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The Triple Planetary Conjunction of Jupiter-Saturn in 7 BC
A major contemporary proponent of the 7 BC triple Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn marking the actual time of Jesus' birth is David Hughes. He is convinced that Jesus was born September 15th of 7BC, based on this series of unions of Jupiter and Saturn. He has taken note of how these conjunctions point to the birth of Christ, following a modified version of Kepler's view. However, he admits a feeling of uncertainty about the final summaries of his hypothesis, because Jupiter could never have been seen as one star, as their closest approach was only 0.98 degrees. Hughes confusion is typical of that surrounding the view of the "Star of Bethlehem," which at least in part is based on the lack of recognition and separation of the general and specific signs marking Jesus' birth. As we will see, the specific signs of the Celestial Prelude, and their corroboration of the signs from 3 to 2 BC, meet all the provisions of the genuine signs marking the birth of the Messiah. With the 7 BC triple union of Jupiter and Saturn setting the pattern of the Specific signs of Celestial Prelude, let's take a detailed look at each of these preliminary signs in the triple Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn.
i. May 27th, 7BC Jupiter and Saturn in Conjunction in Pisces, with the Sun and Mercury in Gemini, Venus in Cancer, Mars in Virgo and Moon in Pisces. [Fig. i.]
In this first preliminary sign we find Jupiter the scepter and King planet in Conjunction with Saturn, symbolic of Satan, in Pisces near dawn in the eastern sky, as a result of Jupiter's proper motion.
Fig. i.
The first thing to notice about the specific signs of the Celestial Prelude from 7-5 BC, is that this first Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn shows the authority of the scepter of God's kingdom resident with Lucifer in his first estate as the Angel of light. He was set apart and alone in his authority from the celestial signs that follow, outside of the clearly marked two-year period from September 15th 7BC to September 15th 5BC, containing the rest of these specific preliminary signs.
Its purpose is to mark the first estate of Lucifer as the original bright and Morning Star, second only to God the Creator, in the first heaven and earth and head over all the angels as the angel of light. Let's take some time to digress here and set the background of Lucifer's history according to the accuracy of God's Word written in the stars, and in Scripture. This first sign refers to Lucifer in his original estate as the "star of the morning" as Isaiah 14 tells us:
Isaiah 14:12
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
The demise of Lucifer is indicated in the astronomical mechanism known as the precession of the poles, with the star Thuban: alpha draconis, the brightest star in Draco the dragon, as the original pole star. The precession of the poles is indicative of Lucifer's demise, because the pole star has moved from Draco and now resides near Polaris, or Al Ruccaba of the "little flock" of Ursa Minor. The pole star between the feet of the crowned king Cepheus, depicts Jesus Christ in at least two ways. First, as the prominent king, and new Chief Cornerstone, since Cepheus is the crowned king, even as Regulus the king star, is between the feet of Leo, the Lion king of Judah; [Gen.49:10]. Cepheus also means " the branch" and is depicted as a king holding a branch at the northern pole, [Jer. 23:5, 33:15]. Secondly, and with spiritual hindsight, he is the head of his spiritual body, the Church. God put all things under Christ's feet, indicating his seven-fold lordship over all Creation; [Eph. 1:20-23]. The exception to this, of course is God Himself, Who Christ ultimately subjects himself to [I Cor. 15:27-28], avoiding the pitfall of Lucifer's egomaniacal demise. Bullinger refers to this precession of the North pole and Al Ruccaba specifically as follows:
"Although the star does not revolve like the others, the central point in the heavens is very slowly but steadily moving. When these constellations were formed the Dragon possessed this important point, and the star alpha, in Draco, marked this central point. But by its gradual recession, that point is sufficiently near this star Ruccaba, in the Lesser Sheepfold, (Ursa Minor) for it to be what is called "the Polar Star." But how could it have been known five or six thousand years ago? How could it have been known when it received its name, which means the turned or ridden on? That it was known is clear: so likewise was it made known in the written Word that the original blessing included not merely the multiplication of the seed of the faithful Abraham, but it was then added, "And thy seed shall possess the gate of thy enemies,"1 [Gen. 22:17].
