Genesis 1:14-19
This begins the second group of three days.
|
Days 1-3 |
Days 4-6 |
|
Light –
separate light and darkness |
Sun, moon, stars |
|
Sky - separate
waters, made Atmosphere, |
Fish in water,
Birds in atmosphere |
|
Land – separate
water and land,
- vegetation
(food source) |
Animals on land that eat vegetation
Man |
This day’s importance is seen
in this:
a) lengthy
description – second in detail only to day six
b) repetition
– the order reverses
a. 14-15
– stars mentioned first
b. 16
– the moon and sun are in the center of these verses
c. 17
– sun mentioned first
c) place
in arrangement – it is in the middle of the seven days
Stars are mentioned only once.
Purpose:
a) They
are servants whose purpose is secondary to what is happening on the earth
b) They
are to make a distinction between day
and night
c) They
are to be signs - For John (Gospel of John, Revelation) a sign points to a greater spiritual truth.
i.
Hebrew says, “let them be for signs and for seasons,
and for days and years”
d) They
are to mark:
i.
Seasons
ii.
Days
iii.
Years
e) They
are to give light to the earth.
Signs in Scripture: Matt. 2:2; Matt. 24:29-30; Luke 21:11, 26; Rev. 12:1; Joel 2:30; Acts 2:19
Pagan Differences
(Strong Anti-mytical thrust)
a) They
are not deities that control events on earth. They are not eternal but were created.
b) They
are not called by their Pagan names which were the name of a god. Instead they are named by their function or
their service.
i.
The sun is not called “semes”
but instead “greater light” (Beth-Shemesh means "house or shrine of the sun.)
ii.
The moon is not called “yareah”
or “lebana” but instead “lesser light”
c) Other
cultures
i.
Mesopotamia and Egypt had their great cosmic gods.
ii.
Sumerians had Anu, Enlil and Enki
iii.
Babylonians had the trinity of three stars: Sin,
Shamash an dIshtar
iv.
Egypt
had Nut, Shu and Geb under
the Sun god Ra
Ezekiel 8:16 the priest face sun for worship in temple court yard.
See Isaiah 40:25-26 – “To whom
will you compare Me? . . .”
See Isaiah 44:6-20
To the Pagans the Sun, Moon and
Stars were deities. God calls them not
by their Pagan names but instead calls them “greater light” and “lesser light”.
One of the primary purposes was
to announce the times as in the Jewish feasts schedule. (Ex. 23:15; Lev. 23:4)
Reconciling Genesis 1:1 with
Genesis 1:14:
a) The
world was not perfected and complete in Gen. 1:1. There it was an empty chaos on earth and
throughout the universe. The universe
was created in Gen. 1:1 but it was completed in Gen. 1:14.
b) The
universe was completer with sun, moon and stars in Gen. 1:1 but it was not
visible from the earth until day four in Gen. 1:14 due to vapor, clouds, fog,
canopy, etc.
c) The
term “heavens” means universe and so the universe with its planets, stars, etc.
was complete in Gen. 1:1. The syntax of
verse 14 is different than verse 6 (Gen. 1:6) when God made the expanse or the
atmosphere. In 1:6 God clearly creates
the expanse on the second day in the Hebrew language. In 1:14 the Hebrew syntax is different. It does not say, “Let there be lights. . .” as if there
were no lights. Instead, the Hebrew
says, “And God said, ‘Let the lights in the expanse of the sky separate the day
from the night.’ ” In
other words the sun, moon and stars were already there God just assigned them
their duties which possibly included establishing their positions and orbits.
Calvin says at this time they
became the source of the light that had already been in existence since day
one.
The light of the first day was
the presence of the word (John 1:1) or the spiritual light of the world. Wisdom (Prov. 8)
came into the world and brought order and purpose. The light of the first day was spiritual.
The light of the second day was
physical and something needed by the natural world for function.
In verse 15 it says “And it was so” or “wayehi-ken”. This means it was fixed and remained that way. This marks the end of the account of Day
Four.
In verse 16 there is not an account of the “creation” or how the stars
were “made” but instead a comment emphasizing the point of verses 14-15. The information gained from 14-15 is stated
in verse 16, “So God (and no other) made two great lights (they are not
deities).
