The Biblical Astronomy of the Lunar Mansions

The Biblical Astronomy of the Lunar Mansions

A Brief History of the Lunar Mansions

Recently, you may have noticed festivities in current events attached to the Lunar New Year.
The Lunar Mansions or Zodiac of the Moon, has a rich history, although more obscure than its Solar counterpart. Much of the Astronomical Lore tied to the Lunar Mansions has been linked to astrology due to a greater emphasis on the Solar Calendar in western culture, along with a resulting lack of attention on it’s Lunar sister. If you have ever eaten at a Chinese restaurant, you are familiar with the placemats with the signs of the Chinese Lunar Zodiac.
As we can see from the Chinese Dragon linked to the Lunar New Year below, China is one
of the ancient cultures that has a strong recognition of the Lunar Zodiac, along with India’s Nakshatra’s, and the ancient Arabian Manzils. Frances Rolleston is one of the few western scholars of Biblical Astronomy who has paid any attention to this area, as is evident from her Poetic “Memorial Lines on the Lunar Mansions” below. Each of these 28 Lunar Mansions are based on a division of the ecliptic into 12 degrees and 51 minutes, based on the daily mean lunar motion through the ecliptic. With our emphasis on Biblical Astronomy, we want
to avoid astrological associations of any kind, unless they can shed added light on the truth, as we have seen in other cases where ancient mythologies have preserved truths prior to astrological corruptions having set in. With the Poem below, and the addition of the Arab “Manzils,” which are the Lunar Mansions that likely had the greatest influence on western astronomical lore until more recently. We have also included the star names correlating to the Lunar “camps” as the Moon passes through these constellations on it’s monthly trek.

The Chinese Lunar New Year is observed throughout China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Singapore as well as other Asian countries, and in Chinatowns around the world. Originating in the region
of Guangzhou, in south China, this is the equivalent of their Spring Festival observance. For those familiar with the Hebrew Spring festival, called Passover, there are similarities between the two ancient cultures, that are not apparent at first blush. Another name for the Hebrew Spring festival is Chag Ha’aviv. The month when the Israelites left Egypt was the first of the year. This was called Abib, the “month of ears” of grain. It was the spring month of the opening of harvest, later called Nisan, as it is known today (Exodus 23:15; 34:18; Deut. 16:1; Esther 3:7). This was a lunar month to which the Hebrews were already accustomed, the change came in making this the first “month,” which was not the case before.

While the Jewish New Year is commonly thought of as Rosh Hashanah which typically comes around in early fall, Passover is actually considered one of four possible Jewish New Years. The term “Rosh Hashanah” does not appear in the Torah; in fact, in both Exodus and Ezekiel, the Hebrew month of Aviv — later renamed Nisan, referred to the beginning of the year or the first month of the year. Nisan is also the month of Passover. Since the Chinese word for “year” is nian, we also can see some common language roots between China and Israel, which are believed to go back to some of Noah’s sons settling in ancient China.

Chinese Lunar Mansions 1

Chinese New Year, like Passover, Rosh Hashanah and all Jewish holidays, occur at various times each year in two months of the Gregorian calendar (January and February), because the Chinese calendar, like the Hebrew calendar, is based on the Metonic cycle, a luni-solar calendar that intercalates an extra month every 19 years. Generally, the Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, but the similarities in the Chinese & Hebrew Lunar calendars don’t stop there. These festivals also share rituals and traditions that bear a  striking resemblance.

In Judaism, the Passover festival is known primarily for an emphasis on the precious blood of the Lamb, which was fulfilled later in the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In Egypt, the blood was placed over, and on the sides of the door-posts to protect the inhabitants against the plague of the Death angel, who wiped out the first-born of Egypt that night. From this, the spiritual practice of the mezuzah was taken, which are ornate containers of miniature scrolls of verses of Scripture, that are hung on door thresholds for protection.

In preparation for New Year’s celebrations in China, homes are decorated in red, a practice linked back to the story of a Chinese New Year monster, or Chinese version of the death angel,  roaming the countryside killing children and livestock. As people discovered that the monster was afraid of the color red, they began hanging red lanterns, wearing red clothes, draping doors with red cloth and posting red scrolls printed with lucky messages on their doorposts! The red amulets are meant specifically to ward off an evil monster bent on killing children. Even as Hebrew custom ushers in most festivals with a ritual meal [Passover Seder] on the eve of the first day of the holiday, Chinese New Year also kicks off with a “reunion dinner” with special foods. As the poetic lines of the Lunar Mansions below mirror the signs of the Lunar Zodiac in China, Arabia and India, so they hold special meaning for Israel also.