This is an obvious indicator of the accuracy of these God-inspired star names [Ps. 147:4], dating back to antiquity, showing a divine insight of the heavens from the earliest times. This is also a point we have already come upon, that the purpose of the Revelatory Astronomy of God stands in juxtaposition to the evolutionary theories that governs modern scientific Astronomy. Bullinger's reference also shows the witness of the stars in concert with that of the Scriptures that is a consistent testimony throughout this study, and a major theme of our web-site.
This stellar transition of the pole star reflects an aspect of the transition of power from the fallen Morning star, who presided over ten categories of precious stones, representing angels [Ezek. 28:14], to the Risen Morning Star [Rev. 22:16], presiding over 12 categories of precious stones, representing the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 signs of the zodiac, and later perhaps the 12 apostles at the foundations of the age of Grace.
Fig. ia. The precession of the poles
| Fig. ia. The precession of the northern polestar, from Thuban to Polaris over the last 5,000 years. |
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As the high priest after the order of Melchisedek, Jesus inherits his double square breastplate of 12 precious stones, symbolizing the authority of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah as Priest-King over Israel's twelve [4 x 3] tribes [Ex. 28:15-30]. In keeping with the theme celestial symbolism, the breastplate, was designed with a niche which held the Urim and Thummim, or lights and perfections; representing the two great lights of the Sun and Moon. As oracles of the High Priest, these two stones would reveal the wisdom and glory of the Creator, even as the movements of the Sun and Moon in the heavens declare the glory of God [Ps. 19:1]. We find more references to the 12 stones and their variants in the living stones of I Pet. 2:4-7 and the twelve foundations of the New Jerusalem: [Rev. 21:19-20] that the prophet Daniel called the Mountain of God, [Dan. 9:16-20]. Here we can see a unified witness of the 12 tribes of Israel bringing forth the promised seed unto the New Jerusalem, proving the witness of the 12 signs of the zodiac. This breastplate was held to the two large bejeweled shoulder studs of the ephod and by gold chains fastened to the four-corners of the double square pectoral, representing the earth. The four rows of three jewels each, shows the same celestial order as Israel's 12 tribes in their wilderness encampment.
| Fig. Ib. The breast-plate of the High Priest with its 12 precious jewels. |
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Ezek. 28:14-15
14Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. 15Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
Below is a chart [Fig. ic] depicting the associations of the jewels to each of the twelve tribes and zodiacal signs in the order they are found on the breastplate of the High Priest [Fig. ib].
Fig. ic. Jewel Configuration on the High Priest's Breastplate
Virgo-Zebulon
Carbuncle |
Cancer-Issachar
Topaz |
Leo-Judah
Ruby |
Aries-Gad
Diamond |
Pisces-Simeon
Sapphire |
Aquarius-Reuben
Emerald |
Taurus-Ephraim-
Mannasseh-Agate |
Libra-Levi
Amethyst |
Gemini-Benjamin
Ligure |
Capricorn-Naphtali
Jasper |
Sagittarius-Asher
Onyx |
Scorpio-Dan
Beryl |
As the anointed cherub that covereth, Lucifer's preeminent position as the capstone covered all aspects of Creation. Here in the First Heavens and Earth, we find the mythological roots of the Holy Mountain of God, symbolically portrayed in various later cultures from Mount Olympus, to Mt. Meru, to the ziggurats and pyramids in Mexico, Mesopotamia, Egypt and the Far East. This archetype has held sway into the Second Heavens and Earth, seen in Moses' encounter with God on Mount Horeb, [Ex. 3:5].
As we have seen, the planet Saturn is associated with Satan, the fallen Archangel Lucifer. The Hebrew word for Lucifer is "heylel," (*H1966) which is from the root word "halal" (*H1984) meaning: to be clear (originally of sound, but usually of color) to shine; hence to make a show, to boast, to rave, thus to be uproariously foolish.3 Additionally it means to celebrate, to be worthy of praise and renown. In Ezekiel 28, the variety of precious stones figuratively set the angelic majesty and versatility of the original ministry of the Morning Star--Lucifer, in his primeval God-ordained ministry as the crown of Creation, the finished pattern and full effulgence of perfection, reflecting the glory of the Creator's light.
