Astrology
in the Bible
"There shall be signs in
the sun, the moon, and the stars." - Jesus Christ,
Luke 21:25
 The
Bible is filled with references to
astrology.
This is because astrology was widely accepted as truth
in Biblical times. Christians who believe that astrology
is Satanic would be surprised to learn that the Bible
is filled with astrology and even Jesus himself made
numerous references to astrology.
People believed in the study
of the stars in Biblical times. Everyone knew the influence
of the sun on the Earth, and the sun was a star. It
certainly made a pattern, so far as life on Earth was
concerned - it shaped everything, or at least nourished
everything - and the shape had to be such as to allow
the sun to give life to it.
One of the great astrological
stories in the Bible is the story of the
star of Bethlehem.
It is written that the star was a sign from God signaling
the birth of the Messiah into the world. The three
Magi,
Persian astrologer-kings, determined the time of this
birth by the position of this star. In 1600,
Johannes Kepler
hypothesized that this star was actually a conjunction
of Jupiter and Saturn. Confirmed by modern astrology,
this symbolism ties in with the prophecies of that era
concerning a Messiah amongst the Jews. The conjunctions
occurred at the end of Pisces, ruled by Jupiter. Jupiter
is the planet of kings. Saturn is the planet that rules
the Jews, thereby giving the king of the Jews. This
was a very infrequent triple conjunction of Jupiter
and Saturn and it occurred in the year 7 B.C.
The following are some of
the most interesting Biblical references to astrology.
 "I
know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught
up to the THIRD HEAVEN.
Whether it was in the body or out of the body I
do not know - God knows. And I know that this person
- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not
know, but God knows - was caught up to paradise. He
heard inexpressible things, things that humans are not
permitted to tell." (2
Corinthians 12:1-4)
The phrase, "I know a
person," is a euphemism people used in those days
to refer to themselves in a humble manner. Paul explained
that he was taken to the "third heaven." The
phrase, "third heaven," is a reference to the
multi-level realms of the afterlife. This is an astrological/religious
concept believed by Jews, Christians,
Gnostic Christians,
Platonists, and other people in those days. A correlation
with Paul's third heaven can be found in the Gnostic
book entitled "The
Apocalypse of Paul."
The
Apocalypse of Paul also describes Paul's afterlife visit
to the third heaven. It also describes how Paul travels
through a hierarchy of heavenly realms all the way to
the "tenth heaven."
According to
Flavius Josephus,
the famed Jewish historian, the Jewish temple at Jerusalem
had the twelve signs of the zodiac inlaid in its floor.
Josephus also stated that the twelve loaves of showbread
in the temple was a reference to the zodiac. In
modern times, Israel issued stamps with the zodiac signs
identified with the twelve tribes of Israel and the
astrological symbolism of the temple.
The
Bible states that God made the heavenly bodies to show
us "signs" of his intentions. These signs
can be read by anyone who knows how to interpret them.
Astrology is about interpreting these signs in the motions
of the sun, moon, planets, and stars.
"And God said, "Let there be lights
in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the
night, and let them serve as
SIGNS to mark seasons
and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse
of the sky to give light on the Earth." And
it was so." (Genesis
1:14-15)
"And there shall be
SIGNS in the sun,
and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the Earth
distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the
waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and
for looking after those things which are coming on the
Earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And
then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud
with power and great glory." (Luke
21:25-27)
In
the verse above, Christ uses astrology to reveal the "signs"
in the sky of his coming.
The
Bible states that the first communication from God came
from the stars. David writes in his Psalm:
"The HEAVENS
declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his
handiwork. Day after day utters his speech and night
after night shows his knowledge. There is no tongue
or language where their voice is not heard. Their
line is gone out through all the Earth and their words
to the ends of the world. In them (the heavens) he has
set a tabernacle for the sun." (Psalm
19:1-4)
"Can you bring forth the
Mazzaroth
(the zodiac) in their seasons or lead out the Bear with
its cubs? (an astrological constellation)"
(Job
38:32)
This
Bible verse shows God using astrology to answer Job.
The Bible also describes an
astrological sign called the "Morning
Star" which
is a reference to the planet Venus. The Morning Star,
also known as the "light bringer", is also
an astrological symbol that functions as a sign
for the onset of dawn. It appears as a brilliant "star"
at night just before the sun rises and brings light
each morning to Earth. The greatest function of this "light
bringer" is as a symbolic reference to the Messiah who
brings the light of God to the people. The Bible also
uses the term "Morning Star" as a reference
to all sons of God including Lucifer, the "light
bearer".
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you
this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the
Offspring of David, and the bright
MORNING STAR."