The Lunar Zodiac 2

Memorial Lines on the Lunar Mansions-Frances Rolleston 3

The Zodiac tells the path, the Way, which the Sun Measures Day by Day,
The Moon has her own Zodiac given, traced by stars in midnight heaven,
Those eight and twenty Mansions known, to Arabs here, by names still known,

[Aries– Stars: Beta & Delta Aries] [Manzils: Al Sharatain, Al Butain]
Messiah’s reign the signs begun, which tell the progress of the Sun,
The Moon to Church the glory lead, begins her course in Christ her head
Ordained to end in union blest, with him above in endless rest,
The Lunar Mansions still began, the slain, the Bruised, Al Sheratan,
That name too, tells the princely reign, the Lamb shall rule who has been slain,
Not to one purpose do we find, God’s Word or Works alone confined,
These starry records early made, more than one meaning oft’ conveyed,

[Taurus– Stars: Eta & Alpha Tauri, Lambda Orionis]
[Manzils: Al Thurayya, Al Dabaran, Al Hak’ah]
Botein the trodden on below, Thuraiya multitudes to show,
The Ruler, Aldebaran-Red, Heka-he comes in Orion’s Head,

[Gemini-Stars: Alpha & Gamma Gemini, M44]
[Manzils: Al Han’ah, Al Dhira, Al Nathrah]
Al Hena-Wounded at the feet, of the bright twins and placed as meet,
Dira the seed their heads upon, Al Nithra-gain, possession won,

[Cancer-Stars: Lambda, Alpha, Delta Leo]
[Manzils: Al Tarf, Al Jabbah, Al Sarfa]
Terpha-the prey, the separation, Al Gieba– highest exaltation,
Of ancient solstice was the measure, Al Zubra-gathered as a treasure,

[Virgo-Stars: Beta, Alpha,  Virgo]
[Manzils: Al Awwa, Al Simak]
Serpha-the Branch, of he desired, Awa-the babe, the Magi admired,
Simak Al Azal, she who holds, the Branch, the seed, her arm enfolds,

[Libra-Stars: Alpha Libra, Iota Virgo ] [Manzils: Al Jubana, Al Ghafr]
Caphir below, atonement made, Al Zubena– the price he paid,

[Scorpio-Stars: Beta, Alpha Scorpio]
[Manzils: Iklil Al Jabhah, Al Kalb]
Ielil-completion, Kalb, the cleaving, in conflict with the reptile heaving,

[Sagittarius-Stars: Lambda Scorpio, Zeta Sagittarii]
[Manzils: Al Shaulah, Al Na’am]
Shaula, the dart sent forth, Al Naim, to bless the Glorious One who came,

[Capricorn-Star: Pi Sagittarii, Alpha Capricorn]
[Manzils: Al Baldah, Al Sa’d al Dhabih]
Beldah sent forth with speed, beneath Dabih, the victim sinks in death,

[Aquarius-Stars: Mu, Beta & Alpha Aquarii]
[Manzils: Al Sa’d al Bula, Al Sa’d al Su’ud, Al Sa’d al Ahbiyah]
Bulsa the drinking in, Al Suud, pouring out life-giving flood,
Achbiya-the vase in which ascends, the water in which he descends,

[Pisces-Stars: Alpha Pegasi, Alpha & Beta Andromeda]
[Manzils: Al Farghal Mukdim, Al Fargh al Thani, Al Batn al Hut]
Al Pherg-Muchaddem-multitude of former times, in union viewed,
With later gain’d, Muacchar named, both as his own their Lord has claimed.
Al Risha-Band within to hold, united thus the crowds untold,

The multitudes redeemed by him, whom all these types foreshadowed dim.

The Star Calendar or Sidereal Lunar Year has 364 days, which is exactly 28 sets of 13 days, a perfect match with equally spaced lunar stations. The 28 Lunar Mansions divide into 7 x 4 along the lines of the four Cherubim angels each with seven mansions, a pattern we will see developed below.

As the Cherubim travel in the presence of the Heavenly Father in His celestial temple, so they were depicted in the earthly Temple and Tabernacle also. Since the Cherubim were sewn in the curtains of the Tabernacle, is noteworthy regarding the stellar significance associated with their four faces depicting the Cardinal Directions. As we have noted, their four faces correspond to the signs of the zodiac at the four-corners of the ecliptic, and also as guardians of God’s throne-room. The Cherubim also carry symbolic weight regarding the cycle of the precession of the equinoxes because their four faces/signs function as precessional markers for the Age of Taurus, as seen in Numbers 23-24. Since the cycle of precession serves as the primary clock of Cosmic Ages, the symbolic aspects of the Cherubim serve to harmonize space–time in the Creator’s Intelligent Design of His Creation, and like the Great Pyramid, they serve as a temporal key to the ages of precession and related Biblical Administrations. This is a key in opening our understanding, because Israel’s Tabernacle housed the Ark of the Covenant in the holiest of all, signifying the presence of Jehovah in a Covenant relationship with His chosen people, as the central purpose for all Creation. As the Cherubim overspread the Mercy-seat that covered the Ark of the Covenant, their function as guardians was realized, as it is in their image depicted upon the Veil into the Holiest of all.

