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The Gospel In the Stars by Dr. Stephen Jones In the Bible God takes credit for naming the stars (literally, “star-groups, or constella-tions”). Genesis 1:14 says,
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Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the expanse of heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years.
Psalm 19 says,
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The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their utterance to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the Sun.
The message in the stars is for all to see, but it is a silent voice. Along the path of the Sun (as it appears to rotate around the earth from east to west) there are constellations, or star groupings, called the Zodiac. “Zodiac” itself comes from the Greek word Zoe, which means “life,” and Dia, which means “through” or “pathway.” Zodiac literally means the path to life. It is the Gospel written in symbolic, pictorial language manifesting the path to eternal life. God taught Adam these constellation pictures and their meaning in order to provide a visual revelation of the plan of God to redeem mankind through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. In a way, the constellations can be thought of as the original Bible before the Bible was written. Over the years, however, men perverted this message of the constellations. Books like Hislop’s The Two Babylons and many others have shown how Nimrod and his wife, Semiramis, applied the messianic message of the constellations to themselves. As far as we know, Nimrod was the first false messiah. There have been many such false messiahs after him, each perverting the message to suit his own needs. Men have done the same with the written Bible. However, this does not negate the message itself as it was originally revealed. The divine revelation in the constellations should not be used for horoscopes. It could be used to foretell the future insofar as the message itself prophesied the future coming of a Messiah, His redemptive work on the Cross, and His rule on earth, subduing all enemies under His feet. Even today, not all of this message has been fulfilled—hence those parts are yet future. But regardless of how men misuse or pervert this basic message, it remains for all to see, leaving all men without excuse. The constellations can be grouped into three “books,” each having a set of four constellations. Thus, the Zodiac itself has 12 constellations. Associated with each of these 12 main constellations are three others that support the story of the main one. For example, Virgo is the first of the 12 constellations of the Zodiac. Surrounding Virgo are 3 others: Coma, Centaurus, and Bootes. Thus, there are 12 main constellations and 36 supporters called “Decans.” Our study is only a summary. For a full study of the Star-Gospel, we recommend two books. The first is Gospel in the Stars, by Joseph A. Seiss, available online from www.amazon.com for $10-12.00, or at Barnes and Noble Bookstore. The second is The Glory of the Stars, by Prof. E. Raymond Capt, available online from www.artisanpublishers.com for $8.00. A third summarized source can be found in Appendix 12 of Dr. E. W. Bullinger’s The Companion Bible, available from Kregel Publishers. Please do not order these from us. We do not carry them. That is why I have shown you how to obtain them for yourselves. Book 1: The Redeemer
1. Coma: “The Desired”. The Desire of all nations pictured. 2. Centaurus: Christ with two natures is the despised sin-offering. 3. Bootes: The coming One with the branch.
1. Crux: The cross endured. 2. Lupus: The victim slain. 3. Corona: The crown bestowed.
1. Serpens. Assaulting the man’s heel. 2. Ophiuchus: The man grasping the serpent. 3. Hercules: The mighty man victorious.
1. Lyra: Praise prepared for the Conqueror. 2. Ara: Fire prepared for His enemies. 3. Draco: The dragon cast down. Book 2: The Redeemed
A. Capricorn. The prophecy of deliverance. 1. Sagitta: The arrow of God sent forth. 2. Aquila: The smitten One falling. 3. Delphinus: The dead One rising again.
B. Aquarius. Results of the work bestowed. 1. Piscis Australis: The blessings bestowed. 2. Pegasus: The blessings quickly coming. 3. Cygnus: The Blesser surely returning.
C. Pisces. Results of the work enjoyed. 1. The Band: The great enemy, “Cetus.” 2. Andromeda: The Bride in bondage (bound). 3. Cepheus: The Deliverer coming to loosen the Bride’s bonds.
