The called out are in conflict with the enemy of
darkness. The story of monsters and dragons in mythical battles may have had
their origin in the stars. If we remember, Pisces is the two fish united by the
decan the Band. The star names signify redemption for those
who were looking ahead to Christ’s coming, and those looking behind to when
Christ came. Both fish represent the redeemed
in Christ. The star pictures also tell us more of the story of what we face
today as believers in Christ. I have to
credit Helena Lehman with pointing out this subject in her book The Language of God in the Universe (pg
290) and I thought it was a worthy subject to expound on. What we see is the
story of an enemy whose time is running out and who one day will be eternally
bound in the lake of fire.
In the night sky during the time the sun moves
through the house of Pisces there are five monsters
visible. Most of the time we can
only see three of the five, but at the time of Pisces we can see all five. This may have scared the ancients and caused
them to dislike the time the sun moved through Pisces. However these five tell
us a story we can learn from. This is
the story Adam read and told his children, but like people today some will keep
these things in their remembrance and some will not. As we use computer
programs to read the star stories, we can look at the sky at any given time in
history or the future. Day unto day and night unto night the stars utter their
speech and with the aid of computers we can read these stories during daylight
hours. Thankfully this information, which was worked by several scholars over
one hundred years ago, was not lost. As
I pointed out last week, we think we are so very smart in this age, yet we don’t
even know what was taught just one hundred years ago. Instead our Christian education has been
sorely lacking.
Ps 19:1-3 The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and
night unto night sheweth knowledge.3 There is no speech nor language, where
their voice is not heard.KJV
Our first monster is Serpens, the serpent that Ophiuchus is holding while crushing the
scorpion under foot. For a closer look
at Ophiuchus I have a previous blog that can be referenced, The Mazzaroth and Ophiuchus, http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/03/mazzaroth-and-ophiuchus.html Let’s look at Serpens from EW Bullingers Witness of the Stars:
i AND 2. SERPENS AND OPHIUCHUS. The Struggle
with the Enemy.
Here, Serpens, the serpent, is seen struggling
vainly in the powerful grasp of the man who is named 0-phi-u-chus. In Latin he
is called Serpentarius. * Luke xxii. 53 : comp. Col. i. 13 and Eph. vi. 12. He
is at one and the same moment shown to be seizing the serpent with his two
hands, and treading on the very heart of the scorpion, marked by the deep red
star Antares (wounding).
In Scorpio we see merely the effort to wound
Ophiuchus in the heel ; but here we see the effort of the serpent to seize THE
CROWN, which is situated immediately over the serpents head, and to which he is
looking up and reaching forth.
The contest is for Dominion! It was the Devil,
in the form of a serpent, that robbed the first man of his crown; but in vain
he struggled to wrest it from the sure possession of the Second Man. Not only
does he fail in the attempt, but is himself utterly defeated and trodden under
foot.
There are no less than 134 stars in these two
constellations. Two are of the 2nd magnitude, fourteen of the 3rd, thirteen of
the 4th, etc.
The brightest star in the Serpent, a (in the
neck), is named Unuk, which means encompassing. Another Hebrew name is Alyah,
the accursed. From this is Al Hay (Arabic), the reptile. The next brightest
star is (in the jaw), named, in Arabic, Cheleb, or Chelbalrai, the serpent
enfolding. The Greek name, Ophiuchus, is itself from the Hebrew and Arabic name
Afeichus, which means the serpent held. The brightest star in Ophiuchus, a (in
the head), is called Ras al Hagus (Arabic), the head of him who holds. http://archive.org/stream/witnessofthestar00bulluoft/witnessofthestar00bulluoft_djvu.txt
We see this enemy who
comes against the called out wanting dominion.
As we previously studied, dominion is a tactic of witchcraft, see King and Queen Manipulators, http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/05/witchcraft-part-2-ahab-jezebel.html
The serpent in the
garden came to take dominion over Adam and to steal his crown. As we read from scripture there are crowns
given to the believer and the Philadelphian Church was warned not to let anyone
steal their crown, see Evangelizing into the Sheepfold http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/08/philadelphia-evangelizing-into-sheepfold.html
Logically, if a crown
can be stolen, then the primary form of attack is stealing. That is not to say that someone would not
turn over their crown willingly, but this act of taking a crown infers that it
was not earned by the one stealing it.