The Ark of the Covenant

This idea is supported in the four colors of the Tabernacle’s curtains hanging on its internal walls. The four colors employed in the Tabernacle; red, blue, purple and white, alternated in succession as the curtains completed a circuit around the walls in the Tabernacle. James Strong, of Strong’s Concordance fame, gives us a glimpse of the perfect order of how the Cherubim were depicted on these colored curtains of the Tabernacle, in accordance with the wooden planks of the Tabernacle’s walls;

”As the full planks are each 1 & 1/2 cubits wide, with a knob and loop to each, and as the joined sheets are each twice as long as the entire circuit of planks, it follows that every looped portion assigned to plank must be 3 cubits long, which allows exactly one cubit for each of the component stripes of color. Now since the flat panels of violet, containing the figure of the cherubim, are each to be 5/6ths of a cubit wide between the ends of the loops that stretch them out, or a full cubit including the loops and their eyelets, there are left two cubits for the other two colors, one on each slope of the intervening fold of cloth… each of these separate curtains was 28 cubits long, giving nine full series of colors,
[9 x 3=27], with a surplus cubit [totaling 28] for an entire stripe, which must have fallen short or been redundant at one end or the other.”⁴

Hebrew Tabernacle with wooden planks and Curtains.

The nine full series of colored curtains above, yielding 27 cubits, with the surplus cubit marking the 28^th, is a symbolic recognition of the Sidereal Lunar Month, which is counted against the backdrop of the stars, in the time it takes for the Moon to return to the same stars in the sky. This sidereal month is 27.322 days, the period marked between the 27^th and 28^th in the series of colored curtains, during which time the Earth travels 1/13^th of its annual orbit around the Sun. This is another way to understand the 364-day year of 13 months of 28 days, while depicting the lunar symbolism as the lesser light rules the night.

This divine pattern of the Tabernacle given to Moses by revelation from God, exhibits a perfect
luni-solar Symmetry between the 4 colored curtains, with the cherubim shown on them, and the wooden planks of its walls. This shows how the laws of heaven [cherubim/ curtains] reigning on earth [wooden planks]. A reflection Symmetry is noted here, due to the four colored curtains mirroring each other as they complete their circuit around the Tabernacle walls, even as the light of the Moon reflects Sun-light on the Earth. This pattern is indicated by James Strong below;

“Thus, the reversal of the order of the stripes on the opposite sides of the room is so compensated by the change in the panels at the corners that strict regularity is maintained throughout the entire series, and yet complete correspondence in the position of the 20 violet cherubim-panels on each side, and seven at the end…This gives exactly 7 cherubim
to each side, and the same number to the rear of the Most Holy Place, and 14 to each side and the adjoining half of the Veil in the Holy Place, while the 2 on the Mercy Seat correspond to the two on the Veil; in no instance is a cherub on two colors at once. Moreover, if the Veil itself be made to consist of two broad stripes {purple & Crimson} for its 2 cherubim, respectively, with a half stripe of violet on either edge like all the other door screens, this will complete the circuit of the colors continuously in their uniform order around the three sides of the Holy Place, as well as those of the Most Holy.”⁵

This shows the divine seven-fold pattern of the order of Cherubim according to their regular distribution around the four colored curtains of the Tabernacle walls of both the Holy Place, and the Holy of the Holies. As we find this pattern in the earthly Tabernacle, so we also find it in the Heavenly Tabernacle, as Revelation 15 reveals. [Rev. 8:2]

Rev. 15:5-8
(Rev 15:5) And²⁵³² after³³²⁶ that⁵⁰²³ I looked,¹⁴⁹² and,²⁵³² behold,²⁴⁰⁰ the³⁵⁸⁸
temple³⁴⁸⁵ of the³⁵⁸⁸ tabernacle⁴⁶³³ of the³⁵⁸⁸ testimony³¹⁴² in¹⁷²² heaven³⁷⁷²
was opened:⁴⁵⁵

(Rev 15:6) And²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ seven²⁰³³ angels³² came¹⁸³¹ out of¹⁵³⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ temple,³⁴⁸⁵
having²¹⁹² the³⁵⁸⁸ seven²⁰³³ plagues,⁴¹²⁷ clothed¹⁷⁴⁶ in pure²⁵¹³ and²⁵³² white²⁹⁸⁶
linen,³⁰⁴³ and²⁵³² having their⁽⁴⁰¹²⁾ breasts⁴⁷³⁸ girded⁴⁰²⁴ with golden⁵⁵⁵² girdles.²²²³

(Rev 15:7) And²⁵³² one¹⁵²⁰ of¹⁵³⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸ four⁵⁰⁶⁴ beasts²²²⁶ gave¹³²⁵ unto the³⁵⁸⁸ seven²⁰³³ angels³² seven²⁰³³ golden⁵⁵⁵² vials⁵³⁵⁷ full¹⁰⁷³ of the³⁵⁸⁸
wrath²³⁷² of God,²³¹⁶ who liveth²¹⁹⁸ forever and ever.^{1519, 165}

