Biblegems #291
Question: Does Revelation 12:1-2 refer to a
literal astronomical “sign” in the heavens and, if so, what does the sign mean
and how would people recognize it? (The
reader would do well to read Bible Gems #116, “Christmas in the Stars” as background for this present article.)
As we saw
in Part 1 & 2, the imagery in Rev. 12:1-2 accurately depicts an
astronomical alignment of stars and planets, and also represents an
astronomical “sign.” Further, the interpretation of the passage itself portrays Satan’s desperate and failed attempt to claim God’s throne by killing Jesus, the Son of God, and destroying Israel and all of Jesus’ followers.
The final
question, therefore, is: What does God want to convey to mankind through this
periodically recurring sign in the stars? Does it have any significance for us
today and, if so, how are people expected to recognize it?
Let's
review the astronomical event itself described in Revelation 12:1-2.
At the
writing od this article, the planet Jupiter can be found in the “womb” of the
constellation Virgo (Latin for “Virgin”), from which it exits, after 9 ½
months, on September 23rd, 2017. During this nine-month period the
sun rises directly behind the “head” of Virgo, and the moon is located at
Virgo’s feet. Crowning Virgo’s “head” at this time are "twelve “stars”—the
normal nine stars of the constellation Leo, plus three planets: Mercury, Venus
and Mars. All this is easily verified at any number of astronomy sites online.[i]
Who is it
in today’s world that will be paying any attention to the changing alignment of
stars and planets? Typically, it will be astronomers (professional and
hobbyists), and astrology enthusiasts (who incorrectly believe the heavenly
bodies influence human events) who are most interested. A few others who study
the Bible on such matters will sense that God is communicating something, but most will not understand
what that something is.
Jesus
pointed this out after highlighting the future events that would precede His
Second Coming:
Mark 13:28-29 “Now
learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its
leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these
things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door.”
This
recurring “sign” in the sky depicted in Revelation 12:1-2 that portrays God’s
victories throughout history over Satan’s attempts to destroy Israel, the
Messiah and the followers of Jesus is the Gospel in the stars. It is a
continual reminder to all who will take notice that the baby born of the
virgin—Jesus Christ—has overcome the world. It may even be “the sign” that appears one last time immediately
before Christ’s Return:
Matt. 24:30 “Then
will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of
the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of
heaven, with power and great glory.”
In any
case, such signs are intended to keeps us alert to God’s calendar:
Matt. 24:42, 44 “Therefore
keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. …So also
you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do
not expect him.”
Dear Pastor Coleman,
ReplyDeleteThanks for this series of articles looking into the Book of Revelation.
I have always found this book interesting to study. However, just about everyone I know has swept it under the carpet and therefore dismissing it, so to speak, because of the difficulty in interpreting its symbols correctly, mainly due to the common error in attempting to see it in the light of present-day churches.
Over the years, it began to dawn to me that Revelation becomes much clearer when I read it under the light of the nation of Israel and its Jewish people. This came about after reading of Joseph's dream in Genesis, where the same symbol of the woman is described.
Therefore I agree that when the symbolic child is born, it was the symbolic reflection of the actual nativity in Bethlehem, the taking of the child to Heaven is his Resurrection, and the fleeing of the woman from the dragon's wrath still lies in the future, when Israel takes centre-stage after the Rapture of the Church to Heaven and the rise of the Antichrist. If all this is correct, then as God sees it, the entire Church age has been skipped over as if never existed, an apparent confirmation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the huge statue, where the feet with its ten toes continues uninterrupted without a time-break which would have been just above the heel.
I hope this comment is helpful and encouraging.
God bless.