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The Celestial Signs of April 2022 and Passover

The Celestial Signs of April 2022 and Passover

Welcome to our monthly blog for April, 2022 which brings a month full of celestial signs, including planetary conjunctions, massings and alignments, many taking place in Capricorn during the month that brings us Passover, in recognition of the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. From the opening of this busy month in the sky, the New Moon starts the show on April 1st. Many religious calendars use the New Moon as markers to open the months of their year, the Hebrew being the among the most familiar in Biblical Astronomy. For the Jews, the New Moon ends the month of Adar and starts the Passover month of Nisan which takes place on April 15, this year. April opens with three bright planets massed low in our east-southeast sky just before sunrise. This was preceded by a triangular massing of Venus-Mars-Saturn in Capricornus on March 28th, 2022. In April 2022, these planets Venus, Saturn & Mars are only 6 degrees, apart with Venus to the left, followed by Saturn and then Mars. This was followed three days later according to the U.S. Naval Observatory, in the early dawn on the US east coast, with a close fly-by of Mars and Saturn, as the two approached each other closer than an apparent lunar diameter on April 5th, as seen in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Mars-Saturn conjunction in Capricorn on April 5th, 2022. 1

This union of Mars and Saturn, has some interesting implications as Mars can represent blood due to its redness, which is significant during the month of Passover in light of the perfect sinless blood of Christ, that he sacrificed for all humanity. Mars can also represent the Warrior Archangel Michael as he fights for God’s people, against Satan-embodied in Saturn or Satan’s planet. With this conjunction in Capricorn in April, it recalls the same month our Lord was crucified on April 28th, 28 AD, with a planetary conjunction series nearly 2000 years after Christ’s crucifixion, more on this later.

Figure 2. Capricorn the Sacrificial Goat

We find all three planets in the constellation Capricorn, which is very notable with Passover taking place, as these 3 bright planets align in Capricorn–the Mazzaroth sign that combines the Goat with a fish. Bullinger tells us that; “in the Goat we have the atoning sacrifice, while in the fish we have the people for whom atonement is made.”2 The redeemed multitudes seen in Capricorn’s fish-tail, are also embodied in the adjoining decans of Delphinus the dolphin, and Pisces Australis, the southern fish of the water sign Aquarius. 3 As Christ embodies the Passover in Israel, his death and resurrection fulfilled the prophecy of Isa. 53, sacrificing his life for the sheep. As Bullinger eloquently puts it; “the living fish proceeds from the dying goat, and yet they form only one body. [Eph. 4] That picture which has no parallel in nature, has a perfectly true counterpart in Grace, and the great multitude which no man can number, is redeemed unto eternal life through the death of their redeemer. 4

This seems to link to the two miracles of the fish to open, and during the resurrection arrivals of Jesus’ earthly ministry. As nobody is able to number the great multitude of people redeemed by our Lord Jesus Christ, perhaps it is fitting that the 153 fish netted in this miraculous catch, is not only a number in the infinite Lucas Series of numbers, but it also relates to the geometric growth of the Acts church via the infinite ratios of Pi, and Phi. This is Christ building the Temple of his body. [Gen. 15:5]

Starting around the 8th of April, Jupiter, which was immersed below the horizon during the first week of April, makes an appearance expanding this alignment with the other three planets to make it a foursome. By the morning of April 19, all four planets are aligned in a diagonal line of a little over 30 degrees; from lower left to upper right: Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn, as seen in Figure 3.

Figure 3. The mid-April Alignment of 4 planets in Capricorn, 2022. 5

Planets aligned in the night sky Stellarium screenshot

Passover, kicks off the Feast of Unleavened Bread or Pesach for the Hebrew Year beginning at sundown on Friday, 15 April 2022, and ends, nightfall on Saturday, 23 April 2022. Thus, during the week of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, we find the celestial events, including this planetary alignment in Capricornus following Passover. The predawn sky on April 19, 2022 in Stellarium shows the alignment of Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn. This alignment is preceded by two planetary conjunctions, the first with Jupiter-Neptune in Aquarius on April 12th, and the second on April 18th with Mercury and Uranus in Aries. 6

Since it falls during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, this planetary union of Mercury–Uranus bears a closer look. Mercury-Gabriel is the Messenger archangel who usually brings attention to what he may be introducing. In this case, Uranus is one of the outer planets of the Solar System, and since it was not visible to the naked eye, it does not carry as much press in the Hebrew tradition. However, on April 3rd, 2022, a Lunar occultation of Uranus, occurred which calls our attention, especially when we consider all the other lunar activity taking place with the planets during this time. The idea that the April 18th union of Mercury and Uranus took place in Aries, is also noteworthy, since the celestial chapter of constellations that opened with Capricorn, the dying Goat, closes with Aries the Ram, with life restored via the blood of the Lamb, who takes away the sins of the world, [John 1:29].

Figure 4. The Crescent Moon appears with each of the four aligned planets in Capricorn. 7

Moon beneath planetary alignment — In the last week of April, the Crescent Moon takes a snapshot with each of the 4 aligned planets. (Image credit: Stellarium)

The Crescent Moon, looms below Saturn on April 25, Mars on April 26 and finally Jupiter and Venus on April 27. 8 This early morning view of the east-southeast horizon, is greeted the next day with yet another planetary conjunction of Venus and Neptune in Aquarius on April 28th. It is interesting to note that the two planetary unions involving Neptune on the 12th and 28th of April, not only bracket the Mercury-Uranus union on the 18th, but also all the lunar snapshots with each of the 4 aligned planets!

At a glance, we find the three brightest denizens of the night sky: a 12% lit Crescent Moon, Jupiter 4 degrees top left, and Venus suspended 5 degrees over the slice of lunar light. Venus and Jupiter are separated by 3.2 degrees on the 27th, but only 2 degrees on April 28th, and 1.3 degrees on April 29th. On April 30-May 1, Venus and Jupiter stand together, separated by only .5 a degree in North America. 9 This event occurs during the final week of April with the approaching union of the King Planet Jupiter and Venus, the bright and Morning Star, in Capricornus.

Figure 5. This is the closest Venus-Jupiter conjunction since August 2016. (Image credit: Stellarium) 10

Venus close to Jupiter in Stellarium screenshot

The Hebrew name for Capricornus is Gedi–the kid or cut off, the same as the Arabic Al Gedi. In Figure 6 below from Robert Wadsworth, we find the star of this name-Algedi in the goat’s horn, with a second star in the goat’s–fish’s tail, named Deneb Algedi. This exhibits the unity of the Goat’s sacrificial atonement with the faithful of the spiritual body of his future church, both Jew and Gentile. Many times in Biblical Astronomy the King planet Jupiter plays a key role, as during this time in 28 AD, when we find the King planet in Capricornus, as Jesus finished his earthly ministry. On April 24th, 28 AD, Jupiter was in conjunction with the star Deneb Al Gedi in the fish-tail of Capricornus, as Jesus‘ rulership over the redeemed multitudes seen in Capricorn’s fish-tail, is evident with the Jupiter-Deneb Algedi conjunction in Fig. 6, mirroring the Jupiter conjunction with Venus in Capricorn at the end of April, 2022.

Figure 6. Jupiter-Deneb Algedi conjunction seen from Jerusalem on April 24, 28 A.D. 11

A key related point with this April 24th sign in Capricornus is this day on the Hebrew calendar was Aviv 10, also the day the Passover Lambs were selected, [Ex. 12:3]. Another meaning of Deneb Al Gedi is the sacrifice comes, which fits since this same day, on Aviv 10 Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey as the perfect sacrifice to redeem all mankind, [Matt. 21:1-11, Zech. 9:9]. 12

Another celestial sign related to Jesus’ Crucifixion involved the Southern Cross.
According to the writings of Richard Hinckley Allen (1838-1908), an expert in stellar nomenclature, the Southern Cross was last seen on Jerusalem’s horizon at 31 degrees 46′ 45″ about the time that Christ was crucified. 13 But due to the Precession of the Equinoxes, a spiraling motion of the Earth’s axis-the Southern Cross shifted out of view further south over the ensuing centuries. The Hebrew name for the Southern Cross is Adom, which means the cutting off, from the prophecy of Dan. 9:26, referencing that the Messiah shall be “cut off.” This corresponds exactly to the Hebrew name for Capricornus as Gedi–the kid or cut off, that we saw above in the meaning of the star Gedi. E.W. Bullinger again enlightens us regarding the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet — TAU, which was anciently made in the form of a Cross. 14

Aben Ezra gives the Hebrew name too, of the Southern Cross as Adom, which means “cutting off,” as the angel told Daniel of the “cutting off of the Messiah.” And Christ was cut off by being condemned and crucified.”