(Revelation
22:16)
"And we have the word of the prophets made
more certain, and you will do well to pay attention
to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until
the day dawns and the MORNING
STAR rises in your hearts."
(2
Peter 1:19)
"Just as I have received authority
from my Father. I will also give him the
MORNING STAR."
(Revelation
2:27-29)
"How you have fallen from heaven, O
MORNING STAR, son
of the dawn! You have been cast down to the Earth, you
who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I
will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above
the STARS of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the
utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend
above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like
the Most High." (Isaiah
14:12-14)
"After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed
the day of his birth. He said: "May the day of
my birth perish ... May its
MORNING STARS become
dark; may it wait for daylight in vain and not see the
first rays of dawn, for it did not shut the doors
of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes."
(Job
3:1-10)
"Where were you when I laid the Earth's
foundation? ... On what were its footings set, or who
laid its cornerstone - while the
MORNING STARS sang
together and all the angels shouted for joy?" (Job
38:4-7)
In
one of the prophetic dreams of Joseph, he saw the sun,
moon, and eleven STARS bowing down to his star. The
interpretation of this dream was obvious and that
was that Joseph's father (SUN), mother (MOON), and eleven
brothers (ELEVEN STARS) will bow down to him.
"Then he (Joseph) had another dream, and
he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I
had another dream, and this time the
SUN and
MOON and
ELEVEN STARS were
bowing down to me." When he told his father as
well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What
is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your
brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before
you?" (Genesis
37:9-11)
Of
course, we all know the rest of the story that they
indeed had to bow down to Joseph when Pharaoh made him
a prince because of his ability to interpret dreams.
Here is an excellent Bible
passage that describes the astrological influences on
humanity:
"There is a time for everything, and
A SEASON FOR EVERY ACTIVITY
UNDER HEAVEN: a time to be born and a time to
die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to
kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time
to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a
time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter
stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace
and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to
give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a
time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent
and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace." (Ecclesiastes
3:1-8)
Astrology refers to every
2160 years as a new "AGE"
which is a different sign of the zodiac that comes into
position to influence the Earth. The Bible describes
events that will occur according to the signs of the astrological "ages".
"And surely I am with you always, to the
very end of the AGE."
(Matthew
28:20)
"Anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit
will not be forgiven, either in this
AGE or in the
AGE to come."
(Matthew
12:32)
"The harvest is the end of the
AGE, and the harvesters
are angels. As the weeds are pulled up and burned in
the fire, so it will be at the end of the
AGE." (Matthew
13:39-40)
"What will be the sign of your coming and of
the end of the AGE?"
(Matthew
24:3)
"No one who has left home or wife or brothers
or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of
God will fail to receive many times as much in this
AGE and, in the
AGE to come, eternal
life." (Luke
18:29-30)
"We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among
the mature, but not the wisdom of this
AGE or of the rulers
of this AGE ... None
of the rulers of this AGE
understood it." (1
Corinthians 3:6-8)
"These things happened to them as examples and
were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment
of the AGES has come."
(1
Corinthians 10:11)
"[Christ was raised] far above all rule
and authority, power and dominion, and every title that
can be given, not only in the present
AGE but also in the
one to come." (Ephesians
1:21)
"It is impossible for those who have once been
enlightened ... who have tasted the goodness of the
word of God and the powers of the coming
AGE and who have fallen
away, to be brought back to repentance." (Hebrews
6:4-6)
"Then Christ would have had to suffer many times
since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared
once for all at the AGE
of the AGES." (Hebrews
9:26)
"Just and true are your ways, King of the
AGES." (Revelation
15:3)
All
these Bible verses are referring to the end of the AGE
of
Pisces (the fish, the Church age) and the beginning
of the AGE of
Aquarius (the water-bearer, Christ).
Jesus was born under the end
of the age of
Aries (the ram or lamb) and this may explain why
he called himself the "lamb of God." By
the time Jesus began his ministry, it was the beginning
of the age of Pisces (the fish, the Church age). The
sign of the fish has special significance to Christianity
because the sign of the fish has been known throughout
the millennia to be the sign of Christianity. Jesus
recruited "fishermen" as disciples to make
them "fishers of men." He fed the masses with
a miraculous draft of fishes. His followers were know
in Latin as "pisciculi",
the "little fishes." A commonly used icon
in Christian churches is the "Vesica
Piscis", which
is Latin for "mouth of the fish". Its shape
resembles a fish without a tail. It can be seen in the
shape of stained glass windows in many churches and
cathedrals. The Pope wears a ceremonial hat in the shape
of a fish head.