That is what the devil did in the garden and that is what he wants to do
to us today. Any time we turn aside in
an area of false doctrine, or harden our hearts to habitual sin, or we
rationalize our methods instead of doing what the bible tells us, the devil is
ready to seize one of our crowns. I’m sure it gives the devil a big belly laugh
every time he steals one, as we humans are so vulnerable to his schemes.
As a side note, alongside
the shepherd, there isn’t one special appointed person in the sheepfold that is
to protect the sheep, we all are charged with guarding the sheepfold. We are to have each others’ backs, and yet
the devil makes us think that there is a special way of confronting or warning
each other. Baloney! If someone is about to be run over by a car, we are not to
wait around and make an appointment to talk to the driver, or contact our
superior sheep on behalf of the crazy driver, or form a committee to discuss
the repercussions of a driver plowing down the sheep. No, we are to yell, “Watch Out”, possibly
even throwing ourselves at the sheep about to be run over to get them out of
the way. That is laying down our lives
for the sheep/brethren. Instead we form
rules on “how to” rather than simply just doing. If the driver of the car is attempting to
injure someone, either intentionally or unknowingly, we should be taking away
the drivers’ car and license. The devil
has built a whole earthly system on dealing with people who do something wrong
that has entered the church. This is how
the devil has given himself plenty of time to steal one’s crown. While others watch but feel powerless to step
in, the devil is twisting and spinning someone’s mind until he can grab that
crown. Instead of being placid sheep we
can be Rams, using our heads to keep the devil at bay.
The next enemy we see
is Scorpio, who shows up at the end of the time the sun moves through
Pisces. We see the left claw of the
scorpion which is wounding the heel of Ophiuchus. This is the prophecy given in the beginning
of Genesis.
Gen 3:14-15 And the
Lord God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed
above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou
go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:15 And I will put enmity
between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise
thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.KJV
Again from Witness of
the Stars we see further information on Scorpio.
IX. SCORPIO (the Scorpion)
The brightest star, a (in the heart), bears the
ancient Arabic name of Antares, which means the wounding. It is called by the
Latins Cor Scorpii, be cause it marks the scorpion s heart. It shines ominously
with a deep red light. The sting is called in Hebrew Lesath (Chaldee, Lesha),
which means the perverse. The stars in the tail are also known as Leshaa, or
Leshat*
To show us this; to prevent any mistake; to set
forth the fact that this conflict only apparently ended in defeat, and that it
did not really so end, we have the first two constellations belonging to this sign
presented in one picture! Indeed, the
picture is threefold, for it includes the sign itself (as shown on the cover)!
If these pictures had been separated, then the
conflict would have been separated from the victory; the deadly wound of the
serpents head from the temporary wound in the Victor s heel. Hence, three
pictures are required, in which the scorpion, the serpent, and the man, are all
involved, in order to present at the same time the triumphant issue of the
conflict. http://archive.org/stream/witnessofthestar00bulluoft/witnessofthestar00bulluoft_djvu.txt
Again we may remember from our previous blog on
Ophiuchus that the sun is only in Scorpio for about 6 days, by day seven the
sun moves on. This tells us that the
devil has tried to lengthen his time line out to an entire sun cycle rather
than the six short days. He is a
deceiver. Reading from Witness of the
Stars:
DRACO (The Dragon). The Old Serpent, or the Devil, cast down from Heaven.
Each of the three great books concludes with this same foreshowing of Apocalyptic truth. The same great enemy is referred to in all these pictures. He is the Serpent; he is the Dragon; "the great dragon, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan " (Rev. xii. 9). The Serpent represents him as the Deceiver; the Dragon, as the Destroyer.
This First Book concludes with the Dragon being cast down from heaven. The Second Book concludes with Cetus, the Sea Monster, Leviathan, bound. The Third Book concludes with Hydra, the Old Serpent, destroyed.