Joseph Seiss, in his book on the Gospel in the Stars affirms that “the Southern Cross was visible on the horizon of Jerusalem about the time that Christ was crucified. It consists of four bright stars placed in the form of a cross, and is by far the brighest star-group in the southern heavens. Standing directly in the path of the second Decan of Virgo, the double-natured Seed of the woman, and connecting with Libra the price of redemption, it takes the same place in the celestial signs that the Cross of Calvary holds in the Christian system.” 15

Figure 6. The Decan of the Southern Cross. 16

Bullinger discusses how this sign has lost its original meaning of; “It is Finished,” which was Jesus’ last declaration on the Cross at Calgary. As our Lord’s dying declaration, as he gave up his life, for truly none could take it from him, he gave up his “physical” life of the flesh, to obtain eternal life for us all. Christ’s atoning work of redemption is utterly complete and finished when Jesus declared it so. The decan of the Southern Cross is also pictured below in Fig. 7, with Centaurus.

Figure 7. Centaurus with the Southern Cross below Centaurus. 17

The Hebrew name for this constellation Bezeh-means despised, which is found in Isa. 53:3; He is despised and rejected of men. The brightest star in the horse’s foreleg; Toliman means the heretofore and the hereafter, marking him as the one which is, which was and which is to come. Sir John Herschell observed this star rapidly growing brighter, making it a possible variable star. 18

From Bob Wadsworth, our late brother in his Biblical Astronomy Newsletter, provided some key historical details on the visibility of the Southern Cross. He showed the “highest position of the Southern Cross seen from Jerusalem in 1000 B.C. At this time, the upper star of the Crux was 17 degrees above the horizon, and the lower star 11 degrees above the horizon. The whole cross was quite visible from Jerusalem around the time of King David.” 19 This links the genealogy of David to Christ through the royal line of Judah.

Wadsworth includes the coordinates of the Southern Cross, seen from Jerusalem on the day of Christ’s Crucifixion as follows; [Newsletter graphics shows] the highest position of the Southern Cross as seen from Jerusalem on April 28, 28 A.D., or the date of the Lord’s crucifixion. The upper star of the Crux was a little over 12 degrees above the horizon, and the lower star was a little over 6 degrees above the horizon. It is most difficult to say if the lower star was visible through atmospheric haze at that time. But it is safe to say that the lower star most likely disappeared from the Jerusalem skies some point between the time of the Lord’s crucifixion and 155 AD, when it was 5 degrees above the horizon at its highest position. Newsletter graphics shows the highest position of the Southern Cross in the year 1000 A.D. Here the upper star is about 6 degrees above the horizon, and the lower star is near 0 degrees. The upper star most likely disappeared from the Jerusalem skies sometime between this date and 1240 A.D., when the upper star was 5 degrees above the horizon at its highest point. This was during the time of the Crusades. 20

The Astronomer Bayer drew the Southern Cross over the hind legs of the Centaur, giving it in his text as moderis crux Ptolemaeo pedes Centauri.” He goes on to say that “it seems remarkable that it was only outlined over the Centaur in the Flamsteed Atlas.” 21

This is unlike the way it is pictured above in Fig. 7, but closer to the way it is found today in the southern hemisphere. Of special interest to our faithful brethren “down under” where autumn is approaching, and the Sun is setting earlier in the southern hemisphere, sunset was at about 6:48 p.m. on April 1, and in Melbourne, Australia it’s at 7:14 p.m. local time. In mid-southern latitudes, by 8:00 p.m. when it is fully dark the Southern Cross was high in the southeastern sky from Melbourne; it is about 40 degrees above the horizon on April 1 (the new moon there occurs at 5:24 p.m. local time on April 1st). The Southern Cross will be above Centaurus, near Alpha Centauri (Rigil Kentaurus). 22

Perhaps our intrepid Michael Toms and some of his “mates” can take a picture of the Southern Cross, and post it on the Biblical Astronomy Fellowship Page, with their observations for the rest of us in the Northern Hemisphere? I also want to acknowledge and thank Joseph Damien Cooper for first alerting me to the celestial activity this month, which I’m very thankful for. I can’t always be on top of all the celestial happenings, and the help of wonderful & faithful believers like Joseph, is always much appreciated. He is a great example of how we are the spiritual body of Christ, and we work together to bless each other!

I believe the visible appearance on the horizon from Jerusalem, of the Southern Cross at the time of Christ’s crucifixion, far from chance, served multiple purposes of edification. First, it confirms the Celestial Gospel, reflecting Jesus’ brutal sacrifice on the Cross at Calvary, in a stellar prophecy of the finished work, represented in the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet – TAU, made in the form of a Cross. A trait of the Gospel in the Stars shows the Creator’s hand in not only forming and making the stars in the skies of the heavens, as a precise timepiece, but also naming and numbering the stars according to His purposes; [Gen. 1:14-19, Ps. 147:4, Isa. 40:26]. This also links the Gospel in the Stars-God’s Word written in the Heavens inseparably with written Scripture. The entire record of OT Scriptural Messianic prophecies of his long-awaited ministry being confirmed, not only in Christ’s birth, ministry, resurrection and Ascension, also confirmed beyond a shadow of doubt in the Gospel of the Stars.

As we recognize Passover and Resurrection Saturday, we certainly have much to consider as we honor and praise our Lord Jesus Christ and his unmatched work of redemption, that freed us from our bondage of the flesh, even as the Jews were freed from their bondage at Passover. As we ever rise above the darkness of this world as the super–conqueror we have been made in Christ, this is the only kind of “made man” with eternal rewards.

In Joyful Rejoicing-God Bless!

Agape’ Rene’

Footnotes

1. https://www.space.com/april-2022-morning-planets-jupiter-saturn-venus-mars
2. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger, p. 75
3. IBID, Footnote p. 75
4. IBID, ppg. 76-77.
5. Figure 3 picture credit; Stellarium
6. https://www.space.com/april-2022-morning-planets-jupiter-saturn-venus-mars
7. IBID, Figure 4 picture credit; Stellarium
8. https://www.space.com/april-2022-morning-planets-jupiter-saturn-venus-mars
9. IBID
10. Figure 5 picture credit; Stellarium
11. Figure 6 picture credit; Biblical Astronomy Newsletter, Bob Wadsworth.
12. Biblical Astronomy Newsletter, Bob Wadsworth.
13. Star Names their Lore and Meaning, p. 185, R.A. Allen.
14. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger, ppg. 48-50.
15. Gospel in the Stars, Joseph Seiss
16. Fig. 6. picture credit: https://www.space.com/29445-southern-cross-constellation-skywatching.html
17. Witness of the Stars, E.W. Bullinger, p. 40 Figure 7 picture credit on the Centaur with Southern Cross.
18. IBID
19. Biblical Astronomy Newsletter, March/April 1999, Bob Wadsworth
20. IBID
21. Star Names their Lore and Meaning, p. 185, R.A. Allen.
22. https://www.space.com/april-2022-morning-planets-jupiter-saturn-venus-mars

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Pi Day of March 14th, 2022 The Miracle of 153 fish and Pi.

Pi Day of March 14th, 2022 The Miracle of 153 fish and Pi.

Happy Pi Day Everyone!

On this Pi Day of March 14th, 2022 as on previous Pi Days we have recognized various ways that the Pi ratio is found in the Bible. This year our focus is on the miracles of the fish-the catch of 153 fish.

There are two miracles of Jesus regarding his apostles Peter, James and John in their fishing business, one in Luke 5 and the second in John 1. In Luke, Jesus had been teaching on the shores of the Sea of Galilee and decided to use Peter’s boat as a platform to teach the crowd out of the boat. Upon wrapping up his teaching, he instructed Peter to put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch. Peter tells Jesus of their previous night of fishing without catching anything, but; “at the Lord’s word he would let down the net; [sing.]. Peter had the fresh memory of their fruitless night of labor too much in mind, and if Peter had followed Jesus’ word he could have saved his net, which broke at the weight of the huge catch. With the help of another boat of their partner’s they filled both boats with the catch, till they began to sink. Peter considered himself unworthy to continue with the Lord, but Jesus, remaining with his choice of Peter, James and John, told them to fear not, as going forward they would catch men, upon which the apostles left everything to follow Jesus.

