INTRODUCTION

Throughout the ages, the stars have fascinated mankind. I believe the Lord has a very special message for us in the stars. He wants us to know this message so much that He has written it across the heavens!

For most of us, our mindset is to think that this is involvement with the occult. The Scriptures do warn us not to try and predict out future through the stars. Astrology is an abomination to God and its origin is satanic. *Deuteronomy 18:9-12 Accordingly Christians have correctly avoided anything to do with astrology and the foretelling of the future via the stars.

Satan has deceived people down the ages through astrology. He has convinced them that they could find the answers to life and their futures by worshipping and following the stars and planets instead of seeking God and trusting their lives into His hands.

People have believed the counterfeit - Satan's lie to blind people and divert them from the truth that God has written a message or His awesome plan, will and purpose in the stars!

*Genesis 1:14 states why God created and positioned stars in the heavens - they are not only to give light and separate the seasons and years, but also to be SIGNS (Hebrew evidence, signposts, beacons). God has made known by signs and symbols His wonderful plan of salvation.

*Psalm 19:1-4 "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night shows knowledge…….”

Every night when the stars are visible and the sunlight reflects off the planets, they shine forth the knowledge of God. They declare the glory of God as revealed in His salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. The constellations paint us the greatest picture ever painted. God used the heavens as a canvas to give us His plan of the ages from beginning to end! So instead of fearing your future or seeking answers to life by asking the stars in the heavens to foretell, put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, Who made the stars!

*Isaiah 40:26 states that God created the stars and then numbered and NAMED them all. I have often wondered how the ancients came to identify and know the names of the constellations and their stars. I believe that in the beginning the Lord imparted that knowledge and understanding to them. Because Satan never wants the truth to be known, he has fabricated astrology to adulterate the true message in the night skies. The true meaning of the names of the stars are vital to God's truth displayed in the heavens.

God wants His people to really know what the heavens declare. He has put in the heavens a message that no man, no demon or devil can alter - the glorious message of Jesus Christ and His finished work - our salvation!

Theologians tell us that the book of Job is one of the oldest books of the Bible. This book makes more mention about the stars than any other book of the Bible. Job had no written material, no prophets to tell him about God and His creation. I believe that God revealed His truth to Job through the heavens themselves. It is interesting to note that Job even knew about the coming Messiah who would live thousands of years later. *Job 19:25 "I know that my Redeemer lives." Job had the stars lead him to Jesus and His redemption. He never studied the signs of the zodiac to predict his future!

E.G The wise men followed Jesus' star until they found and worshipped Him as King. They did not ask questions about themselves or their future and worship the star.

There is an interesting scripture in *Job 38:32-33. "Can you bring forth "a constellation" in it’s season?" The word constellation comes from Mazzaroth, which the Amplified Bible translates as THE ZODIAC.

The word zodiac comes from the Greek work zoad, which means "a ladder" or "steps" and the stars are a heavenly stepladder that lead people to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

LET US LOOK AT THE SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS

FIRST SIGN VIRGO: THE VIRGIN

Astrologers say that Aquarius is the first sign of the zodiac, but this is just another aspect of Satan's counterfeit. Because the lie has been repeated so often, it is now accepted as truth. God's zodiac actually begins with a different sign. According to God's plan, the first rung of the ladder that leads us to Jesus is the sign of VIRGO.

The word VIRGO means VIRGIN and relates directly to the earthly start to God's salvation through the virgin birth of Jesus.

VIRGO is depicted as a young woman holding a branch in her right hand and a sheaf of wheat in her left hand. Within the sheaf of wheat is the constellation's brightest star called SPICA, which means, “seed ”

*Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; John 1: 14 are some scriptures that refer to the SEED - Jesus. Jesus is referred to as THE BRANCH in Isaiah I 1: 1; Jeremiah 23:5.

This revelation of Jesus found in the VIRGO constellation is only the first rung of the ladder which is meant to connect heaven to earth. It is meant to reveal God's plan to all people. The perfect, complete plan God had before He created the earth, He wrote in advance in the stars for all to see!