Here, at the close of the First Book, we see not merely a dragon, but the Dragon cast down! That is the point of this great star-picture.
It is against him that the God-Man " the Son of God goes forth to war." It is for him that the eternal fires are prepared. It is he who shall shortly be cast down from the heavens preparatory to his completed judgment. It is of him we read, " The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world : he was cast out and his angels with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down " (Rev. xii. 9, 10).
It is of him that David sings : " God is my king 1 of old, Working 1 salvation in the midst of the earth . . . Thou brakest the heads of the dragons in the waters. Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces." (Ps. Ixxiv. 12-14.)
Of him also the Spirit causes Isaiah to say, "In that day, shall this song be sung in the land of Judah"; " In that day the LORD, with his sore, and great, and strong sword, Shall punish leviathan the piercing (R.V. swift) serpent, Even leviathan that crooked serpent; And he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea." (Isa. xxvi. i ; xxvii. i.)
This is exactly what is foreshadowed by this constellation of Draco. Its name is from the Greek, and means trodden on, as in the Septuagint of Ps. xci. 13 : " The dragon shalt thou trample under feet," from the Hebrew Tt, Dahrach, to tread.
In the Zodiac of Denderah it is shown as a serpent under the fore-feet of Sagittarius, and is named Hcrfent, which means the serpent accursed!
The brightest star, a (in one of the latter coils), is named Thuban (Heb.), the subtle. Some 4,620 years ago it was the Polar Star. It is manifest, therefore, that the Greeks could not have invented this constellation, as is confessed by all modern astronomers. It is still a very important star in nautical reckonings, guiding the commerce of the seas, and thus " the god of this world " is represented as winding in his contortions round the pole of the world, as if to indicate his subtle influence in all worldly affairs.
The next star, /3 (in the head), is called by the Hebrew name Rastaban, and means the head of the subtle (serpent}. In the Arabic it is still called A I Waid, which means who is to be destroyed.
The next star, y (also in the head), is called Ethanin, i.e., the long serpent, or dragon.
The Hebrew names of other stars, not identified, are Grumian, the subtle; Giansar, the punished enemy. Other (Arabic) names are Al Dib, the -reptile; El Atkik, the fraudful ; El Asieh, the bowed down. http://archive.org/stream/witnessofthestar00bulluoft/witnessofthestar00bulluoft_djvu.txt
As we looked at the story of the circle in the heavens in a prior blog we saw that the polestar is now in Ursa Minor and is on its way out of Ursa Minor and into Cephus the King. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/02/lucifers-story-is-ending-meaning-of.html
The enemy Draco the dragon will be cast down, out of the heavens as in Revelation 12. We know that that has not happened yet as there has not been a time of rejoicing in the heavens.
Rev 12:7-10 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.KJV
Rev 12:12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.KJV
Let’s compare Revelation with this section in Isaiah.
Isa 26:20-27:1 Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation [2195] be overpast.21 For, behold, the Lord cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity [5771]: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.27:1 In that day the Lord with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan [3882] the piercing [1281] serpent [5175], even leviathan that crooked [6129] serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.KJV
Indignation OT:2195 za`am (zah'-am); from OT:2194; strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) fury (especially of God's displeasure with sin):KJV - angry, indignation, rage.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Iniquity OT:5771`avon (aw-vone'); or `avown (2 Kings 7:9; Ps 51:5 [OT:7]) (aw-vone'); from OT:5753; perversity, i.e. (moral) evil:KJV - fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Leviathan OT:3882 livyathan (liv-yaw-thawn'); from OT:3867; a wreathed animal, i.e. a serpent (especially the crocodile or some other large seamonster); figuratively, the constellation of the dragon; also as a symbol of Bab.:KJV - leviathan, mourning.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Serpent OT:5175nachash (naw-khawsh'); from OT:5172; a snake (from its hiss):KJV - serpent.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Piercing OT:1281 bariyach (baw-ree'-akh); or (shortened) bariach (baw-ree'-akh); from OT:1272; a fugitive, i.e. the serpent (as fleeing), and the constellation by that name:KJV - crooked, noble, piercing.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Crooked OT:6129 `aqallathown (ak-al-law-thone'); from OT:6127; tortuous:KJV - crooked.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
Shall slay OT:2026 harag (haw-rag'); a primitive root; to smite with deadly intent:KJV - destroy, out of hand, kill, murder (-er), put to [death], make [slaughter], slay (-er), surely.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
We have looked at this verse before. There seems to be a divine order listed here. First God’s people will enter chambers while some sort of fury is going on regarding God’s displeasure with earthly perversity, possibly the Parousia (the wrath of the Lamb) or the Wrath of God. When the Lord comes to judge Jerusalem, which is the wrath of the Lamb, during the first three and one half years of the tribulation and then the wrath of God the second three and one half years of the tribulation, the serpent will be thrown out of heaven and bound to earth only. That is when the heavens shall rejoice but earth will mourn. Today we know that the devil still has access to heaven as he did in Job, nothing has changed his access to the meetings at the mount of the congregation. We also know heaven has not rejoiced because the devil hasn’t been thrown out yet. So it would seem that during the tribulation while fury is raging on earth, the body of Christ is hidden away; the judgment on earth will take place, and the devil will be cast out of heaven.
