THE DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES WITH STELLAR CORRESPONDENCIES.

Sermon delivered by WatchTower Pilgrim Raymond Grant Jolly multiple times during 1914.

IT is not my purpose in this discourse to present anything new, but merely to outline the simple Plan of the Ages, pointing out certain corroborations from the stars which God has set in the heavens. 

Among the notable figure arrangements in God's plan is the figure 12, as arranged in four groups of three each. For instance, the twelve stones in the High Priest's breastplate were set in four rows of three each; the twelve tribes in the wilderness were placed -- three tribes on each of the four sides of the Tabernacle; the Holy City in Ezekiel 48:30-35 and also the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21, had three gates on each of its four sides. 

If you read Numbers, the second chapter, you will notice that God stationed the twelve tribes about the Tabernacle, three tribes on each side. There was to be only one standard on each side, the three tribes camping about a single standard, which was the standard of the chief tribe on that side. The four standards thus established by Jehovah, as named in Numbers 2, are the standards of Ephraim, Judah, Dan, and Reuben, which were respectively, a bullock, a lion, an eagle, and a man. The colors of the pennants bearing these standards were said to correspond to the colors of the stones on the High Priest's breast-plate bearing the respective names of the tribes. 

These same four faces are again pictured in the cherubim of Ezekiel and the beasts (more correctly -- "the living ones") of Revelation. Ezekiel 1:10 -- "As for the likeness of their Faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side; and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four had also the face of an eagle." Revelation 4:7 -- "And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf; and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle." 

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF TIIE FOUR STANDARDS. 

Ephraim, the son of Joseph, bore a standard representing sacrifice. The bullock was the only sacrificial animal of the four. Joseph was despised and rejected; he was sold for the price of a slave, which for a boy was twenty pieces of silver; he was said to be dead, but eventually he became the savior, not only of his own brethren, but also of all Egypt. How wonderfully this corresponds with our Savior's experiences!

Notice Jacob's prophetic blessing upon Joseph, his favorite son: "Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall; The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him; But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel;) The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren." (Genesis 49:22-26.) Notice also the prophetic words of Moses: "And for the precious things of the earth and the fullness thereof, and for the good will of Him that dwelt in the bush (Jehovah): let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren. His glory is like the firstling of his bullock (his ensign), and his horns are like the horns of unicorns (marj. -- the wild-ox): with them he shall push the people, all of them, even the ends of the earth." (Deuteronomy 33:16, 17). Joseph was called the fruitful bough, the word Ephraim, the name of his first-born, also means fruitful. The wheat must fall into the ground in sacrifice if it would be fruitful. The horns grew out of the sacrificial animal, the firstling. The horns represent the power. 

The Lord's power is the result of his sacrifice. From thence, from the tribe of Joseph whose son bore the standard of sacrifice, will come the Shepherd, the Foundation Stone of Israel. Judah means '"Praise, or Celebrated." The Lamb that had been slain appeared after His resurrection as the lion of the Tribe of Judah. No doubt this expression was derived from the fact that the standard of Judah was the Lion. It is not surprising that Judah chose the lion as his standard, when we remember the blessing he received from his father. Genesis 49:8, 9: "Judah, thou art whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies: thy father's children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou are gone up; he stooped down, he crouched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?" This pictures prophetically the lion of the Tribe of Judah during the Gospel Age, recently gone up from the prey. 

He is still the lion's whelp, or as in Ezekiel 41:19: "A young lion." As the Apostle says: "We see not yet all things put under Him." The eagle, the emblem of judgment, was the standard of Danie We read concerning Dan in Genesis 49:16-18: "Dan shall judge his people, as one of the tribes of Israel. Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward. I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord." How strange these last words! As though the prophet had forgotten the present and had looked way down to the beginning of the Millennial Age when the Great Judge would come to save the world! Tradition claims that Dan would not accept a snake as the standard of his tribe, so the eagle, the snake destroyer, was substituted. Be that as it may, a double picture is illustrated in Daniel. The fiery serpents may be contrasted with the brazen serpent, the fire of destruction with the fire of purification, the law of sin and death with the law of life; so the serpent may be contrasted with the serpent destroyer. The eagle may, therefore, represent the Judge, and the serpent may represent the object of destruction, the symbol of sin and Satan. 

It is also noteworthy that while the tribe of Levi had no place assigned it in Num. 2, in the same way as the other tribes, it is assigned a place in other places where Dan is omitted. This is so, for instance, in 1 Chronicles 4:8, where the final reckoning is taken before the account of David's victories and inauguration at Mt. Zion, when the ark enters its resting place. How significant this is! 