SECOND SIGN LIBRA: THE SCALES

A pair of balances with one side up and the other down as in the act of weighing. All creation has been affected by sin and is deficient. The one side of the scales that is up is pictured by a star called ZUBEN AL GENUBI meaning, "the price is deficient." Daniel recorded the message God wrote on a wall that applies to all mankind - "You are weighed in the balances and found wanting." *Daniel 5:27

The gift of righteousness to us, found in Jesus Christ is depicted in the side of the scale that is down. In this figure is a star called ZUBEN AL SHEMALI, which means "the price that covers." It is as if Jesus climbed onto the scales with us and paid our debt to God, and balanced out the scales. The price is no longer deficient, it is more than enough! God is restoring all things into balance, harmony and oneness in Christ. *Romans 8:20-21

THIRD SIGN SCORPIO: THE SCORPION

The Hebrew root word for Scorpio means "a deadly foe", and represents Satan. It is the figure of a gigantic, poisonous and deadly insect, with its' tail and sting lifted up in anger, as if striking. There is a man Ophiuchus - "The chief who comes" - shown with his foot upon the scorpion's head, busy crushing it. His right heel is drawn back, as though it has was stung by the scorpion. Here we can see a picture of the painful sting of sin and death that infects every person. Here is a picture of *Genesis 3:15 where the Seed of the woman would crush Satan's head as His heel would be bruised. Note his control over the serpent. Thanks be to God who gives us the victory over sin, the grave and power over death. *1 Corinthians 15: 55-57

FOURTH SIGN SAGITTARIUS: THE ARCHER

The figure of a horse with the torso and head of a man, holding a drawn bow pointed at the scorpion. A portrayal of Jesus' dual nature, as both the Son of man and the Son of God, coming as a warrior, conquering and to conquer. *Psalm 45:3-5 speaks of the Lord's arrows finding their mark!

*Revelation 6:2 depicts Jesus as riding a horse and holding a bow as He conquers.

The Lord saw ahead and placed signs of His plan in the heavens. Don't you think that He saw ahead for your provision and strength in your trials, temptations and difficulties? Trust Him for the answer!

FIFTH SIGN CAPRICORN: THE GOAT

The word Capricornus means "atonement". The goat appears to be sinking down in death, with one of his legs tucked under his body. Here is a picture of the scapegoat of *Leviticus 16:7-10 who carries the Israelites' sins into the wilderness, never to be seen again. *Isaiah 53:6

The goat has the vigorous tail of a fish. There is the impression that the fish is being born of the goat and symbolizes the NEW BIRTH of the Church as a result of the suffering in atonement. The Body of Christ emerging through the process of His crucifixion, death and resurrection. More than that, His coronation gave us His Holy Spirit so that we are not only renewed, but stay renewed!

SIXTH SIGN AQUARIUS: THE WATER BEARER

The word AQUARIUS means "outpouring" and is represented by a man sitting and holding a large um, the contents of which he is in the act of pouring out in a great stream from the sky. What a picture of Jesus pouring out the Holy Spirit as stated by Peter on the day of Pentecost as he quoted from *Joel 2:28-32

Note that the stream is being poured into the mouth of a large fish, which is shown drinking from the unending stream. This fish symbolizes the Body of Christ that is thirsty and comes to Him to drink of the living water. *John 7:37-39

Always remember: The living water and the power of the Spirit are to enable the Church to be His witnesses to all the world.The drinking is for the Church, the river is for the world!

SEVENTH SIGN PISCES: THE TWO FISH

The fish are tied together by a cord which is held in the forearm of a lamb ARIES (the next sign). The two fish appear to be under the control of the lamb. These fish represent the Old and New Testament Churches and are held in the forearm of the Lamb, Jesus. We are fish being multiplied, a symbol of God's grace going forth and feeding all the world. The cord which joins the fish together is symbolic of Jesus' great love and power working as He builds His eternal Church. *Isaiah 40:10 "Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and His arms shall rule for Him: Behold His reward is with Him, and His work before Him."