Ezekiel 28:12-13
Son of man, take up a lamentation upon the king of Tyrus, and say unto him, Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. [13] Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
While in his first estate, Lucifer as the original morning star, was second only to God, the omnipotent Creator and thus the archangels Gabriel and Michael were both in secondary positions of authority in relation to him. As the chorus-leader, and original Chief corner- stone, Lucifer (Halal) and his third of the angels functioned in the ministry of reflecting the glory of God especially in the categories of sound (the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes) and color (light Spectrum dispersed), leading the ethereal choir in the songs of praise and worship to the Creator [Job 38:7]. Lucifer, as the covering cherub & head-stone upon the holy mountain of God, reflected the entire Spectrum of the Creator's dispersed light through all the choral octaves of angels embodied in the ten categories of precious stones in Ezekiel. This suggests a coordination of the complete Spectrum of sound including ultrasound, with the entire light scale, including many visible and invisible levels of the electromagnetic Spectrum. This represents the same pattern of the Creator's un-polarized light energy that preceded the vibration of these harmonic frequencies in polarized geometric forms, epitomized here in the Spectrum of angelic life, an important form of created life in the first heaven and earth. All forms of creation were made manifest by the spoken Word of God. His Word spoken, the voice of God Who is Light, unifies the spectrums of sound and light at their foundation. This is the reason why we see a perfect relation between the seven colors of the rainbow and the seven notes of the musical scale, because the wave patterns of both sound and light are rooted in the Voice of God, Who is Light. The beauty of this Spectrum of light was then reflected back to God, its true source, in the form of songs of praise and worship, making up the original angelic "Hallel-ujah Choir." The 104th Psalm is highlighted by the first occurrence of the word "Hallelujah" (Praise ye the LORD) in the Old Testament.
Psalm 104:35
35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the LORD, O my soul. Praise ye the LORD.
Bullinger notes that the Talmud and the Midrash call attention to the fact this word occurs in connection with the overthrow of the wicked [rasha], as is the case with Rev. 19:1,3,4 & 6, the first uses of "Hallelujah" in the New Testament.4 Thus the original significance of these angelic precious stones is revealed in this context, representing not only the ministry of the angels under Lucifer, perfect in their first estate, but once iniquity was found in them they were rejected being righteous no longer, unfit to give glory to the Creator. This also serves as an archetype of the ascendant bright and Morning Star - Christ the high priest of the bride-Israel. As the only mediator between God and man (I Tim. 2:5) the Covenant Angel named Wonderful, the authority of the King of kings, Jesus Christ includes all kingdoms of earthly life, the temporal and spiritual covenants of Creation and the angelic hierarchies. The fallen Morning Star also seen in the celestial dragon, is figuratively referred to in Job 26:12-13.
Job 26:12 He divideth the sea with his power, and by His understanding he smiteth through the proud.
"divideth the sea with his power"- The sea here, as in other places in God's Word, (Ps. 32:6, 104: 6-9) is figurative of the evil spirit realm who followed along with the serpent as traitors in heaven, and are referred to as the "proud" in the next phrase of Job 26:12.
"proud"- (*H7294) Rahab is also a celestial reference to Hydra or Cetus the sea monster, also representing the adversary and his spirit realm. In this vein, Job 40:15 refers to "Behemoth," as a figurative reference to Satan, pictured as the crocodile of the Nile, and figured as a Crocodile in the central pole of Egypt's Denderah zodiac.
"Behemoth"- is the first in radiance and power of the works of God... only He who made him can bring near his sword to master him. Hydra the serpent bound, a decan of Leo, also depicts the truth of the dragon cast down, taking a third of the stars of heaven with him: [Rev. 12:4], because it spans four of the twelve signs of the ecliptic; Cancer, Leo, Virgo and Libra (the Woman, her seed, his sacrifice and the altar). This symbolizes one third of the gems, of the high priest's breastplate and signs of the ecliptic. This unities with Mars in Virgo during the 1st Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction, showing the archangel Michael-Mars protecting the woman-Virgo who would bear the promised seed. Hydra illustrates the enmity between the "seeds" in Genesis 3:15, the "rotten thread" opposing the Red Thread throughout the Word of God, (See Fig. iv.b).
Job 26:13 By his spirit He hath garnished the heavens; His hand hath formed the crooked serpent.