We find an exact parallel in Revelation 7, where the antitypical David is seated on His throne in Mt. Zion, and the ark has entered its final resting place. Notice the tribe of Dan is omitted. He does not appear in the glorified twelve tribes, but Levi takes his place. This might picture the elimination by judgment of all that is evil (represented by the serpent), especially as applied to the church. It reminds us of the Judas class. We read of Judas in Psalm 109:7, 8: "When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few; and let another take his office." Dan is supplanted by Levi.

Reuben, the first-born of Jacob, properly bore a man's head as his standard, for he would properly fall heir to his father's estate and headship. The word Reuben means, "Behold a Son". But we are reminded that Reuben did not fall heir to the promises, for they centered in Joseph and Judah. We read in Genesis 49:3, 4: "Reuben, thou are my first-born, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel." How well this might apply to Adam, the first-born human son of God, the beginning of God's strength in the human realm! But by disobedience, by the violation of God's law, he became unstable as water. Now read 1 Chronicles 5:1, 2: "Now the sons of Reuben, the first-born of Israel, (for he was the first-born, but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel; and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's:)" Does not this picture Adam's lost inheritance purchased by the sacrificial bullock of Joseph, and the prevailing of the lion of the Tribe of Judah? "Judah prevailed" -- the same truth is again stated in Revelation 5:5. Reuben, the first-born will not live in Adam, but in Christ. Could Moses have had reference to this in his prophecy in Deuteronomy 33:6 -- "Let Reuben live, and not die"? 

THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD. 

It is indeed wonderful that the stars should declare the Divine Plan of the Ages. Even though we should see exact correspondencies, we should be very slow to look upon the stars as having any special significance, were it not for the fact that God in His word points us to the heavens as showing forth His handiwork, declaring that He has ordained the stars for signs. Our principal thoughts will be in connection with the Zodiac, viz. -- the circle of stars lying in the earth's path about the sun. The word, Zodiac, comes from the Greek word Zoo, meaning life. It is this same word that is used in Revelation 4:7. to represent the living ones, improperly translated beasts. The Zodiac, then, is the circle in the heavens composed of figures representing Zodia, or living ones. 

The figures of the Zodiac are very ancient. In the ancient library of Sargon, which is said to date about 3.800 B. C., although this date is probably too far back, there was found a reference to a more ancient tablet of the 30 stars. From this we may suppose that the signs (the constellations) of the Zodiac are approximately as old as the human race and perhaps of Divine origin. This is also reasonable from three other standpoints: 1st -- Like the Bible the Zodiac is ascribed to God by the most ancient; 2nd -- No nation has ever claimed the invention of the Zodiac, though doubtless they would have been glad to have had the honor had they invented it; and 3rd -- The higher critics of today, though denying the inspiration of the Scriptures, admit that there is a close and strange agreement between the Bible and the Zodiac. If, then, we find the Divine Plan written in these constellations, realizing that men could not have written a Plan that they did not even understand, it would be only reasonable to ascribe its origin to God. Indeed the same Bible which points to the Great Pyramid, points also to the Heavens as declaring the wonderful Plan of Salvation. 

Psalm 19: "The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament (the expanse) showeth His handiwork (Strong -- the operation of his power). Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language; their voice is not heard (how true). 

Their line is gone out through all the earth (the Zodiac is indeed a line of hieroglyphics seen in all the earth), and their words to the end of the world. In them bath he set a tabernacle for the sun (the sun appears to rest in a different one of these constellations each month) which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. (We shall see the Zodia picture these very truths). His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it (the Zodiac is in the form of a circle encompassing the whole heaven): and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. (As the great sun appears to roll past each of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, it seems to testify to the truth of the witness of each. As the Psalmist views each sign, he is convinced. He exclaims:) The law of the Lord (as written in these silent witnesses) is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple, etc." Job also refers to the Zodiac. Job. 38:31-33: "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth (marj. -- the Zodiac, according to Strong, derived from a word meaning to set apart for sacred purposes, to devote or consecrate) in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances (the statutes) of Heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? " Truly Mazzaroth (the Zodiac) is set apart for the sacred purpose of testifying God's wonderful Plan, as we shall see later. God truly ordained the stars for signs: "And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the Heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years." (Genesis 1:14.) 

In them there is written the hope of eternal life. which God that cannot lie, promised before the world began." (Titus 1:2.) This promise was indeed recorded in the stars before this world began. 

In considering the Zodiac, it will be necessary to carefully avoid the many errors that have attached themselves in connection with the various heathen religions. The very fact that there is a false [religion], proves that there is a true. There are twelve constellations in the Zodiac, the sun apparently passing through these signs at the rate of one a month. Each constellation, therefore, rules a month. During God's dealings with His typical people, viz., from the Exodus from Egypt till after Christ's death, the Vernal Equinox was in the constellation known as "The Ram," the Latin name for which is Aries. The signs are today universally designated by the Latin names. The month of the Spring Equinox, God fixed for Israel as their first month, Exodus 12:1-5. It would be proper, therefore, to begin reading at this point, the one fixed by God. We shall find that just as the twelve tribes were divided into four groups of three each, with the central tribe in each group bearing a standard, so the Zodia are arranged in a similar manner. There are four groups of three each, the central one corresponding to a standard in the camp of Israel. The first group, according to the chart of the Zodiac will consist of Aries, Taurus, and Gemini, with Taurus (the bullock) corresponding to the standard of Ephraim, the son of Joseph. 