D. Aries. The prophesied deliverance fulfilled. 1. Cassiopeia: The captive Bride delivered. 2. Cetus: The great enemy bound. 3. Perseus: The Breaker who delivers. Book 3: The Redeemer (His second coming)
A. Taurus. The prophecy of coming judgment. 1. Orion: The Redeemer breaking forth as Light. 2. Eridanus: Judgment breaking forth as a flood. 3. Auriga: Safety for His redeemed in the day of judgment.
B. Gemini. The Redeemer’s reign in glory. 1. Lepus: The enemy trodden under foot. 2. Canis Major: The coming glorious Prince. 3. Canis Minor: The exalted Redeemer.
C. Cancer. The Redeemer’s possessions safe. 1. Ursa Minor: The smaller sheepfold (the Overcomers). 2. Ursa Major: The larger sheepfold (the Church in general). 3. Argo: The pilgrim’s arrival at home.
D. Leo. The prophecy of triumph fulfilled. 1. Hydra: The old serpent destroyed. 2. Crater: The “cup of wrath” poured out. 3. Corvus: The birds of prey called to devour. Hebrew name: Bethulah, “a virgin.” Greek name: Ceres and Parthenos, “the maid of virgin pureness.” Arabic name: Adarah, “the pure virgin.” Egyptian name: Isis and Aspolia, “ears of corn” or “the seed.” Description: the figure of a young woman with a sheaf of wheat in one hand and a branch in the other. Biblical Meaning: A virgin will bring forth a child who was to be the Messiah, the Redeemer. Wheat is the “fruit of the womb,” who is also called “The Branch.” The virgin’s Son is first the Messiah (Christ), and secondly, His Body—those who follow Him, who are joint-heirs with Him. In the Old Testament the “Virgin daughter of Zion” (Isaiah 37:22) does not refer to those unbelievers among them, but to those whose hearts were in a right relationship with God. In the New Testament era, it is the same. Stars in Virgo:
Isaiah 7:14
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel. Zechariah 3:8
8 Now listen, Joshua [Yashua] the high priest, you and your friends who are sitting in front of you—indeed they are men who are a symbol, for behold, I am going to bring in My servant the Branch. Isaiah 42:1
1 Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights; I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. Isaiah 11:1, 2
1 Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord will be upon Him, and spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Virgo:
Hebrew name: Mozanaim, “the scales,” or “weighing.” Arabic name: Al Zubena, “purchase” or “redemption.” Coptic name: Lambadia, “station of propitiation,” or literally, “branch of graciousness.” Latin name: Libra, “weighing.” Accadian: Tulki, “the altar.” Description: The scales, a pair of balances. One side is up and the other down, as if it is weighing something. Biblical Meaning: Libra shows that man is found wanting (deficient) when weighed in the balances of the divine standard of perfection. It also conveys the idea of divine judgment for sin (propitiation) that was accomplished upon the altar of sacrifice throughout the Old Testament. These in turn were prophetic types and shadows of the true altar of sacrifice—the Cross of Christ—through whom alone we receive the propitiation for sin (1 John 2:2). Stars in Libra:
Deut. 25:13-16
13 You shall not have in your bag differing weights; a large and a small. 14 You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small. 15 You shall have a full and just weight; you shall have a full and just measures, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you. 16 For everyone who does these things, everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the Lord your God. Matt. 7:2
2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Daniel 5:27
27 TEKEL—you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Libra:
Hebrew name: Akrab, “scorpion” or “wounding.” Arabic name: Al Aterah, “wounding.” Coptic name: Isidis, “the attack of the enemy” or “oppression. Description: A scorpion with its tail lifted up in anger. It is about to strike the man (Ophiuchus) who is struggling with a serpent. The man in turn crushes the scorpion’s head or heart. Biblical Meaning: After Adam and Eve sinned, God told the tempter (serpent) in Gen. 3:15 that “He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel.” This constellation pictures this conflict in terms of a scorpion who stings the man’s heel, while the man crushes its head or heart. Stars in Scorpio:
Gen. 3:15
15 And I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel. Rom. 16:20
20 And the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Scorpio:
Sagittarius, the Centaur Archer