"He hath garnished the heavens"- garnished (*H8231) means to: polish, glisten, shine forth as the dawn, which applies figuratively to alpha draconis as the archaic "bright and morning star," and the original capstone of the Pyramid. It also means to: be beautiful, the notion of brightness is also applied to the building of sound.5 This matches with the root of Lucifer "halal" which is making a show emphasizing sound and light, showing the reason for the "morning stars singing together" their praises to the Creator in Job 38:7. This garnishing of the heavens appears to be a figurative reference to the precession of the poles, placed in the heavens by His (God's) Hand, indicating a celestial prophecy of the coming redeemer Jesus Christ, [I John 3:8b]. Seiss' comments on this word "garnished" are noteworthy here: "It's main sense is that of ornament, decoration, something added for embellishment; but it has the further meaning of summons and warning. And by these adornings God hath summoned the heavens and filled them with the proclamations and warnings of His great purposes, if Draco or Hydra are meant, then He himself is the Author of it, and by implication, the Author of the whole system of the constellations of which Draco and Hydra are a part."6
The Northern Polar Constellations.
"formed"- *H2342 (coiled) means to twist or whirl in a circular or spiral manner, to dance in a circle or writhe in pain, pervert, travail, be wounded;7 as the fatal wounding of the serpent's head, (Gen. 3:16). The circular motion or dance, is also figurative for the circular motion of the precession of the poles, where the pole star is wrested from the serpent's dominion in his painful battle with the promised seed, signified by Cepheus, the crowned king coming into his dominion over the pole star, polaris in Ursa Minor. This word also means to "be full of turns," as Draco is depicted with his many coils, indicating his wily and subtle nature. Additionally it means to "return, to turn oneself round or away."8 This word is used twice in Job 26, the first occurrence in verse 5, which refers to the imprisoned spirits of destruction (v. 6 abaddon) that carried out the ruination of the First Heavens and Earth. These spirits, figuratively referred to as "locusts" in Revelation 9, are currently captive in the abyss, depicted in Revelation 9. This foreshadows Draco's destiny, and eternal destruction in the lake of fire, depicted celestially also in the southern polar regions; or chambers of the south, [Job 9:9]. The circular motion or dance, in reference to the word "formed"- *H2342 (coiled), in Job 26:13 depicts an example of a Biblical literary figure for the celestial mechanism of the precession of the poles. Another example of a Biblical figure similar to this aspect of the celestial serpent pertains to the "shadow of death." This shadow was first cast by the author of death: [Heb. 2:14], when he committed the original sin, and iniquity was found in him. This section of Job 26 refers to the serpent, once he became crooked, obviously God did not create him this way. In reference to the ancient possessor of the pole star, that was formerly imbedded in the coils of the dragon's tail, Proctor wrote:
"One might almost, if fancifully disposed, recognize the gradual displacement of the Dragon from his old place of honor, in certain traditions of the downfall of the great Dragon whose 'tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven' alluded to in Revelation 12:4." 9
Once iniquity was found in Lucifer and he turned his back on the Heavenly Father, he separated himself from the source of light and life. The context of Psalm 44 regards one who has turned away from the Heavenly Father, and willfully embraced the darkness:
Psalm 44:18-21 18 Our heart is not turned back, neither have our steps declined from thy way; 19 Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death. 20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; 21 Shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.
Psalm 44:19 calls this specter of the shadow of death, "the place of dragons," providing a conclusive link from God's Word showing the dragon as the author of death [Heb. 2:14], casting the shadow of death. This also relates to what we have already seen regarding the lunar Nodes traditionally known as the Head and Tail of the Dragon. The word for "Dragons" here, [*H8577] refers to a large sea monster,10 the Greek equivalent, (*G2785, Matt. 12:40] being "ketos," the same root from which the Constellation Cetus got its name. This gives us two references to the celestial serpent, in Draco the dragon cast down, and Cetus the sea monster bound, [Job 41]. This sea monster of Matthew 12:40 is also symbolic of the death endured and conquered by Christ, who was in the heart of the earth three days and three nights, even as Jonah [Jonah 1:17] was in the sea monster's belly for the same period, prior to his resurrection.
