GOSPEL IN THE STARS January 7, 2011danieltrainingnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/... · out Mazzaroth (KJV note – “or, the twelve signs”; “1 Mazzaroth. 1A the 12 signs

I. INTRODUCTION

A. Story – High school years (Book mentioned - God’s Voice In The Stars by Kenneth C. Fleming

B. Horse farm (Spring 2007-January 2008). Orion.1

Saiph=”bruised”; Rigel=”the foot that crushes”

C. Fall 2009 (Dream).

D. One of the most forgotten of God’s evangelistic strategies is the night sky. Many believers today feel nervous about contemplating the stars. Perhaps the biggest reason for this is that this realm of knowledge is typically associated in people’s minds with the New Age, the occult, and pagan mythologies.

E. However, the Bible has a lot to say about the stars. When we examine the Scriptures closely, we see that pagan and New Age treatments of the stars are but corruptions and perversions of a message originally

GOSPEL IN THE STARS January 7, 2011Session 1: The Sky Declares! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Tim Miller

Daniel Training Networkwww.danieltrainingnetwork.org

1 Picture from Kenneth Flemming, God’s Voice in the Stars, Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1981.

http://www.ecsministries.org/180325.ihtml

http://www.ecsministries.org/180325.ihtml

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communicated by God to humanity. God originally communicated a prophetic message through the stars concerning His plan of redemption. The heavens declare His glory.

Psalms 19:1 (NIV)

The heavens declare the glory of God.

F. Yahweh, the God of Israel, is the one true Creator. He alone made the heavens. He is the One who made the constellations.

Job 9:8-9 (NIV)8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. 9 He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations (NKJV – the “chambers”) of the south.

G. God not only created the stars and constellations, but He is the also the One who originally assigned them their names and meanings. This includes the twelve signs of the zodiac.

Ps. 147:4 (ESV)

He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.

Isaiah 40:25-26 (NIV)25 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Job 38:31-32 (NKJV)31 “Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, Or loose the belt of Orion? 32 Can you bring out Mazzaroth (KJV note – “or, the twelve signs”; “1 Mazzaroth. 1A the 12 signs of the Zodiac and their 36 associated constellations”2) in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs?

H. The nations in their rebellion corrupted the true message of the stars with myths, and began relating to the celestial bodies as if they somehow controlled their fate. Let us be clear up front: the stars have no control over human affairs. God alone is sovereign over the course of history. Divination and sorcery were punishable by death in Israel (Ex. 22:18).

GOSPEL IN THE STARS January 7, 2011Session 1: The Sky Declares! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Page 2 of 14


2 Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the text of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurrence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (H4216). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.



Romans 1:18-23 (ESV)18 For the wrath of God (the coming wrath in the Day of the Lord) is revealed from heaven (in the constellations) against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth (the true message and meaning of the stars). 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them (when He entrusted the message of the stars to human beings in the beginning). 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature (God set apart as the only Creator), have been clearly perceived (in the night sky), ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made (the “work of His fingers,” sun, moon, stars, etc., cf. Ps. 8). So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God (the true message revealed in the stars, cf. Ps. 19:1) for images (idols patterned after constellations) resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things (all of which are represented in the constellations).

Isaiah 40:18-26 (NIV)18 To whom, then, will you compare God? What image (patterned after the constellations for divination on the assumption that they control human affairs, cf. vv. 21, 26) will you compare him to? 19 As for an idol, a craftsman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it. 20 A man too poor to present such an offering selects wood that will not rot. He looks for a skilled craftsman to set up an idol that will not topple. 21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning (When God entrusted the true message of the stars to humanity, cf. Rom. 1)? Have you not understood since the earth was founded (when God put the sun, moon, and stars in the sky, cf. Gen. 1)? 22 He sits enthroned (has sovereignty and power over) above (on His throne in the highest heaven) the circle of the earth (the perceived circular path of the through the zodiac, or the ecliptic, located in the first heaven below His throne in the highest heaven), and its people are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a canopy (God is the Creator), and spreads them out like a tent to live in. 23 He brings princes to naught and reduces the rulers of this world to nothing (God, not the stars and their representative images, is the One truly directing human affairs). 24 No sooner are they planted, no sooner are they sown, no sooner do they take root in the ground, than he blows on them and they wither (cf. Dan. 2, 7), and a whirlwind sweeps them away like chaff. 25 “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name.





Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing (therefore, Israel take comfort, for the Lord will fulfill His promises of the covenants in due time, cf. context of Isaiah 40).

I. Josephus (1st century Jewish historian)

“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.”3

J. David a student of God’s message in the stars

Psalm 8:3-4 (NIV)3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is man that you are mindful of him (God’s plan for man being revealed in the skies), the son of man that you care for him?

Psalm 111:2 (NIV)

Great are the works of the LORD (including the stars, cf. Ps. 8:3) they are pondered by all who delight in them.

K. Daniel a student of God’s message in the stars

Dan. 2:1-2 (NKJV)

Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. 2 Then the king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams.

Daniel 1:17, 19-20 (NIV)17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding (God granting righteous understanding) of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds….19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.



3 Josephus, Antiquities, Book I, ch. 2-3; as quoted in Tim Warner, Mystery of the Mazzaroth (Oakfield, Maine: Wild Olive Press, 2010), viii-ix.



L. One of Satan’s strategies has been to distort God’s message in the sky, because they speak of the day of his demise at the hands of the Messiah.

M. The reason we want to study this topic is that we want to know the God who created all things.

II. THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD

A. The heavens declare the gospel of Jesus the Messiah. This is the true message of the sun, moon, and stars.

Psalm 19:1-4 (NIV)1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.

Romans 10:16-18 (NIV)16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” (cf. Is. 53:1). 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message (the gospel) is heard through the word of Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear (the gospel, cf. v. 16)? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (quoting Ps. 19:4).

B. What are some of the different elements that characterize a good communicator/effective communication?

C. Some dimensions of communication:

1. content of a message – the information you want to convey

2. format of a message – how to convey it (story, lecture, writing, drama, etc)

3. emotion behind a message – passion, conviction, sincerity

4. frequency and repetition – to stress importance, memorability, urgency

5. forms and meaning – choosing forms that communicate our intended meaning

6. elaboration/elucidation – “unpacking” a message

7. intentions/motives – trust

8. goal/end/aim/desired response – a place to which you want to direct hearers

9. written communication – punctuation marks essential

10.impact (high predictability -> low impact; low predictability -> high impact)

D. God is a master communicator. Through His handiwork in the skies, every day His pours out His heart to the nations of the earth.





Psalm 191 The heavens declare (format -> passion) the glory of God (content); the skies proclaim the work of his hands (they communicate God’s work/His plan). 2 Day after day (repetition and frequency -> urgency to be remembered and heeded) they pour forth speech (God not holding back His message); night after night (urgency) they display knowledge (of God – His ways, His glory, His plans, etc.). 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. (God’s target audience – the whole earth). 4 Their voice goes out (not passive) into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent (NKJV – “tabernacle”) for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion (ESV, NKJV – “chamber”), like a champion (ESV, NKJV – “strong man”) rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens (the East) and makes its circuit (the ecliptic – the perceived circular path of the sun through the stars) to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat (light drives back the darkness). 7 The law of the LORD is perfect (the Torah and the message of the stars in agreement, same message, God wanting to evoke the same response in the heart through both), reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults (because in the Day of the Lord they will be exposed by the light, cf. vs. 6, Ecc. 12:14, Rom. 13:12-13, 1 Cor. 4:5, Eph. 4:17ff, Heb. 4:13, etc.). 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart (concerning both the stars and the Torah) be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

E. The sun, moon, and stars function as signs that mark the set times appointed by God. In Scripture, signs are employed for the purpose of communication. In Scripture, we see God using signs of different types to communicate on a number of levels, e.g. to remind, to prophesy, to point backward, to point ahead, to inspire faith, to confirm the certainty of a message, etc. They are often used in context to a covenant.

Genesis 1:14-19 (NIV)14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons (Heb. moed= “appointed time, place, or meeting”; not the four seasons of winter, spring, summer, and winter, which began at the flood when the earth’s axis was tilted from 0degrees to 23.5degrees4; cf. Gen. 8:22) and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.