In the second Miracle of the fish, Jesus was not in the boat with the apostles, but was on land as this was a resurrection appearance of the Lord. Present here were Peter, “doubting Thomas,” Nathanael of Cana, John, James, and two other disciples, one of which was Lazarus-the disciple that Jesus loved, as part of this “fishing expedition” with Peter, where again they caught nothing. As they approached the shore, an as yet unidentified Jesus, asked them if they had any meat. Upon a negative reply, he told the fishing party to cast the net [sing.] on the right side of the boat for a find. As they did so they found such a multitude of fish they were unable to draw the net in. Once Jesus was identified by Lazarus, Peter jumped into the water to help bring the catch ashore, but upon their arrival ashore they found Jesus already there with a fire, fish and bread awaiting them. This fits the scene of a resurrection appearance, the 3rd of the Lord thus far-ready to teach the Apostles and Disciples about their unbroken net with a catch of 153 great fishes, perhaps foreshadowing the future Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

As we consider the use of 153 and the related number found in Jesus’ last miracle of the fish, it may be a good time to revisit our understanding of this Last Feast. Instead of a story of fishermen and fish, as there is always a deeper significance lying below the surface. Here we find an unexpected post-resurrection visit of the Lord that finds Peter–leader of the Church, fishing (John 21:7). As (Peter) pulls in the 153 fish to bring them to Jesus by his command, “Bring of the fish which you have now caught” (John 21:10), Jesus’ invited the fishing expedition to “come and dine” (John 21:12). This seems to parallel the last harvest of the Church body and the future wedding feast. After the feast of fishes with Jesus, He constrains Peter to feed his lambs and sheep, but to understand the deeper truths here we must look below the surface. As Jesus constrains Peter, he asks three similar but not identical questions; In John 21:15 the Lord asks Peter if he lovest [agapao] him more than these, in reference to Peter’s fishing business. The word for “lovest” here is God’s Love of man, which Jesus embodied more perfectly than any other, as unconditional and a result of the decision of the will. Peter responded- “Lord thou knowest that I love [Phileo] thee. This is a conditional brotherly love of a friend, and is not used of a love of men toward God. So we can see Peter’s response was amiss, in that he did not respond directly to the Lord’s Question, as it was asked. The Lord’s command was to Feed my Lambs -the sacrificial lambs of the flock.

In John 21:16 Jesus asks Peter again Lovest [agapao] thou me, to which Peter responds again; “Lord thou knowest that I love [phileo] thee, his response still amiss. Then the Lord commands that Peter “feed my sheep.” The word “feed” is poimaino [G4165], 1 which is much more than just feeding, but refers to the entire office of a Shepherd; including guiding, guarding, and folding the flock, as well as nourishing it, [Acts 20:28, ICor. 9:7, I Pet. 5:1-4]. In v. 17 the Lord turns the tables on Peter in his third question; “lovest thou me,” but this time the word for “love” is [phileo]. Peter’s response was Lord thou knowest [ginosko-G1097]2 that I love [Phileo] thee. Peter’s answers to Jesus’ questioning the basis of his love for the Lord, were all based on brotherly love, which he truly shared with Christ, but Jesus was trying to get him to see the bigger picture, of what it took to Pastor God’s Flock. This is a deeper understanding of what it means to Follow Jesus; [Matt. 4:18-22,25, Jon. 8:12, 10:2-18, 26 -29, 9: 21–29, 21:9-11, Mk. 8:34-38]. This is how Christ made his disciples fishers of men. Thus it appears that the 153 fishes may represent a harvest at the end of the age when Christ returns. The mystery here is what the specific number of 153 fish refers to?

The context of the miracles of the Fish pertains to Jesus calling his Apostles and disciples to follow him and to live after his example of living love, the unifying principle in the Church of his spiritual body. [Eph. 4:1-2]

Many believed that there must be something deeply significant and mysterious in this number from the solemn way it is introduced in Jn. 21:11: Simon Peter went and drew the net to land full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty three. A look at history reveals that the Church Fathers noted some interesting aspects in the number 153.

St. Augustine has pointed out the comparison and contrast between the two miraculous catches of fish, one at the beginning and the other at the end of Christ’s ministry (post– Resurrection). He and other scholars see in this number, a link with the “saved” who are “caught up” in Peter’s “net,” a symbol of the Church. Both St. Augustine and Pope St. Gregory the Great noticed that 17 is the sum of the perfect numbers 10 (perfect order) and 7 (spiritual perfection). St. Gregory multiplied 17 by 3 and again by 3 to get 153. Augustine used addition and took the sum of all the digits up to and including 17 as amounting to exactly 153. They also noted that the expression “Sons of God” occurs 7 times, and that the gematria of this expression in Hebrew is exactly 153. In Greek the gematria of “Sons of God” is 3,213 or 3 x 7 x 153. The Greek gematria for the word fishes is 1,224 or 8 x 153. The gematria for “the net“ is also 1,224 or 8 x 153. 4

In ancient Greece, Pythagoras calculated that 153 is the denominator of the closest known fraction to the square root of 3 [265/153] which was also the “ratio of the fish” shape drawn between two overlapping circles, centered on each other’s circumference, that Pythagoras called the “measure of the fish.”5

As far as the relationship between 153 and Pi is concerned; The number 153 appears once within the first thousand digits of π, and not at all within the first 1000 digits of 2π. No surprises here. But when we check 3π, a triangular number, we find surprising results, that 153 appears 6 times within the first 1000 digits of 3π. The odds of a 3 digit number appearing six or more times within 1000 random digits are about 1 in 1680. The Number 153 is special:

153 is the 17th triangular number
the 153rd word in the Hebrew Bible is “good” (טוב) which has a gematria value of 17
the first appearance of 153 in 3π begins at position 17 after the decimal point

The six appearances of 153 in 3π begin at positions 17, 123, 443, 596, 645 and 888 after the decimal point.

the sixth appearance of 153 begins at position 888 after the decimal point

888 is the gematria value of ιησους (“Jesus“) 6.

If we construct a triangle with 17 units per side it will result in the number 153. Methuselah (his death shall bring) was 969 years old when the Flood came on the 17th day of the second month. Jesus also was resurrected on the 17th day, which was also the same day the Ark came to rest on the mountains and Israel crossed the Red Sea. Does the related fish number of 153 embody a link to the coming of the second judgment [the last days will be like the days of Noah] like the Flood? 7

The miraculous catch of 153 has been depicted many times in art, and the boat on the water can be depicted as an 18 piece jigsaw featuring familiar triangular numbers 153, 666, and 703. The triangular number 5778 is the 18th Lucas number [a number series like Phi, but including 153] the golden ratio raised to the 18th power. In the pi string below 2 instances of the triangular number 5778 are separated by the number 18; [3.14159…5778…7519577818577805321…]8 The Fibonacci and Lucas number series are both reflections of the Golden Section, being both additive, since each number is the sum of the previous two in the series, and the product of the previous term, multiplied by phi. No other number series’ display these traits of geometric growth fusing both addition and multiplication. This is part of the lesson in the geometric growth of the Church in the book of Acts.

There is also a general agreement between the geometric increase of growth via the Fibonacci Series and the summarizing and concluding statements of the Book of Acts, that start with addition and geometrically increase in scale to multiplication, at higher levels. The “Grk. word Auxano,” is the root for “auxins” found in 3 of the Acts summary statements; [Acts 6:7, 12:24, 19:20, Eph. 4:16]. We see this in how 1^st Century Churches grew and were added in key areas, [Acts 9:31–multiplied, 16:5, established in the faith, increased in number daily. The principles of Plant DNA-auxins depicting the spiritual life and growth of the Acts 1^st Century Church are witnessed in the gradual, progressive and systematic growth from the simple to the complex.

Along with 153, the number 276 is another large number mentioned in the Bible, in Acts 27:37 referencing the the number saved from shipwreck. The number of the beast-666, also belongs in this category mentioned above in Revelation 13:18. All three of these are triangular numbers. Like 153, 276, 666, 5778 is also hexagonal. 5778 is one of only three 4 digit numbers to appear three times within the 1st 1000 digits of pi, as seen in the pi string above. With the first three of these numbers being triangular; 153, 276 and 5778 are also hexagonal. All hexagonal numbers are triangular, but not all triangular numbers are hexagonal.
A consequence of geometric growth is that as growth advances, it becomes more complex, as these numbers illustrate with more basic growth, being triangular advancing to a complex hexagonal structure, as seen below.

Hexagonal numbers are a subset of triangular numbers. 9

The number 153 is found overtly twice in our bibles—John 21.11 & 2 Chron. In 2 Chron. 2.17, Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the number David his father had numbered them and found 153,600.

Solomon had commissioned a great building project. He starts building the Temple to transition beyond the Tabernacle, conscripting 153k [+] men to begin work on the Temple called “Name of the Lord” (I Ch 2.1-2, 17-18). In like fashion, Jesus the risen Christ in “Name of the Lord,” commissioned the Apostles to start the greatest building project; the Church. He is the Chief Cornerstone enabling in this symbolic catch of 153 large fish by his apostles, parallel to the conscription of 153,000 [+] by Solomon, in this unique catch.

Astronomically, the square root of 153 = 12,369 which is equal to the number of lunar months in a solar year. According to T. Paine, who studied the dimensions of the Tabernacle first suggested an endwise union of either set of Tabernacle curtains from Josephus forward, depicts the internal Tabernacle measurements as 12 cubits wide, by 29.5 cubits long, versus the external measures of 12, 1/3 cubits wide by 30 cubits long. This represents an alternating lunar calendar of 29.5 and 30 lunar days in a month, a long-standing order in 360-day calendar years. The 12 cubit measure shows the 12 months of the solar year, while the 29.5 cubits embodies the lunar synodic month of 29.53059 days, or 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.37 seconds. We see this also in the time between 2 full or New Moons as 29, 43/81 days, for the internal dimensions of the Tabernacle curtains. The Tabernacle’s external measures of 12, 1/3 cubits wide, by 30 cubits long, shows 12.368 synodic months per year, or 12, and 7/19‘s, by the 30 days of the solar month. 10

These truths are also evident in the comparison of the solar system planets to the design of the Temple and Tabernacle of Isreal. This displays the perfection of God’s design of the OT Tabernacle as the forerunner of the NT Temple in astronomical and calendar measures, and solar system structure relating 1st to Israel, and secondly to the spiritual body of Christ.