(Rev 15:8) And²⁵³² the³⁵⁸⁸ temple³⁴⁸⁵ was filled¹⁰⁷² with smoke²⁵⁸⁶ from¹⁵³⁷ the³⁵⁸⁸
glory¹³⁹¹ of God,²³¹⁶ and²⁵³² from¹⁵³⁷ his⁸⁴⁸ power;¹⁴¹¹ and²⁵³² no man³⁷⁶² was able¹⁴¹⁰ to
enter¹⁵²⁵ into¹⁵¹⁹ the³⁵⁸⁸ temple,³⁴⁸⁵ till⁸⁹¹ the³⁵⁸⁸ seven²⁰³³ plagues⁴¹²⁷ of the³⁵⁸⁸ seven²⁰³³ angels³² were fulfilled.⁵⁰⁵⁵

The pattern of the 7 angels of God in relation to the four “beasts” or living creatures, depicting the 4 Cardinal Directions is upheld in the heavenly Tabernacle even as we see in its earthly model. This 7 x 4 pattern yielding 28 also relates to the lunar cycle, aligning to the solar cycle, as we will find in the Tabernacle structure. The enemy continues to adhere parasitically to the original order set down by the Almighty, in ordering and marshaling his legions of fallen angels. As we have seen the pattern of seven repeated in the fallen angelic orders, we also find an image of “four beasts” resembling the “dragon decans” or serpent monsters [Draco, Hydra, Cetus, & Serpens] in the starry signs of the night sky. As we take a closer look at the Biblical significance of these four colors in the Tabernacle, we will begin to get an idea of the depth of this symbolism, along with its rendition by the god of this world. Let’s start by viewing the Creator’s Covenant with His Creation as seen in Jeremiah.

Our view of the orders and organization of these angelic ministering spirits gains new insights when considered in light of the Lunar Mansions. The Covenant that God has kept with Israel, started with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, [Gen. 15:5], with its foundations in Noah and Adam. This Covenant is tied to the Order of Creation that God instituted with His system of Natural Law during Creation Week. We find evidence of this pact in Jer. 33:20 ff, in the Covenant of Day and Night, that set the timekeeping standards of God’s temporal order, by which the angels themselves are also ordered. If the Covenant of the stars is broken by man, the covenant of man’s seed was negatively impacted also. This was the first  pattern established by the Creator, but corrupted in astrologically inspired heathen calendars, given over to the idols and heathen day-gods. The context of this original Covenant is carried forward in Jer. 33:20-22 below.

Jer. 33:20-22
(Jer 33:20) Thus3541 saith559 the LORD;3068 If518 ye can break6565 (853) my covenant 1285 of the day,3117 and my covenant1285 of the night,3915 and that there should not1115 be1961 day3119 and night3915 in their season;6256

(Jer 33:21) Then may also1571 my covenant1285 be broken6565 with854 David1732 my servant,5650 that he should not have4480, 1961 a son1121 to reign4427 upon5921 his throne;3678 and with854 the Levites3881 the priests,3548 my ministers.8334
(Jer 33:22) As834 the host6635 of heaven8064 cannot3808 be numbered,5608 neither 3808 the sand2344 of the sea3220 measured:4058 so3651 will I multiply7235 (853) the seed 2233 of David1732 my servant,5650 and the Levites 3881 that minister unto 8334 me.

As we consider this order of the ecliptic, from its lunar perspective we can see how the seven-fold order of angels extends around the full circle of the ecliptic according to the four faces of the Cherubim. God’s Covenant with Creation included both the Day and Night. Initially, a like Covenant was set between the Angels of the First Heavens and Earth, until it was broken in the rebellion of Lucifer, and his third of the angels. But the vestiges of this Covenant which are evident in the angelic order of the Tabernacle curtains, and the Lunar cycle, are still intact for the Godly angels serving the Almighty, in the Second Heavens and Earth. Jeremiah also refers not only to King David as God’s servant but also to the Levites [H3881] the priests, [H3548] and my ministers, [H8334]. With the Creation of mankind, the seed of David leading to Christ as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, is also included in this order. 

Another applied element of the 28 lunar station stars was something that John reported in the book of Revelation in his vision of the heavens. He said that besides the four beasts that surround the throne of God, there was also a circle of 24 seats for 24 elders (Rev. 4:4, 7). “Noting that 24 plus 4 is 28, it appears like the 28 lunar stations may be the four corner-stone stars along with 24 others chosen from the zodiac constellations, on the path of the Moon. The four corner constellations are a lion (Leo), a bull (Taurus), a man (Aquarius) and a serpent (scorpion), which is the evil counterpart of the flying eagle, just as John described the four beasts.” Since the 24 elders are faithful servants of God, it seems fitting to equate the 24 elders with 24 remaining stars of the lunar mansions.”6

This not only shows an integration between the angelic hosts and human servants, which we find the blueprints for in the 24 priestly courses of the OT in [I Chron. 23-27], but also depicts the Lordship of Jesus Christ in both the angelic hosts, and the kingdoms of man over which he currently rules. The 24 priestly courses ran on a continuous cycle of 168 days [24 courses x 7 days per course] that began when King Solomon initiated them in 951 BC. 7 According to one program, the characters of the Hebrew Alphabet spelling a Name of God, yielded 168 letters, divided into 6 letters for each of the 28 Lunar Mansions.