Lights Dominate or Govern these things:
- Light and Darkness
- Seasons
- Length of Day and Year
Rotation and Oribt of Lights
- Length of Day - as Earth turns on axis and recieves light from sun
- Length of Month - as Moon orbits around the earth
- Length of Year - as Earth orbits around the sun
- Length of Week - not controlled by orbits or rotation but by God's word
The Witness of the Stars
Psalm 19
A. 1-4. The Heavens.
B. 4-6. "In them" the Sun.
A. 7-10. The Scriptures.
B. 11-14. "In them" Thy Servant.
Stars given names by God:
Ps. 147:4; Isa. 40:26
Job 38:31, 32; 26:13; 9:9
Gen. 3:15
In Job 38:32 the Hebrew word "Mazzaroth" means the twelve signs of the Zodiac and the associated constellations.
The Zodiac has been used since ancient times and the signs remain the same in Egypt, India, Greece, Israel, China, etc.
There was revelation from God before the written scripture (Gen. 26:5; Job 23:12)
Josephus says Seth and Enoch organized the revelation from God concerning the heavenly bodies.
Josephus writes:
Now this Seth, when he was brought up, and came to those years in which he could discern what was good,
became a virtuous man; and as he was himself of an excellent character, so did he leave children behind
him who imitated his virtues. All these proved to be of good dispositions. They also inhabited the same
country without dissensions, and in a happy condition, without any misfortunes falling upon them, till they died.
They also were the inventors of that peculiar sort of wisdom which is concerned with the heavenly bodies, and their order.
And that their inventions might not be lost before they were sufficiently known, upon Adam's prediction that the
world was to be destroyed at one time by the force of fire, and at another time by the violence and quantity of water, they made two pillars, the one of brick, the other of stone: they inscribed their discoveries on them both, that in case the pillar of brick should be destroyed by the flood,
the pillar of stone might remain, and exhibit those discoveries to mankind; and also inform them that there was another pillar of brick erected by them.
Now this remains in the land of Siriad to this day.
Negative Side and the Danger of Astrology:
1) Dt. 4:19; Es. 47:11-14; Acts 7:42, 42
2) Astrology is same as ancient polytheism (Rom. 1:23)
3) It is sorship of demons and fallen angels: Is. 14:12-15; 2 Kings 21:3-6
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BOOK ONE : VIRGO The Prophecy of the Promised Seed of the
Woman |
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SIGN/DECAN |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE VERSE |
|
VIRGO-The Virgin |
H-virgin; A-branch/ear of corn |
Isa 7:14-A virgin will conceive |
|
COMA-the desired |
H-desired; P-woman feed baby boy
|
Hag 2:7-desired of all nations
shall come |
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CENTAURUS-the centaur |
A,C-the despised; H-sin offering
|
Isa 53:3-despised/rejected of men |
|
BOOTES-the coming one |
H-the coming; E-one who rules |
Ps 96:13-he cometh to judge the
earth; Enoch 7&8 |
The Promised Seed of the
woman, the Desired of all nations, a two-natured being, who will come to
harvest.
|
BOOK ONE : LIBRA The Redeemer's Atoning Work |
|
SIGN/DECAN |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE |
|
LIBRA-the scales |
H-weighing;A-purchase;
Co-propitiation |
Isa 53:10-sin offering(balance our lacks) |
|
CRUX-the cross |
H-cutting off; H-limit/finish |
Dan 9:26- 62 weeks, messiah cut
off |
|
LUPUS-the victim |
H,A-to be slain |
Isa 53:7-lamb to the slaughter; Ez18:4 blood remission |
|
CORONA-the crown |
H-royal crown; A-,jewel |
PS 110:1-thine enemies thy
footstool |
The price deficient balanced
by the price which covers. The Cross
endured by the Victicm slain, who receives the Crown.