This new Temple in the Lord, is the greatest building project ever! Eph 2.19-22 “In him (Christ), the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling wherein God lives by his Spirit.” The catch of 153 fish is truly a miracle of Resurrection! As we answer Jesus’ call to; “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men,” we will be highly rewarded in eternity, contributing our part to this perfect union in the body of Christ, after the example of the Apostles.

God Bless!

Agape’

Rene’

Footnotes

1. Strong’s Concordance poimaino-G4165, James Strong.
2. Ibid, [ginosko-G1097].
3. Ibid, [agapao], [phileo]
4. “Pi And The Miraculous Catch of 153 Fish” [https://www.biblegematria.com/pi-and-the-bible.html]
5. “Do the 153 fish in John 21 count for anything?” Ian Paul May 3, 2019
6. https://www.eldoradonews.com/news/2015/apr/25/catch-153-fish-real-miracle-resurrection/
7. “Pi And The Miraculous Catch of 153 Fish” [https://www.biblegematria.com/pi-and-the-bible.html]
8. Ibid
9. Ibid
10. “The Tabernacle of Isreal,” James Strong, p. 41

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Biblical Astronomy of the Star of David

Biblical Astronomy of the Star of David

The Star of David is an ancient sign and symbol that predates even ancient Israel. This symbol has a wide-ranging and multi-level history, reaching into numerous cultures across the globe. Early renditions of this important symbol are found on several Cylinder Seals dating as far back as circa 2500BC, exhibited in the Vorderasiatisches Museum in Berlin, Germany. This ancient Akkadian Cylinder Seal shows a six-pointed Star with a centered Sun/star. There is a resemblance to the Star of David in this Seal, in that it is a six-pointed star, however it does not appear to conform to overlaid equilateral triangles as is the Magen David. There exists added archaeological evidence of zodiacs from the same general time suggesting feasible Sumerian roots. As we can see in the Cylinder Seal below, The Star figure is central to the six-pointed star, encircled by 12 other planets, or stars/constellations. If this sign is not our Sun, then perhaps it could represent a shadow, or twin star of our Sun, as other bright stars are known to have like Sirius and Sirius B, for example. This could also fit with David residing in the royal throne and genealogy of Jesus Christ, as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

Figure 1. Akkadian Cylinder Seal with the six-pointed star and the Sun at the center.1

The Sun figure-a 6-pointed star, surrounded by 12 other celestial bodies generally fits numerous Jewish sources that depict the 12 Tribes of Israel encamped around the Tabernacle in their 40-year sojourn in the wilderness. Similar images are also depicted on the Breastplate of the High Priest, conforming to a cosmic order including 12 hours of the day, 12 months of the year, and 12 zodiacal signs. Judean tradition even depicts the 12 tribes camped around the Tabernacle in the form of a hexagram. In Figure 2 below, each point of the hexagram links to the center of six circles, around a center circle of the Tabernacle where God presented Himself to His people, encircled by the planets and the Moon, as seen below and in Figure 3.

Figure 2. Hexagram with central Sun surrounded by 5 naked-eye planets and the Moon.2

The Star of David in Figure 3 shows the hexagram interlaced with these 2 equilateral triangles, and a hexagonal center, with the Light of the world. This Star of David provides an example of a God-centered Hebrew Solar System, including also a potential systematic map of planetary conjunctions, as they occur in the 12 celestial houses of the Mazzaroth. The history books relate that a heliocentric concept of the solar system was popularized by the ancient Greeks, specifically Aristarchus of Samos in the 2nd Century BC. But this did not catch on till Copernicus in the Middle Ages. Yet we find here further evidence of a heliocentric view going back to the Star of David at least as far as 1600-1400 BC, in excavations at Gezer painted on a ceramic bowl. 3
It’s good that modern science is finally catching up to the ancient Biblical Patriarchs in certain categories of advanced thought! Of course, you won’t hear anything but scoffs and chortle’s from today’s scientific community with suggestions like this, yet it is hard to ignore the evidence of the source for these ideas. [https://star-of-david.blogspot.com/search/label/archaeology]

The Star of David (Magen David) predates Yah’shua Ha Mossiach (Jesus Christ the Messiah), by at least six centuries. The six-pointed star was used in Jewish architecture as a religious symbol of victory and protection for over 2600 years. We find Magen David‘s also prominent on synagogues, like Capernaum where Jesus taught! [Mark 1:21, Luke 4:31, John 6:59), dating from the Second Temple period, during the Messiah’s ministry.

Figure 3. Seal of Solomon with Sun-center and 5 visible planets with the Moon. 4

There is much evidence that the six-pointed star was called the Shield of David because David’s name in Hebrew was spelled Daled, Vav, Daled. If you take the first and last triangles, the alpha & omega (Daleds) of “David” and interlace them, you have the Magen David. Encircling the triangles in the Mazzaroth joined in the first and last signs of Virgo/Leo-forming the Sphinx, as the unifying symbol in the context of the planetary unions in our solar system, including the Jupiter-Saturn series. The Star of David has also been used to diagram the seven days of the Creation week, and the Sabbath as a foundation in Hebrew and world timekeeping. In the graphic below, we find an example of how the hexagram has been used to diagram Bible truths, for example in Genesis 1:1, among many others. 5

Here are some other Bible verses where the Star of David pattern fits the verse as above…
[Gen. 14:19, 22, 27:39, Ex. 20:4, 11 Deut. 4:39, 5:8, 10:14, 30:19, Josh. 2:11, 2 Sam. 2:10, 22:8, 1 Kgs. 8:23, 27, 1 Chron. 21:16, 29:11, Ezra 5:11, Ps. 50:4, Ps. 57:5-11, 85:11, 102:19, 103:11, Ps. 113:4 to 115:16, Ps. 121:2 to 124:8, Prov. 25:3. Isa. 24:21, 44:23, 51:6, 55:9-10, 65:17.] Note the Bookends of the verses in Blue.

The following info comes from Leo Tavares, and his website Mathematical Monotheism. Since the Hebrew Alphabet is alpha-numeric, where every letter has a number value, below Tavares has charted the numerical values of the Hebrew words in Genesis 1:1. 6

Genesis 1:1
In the Beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth.

Genesis 1:1 in the original Hebrew:

הארץ ואת השמים את אלהים ברא בראשית

913 + 203 + 86 + 401 + 395 + 407 + 296 = 2701

Regarding the number 37, Tavares notes that “for the sum of the Fibonacci numbers indexed to the first 37 decimal digits of Phi, after the decimal point=401. This shows a link between Pi and Phi ratios, previously illustrated in various blog posts. Not only does the center word of value of Genesis 1:1, stand out as its only Prime Word value, it stands out as its shortest word, made up of the first and last letters of their alphabet; the Aleph and Tav. Since the Almighty God-Creator is fittingly set in the center of these seven words in Gen. 1:1, like both the Menorah between the other 6 candles, [Rev. 1:20] and the Star of David with the center hexagon of the six-pointed star, this also reveals an internal code of mirror symmetry in Gen. 1:1, that the sum of the prime factors of the words to the left of 401, yields the same value of the prime factors to the right of 401. 7 This also shows the Almighty God at the center of the Hebrew Scriptures in the Alpha verse of all of God’s written Word, as the Creator of all the material world inside the universe, as well as the spiritual world outside of it.

Building on this, Tavares posits the PHI STAR OF GENESIS 1:1 -based on the numerical value of Gen. 1:1 [2701] is the 37th regular hexagonal number, and hexagons/hexagrams are naturally related, Tavares placed the order of the 37 Fibonacci numbers, derived from the first 37 decimal digits of Phi, after the decimal point, in the form of a hexagram where these numbers total 401, seen below in Figure 4. 8

Figure 4. PHI STAR OF GENESIS 1:1

This shows the link between Genesis 1:1 and the number 37 is active with both Prime and Fibonacci numbers. We can see this also in the sum of numbers at the numbers in the apex triangle points of this Phi Star of Gen. 1:1, totaling 37. [8+13+1+13+2+0] 9

Added examples of sacred Phi geometry are found in the banner below, depicting a Phi relation between the orbital speeds of Earth and Jupiter-Saturn. As the planets move anti-clock wise around the ecliptic viewed from Earth, Jupiter’s orbital speed is in a Phi relation to the slower Saturn, shown in the banner below seen from the Earth. This shows added evidence of the Phi ratio order in our solar system.