4 http://www.oasischristianchurch.org/air/flood.pdf



Psalm 104:19 (NIV)

The moon marks off the seasons (Heb. moed; appointed times; the moon doesn’t have anything to do with the four seasons, but denotes when the appointed feasts are to begin), and the sun knows when to go down.

Gen. 9:13 (NIV)

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Genesis 17:11 (NIV)

You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you.

Exodus 4:8-9 (NIV)8 Then the LORD said, “If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first miraculous sign, they may believe the second. 9 But if they do not believe these two signs or listen to you, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the river will become blood on the ground.”

Exodus 13:6-10 (NIV)6 For seven days eat bread made without yeast and on the seventh day hold a festival to the LORD. 7 Eat unleavened bread during those seven days; nothing with yeast in it is to be seen among you, nor shall any yeast be seen anywhere within your borders. 8 On that day tell your son, ‘I do this because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9

This observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the LORD is to be on your lips. For the LORD brought you out of Egypt with his mighty hand. 10 You must keep this ordinance at the appointed time (Heb. moed) year after year.

Exodus 31:16-17 (NIV)16 The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. 17 It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he abstained from work and rested.’ "

Joshua 4:4-7 (NIV)4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the LORD your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”





Acts 2:22 (NIV)

“Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you (as the promised Old Testament Messiah through whom God would restore all things) by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.

F. The sun, moon, and stars communicate God’s faithfulness to His covenant with creation and His faithfulness to His other covenants with Israel.

Psalm 148:3-6 (NIV)3 Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He set them in place for ever and ever; he gave a decree that will never pass away.

Jeremiah 33:19-21 (NIV)19 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: 20 “This is what the LORD says: ‘If you can break my covenant with the day and my covenant with the night, so that day and night no longer come at their appointed time, 21 then my covenant with David my servant—and my covenant with the Levites who are priests ministering before me—can be broken and David will no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne.

Psalm 89:35-37 (NIV)35 Once for all, I have sworn by my holiness— and I will not lie to David— 36 that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun; 37 it will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky.”

III. THE MOON

A. The moon is a prophetic witness to the Messiah.

Colossians 2:16-17 (NIV)16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. 17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ (NIV – “the reality, however, is found in Christ).

B. The New Moon – marks the beginning of a new month, as well as the commencement of the Feasts of the Lord. The Jews celebrated New Moon feasts every month, but the New Moon of the seventh month was the most important. The Feast of Trumpets is the only sign of the appointed Feasts of the Lord that Falls at the beginning of the month.

2 Chron. 31:3 (NIV)

The king contributed from his own possessions for the morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons and appointed feasts as written in the Law of the LORD.





Psalm 81:3 (NIV)

Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon (1st of the month), and when the moon is full (15th of the month), on the day of our Feast (of Tabernacles; cf. Lev. 23:23-44).

Levticus 23:23-35 (NIV)23 The LORD said to Moses, 24 “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the first day of the seventh month (identified by the appearance of the New Moon) you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. 25 Do no regular work, but present an offering made to the LORD by fire.’ ”

C. The moon is a picture of the life of the Messiah. Rosh Hashanah (means “head of the year”) is the first day of the seventh month in the Jewish calendar. It is the anniversary of creation. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit in Mary’s womb on Rosh Hoshanah. 5 At that time, in the stars, the new moon was at the feet of the constellation Virgo (virgin). The small crescent denoted the beginning of the Messiah’s life in Mary’s womb (in his humanity).

Revelation 12:1-5 (NIV)1A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven (the sky): a woman (Virgo) clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. 4 His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.

John 1:14 (Young’s Literal Translation)

And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us (Jesus’ conception occurred in the Seventh Month, and the Feast of Tabernacles is the longest feast of the seventh month)



5 http://www.bethlehemstar.net/dance/dance.htm



2 Cor. 5:4 (NIV)

For while we are still in this tent (our bodies of decay), we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

D. On the evening just after Jesus died on the cross, a full blood moon rose at sunset.6 Again, the moon was at Virgo’s feet (note Mary was with Jesus when He died, John 19:26-27). The moon this time was full – a life fully lived. Jesus died while he was in the prime of life. Jesus received the punishment we deserved.