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BOOK ONE : SCORPIO The Redeemer's Conflict |
|
SIGN/DECAN |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE |
|
SCORPIO-the scorpion |
H-the conflict; A-wound him that
cometh |
Good vs
Evil |
|
SERPENS-the serpent |
H,A-the serpent held |
Gen 3:15-bruise the head; Ps
91:13 tread on the adder |
|
OPHIUCHUS-serpent holder: |
No other names found |
Fighting with Satan |
|
HERCULES-the mighty one |
E-who cometh; A-strong one |
Rev 19:11-white horse; conqueror |
The Scorpion seeking to
wound, but itself trodden under foot. The Serpent and the Man struggling. The Mighty Man kneeling
on one knee, humbled in the conflict, but holding aloft the tokens of victory,
with his foot on the head of the Dragon.
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BOOK ONE : SAGITTARIUS The Redeemer's Triumph |
|
SIGN/DECAN |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE |
|
SAGITTARIUS-the archer |
H,E,G,A-arrow; Co-beauty of
coming forth |
Ps 45:3-5-people fall under
thee; Ps64: God shoots arrow |
|
LYRA-the harp |
No other names found [symbolizes
rejoicing] |
Rev 19:7-be glad, give honor;
5:13 blessing & honor |
|
ARA-the burning pyre |
A-finishing; G-cursing |
Ps 21:9-fire shall devour them |
|
DRACO-the dragon |
G-trodden on; Co-serpent
accursed |
Isa 27:1-slay the dragon; Ps91:13 tread on adder |
The two-natured Conqueror going forth; Praise prepared for the Conqueror and
the consuming fire prepared for His enemy the Ol
serpent--the Devil.
BOOK TWO : THE REDEEMER'S
PEOPLE
|
BOOK TWO : CAPARISONS Their Blessings Procured |
|
SIGN/DE CAN |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE |
|
CAPRICORNUS-the sea goat |
Replace of sacrifice; H,A-cut
off |
Isa 53:8-stricken for my people;Lev
9:15; 16:22 |
|
SAGITTA-the arrow |
No other names found[has no
human connection] |
Isa 53:4-smitten of God(royal eagle fall) |
|
AQUILA-the
eagle |
No other names found |
[royal symbol, falling in death] |
|
DELPHINUS-the dolphin |
H-pouring out water; A-coming
quickly |
died but rose again(whole New
Testament) |
The goat of Atonement for
the Redeemed slain by the arrow of God.
the smitten One falling, and Rising again.
|
BOOK TWO : AQUARIUSTheir
Blessings Ensured |
|
SIGN/frostbitten |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE |
|
AQUARIUS-the water bearer |
frostbitten of him coming down |
Isa 33:-Lord is rivers/streams;Joel
2:pours out Spirit |
|
PISCUS AUSTRALIS-the Southern fish |
A-mouth of the fish |
blessing is bestowed on the
redeemed |
|
PEGASUS-the winged horse |
H-chief horse |
speedy bestowment of living
waters |
|
CYGNUS-the swan |
Ethics from afar |
Ps 36:8-9-fountain of life |
The living waters of blessing poured forth for
the Redeemed who Drink in the Blessing. Bringing speedily the
Good News of the returning Redeemer.
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BOOK TWO : PISCES Their Blessings in Abeyance |
|
SIGN/Blessings |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE |
|
PISCES-the fishes |
E-fishes of him that cometh |
Blesings to Israel & Ethnos(Eph 3:6) |
|
THE BAND-the band |
E-He cometh |
Jer 31:11; Hos 11:4 [held in
Satan's grip] |
|
ANDROMEDA-the chained WOMAN |
H-the chained; E-set up as queen |
Jer 14:17-daughter broken; Isa
52:2 bands of thy neck |
|
CEPHUS-the crowned king |
H-the branch; E-one cometh to
rule |
Jer 31:1-I will be God to all the families of Israel |
The Redeemed blessed though bound. (The two Houses of Israel
and Judah)
by a Band to their great enemy. The redeemed in
bondage waiting for their Redeemer coming to rule.
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BOOK TWO : ARIES Their Blessings Consummated and Enjoyed |
|
SIGN/Judas |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE |
|
ARIES-the ram |
Ak-sacrifice of righteousness |
Lamb revives, full of life(New
Testament) |
|
CASSIOPEIA-the enthroned woman |
A-the freed; E-set up as queen |
Isa 62:3-5-marriage of Christ; Isa
61:10, Isa 54:5-8 |
|
CETUS-the sea monster |
E-subdued |
Ps 74:12-14-break dragon's head;
Isa 26:21; 27:1 |
|
PERSEUS-the breaker |
E-who fights & subdues |
Christ is the agency of
deliverance(many refs) |
The
Lamb that was slain. The captive to be delivered and prepared for her for her Husband,
who is bound to Cetus, the sea monster, who will be Broken by the Deliverer.