If we remember the previous blog on Rahab we can see that the possible place of satan’s prior habitation, the planet Rahab was broken in pieces, and remains part of what we call the asteroid belt. Is it possible that satan’s destroyed planet is just the beginning of heavenly changes that effect us, and our view from earth since we know that more punishment is on the way. See Rahab, and God’s Circled Picture in the Heavens. http://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2012/02/rahab-gods-circled-picture-in-heavens.html Here again in Isaiah we see the wounded dragon.
Isa 51:9 Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the Lord; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? KJV
The sea monster Cetus is the enemy that the fish are bound to via the constellation the band. While we see the fish are always going to have this enemy around, the fish also are pulling away from Cetus, choking him. This would tell us that we should be on offense rather than on defense so that we continue to hold Cetus back. Also if we take note of the perspective, the fish are small, the sea monster is very large. What a humiliation for the big sea monster to be held back by guppies. And again E W Bullinger has more insight:
2. CETUS (The Sea Monster). The Great Enemy Bound.
The picture is that of a great Sea-monster, the largest of all the constellations. It is the natural enemy of fishes, hence it is placed here in connection with this last chapter, in which fishes are so prominent.
It is situated very low down among the constelations far away towards the south or lower regions of the sky.
Its name in the Denderah Zodiac is Knem, which means subdued. It is pictured as a monstrous head, trodden under foot by the swine, the natural enemy of the serpent. The hawk also (another enemy of the serpent) is over this figure, crowned with a mortar, denoting bruising.
The names of the stars interpret for us infallibly the meaning of the picture.
The brightest star, a (in the upper mandible), is named Menkar, and means the bound or chained enemy. The next, (in the tail), is called Diphda, or Deneb Kaitos, overthrown, or thrust down. The star o (in the neck) is named Mira, which means THE REBEL. Its name is ominous, for the star is one of the most remarkable. It is very bright, but it was not till 1596 that it was discovered to be variable. It disappears periodically seven times in six years ! It continues at its brightest for fifteen days together. M. Bade says that during 334 days it shines with its greatest light, then it diminishes, till it entirely disappears for some time (to the naked eye). In fact, during that period it passes through several degrees of magnitude, both increasing and diminishing. In deed its variableness is so great as to make it appear unsteady! http://archive.org/stream/witnessofthestar00bulluoft/witnessofthestar00bulluoft_djvu.txt
While
the called out are on earth, the devil cannot do all that he wants to do. When
the called out are taken away into their chambers the devil will not be held
back by the called out. He will go wild for a short time and then he will be
bound by the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Then the enemy will be bound for one
thousand years.
Job
41:1-5 Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord
which thou lettest down?2 Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw
through with a thorn?3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak
soft words unto thee?4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him
for a servant for ever?5 Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou
bind him for thy maidens? KJV
We
cannot tame this monster; we cannot convert him, get him saved, or teach him to
be nice to others. We can’t even simply catch him like any other fish. He’s a
big giant sea monster. The translation in the message makes me laugh. Pet goldfish?
