When
considering the heavens there seems to be mysteries upon mysteries. At least with me it takes time for God to
unravel these mysteries in my understanding.
I have a tendency to think on and wrestle with some things because for
whatever reason they seem curious to me. The Pleiades is one of those
curiosities for me because God says it in his word three times. That in and of itself should cause us to look
at it, as the number three denotes a divine perfection and a completeness. So
as I’ve pondered this idea of the Pleiades in scripture; read and re-read and
studied some more, I started noticing something peculiar; the Pleiades in the
scope of Taurus tells us a tremendous story.
It would seem that in our culture we have had teachings and Bible
teachers that cluster together times or events and that seems to be the way
they are taught to the general population.
However the word of God was first written in the heavens, and the
heavens were of old, not recreated when the earth was recreated. Each constellation is telling us a story; I
realized it would be better to cluster subjects for teaching in the way the
heavens do. When we put together the
stories of the heavens, combined with the Bible we see something deeper, a bit
more of the mysteries of our Heavenly Father, and taught to us in the order he
wanted it known.
Pleiades
is not a constellation itself, but part of the constellation of Taurus. Taurus is a constellation symbolizing a bull
that denotes the Lord, who comes judging and to judge. This year the sun is in Taurus from about May
14th to June 21st, 2012.
This is one of the longer constellations for the sun to travel through.
The constellation has two star clusters in it which is unique. One called the Hyades means the congregation, and the other star cluster the Pleiades which means the congregation of
the judge or ruler in the Septuagint. What
was it about this part of Taurus that God wants to draw our attention to? In the Hebrew, the word kiymah
is a cluster, to store away like jewels.
So by its Hebrew name the Pleiades means a cluster of hidden gems. In Arabic the Al Cyone means the center.
As we explored once before some may have thought this was the center of
the universe, but probably more so, this was the center of the congregation of
the sons of God or the place of the departed saints.
OT:3598
Kiymah (kee-maw'); from the same as OT:3558; a cluster of stars, i.e. the
Pleiades:
KJV
- Pleiades, seven stars.(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.)
OT:3558
kuwmaz (koo-mawz'); from an unused root meaning to store away; a jewel
(probably gold beads): KJV - tablet.
(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.)
The
Pleiades is translated in the Syriac as Succoth,
or booths as well. With these ideas in
mind we should look at the word congregation.
Sometimes
on these research trails we come across something that needs a side note of
explanation.
Ps
82:1 God [Elohim 430] standeth in the congregation[5712] of the mighty; he
judgeth among the gods [Elohim 430].
God OT:430 'elohiym
(el-o-heem'); plural of OT:433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically
used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God;
occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a
superlative:(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.)
Standeth OT:5324 natsab
(naw-tsab'); a prim root; to station, in various applications (literally or
figuratively):KJV - appointed, deputy, erect, establish, Huzzah [by mistake for a proper name], lay,
officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish,
(make to) stand (-ing, still, up, upright), best state.(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.)
Congregation OT:5712 `edah
(ay-daw'); feminine of OT:5707 in the original sense of fixture; a stated
assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd): KJV -
assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm. Compare OT:5713.
Mighty OT:410 'el (ale);
shortened from OT:352; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty
(but used also of any deity):KJV - God (god),
goodly, great, idol, might (-y
one), power, strong. Compare names in "-el."(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.)
Judgeth OT:8199 shaphat (shaw-fat'); a primitive root; to
judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate
or punish; by extension, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or
figuratively):KJV - avenge, that condemn, contend, defend, execute
(judgment), (be a) judge (-ment), needs,
plead, reason, rule.(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.)
In
this verse we have to gather the context of who the elohim are that Elohim is
going to judge. In context we see they
are the sons of Elohim, ben elyown from verse 6, sons of the most high but they
will be judged in the congregation of the Almighty. In verse seven we see that these sons of God
will die like men. This tells us they
are not men, so in this Psalm we see a congregation where God judges the angels
in the congregation. This must also mean
that there are some angels, sons of God, that did something wrong and they will
be judged. Some would speculate that
these are the Nephilim, but that does not seem possible as the Nephilim were
the sons of the fallen angels who cohabitated with earthly women. The Nephilim were never called the sons of
the most high. These may be the angels themselves who did the cohabitating, but
also may include any other angel that rebelled at any time. In the Old
Testament the sons of God are known as the angels but in the New Testament, we
believers are called the sons of God.