TAURUS -- THE BULLOCK OF EPHRAIM. 

It is indeed significant that Te, one of the ancient roots of the word Taurus, should mean, "Foundation Stone." Only Taurus of all the Zodia has such a significance. Only of Joseph, whose son bore the bullock on his ensign, was it said that from him would come the Stone of Israel. 

"There-fore thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with the grave shall not stand." (Isaiah 28:16, 18.) The Pleiades, the center of the universe, are located in Taurus, and as though to emphasize the foundation, the original meaning of Alcyone, one of the chief stars of the Pleiades, is "foundation." 

How significant that the whole universe should throughout the Ages swing about that constellation and that star which alone picture so clearly the Ransom! The bullock offered on the brazen altar in the court was indeed the foundation: it represented the sacrifice of our Lord. The bullock in the sky represents the very same thing. 

Beta Tauri, the principal star in the horns of the bullock, has for its original meaning: "Horn-push." The principal feature of the bullock as described in Deuteronomy 33:17, was that he should push with his horns. Was man aware of God's plan when he named this star, or did God supervise its naming to harmonize with Deuteronomy 33:17? The work of the pushing horns, begun at Calvary,is not yet complete. The bullock itself is truncated, showing that its work is not complete. The importance of the foundation is again emphasized in both the first and the second Jewish temples, for the foundations of both these temples were laid in the second month, the month ruled by Taurus. So also the foundation of God's Antitypical Temple was laid at Calvary when the bullock was slain. The name of the eighth month, the one opposite to the second month in the Zodiac, was Apin-dua, meaning "Opposite the Foundation," or "The place where one bows down." We will find that everything in the Zodiac is closely related to that which lies exactly opposite. The work for which the foundation was laid in the first section, will be accomplished in the third section of the Zodiac. 

ARIES -- THE LAMB SLAIN. 

The Euphratean name for Aries was Ku, meaning, "To sit down, bondage, service." While Taurus sets the standard for the first quarter of the Zodiac, viz., that of sacrifice and the consequent power growing from this as a foundation, Aries emphasizes the humility and service rendered by the Lord as the Paschal Lamb. True to its standard, Aries is a sacrificial animal. It is a ram, for the Passover lamb as specified in Exodus 12:1-5 was to be a male of the first year. The lamb was to be slain in the first month, the month of Nisan, so the ram was placed in the sky as the sign of the first month, and Jesus was also slain on the 14th day of the first month. All is in perfect harmony! The ancient Akkadian name for the month, Nisan, was Bara-ziggar, meaning, "The altar of righteousness," or "The Sacrifice of Righteousness." I cannot imagine how the brazen altar and the sacrifice of the Lamb of God could have been more clearly referred to. The seventh month, which lies opposite to the first month, was called Tul-ku, meaning "The Holy Altar." As we shall see later, the Golden Altar in the Holy is here referred to by way of contrast. Alpha Arietis, the chief star of Aries, had for its original Akkadian meaning, "Dawn-Proclaimer." How appropriately this applies to the Ransom Sacrifice, the first Dawn-Proclaimer, the One who first opened up a way of life, to liberty from sin and death! 

GEMINI -- THE SIGN OF AT-ONE-MENT. 

Gemini presents the twins dwelling together in harmony. It is found in the first quarter governed by the standard of the bullock, because the basis of reconciliation was the foundation ordained of God. It was after His resurrection that the Lord first emphasized the complete reconciliation in these words: "Tell My brethren, I ascend unto My Father and your Father, unto My God and your God." Notice in 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 and in Ephesians 2:13-16, how beautifully the Apostle pictures our reconciliation through the blood of Christ! He "hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us, for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace." Joseph's branches have run over the wall (Genesis 49:22), the wall of partition between us is broken down by the nailing of the law to the cross. 

Gemini, then, may be considered as an emblem of the Atonement, especially as applied to the New Creatures, united in Christ. But how is it that these New Creatures are not sacrificial animals, seeing that they are under the standard of sacrifice, Taurus? We must remember that it is not the New Creatures, the Babes in Christ, that are to be sacrificed. It is the human nature that is sacrificed. This is pictured in the Lord's Goat. Will we find anything to correspond to the Lord's Goat under the standard of Taurus? We would expect nothing less, unless the Zodia are merely human creations of fancy. Nor are we to be disappointed, for in close proximity to Gemini, and standing upon the very horns of Taurus, is a figure of Auriga, the charioteer, originally called "The Shepherd." This reminds us of the prophecy concerning Joseph : "From thence is the shepherd." (Genesis 49:24.) The Shepherd seems to spring from the very horns of the bullock. On his shoulder he bears the goat sacrifice, for it is our Lord that does the sacrificing of His goat. 

