon triad midpoints symmetry

As we take note of the order of these Solar and Lunar eclipses, we find 4 Partial Solar Eclipses between each Lunar Triple. All the solar eclipses on either side of the Lunar Tetrad are spaced equi-distant from the center of the Blood Moon Tetrad.  For example, we find this with two solar eclipses closest to the center of the Blood Moon Tetrad, Oct. 23, 2014, & Mar. 20, 2015, are the same distance on either side of the center date [Jan. 5, 2015] of this Lunar Tetrad.  The dates for these Partial Solar Eclipses before the Blood Moon Tetrad are listed below:

The Partial Solar Eclipse dates before the Blood Moon tetrad:

1/4/2011
6/1/2011
7/1/2011
11/25/2011

Partial Solar Eclipse Dates with the Second Lunar Triple:

2/15/2018
7/13/2018
8/11/2018
1/6/2019

The Total Solar eclipse series serves to bracket both the Blood Moon Tetrad and both sets of Lunar triples. Total Solar Eclipse dates bracketing the first Lunar Triple and the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad are seen below:

5/20/2012
11/13/2012
5/10/2013
11/3/2013


Total Solar Eclipse dates bracketing the 2nd Lunar Triple and the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad are seen below:

3/9/2016 [Nisan 1]
9/1/2016 [Feast of Trumpets]
2/26/2016
8/21/2017 [Great American Eclipse]

These dates may look familiar to those who follow my Biblical Astronomy Blog [blog.try-god.org], as the first Total Solar Eclipses of 2016 constitute the continuation of Solar and Lunar signs on Hebrew Feast and Holy days following the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-15. Due to a lack of consensus regarding the appearance of Aviv Barley in Israel, the alignment of these solar eclipses with Hebrew Feast and holy days went mostly unrecognized in 2016. But they are key as they represent a direct link to the Aug. 21st, Total Solar eclipse. We also noted above, how the 2nd Blood Moon of each lunar triple bracketing the 2014-2015 Blood Moon Tetrad was visible over Jerusalem. Provides a riveting link to the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in the Hebrew Sabbath years of 586-587 BC and 69-70 AD. Nebuchadnezzar burnt the Temple in 587-586 BC [2 Chron. 36:17-20], and in 69-70 AD, Titus and his Roman legions burnt the Temple. In both cases Jerusalem lay desolate for the next 50 years. 3

What is interesting is that there was also a Blood Moon Tetrad marking the 69-70 AD destruction of the Jerusalem Temple., and 70 AD was the last year Jerusalem was under control of the Hebrews until the Blood Moon Tetrad of 1967-68.  These LuniSolar Eclipses of 2016 also mirror exactly the 69-70 AD Blood Moon Tetrad, Its also worthy to note that the triple conjunction of Jupiter-Regulus marking Christ’s birth, is linked to this destruction of the Jerusalem Temple foretold by Christ [Matt. 24:2], since the next Jupiter-Regulus  conjunction did not recur till Oct. 15th, 69 AD. 4

By putting these birth signs of Christ together with the physical Temple being destroyed, it recalls Jesus’ words in [Jn. 2:19-20] where Jesus links the Temple’s destruction, wherein he was standing when he said “destroy this temple,” with the “temple of his body.” Jesus Christ embodied the Temple in 2 aspects; as the Bride of Israel when he spoke this prophecy, and later in the Church of Gentile Christians communing with the Heavenly Father spiritually after the Day of Pentecost in the Age of Grace. Since Jesus superseded the physical Temple in his Spiritual body of the Church, the Jerusalem Temple on the Mount will not be seen again until its daily sacrifices are restored prior to Jesus’ Second Coming. The 69-70 AD Blood Moon Tetrad marking the Roman’s destruction of the Temple are reflected in the solar and lunar eclipses of 2016, leading to the 2017 rewind of the Great Wonder of Rev. 12:1-2. Amazingly, another version of this Rev. 12 celestial wonder takes place on August 27th, in 70 AD, in between the 4/14/70 Passover Lunar Eclipse, and the 9/23/70 Rosh Hashanah Solar Eclipse! Wow, that (9/23 date) sure keeps popping up…

Figure 3. The Rev. 12 sign on August 27th, 70 AD: With a Jupiter-Venus union! 5

The woman has a crown of twelve stars, and Jupiter and Venus are in such close conjunction they appear to merge into one star just as they did in 2 BC, except this time in the lower rear paw of Leo. The Sun is clothing Virgo with the Moon near her feet. The King Planet Jupiter and Venus are also aligned with Mercury-Gabriel and the King Star Regulus in Leo. What is extraordinary with this version of the Rev. 12 Sign is that it takes place in the center of the Blood Moon Tetrad that marks the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD.

As we transition to events of the recent past, 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. 17th, 2015, and the 2nd on October 29th, 2015. Mercury-Gabriel, as messenger arch-angel gives two proclamations resulting from its retrograde motion, as a precursor to Jupiter’s retrograde motion in Virgo, forming a triple union of Jupiter-Spica in 2017. Mercury-Gabriel established the pending triple union of Jupiter-Spica on Oct. 11th, 2016, in a pre-dawn conjunction with Jupiter, as Mercury passes within a degree of Jupiter in a Sunrise union.

Once the recognition of ripe Barley occurred in Israel it, added two more Lunar Eclipse events in 2016, to the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-2015. Although the two added Lunar Eclipses on Hebrew Feast and Holy Days with the four Blood Moons do make a highly unique event including 6 Lunar Eclipses from 2014-2016, the added 2016 events do not qualify as Blood Moons. That being said, it does not make these 2016 Lunar Eclipses any less significant, or less worthy of our undivided attention, because all 6 of these qualify as Lunar Eclipses in 3 consecutive years on Hebrew Feast days, just a bit different, in a distinct class from the Four Blood Moons! As we consider the import of these Penumbral Lunar Eclipses in 2016, we can not omit the similarity to the Penumbral Lunar Eclipses that happened in 70 AD marking the Romans destruction of the Jerusalem Temple.