The Bible defines the division of the priestly courses in the 12 months of the year as follows in [1 Chron. 27:1-15]:

1 As for the sons of Israel by their number, the heads of the paternal houses and the chiefs of the thousands and of the hundreds and their officers that were ministering to the king in every matter of the divisions of those that came in and that went out month by month for all the months of the year, each division was 24,000.
2 Over the first division of the first month there was Jashobeam the son of Zabdiel, and in his division there were 24,000.
3 Some of the sons of Perez the head of all the chiefs of the service groups were for the first month.
4 And over the division of the second month there was Dodai the Ahohite with his division, and Mikloth was the leader, and in his division there were 24,000.
5 The chief of the 3rd service group for the third month was Benaiah the son of Jehoiada the chief priest, and in his division there were 24,000.
6 This Benaiah was a mighty man of the 30 and over the 30; and [over] his division there was Ammizabad his son.
7 The 4th for the 4th month was Asahel, Joab’s brother, and Zebadiah his son after him, and in his division there were 24,000.
8 The 5th chief for the 5th month was Shamhuth the Izrahite, and in his division there were 24,000.
9 The 6th for the 6th month was Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, and in his division there were 24,000.
10 The 7th for the 7th month was Helez the Pelonite of the sons of Ephraim, and in his division there were 24,000.
11 The 8th for the 8th month was Sibbecai the Hushathite of the Zerahites, and in his division there were 24,000.
12 The 9th for the 9th month was Abi-ezer the Anathothite of the Benjaminites, and in his division there were 24,000.
13 The 10th for the 10th month was Maharai the Netophathite of the Zerahites, and in his division there were 24,000.
14 The 11th for the 11th month was Benaiah the Pirathonite of the sons of Ephraim, and in his division there were 24,000.
15 The 12th for the 12th month was Heldai the Netophathite, of Othniel, and in his division there were 24,000 (1 Chronicles 27).

In an alternative program, a Name of God spelled in Hebrew characters divided into 12 groups, of 14 letters, aligned with each of the primary 12 constellations. As the 28 “times” of [Ecclesiastes 3:1-8] divide into two groups of 14 positive and negative “times” as these lunar mansions, the 14 examples of “good times” are said to originate from the 14 letters in the name of God [YHVH Elohenu YHVH]. 8 As an obvious reference similar to [Matt. 6:33], when a man seeks God’s Kingdom first, his days will be blessed, so that he prevails even in “difficult days.”

Tabernacle Colors

We can see this four-fold pattern carried further in the four colors of the Tabernacle, as they embody together the four-fold ministry of Jesus Christ as the chief corner-stone in the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, showing his dominion over all Creation. As we have seen, the four celestial pillars/cherubim correspond to the four Cardinal Directions, known as the equinox and Solstice, seen on the ecliptic and Equator at the four-corners of the heavens. These four cardinal points correspond to the tribes, zodiacal signs and colors as follows:

Symbols of the Cardinal Directions

Cardinal Direction	Star Picture	zodiac Sign	Tribe of Isreal	Temple Color	Bible Verses	Branch Prophecies	Cherubim Ezek.1:10
North	Scorpio replaced by eagle	Scorpius Aquila	Dan	White Linen	Psa 75 Zech. 3:8 Ezek 1:10	Mark/ Servant	Eagle”s Face & Wings
East	Lion	Leo	Judah	Purple	Num 24:9 Jer. 23:5	Matthew/ King	Lion”s Face
South	Man	Aquarius	Reuben	Red	Num 24:7 Zech. 6:12	Luke/Son of Man	Man”s Face & Hands
West	Bull	Taurus	Ephraim and Mannasseh	Blue	Num 24:8 John 4:2	John/ Son of God	Bull”s Face & Feet

The vision of Ezekiel at the river Chebar describes these living creatures, specifically their four faces, matching the signs of the four Cardinal Directions of the heavens. As we have noted regarding the North, it was omitted, as only 3 sides of the Tabernacle are disclosed regarding the order of its Curtains. In the North we find the face of Aquila the Eagle [Eze.1:10], replacing that of his natural enemy, the Scorpion/ serpent, as is evident in the triple sign
Ophiuchus as he wrestles Serpens the serpent, representing the dragon who fell from his first estate as a lead archangel of God. The gap opened by this fall, will be superseded by the authority of Christ over his Body-the Church, including not only this authority over human kingdoms but angelic kingdoms also. This consistent pattern of four is seen through all the world’s order, for example in the four basic alchemical elements: earth, wind, fire and water. This also carries over into the four states of matter: liquid, solid, gas and Plasma, not to mention the 4 forces of nature: Gravitational force, Electro-magnetic force,
Weak Nuclear force and Strong Nuclear force. This basic pattern of nature is not only witnessed in the ministry of angels, but in Christ’s ministry also, as reflected in the 4 gospels above. Thus, as we view the two phases of the return of Christ, first in his sufferings and then in glory, we find the following division along the lines of Christ’s ministry, as seen in the four gospels:

Sufferings

He came as a man/Son of Man/Luke/Aquarius
He sacrificed his life/Servant/Mark/ Eagle for Scorpion

Glory

The Son coming in judgment/Son of God/John/Taurus
The Lion-king of Judah rending his prey/King/Matthew/Leo

These symbolic references to the four quarters of heaven, seen in the four unified faces of the Cherubim, represent a composite view of the celestial/earthly Tabernacle structure, that witnesses to the return of Jesus Christ with his Saints, to execute judgment on the wicked. The added 7 x 4= 28 symbolism of the celestial Cherubim/24 elders, becomes more apparent as our study continues.

These Godly angels are led by the Archangels Michael and Gabriel even as the fallen angels are led by the Dragon, as seen in Rev. 12:1-9. Our view of these godly angels, in this study will be in the context of their ongoing battle against the evil angels or devil spirits, who were cast down with the dragon from heaven. This record depicts a key example of the relationship between how the stars are symbols of Draco the dragon and his spirit realm of fallen angels, an important element of our study of the “Host of Heaven.” Michael [one who is like God] brings God’s authority and stands for God’s people against the dark spiritual forces of the Dragon’s world kingdom of fallen angels, [Jude 9] in the spiritual warfare currently being waged, as seen in Revelation 12.

Rev. 12:1-7
(Rev 12:1) And2532 there appeared3700 a great3173 wonder4592 in1722 heaven;3772 a woman1135 clothed with4016 the3588 sun,2246 and2532 the3588 moon4582 under5270 her848 feet,4228 and2532 upon1909 her848 head2776 a crown4735 of twelve1427 stars:792
(Rev 12:2) And2532 she being with child2192, 1722, 1064 cried,2896 travailing in birth,5605 and2532 pained928 to be delivered.

The great wonder in heaven here refers to a celestial sign, which is confirmed by the mention here of the Sun, Moon & Stars. The only woman, or female sign of the zodiac is Virgo, which actually has 12 literal stars around her head, but also is the first sign of the Biblical zodiac as it is figuratively and monumentally preserved in the head of The Great Sphinx.

(Rev 12:3) And2532 there appeared3700 another243 wonder4592 in1722 heaven;3772 and2532 behold2400 a great3173 red4450 dragon,1404 having2192 seven2033 heads2776 and2532 ten1176 horns,2768 and2532 seven2033 crowns1238 upon1909 his848 heads.

The word “appeared” [G3700] refers to a gaze of fascination, noting its structure and function as something to be wondered at. These verses will teach us much about the order of the spirit realm, or Dragon’s Kingdom of fallen angel’s if we pay attention. The 2nd “wonder of heaven,” is a celestial sign like the previous verse, but referring to a different kind of sign, a circumpolar called Draco the Dragon set by the Creator at the northern Celestial Pole [Job 26:13]. This is the first of 13 uses of “dragon” in the Book of Revelation, indicative of the disorderly and rebellious nature of the fiery Red Dragon. Once again we find the seven fold order of the Dragon’s spirit kingdom referenced in the Dragon’s 7 heads along with the 7 crowns upon his 7 heads. These 7 heads imply 7 ruling [unclean spirits-daimon; Revelation 16:13-14] who embody a leading aspect of the Dragon’s power over his earthly kingdom, as we find in [Dan. 10].

(Rev 12:4) And2532 his848 tail3769 drew4951 the3588 third part5154 of the3588 stars792
of heaven,3772and2532 did cast906 them846 to1519 the3588 earth:1093 and2532 the3588 dragon1404 stood2476before1799 the3588 woman1135 which was ready3195 to be delivered,5088 for to2443 devour2719her848 child5043 as soon as3752 it was born.