The ancient name for the third month was Munga eaning, "The making of bricks." This suggests the gathering together of the sacrificial offerings, for in ancient times a pure victim, sometimes many, were sacrificed at the laying of foundations of cities and the making of bricks. As the antitypical temple is being prepared, only pure (justified) sacrifices must be offered. The first spotless sacrifice thus offered was the Passover Lamb. At that, the last typical Passover, there was darkness over the land from the 6th till the 9th hour. We shall see that the 6th to the 9th months of the Zodiac are by far the darkest; the wrath of Jehovah during that portion of His Plan will be the most manifest. The 9th month, the final month of that period, and the one opposite to the sign of Gemini, was called, Ganganna, meaning, "The Very Cloudy." It is quite significant that the Paschal Lamb was slain in the first month, ruled by Aries, and that the foundations of the two Jewish temples were laid in the second month, ruled by Taurus, but no less remarkable is it that the Law Covenant effecting a typical reconciliation for both the priests and the people, should be given at Sinai in the third month, the month ruled by Gemini, the Sign of Reconciliation. (Exodus 19.) Why is it that the various months are so clearly established in the Scriptures, unless there is some important significance attached? Time forbids our entering further into this interesting feature, although there are wonderful correspondencies that may be derived by such a study. 

LEO -- THE LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH. 

We have now passed the signs of sacrifice and death and we come to the signs of life and resurrection. As the lion was the standard of the tribe of Judah which pitched toward the sun rising (Numbers 2:3), so Leo is the standard of the second portion of the Zodiac; it pictures the newly risen lion of the tribe of Judah, who prevailed to open the seals of the Book. Alpha Leonis, the chief star of this constellation, had for its original meaning, "Royal, a king." In Genesis and Ezekiel, as we have already seen, the newly risen Lord, is called respectively a lion's whelp and a young lion. 

The Zodiac testifies to the same thing, for Alpha Leonis is called in the Latin, Regulus, and in the Greek, Basiliskos, both of which mean : "A Little King." 

The ancient Akkadian name for this constellation had the meaning of "Water." This might signify that "He was raised for our justification," for water is the symbol of life. We shall later see that actual justification for the world is pictured in "The Water Pourer," the sign opposite to Leo. The water of life pictured in Leo is the justification by faith applicable during the Gospel Age only. But the church's eternal life is obtainable only through sacrifice. Is not this also pictured by Leo? Even so, for the original name of the fifth month, the month of Leo, is Ab-abgar, meaning, "Fire-making fire." The fire which consumes our sacrifice was made by the fire which consumed the sacrificial bullock. 

CANCER -- THE SIGN OF RESURRECTION. 

Cancer, the Latin name for a crab, is the fourth sign in the Zodiac. The original figure is said to have been a beetle, a scarabaeus. It is easy to see how the crab supplanted the scarab, since the word for these two objects is the same in several of the ancient languages. The scarab was a symbol of resurrection. Egyptian mummies were frequently surrounded with scarabs. The Egyptian hieroglyphics for scarab was kheper, meaning "to raise up." The name of the fourth month in the Akkadian meant, "Seizer of Seed;" the Aramic name was Tammuz, meaning "Sun of Life," and the Assyrian name, Duzu, meaning "Son of Life." These are all appropriate titles for the Lord at the time of His resurrection. The meaning attached to the tenth month, the month opposite the fourth, was, "The Cave of the Rising." In Cancer, the first sign of Resurrection and Life, lie the constellations known as The Northern Donkey and The Southern Donkey. Between these, and touching each, is the constellation known as The Manger. Thus Cancer pictures the lowly birth and also the resurrection of the Lord, while its month emphasizes the Seed. The Lord laid hold of the promises and became Abraham's Seed. 

VIRGO -- THE CONSTELLATION OF THE SPIRE. 