The following summary from our Biblical Blood Moon Calendar post, shows the 70 AD Roman Temple Destruction as Jesus Prophesied.


Solar & Lunar Eclipses from 69-71 AD
.         2016 Solar & Lunar Eclipses omitting Adar 2:

Jupiter-Regulus Conjunction    10/15/69     in  Leo

Partial Lunar      Sukkot              10/18/69

Total Solar           Nisan 1              3/30/70       Total Solar Eclipse 3/9/2016 on Nisan 1

Penum lunar       Passover          4/14/70        Penumbral Lunar Eclipse Passover 3/23/2016/Nisan 14

Rev. 12 Sign of the Woman       8/27/70

Annular Solar     Rosh Hash      9/23/70       Annular Solar Eclipse 9/3/2016/Trumpets Feast 

Penum lunar        Sukkot            10/08/70     Penum Lunar Eclipse 9/16/Sukkot/9-16 to 9/23/16

Partial Lunar       Purim               3/4/71

Its interesting to note that if the ripe Barley determination was made before the Total Solar Eclipse on March 9th2016, it would also have aligned with Nisan 1, as seen with the Total Solar Eclipse above on 3/30/70 AD. This comparison of Solar and Lunar signs between 70 AD and 2016 is truly remarkable! Also, as we mentioned in the Purim Blood Moon post, 71 AD was the last Lunar Eclipse on Purim that we can find in the intervening period up to today. The fascinating parallel here is that these Luni-Solar signs marked the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 AD, while today we are looking for the return of a Third Jerusalem Temple as the next logical step in Biblical Prophecy following up on Israel’s reclamation of Jerusalem, marked by the 1967-68′ Blood Moon Tetrad, in the 6-day War with Egypt. Thus we see the impact of these Solar and Penumbral Lunar Eclipses in 2016 as they form the only other LuniSolar signs on Hebrew Feasts that are considered a Tetrad over the last 2000 years

In summary, we have seen how the Super-Moon Triad capped off with the 1st Blood Moon of 2018, links to the Blood Moon Tetrad of 2014-15, via the series luni-solar eclipses that frame it. The Lunar Triads bracketing the Biblical Tetrad visible over Jerusalem, link to the Temple which was destroyed in the Sabbath years of 587-586 BC and 70 AD, looking forward to the future 3rd Jerusalem Temple. This is established by the luni-solar eclipses matching in 2016 and 70 AD, both leading to the Rev. 12 signs tied to Christ through the Jupiter-Regulus unions in 69 AD & 3-2 BC, along with other planetary conjunctions noted above. This suggests we should expect activity related to the forthcoming Third Jerusalem Temple.


Footnotes

1. [www.bloodmoonscoming.com] Graphic 3B “Like No Other”
2. Fearful Symmetry Pt. II graphic, Alexander Lawrence
3. Number in Scripture, ppg. 237-38, E.W. Bullinger
4. http://www.777thsabbath.com/page97.html
5. Stellarium Astronomical Software on Aug. 27th, 70 AD

 

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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.” 

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].
Image result for Prophet Daniel as chief of the Magi images

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 GreatIsrael 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

Image result for Blood Moon tetrad images

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

22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then 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 plainly25 Jesus 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 BCJupiter 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.

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.” 


Figure 2. The Caravan of the Magi entering Jerusalem.

Image result for Magi arrive in Jerusalem images

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. [emphasis mine]

On December 25th, 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 23rd, 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 ScorpionAntares, 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

Image result for Dec.17th 2017 Rev. 12 dragon sign images

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. +And 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 conquerDaniel 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

Image result for Sagittarius-Scorpio constellation images

As a follow -up to the Mercury retrograde concluding the first week of September 2017Mercury’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 1.5o 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 0.7o (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 Birth and Return of Jesus Christ and the Dual Fulfillment of Revelation 12, [Part 1]

The Biblical Astronomy of Birth and Return of Jesus Christ and the Dual Fulfillment of Revelation 12, [Part 1]

In our study of the Biblical Astronomy of the Birth and Return of Christ we have noted that Jupiter the king planet, as the Star of Bethlehem led the Magi to Jerusalem, and ultimately to the young child Jesus. In our thesis of the Celestial Prelude we have also shown that the triple planetary conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in 7 BC, served the Magi well in fore-shadowing the actual signs of the birth of Christ, directing them to another triple planetary conjunction of Jupiter and Regulus, four years later. We have also shown the likelihood that these triple unions of Jupiter-Saturn may have marked the birth of Abraham, circa 1953 BC. A key element of the signs marking the birth and return of Christ is understanding the dual significance of Rev. 12. This study will endeavor to highlight key elements of this dual significance according to the Biblical Astronomy teaching inherent in Revelation 12.