However, this verse is not talking about men because we are men and will
die as men. Therefore this is expressly talking about sons of the Almighty,
those in the spiritual beings category, who did something (s) wrong and will be
judged in the congregation and die like men.
As of today that judging has not happened as we have wicked spirits,
fallen angels, principalities, powers, rulers of darkness; that are all still
influencing our world or age.
Ps 82:1 God standeth
in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.KJV
2 How long will ye
judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend the poor and
fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor
and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They know not,
neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of
the earth are out of course.
6 I have said, Ye are
gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
7 But ye shall die
like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise, O God, judge
the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.KJV
What
we see then is a picture of the constellation of Taurus, the judge coming to
judge in the congregation. There are two
clusters or congregations in Taurus, the Pleiades as we have seen, and the
Hyades. Pleiades is located in the
shoulder of Taurus the bull and the Hyades is located in the head of the bull. Which is the congregation we are speaking of
in Psalm 82? That is hard to tell but
some further research may give us the answer.
For now, we should remember that there are two congregations, thought of
as sisters in mythology. The Hyades were five sisters, while the Pleiades were
seven sisters.
Ps
1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation
[5712] of the righteous.KJV
This
would seem contradictory if we did not understand that there are two
congregations. It is obvious that the
sons of God who did something wrong are going to be punished in the
congregation of the Almighty, but here in Psalm 1 we see the sinners won’t be
in the congregation of the just. Since
Taurus has two congregations the Psalms do not contradict each other. Let’s
look at the word congregation again.
Congregation
OT:5712 `edah (ay-daw'); feminine of OT:5707 in the original sense of fixture;
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or
crowd): KJV - assembly, company, congregation, multitude, people, swarm.
Compare OT:5713.
OT:5713
`edah (ay-daw'); feminine of OT:5707 in its techn. sense; testimony: KJV -
testimony, witness. Compare OT:5712.(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.)
OT:5712
`edah —a congregation, a gathering
OT:5713
`edah —testimony, witness; always plural and always of laws as divine
testimonies(from The Online Bible Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Brown Driver &
Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, Copyright © 1993, Woodside Bible Fellowship, Ontario,
Canada. Licensed from the Institute for Creation Research.)
Another
word for congregation can also be translated as seasons.
Ps
104:19 He appointed the moon for seasons [4150]: the sun knoweth his
going down.KJV
Isa
14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will
exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation
[4150], in the sides of the north: KJV
OT:4150
mowed` (mo-ade'); or moed` (mo-ade'); or (feminine) mow`adah (2 Chron 8:13)
(mo-aw-daw'); from OT:3259; properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or
season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an
assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by
extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): KJV -
appointed (sign, time), (place of, solemn) assembly, congregation, (set,
solemn) feast, (appointed, due) season, solemn (-ity), synogogue, (set) time
(appointed).(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.)
This
word mowed, is seen as the appointed
time of the meeting of the congregation which is where Lucifer wanted to set up
his seat to judge as we explored in a previous blog. In this next verse we have the word
congregation with judgment, again a picture of Taurus.
Ps
75:2 When I shall receive the congregation [4150] I will judge [8199]
uprightly.KJV
OT:8199
shaphat (shaw-fat'); a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for
or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extension, to govern;
passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively): KJV - avenge,
that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge
(-ment), needs, plead, reason,
rule.(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.)
Another
word for congregation qahal is used
as a multitude of saints.
Ps
89:5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in
the congregation [6951] of the saints.KJV
OT:6951
qahal (kaw-hawl'); from OT:6950; assemblage (usually concretely):KJV -
assembly, company, congregation, multitude.(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.)