Hebrew name: Kesith, “the Archer.” Arabic name: Al Kaus, “the arrow.” Greek name: Cheiron, the great teacher of mankind of heavenly wisdom. Accadian name: Nun-Ki, “Prince of the earth.” Egyptian names: Pi-maere, “graciousness,” and Knem, “He conquers.” Description: Sagittarius is the figure of a Centaur, a creature of a man from the waist up and a horse from the waist down. He is holding a great bow drawn and ready to shoot an arrow into the heart of Scorpio, the Scorpion. Biblical Meaning: This sign pictures the Messiah coming with the dual nature of heaven and earth, having a heavenly Father, and an earthly mother. He is both Son of Man and Son of God. He is the great “Teacher of righteousness” prophesied in Joel 2:23. This verse is rendered, “former rain,” but the verse could also mean “Teacher of righteousness.” Not only does He come ON a white horse, but He IS the white horse. The Hebrew name of God is YAHWEH, or YAH. The Hebrew word for “horse” is SUS. This was transliterated into English as YAH-SUS, or JE-SUS, as the equivalent of Yashua, which means “salvation.” Isaiah 31:3 says that fleshly horses are a false salvation in time of war, but the true Salvation of God is the person of Yashua (Jesus). Stars in Sagittarius:
Psalm 64:7
7 God will shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly they will be wounded. Rev. 6:2 (counterfeit)
2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse, and he who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him; and he went out conquering and to conquer. Rev. 19:11 (true)
11 And I saw heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and He who sat upon it is called Faithful and True; and in righteousness He judges and wages war. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Sagittarius:
Latin name: Capricornus, “the goat” or “atonement.” Hebrew name: Gedi, “the kid,” or “cut off.” Egyptian name: Hu-penius, “the place of the sacrifice.” Description: Capricornus is the figure of a creature that is half goat and half fish. The creature is pictured as falling in death. One leg of the goat is doubled up under his body, powerless to lift him up. His fish tail, however, is full of life. Biblical Meaning: Like Sagittarius, this sign pictures the Messiah coming with the dual nature of heaven and earth, having a heavenly Father, and an earthly mother. He is both Son of Man and Son of God. But the sign of Capricornus differs in that it focuses upon the two works of Christ, rather than His dual nature. His atoning work is pictured in the goat, which brings us to the Day of Atonement, where the two goats also portray the two works of Christ. The first goat was killed, the second set free in the wilderness. (See The Laws of the Second Coming, ch. 10.) And so in this sign, the goat portrays the first work of Christ, while the fish portrays His second work of life. The Hebrew word for “fish” is nun, or noon, which carries the idea of the ocean teeming with life. The fish later became the symbol of the Christian Church. Stars in Capricornus:
Lev. 9:15
15 Then he presented the people’s offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and slaughtered it and offered it for sin, like the first. Lev. 16:5, 7-10 (Day of Atonement)
5 And he shall take from the congregation of the sons of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering. . . . 7 And he shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the doorway of the tent of meeting. 8 And Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9 Then Aaron shall offer the goat on which the lot for the Lord fell, and make it a sin offering. 10 But the goat on which the lot for the scapegoat fell, shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, to send it into the wilderness as the scapegoat. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Capricornus:
Hebrew name: Deli, or Dali, “the urn,” or “water-bucket.” Description: The figure of a man holding a great urn in his left hand, pouring out an inexhaustible stream of water. In the Zodiac of Denderah Aquarius is holding two urns. The fish (Pisces, the next constellation) seem to have come out of one of them, and yet appears also to be swallowing the water as it is poured forth. Biblical Meaning: Aquarius prophesies of the outpouring of the Spirit upon the two fish. In the Old Testament the two fish represent the two nations: Israel, the holder of the Birthright, and Judah, the holder of the royal lineage leading to the Messiah (1 Chronicles 5:1, 2). In a New Testament context, the fish represent the Church, which, in turn, is made up of the Overcomers and the rest of the believers. (These correlate to the greater and lesser sheepfolds, which are the decans in the constellation of Cancer.) Stars in Aquarius:
Joel 2:28, 29
