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Click on image credit links below each photo, for licensing names, details, tags, etc.. Most Images cropped/reduced in size.

Info & pics of constellations on this site from Wikipedia & International Astronomical Union (click here)

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“God judgeth the righteous…

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If He turn not, He will whet His sword;

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He hath bent His bow, and made it ready.

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He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death;

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He ordaineth His arrows against the persecutors.”

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Psalm 7:11-13 

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ORION THE ARCHER

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Many times in Scripture, God speaks of His bow and arrows. And the Book of Revelation likewise speaks of a horseman with a bow in his hand. Our God is not only the “Prince of Peace”, but He also is the “God of the Armies of Israel” 1st Samuel 17:45.

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This short article will very lightly touch on this subject, because God is now revealing this constellation known as Orion. And though God mentioned Orion thousands of years ago in the Book of Job, nevertheless He is now revealing much more about Orion in these last moments of time.

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Why does Orion have a bow in his hand? And how does this relate to the Bible? And how does this relate to the individual Christian?

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Let’s explore this concept briefly…

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Apocalypse_- Vasnetsov – Wikipedia – US public domain

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LOCATING THE ARCHER

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“He hath bent His bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. He hath caused the arrows of His quiver to enter into my reins. I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.” Lamentations 3:12-14

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Orion travels through the night skies, starting about late September in the pre-dawn hours. This 1st office which Orion holds, as an Archer, is fairly easy to see. His bow is pointed and bent as if ready to shoot his arrows. But why astronomers have never noticed this Dragon to his left, is truly a puzzle! It’s so obvious; at least his crocodile mouth is obvious. (Perhaps God is sending the message that Satan (the real Dragon) is so obviously real, and yet so few in this world are ready to recognize him.)

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This Archer-Orion corresponds to the 1st Horseman of Revelation, Chapter 6, speaking of a rider with a bow who goes out conquering. 

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And so, this article is dedicated to show just what Orion the Archer is speaking of, in Scripture, and how this all relates to you and me. So read on and observe…

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Orion courtesy IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine & Wikipedia share-alike license

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LOCATING THE DRAGON

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(REVELATION 12 DRAGON IS NOT DRACO!)

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First, let it be stated, that this Dragon Constellation is not the same constellation commonly referred to as “Draco” (photo to right is Draco).

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This Revelation 12 Dragon from Signs Of Heaven, has not been previously recognized. But you will discover that it is a very intricate and complex constellation (unlike the very simplistic Draco Constellation), once you are comfortable locating it.

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THE DRAGON OF REVELATION 12 CONSTELLATION. The star-charts below are from Wikipedia and are combined into one chart to show these three constellations (this editor has sketched over these Wikipedia star-charts with these three constellations), as they appear when in the west. Hopefully, this will be an assist in locating these constellations in the night-sky.

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Draco, Ursa Minor Wikipedia – share-alike license

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LOCATION OF ORION…

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The Revelation 12 Dragon Constellation can be located by finding Orion in winter months. The Dragon is to Orion’s left, and the Dragon’s mouth is right next to Orion’s shield (Orion, the Archer is not depicted in this star-chart). This Dragon’s mouth is the V-like constellation The Hyades Cluster, which is also known as the head of Taurus the Bull. The Dragon’s tail-tip is Pleiades and the lower shaft of his tail is partly of Aries and Pisces. Then with aid of a dark and starry night, you may begin to connect the mouth and the tail with a very long body in an oval shape. The front and back legs are made of a few stars: the front legs partially of stars from Taurus . The back legs and rear fin are made of 6 stars from the Cetus Constellation.

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BODY HARD TO SEE

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The long oval-shaped body has relatively few stars, but can been seen, howbeit with a dark, starry night. The four stars of the front fins are made partially of Taurus .

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THE CHARIOT OF ORION CONSTELLATION

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O LORD my God, Thou art very great;

Thou art clothed with honour and majesty.

Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment:

Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:

Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters:

Who maketh the clouds His chariot:

Who walketh upon the wings of the wind:”

Psalm 104:1-3 

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In the winter-night skies, this most amazing constellation can be seen. It is called “The Chariot of Orion Constellation”.

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Yes, this most remarkable constellation is spoken of in Psalm 104…“O LORD my God, Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment: Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters: Who maketh the clouds His chariot: Who walketh upon the wings of the wind:” Psalm 104:1-3 

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As this star-chart reveals, Orion, along with the Beta-star from the Eridanus Constellation, depicts Orion riding on a chariot made of clouds, being pulled by sheep.

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You can read more about this by clicking here…Chariot of Orion Constellation

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LITERAL OR SPIRITUAL?

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“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1st Corinthians 2:14 

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God speaks of His bow and arrows many times in Scripture. And there are, no doubt, many who believe that God has a literal bow and arrow. And for those who believe that Scripture must be interpreted literally, whenever possible, then one must conclude that God has a literal bow and arrows. So, if a Bible student wishes to be true to this non-biblical hermeneutic, then he must take this idea literally: of literal bows and arrows. After all, if this hermeneutic is ignored here, concerning literal bows and arrows, then such literalists are opening up the floodgates for many other scriptures to be interpreted figuratively. For instance, what about such doctrines as “eternal torment”? Maybe that doctrine should also be taken figuratively too. Do you see the trap you get yourself into, when you place yourself under a false, unbiblical hermeneutic?