Next
we have a usage of an assembly of people that divine lies, and will not be in
the assembly of his people. Being in the
assembly or congregation seems to be conditional.
Ezek
13:9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see vanity, and that divine
lies: they shall not be in the assembly [5475]of my people, neither
shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they
enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I am the Lord God.KJV
Ps
25:14 The secret [5475] of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he
will shew them his covenant.KJV
OT:5475
cowd (sode); from OT:3245; a session, i.e. company of persons (in close
deliberation); by implication, intimacy, consultation, a secret: KJV -
assembly, consel, inward, secret (counsel).(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.)
In
our understanding the word assembly
and congregation are interchangeable,
but here one word is for a holiday
while the other is a multitude that
will be sanctified. Interesting this is in regard to the bride and bridegroom.
Joel
2:15-16 Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly[6116]:16
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation[6951], assemble the elders,
gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go
forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.KJV
OT:6116
`atsarah (ats-aw-raw'); or `atsereth (ats-eh'-reth); from OT:6113; an assembly,
especially on a festival or holiday: KJV - (solemn) assembly
(meeting).(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.)
As
we look at the New Testament we have to understand that there are multiple
translations in English of the same Greek word, sunagoge. It is translated Synagogue, congregation and
assembly.
Acts
13:43 Now when the congregation [4864]was broken up, many of the Jews and
religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them,
persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.KJV
James
2:2 For if there come unto your assembly [4864] a man with a gold ring,
in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; KJV
Matt
4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, [4864]
and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and
all manner of disease among the people.KJV
NT:4864
sunagoge (soon-ag-o-gay'); from (the reduplicated form of) NT:4863; an
assemblage of persons; specifically, a Jewish "synagogue" (the
meeting or the place); by analogy, a Christian church: KJV - assembly,
congregation, synagogue.(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.)
NT:4863
sunago (soon-ag'-o); from NT:4862 and NT:71; to lead together, i.e. collect or
convene; specifically, to entertain (hospitably):KJV - accompany, assemble (selves, together),
bestow, come together, gather (selves together, up, together), lead into,
resort, take in.(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.)
NT:4864 sunagoogee,
sunagoogees, hee
1. an assembly of men: Rev 2:9; 3:9
2. a synagogue,
·
an
assembly of Jews formally gathered together to offer prayer and listen to the
reading and exposition of the Holy Scriptures
·
the
building where those solemn Jewish assemblies are held
(from Thayer's Greek
Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc.
All rights reserved.)
We
see the word sunagoge as it applies
to the church as well as a synagogue. As
we look back at the Pleiades and the Hyades we see two gatherings where
according to the Bible there must be one congregation for judging the sons of
God and one for the righteous, where sinners are not judged. The mystery of the
church being hid before the beginning can be looked at as a treasure hidden
away. Like hiding treasures from a
robber, God hid the church. Now we have
to think, if God went through all the trouble to hide the church and his plan
to make us joint heirs with Christ, and to keep secret that our citizenship is
in heaven, he must have wanted to preserve the way to enter into His Kingdom
until the time was right. As the Bible
tells us, the devil would never have crucified Christ if he would have
known.
Rom
8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if
so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.KJV
Rom
16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel,
and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery,
which was kept secret since the world began,26 But now is made manifest, and by
the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting
God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: KJV
1
Cor 2:7-8But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom,
which God ordained before the world unto our glory:8 Which none of the princes
of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the
Lord of glory.KJV
Eph
1:9-12Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good
pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:10 That in the dispensation of the
fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both
which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:11 In whom also we
have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of
him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:12 That we should
be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.KJV
We
are citizens of heaven.
Phil
3:20 For our conversation [4177] is in heaven; from whence also we look
for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: KJV
NT:4175
politeuma (pol-it'-yoo-mah); from NT:4176; a community, i.e. (abstractly) citizenship
(figuratively):KJV - conversation.(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.)
Phil
3:20-21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for
the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it
may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is
able even to subdue all things to Himself. NKJV
Our
citizenship is in heaven, we are of the ones who look for new bodies when
Christ comes. Now that we have
established the mystery of hiding the church we should look at the rest of the
words for congregation in the New Testament.