While the lowly position of the Lord is shown in the kneeling position of Aries and the Manger constellation of Cancer, the lowly position of the church is shown in the prostrate form of the Virgin. Alpha Virgins, the principal star in Virgo, usually referred to as Spica, means "Off-spring." This surely must remind us of the Seed of the Woman that shall bruise the Serpent's head. The spike of wheat has always been the most conspicuous feature in connection with this constellation. The ancient Babylonians even named this sign, "The Constellation of the Spike." This proves that the constellations were named before the ancient worship of a virgin had even sprung up, else they would have been only too ready to emphasize their Virgin-worship in connection with this constellation, instead of emphasizing the Seed. Virgo holds the spike of wheat. This might signify that the church is also a part of the Seed, as shown in Galatians 3:29. Notice the constellation, Bootes, near to Virgo. In one hand he bears a torch and in the other a sickle. This may represent the light and the harvest work as applied to the church. The sixth month, Elul, had for its original Akkadian meaning, "The Living One." The Seed, the Christ, Head and Body, will be the Living One, possessed of immortality. The original significance of the opposite month, the twelfth month, is, "The Sowing of Seed." The Seed completed in the sign of the sixth month, will complete its sowing of blessings in the sign of the twelfth month. Virgo, then, pictures the lowly beginning of the church, and it also emphasizes the Seed. The branch in the right hand of Virgo may represent the Lord as a part of the promised Seed. We read in Zechariah 6:12, 13 -- "Behold the man whose name is The Branch; He shall grow up out of His place, and He shall build the temple of the Lord (Jehovah): Even He shall build the temple of the Lord; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon His throne; and He shall be a priest upon His throne; and the counsel of peace shall be between them both." We shall see this fulfilled in the last quarter of the Zodiac. 

SCORPIO -- THE SEIZER AND STINGER. 

It has been said from time immemorial that the story of the Fall is written in the sky, and it would be an obstinate mind indeed that, after studying the constellations connected with the third portion of the Zodiac, would still persist that nothing of God's Plan is to be found in the heavens. Girtab was the ancient Akkadian name for Scorpio. It meant, "Seizer and Stinger," and no doubt refers to the great Adversary of the human race, who has throughout the Ages been seizing and stinging his subjects with sin and death. It is even supposed that the adder of Dan (Genesis 49:17) may have been a scorpion. The word which Jacob used (translated adder), occurs only once in the Bible and is of uncertain meaning. Strong says it was a kind of serpent (as snapping). It is clear, however, that the principal star of Scorpio represents Satan. Its name is Antares, which means, "Equal to Ares" or Mars, the original meaning of which star is, "Death in Heaven." It lies at the very heart of Scorpio. 

Since Scorpio corresponds to the standard of Dan, the standard of Judgment, we would naturally inquire concerning the eagle. the special ensign of the tribe of Danie It is indeed remarkable that the Eagle Star, which is located in Scorpio, should have for its original meaning, "The Star that Disappears." Can it he that this refers to the fact that the Great Judge will be invisible? "Yet a little while and the world seeth me no more." We have already seen that Dan had a two fold significance: the Eagle representing the Judge and the Serpent (or scorpion) representing the object of destruction. How wonderfully the sign of Scorpio agrees with the Bible in this respect! The invisible Judge and the Adversary are both portrayed. The account in Revelation 9:3, 5, 10, 11, seems in a strange manner to connect Satan and his allies with the scorpion. The king of the scorpions is said to be the angel of the bottomless pit. The great scorpion in the sky will be destroyed by the Eagle (the serpent destroyer), the Star that Disappears, the Great Judge of the Universe. The name of the eighth month, as we have seen, was Apin-due, meaning, "Opposite the Foundation," or "The place where one bows down." The horns of the bullock point across the sky to the place where the work of pushing will be completed, where the Adversary and His works will be restrained and finally destroyed. 

The constellations stretching across the sky from Taurus to Scorpio, are very significant in this connection. The constellations: Draco, The Kneeler, The Crown. The Snake-holder, Serpens -- all testify to the power of the Great Judge in the overthrow of that Old Serpent. First, notice the New and the Old Polar Stars. Through the Ages, the Polar Star has been used by travelers and sailors as a guide in pointing out the way. For centuries. Alpha Draconis, the chief star in Draco, has been the Polar Star, but now the Polar Star is found in the tip of the tail of Ursa Minor, the Little Bear. 

Brother Russell has shown in the Pyramid Chapter that Alpha Draconis, the dragon-star, is "a symbol of sin and Satan." The original meaning attached to the Little Bear, was "Salvation," and the meaning of the New Polar Star is, "Judge of Heaven," and "Life of Heaven." The dragon star, the guide of the Ages, has been supplanted by the New Polar Star; just so Satan, the ruler of this evil world, is about to be supplanted by the Judge of Heaven, the Savior, who shall guide everyone to the fountain of eternal life. 

The Kneeler, popularly called Hercules, is in the act of bruising the serpent. He kneels, thus representing that the one who will overthrow the Dragon, will himself be hum-bled. (This is also pictured in the kneeling Ram.) The Crown, Corona Borealis, is thrust behind His back, showing that He will not be crowned during the period of His humility, but He is about to crush the Serpent's head, as shown by His right foot placed on the bright star, Etlianim, in Draco's head. (See Genesis 3:15.) Ophiucus, the Snake-holder, pictures the Lord in His exaltation as He lays hold of that old Serpent (represented by the constellation, Serpens), which is the Devil, and binds him for a thousand years. Notice that in this constellation, the right foot of Ophiucus is about to tread on Antares, the heart of Scorpio. The binding of Satan is only preparatory to destroying him utterly. 