Apian’s Astronomicum Caesareum,” [Ingolstadt 1540 AD]

Here we have the dragon’s head associated with its tail, since the tail always does what the head tells it to do. In the graphic above from “Apian”s Astronomicum Caesareum,” [Ingolstadt 1540 AD] depicting the alternating head and tail of the dragon, we find 27 [9 x 3] points on the circle around the central dragon. This relates directly to the lunar calendar, or the Draconic Month, also known in Astrology as the Head & Tail of the Dragon. As we stop to consider the geometry applied here, we find an interesting dynamic. This is a shadow of the pattern we saw above in the nine full series of colored curtains of 27 cubits in the Tabernacle, referring to the Sidereal Lunar Month of 27.322 days. Geometrically, the numbers 3:9:27 reflect a relationship where 9 is the geometric mean between 3 and 27. Thus, 9 equals the square root of 3 x 27, or 81. The Mayan knowledge of this is geometry
is indicated in one of their most accurate lunar calendars, based on 81 full moons occurring every 2,392 days. Here we find a celestial image of the spiritual hierarchy of the enemy’s kingdom of 1/3 the host of Heaven, based on an aspect of the lunar sidereal cycle, counted against the backdrop of the stars. We should also take note that the common ratio underlying all of this, without variation is 1:3. This invariant ratio, can also be expressed as 1/3, which reflects the third part of the angels dragged down to Earth in the dragon’s tail in Rev. 12:4 above. Thus we find common elements in the order of Cherubim depicted on
the curtains of the Tabernacle, with the 27 days of the sidereal lunar month, as they correlate to the Draconic month of the dragon’s head and tail.

These ancient links with dragon and the lunar cycle, are also witnessed in the fact that in Astrology, a lunar Node; the point where the Moon crosses over the ecliptic, was also called the dragon’s head and tail, dictating the periods of the eclipse cycle, according to the phi ratio. The Eclipse limits for both solar and lunar eclipses are dictated by a 6 degree range within 12.5° to 18.5° of the lunar Node, wherein a New Moon or Full Moon takes place. The accuracy of the Mayan lunar calendar is indicated in its 11,960 days [2392 x 5] or 405 lunations, [260 x 46 in tzolkin terms] when divided [11,960÷ 405= 29.5308] gives us a lunar synodic cycle of 29.5308 days. When this lunar synodic cycle is divided by the 69 groups or families of days when solar eclipses occur, [29.5038÷ 69=173.333] we get the average period of 173.333 days between [10] eclipses. As the Sun links with a lunar Node when two of these 173.333 periods elapse, it gives us an eclipse year of 346.62 days, 18.6 days short of the solar year of 365.242. This reveals the basis of the phi ratio because 18.618 x 18.618=346.62 telling us that the lunar cycle relates to the eclipse cycle via the phi ratio of 1.618.

Since the six degree range of the lunar Node was formerly tied to Draco at the northern Celestial Pole, it indicates the time before the dragon was cast down to the earth with his spirit realm. However, after the dragon was cast down, its head and tail would be transferred from the polar regions, down to the ecliptic, where the Hydra is located. This powerful figure of casting down the dragon, with his 1/3 of the stars of heaven, [fallen angels] to the Earth with him, is symbolized as a Meteor shower from the Constellation Draco, during the period of Christ’s birth. For a deeper look into this topic, check our website study: Introduction to the Jupiter-Regulus Conjunctions. Also noteworthy is the section on “Lunar eclipses and Occultations” under the study on the Calendar of the Biblical Patriarchs. This verse [Rev. 12:4] also relates directly back to the first prophecy of the promised seed in Gen. 3:15, where the seed of the woman would bruise the serpent’s head, while the serpent’s seed would bruise the man’s heel. As the dragon’s head directs the spirit realm in his tail, the desired acts of persecution and destruction against the woman’s seed are carried out by the serpent’s seed-those who follow the Way of Cain [Jude 1:11], in open rebellion against the true God. This reveals the overriding purpose of the serpent, devouring the promised seed of the woman, as soon as he was born. We saw an example of this in the actions of the serpent’s seed-King Herod, who murdered all the male children around Bethlehem under age 2, in an effort to devour the infant Jesus, as soon as he was born. Having failed at this, the enemy turned his attention to believers in the Church, the spiritual body of Christ.

This provides context and among other things, depicts a seven fold angelic order of the spirit realm in the orders of angels under Satan, [Rev. 8:2] but also develops a fuller grasp of the link between the serpent’s seed and lunar symbolism, which we have referenced in other studies on this blog and website.

(Rev 12:5) And2532 she brought forth5088 a man730 child,5207 who3739 was3195 to rule4165 all3956nations1484 with1722 a rod4464 of iron:4603 and2532 her848 child5043
was caught up726 unto4314God,2316 and2532 to his848 throne.

This verse encapsulates the victorious life, ministry and completed work of Jesus Christ, from birth to resurrection and beyond, in one verse of Scripture. This is a figure of speech called symperasma, providing a summary and conclusion of the subject-the inevitable Coming and ultimate Victory of the Promised Seed. This emphasis shows Christ’s ultimate victory over the serpent and its seed, despite all the enemy’s efforts to obstruct the purposes of the Heavenly Father. This emphasis is monumentally preserved in the Great Sphinx with the head of the Woman Virgo bearing the infant promised seed, who matures to fulfill his highest of callings, by defeating and destroying the enemy’s work, as shown in the other 10 zodiacal signs between Virgo and Leo. His final victory over the serpent is witnessed in Leo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah [Rev. 5:5], as the Lion’s extended claws are set to rend the Hydra to pieces. The Hydra is the longest of the Constellations, extending below Libra’s scales through Virgo and Leo to include the Crab of Cancer. These four signs; the woman, her seed, his sacrifice, and the altar, not only represent 1/3 of the entire circle of the 12 signs of the zodiac, but also reflect a carnal image of Christ’s righteous sacrifice, in the religion of human works, attempting to earn salvation while ignoring the completed work of Grace, given by God in His only begotten Son. Thus, as the Hydra [the serpent destroyed] slithers below these four signs of the zodiac, he represents the counterfeit and the deception of antichrist, leading away from, and denying the true work of Christ. This is an important aspect of the devil’s works that Christ came to destroy [John 10:10, I John 3:8].

