Star of Wonder
Over the Christmas holiday I watched a DVD presentation about the Star of Bethlehem. Rick Larson, it's narrator has made a breathtaking historical and astronomical discovery that "Unlocks the Mystery of the World's Most Famous Star." I highly recommend you check it out at http://www.bethlehemstar.com/
In it he pinpoints the birth of Jesus,which is the pivot point of world history. His work really represents a continuation of the work of Dionysius Extiguus--Dennis the Humble. Who was the sixth century abbot and mathematician who gave us today's calendar and the division of history from B.C. to A.D.
In 525 A.D. he was asked by Pope John I to calculate dates on which all future Easters would be celebrated. He had to dutifully studied the position of the Sun and Moon to complete the task. However, the calendar then either started with the founding of Rome (1285) or a calendar that started with the first year (525) of the reign of the terrible persecutor of Christians; Emperor Diocletian.
It is that fact [about Diocletian] that gave Dennis the great inspiration...[He] calculated his dates on the birth date of [Jesus] Christ. As he put it, he "preferred to count and denote the years from the incarnation Our Lord, in order to make the foundation of our hope better known..." They appeared on his new Easter charts, which began with anno Domini nostri Jesu Christi DCXXXII -- the year of our Lord Jesus Christ 532, or A.D. 532 for short.
David Edwin Duncan
Smithsonian, February, 1999; Calendar
Although it was not mentioned in the article it almost for certain that Dionysius Extiguus needed to have some kind of familiarity with the positions of stars and planets, as well as, the Sun and Moon in order to ascertain the time of the Star that marked the birth of Jesus.
Rick Larson begins his quest by pinpointing the Star of Bethlehem by showing how knowing the stars were important to the ancient Hebrews (Semitic) people by quoting what scholars consider to be one of the oldest text in the Bible;
The Book of Job. Such as Job 9:9:
" He is the Maker of the Bear [Ursa Major] and Orion, the Plieades and the constellations of the south." And Job 38:31-32 {God says} " Can you bind the beautiful Plieades? Can you loose the cords of Orion? Can you bring forth the constellations in their season.."
Now, with out giving to much away he offers September 3 B.C. as the possible time of Jesus's birth. The evidence he sites makes a strong case for this to be so. This is a breakthrough discovery that demonstrates the precision of God's design. Yet, does it end there?
Now, if you have been following my posts you might of surmised that I share what I have discovered and experienced specifically for your consideration. And this post is no different. For in watching the DVD this year I had several (what I will call) spiritual promptings on December 26th that compelled me to do some more research about star and planetary alignments. And thus, I will share here some of what I have discovered.
The movement of the planets have not stopped and the constellations have not changed since the birth of Jesus. After all they do serve as astronomical navigation points as well as temporal markers that denote the seasons etc. or even "the Signs of the Times." What could be considered as an example of such a sign would be what astronomers call a Great Conjunction or a Triple Conjunction.
A Great Conjunction is when Jupiter and Saturn occupy the same region of space as viewed from earth not once but three times over several months. It has been speculated by astronomers that this occurred in 7 B.C. with Jupiter over Saturn over by 1 degree appearing as a single bright star like one described in Scripture. Or perhaps it was the first sign that caught the Magi's eyes. But maybe the significance of such a conjunction does not only speak to a 2000 year past event but also to a more recent one.
A Great (Triple) Conjunction has occurred twice during the twentieth century. However, the one that occurred between August 1940 and February 1941 does have significant connection with God's Plan for Man as the world plunged into world war. If one notices and considers some of the astrological symbolism and historical facts.
AUGUST 15, 1940 JUPITER 1.15 degrees North of SATURN
OCTOBER 11, 1940 JUPITER 1.17 degrees North of SATURN
FEBRUARY 15, 1941 JUPITER 1.21 degrees North of SATURN
As you can see the conjunctions of Jupiter was a little more than a degree North over Saturn. Jupiter is considered the kingly planet named after the Roman god Zeus. Saturn was named from the Greek god; Kronos (father time) most likely because it had the longest viewed orbit (30 years) observed in ancient times. It was also the focal point for the ancient Semitic/Hebrew people known to them as EL.
In reading scriptures one can see a succession of man's attempt to comprehend God through three civilizations; Hebrew, Greek and Roman as well as showing the path the Gospel took as it was carried by the Apostles to hearts throughout the world.
From my research, Saturn represents mankind's old beginning attempts to understand the revelation of God as manifest through mythology and various religions,including Christianity, even to this present day. Jupiter over Saturn represents a new view of Christianity as revealed in God's Plan for Man (GPM).
This Great Conjunction took place in the constellation Taurus--the Bull, Ox and/or Calf. Which represents according to thousand year old Christian iconography and tradition the symbol for the Evangelist Gospel of Luke that is associated with the "Four Living Creatures" that originated from the Book of Ezekiel (Chapter 1) and then again in Revelation 4:7-8.
In Christian tradition Taurus symbolizes; redemptive sacrifice, service and strength, as well as, Christ as High Priest and Mary's obedience.
The constellation also can be associated with St. Paul of Tarsus because not only did he come from a city that guarded a pass (Cilician Gates) that went through the Taurus mountains in present day Turkey, but he went though those mountains twice on his missionary travels to strengthen the existing christian churches. And it should be noted that what he preached more than anything was that the kingdom of God had come because of what Jesus accomplished. It should also be noted that Paul's preferred title for Jesus was "Christ". In GPM the author exhorts the same thing only with a distinction. May I suggest you read page 172 and page 270.
GOD'S PLAN FOR MAN
In July of 1941, Jupiter on it's way to rendezvous with Saturn, passed "Rigel" which is a double star that derives it's name form 10th century Arabic; meaning "Foot of the Great One". This name certainly refers to the Orion constellation, but could it not be a description of God?
In 1941 there were two solar and lunar eclipses. And on December 25, 1941 Jupiter was in the constellation Gemini which is the sign of the twin signifying double, similar and duality as in nature or purpose.
The author of who wrote GPM ,which is a revolutionary book about Jesus, was born on Christmas day 1941 in Cincinnati, OH a town known as "the Queen City" that was originally founded on Christmas day 1788.
By the way Christmas comes from the Latin word which means "Christ comes forth". Also the author's middle name happens to be Arthur as in King Arthur.
Although the concentration of symbolism is not as incredible as 2000 years ago nevertheless they are notable and connective. So, are these more recent signs in the stars something special worth following? Is it possible that these signs and coincidences predicted a New Understanding of Christianity for today? Indicating the time of a new Kingly message of the Holy Spirit for us to heed. How do you know whether they are Providential or not? What evidence would you accept?
Well, that all depends how the stars shine in your eyes.
Please Test and Trust. Take all to Jesus. We are living in extraordinary Times.
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