The principal star in Ophiucus, viz., the star on his right shoulder, has for its meaning, "The Heart of the Shepherd." This reminds us of the onyx stones on the High Priest's shoulders on which were engraved the names of the twelve tribes. The jewels representing these tribes were worn close to his heart. While the left claw of the scorpion touches Serpens, the right claw 'reaches close to the constellation known as The Victim. Here will be seen a constellation representing a man on a horse (which heathen ideas have construed as an animal half horse and half man). This may correspond to the Apostle John's vision of the man on a white horse in Rev. 6:2. Notice the constellation just beneath the body of the horse. It is called Crux, which means The Cross. This is indeed the basis upon the merit of which the Lord, the Great Judge, will eventually destroy the Devil, the Victim. See Hebrews 2:14. As we be-hold the great work to be accomplished by the Great Judge of Heaven, we bear in mind the standard of Dan, and we cry in ecstasy as did Jacob of old: "I have waited for Thy salvation, O Lord." (Genesis 49:18). 

LIBRA -- THE LOST SIGN. 

The sign of the seventh month is Libra, which means "The Balance." "And I beheld, and lo, a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand." (Revelation 6:5.) The original name of the seventh month was Tul-ku, meaning "The Holy Altar." Solomon's temple represented the glorified church. The altars of both Solomon's and Ezra's temples were dedicated in the seventh month. When the Lord comes with His glorified church to execute His judgments in the earth, the period of sacrifice, as pictured in the brazen altar of the first month, will have been completed. In considering the significance of months, notice particularly 2 Chronicles 31:6, 7. Here the assembling of the holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord, began in the third month and was finished in the seventh month. This corresponds exactly to the testimony of the Zodia, for the third month, "the making of bricks," witnessed the foundation of the church, the first assembling of the New Creatures in Christ, and this work of selecting the church continued during the Gospel Age, culminating in the constellation Virgo where the spike of wheat was finally gathered in the Harvest time, but the work could be considered at an end only when the last member is glorified and the Christ complete should begin the great work of judging as pictured in Libra. the constellation of the seventh month. 

The seventh month is specially important on account of its great feasts and the Atonement Day. On the first day came the Feast of Trumpets. The tenth day was the Day of Atonement with the High Priest entering the Most Holy, and on the 15th day began the Feast of the ingathering also called the Feast of Tabernacles. The gathering in from the threshing floor and the wine-press (Deuteronomy 16:13-marj.) took place during the first part of the seventh month. In Libra, the sign of the seventh month, will come the antitypical in-gathering of the fruit of the vine of the earth in the Time of Trouble (See Revelation 14:18-20), preparatory to the antitypical Feast of Tabernacles. 

Libra also corresponds to the time of the harvesting and glorification of the church and the time when the Great Antitypical High Priest will enter the Most Holy to apply His blood for the sins of the world. What wonderful correspondencies there are between Zodia and the Scriptures! 

It will be noticed that The Balance is the only figure in the Zodiac which does not represent a living being. The Zodia originally consisted only of living ones. The Balance has been substituted for the original sign, and no trace is left by which we may know what the original figure really was. This reminds us that one of the twelve Apostles was also lost, and one of the twelve tribes (the very tribe of Dan) was omitted in the final reckoning. How harmoniously significant that one of the twelve signs of the Zodia should have been lost and another substituted, even as St. Paul and Levi were substituted for Judas and Dan! The Lost Sign, then, which comes under Scorpio (the intended standard of Dan), must represent the Second Death class eliminated from the church in Judgment. 

The ancient Euphratean name for the seventh sign of the Zodiac, was Bir, meaning Light, and the name of the principal star was Ziba, meaning, "To make life." This might signify that the Great Judgment will come not only to execute the fiery indignation of God's wrath, but also by judgments to proclaim light and life to whomsoever will. In the sign of Aries, which lies directly opposite, we have "The Dawn Proclaimer," the Light of the World. The seventh month (Hebrew-Tisri, meaning Altar, Sanctuary) stands for the cleansing of the Sanctuary, the Judgments of the Lord, especially as manifested in the church during the Harvest time. The Judas class and all things that offend are here rooted out, and the Time of Trouble witnesses the Fall of Babylon and the Judgment of the nations. 

SAGITTARIUS -- THE ARCHER. 