And we will have one more rabbit trail to follow to understand this next
verse.
2
Thess 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming [3952] of our Lord Jesus
Christ, and by our gathering together [1997] unto him,KJV
NT:1997
episunagoge (ep-ee-soon-ag-o-gay'); from NT:1996; a complete collection;
especially a Christian meeting (for worship): KJV - assembling (gathering)
together.(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.)
NT:1997
episunagoogee, episunagoogees, hee
- · a gathering together in one place, 2 Thess 2:1
- · (the religious) assembly (of Christians): Heb 10:25
(from
Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright © 2000, 2003, 2006 by
Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
NT:1996
episunago (ep-ee-soon-ag'-o); from NT:1909 and NT:4863; to collect upon the
same place: KJV - gather (together).(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.)
NT:1909
epi (ep-ee'); a primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of
time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution [with the genitive
case], i.e. over, upon, etc.; of rest (with the det.) at, on, etc.; of
direction (with the accusative case) towards, upon, etc.: KJV - about (the
times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, have charge of, (be-, [wherefore-]), in (a
place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-) on (behalf of), over,
(by, for) the space of, through (-out), (un-) to (-ward), with. In compounds it
retains essentially the same import, at, upon, etc. (literally or figuratively).(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.)
Our
word episunagoge is used as a
reference in one of two events. Epi is an over or above congregation, a
complete collection of a Christian meeting.
The first event is the coming, the parousia,
where Christ comes to punish Jerusalem.
Coming NT:3952 parousia
(par-oo-see'-ah); from the present participle of NT:3918; a being near, i.e.
advent (often, return; specifically, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally
the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect:KJV - coming,
presence.(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
see here that there is a time when Jesus comes to judge Jerusalem and also when
the church is congregated up. As we have
previously seen we are saved from the wrath to come if we are of the
church. But the unrighteous are not
saved from the wrath. We have to see the
difference, if we are of the church we are not like everyone else, we are not
appointed to wrath. During the
tribulation there will be two separate wraths, the wrath of the Lamb and the
wrath of God. By definition the parousia is the wrath of the Lamb. But the Church is not on earth at that
time. Who endures punishment? The unrighteous
and the disobedient.
Rom
1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; KJV
Rom
5:8-10 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through him.10 For if, when we were enemies, we
were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we
shall be saved by his life.KJV
Eph
2:3-6 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of
our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by
nature the children of wrath, even as others.4 But God, who is rich in mercy,
for his great love wherewith he loved us,5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath
quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)6 And hath raised us
up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: KJV
We
were children of wrath but now we’re made alive in Christ and raised us up and
we will be made to sit in heavenly places.
Col
3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of
disobedience: KJV
1
Thess 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead,
even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.KJV
1
Thess 2:13-16 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when
ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the
word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh
also in you that believe.14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches
of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like
things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:15 Who both killed
the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please
not God, and are contrary to all men:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles
that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come
upon them to the uttermost.KJV
The
wrath is coming upon whom? The ones who persecute the church. Those in
Thessalonica were just like the Jews who were persecuting Paul and the other
Apostles, even contending for them not to speak the word of God to the Gentiles
so that they could be saved. The wrath
is coming upon them to the uttermost. The question to ask yourself is, are you
one who hinders the work of the Lord on earth? If so the wrath will come upon
you, not just a little but to the utter most.
1
Thess 5:9-11 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by
our Lord Jesus Christ,10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we
should live together with him.11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and
edify one another, even as also ye do.KJV
He
didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to salvation. What is the purpose of salvation
if we aren’t saved from the wrath of God? What is he supposed to be saving us
from?
Rev
6:15-17 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and
the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man,
hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;16 And said to the
mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth
on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:17 For the great day of his wrath
is come; and who shall be able to stand? KJV
Here
we see the all the important people who were not saved, wanting to hide in
caves because of the coming punishment of Christ. Wouldn’t it be better to get these people
saved instead of crying like Chicken Little saying the church is going to
suffer the wrath of the Lamb? Did he
save us or didn’t he?