In the History of Astronomy the Conjunction cycle of Jupiter-Saturn is thought to open a window on the precession of the equinoxes, according to the base 60 mathematical pattern. This phenomena was witnessed in the ancient Astronomy of numerous cultures including the Maya, Romans, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Chinese, and astronomers of ancient Egypt. In fact, the Chinese Zhuanxu Calendar is thought to have started in 1953 BC, linked with a significant predawn all-planet alignment on March 5th. According to astronomers Kevin Pang and John Bangert of the Jet Propulsion Labs, in an ancient text written by Liu Xiang [77-9 BC], this alignment took place near the Pegasus Square, [Plate II] between the two fish of Pisces. Pang stated: “While the beginning of a day is dawn, a five-planet conjunction occurring at dawn, with a new moon, and the start of spring would truly be the beginning of all cycles. For calendar makers, such a moment would also be an ideal starting point for counting days, months, years and planetary periods.” 1 The idea of a Jupiter-Saturn triple union taking place with an alignment of the planets, indicates a possible termination point, where all solar system planetary cycles were in agreement early in their cycles. This idea agrees with Jupiter-Saturn triple unions occurring in Pisces only once every 800 years, showing how this Conjunction series subdivides the 25,920 year cycle of precession. Since 30 cycles of Jupiter-Saturn triple conjunctions taking place in Piscestotals a period of 24,000 years, a they serve to generally break down this long cycle of the precession of the equinoxes, into 2000 year ages.

Figure 1. The Precession of the Equinoxes

bi-polar world axis

Like the ancient Egyptians, the Maya pyramid-building culture of ancient Mexico had a very advanced Astronomy. Their own version of the 360-day year, was called a “tun” adding 5 extra days, called “haab,” considered an unlucky period, on a regular basis to make a 365 day year. According to Peter Thompkins, Mayans also; “calculated the orbit of the Earth about the Sun as 365.2420 days, and marked the close of the year by the erection of a stone they called a “tun.” They did likewise for a twenty-year cycle or “Katun,” a period they believed governed by the Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn.” 2  [emphasis mine]

Thompkins continues in telling us; “The Maya had a very special sacred year of 260 days called tzolkin, that the Aztecs called tonalamatl.” This 260-day sacred calendar was “divided into 13 months of 20 days and the multiples of 13 and 20 became the heart of a chronological computation, stunning in its simplicity and exactness. A greater cycle of 260 years was 13 consecutive Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction cycles of 20 years.”3[emphasis mine]

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This greater 260year cycle based on Jupiter-Saturn Conjunctions, was also a tool anciently utilized by the Mayans to break down the very long cycle of the precession of the equinoxes. Thompkins states that: the “Maya also had a cycle of 942,890 days, or 2,582 years, that turned out to be 130 Jupiter-Saturn Conjunctions.”4 Twice this cycle [5,163 years], not only gave the equivalent of the greater 260-year cycle of Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions, but 100 of these greater 260-year cycles was equal to 26,000 years, often reckoned the length of the precession by the ancients, as seen in Figure 1 above.

The following chart shows how precessional ages correlate to the Biblical Administrations, revealing a consistent progression of themes as God’s Plan of the Ages unfolds. This provides the overarching context for God’s plan of redemption and restoration of Mankind and Creation, through the redeeming work of Christ-the centerpiece of the Ages.

Precessional Ages Aligned with Biblical Administrations
 Zodiacal Sign  Biblical Administrations  Heavens & Earth  Precess Age

Start Dates

Scripture
 Sirius  Angels First Estate  First    Gen.1:1-2
 Gemini  Original Paradise  Second  6480 BC  Gen. 3:8ff
 Taurus  Bible Patriarchs  Second  4320 BC  Gen. 3:23ff
 Aries  O.T. Law  Second  2160 BC  Ex. 19:16ff
 Pisces  Christ/Grace/Revalation  Second  7BC-now  Matt. 3:11ff
Acts 2:1ff
IThess. 4:13
 Aquarius  Final Paradise  Third  2153 AD  Rev. 21

This march of the precessional ages is recorded in certain ancient star maps like the Dendera zodiac, from ancient Egypt, in a recognition of the axes built into its structure. God designed certain triple Conjunctions of Jupiter-Saturn as individual markers and movements in a grand celestial Symphony of the Ages, ultimately leading to Christ’s Birth. The 1953 BC triple union of Jupiter-Saturn took place in the sign Aquarius, marking the Birth of Abram. As the Father of Many Nations, and progenitor of the line of believer’s, Abraham through his offspring, Isaac and Jacob would bear the promised seed. This triple Conjunction confirmed that Christ would come out of the nation of Israel, constituting the 12 tribes of Jacob, whose name God changed to Israel, to reflect their spiritual inheritance.

The Prophet Daniel taught the Magi and other astronomers of the king Nebuchadnezzar’s court [Dan. 5:11] about these planetary unions from the contemporary example of a Jupiter-Saturn triple union 523-522 BC in Virgo. Less than 400 years later, in 132 BC a new star or supernova exploded onto the scene, in a decan of Virgo called Coma.

Pictured as seen in the Dendera zodiac below, in the head of the child held in his mother’s arms, the new star, or supernova entered the picture drawing attention to the sign Coma, meaning “The Desired of all Nations” [Hag. 2:7]. This supernova burned brightly for about 275 years as a beacon lighting the way to the general time wherein the birth of Christ would occur. This truth disclosed that as The Desire of all Nations, Jesus Christ was coming for the redemption of all mankind, not just Israel.