We also find Mercury and the Sun in Gemini, during this first union of Jupiter and Saturn, showing Gabriel's declaration of the dual nature of the morning star as the light of the world. The archaic and fallen nature of the morning star is depicted in Lucifer, while its risen victorious aspect is seen in Christ. The relationship between the dragon and the Devil casting his shadow of death illustrates the pole precession, a Biblical figure of speech in Psalm 44, expounding on a celestial sign. Another example of this figure that we will study in detail later is the Eta-Draconid Meteor Showers.
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Figure. id.
Cetus the Sea Monster, from Bayer's Celestial Atlas.
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| Fig. ie. Draco the Dragon and the northern astronomical vesica, from the Star Atlas of Hevelius. Also shown is Cepheus the Crowned King with Polaris,the pole star, placed between his feet. |
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Regarding the earlier reference we made to the symbolism of the planet Saturn, the brightness of Saturn's Ring cycle, is related to its nearness with the Earth.
During this time of the inception of signs of the Celestial Prelude, it is interesting that Saturn’s 13-year ring cycle (in 7BC,click here for video) began on September 14th, 7 BC, because that was the last day before the start of the two-year period, encompassing the other signs of this prelude. This gives us a celestial corroboration the notion that the first sign of the celestial prelude refers to Lucifer in the first heaven and earth, in his first estate as the bright and morning star. This makes sense because this first Jupiter-Saturn Conjunction is set alone, outside of the two-year period, from September 15th, 7 BC to September 15th, 5 BC. The planet Saturn was also brightest at Opposition (nearest to the earth), close to the time of Saturn's fullest ring exposure. As the last day prior to the two-year period bracketing the celestial prelude, the significance of this day tells us of Lucifer's successor, the rising Morning Star-Jesus, was already prophesied, prior to the overthrow of the world, [Eph.1:4]. It's as if the former days of Lucifer's brightness and splendor never existed in the eyes of God.
Job 3:4-5
4 Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. 5 Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it.
Since Saturn began to reach its peak brightness on September 14th, 7 BC, culminating on December 6th 1BC, we find the peak of Saturn's cycle of brightness running concurrent with, not only the signs of the Celestial Prelude, but most of the signs surrounding Christ's birth as well. This verse in Job makes some other notable connections with the shadow of death.
Intriguingly, these connections both carry reference to the darkening of daylight, first seen in cloud covering, and second with the blackness of the day which ominously resembles a total eclipse of the Sun. One aspect of the spiritual significance of these celestial realities is seen in the apparent period of midday darkness on April 28th, 28 AD, the day of Jesus' crucifixion. There is no indication of an eclipse that I have found on this day, but the shadow of death probably stained this day more than any other in history, and the blackness of this day was certainly evident spiritually in the death of Jesus. This was turned completely around three days later, however when Christ arose as the "first fruits from the dead."
Thus, the brightness of Lucifer's day was certainly turned into darkness the moment he he turned away from God, the original and eternal Source of Light. This period leading up to September 14th is also important because of the Eta Draconid Meteor Showers that preceded the first Jupiter-Regulus union in Leo, in 3 BC. We will discuss the details of this Meteor shower shortly, but for now we should realize that it is relevant to the casting down of the dragon, a consistent theme in this first sign of the celestial prelude. The fact that this first sign involving Saturn, occurred in Taurus is important as a precursor to the first two signs including Saturn in May and June of 3 BC, also taking place in Taurus. We will see the signs of 3 BC picking up on the theme of judgment on Lucifer, once iniquity was found in him during his first estate. In the first preliminary sign we have seen celestial indicators of the splendor of Lucifer's original ministry in the first heaven and earth, and how he, along with the angels of his choral units came to lose their preeminent position. Next we will look at the beginning of the two years of signs marking the prelude to the birth of Christ.
FOOTNOTES:
Witness of the Stars E.W. Bullinger, p. 152
2The King James Version, (
Cambridge :
Cambridge ) 1769.
Strong’s Concordance note on H1984.
4 The Companion Bible, marginal note on Rev. 19:1ff, E.W. Bullinger.
Strong’s Concordance. James Strong, note on H8231.
IBID.
10 *Strong's Concordance definitions are given with Strong's numbers (H8577, G2785), etc.
James Strong
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