Job
41:3-5 Will he beg you over and over for mercy, or flatter you with flowery
speech? 4 Will he apply for a job with you to run errands and serve you the
rest of your life? 5 Will you play with him as if he were a pet goldfish? Will
you make him the mascot of the neighborhood children? (from THE MESSAGE: The
Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights
reserved.)
Let’s
go on.
Job
41:24-34 His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether
millstone.25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of
breakings they purify themselves.26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot
hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.27 He esteemeth iron as straw, and
brass as rotten wood.28 The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned
with him into stubble.29 Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the
shaking of a spear.30 Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed
things upon the mire.31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the
sea like a pot of ointment.32 He maketh a path to shine after him; one would
think the deep to be hoary.33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made
without fear.34 He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the
children of pride.KJV
Cetus
is strong, and he is not easily taken down, so truly then subduing of this
rebel is in a spiritual sense. Again I know I’ve mentioned it before, but we
should be on offense not on defense, we are holding him back. Cetus must be
confident in his own abilities, making him prideful, and the king of the
children of pride. Pride is like a sea monster.
Rev
20:2-3 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil,
and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,3 And cast him into the bottomless
pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the
nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he
must be loosed a little season.KJV
The last monster in the heavens is Hydra. Hydra is very long and its head and three fourths of its body is easily visible in the season of Pisces. Hydra actually reaches across three or four constellations. Again from Witness of the Stars:
i. HYDRA (The Serpent). The Old Serpent Destroyed.
The time has at length come for the fulfilment of the many prophecies pictured in the heavens : and in its three final constellations we see the consummation of them all in the complete destruction of the Old Serpent, and all his seed, and all his works. It is the special work of the Messiah, as " the Lion of the tribe of Judah," to trample it under foot. It is pictured as the female serpent (Hydra), the mother and author of all evil. Hydra has the significant meaning, he is abhorred!
It is an immense constellation extending for above 100 degrees from east to west, beneath the Virgin, the Lion, and the Crab. It is composed of 60 stars ; one of the 2nd magnitude, three of the 3rd, twelve of the 4th, etc.
The brightest star, a (in the heart of the Serpent), is sometimes called by the moderns Cor Hydra on that account. Its ancient name is Al Phard (Arabic), which means the separated, put away. Another is called Al Drian, the abhorred. Another star is named Minchar al Sugia, the piercing of the deceiver.
There can be no doubt as to what is taught by the constellation of Hydra, nor is it necessary to quote the Scriptures concerning the destruction of the Serpent. http://archive.org/stream/witnessofthestar00bulluoft/witnessofthestar00bulluoft_djvu.txt
According
to some pictures there are four constellations that Hydra encompasses from Cancer
to Libra, one third part of the stars. Hence the portion of Revelation 12
regarding one third part of the stars may refer to Hydra. While most of these verses regarding the
devil are interchangeable as he is one being. Each of these constellations tell
us of different aspects and time periods of the enemy. And while the devil
stole Adam’s crown, he still tries to steal ours. While he is filled with pride, he “pastors”
the children of pride, coaching and nurturing them to become more evil.
Rev 12:4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.KJV
Ps 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.KJV
What a great picture of Jesus’ victory over the enemy. Hydra appears as a decan of Leo, the lion of the tribe of Judah. It is the last constellation as Virgo is the first, and sums up the story of victory in the heavens.
Let’s recap these constellations. Serpens means dominion, the devil wanted and wants dominion as he tried and tries to steal crowns. Scorpio means the conflict, wounding the heel of him who comes. Draco means deceiver and destroyer who is cast down. Cetus means the rebel who is bound. Hydra is the abhorred that Jesus destroys. It is a wonderful picture told through the ages of who our enemy is and the etymology of the star names can prove to anyone that the bible is true and should be taken as our only rule for faith and practice. We have an enemy but we also have victory through Jesus. And as is my need for balance, we will next look at our heroes in the star gospel.
End Notes