Plate I. The decan Of Coma

Image result for decan corona

The Magi were surely some of the first of these Gentiles whose response to this light of salvation made history. The Coma supernova also set the stage for the next triple union of Jupiter-Saturn in 7-6 BC that lead to the birth of Christ. This Conjunction took place in Pisces and marked a transition in the ages of the precession of the equinoxes, from the Age of Aries to the Age of Pisces. This new Precessional Age was marked because in the prior 2160 years, Aries was the sign wherein the Sunrise occurred on the Spring equinox. The Triple Conjunction of Jupiter-Saturn in 7 BC marked the first time the Sun arose in the Sign of Pisces, on the Spring equinox, signifying the new Precessional Age of Pisces. Below we find the king planet Jupiter in retrograde motion in Pisces in 7 BC, [Plate II] forming its triple union with Saturn. The dates of these three conjunctions are as follows:

1. Jupiter-Saturn in Pisces: May 27th, 7 BC
2. Jupiter-Saturn in Pisces: Oct. 5th, 7 BC
3. Jupiter-Saturn in Pisces: Dec. 1st, 7 BC

Over 2000 years has already passed since this opening of the Piscean Age, with the Birth of Christ taking place four years after its opening. This Sign of Pisces is marked by two fish, one swimming vertically towards the North Pole and the other horizontally along the ecliptic. These fish represent the houses of Israel and Judah, and it further disclosed that the Promised Seed would come out of the Royal House of Judah. Christ had to be the Son of Adam, Abraham and David to fulfill all righteousness. The fullness of the gap between the sufferings of the Lord, seen during his first Advent, and his glorious return as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, continues to take place in the spiritual Administration of Grace and the Piscean Age. Finally, this 7 BC triple Conjunction [Plate II] gave the Magi all they needed to identify the signs marking the birth of Christ in 3-2 BC, when the triple Conjunction of Jupiter-Regulus occurred in Leo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, [Rev. 5:5]. This panoramic view of Biblical and Celestial History, beautifully encapsulates how God utilized the Gospel in the stars, coordinated with Divine Scripture, to disclose in increasing detail the identity of His only begotten Son Jesus Christ.

Plate II.  Jupiter in retrograde its triple union with Saturn in Pisces in 7 BC. 5
Triple conjunction

A central theme in God’s plan of the ages becomes evident in the triple conjunctions of Jupiter-Saturn in celestial history. As we have seen in the signs surrounding the birth of Christ, the Celestial Prelude involving the 7 BC triple Conjunction of Jupiter-Saturn, was key in unlocking the understanding for the Magi to recognize the actual signs of Jesus’ birth in 3-2 BC. As we noted in the celestial signs surrounding the birth of Abraham, as a forerunner of Jesus Christ, we can witness a recurring theme involving the retrograde motion of the King planet-Jupiter, in relation to Saturn. The central theme regarding these Jupiter-Saturn unions delineates along interrelated Biblical themes found in Rev. 12. The first theme is spiritual warfare between the celestial powers of light and darkness. It also outlines the spiritual/genetic line of the Promised Seed from Abraham to Christ.

Another principle guiding our study of the birth and return of Christ concerns the dual fulfillment of the signs evident in Rev. 12. We find this first in the dual significance of the “woman” of Rev. 12. In verses 1-2 the woman refers to Mary who bore Jesus Christ, as she is symbolized in the constellation Virgo, the only sign of a woman on the ecliptic. As the Rev. 12 record proceeds, the representation of this woman changes. Rev. 12:6 tells us this woman fled into the wilderness for 1260 days, which does not match with the time Joseph and Mary fled Israel with Jesus into Egypt, so it no longer refers to Mary, but Israel. From the first prophecy of the Promised Seed [Gen. 3:15] the woman’s seed was declared as the one to bruise the serpent with a terminal death blow to its head. Rev. 12:4 below reveals the central goal of the adversary, “to devour the woman’s child as soon as it was born.” All of Biblical history revolves around this conflict between the two seeds; the seed of the woman and the serpent’s seed. Just as the “woman” has a dual fulfillment, so the symbolism in reference to the serpentdragon in Rev. 12 changes also.

Revelation 12: 3-5
3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

“And there appeared another wonder in heaven”- “Another” is a Greek word indicating that this heavenly wonder was different from that described in Rev. 12:1. Even as the first heavenly wonder involved the woman of the Constellation Virgo, so this second heavenly wonder, although different from Virgo, was still a celestial Constellation.

and behold a great red dragon“- Although there are several celestial candidates for this sky dragon, including Hydra which also spans a third of the stars of the ecliptic with its massive size, it becomes apparent that Draco is the sign that is referred to in its initial significance in Revelation. This is the first of 13 occurrences of the Greek word “drakon in the book of Revelation, with the first eight uses of this word here in Rev. 12, [Rev. 12:3,4,7,7, 9,13,16,17, Rev. 13:2,4,11, Rev.16:13, 20:2]. The number thirteen is symbolic of rebellion and the dragon embodies the idea of spiritual warfare in the heavens. As we inspect the details of the Biblical record of Revelation 12, the characteristics of Draco the dragon come to the surface. The first incidence of the word “Dragon” in Rev. 12:3 are focused traits of Draco over the other names of the adversary in Rev. 12:9. As a result of the war in heaven, the dragon and his third of the heavenly angels were cast down to the earth. This was depicted astronomically as a meteor shower in 3 BC, surrounding the birthday of Jesus Christ.

Figure A. The October 8th Giacobinid Meteor shower of 2000.

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R.H. Allen was one of the first I’m aware of that linked the casting down of the dragon and his angels to a meteor shower. The meteor shower in question originated from the Dragon at the North pole, links to its parent comet known as the Giacobini-Zinner Comet. According to Robert Wadsworth, author of the Biblical Astronomy Newsletter:

Meteor showers are named after the constellations they are seen radiating from as veiwed from earth. The radiant of this particular shower was in Draco the Dragon.” Wadsworth states; “Giacobini-Zinner is a well known short-period comet of 6.5 years, and has been observed to circle the Sun on many other occasions.”6 Wadsworth also states in another Newsletter that, “The shower erupts only around the years of the comet’s closest passages.”7

  Although the Earth’s passage through the comet’s trail can be predicted, the resulting intensity of the Meteor shower cannot be, with much certainty. In the October 7th-8th Giacobinid Meteor shower of 2000, [Figure ADraco was observed high above the horizon during the early evening. Wadsworth tells us: “Earth reached the same point in its orbit as with the 1998 Meteor shower, at about 9 PM on October 7th, portraying the casting down of the dragon. He also adds that this scenario along with the meteors-falling stars-brings to mind Rev. 12:3-4.”8 Thus Wadsworth also, sees a correlation between a Meteor shower and the fallen angels being cast to the earth, as R.H. Allen did 100 years before.