EIGHTH SIGN ARIES: THE RAM

The word ARIES literally means "high" or "elevated". It is the figure of a strong sheep with powerful curved horns, lying down in easy composure and looking out in conscious strength over the worlds around it. The Lamb in the midst of the throne, ruling over all things. *Revelation 5:11-14.

The three principal stars in Aries are 1. EL NATH which means "the wounded" 2. EL NATICK which means "the bruised" 3. AL SHARETAN which means "the slain." The names of these stars must have made it clear to ancient man that the Most High God would be a sacrificial Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. A figure in the sign of Aries is CETUS, a strange-looking sea monster whose main star is MIRA, meaning "rebel." Another star in the figure means "the arch-deceiver." Note that Cetus is under the feet of Aries and how large Cetus is compared to his conqueror. Satan may try to puff himself up and act like a powerful monster, but Jesus has already defeated him!

*Philippians 2:7-11 In the sign of Aries we see Jesus' humanity become divine strength and authority through His perfect submission to God the Father as the sacrificial lamb.

NINTH SIGN TAURUS: THE BULL

The figure of a powerful bull in the attitude of rushing and pushing forward in great energy. The bull is powerful and fierce, yet an animal of servitude. It represents the Lord Jesus, Who comes in judgment as a refiner's fire - *Malachi 3:1-3; yet He was God's humble servant who served us with His very life. We need to remember that judgement must first begin at the house of God! The star in the eye of Taurus is called ALDEBAHAN, meaning "the leader."

Here is a great promise from God: "But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him." *Psalm 37: 39, 48

TENTH SIGN GEMINI: THE TWINS

Two figures sitting closely together leaning lovingly on one another. The twin on the left has his one arm around the other twin while his right hand is grasping a club. He represents Jesus protecting the Church from the enemy. This club does not symbolize war but rather rest from war. The prominent star on this twin's head is called POLLUX "the ruler." He is the Son of God and His sons, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

The twin on the right is clasping a harp in one hand, and a bow and arrow in the other. The harp represents the praise of the saints *Revelation 14:2; while the bow and arrow represent the Church's active role in enforcing the victory of the cross. *Revelation 19:14 The prominent star on the head of the twin on the right is CASTOR - "the coming ruler," re-enforcing the truth that Christ is reigning in and through His Body. *Revelation 3:21 "He that overcomes shall rule and reign with Him."

ELEVENTH SIGN CANCER: THE CRAB

The figure of a crab in the act of taking and holding on with it’s strong claws. This represents the power and grip of the Kingdom of God. *Daniel 7:13-14.

In a crab's growth and life cycle it sheds it's shell and gains a new one to fit the enlarged body. As the church grows and develops spiritually from one era to the next, we must "shed our shells" of tradition, unscriptural cultures and doctrine in order to receive the truth. We must never allow our earthly traditions and religion to make God's Word of no effect in our lives.

The word CANCER means "rest secured." A large cluster of stars in the crab's midsection are named PRAESEPE meaning "the multitude", "the offspring" or "innumerable seed." There are 24 stars in this cluster, representing the Old and New Testament Church (12 tribes and 12 apostles) being gathered together in all it's vast number, being secure in Him. This is the glory of being in Christ and reigning in life through Him! *Romans 5:17.

TWELFTH SIGN LEO: THE LION

The figure of a great rampant lion leaping forth with his feet over the head of a large, fleeing serpent called HYDRA, the water snake. REGULUS is one of Leo's principal stars and means "the feet which crush."

*Revelation 5:5 describes Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah, so here He is depicted as crushing the head of the serpent Satan, and fulfilling *Genesis 3:15. Jesus accomplished this via the cross.

All things are under His feet and you are in Him. This means that all things are under your feet as well! *Luke 10:19 Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah comes as a victorious conqueror and His Church enforces the finished work of the cross!

CONCLUSION

God placed the stars as signs in the heavens, and they have always meant to point mankind to His Son, Jesus Christ.

He has written a message of His wonderful salvation plan in the stars. It starts with a virgin and ends with a lion!

The heavens declare His story to His honour and glory.

It is God's wonderful declaration seen and heard from everywhere on planet earth!