We have shown extensively on our website and blog series the impact of the Great Conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn in Biblical history, in the astronomical markings of the birth of Abram, the birth of Moses, finally leading up to the birth of Christ. For all intents and purposes, this planetary conjunction cycle could be considered a major aspect of what I have termed the “Celestial Prelude” in describing the celestial signs marking the general and specific periods to mark the birth of Christ. Biblical history shows that the deliverer of Israel and the world, would come from the Seed of Abraham, and deliver Israel as the forerunner Moses did.

With The Star of Bethlehem, we are told that the Jupiter-Saturn unions carry a lot of weight: In his Commentary on Daniel, Abarbanel {1437-1508} wrote that conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces signified not only the most important events but also events which referred especially to Israel. The Rabbi argued that as the conjunction had taken place three years before the birth of Moses, an event which heralded the first deliverance of Israel, so it would also precede the birth of the Messiah and the final deliverance of Israel… What would Saturn, Jupiter and Pisces signify to the Magi astrologers? As New Testament scholar Raymond Brown points out, we cannot be sure how the Jews in the time of Jesus made their zodiacal calculations. The same scholar, however, goes on to say that ‘Pisces is a constellation sometimes associated with the last days and with the Hebrews, while Jupiter, an object of particular interest among Parthian astrologers, was linked with the world ruler and Saturn was identified as the star of the Amorites of the Syria-Palestine region’. The claim has been made that this conjunction might have led Parthian astrologers to predict that there would appear in Palestine among the Hebrews a world ruler of the last days, an apocalyptic king.10

Below we find depicted the Trigon of the Great Conjunction cycle by Johannes Kepler. He used this diagram to calculate the precession of the equinoxes based on the conjunction cycle of Jupiter-Saturn, as these giants of our solar system marked the opening of a new precessional age nearly every 2160 years, as they approach the vernal equinox. This triangular sequence of conjunctions and oppositions is completed in 60 years, as these 2 gas giants unite every 20 years, in an ongoing planetary union series. As each conjunction appears in a triplicity, that forms the triangular planetary union over 60 years, they transition to the next as seen in Figure 7, where the following Jupiter-Saturn union shifts to the earthly triplicity of Virgo.

Figure 5. the Trigon of Great Conjunctions. [Kepler 1606] 11

Johannes Kepler, made a detailed study of the moving geometry of the sky, represented the periods of the planets by geometric figures with values based on the fundamental divisions of the circle into four, six and twelve sections measuring 90º, 60º and 30º. He made a model that related the five Platonic solids to the planetary orbits, where the cube occupied the space between the orbits of Saturn and Jupiter, and the tetrahedron between Jupiter and Mars. Since then many mind-boggling mathematical relationships have been discovered between the planets’ cycles, sizes and distances from each other, as well as their speed and axis inclinations, and even their rates of spin. These findings point to the presence of an Intelligent designer of the universe. They prove that, rather than evolving randomly, the Sun together with the planets and their moons form a unified, living system of the first order and elegance. 12

Figure 6. The Elements of the Star of David. 13

The graphic above depicts the Green triangle as earth, the Yellow triangle as air, the Blue Triangle as water, and the Orange Triangle as Fire, all unified in the Jupiter-Saturn series of conjunctions, in the central Star of David, as they make their way through the Mazzaroth, navigating these elemental celestial signs corresponding to earth, air, fire, water and ether.
The graphic in figure 7 below shows accurate values: in a tropical system, there will be 10 or 11 conjunctions, and in a sidereal system 11 or 12. Figure 7 below shows this visually, in a tropical system.

Figure 7. Eleven tropical mean conjunctions in the fiery triplicity. 14

Figure 6: Eleven tropical mean conjunctions in the fiery triplicity

Every mean conjunction advances by 242° 58′ 32″ of the circle, or 2° 58′ 32″ in the actual degrees of the signs. If conjunction #1 is at 0° of a sign (here, Aries), then #2 will be at about 2° 58′ 32″ of Sagittarius, #3 at 5° 57′ 04″ Leo, and so on, always moving in a clockwise motion. But then #11 will be at 29° 45′ 20″, the last of the triplicity: the next conjunction will be a triplicity shift into the earthy triplicity, at 2° 43′ 52″ Virgo.

For Plato the five geometric solids called the Platonic Solids corresponded to the elements earth, water, air, fire and ether. The numbers and shapes have a qualitative as well as a quantitative dimension, which have been neglected in modern times.

Kepler viewed the planetary order along the lines of the “Music of the Sphere’s,” unifying the basis for the outer and inner planets. We see this in a geometric harmony of the solar system, with the orbits of the gas giants; Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. Figure 8 below depicts the outer, mean and inner orbits of Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter using an equilateral triangle and an octagram.

This is also a way of illustrating the structure of the musical Octave, with an eight-pointed star that halves or doubles the wavelengths or frequencies of the musical scale, with an equilateral triangle inscribed inside a circle, with 1/2 the diameter of its outer circle, seen in Fig. 8.

Figure 8. Geometric orbits of Uranus, Saturn and Jupiter. 15

The geometry of this diagram not only depicts the musical order of these outer solar system planets, but since Jupiter and Saturn’s orbits are in the proportion of 6:11 to 99.99% accuracy, this is the octave or double of the 3:11 Moon to Earth ratio, to 99.9% accuracy, revealing a geometric harmony and mirror symmetry between the outer and inner planets. This 3:11 earth-moon proportion is also shared by two of our planetary neighbors, Mars and Venus, to 99.9% accuracy. Upon closer inspection 3:11 is 27.3%, and the Moon orbits the earth every 27.3 days, showing the harmonious pairing of the Earth and Moon. 16

So when the size of the Moon is compared to the Earth, in the figure below, the circle through the center of the Moon is equal to a circumference of the perimeter of the Square enclosing the Earth. This Square also embodies the base of the dimensions of the Great Pyramid, whose apex touches the circle in the center of the Moon. 17

The geometric order of the outer planets is further uncovered in the conjunctions of Jupiter and Saturn. The basis of the geometry of the six-sided star of Jupiter-Saturn conjunctions is uniquely found in the hexagon construct at the north pole of the planet Saturn, [Fig. 9]. In this graphic we are beholding the amazing basis of the geometric pattern of the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction cycle.

Figure 9. The Hexagram shaped North Pole of Saturn.

If the six points of the hexagram or star tetrahedron are encircled in a sphere and if we add the planetary oppositions to the geometry of Jupiter-Saturn unions, the six-pointed star is formed, on a basis of the hexagram, as seen below in the upper and lower left corners of Figure 10. This graphic depicts the downward-pointing triangle of the hexagram with Jupiter at the upper right and Saturn at the low point of the triangle. The hexagon forms the corner-stone of the six-pointed “Star of David” mapping the unions of Jupiter-Saturn below. In May 2010 the last opposition stage in the current sixty-year cycle was reached, with Jupiter in Pisces opposing Saturn in Virgo. 18

Figure 10. Jupiter-Saturn Star of David with the Creation Week examples. 19

When mapped, the progress of these grand conjunctions through the zodiac describes a series of equilateral triangles (Fig. 5). Every 60 years a triangle is completed, and
the planetary union returns to start, shifting however nine degrees anticlockwise in respect to its predecessors, thus forming a cycle of 800 years. Each 200 years the triangles shift to the next elements. From 1226-1425 they occurred in air signs, 1425-1603 in water, 1603-1802 in fire, and from 1802 to 2000 in earth. 20

A Biblical Astronomy perspective, provides view of planetary cycles of Jupiter-Saturn appearing in various zodiacal constellations around the ecliptic, noting the Biblical symbolism of each sign, combined with the planetary symbolism and Bible numerics to ascertain the meaning of these movements, in the context of Precessional and Biblical ages with sacred Geometry principles like the Phi, Pi and Lucas ratios, as found in the solar system and Great Pyramid. This includes categories of Heavenly Signs, Hebrew Feast and holy days, and Jubilee cycles, among other considerations.

Another application of the Star of David pattern of overlapping triangles is found in the dual ministries of the Messiah as the Priest/King. This is a powerful symbol for Jesus as the Son
of David, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root and offspring of David. [2Pet.1:19, Rev.22:16]. One example of these unified ministries of the King and High Priest is found
in the Gospel of John record [John 10:22-30];

Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered about him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you do not belong to my flock. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:22-30)

Two separate hints are given in this passage: 1) Jesus was in the temple area of Solomon’s Colonnade; and 2) he referred to his flock which means he was reminding his listeners that he is a Shepherd, in the same occupation as his forefather, King David. The image of the star of David is implied, that on another level symbolizes the joining together of the dual roles of king and high priest.