I was not aware of the idea of this specific Meteor shower being linked to the second celestial wonder of Rev. 12, until
I heard a teaching of Rev. John Nessle regarding the Eta-Draconid Meteors correlated with the birth of Christ.

 According to Rev. Nessle, there are actually 3 sets of Draconid meteorstwo of which show a radiant from Eta-Draconis. One of these is viewed as the greater and the other the lesser of the Eta-Draconids. It is the lesser of these two that occurred during the period of Sept. 9th-12th in 3 BC.9 A defining factor of this Meteor shower is that the lesser Eta-Draconids are best viewed at sunset, or in the early evening, while most Meteor showers are best seen later at night, as stated in the excerpt below from the October 2nd, 98’ Weekly News Bulletin of Sky & Telescope;

On the evening of Oct. 8th, debris from the Periodic Comet 21P/Giacobini-Zinner may provide a stunning sky show. The Giacobinid Meteor shower produced two of the greatest  Meteor displays seen in the 20th century in 1933 and 1946. Lesser showers arrived in 1926, 1952, and 1985. Unlike most Meteor showers, the Giacobinids are at their best in the evening rather than after midnight. Their radiant is in the tail of the Constellation Draco. This point is highest right after dark at mid-northern latitudes; it moves lower throughout the night and is near the horizon by dawn.”10

This fact alone showing the meteors falling from their radiant in the dragon’s tail as the dragon sign itself descends from the upper reaches of the sky to the earthly horizon in the dawning of a new day, when Christ was born depicted the casting down and descent of the dragon’s power, on the Sept. 11th birth of Christ. Since this new day began at sunset in the Hebrew Calendar, the moments of the birth time of the promised seed were revealed with the setting of the star Spica, about 20 minutes after Sunset in Virgo. The graphic of Draco at the celestial North Pole below [Plate III] depicts the head and body of the dragon inside the northern polar circle, with the dragon’s tail starting with the star Thubanoutside of the polar circle.

Plate III. Draco the Dragon and the North Astronomical pole, from the Star Atlas of Hevelius. 11

draco

Also shown is Cepheus the Crowned King with Polaris, the pole star, between his feet.

Since the star Eta-Draconis is located below the serpent’s head near the ecliptic North pole, with Thuban in the dragon’s tail, as the equatorial pole star, it symbolizes the dragon’s dominion, both as the original morning star and the god of this world. We should note that although this north-pole of the Equator was wrested from the dragon, via the precession of the poles, he still holds sway over the pole of the ecliptic, the celestial axis around which the circle of the equatorial pole revolves. This is a still point in the heavens near the core of the Dragon, and the Cat’s Eye Nebula [NGC 6543] between the stars Grumium and Chi Draconis. A note of interest regarding the star Grumium, also spelled Grumian, meaning the subtle or deceiver, is Denning: “considers it the radiant of the Meteor stream seen about the 29th of Mayalso called The Draconids.”12  This identifies one of 3 separate Meteor showers from Draco, with this one being the only one whose radiant is not Eta-Draconis. In Figure i. below, three stars of the 2nd magnitude stars in the head of the dragon are readily apparent, along with the red star Thuban in the serpent’s tail. The testimony of the dragon sign embodies the enemy cast down, along with a category of the spirit realm seen in the meteor shower framing the birth of Christ. Although the casting down of the dragon took place in the 1st Heaven and Earth, [2 Pet. 3:5-7] in the deep past before human history, the Dragon’s fall with his minions was not a foregone conclusion until Jesus Christ was resurrected and Ascended. This is one aspect of the Rev. 12 record, shows it is not in chronological order. With the birth of Christ, the prophecy of the dragon’s doom [Gen. 3:15] was embodied in the promised seed for the first time. This Meteor shower from September 9th-11th 3 BC, marking the birth of the ascending Morning star, shows most clearly this transition of heavenly and earthly power, tolling the death knell of Draco’s dominion. The occurrence of this Meteor shower at sunset was another sign of confirmation that would have drawn the Magi’s focus to sunset, as the time of day to be watchful for the celestial signs marking the birth of Christ.

Figure i. Draco the Dragon at the Celestial North Pole

This Eta-Draconid Meteor shower during the birth of Christ also links to the planet Saturn, tying the Jupiter-Saturn triple conjunction of 7 BC to the Jupiter-Regulus triple union in Leo 4 years later. This first stellar connection is based on the retrograde motion and triple unions of Jupiter, 4 years apartSaturn is also linked to the star Eta-Draconis in its regular transit across the Meridian at midnight of May 23rd, documented for centuries taking place only 3 days prior to the first Jupiter-Saturn union on May 27th of 7 BC. This binds the 1st Jupiter-Saturn Triple conjunction to the series of celestial signs marking the birth of Christ from 3-1 BC, opening with the May 19th, 3 BC Mercury-Saturn union. This not only provides another conclusive celestial bond between the signs of 7-5 BC and 3-1 BC, but also links Draco vertical at the north pole to the Jupiter-Saturn triple union,

horizontal on the ecliptic, depicting the casting down of Draco from his high perch at the North Pole to his horizontal position on the ecliptic. This linkage between the planet Saturn and the star Eta-Draconis focuses on the original dominion of the dragon especially his temporal lordship, at the pinnacle of Creation. But the Meteor shower depicts the dragon cast down at sunset, signifying the twilight of his radiance and dominion. The Eta-Draconid Meteor

