Astrology
Please don't let the word "astrology" scare you. It's an ancient SCIENCE that's been around for thousands of years; even further back, to the very dawn of time. Though the word has admittedly, throughout history, been both used and abused.
The only real way to clear the confusion is to learn about astrology and find out what it really is. And, what it is not.
Can you honestly be critical of something you have no knowledge of, or what little information you do have is incorrect?
Astrology and Astronomy were once the same thing. And once upon a time, the word "mathematician" was synonymous with Astrologer because higher math came from and was inspired by Astrology.
The study of the stars and their positions demanded complex calculations, more so than was needed for trade and commerce, more so than mere fingers and toes could handle, thus modern mathematics was born.
Many myths, parables, and religious stories illustrate actual astrological events and cycles. One of the oldest for example, the Sumerian myth of Innana and the Venus cycle.
And if you are a Christian, as I am, even though the "official" position of the Church these days is somewhat against it, there were times when this was not so.
The early Christians knew a lot about astrology. Proof is found for their love of the "sign of Jonah" and its deep astrological significance written on walls of churches and tombs.
The Bible itself is filled with many astrological references. Examples are found in numbers that repeat over and over and over again and are very much associated with Astrology. (e.g., 3,4,7,12,40)
Note that the very first persons who had the honor of recognizing who he was and coming to worship Jesus were astrologers (Persian Magi) and followed the stars to find Him! That was the birth of Jesus. At His death there then appeared another heavenly sign, anciently associated with the death of kings,
a Solar Eclipse.
Perhaps not a natural Solar Eclipse as this particular time was around a Passover Full Moon, but something definitely was "eclipsing" the Sun's light at His Death as it was said to be dark at high noon, same as it would be during a natural eclipse.
And 12 Apostles?
Not 5 or 11 or 14, but 12.
Just as there are 12 signs of the Zodiac. That's 6 below, and 6 above the horizon, and we have 66 books in the King James Bible, not 61, 68, but 66.
Arbitrary? Coincidence?
I don't think so.
4 Gospels? = 4 elements: * Fire * Water, Earth, Air. And 7 (known) PLANETS in the olden days: and we have only 7 churches, 7 letters, and 7 candlesticks in the last of 66 books of the Bible?
Revelation 1:11
There could be more or less mentioned, but there weren't...
only 7.
Wisdom has built her house, and she has supported it with seven pillars. (Proverbs 9:1)
Also we see the number 40 come up again and again. This corresponds to a particular 40 day Venus Rx Cycle as it was known to ancient peoples. And then we have Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior (in Rev 22:16) referring to Himself as,..
---The Bright and Morning Star--- a traditional name for VENUS
Lots of symbolism that ties directly back to astrological references, could these all be accidental?
No, because it occurs too often and in many ways and forms throughout the Bible.
The faces of Ezekiel's winged creatures refer directly to fixed positions of the zodiac: Aquarius (a man), and the opposite sign, Leo (lion), Taurus (an Ox), and the opposite sign, Scorpio (the eagle), in Ezekiel 1:10.
Note: Scorpio even in the modern times is associated with 3 symbols, the scorpion, eagle, and the Pheonix. More information.
Then the mysterious 12 tribes of Israel, and so on and so forth. We can find these same numbers repeatedly. They are there to make a point, albeit hidden, completely veiled, unless you know something about astrology. Moses did! And we should too.
And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was mighty in words and deeds. Acts 7:22
Psalm 19 says the sky "speaks" if we only listen,.. but just because words are spoken, does NOT mean they are heard. Still,..
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
