.

.

.

THE WOMAN ON THE ALTAR CONSTELLATION

.

.

.

.

.

.

“Let my prayer 

.

be set forth

.

before Thee as incense;

.

and the lifting up

.

of my hands

.

as the evening sacrifice.”

.

Psalm 142:2

.

.

.

.

.

.

“WOMAN ON THE  ALTAR” CONSTELLATION… 

.

To put it concisely, the Old Testament was, and is, the Gospel of Jesus, written in types and shadows.

.

And speaking of types and shadows, the sanctuary service, used by the children of Israel, should be mentioned.

.

It was an integral part of God’s Salvation plan.

.

But this sanctuary service was not merely for the purpose of meaningless rituals, but was a picture of spiritual concepts.

.

It was filled with types and shadows, pointing forward to the long-promised Messiah to come.

.

Now in that sanctuary service was the altar.

.

Our great God has been pleased to accept the consecrated sacrifices of His people, upon these altars.

.

Now in the sanctuary service, two types of altars were used: one for sacrifices, and one for incense.

.

Tissot_Noahs_Sacrifice-by-J.-Tissot-wikimedia-US-public-domain.jpg

.

.

.

.

.

CHRIST, THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

.

For centuries, the Jews obeyed the commandment of God to perform the ritual of the temple service…

.

…offering animal sacrifices, not realizing just why God required animals to be slain, as an atonement for sin.

.

Day after day, year after year, the temple priests performed these daily and yearly sacrifices.

.

The common people among the Jews brought their lambs and goats, etc., in attempt to make payment for their own sins.

.

But in the fullness of time, God sent His Son, Jesus, to become the “Lamb of God”.

.

Not by the blood of bulls and goats, but by the precious blood of Jesus, was the true payment for sin accomplished.

.

Above constellation: The Cross of Orion. Appears first in October, when Orion stands upright in the pre-dawn hours. Appears to stand upright a little earlier each night. Moves from East to West, as do all constellations.

.

.

.

.

.

.

This Revelation 12 Woman Constellation is made of the Ursa Major Constellation.

.

However, the ancient pagan cultures did not see this constellation as God intended it to be seen.

.

They only saw it as a bear.

.

Ursa Major – Wikipedia – public domain

.

.

.

.

.

.

FLEEING WOMAN OF REVELATION 12 ROTATES THROUGH THE SEASONS…

.

But Ursa Major is actually a headless woman in childbirth. 

.

This is seen in springtime in the northern skies.

.

But as the seasons progress, this travailing woman flips upside down…

.

…then as winter draws on, she appears as a woman with upraised arms like eagle wings who is running, eventually flying into the wilderness (westward).

.

The single star representing her birth-child (Christ) now becomes her head (“Christ is the head of the church.” Ephesians 5:23

.

The 7 Stars (The Big Dipper) is easy to see with its very bright 7 stars, and comprises her torso and one of her limbs. (Can you see it?)

.

But the entire Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) must be seen on a darker starry night, somewhat away from many city lights.

.

Ursa Major Star-Chart with woman drawn in by this website – Wikipedia – share-alike license

.

.

.

.

.

 

LOCATING THE ALTAR CONSTELLATION…

.

This “Golden Altar” Constellation is only seen in winter through spring, in mid-sky. 

.

It is to the south of the “Fleeing Woman Constellation” (AKA Ursa Major  or The Big Dipper).

.

The “Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12” Constellation is in the northeastern sky in this sketch.

.

You would be facing east and looking very high up almost to mid-sky to see this constellation group this way.

.

The altar is farther south but still in the eastern sky.

.                                                           

This altar itself is commonly known as “Leo Major“, with the smoke rising being “Leo Minor“.

.

A little farther down this page is the sketch of this same constellation in the latter part of winter, when you look at them facing westward.                                                                                 

.

You will notice that what looked like Gospel seed being cast from her left hand and left foot now appears like smoke or incense rising from the altar.

.                                                                                                                                                                                 

It is not clear why the altar is sideways in back of the Woman.                                                     

.

It would make more sense if it were directly under the Woman.

.