 shower surrounds the birth of Jesus Christ on September 11th, leading to the first Jupiter-Regulus triple conjunction in Leo, on the 14th. This September 14th date is key for at least three reasons. First, it falls within the annual twenty-day period when Virgo is clothed with the Sun. Secondly, it marks the start of Saturn’s 13-year ring cycle  13, and thirdly it marks the 1st Jupiter-Regulus Conjunction in Leo in 3 BC. Since this Planetary union was visible to the Magi, as early as the 11th of September, the meteors would have been falling from their perch high in the northern sky, signifying the casting down of the dragon with his third of the stars of heaven, at the same time of the events marking the birth of Christ, the heir apparent to fill the gap in heaven vacated by the serpent and his minions.

Plate IV. Stellarium shows the ecliptic signs Cancer through the Bow of Sagittarius in the Fall of 2017. 14

 

Plate IV. above shows the Virgo-Ophiuchus section of the ecliptic in December of 2017 following the Rev. 12 signs of September 2017. The Sun is no longer clothing Virgo, having moved on to Ophiuchus-Scorpio, while these planets are no longer aligned in Leo, but Mars is in Virgo, Jupiter is in Libra and Saturn has past Ophiuchus into Sagittarius.

Thus we can see the keys that recognition of the Eta-Draconid Meteor shower provides in the initial fulfillment of the dragon of Rev. 12:3-4. But in the recent celestial signs related to Sept. 23rd of 2017, there are other aspects of the record concerning the serpent in Rev. 12 that surface. In the signs surrounding the birth of Jesus, the focus was upon Virgo and Leo along with Draco, however in 2017 taking into account all the concurrent planetary triple conjunctions, the zodiacal signs of Ophiuchus, Serpens, Corona, Scorpio and Libra play a much larger role. The linguistic roots of “Ophiuchus come from the Hebrew and Arabic  “Afeichus” meaning the serpent held.”15 Here we find the Serpent-held by Ophiuchus located under the womanVirgo’s feet, ready to devour the promised seed at birth. We know this was fulfilled at the birth of Christ when Herod had the children two and younger, murdered in Bethlehem. But in the 2nd fulfillment with the 9/23/17 birthing of Jupiter sign in Virgo, we can see the risen Lord Jesus Christ restraining the serpent-Serpens, in Ophiuchus, [2 Thess. 2:3-6]. Ophiuchus is conclusively identified with Christ in the triple conjunction of Saturn with the star in the serpent-holder’s left foot, called Saiph, meaning “bruised.” This of course is linked to the first prophecy of the promised seed in Gen. 3:15, seen in Plate V, below.

Plate V. Ophiuchus, Serpens, Scorpius & Corona

serpentine asterism

(Rev 12:9) And2532 the3588 great3173 dragon1404 was cast out,906 that old744 serpent,3789 called2564 the Devil,1228 and2532 Satan,4567 which deceiveth4105 the3588 whole3650 world:3625 he was cast out906 into1519the3588 earth,1093 and2532 his848 angels32 were cast out906 with3326 him.846

In verse 9 we find four names of the adversary [dragon, old serpent, the Devil, and Satan], referring to four different aspects of the enemy’s spiritual dominion over the darkness of this world. We also see a fifth name-deceiver, which is a common trait in the other four names of the enemy. The Devil must deceive people into following his ways, because nobody in their right mind would ever voluntarily follow him if they knew his true nature. Thus deception is a universal trait of the enemy’s kingdom, and his mode of operation. This shows how the enemy has marshaled his spiritual forces of fallen angels in juxtaposition to the Godly order of Light. As we consider Serpens the serpent, one aspect of Serpens that arrests our attention is the recurring theme of the dragon’s head and tail, that we discussed relating to Draco. This alerts us to the idea that, as each of the enemy’s four names in Rev. 12:9, indicate different functions in how the adversary opposes God’s purposes. These serpents in the sky indicate varying aspects of his opposition to God, when taken together, provide a detailed picture of how he works his evil designs as god of his world kingdom. As we consider these four serpentine signs both individually and collectively, we will glean a fuller lesson of their message. As Robert Burnham states: ”Serpens is the only star group completely divided into two portionsSerpens Caput [head] to the west of Ophiuchus, and Serpens Cauda [tail] to the east.”16

In support of this structure, the stars within this Constellation follow suit. It is intriguing to notice that the head and tail of the dragon are specifically marked by the 2nd magnitude stars of this ConstellationBurnham points out that “the Beta star in Serpens marks the head… while the Theta star marks the end of the serpent’s tail.”17 He goes on to highlight an intriguing link to Roman myth, where “Serpens is a symbol of the divine healer Aesculapius who became the god of medicine, and who appears in the sky as Ophiuchus the serpent bearer.” 18

Ophiuchus’ battle against his enemy is pictured in this Constellation group as the Scorpion and Serpens, in conflict over the Crown of dominion. This gives us an example of adopting a composite view to glean the truth from theses celestial signs. Man’s struggle for dominion against the serpent is highlighted by the temporary wound the serpent inflicts on him, as shown by the Scorpion bruising his heel [Gen. 3:15]. The star picture of this initial prophecy of the promised seed cannot be fully grasped, unless we take a composite look at [Ophiuchus, Serpens, Sagittarius, Scorpius & Corona], in the context of the birth signs of the promised seed in Rev. 12.