Around
the year 2300 A.D., the end of the age of Pisces will
occur. The world will then enter a new age, the age
of Aquarius (the Water-Bearer). It should be obvious
to Christians that the identity of this "Water-Bearer" is
the one who (1) came from the waters of Galilee
(2) baptized with water
(3) changed water into wine (4) walked on the water
(5) washed the feet of others with water (6) calmed
the ocean waters (7) gives living water (8) says
we must be born of water (9) drank the cup from the
Father.
Sometime
before the age of Aquarius arrives, major Earth changes
were foretold by Jesus and
Edgar Cayce to occur. Jesus said that before this
happens, there will be wonders in the sun, moon, and
stars signaling this coming age of the Christ consciousness.
This is a good reason why every Christian should
study astrology so that these heavenly signs can be
interpreted.
Another
astrological reference concerning Christianity deals
with the winter solstice which begins on December 21.
It is the day of the year when the night is longest
and the daytime shortest. The ancient Egyptians
noticed that on the autumn equinox, the sun does not
set farther south and sets in the same place on the
horizon for three days. This is an astrological reference
to when the sun (Son) goes down for three days (dies)
and then begins to rise again (resurrection). Using
the crude instruments available, ancient astronomers
were able to detect by December 25th of each year that
the daytime had become noticeably longer. This date
was chosen, and remains, the traditional date for followers
of many different religions to celebrate the "rebirth"
of the sun. Following the equinox, each succeeding day
has slightly more sunlight than the previous day. It
was seen as a promise that warmth would return once
more to the Earth. Numerous pre-Christian religions
honored their gods' birth or rebirth on or about that
day.
The ancient Egyptians knew
that as long as the sun rose in the morning, life would
continue on the Earth. This explains why the Egyptians
used the sun as their symbol for the eternal life of
the cycle of the seasons. In many Christian churches
today, the symbol of the cross with a circle in the
center of it appears on church steeples. This icon of
the circle as representing the sun, comes from the Egyptian
belief that the sun represents eternal life.
The
Egyptian religion held that the Sun of God,
Horus, was killed under the sign of
Virgo (the virgin) but was resurrected in the age
of
Leo (the lion). This is why the Egyptians built
the
Sphinx with the head of a woman (Virgo) and the
body of a lion (Leo).
During
the days of Moses, the Hebrews were subject to the religion
of Egypt. Before the worship of
Amun-Ra (the major Egyptian deity) was instituted,
Egyptians worshipped
Isis (the Mother of God). When the Hebrews left
Egypt and arrived in Canaan, their religion was influenced
by the Canaanite religion whose
God was named El (the
planet of Saturn). The Star of David is a symbol
which comes from the star of Saturn (El) which is the
planet the ancients used to refer to the Hebrews.
The Hebrews adopted Saturday
(from Saturn's day) as their day of worship. Christians,
whose astrological influence was the sun (also from
Egyptian origin), worshipped on Sunday (or the sun's
day).
The
story of Jonah (Semetic for "sun") is about
a man who is swallowed by a whale (death) and remains
in it's belly for three days at which time the man is
freed (resurrection). This story is another symbolic
of the astrological account of how the sun remains
still for three days during the winter equinox. It is
also symbolic of the resurrection of Christ.
When
Moses came down from the mountain, he saw the people
worshipping a golden calf. This idol came from the Egyptians
astrological worship of the sun. Golden represents the
color of the sun. The calf (Taurus the bull) represents
the age in which the Moses lived when he wrote the Torah.
When history moved into the next sign (Aries the ram),
the Hebrews celebrated the approach of their Messiah
by blowing rams horns. The sign of Aries influenced
many religions to adopt the lamb of God concept.
The
concept of the zodiac is very ancient, with roots in
the early cited cultures of Mesopotamia. Astrology is,
more than likely, the oldest religion created by humans.
The first twelve-sign zodiacs were named after the gods
of these cultures. The Greeks adopted astrology from
the Babylonians, and the Romans, in turn, adopted astrology
from the Greeks. These cultures renamed the signs of
the Mesopotamian zodiac to symbols of their own mythologies.
This is why the familiar zodiac of the contemporary
West bears names out of Mediterranean mythology.
The
concept of
reincarnation is a necessary tenet of astrology.
The notions of reincarnation and karma together
explain why some people are born into lucky circumstances
and others into unfortunate conditions. For astrologers
concerned with the question of why some people are born
into a life of hardship written large across their horoscopes
and other people seem to be born under a lucky star,
reincarnation and karma prove important explanatory
tools to understand divine justice. Reincarnation also
provides a framework for explaining why a person has
certain personality traits. They are carryovers from
past lifetimes.
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