"And I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He cloth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11.) "And I saw, and behold, a white horse: and He that sat upon him had a bow; and a crown was given unto Him: and He went forth conquering and to conquer." (Revelation 6:2.) Sagittarius, the ninth sign, is under the standard of Dan and is therefore one of the Judgment signs. The ninth month in the Akkadian was Gan-gonna, meaning, "The Very Cloudy." It may picture in some respects the Lord coming in thick clouds, taking vengeance. The Time of Trouble will be earth's darkest hour. Notice this darkness is pictured in the Zodiac as being from the 6th to the 9th sign (hour). Zephaniah 1:15 pictures a day of clouds and thick darkness. Joel 2:2 represents it in the same words, and adds: "as the morning spread upon the mountains." Here indeed is a ray of hope! The Zodia picture the same truth, for opposite to the man on the horse is the sign of Atonement, Gemini. So Sagittarius heralds the Great Atonement for the World soon to follow. The chief star of Sagittarius testifies to the same, for its name, Nunki, means, "The Prince of the Earth." The Prince of the Earth, though appearing as an archer taking vengeance upon the wicked, is really the Prince of Peace about to effect eternal Atonement. Just as Jordan lay between the wilderness and the Promised Land of Rest, so in the Zodiac: Jordan (the judgment of Dan), the third portion of the Zodiac, lies between the second portion (the wilderness of the Gospel Age) and the fourth portion (the blessed rest of the Millennial Age). Notice that the Archer points his arrow at Antares, the heart of the Scorpion. Thus the constellation may also picture the Little Season at the end of the 1000 year Judgment Day, when the Lord will finally shoot His arrow at the heart of the Adversary, utterly destroying him. 

AQUARIUS -- THE WATER POURER. 

Aquarius, the Water Pourer, corresponds to the standard of Reuben, the human head. He is pictured as pouring forth water from his pitcher. The water flows till it comes to the mouth of Pisces Australis, a fish constellation. Aquarius is also pictured as a king, for the principal star, Sadalntelik, means "Fortunate or Prosperous King," the name itself being closely related to the word Melchizedek. We noticed in connection with the Branch in the hand of Virgo, that Zechariah foretold that the Branch should sit as a priest upon his throne. (Zechariah 6:12, 13.) Ezekiel describes him as having the appearance of a man. (Ezekiel 1:26.) St. John connects the one enthroned with the Lamb of God: "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters." (Revelation 7:17.) Streams of living water shall issue from beneath the throne. One would almost think many portions of Revelation were intended to describe the very figures outlined in the sky. That the Lamb, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and the Man as a Priest upon His throne sending forth the water of life, are all the same, viz., Jesus Christ, seems to be established beyond doubt. It will be remembered that the opposite constellation (Leo) had for its Akkadian meaning, "Water." At that time the Lord appeared in the presence of God for us, but while "He is a propitiation for our sins," it is "not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." While the justification by faith is pictured in Leo, the actual justification and eternal life is pictured in The Water Pourer. The streams of living water will issue forth in the Millennial Age (the fourth portion of the Zodiac), which follows the Time of Trouble (pictured in the third portion of the Zodiac). Thus the Zodiac harmonizes perfectly with the Bible in outlining the .Divine Plan of the Ages in its correct order. 

The meaning of the eleventh month in the Akkadian language (Assan) was, "The curse (or abundance) of rain." There will then be an abundance of water of life. Whosoever will may drink freely. At that time they shall keep the feast of Tabernacles (the feast that followed the treading of the wine-press -- Deuteronomy 16:13), and whosoever will not keep it, on him there shall he no rain (no blessings of life). See Zechariah 14:16-19. The feast of the Tabernacles was the time when all rejoiced over the abundance of life provisions. It corresponds to our Harvest Home. Everyone rejoiced before Jehovah seven days with palm branches (Leviticus 23:40). The Millennial Age, then, will be the time for all to keep the feast of the Tabernacles. When Aquarius sits on his throne, all may rejoice over the abundant pro-vision of life. The palm branch was a symbol of victory and rejoicing. 

In Ezekiel 41:19, we read concerning His temple, that the cherubim (the living ones) were so arranged on either side of the palm trees, "that the face of a man was toward the palm tree on the one side, and a face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side." The Man and the Lion are also exactly opposite to each other in the Zodia (the living ones). It will be remembered that at the last Passover season, the Lord was heralded as King, the multitude waving palm branches, not the sign of the Passover, but the Feast of Tabernacles. The palm branches were at that time trampled under the King's feet, but when He shall sit on His throne (as the Water Pourer, the Life-giver), a great multitude shall wave palm branches before Him and the whole earth shall keep the feast of Tabernacles. 

CAPRICORNUS -- ETERNAL LIFE ON THE SPIRIT PLANE. 