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Well, the fact is, the Bible never once demands that Scripture must be interpreted literally. Oh yes, the various historical accounts in Scripture really happened. But those true, historical events were orchestrated by God, in such a way, so as to present spiritual concepts. And the Bible accounts of God’s bow and arrows likewise present wonderful spiritual truths, unless of course, we try to see them only literally.

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On the other hand, if you’ve ever sat and listened to a Bible teacher who really, really tries to be faithful to this non-biblical hermeneutic, you probably remember how thin and anemic his teachings were, as far as learning spiritual truths! But the fact is, that most teachers ignore this hermeneutic, and only use it when it’s convenient, or to their advantage. So the Christian should either present biblical proof, that this hermeneutic even exists, and then jealously attempt to follow it. Or they should discard this unbiblical doctrine altogether, and try to see these scriptures spiritually, as God intended. 

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So with this in mind, it needs to be explored, just what Scripture has to say on this subject of bows and arrows…

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Orion Archer – Armenia – Wikimedia – Public Domain

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GOD A BIG TYRANT?

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“And the LORD shall be seen over them, and His arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.” Zechariah 9:14

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“His arrow shall go forth as lightning.” Well, that’s what the above verse says! And there are many who believe that God is a merciless tyrant, just waiting to strike down sinners with His arrows of lightning. And verses such as the above verse only confirm this misconception in the minds of those who are unlearned and unstable in the Word.

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But listen to Peter… “Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” 2nd Peter 3:15, 16.

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From this very revealing passage Peter declares that there are many things hard to be understood in the Bible.

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So what is needed, is to study everything concerning this subject. And so read on and discover just what this bow and arrows are all about… 

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Hans_Thoma_Jupiter – Wikipedia – public domain

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CAN WE BE SHARP ARROWS?

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“As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:4,5.

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This above verse may be the key to understanding the Orion the Archer Constellation. Orion is also seen as a soldier with a sword. So why does Orion need a bow and arrows, in addition to a sword? Well, consider that the sword symbolizes God’s Word, the Bible. But His arrows represent God’s “Children”, as this above verse points out. So we are to be those “sharp arrows” in the Lord’s quiver. God will use us to vanquish the enemy. So what can we do to make ourselves as “sharp arrows”? Well, the obvious conclusion is that we need to sharpen ourselves in God’s Word.

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Listen… “And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand hath He hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in His quiver hath He hid me;” Isaiah 49:2 

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As the above verse points out, we also need to hide His Word in our hearts, that our mouth also may be as God’s weapon. The Bible often commands to meditate day and night upon the Word (Psalm 1:1-3), and let that Word work its way into the deepest recesses of the soul. The Bible also commands to “Pray without ceasing”, not only for one’s needs, but also for the needs of others. Then God can use that Christian, as he becomes a “book known and read of all men”. This is how a Believer becomes God’s sharp weapon. (But this is not saying that a Christian should have a biting wit and a cutting critical spirit. The mature Christian rather, speaks with grace, self-restraint, and humility.)

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GOD’S ARROWS ALSO FOR BELIEVERS

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“He has bent His bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow.  He has caused of His quiver to enter into my reins. He has filled me with bitterness, He has made me drunken with wormwood.” Lamentations 3:12-15

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There’s no one who is being shot through with literal arrows from Heaven. So then it becomes necessary to understand this concept spiritually (which should be done anyway, with any Scripture).

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Here’s another passage which offers a similar declaration… “A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in Thy wrath: neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure. For Thine arrows stick fast in me, and Thy hand presses me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.” Psalms 38:1-3.

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A Believer can probably relate to this passage, since all have sinned. And isn’t it so true that God knows how to make us miserable in our sins? Have you ever been chastened by God, so that you too can say with David… “There is no soundness in my flesh because of your anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin”?

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If you have ever felt like this, then you too have been stuck by God’s arrows, it seems.

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So now it becomes more apparent that God’s arrows are meant ultimately for good, and not merely to wound and destroy.

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Fantastic! God is not like us! God is love! Man is….well…somewhat less than love. In His love, God’s arrows are sent out for the purpose of chastening. They are designed to drive out our love for the sinful evil of the Devil from the hearts of those of us whom God sets as His mark. They are to pierce our impenitent hearts, bringing us back to Himself.

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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain

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1st HORSE

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“And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.” Revelation 6:1, 2 

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Now that it is becoming clear that God’s arrows are speaking of His chastening of people, this above verse should be entered as further evidence in God’s behalf. That is to say, this 1st horseman of Revelation Chapter 6 tells about someone with kingly authority going forth conquering. So what could this be speaking of? Many modern theologians attribute this passage to Satan. Nevertheless, great theologians of the past, such as Matthew Henry, saw this horse as representing Christ, as He sent out the Gospel.