In the graphic below we have a geometric version of a six-petalled flower, called the Seed of Life in sacred geometry. Like the Pomegranate, these flowers are said to be the natural version of the Star of David in the Flower kingdom. The geometric pattern below is obtained by drawing 6 same-sized circles, that partially overlap each other, similar to the Vesica Pisces. If we look closely we can see the pattern of the Star of David within these circles also, that form the flower. In the overlapping circles on the top and bottom of this image, their common lozenge is divided in half by the inner circle surrounding the flower. These embody the upper and lower apex’s of the interlocking triangles, while the adjacent triangles provide the base angles of each triangle.

The pomegranate flower provides the ideal natural six-pointed star which may be one of the reasons it is found on the Ephod of the High Priest. They were found on the Hem of the Priest’s Ephod; his ceremonial robe that was worn while he ministered in the Tabernacle and Temple of Israel, [Exod. 28:31-35]. The pomegranates were alternated between small golden bells on the lower hem of the Ephod, which also held the High Priest’s Breastplate. This displayed fruitful works of the High Priest in his ministry. King Solomon was also said to have designed his crown based on a six-pointed star pattern of this sacred flower of the pomegranate. Here is a wonderful example of the dual ministries of our King and High Priest Jesus Christ who is the only perfect minister and our perfect redeemer, that we follow and obey as the head of our Spiritual body in his Church.

An added intriguing element is found as we consider how the 12 gems on the Breastplate link both to the 12 star-signs of the Mazzaroth, and the 12 tribes of Israel; this link takes you to an accurate account of how the tribes match their proper constellations. As the Star of David geometric structure also has 12 sides, as seen in the mid-lower row of Figure 10 above, we find a specific means whereby the conjunction series of Jupiter-Saturn, that marked the births of key Patriarchs leading to Christ, may have also provided an astronomical check and balance to the Urim and Thummim, also held in a pouch in the High Priest’s Breastplate.

As we walk in fellowship with our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, rejoicing more and more as His Day approaches, in the resounding and reverberating truths of the Hope of Christ’s Return, we will stand together as super-conquerors in the Lord into eternity.

Agape’

Rene’

Footnotes

1. Star of David: The Star of David as an Archaeological Artifact
https://star-of-david.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-star-of-david-as-archaeological.html
2. Ibid
3. Ibid
4. [picture credit] https://starofdavidsite.wordpress.com/star-of-david-bible/
5. Ibid.
6. https://sites.google.com/site/mathematicalmonotheism/phi-star-of-genesis-1-1
7. Ibid
8. Ibid
9. Ibid
10. Star Names their Lore and Meaning, R.H. Allen on Abarbanel {1437-1508}, Dover Books
11. Trigon of Great Conjunctions. picture credit [Kepler 1606]
12. “A little book of Coincidence,” p. 48, John Martineau, Wooden Books 2001
13. https://star-of-david.blogspot.com/search/label/archaeolog
14. Astrology of the World II: Revolutions & History.
15. “A little book of Coincidence,” p. 48, John Martineau, Wooden Books 2001
16. Ibid, p. 30
17. Ibid, p. 31
18. Ibid, p. 47
19. [picture credit] https://starofdavidsite.wordpress.com/star-of-david-bible/
20. Astrology of the World II: Revolutions & History.

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The Structure of the Hebrew Menorah and the Pi ratio.

In our annual recognition of Pi Day. March 14th of every year [3.14] we are reposting the following blog related to the Hebrew Menorah and the Pi ratio. The Menorah is one of the sacred pieces of “furniture” in the Hebrew Temple & Tabernacle, that themselves were designed by the Creator using universal constants like Pi/Phi in addition to the Ark of the Covenant.

The Structure of the Hebrew Menorah and the Pi ratio.

This blog post is an expansion on my original study called “The Biblical Cosmology of the Hebrew Menorah” on my website [www.try-god.com]. The first study focused more on the history of astronomy and cosmology, with an emphasis on the Precession of the Equinoxes, and the potential impact of a Biblical Cosmology. This current study shifts focus to a greater emphasis on the Biblical aspects of the Menorah’s structure, and the implications of this structure. I am including the introduction to the original study along with some of the mathematical aspects of the first study, mainly pertaining to the structure of the Menorah and the Pi ratio.

The traditional concept of the history of cosmology reads as a timeline of the “discoveries” of the greatest scientists. Men like Ptolemy, Galileo, Copernicus, Kepler, Newton, Einstein and Hubble are the shining lights of scientific progress, and certainly human science owes these men much. According to conventional history, the idea of a heliocentric “universe” or solar system, originated in ancient Greece, specifically Aristarchus of Samos back in the second century BC. This idea however, did not catch on in a big way until Copernicus, who while reviewing some of Aristarchus’ ideas, seized upon this concept and ran with it. He did this at his own peril due to the prevailing worldview of the time, especially that of the Roman Catholic Church, based on a geocentric view of the solar system espoused by Ptolemy, that held sway in intellectual and religious circles for over 1500 years. The graphic below from Harmonica Macrocosmica [A. Cellarius, Amsterdam 1660] 1 depicts a Sun-centered, Copernican view of the cosmos.

This article on Biblical cosmology depicts the idea of a heliocentric “universe” predated the Second Century BC and Aristarchus, by at least 1300 years, and its genuine roots are found in the OT Scriptures. From a historical perspective, this is a potentially radical statement, sure to have many critics however, once the following Biblical evidence is viewed in light of the principles of Biblical Astronomy, the foundations of this concept are inescapable. This article supplies an example of potential revisionist power that Biblical Astronomy can have on the conventional view of the History of Astronomy.

This study examines the celestial symbolism of the sacred Hebrew candlestick instituted under Moses and the Levite priests of the Old Testament. The Menorah is a divine piece of furniture that was kept in the holy place of the Hebrew Tabernacle, which contained the Altar of Incense, the Table of Shewbread and the Veil through which the Holy of the Holies was accessible. As a powerful symbol from God’s Word, the Menorah embodies an extensive Biblical cosmology, including both the Hebrew zodiac of twelve major Constellations, with its thirty-six decans, and a heliocentric concept of the solar system, centuries before Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey! God revealed the divine plans of the Tabernacle to Moses in the mid-2nd millennium BC, in the 14th century.

The various elements of the structure of this Candlestick follows the order of the Torah in the first five books of the Pentateuch. The structure of this sacred seven-branched Candlestick was said to embody the light of the Torah in seven categories or individual aspects of this Lamp as follows: 2

Figure 1. The Menorah and Genesis 1:1. 3

1. The seven branches of the Candelabra are built on the first seven words of Gen. 1:1.

GENESIS 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” As we will see below, the sevenfold pattern of the Menorah embodies the Creator’s spiritual and temporal order as the Creator’s three-fold light is shed in Creation, evident on multi-levels in God’s Word, and culture of Israel, including their mathematical, astronomical and religious aspects. A primary area where the mathematical and astronomical aspects of the Menorah structure intersect as seen in Judean Time-keeping.

2. The Seven Lamps of the Menorah supported by its seven Branches, shed their light kindled by the High Priest by burning the pure Olive oil, symbolizing the anointing of the holy spirit. [Ex. 27:21, 1Sam. 3:3]

The ancient Biblical truths of the Almighty Creator God, Who rested on the 7th day, defined division of time, based on the Creation Week. God’s Creation of the Sun, Moon and Stars to mark signs, seasons, days and years, divided and separated between the light and darkness of these heavenly bodies, providing a universal temporal order for the earth. The Seasons and appointed times [moed] depict the holy feasts when man was to recognize special calendar times ordained by the Almighty, according to a mandate from heaven, to honor God’s Covenant relationship with man. These sacred Spring and Fall feasts relate to the sevenfold Menorah Branch structure seen in Fig. 2 below.

Figure 2. The Menorah and the Hebrew Feasts and Holy Days.

The standard order of Creation Week is inherent in Genesis 1-2. This Creation Week set the Sabbath pattern, found in the 7 x 4=28; Lunar Mansions. The transition from the end of one lunar phase to commencement of the next lunar phase is a most revered calendar unit across world cultures. In this way, God set aside the Sabbath Day as holy, consecrating the Sabbath in Israel for all time, which is a big reason why Israel has abided by a lunar calendar. We also find historical recognition of the influence of this seven-fold pattern in various septenary units of measurement. The Egyptian Royal cubit was composed of 7 hands or 28 fingers, as a standard cubit, with a 7th hand added. In truth, Gen. 1:1 has 7 Hebrew words with a total of 28 letters. By dividing 28 times the product of the letters by seven times, the product of the words, a calculation of the Pi ratio results. 4 This is a practical reckoning from the ancient world seen below, with astronomical and calendar applications. “According to a septenary system of reckoning, the circumference of a circle was considered 22/7 of the circle’s diameter, as an approximation of the Pi ratio=3 1/7 or 3.142857, which is still applied as an adequate calculation for many engineering problems today.” 5

Figure 3. Luni-solar Calendar cycles and the Hebrew Feasts.