Capricornus, the Goat-fish, is the first sign of eternal life under the standard of The Water Pourer. Its month, the tenth month, was called in the ancient Akkadian language, Abba-Udda, meaning, "The Cave of the Rising," which might well picture the Resurrection of the Church (due at this time, immediately following its Judgment). This seems even more reasonable as we look directly across the sky to the month ruled by Cancer, picturing the Lord's Resurrection, its meaning being, "The Sun or Son of Life." The Lord was resurrected at the beginning of the Gospel Age, but the Church not till the beginning of the Millennial Age, as testified by the Bible and, as we have just seen, by the Zodiac as well. From the Cave of the Rising, the dark abyss of the Time of Trouble, shall the great "Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings." The objects which receive the water of life are pictured in the Zodiac as being of the fish nature, for fish rejoice in the blessings of the water. The Goat, therefore, which represents those receiving eternal life on the Spirit Plane, is pictured as having the tail of a fish. The Goat is very closely associated with the Ram and the Bullock, in that these three are the only ones of the entire. circle that possess horns. 

These three are also the only three sacrificial animals in the Zodiac. But we are reminded that those who will be given life on the Spirit Plane, were represented not only in the Lord's goat but also in the Scape-goat. Why then are there not two goats pictured in Capricornus? The Bible pictures the two classes -- will the Zodiac measure up? Again we are not to be disappointed, for there are twin stars, one in each horn of Capricornus. Both are called by exactly the same name: al giedi, meaning simply, "The Goat." They are even designated -- both by the same Greek letter. "a," so that there is absolutely no distinction between them, except in magnitude, for one star is brighter than the other. 

Could man have understood so well the plan of God, or could man have invented such a wonderful manner of testifying that the two goats were called in one hope of their calling, and that the only distinction would be manifested in the greater degree of glorification of the Lord's Goat? Both were reconciled to God by the death of His Son (as pictured in Gemini); but much more, being reconciled, they shall he saved by His life (Romans 5:10), and shall appear in and before His throne under the standard of Reuben, the First-born.

PISCES -- ETERNAL LIFE ON THE HUMAN PLANE. 

Whoever invented the Zodiac (if it was invented) must have understood Restitution. Notice carefully Ezekiel 47:8-12, bearing in mind the interpretation of the symbols. Brother Russell's comments as outlined in the Berean helps throw a wonderful light on the passage. Notice that the scene is laid in the Millennial Age, that it pictures the water of life and Restitution blessings. The fish are those who derive life from these living waters. Whosoever will may come. The fish shall be exceeding many. Pisces is the twelfth and final sign. The Plan of Salvation is completed in the Restitution of all that was lost. 

The twelfth month, Akkadian -- Sekisil, (Hebrew -- Adar), signified, "The Sowing of Seed," or simply, "Seed." Joseph, the Ruler of Egypt, picturing Christ, after He had saved the lives of all His subjects, gave them seed, that they might sow the land. (Genesis 47:23.) So here, the Lamb (pictured under the Bullock, the standard of Joseph's son) in the midst of the Throne, sows the seed of Restitution. "Behold, I make all things new," were the words of Him that sat upon the Throne. (Revelation 21:5.) In Virgo, the constellation opposite to Pisces, we see the Spike of Wheat, "the Offspring," the Seed of the Woman, which in Pisces shall have completely bruised the serpent's head. In the first and third portions of the Zodiac, the signs of sacrifice and death, no seed is sown, but in the second and fourth parts of the Zodiac, the signs of life and resurrection, the seed is especially emphasized. Ezra's temple was completed in the twelfth month. Noah sent forth the dove of peace which never returned, in the twelfth. In fact every month mentioned in connection with the Flood is very significant of certain features of the Plan outlined in the Zodiac. 

THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS. 

A most important feature in Pisces is the cord which joins the two fishes, known as, "The Cord of the Fishes," the principal star of which is called, "The Knot." We notice that one fish lies near the water of life flowing from the urn of Aquarius, and the other lies near the Ram, the first sign of the Zodiac. The cord which joins the two crosses and re-crosses the leg of the Ram. Thus the blessings of Restitution are made directly dependent on the Ransom sacrifice. Could any language be more emphatic in its simplicity? The feast of the Passover is thus joined to the feast of the Tabernacles. 

These two feasts were the only ones of seven days' duration. Aquarius upon His throne, as He looks back along the circuit of living ones, "shall see His seed, He shall prolong their days (to eternal life). He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied." (Isaiah 53:10.) In harmony with Revelation 4:6-11, and Revelation 5:9-14, the Zodia (the living ones) unite their voices with "the ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands," in the song: "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and glory, etc." The cord of the Fishes makes the circle complete. 

Psa. 19:6 also testifies that the circle in the heavens is complete. In fact the whole Psalm takes on a new meaning! 

I trust that our brief consideration of the heavens will serve to deepen our reverence and adoration for Our Loving Heavenly Father, as well as strengthen our faith in His wonderful Plan of Salvation. The Psalmist David loved to "consider the heavens, the work of God's fingers, in the night watches." Well may we do the same. And to Him may we ascribe the honor, the love, the glory and the praise, forever and forever. Amen.