and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.” These efforts of the serpent to devour the promised seed, and the nation that would bear him are seen in their second fulfillment, especially with its celestial location and the following characteristics of Serpens. Obviously the serpent’s efforts to devour the promised seed were not successful at his birth, but that did not stop the enemy’s conflict with Jesus, even after his Ascension. Here we can see the serpent’s focus in this conflict changing from Mary and her seed to IsraelAs the serpent holder divides the serpent into its head and tail sections, the head and neck of the serpent are marked with seven stars, [Plate IV] as the Greek word for “heads” indicates.

having seven heads“; kephale [*G2776] Thayer’s states; “Metaphorically anything supreme, chief, prominent; of persons, master, lord. Its also used of a husband in relationship to his wife, [I Cor. 11:3, Eph. 5:23], of Christ the lord of the church, [Eph. 4:15, 5:23, Col. 2:19, 1:18, 2:10].”19
 As the Lordship of the arisen Morning Star Jesus Christ is identified in his positive traits, so the serpent’s negative traits are symbolized in the name “Lucifer” (halal), denoting a coordination of light and sound, seen in the seven notes of the musical scale as they tie to the seven colors of the light Spectrum. The importance of seven heads correlates to the seven stars of the serpent’s lordship and his authority exercised as god of this world. [Job 26:12-13]
This likely refers to a seven-fold leadership in the spirit realm as a shadow image of Christ’s Lordship, [Eph. 1:20-23, Rev. 1:16-20].

Plate VI. Corona Borealis

Image result for decan corona

“and seven crowns upon his head- the word crowns [G1238] means “a diadem filament of silk, linen, or something similar. 20 Used here and [Rev. 13:1, 19:12.]” The Crown decan here is Corona Borealis, marked by seven stars, forming a crescent, the brightest of which is Al Phecca meaning the Shining, [Plate IV, VI].  This crown symbolizes spiritual dominion as the reason for the serpent’s conflict with Ophiuchus. But with Christ’s Ascension to the right Hand of God in Heaven, [Rev. 12:5] this conflict is a foregone conclusion against the serpent.

As this star picture of Ophiuchus’ battle against the serpent relates directly back to the first prophecy of the promised seed in Gen. 3:15, where the seed of the woman bruises the head of the serpent, while the serpent’s seed bruises the man’s heel, we can see the dragon’s head directing the spirit realm in his tail. Here the dragon exercises his desired acts of persecution and destruction against the woman’s seed, carried out by the serpent’s seed-those following the Way of Cain [Jude 1:11], in open rebellion against the true God. Ophiuchus is conclusively identified with Christ in the triple union of Saturn with the star in the serpent-holder’s left foot, called Saiph, meaning “bruised.” The graphic below in Plate VII shows concurrent retrogrades of Mars and Saturn in 2016, climaxing in August with a conjunction of Saturn-Mars and Antares, the red heart of the Scorpion. Scorpio appears in Plate V, as crushed under the right foot of Ophiuchus. This planetary conjunction of Saturn and Mars on Aug. 24th of 2016, led to the Great American Total Solar Eclipse on August 21st, 2017 as Saturn completed its 2017 triple union with Saiph in Ophiuchus’ left foot, being stung by the Scorpion in Plate V above. E.W. Bullinger tells us that “Saiph is also the name of the star in Orion’s right leg and the very word used in Gen 3:15, connecting Orion to the primeval prophecy. Like Ophiuchus, Orion has one leg bruised: while with the other he crushes the enemy underfoot.“21

Plate VII. Concurrent Retrograde motions of Saturn and Mars 2016-2017.

Image result for Saturn - Mars-Antares 2016

Saturn’s 2016 retrograde motion is shown in Plate VII above in the upper left solid white line marking the dates of Saturn’s progress from 2-14-2016 to 9-1-2016Mars concurrent retrograde is seen with the dotted line starting in Libra in the upper right, through Scorpio also from 2-14-2016 to 9-1-2016.

The two retrogrades of Saturn and Mars align with Antares the heart of Scorpio on 8-24-2016, as seen in Plate VIII below. These concurrent retrogrades of Saturn and Mars in 2016 set the celestial stage, not only for the triple union of Saturn and Saiph in 2017, but also the concurrent triple conjunctions of Jupiter-Spica in Virgo and Mercury-Regulus in Leo on Sept. 9th of 2017Saturn began its retrograde in Ophiuchus March 26th, then Saturn entered Sagittarius for 84 days prior to returning to Ophiuchus May 18th, 2017. Around August 21st, 2017 Saturn reached its Western stationary point North of the star Theta Ophiuchi, the day of the Total Solar Eclipse across AmericaSaturn’s retrograde ended a week later on August 28th, 2017. After returning to its regular motion, Saturn completed its 3rd union with Saiph on Sept. 6th, 2017, as Mercury was in retrograde, looping around Mars and Regulus in conjunction in Leo, on Sept. 4thSaturn remains in Ophiuchus till November 18th, 2017, before heading back into Sagittarius.

Plate VIII. The planetary conjunction of Saturn and Mars with Antares in Scorpio on Aug. 24th of 2016.

Observers in the British Isles with a clear sky one hour after sunset on 24 August (9:03pm London; 9:26pm Edinburgh; 9:16pm Cardiff; 9:32pm Dublin) should find a location that offers an unobstructed view of the south-southwest horizon. Here you will see first-magnitude star Antares in the constellation Scorpius, Mars and Saturn all in a line in the bright twilight — all three objects easily encompassed by the field of view of a low-power binocular. For scale, this view is about 25 degrees wide, or a little over the span of an outstretched hand at arm's length. AN graphic by Ade Ashford.