28 And it will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. 29 And even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. Isaiah 44:3
3 For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendents. John 14:2, 3
2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Aquarius:
Hebrew name: Dagim, “the fishes.” Egyptian name: Pi-cot Orion or Pisces Hori, “the fishes of Him who comes.” Syriac Name: Nuno, “lengthened out” (in posterity). Description: The figure of two fish, one headed toward the North Pole Star, and the other parallel to the Sun’s path along the ecliptic. They are bound together by a large band that is also connected to Cetus, the Sea Monster. Biblical Meaning: Pisces portray the two fish held captive by Cetus, the Sea Monster. In the Old Testament these fish are represented by Judah and Israel. In the New Testament they are represented by the Church (true “Jews” of Rom. 2:28) and the Overcomers true Israelites even as Jacob became an Israelite in His character after wrestling with the angel in Gen. 32:28). The fish was a common symbol of the Church as early as the first century. Both fish are held captive by the Sea Monster. The book of Jonah shows the prophet swallowed up by the great fish, the Sea Monster—and then shows Jonah going to Nineveh, the “city of fish” that worshipped the great Fish god. Nineveh would later conquer and swallow up the northern House of Israel. One of the decans of Pisces is Andromeda, the chained woman, portraying both Israel’s Assyrian captivity and Judah’s Babylonian captivity. Stars in Pisces:
Isaiah 52:2, 3
2 Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. 3 For thus says the Lord, You were sold for nothing, and you will be redeemed without money. Jer. 16:15,
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15 but, as the Lord lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them. For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers. 16 Behold, I am going to send for many fishermen, declares the Lord, and they will fish for them. . . Hosea 11:4
4 I led them with cords of a man, with bonds of love, and I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; and I bent down and fed them. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Pisces:
Hebrew name: Taleh, “the Lamb.” Arabic name: All Hamal, “the sheep, the merciful, the gentle.” Syriac name: Amroo, “the Lamb.” Accadian name: Baraziggar, “altar, or sacrifice of righteousness.” Description: The figure of a ram or lamb. The Egyptians portrayed Aries as Amon, the supreme Sun-god, a man having the head of a ram. In mythology, the two children, Phrixus and Helle, were to be sacrificed to Jupiter by their mortal stepmother, Ino. Their mother, Nephele, gave them a mysterious lamb, who helped them escape death. The lamb was sacrificed in their place. Biblical Meaning: Aries pictured the work of Christ, who was the Lamb of God that came to take our place, so that we would not have to die for our own sins. On April 3, 33 A.D., at 3:01 p.m., when Jesus died on the Cross, the star directly overhead was El Nath in Aries. (See The Laws of the Second Coming, ch. 1.) Stars in Aries:
Exodus 12:3 (Passover)
3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves. . . And you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel is to kill it at twilight [between the two evenings, i.e., mid-afternoon]. John 1:29
29 The next day he [John the Baptist] saw Jesus coming to him, and said, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 1 Cor. 5:7
7 Clean out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact, unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Aries:
Hebrew name: Shor, “an ox,” or “coming and ruling.” Egyptian name: Apis, or Serapis, “head, chief.” Chaldean name: Tor, “bull.” Arabic name: Al Thaur, “the bull.” Greek name: Taurus, “the bull.” Description: The figure of an ox or bull rushing forward with great energy. His horns are set to push his enemies and pierce them. The Pleiades in the shoulder of Taurus are the Seven Sisters, who are the Seven Churches in Revelation. According to mythology, these were changed into doves, and after their death, they were morphed into stars. Biblical Meaning: Taurus is the ox or bullock of the Bible. Bullocks were used to sacrifice for the sins of the nation, or the leaders—that is, the high priests or the kings. Inasmuch as the ox was the strong servant, it was thus typical of Christ in His role as the Servant. There were also 70 bullocks sacrificed on the seven days of the feast of Tabernacles. The Pleiades in Taurus are the Seven Stars, or the Seven Churches, in the book of Revelation, who are “changed” into the image of Christ. The bright star, Al Cyone, “the center” is called in Hebrew, Succoth, “booths,” a reference to the feast of Booths, or Tabernacles. This teaches us that the Feast of Tabernacles is to be the “center” of focus for the Seven Churches, even as Israel’s focus was the Promised Land. Stars in Taurus:
Job 38:31
31 Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades [Heb. kima]? Matt. 17:2
2 And He was transfigured [Greek: metamorphothe] before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became white as light. 2 Cor. 3:18
18 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed [Greek: metamorphoometha] into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Taurus:
Hebrew name: Thaumin, “the united.” Coptic name: Pi-Mahi, “the united” or “the completely joined.” Description: Gemini pictures two young men walking or coming. One holds a great club in his right hand. The other holds a harp in one hand, and a bow and arrow in the other. The Latins called them Castor and Pollux. The Greeks called them Apollo and Hercules. The Egyptians pictured them as a man and a woman. Biblical Meaning: Gemini’s biblical meaning is best pictured by the Egyptian concept of a man and a woman. This is consistent with the other constellations that picture Christ and the Bride. Others picture the Bride as a captive ready to be delivered by the Redeemer. This time, however, the two are pictured in the unity of marriage in a time of peace and harmony. Stars in Gemini:
Isaiah 6:1
1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Eph. 2:6
6 And raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Eph. 5:31, 32
31 For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the Church. Matt. 19:6
6 Consequently, they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate. Acts 28:11
11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Gemini:
Hebrew name: Sarton. Arabic name: Al Sartan, “who holds or binds together.” Syriac name: Sartano, “who holds or binds.” Greek name: Karkinos, “holding, encircling.” Egyptian name: Klaria, “the folds, the resting places.” Accadian name: Su-kul-na, “the seizer, or possessor of seed.” Latin name: Cancer, from the Arabic, Khan = “an inn;” and Cer = “encircling.” Description: The original picture has been lost. The Egyptian picture seems closest to the original, where Cancer was called Klaria, “the cattle-folds; the resting places.” This fits best with the star names and the other constellations. Biblical Meaning: Cancer pictures the Messiah’s possessions encircled and held fast. The Church or Bride is encircled and protected in a resting place. This pictures the purpose of marriage, which is to bind two together, as we see in Gemini. But Cancer focuses more upon the place of rest that such a marriage brings and upon the time of the great Sabbath-rest millennium during which this takes place. Stars in Cancer:
Rev. 7:9
9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands. Psalm 91:1
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Cancer:
Hebrew name: Arieh, “the lion.” Syriac name: Aryo, “the rendering lion.” Arabic name: Al Asad, “a lioning coming vehemently.” Egyptian name: Pi Mentekeon, “the poured out.” (a lion treading upon a serpent) Description: Leo is pictured as a great and majestic lion. His feet are poised over the head of Hydra, the great serpent, just about to crush it. Biblical Meaning: Leo pictures the Christ as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, first pictured in Jacob’s blessing upon Judah in Gen. 49:9. Leo pictures Christ coming as a Conqueror and Judge who subdues all under His feet. Yet let us keep in mind that He is also the Lamb. He has the power of the lion, but the nature of a lamb. Stars in Leo:
Gen. 49:9
9 Judah is a lion’s whelp; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He couches, he lies down as a lion, as a lion, who dares rouse him up? The scepter shall not depart from Judah nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet [a reference to Regulus, situated between the feet of Leo] until Shiloh comes, and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples. Num. 24:8, 9
8 God brings him out of Egypt, He is for him like the horns of the wild ox. He shall devour the nations who are his adversaries, and shall crush their bones in pieces, and shatter them with his arrows. 9 He couches, he lies down as a lion, and as a lion, who dares rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you. Isaiah 42:13
13 The Lord will go forth like a warrior, He will arouse His zeal like a man of war. He will utter a shout, yes, He will raise a war cry. He will prevail against his enemies. Decans (lesser constellations) associated with Leo:
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