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The Witness of the Stars. E. W. Bullinger
Читать онлайн.Название The Witness of the Stars
Год выпуска 0
isbn 9781420969818
Автор произведения E. W. Bullinger
Жанр Религия: прочее
Издательство Ingram
Each book (like the four Gospels) sets forth its peculiar aspect of the Coming One; beginning with the promise of His coming, and ending with the destruction of the enemy.
But where are we to begin to read this wondrous Heavenly Scroll? A circle has proverbially neither beginning nor end. In what order then are we to consider these signs? In the heavens they form a never-ending circle. Where is the beginning and where is the end of this circle through which the sun is constantly moving? Where are we to break into this circle? and say, This is the commencement. It is clear that unless we can determine this original starting point we can never read this wondrous book aright.
As I have said, the popular beginning to-day is with ARIES, the Ram. But comparing this Revelation with that which was afterwards written “in the Volume of the Book,” VIRGO is the only point where we can intelligently begin, and LEO is the only point where we can logically conclude. Is not this what is spoken of as the unknown and insoluble mystery—“The riddle of the SPHINX”? The word “Sphinx” is from σφίγγω, to bind closely together. It was therefore designed to show where the two ends of the Zodiac were to be joined together, and where the great circle of the heavens begins and ends.
The Signs of LEO and VIRGO, from the ceiling of the Portico of the Temple of ESNEH, showing the SPHINX between, uniting the beginning and end of the Zodiac.
Signs of Leo and Virgo, from the ceiling of the Portico of the Temple of Esneh, showing the Sphinx between, uniting the beginning and end of the Zodiac.
The SPHINX is a figure with the head of a woman and the body of a lion! What is this but a never-ceasing monitor, telling us to begin with Virgo and to end with Leo! In the Zodiac in the Temple of Esnéh, in Egypt, a Sphinx is actually placed between the Signs of Virgo and Leo, as shown in the illustration on the preceding page. It is a tracing from the drawing of Signor Bossi, executed on the spot, under the direction of the late Mr. Edward J. Cooper, in 1820.
Beginning, then, with VIRGO, let us now spread out the contents of this Heavenly Volume, so that the eye can take them in at a glance. Of course we are greatly hindered in this, in having to use the modern Latin names which the Constellations bear to-day.{19} Some of these names are mistakes, others are gross perversions of the truth, as proved by the pictures themselves, which are far more ancient, and have come down to us from primitive times.
After the Revelation came to be written down in the Scriptures, there was not the same need for the preservation of the Heavenly Volume. And after the nations had lost the original meaning of the pictures, they invented a meaning out of the vain imagination of the thoughts of their hearts. The Greek Mythology is an interpretation of (only some of) the signs and constellations after their true meaning had been forgotten. It is popularly believed that Bible truth is an evolution from, or development of, the ancient religions of the world. But the fact is that they themselves are a corruption and perversion of primitive truth!
We will now give the contents of this Heavenly Volume of Divine Revelation, and afterwards proceed to develope it, explain it in detail, and compare it with the same truth which was afterwards written down in the Scriptures.
The First Book.
THE REDEEMER.
(HIS FIRST COMING.)
“The Sufferings of Christ.”
CHAPTER I.
THE PROPHECY OF THE PROMISED SEED OF THE WOMAN.
VIRGO (The Virgin. A woman bearing a branch in her right hand and an ear of corn in her left). The Promised Seed of the woman.
§ 1. COMA (The Desired. The woman and child). The Desired of all nations.
§ 2. CENTAURUS (The Centaur with two natures, holding a spear piercing a victim). The despised sin offering.
§ 3. BOÖTES (a man walking bearing a branch called ARCTURUS, meaning the same). He cometh.
CHAPTER II.
THE REDEEMER’S ATONING WORK.
LIBRA (The Scales). The price deficient balanced by the price which covers.
§ 1. CRUX, The Cross endured.
§ 2. LUPUS, or VICTIMA, The Victim slain.
§ 3. CORONA, The Crown bestowed.
CHAPTER III.
THE REDEEMER’S CONFLICT.
SCORPIO (The Scorpion) seeking to wound, but itself trodden under foot.
§ 1. SERPENS (The Serpent struggling with the man).
§ 2. O-PHI-U-CHUS (The man grasping the serpent). The struggle with the enemy.
§ 3. HERCULES (The mighty man. A man kneeling on one knee, humbled in the conflict, but holding aloft the tokens of victory, with his foot on the head of the Dragon). The mighty Vanquisher seeming to sink in the conflict.
CHAPTER IV.
THE REDEEMER’S TRIUMPH.
SAGITTARIUS (The Archer). The Two-natured Conqueror going forth “Conquering and to conquer.”
§ 1. LYRA (The Harp). Praise prepared for the Conqueror.
§ 2. ARA (The Altar). Consuming fire prepared for His enemies.
§ 3. DRACO (The Dragon). The Old Serpent—the Devil, cast down from heaven.
The Second Book.
THE REDEEMED.
THE RESULT OF THE REDEEMER’S SUFFERINGS.
CHAPTER I.
THEIR BLESSINGS PROCURED.
CAPRICORNUS (The fish-goat). The goat of Atonement slain for the Redeemed.
§ 1. SAGITTA (The Arrow). The arrow of God sent forth.
§ 2. AQUILA (The Eagle). The smitten One falling.
§ 3. DELPHINUS (The Dolphin). The dead One rising again.
CHAPTER II.
THEIR BLESSINGS ENSURED.
AQUARIUS (The Water-Bearer): The living waters of blessing poured forth for the Redeemed.
§ 1. PISCIS AUSTRALIS (The Southern Fish). The blessings bestowed.
§ 2. PEGASUS (The Winged Horse). The blessings quickly coming.
§ 3. CYGNUS (The Swan). The Blesser surely returning.
CHAPTER III.
THEIR BLESSINGS IN ABEYANCE.
PISCES (The Fishes). The Redeemed blessed though bound.
§ 1. THE BAND—bound, but binding their great enemy Cetus, the sea monster.
§ 2. ANDROMEDA (The Chained Woman). The Redeemed in their bondage and affliction.
§ 3. CEPHEUS (The King). Their Redeemer coming to rule.
CHAPTER IV.
THEIR BLESSINGS CONSUMMATED AND ENJOYED.
ARIES (The Ram or Lamb). The Lamb that was slain, prepared for the victory.
§ 1. CASSIOPEIA (The Enthroned Woman). The captive delivered, and preparing for her husband, the Redeemer.
§ 2. CETUS (The Sea Monster). The great enemy bound.
§ 3. PERSEUS (The Breaker). Delivering His redeemed.
The Third Book.
THE REDEEMER.
(HIS