The following information comes from Leo Tavares and his website on Mathematical Monotheism, [https://sites.google.com/site/mathematicalmonotheism/the-genesis-1-1-mirror-code]. Since the Hebrew Alphabet is alpha-numeric, where every letter in their alphabet is also a specific number, below are the “numerical values of the 22 letters in the Biblical Hebrew alphabet, as they relate to Genesis 1:1:

GENESIS 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth”

Thus the numeric values of these seven Hebrew words are as follows

913 + 203 + 86 + 401 + 395 + 407 + 296 = 37 × 73

A note from Tavares on his site on #37 is; “For the sum of the Fibonacci numbers indexed to the first 37 decimal digits of Phi (after the decimal point) = 401.” This shows a relation between the Pi and Phi ratios, that we have previously illustrated in various blog posts.

Not only does the center word value of Genesis 1:1 stand out as its only PRIME word value, it stands out as its SHORTEST word. In fact, it is made up of the first and the last letters of the Hebrew Alphabet (the Aleph and the Tav). As God is the FIRST and the LAST in (Isaiah 44:6): This verse in Isaiah of 7 Hebrew words read as follows:

ISAIAH 44:6 “I am the FIRST, and I am the LAST; and beside me there is no God”

Since the Creator God, Almighty fittingly is set in the center of these 7 words like, the central candle of the Menorah between the other six candles, [Rev. 1:20] this highlights the Biblical teaching that God is the FIRST and LAST (Isaiah 44:6):

ALEPH + TAV = 401

This reveals an internal code of mirror symmetry in Genesis 1:1 that the sum of the Prime Factors of the three words to the LEFT of 401 yields the same value as the Prime Factors to the RIGHT of 401. Below are the Prime Factors of the Genesis 1:1 word values:

Genesis 1:1 in the original Hebrew:

הארץ ואת השמים את אלהים ברא בראשית

913 + 203 + 86 + 401 + 395 + 407 + 296 = 2701

This is summarized below:

913 = 11 × 83
203 = 7 × 29
86 = 2 × 43

401 = 401

395 = 5 × 79
407 = 11 × 37
296 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 37

LEFT PRIME FACTOR SUM:

(11 + 83) + (7 + 29) + (2 + 43) = 175

RIGHT PRIME FACTOR SUM:

(5 + 79) + (11 + 37) + (2 + 2 + 2 + 37) = 175

LEFT/RIGHT PRIME FACTOR SYMMETRY:

175 (401) 175

As God is the FIRST and the LAST in (Isaiah 44:6): The numerical value of the seven Hebrew words in this passage is as follows:

61 + 557 + 67 + 265 + 162 + 61 + 86 = 1259

This number is directly tied to 401 through the mathematics of a Circle. How? Aside from the fact that the numerical value of “ISAIAH” = 401, a Circle with a circumference of 1259 units yields a diameter of 401 units, according to the Pi formula.

THE CIRCLE OF THE FIRST AND THE LAST

“I am the FIRST, and I am the LAST; and beside me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6) = 1259

DIAMETER = 401 units

“ISAIAH” = 401

FIRST + LAST Hebrew letters = 1 + 400 =

401

CENTER word value of Genesis 1:1 = 1 + 400 =

401

The Aleph and the Tav are the FIRST/LAST letters of the 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. The PRIME FACTOR SUM of the 22 Hebrew letter values points right back to “The Circle of The First and The Last” that we just saw. Remarkably, it yields the PRIME ORDER of 1259.“ 6

The Pi ratio of the first and last letters of the Hebrew Alphabet also correspond to the Alpha/Omega of the first and last signs of the Hebrew Mazzaroth, as seen in the Great Sphinx.

This practical reckoning of the pi ratio also relates to the 22 letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, including 7 vowels, providing a linguistic and mathematical blueprint for Israel. As with all language systems, the Hebrew alphabet is a system of writing expressing a language’s sounds, both consonants and vowels, by
means of single letters. Alphabets can function to move beyond outer appearances, and access deeper meanings in reality. Alphabets embody the presence of the infinite within the finite. Since the Creator spoke all Creation into reality, the Almighty chose the Hebrew language and Semitic culture as the primary carrier and access point for in-depth concepts leading the presence of God within His Holy Word, and fellowship in His Temple. This includes a key function of the alphabet; to enable the seeker to experience spiritual growth processes in fellowship with his Maker, via a series of accessible, substantive and systematic images, whereby the Almighty chose to reveal Himself.

This correlates to the structure of the Menorah which contains a total of 22 cups; 3 on each branch [6×3=18], plus four cups on the central servant branch [18+4=22]. This corresponds to the first 22 words of Deut. 1:1;

Deut. 1:1 These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab

We find this structure laid out also in the 11 fruits of the Menorah linked to the first 11 words of Exodus 1:1;

Ex.1:1 Now these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob

There are also 9 flowers at the top of each branch before the Lamps, [Num. 8:4] built into the Menorah, which correlate to the first 9 words of Leviticus 1:1;

Levi. 1:1 And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

As the Father of Lights the Almighty shed His spiritual light as it translated in the physical realm so that it would register to the human senses. The Electro-magnetic light spectrum that registers to human vision is depicted below. This electromagnetic spectrum is generally divided into seven sectors, in order of decreasing wavelength and increasing energy and frequency.

Gen, 1:4-5
Gen 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. Gen 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. We must remember what John 1:5 tells us about the relationship between light and darkness;

“And the light [God] shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.”

Figure 3. The Menorah and the Visible Light Spectrum

In the book Jesus Christ is not God, regarding John 1:5, V.P.W stated; “The clause in verse 5 is a general rather than a specific statement regarding light and darkness, it does not refer to a specific lime in the past, in the present or in the future, but rather it is making a general statement about all time. Darkness is the absence of Light. Light, heat and all forms of energy are measured in terms of the positive never the negative. The negative is the absence of the positive. Even from a scientific viewpoint there is no way darkness can comprehend light since darkness is the absence of light. That which does not exist cannot overcome that which exists. 7

The Hebrew script, is a consonantal system with 22 characters, as part of a family of alphabets, formalized around the same time as early Greek, with letters taking a varied form. For example, Resh, phonetically, equal to the ‘R‘, is similar to a lower case Roman ‘r‘, each letter with its own definition. One meaning of Resh is “poverty,” [Prov. 10:15]. Lucifer prospered at God’s Right Hand, but when this was not good enough for him, he became desolate in opposition to the Almighty, and was “plucked up” and cast away. Talk about a major “pluck up,” that has to be the biggest of all! This generally fits the narrative surrounding Job 38:12-15, as Lucifer was cast out of heaven, and rejected from his former angelic glory. [Isa. 14:12-20, Ezek. 28:12-19]

Next in the Hebrew alphabet we encounter the letter Bet. History tells us that Bet is one of seven “double letters,” each of which has two pronunciations, two meanings, as well as two applications: a positive, and negative. Since the 7 vowels of the 22 letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, function as both a vowel and a consonant, we find two immediate applications for these double letters. “They also have 2 possible sounds, but only 3 of the seven are retained in modern Hebrew. Three of the rest are apparently used only by a few, and the double of the remaining one, Resh, is said to have been lost, supporting the narrative above related to Job 38:12-15. The 7 “double letters” have either a “hard” or “soft” pronunciation. The hard pronunciation is indicated by Dagesh; a (dot) in the center of the letter. The 2-fold usage of these seven “double letters” in Ecc. 3:1-8 comprise 7 polarized sets, each portrayed by one of these “doubles,” forming a unique figure that could be classified as a specialized acrostic. Bet is itself a word meaning “within” and “house.” Metaphorically, it depicts a mouth, a house and the interior of man, symbolizing internalized action.” 8

This meaning for Bet, of the interior of man, implies human freewill choice, that results from internal deliberation, spoken into action externally. This relates not only to the 7 polarized sets [Ecc. 3], as people chose daily actions within the ranges of human activity reflected within these 14 pairs. Also, Bet as a “house,” is intriguing in light of the truth that these 7 stars; [Pleiades] are the angels of the 7 churches, since a church is considered the house of God, the dwelling place of His people, in the body of Christ, [Rev. 1:20, 1 Cor. 6:19-20]. As the figure above also relates not only to the 7 spirits of God, that reside before God’s Throne in Heaven, [Rev. 4:5] but also the 7 Old Testament manifestations of the spirit, as seen in Isa. 11:1-2 and Figure 4 below, reflected in the Menorah in the Earthly Temple and Tabernacle.

In Figure 4 below the Menorah with each of the three branches functioning as a double with each of the seven companion OT Manifestations of the Spirit that emerge from the Holy Spirit of the Lord, on each side of the Central Servant Branch. This center branch depicts Jesus Christ the Light of the World, as the suffering servant branch who enlightens the world, [Ps. 119:105, John 15:5].