However, the Lord must have some spiritual truth to convey concerning this odd positioning of the Altar.

.

The 7 Stars (Big Dipper) is easy to see with its very bright 7 stars.

                                                                                                

But the Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) must be seen on a dark starry night, away from city lights.

.

THE ZODIAC CONSTELLATION NAMES

It is not the purpose of www.theheavensdeclare.net to give any validity to the Zodiac or any pagan deities. But the common names of many constellations (such as Scorpio or Sagittarius, etc.), must be given, solely for the purpose of locating them on star-charts.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

WOMAN RISING NORTH MAKES BIBLE SENSE

.

“For promotion cometh neither from the east,

nor from the west, nor from the south. 

But God is the judge: he putteth down one,

and setteth up another.” 

Psalm 75 :6, 7 

.

One reason why this woman appears to be coming out sideways instead of appearing that she is rising, could be this: This Altar is in the south.

.

The Woman appears to be rising northward.

.

So in a sense she is rising…heavenward, represented by her northward position from the Altar in the south.

.

So right here we have a biblical concept of incense rising to God (northward) to Heaven as a sweet-smelling savor.

.

And the above verse… “promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south”, puts a confirmation on God being Northward. 

.

Notice that every direction is mentioned in this verse, except north.

.

So, in essence, that while promotion comes not from the east, west or south, it must be implying that promotion does come from the north, where God is, up in Heaven.

.

So then this woman is rising northward…to God, who promoted her to her exalted position, as she rises from this Golden Altar.

.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The stars on these sketches are not perfectly accurate. But they are hopefully close enough for you to locate these constellations.

.

.

.

.

This constellation group presents the biblical concept of laying one’s life on the altar… of “self-sacrificing service” to God.

.

.

.

.

.

“PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE”

Romans 12:1 …

.

There really needs to be little explanation of this constellation group. 

.

So here is a wonderful verse which seems to magnify this concept of offering yourself (and your finances) to God…

…”I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE,

holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.”

Romans 12:1.

.

This seems to be the key verse in the Bible concerning this constellation group.

.

Rembrandt Harmensz_ van Rijn – wikipedia – public domain

Virtuous Woman with Bible – Braet von Überfeldt – 1866 – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

WHAT DO THESE VERSES MEAN?…

.

It is seen  from these four passages above, that the temple altar was pointing to a New Testament spiritual fulfillment.

.

The Old Testament altars were for incense, pointing to the New Testament, ‘prayers of the saints mingled with Christ’s atonement’.

.

Likewise, it is seen that the animal sacrifices on the Old Testament altar were actually pointing to Christ, the Sacrificial Lamb of God.

.

This heavenly picture of the Woman rising up from the altar, presents an incredible portrait of how God’s people are, like Paul, being offered on the altar of “sacrifice and service”.

.

As 1st Peter 2:9 says, we New Testament Believers are to be a, “Royal Priesthood”.

.

One evidence that we are in watchful communion with God is when we are to, “pray without ceasing”.

.

As we go about our daily duties, we are to be, “instant in prayer”, for ourselves and for those in need around us. 

.

So also, the closer we come to Christ, the greater will be our desire to give of ourselves and of our means for the ambassadorship and proclamation of the Gospel.

.

This degree of service requires us to live a life of faith and self-denying submission to Christ.

.

This kind of self-sacrificial service can only be found when we maintain a constant watchfulness, “looking unto Jesus”.

.

Above sketch is the Woman Upon the Altar, along with the Flower of Heaven Constellation. This group can best be seen in latter winter when they are in the west.

.

.

.

.

.

.

PICTURE OF THE CHURCH?

 .

Of course the implications here presented are tremendously important.

.

And this Woman Over the Altar Constellation reminds us of this great commission which God has given to His people.

.

Listen to the New Testament…

…“Ye also, as lively stones,

are built up a spiritual house,

an holy priesthood,

to offer up spiritual sacrifices,

acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

1st Peter 2:5.

If this Woman symbolizes the Church, then this is a picture of the Church rising from the golden altar.

.