E. A “blood moon” is a sign/warning of sacrifice and bloodshed in context to God’s coming judgment in the Day of the Lord. Jesus received the judgment we deserved. If we don’t acknowledge or receive the benefits of His sacrifice for us, then the only thing left is slaughter in the coming day of wrath.

Joel 2:30-31 (NIV)30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.

Isaiah 34:5-65 My sword has drunk its fill in the heavens; see, it descends in judgment on Edom, the people I have totally destroyed. 6 The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood, it is covered with fat— the blood of lambs and goats, fat from the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah and a great slaughter in Edom.

F. On a general level, moon can also serve as an analogy of human life in this age of darkness and death. The new moon is a picture of a new life conceived, the full moon is a life at its full strength, and a waning moon is a picture person’s life waning away as it approaches the darkness of death. As we approach death, our hope is for the day when we will shine like the sun.

Isaiah 60:19-20 (NIV)19 The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you (doesn’t mean the moon won’t exist! cf. Is. 66:23, Ezek. 45:17, 46:1-6), for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. 20 Your sun will never set again, and



6 http://www.bethlehemstar.net/day/day.htm



your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. 21 Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor.

IV. THE SUN

A. The sun is a sign that testifies to Jesus as the coming Bridegroom and Judge. He is the First and the Last, the firstborn from the dead, clothed with a new body in resurrected glory.

Psalm 19:4-54 Their voice goes out (not passive) into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent (NKJV – “tabernacle”) for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion (ESV, NKJV – “chamber”), like a champion (ESV, NKJV – “strong man”) rejoicing to run his course.

Revelation 1:12-14 (NIV)12 I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and among the lampstands was someone “like a son of man,” dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15

His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.

Ac. 22:6-7 (NIV)6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’

B. The sun rises in the east. So Jesus will descend from the sky to the east of Jerusalem, the city from which He will rule the nations in the age to come.

Zechariah 14:3-4 (NIV)3 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.

Luke 1:76-79 (NIV)76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death (Sheol), to guide our feet into the path of peace” (peace from enemies – wicked men, Satan, sin, death, etc.).





C. The sun testifies to the coming resurrection of the righteous at the Second Coming

Psalm 37:5-6 (NIV)5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Daniel 12:2-3 (NIV)2 Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

Matthew 13:43 (NIV)

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.

Colossians 1:27 (NIV)

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 3:4 (NIV)

When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

D. The sun testifies to the coming punishment of the wicked at the Second Coming, when they will be scorched by the fire of His presence.

Isaiah 40:6-8 (NIV)6 A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

James 1:9-12 (NIV)9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 (NIV)6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power





10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

Malachi 4:1-3 (NIV)

“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2 But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 3 Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things,” says the LORD Almighty.

Romans 1:18 (ESV)

For the wrath of God (to be unleashed in the last days) is revealed from heaven (through constellations like Orion, Leo, etc., and the daily rising of the sun, blood moon) against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

E. The sun testifies to the day when the darkness and night of this present evil age will be overtaken by the light, glory, and righteousness of the age to come when Jesus returns.

Isaiah 60: 1-3 (NIV)

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Romans 13:11-14 (NIV)11 And do this (love one another), understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

F. The sun testifies to the day when Jesus the Judge of the earth will bring all of the secrets and motives of our hearts into the light.

Matthew 10:26 (NIV)

“So do not be afraid of them (those who persecute you). There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.

Ephesians 5:11-14 (NIV)11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed





by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Romans 2:16 (NIV)16 This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

Revelation 2:23 (NIV)23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

Isaiah 29:15-16 (NIV)15 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” 16 You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, “He did not make me”? Can the pot say of the potter, “He knows nothing”?

V. CONCLUSION

A. When we consider the heavens, the work of God’s fingers, the cry of our hearts should be that of King David in Psalm 19.

Psalm 19:9,11-13 (NIV)10The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous…. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.





Documents

GOSPEL IN THE STARS January 7, 2011danieltrainingnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/... · out Mazzaroth (KJV note – “or, the twelve signs”; “1 Mazzaroth. 1A the 12 signs