After the heavenly sign of 9-23-2017, there was also a notable conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Ophiuchus, once the Moon moved below Virgo’s feet. The sign Ophiuchus  depicts the man in his conflict with the Serpent Serpens. The Serpent is shown above in Plate V, with the 7 stars of Corona the Crown over its headjust out of reach of the “god of this world.” The symbolism of this crown also changes depending on the identity of the man Ophiuchus. In Original Paradise via the serpent’s temptation of Eve, this crown embodied the authority that God gave the first Adam over the earthly kingdoms, that was handed over to the serpent. The tempter confirmed this in [Luke 4:5-6] when the Devil told Jesus “all this power will I give unto you, and the glory of them, for that is delivered unto me…” This shows Jesus was tempted with Adam’s former dominiondelivered unto the Devil. Jesus did not dispute that the Serpent had this power as he claimed, he just did not succumb to the temptation. Thus, the authority of the first Adam was included in the crown of Corona Borealis, as the potential authority held by the second Adam-Jesus Christ, that the Devil has eternally failed to obtain. Another element of this authority is seen in the 1/3 of the heavenly stars cast down in the dragon’s tail. This authority was within the serpent’s grasp prior to his fall, but it does not include the other 2/3’s of heavenly angels under the dominion of Christ, in service to the Heavenly Father. Thus we can see a dual significance of the Crown-Corona Borealis as it relates to the Serpent, depending not only on if he is interacting with the first or second Adam, but if the second Adam, then if it is the risen Christ.

“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” This verse, illustrating the figure of speech symperasma, effectively encapsulates the entire life of the promised seed, from the sufferings beginning at his birth, to the glory of his enthronement at the right hand of his Heavenly Father, during the gap of the Grace Administration. This is the story that occupies the centerpiece of history, and is the central theme of the celestial gospel, God’s purpose of the Ages, regarding the coming of His only begotten son Jesus Christ, to destroy the works of the devil. Jesus Christ as the second Adam restores godly spiritual order, thrown into chaos by the failed coup of the serpent’s revolt and resulting war in heaven.

Thus the union of the Moon with Saturn in Ophiuchus as a latter part of the Rev. 12 heavenly sign on 9-23-2017, unmistakably identifies the Serpent-Serpens with its prominent head and crownas the 2nd “wonder in heaven,” related to the end times return of Christ in Rev. 12: 3. We can also see how the dual fulfillment of the Dragon-Serpent changes depending on whether the enemy is interacting with the authority of the 1st or 2nd Adam. The main key to unlocking the Scriptures always begins with Who is Jesus Christ, and his authority changes before and after his Resurrection and Ascension. Obviously, Rev. 12:1-2 does not refer to the risen Christ, and not until verse 5, where he is caught up to God’s throne does the authority of the risen Christ come into effect. We find here the seven fold order of the Dragon’s spirit kingdom referenced in the Dragon’s 7 heads along with the 7 crowns upon his heads.

In summary, we have seen a dual fulfillment of Rev.12, in a number of important aspects of this text, first with the “woman” as Mary and Israel. Secondly, with the woman’s seed as both the first and second Adam. Thirdly, we find a dual fulfillment related to the adversary, first with Draco the dragon, then with Serpens the serpent. This is evident in how the Dragon was cast down in the 1st Heaven and Earth, prior to time or human history, and before there was a created human for the serpent to struggle with. Finally, we also find a dual fulfillment with Corona Borealis the Crown of dominion and its associated authority, which changes depending on whether the serpent is interacting with the first or second Adam. As we recognize these key elements of Biblical Astronomy in the Rev. 12 record, we can clarify our understanding and help others who may be confused with all the rampant theories on this subject.

God Bless!!

 

Footnotes

1. JET PROPULSION LABORATORY-CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY and NASA. June 1oth, 1993. John Bangert and Kevin Pang
2. Mysteries of the Mexican Pyramids. Peter Thompkins. p.289.
3. Ibid
4. Ibid
5. Graphic video credit on Plate II, from [Bobmoler.wordpress.com]
6. The Biblical Astronomy Newsletter,  Robert Wadsworth
7. Ibid
8. Ibid
9. “Happy Belated Birthday-Jesus Christ,” Rev. Jon Nessle
10. October 2nd, 98’ Weekly News Bulletin of Sky & Telescope Magazine
11. Draco the Dragon and the North Astronomical pole, from the Star Atlas of Hevelius.
12.  Star Names Their Lore and Meaning, Richard Hinckley Allen p. 210

13. Saturn’s rings were last wide open in 2002-3, when Saturn’s Southern hemisphere was tipped in our direction. The rings then began to close up, showing an increased narrowing aspect, with Saturn dimming with each successive opposition. The rings appeared edge-on to the Earth in September 2009, when the Earth passed through the planet’s ring plane. The Northern face of the ring came into view later in 2009, as they slowly began to open up once more. The ring system is again wide open to view in 2017, when Saturn’s Northern hemisphere will be fully tipped towards earth. When the rings are wide open (i.e. when Saturn is brightest) the planet is seen in Taurus or Gemini (when its Southern hemisphere is facing Earth) in ScorpiusOphiuchus or (when its Northern hemisphere faces Earth). Edge-on ring aspects occur when Saturn is at the Aquarius/Pisces border (when oppositions take place around September) or in Leo (oppositions occur around March). [http://www.nakedeyeplanets.com/saturn-orbit.htm]

14. Picture credit; Plate IV. Stellarium Astronomical Software
15. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger. p.58
16. Burnham’s Celestial Handbook, Robert Burham. p.1764
17. Ibid, p. 1764-5
18. Ibid
19. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the NT, [G2776], Joseph Thayer
20. Ibid, [G1238]
21. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger. [p.127]
22. Astronomy Now, picture credit for Plate VIII. The planetary conjunction of Saturn and Mars with Antares in Scorpio on Aug. 24th of 2016.

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