Rev
14:10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out
without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with
fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of
the Lamb: KJV
Here
we see that the traumatic events have continued and now the Father brings his
wrath while the Lamb and angels watch. Surely that will be a sad day for those
people. So our charge should be to
encourage each other with the understanding of the hope we have in Christ. Saved, spared and not appointed to wrath, but
congregated up. If we are of the congregation of the
righteous then one of those congregations in Taurus denotes us, while one
denotes the judgment of the angelic class.
Some speculate that the seven visible stars or the Pleiades are likened
to the seven churches of Revelation.
Interestingly, one star is sometimes not visible leaving only six to be
seen by the naked eye. Some go on to wonder if that would not be the church of
Ephesus which was in danger of losing its star. Jesus is the one who holds the
seven stars in his hand.
Rev
1:12 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a
sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his
strength.KJV
Who
was speaking here was the Alpha and the
Omega, as we previously saw in a blog, Jesus from the Old and New Testament
called the beginning and the end the first and the last. If Jesus is holding the seven stars, and God
tells us in Amos 5:8 to seek the one who made the seven stars, there is
something about those seven stars we should look into.
Rev
1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the
seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:
and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches. KJV
The
seven stars are the angels of the seven churches and the seven candlesticks are
the seven churches, the congregation in the constellation of Taurus would
appear to be the church and its angelic representatives. The Pleiades and the Hyades are sisters,
meaning relationship; we are now sons of God just as the angels are known as
the sons of God. The unrighteous and the
disobedient are not part of the congregation. This is the mystery that the sons
of God on earth would be spared from the wrath of the Lamb and this would
appear to be the place of the church in the heavenlies. Here is another usage of episunagoge.
Heb
10:25 Not forsaking the assembling [1997]of ourselves together,
as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as
ye see the day approaching.KJV
The
day, what day? Why would we forsake
worshipping together? I suspect we will be worshipping together in heaven and
that is the day we are looking toward.
Here the general assembly is also used to denote a heavenly gathering.
Heb
12:22-23 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,23 To the general
assembly [3831]and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven,
and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, KJV
NT:3831
paneguris (pan-ay'-goo-ris); from NT:3956 and a derivative of NT:58; a
mass-meeting, i.e. (figuratively) universal companionship: KJV - general
assembly.(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.)
This
is the only usage of paneguris. Again denoting a heavenly gathering.
From
the Old Testament we saw the congregation as a place of judgment for the
angels. As in Job where the angels come to present themselves before God at
regularly scheduled times, satan also comes to present himself. From this place God will judge the fallen
angels. This is where Lucifer wanted to
put his throne to judge the congregation, but God said no. Then we see there is
a place for the congregation of the righteous.
This is exactly what Taurus is telling us, there are two different
congregations. This is what we should be reminded of when we look at the night
sky and see the constellation of Taurus, the judge coming to judge and his two
congregations, one for the righteous and one for the heavenly sons of God. We should also be reminded that today, we
have the opportunity to be saved from the wrath to come. We do not have to go through the wrath, the
judge is coming to judge but we are already saved, spared and not appointed to
wrathful judgments. E W Bullinger notes that when Jesus comes to
rule on earth, the church is with him, and in him. This is what we want to learn from God
pointing out the Pleiades, the one who made the seven stars is the one who hid
the church, congregation, in Jesus, until he could reveal the mystery. Now
Jesus holds the seven stars in His hand.
As
an end note there are many who will think that they can predict future events
by looking at the heavens. There have
been date setters all through history; however God tells us that we should not
be doing that. E W Bullinger, writing
from before Israel became a nation in 1947 spoke of this idea of date setting
in the context of Palestine. Bullinger writes “After all, they can be only
approximate, for man has so misused every gift that God has ever given him,
that even with such wondrous heavenly time-keepers he cannot really tell you
what year it is!” (E.W. Bullinger Witness of the Stars , Kregel Publishing,
1983 edition pg. 194) That made me laugh, to think just because our calendar
says 2012 we really don’t know what year it is do we?