The Archangel Michael in spiritual warfare against the dragon. 

Revelation 12:7
(Rev 12:7) And2532 there was1096 war4171 in1722 heaven:3772 Michael3413 and2532 his848 angels32fought4170 against2596 the3588 dragon;1404 and2532 the3588 dragon1404 fought4170 and2532 his848angels,32
(Rev 12:8) And2532 prevailed2480 not;3756 neither3777 was their848 place5117 found2147 any more2089 in1722 heaven.3772
(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 into1519 the3588 earth,1093 and2532 his848 angels32 were cast out906 with3326 him.846

In verse 7 we have the Archangel Michael contending in spiritual warfare against the dragon and his angels even as we see in [Daniel 10]. 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 serpent 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 direct juxtaposition the Godly order, reflected both in the curtains of the Tabernacle, and in the Cardinal Directions, against the 27 alternating lunar stations of the head and tail of the dragon. We have just seen two examples of how the serpentine aspects of the enemy’s spiritual dominion are celestially represented in the Dragon–Draco and the Hydra.

In addition to the Lunar days, the sidereal month also divides into 28 equal sections, that correspond to the Lunar Mansions, which appear as the 28 “camps” (literally, 28 “camps of the Moon“) and the Divine Presence, corresponding to the 28 phases of the lunar zodiac. This pattern is also illustrated in another Biblical reference in Ecc. 3: 2-8, which begins;

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (3:1). These 28 times corresponding to the 28 camps of the divine presence can also refer to names of God. There are 28 angelic rulers (28 lunar angels) governing the lunar mansions as we have seen in the order of Cherubim on the circuit of colored Tabernacle curtains. The word for “season” here is [H4150–moed] meaning an “appointed time,” used many times of the sacred 7 Feasts of Israel. 11

Ecclesiastes 3 depicts a pattern of fourteen benevolent “times” and fourteen malevolent ones. These are thought to apply to “good” and “bad” time cycles of the 28 “Lunar Mansions,” fourteen from the aspect of Chesed (Mercy or Benevolence) aligned with the Angelic servants of light, and fourteen from the aspect of Din or Pachad (“judgment” or Gevurah), with fallen angels. These 14 positive and 14 negative aspects listed here configure in seven positive and negative pairs relating to the seven “double letters” of the Hebrew Alphabet, as well as seven attributes or qualities associated with these Hebrew letters, as seen in the chart below.

“Seven Pairs” Structure of Ecclesiastes 3:2-8

From the 28 times in Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 we see the obvious juxtaposition to “easy“ times vs. “difficult” ones, 14 on either side, like 2 hands. These associated attributes with the twenty-eight “times” in Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 come in pairs, and in each pair, one element
is the opposite of the other. Birth – Death; Planting – Plucking; Killing – Healing; Breaking down – Building up, etc. This strongly suggests the goal is to portray a range of human
activity according to this pattern whether good or evil, depending on individual choice. Again, with the knowledge that all these results can occur in life, with God on our side in His path of righteousness, we can still prevail in the most difficult of “times” in this world. This brings to mind Deut. 30, where God’s Word lists some related pairs resulting from freewill choice
He has given to all men, to walk in their lives in the ways that they choose to go.

Deut. 30:19-20

¹⁹ I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

²⁰ That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

God not only gives us this freewill choice, He also tells us which choice benefits us the most! Choose life People…

God Bless,

Rene’

Footnotes

1. Picture Credit [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-Eight_Mansions]
2. Picture credit [https://donnaphilosophica.com/comprehensive-guide-lunar-mansions/]
3. Memorial Lines on the Lunar Mansions-Frances Rolleston
4. The Tabernacle of Israel, ppg. 82-8 3, James Strong
5. IBID, p. 85, James Strong
6. [https://www.johnpratt.com/items/docs/2018/lunar_mansions.html]
7. www.torahcalendar.com
8. [http://www.truebiblecode.com/understanding4.html]
9. Apian’s Astronomicum Caesareum, [Ingolstadt 1540 AD]
10. Secret Book of Egyptian Gnostics, Jean Doresse, fn. pg. 74
11. Strong’s Concordance, [H4150], James Strong
12. Star Names, Their Lore and Meaning, R.H. Allen, p.208

 

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