BOOK THREE : THE CONFLICT
WITH SATAN
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BOOK THREE : TAURUS Messiah, the Coming Judge of All the
Earth |
|
SIGN/Fetus |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE |
|
TAURUS-the bull |
E-who saves/delivers; H-coming/ruling
|
Isa 34:2;26:21; Jud 14-rushing to judge; gore enemies |
|
ORION-the glorious one |
Ak-light of heaven |
Isa 60:1-3-glory of the Lord |
|
ERIDANUS-the river |
H-riverofthejudge[eri=river;dan=judge] |
Dan 7:9-fire/judge-->Ps 97;Ps
1; Isa 30;Isa 66; Nahum 1 |
|
AURIGA-the shepherd |
H-shepherd; E-sceptre/power |
Isa 49:10-11-gather the lambs; Fez 34:22 |
Messiah coming to rule in
the person of the redeemer. whose Wrath is breaking forth on His enemies, while He
shepherd's his Redeemed in safety.
|
BOOK THREE : GEMINI Messiah's Reign as Prince of Peace |
|
SIGN/breaking |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE |
|
GEMINI-the twins |
breaking of him who cometh;
H,A,G-the united |
Jer33:14 Righteous (2 natured)
branch to rule; Jer 23:5 |
|
LEPUS-the hare |
E-confounded/failing |
Isa 63:3-4-trample the enemy; Mal 4; Ps 60;12 |
|
Canis
Major-the dog |
E-the head; A-coming quickly |
Isa 59:19-redeemer shall come to Zion; Isa 49:24 |
|
Canis
Minor-the 2nd dog |
E-conquering/victorious |
Isa 59:19-redeemer shall come to Zion; Isa 49:24 |
The twofold nature of the
King who treads His enemy under foot. The coming glorious Prince of Prices, the exalted Redeemer.
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BOOK THREE : CANCER Messiah's Redeemed Possessions |
|
SIGN/Redeemed |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE |
|
CANCER-the crab |
E-the cattle-folds;
A-holds/binds; Ak-sieze seed |
Enfolding of the redeemed |
|
Ursa
Minor-the little bear |
lesser sheepfold(ancient
picture) |
EZ 34:12-16 |
|
Ursa
Major-the great bear |
A-assembled together(great
sheepfold) |
EZ 34:12-16 |
|
ARGO-the ship |
(many voyagers coming home) |
Isa 35:10-ransomed of Lord to Zion; Isa 51; Jer 31; Isa 60 |
The possessions held fast in the Lesser and greater Sheepfolds. The
redeemed pilgrims safely journeying home.
|
BOOK THREE : LEO Messiah's consummated Triumph |
|
SIGN/Triumph |
OTHER NAMES |
SCRIPTURE |
|
LEO-the lion |
S-rending lion; A-vehemently
leaping as flame |
Rev 5:5 Lion of tribe of Judah
prevails |
|
HYDRA-the serpent |
means he is abhorred no other
names found |
Rev 20:2- Satan chained |
|
CRATER-the cup |
pouring out something no other
names found |
Ps 75:8-God's cup; Ps 11:6
fire/brimstone in the cup |
|
CORVUS-the raven |
the enemy/breaking up[snake
natural enemy] |
Rev 19:hybrids eat God's enemy's
flesh |
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah aroused
for the rending of the Enemy, the old Serpent. the cup
of Divine wrath poured out, while birds of prey devour him.
THE LUNAR ZODIAC
The Lunar Zodiac would seem from history to be more ancient than the Solar
Zodiac. However, as we shall see, they undoubtedly have a common source. The
Lunar Zodiac can be found in India,
Arabia and China.
Unlike China and Arabia, the Indian astronomy assigned figures to each of
the Mansions of the Moon. The Lunar Zodiac travels around the same
ecliptic as the Solar, but is divided into twenty-eight parts. Each of these Mansions
has it's own particular name.