Figure 4. The Menorah and the OT manifestations of the Spirit. 9

The Menorah’s height excluding the lamps was also 17 handbreadths high [17 Tefachim+1 including the base] which also corresponds to the first 17 words of Numbers 1:1.
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Num. 1:1 And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
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Leo Tavares tells us:
The Bible details in Exodus 25:31-35 how God commanded the Israelites to make a Menorah made of pure gold, which was a lampstand with 7 branches (a CENTER branch and 3 united pairs of branches). This Biblical passage consists of 324 Hebrew letters (or 18 × 18 letters). It follows that we can represent these Hebrew letters as an 18 × 18 Matrix. When we do this, we find that the Ordinal number values of the Hebrew letters form a perfect shape of a Menorah yielding a sum of 999: 10

MENORAH = 999

As we compare this Ex. 25 text to the Standard word values of the 7 Hebrew words in Genesis 1:1 that also forms a perfect Menorah, we find some interesting parallels.

GENESIS 1:1 MENORAH

Genesis 1:1 = (913 + 203 + 86) + (401) + (395 + 407 + 296)

401 + (9 × 9 × 9) = (913 – 296) + (407 – 203) + (395 – 86)

Exodus 25:31-40

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

Verse 37 indicates the purpose of the lamps of the Menorah, “that they may give light…’ It is noteworthy that this is the same purpose of the celestial luminaries stated in Genesis 1:14-16. Interestingly, the word for “lights” in the firmament [Gen. 1:14, 16: *H216–maor] is the same word used in reference to the lamps of the Menorah, (Exodus 20:27, 35:14). Moreover, the same Hebrew word that refers to the Menorah’s individual lamps, also refers to the individual celestial lights of the Sun and Moon in Gen. 1:16. Thus we have a perfect correspondence between the purpose not only of the individual celestial lights and each of the Menorah’s lamp’s, to shed light upon the Earth. The emphasis with a Sun-centered system is placed on the Light of God. God’s Light is the Source of Life on Earth, even as God is the Source of Light. The celestial lights support this order from the Hand of the Creator.

Genesis 1:14-16
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: [15] And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. [16] And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

Since the same Hebrew words are used in reference to both the luminaries of the firmament and the lamp-stand of the Tabernacle, we are wise to notice the details of the Menorah’s celestial symbolism.

Here we find Biblical evidence in the Menorah regarding the Hebrew zodiac, structured as the earliest known heliocentric model, as seen in the Menorah Solar System, far ahead of Aristarchus of Samos
(270 BC), who was the first of the ancient Greeks to re-submit the idea of a Sun centered cosmos. With the Son of God and light of the world embodied in Jesus Christ as the central Servant Branch of the Menorah and Hebrew zodiac, we see the original roots for a Sun-centered solar system that Copernicus gets credit for, despite the position of antagonism in the Roman Catholic Church centuries after his death. This idea was first established with the Hebrew Menorah, [Ps. 19] that was structured on a celestial plan of the ancient solar system of seven planets, with luni-solar cycles and the Sun as the center candlestick [Rev.1:20], always enlightening the Earth with a heliocentric viewpoint.

Both Philo and Josephus were early observers who provided context for the Menorah’s rounded branches, associating them with larger astronomical concerns. This approach hearkens back to a link with the lamps of the lampstand and the planets that first appears with the prophet Zechariah already during the sixth century B.C., who described the five visible planets, and the Sun and the Moon, as the “eyes of YHWH:”

These seven are the eyes of YHWH, which range through the whole earth. [Zech. 4:18]

In (Figure 5.) below we see the first candlestick, or Menorah in the form of what James Strong has called a “stylized tree.” Strong gives his own description of Exodus 25:33 quoted below:

Ex. 25:33 Three bowls made like unto almonds, with a knop and a flower in one branch; and three bowls made like almonds in the other branch, with a knop and a flower: so in the six branches that come out of the candlestick.”

Strong’s geometric synopsis of this verse states:

“It will be perceived that each section of the semicircles of which these lines are the radii is composed of two members: the shank (a plain tube) and the bulb (or swell), and that each has a third part or base (a circular double flange, as a means of connection, hence an actual joint) only where it is united to a different kind of piece; i.e., at the bottom and top of the central shaft and of the six arms, including the intersections of the shaft with the arms.”11 [emphasis mine]

Figure 5. The Hebrew Menorah. 12

When we apply what we have already seen in the Biblical teaching of the Sun’s dual symbolism, to the Menorah, then it takes on a new light, associating the Sun not only with the solar system, but also the circular zodiac. The very structure of the Menorah shows its central shaft as the foundation of the candle, since it holds the main light as the centerpiece of the candlestick. All the branches of the candlestick are attached to the central shaft, even as they obtain their light from the main candle. This pattern is mirrored in the solar system as the planets and moons do not generate their own light, but reflect the light of the Sun, in their orbits. We find not only the order of the solar system reflected here but also that of the ecliptic in 12 Constellations. This is evident in the semi–circular pattern based on the pi ratio. By expanding on Strong’s analysis of the Menorah this comes to light. In Strong’s smaller geometric model of the Menorah, we note bulbs on the six branches of the candlestick that are projections of the central bulb, from whence all the radiating lines of the central light emanate. These projections of the central light on the six branches, (five naked eye planets and the Sun & Moon) depict how these luminaries reflect the Sun’s light in their individual orbits upon the Earth. This system shines light on the temporal periods and orbits of each naked-eye planet in our solar system, in relation to the Sun’s light. This is revealed first in the context of the mathematics of the 7×7=49 standard, a primary trait of light in Creator’s celestial order.

The symbolism of the candlestick also extends beyond our solar system to include the circle of 12 signs of the zodiac. Strong’s emphasis above on the geometric design of the Menorah, exhibits the Hebrew zodiac as in Genesis 49, with Jacob’s prophesies over his twelve sons. We should note that these lines noted by Strong as “the radii of the semi-circle,” reflecting the symbolic light of the world, if extended into a complete circle, the radii would divide it into 12 equal parts of 360 degrees of the circle according to the pi ratio. We can be safe in making this conceptual leap in the implied design of the Menorah, because we have already seen this pattern in the Temple pillars: Jachin and Boaz. This makes the Menorah the most complete piece of the furniture of the Temple and Tabernacle, acting as a celestial symbol of the structure of both our solar system and the zodiac. It is the most complete because it is the third aspect we have observed that utilizes the pi ratio, following on the great Brazen Sea and the Temple pillars. These aspects of The Celestial Symbolism of the Temple and Tabernacle utilize the pi ratio to depict the Hebrew calendar of 12 months of 30 days in the sacred 360-day year used by Noah. The Menorah goes beyond this, embracing the planets in a heliocentric model of the ancient solar system, long before the Greek Aristarchus of Samos proposed it in the second century BC.

The Menorah’s implicit use of the pi ratio incorporates the previous usage of this principle in the Brasen Sea and the Temple pillars, while adding the symbolism of the heliocentric solar system to these previous applications, all incorporated into a single model. This systematic usage of the Pi Ratio in the sacred furniture, altars and Pillars of the Temple and Tabernacle, are supported in the consistent application of this mathematical principle as illustrated above in the Pi mathematics of the circle as seen in the practical reckoning of Pi in the 22 letters and 7 vowels of the Hebrew Alphabet applied to the Menorah structure of [Genesis 1:1 and Isa. 44:6], that we saw related to the central number of 401 in Gen. 1:1, where the Circle with a circumference of 1259 units yields a diameter of 401 units, according to the Pi formula.

This consistent, orderly, progressive and systematic usage of the Pi ratio in the architecture and design of the Hebrew Temple and Tabernacle, and its sacred elements and furniture, illustrates the purposeful application of this advanced mathematical principle, far in advance of human science awareness or application. This shows the Word of the Almighty Creator as the true Source for these and other advanced mathematical and geometric concepts that were applied not only in Sacred Architecture, but in the Intelligent Design of all Creation itself. As we continue our quest to seek out and expand tangible scientific evidence of the awesome works at the Hand of our Creator and Heavenly Father, the distant thunder echoing in our ears will become an undeniable storm of cascading truths overwhelming any credible opposition, until the ultimate realization and witness of Jesus Christ as the only begotten Son of the Almighty Heavenly Father of Lights, to whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess. The Sooner this realization comes, the greater benefit to the recipient.

God Bless,

Agape‘

Rene‘

Footnotes

1. Harmonica Macrocosmica [A. Cellarius, Amsterdam 1660]
2. [www.hebrew4christians.com]
3. www.traditionsjewishgifts.com , picture credit
4. https://www.biblegematria.com/pi-and-the-bible.html
5. Secrets of the Great Pyramid, Peter Thompkins p. 306
6. https://sites.google.com/site/mathematicalmonotheism/the-genesis-1-1-mirror-code
7. Jesus Christ is Not God, 2nd edition, p. 97
8. Otiot: Sacred Signs, from “The Book of Sacred Names.” Jacobus G. Swart
9. www.gotlifequestions.com, picture credit for Figure 4.
10. https://sites.google.com/site/mathematicalmonotheism
11. The Tabernacle of Israel, Its structure and Symbolism, ppg. 68-69 James Strong
12. IBID, picture credit for Figure 5.