But we have abundant admonitions from both the Old and New Testaments that God has chosen us to be a Royal Priesthood.

. 

Such knowledge as this should really have a sobering effect upon every child of God.

.

The office of priesthood was such an exalted position in the days of the temple service. Priests were to be holy in all manner of behavior.

.

The word holy is a sobering word, just in itself.

.

First it implies a total devotion to God. Second it implies a reverence in both word and behavior…

…“But as he which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

Because it is written,

Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

1st Peter 1:15, 16.

.

Timna – Tabernacle Incense altar-Ori229 for wikipedia – share-alike license

 

.

.

.

 

.

.

.

.

.

ARE YOU READY TO BE A PRIEST?…

.

“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”  Revelation 1:6 

.

And so the invitation goes out to anyone who is willing to renounce this ungodly world, and become a part of this holy nation and royal priesthood.

.

Is anyone willing to become Christ-like?

.

When Jesus bids us, “Come follow Me”, He is not only wanting us to learn of Him, but also to follow Him into the Most Holy Place…by faith. 

.

Are any of us willing to be a priest for Jesus?

.

Is anyone willing to leave behind this careless, sacrilegious, joking, flippant world, and enter into the solemn office of priesthood? With Jesus?

.

A PORTABLE TABERNACLE

.

Oh yes, we can carry on the duties of priesthood, even at work, or at home, or at recreation with our families.

.

No matter where we are, we can silently pray, meditate on God’s Word, and proclaim Jesus to the world, by our Christ-like example.

.

Holman – The Mercy Seat – Wikipedia – Public Dom..

Tissot Moses and Joshua in the Tabernacle wikipedia public domain

 

.

.

.

.

.

THE END

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.
.

.

.

.

.

A HEAVENLY HOBBY

.

.

.

.

 

.

.

“Lift up your eyes on high,

and behold Who hath created these things;

that brings out their host by number:

He calls them all by names by the greatness of His might,

for that He is strong in power;

not one faileth.”

Isaiah 40:26

.

ABOVE PICTURE – Starry Night at La Silla – cropped  and altered image – Wikimedia – Share-Alike license

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

“AND WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS…

.

LOOK UP, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD”

.

In this busy work-a-day world, there are many very interesting things which can occupy one’s time and energy: hobbies, and careers, and entertainments and worries, and habits, to name just a few.

.

But having said this, there is one hobby which every ‘Noble Berean’ may take up, which only compliments the pursuit of the heavenly Prize.

.

Yes, Signs Of Heaven becomes a wonderfully rewarding hobby which, unlike many less meaningful hobbies, pays off with rich, heavenly rewards. Everlasting rewards!

.

And unlike the person in this photo with equipment, all you need is fairly good vision, and a dark, starry night.

.

And once a person really gets to know these heavenly messengers, it will become very apparent that the message connected with these signs is truly a message to be heeded.

.

Thus will the Christian be able to share this message with others. And there are perhaps many nuances and hidden biblical truths to these signs which have yet to be discovered.

.

Astronomy Amateur – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

“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;”

Luke 21:25

.

ABOVE CHART: Summer Constellations with Doves (Sagittarius) & Woman (Ursa Major)

.

.

.

.

.

.

FIRST FIND ORION & 7 STARS

.

The very first step in finding these many constellations, should be to find the two main constellations: Orion, and the 7 Stars (aka, The Big Dipper).

.

These two constellations represent Christ (Orion), and His Church (7 Stars).

.

And just as these are the easiest constellations to find, so too, the first place to begin studying the Bible is the Four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).

.

These four books present Christ and His Church, when He walked the earth, just as Orion and the 7 Stars represent Christ and His Church, as seen up in the heavens.

.

Then, once you are comfortable finding these two constellations, you can begin to locate the next closest constellations, and so on.

.

ABOVE PICTURE: Orion the Soldier and the Revelation 12 Dragon (Hyades & Pleiades, etc.) – winter constellations – www.signsofheaven.org – not for commercial use

ABOVE PICTURE – 7 Stars Constellation as the Cross (aka Big Dipper) – winter – signsofheaven.org – not for commercial uses

.

.