Joseph A. Seiss has written a very complete account
of the Zodiacs, including related subjects, like primeval man. I urge you to
get this book called, "The Gospel in the Stars." About the history of
the Lunar Zodiac Seiss says, "Astronomers agree
in regarding this LunarZodiac as containing the most
ancient remains of the science of the stars. The Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians
knew little or nothing about it, but it is a matter of record in China that it
was known and understood in that country as early as the reign of Yao, about twenty-three hundred years before the Christian
era, which was before the time of Abraham. In the Chinese astronomy it begins
with Virgo, which would seem to indicate that the Chinese table came from the
antediluvian times."
If it was meant that the stars should carry a prophetic record of the Gospel,
then we would find it also in the arrangement and naming of the Lunar Mansions.
And, of course, it is.
For ease of comparison, I'll table the Lunar Mansions as they occur in relation
to the Solar Zodiac. And from E. Raymond Capt's excellent introductory study of
this subject, I'll quote the summary for each of the four constellations that
make up the twelve signs.
VIRGO:
Seed
of the Woman, the Desire of nations, Man of double nature in humiliation,
exalted Shepherd and Harvester.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
Al Awa |
the Desired |
|
Simak al Azel |
Branch of the Power of God |
|
Caphir |
the Atonement, the Propitiation by sacrifice |
LIBRA:
The Price to be paid, the Cross to be endured, the Victim
slain, the Crown purchased.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
Al Zubena |
the redeeming, the regaining by purchase, the buying back |
|
Al Iclil |
the complete submission |
SCORPIO:
The
Conflict, the Serpent's coils, the struggle with the
Enemy, the toiling Vanquisher of evil.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
Al Kalb |
the cleaving or wounding |
|
Al Shaula |
the sting, the deadly wound |
SAGITTARIUS:
The
double-natured One triumphing as a Warrior, he gladdens the Heavens, he builds
the fires of punishment, he casts down the Dragon.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
al Naim |
the gracious, the delighted in |
|
Al Beldah |
hastily coming, as to judgement |
CAPRICORNUS:
Life
out of Death, the Arrow of God, Pierced and falling, Springing
up again in abundant life.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
Al Dibah |
the sacrifice slain |
AQUARIUS:
Life-waters
from on high, Drinking the heavenly flood, Carrying
and speeding the Good News, bearing aloft the Cross over all the earth.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
Sa'ad al Bula |
witness of the rising or drinking in |
|
Sa'ad al Su'ud |
witness of the swimming or outpouring |
|
Al Achbiya |
the fountain of pouring |
PISCES:
Multiplication
of the Redeemer's People, upheld and governed by the Lamb, the intended Bride
bound and exposed on earth, the Bridegroom exalted.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
Al Pherg al Muchaddem |
the progeny of the ancient times |
|
Al Pherg al Mauchher |
the progeny of latter times |
|
Al Risha |
the band, the joined together |
ARIES:
The
Lamb found worthy, the Bride released and making ready, Satan bound, the
Breaker triumphing.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
Al Sheratan |
the wounded, that was cut off |
|
Al Botein |
the treading under foot |
|
Al Thuraiya |
the enemy punished |
TAURUS:
The
invincible Ruler come, the sublime Vanquisher, the River of Judgement, the all-ruling
Shepherd.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
Al Debaran |
the Leader, the Governor, the Subduer
|
|
Al Heka |
the driving away |
GEMINI:
The Marriage of the Lamb, the Enemy trodden down, the
Prince coming in Glory, his princely following.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
Al Henah |
the wounded in the foot |
|
Al Dirah |
the ill-treated |
CANCER:
The Possession secured, Lesser
fold - the Church of the first born, Greater fold - Israel, the Bride, safe
folding into the kingdom.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
Al Nethra |
the treasure, the possession |
|
Al Terpha |
the healed, the delivered, the saved |
LEO:
The King aroused for the
rending, the Serpent fleeing, the Bowl of Wrath upon him, his Carcass devoured.
|
NAME |
MEANING |
|
Al Gieba |
the exaltation, the Price |
|
Al Zubra |
the heaped-up, as sin and delayed punishment |
|
Al Serpha |
the burning, the
funeral-pyre. |