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Just listen to Henry… “Christ, the Lamb, opens the first seal; he now enters upon the great work of opening and accomplishing the purposes of God towards the Church and the world…The Lord Jesus appears riding on a white horse… of a pure but despised Gospel, with great swiftness through the world…He had a bow in his hand. The convictions impressed by the Word of God are sharp arrows…and, though the ministers of the Word draw the bow at a venture…This bow, in the hand of Christ, abides in strength, and…never returns empty.”

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Matthew Henry Commentary on Revelation Chapter 

6:1, 2.

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So Henry saw this 1st horseman, with a bow, as representing Christ sending out the Gospel into all the world, declaring the Word, represented by His arrows. 

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Matthew Henry Wikipedia Public Domain

Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse_- Victor Vasnetsov – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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WICKED BEND THEIR BOW

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“Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaks deceit: one speaks peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he lays his wait. ” Jeremiah 9:8

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While exploring just what is this Heavenly bow and arrows, it must be mentioned that the wicked also have their own bow and arrows. 

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Just listen… “My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. ” Psalms 57:4.

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And it is doubtful that any among us can say that we’ve never been shot through with the arrows of the wicked.

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Just listen… “Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked…Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: That they may shoot in secret at the perfect…they commune of laying snares privately; they say, ‘Who shall see them?'” Psalm 64:2-5 (condensed).

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Daniel was a perfect example of someone who received the arrows of the wicked. First, wicked men laid a snare for him by causing that unrighteous law to be made, that nobody could pray to any God but the pagan King. And so they sent spies to watch and finally trap Daniel during his regular prayer-time to Jehovah. Thus, Daniel was ensnared by wicked men and by an evil decree.

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Truly, it may be said about Daniel, the above verse from Psalms.

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Listen again… “My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.” Psalms 57:4.

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Daniel and lions – Wikipedia – US public domain – by Briton Riviere

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“Hide me from…the secret counsel of the wicked…Who…bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words…”

Psalm 64:2-5 (condensed).

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As these above verses reveal, the words of the wicked are their arrows, “even bitter words”, as Psalm 64 makes plain. Thus God compares His words to arrows, but also compares the words of the unsaved to arrows.

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Not only do these arrows apply to the religious persecution of God’s people, but these “arrows” of bitter words can even come in the form of back-stabbing gossip!

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two young girls laughing behind another girls back – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

Gossips in the Altstadt in Sindelfingen, Germany – Sally Kennison – cropped image – Share-alike License – Wikimedia

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GOD VANQUISHES FOES

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“But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded. So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.” Psalms 64:7 ,8

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As this above verse reveals, God will ultimately get the victory over this wicked world. As we look around, we can see a world beginning to crumble like that proverbial sand castle. Perhaps God’s arrows are, to a great degree, to simply let Mankind destroy ourselves by our own foolishness and wickedness. As a father finally allows his stubborn child to burn his finger on the stove, so God, in His patient love, allows us to find out from experience that selfishness is not the way to peace and joy. Time eventually takes care of that.

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Nevertheless, the next verse supports this idea that God’s arrows will ultimately vanquish His foes… “My defence is of God, which saves the upright in heart… and God is angry with the wicked every day…He will whet His sword; He has bent His bow, and made it ready…. He ordains His arrows against the persecutors.” Psalms 7:10-13 (condensed for brevity and clarity).

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Now this is not to say that God merely sits back and let’s world events take care of themselves. No the Bible makes it abundantly clear that God works intimately with the sons of men, to orchestrate the events in society as well as the events in the lives of each and every human being.

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“…and He (God) does according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?”  Daniel 4:35

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Sand castle, Cannon Beach Oregon – cropped image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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LOVE FOR AN ERRING WORLD

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“And He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand hath He hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in His quiver hath He hid me;” Isaiah 49:2 

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This little study into Orion the Archer, and what the Bible has to say about God’s arrows, gives great insight as to how one should study the Scriptures. A Bible student needs not peruse the newspapers or dusty old history books. The Word of God is sufficient to understand God’s Word in a way which will give that student great wisdom. And armed with such Bible wisdom, he or she can go forth conquering and to conquer a desperately lost world; that child of God now, by Godly wisdom, becoming a sharp arrow in God’s quiver… “in the shadow of His hand hath He hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in His quiver hath He hid me;” Isaiah 49:2

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Bible_paper dave bullock – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

Old book asking Ridge Historica Society_- cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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THE END

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NEXT SUGGESTED ARTICLE: ORION THE SOLDIER

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The reader is encouraged to go to this next article, entitled “Orion the Soldier”. It is a very short account of how the web host discovered that he must put on the armor of God, that he might stand against a very aggressive foe, the Devil. This article should be an encouragement to every child of God to put on his or her armor. The Devil attacks different Christians in different ways. But there is only one type of armor to put on, which protects, no matter what form the Devil’s attacks may come.

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A HEAVENLY HOBBY

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“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

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

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The above verse is a plea from God to look up at the Heavens and behold Who has created these things.

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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.

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But as the child of God devotes his or her life to God, there should be a jealous guarding of one’s own heart… “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23.

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The Christian wants nothing to get in the way of running that Christian Race.

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New York Times Square – terabass – cropped image – Wikipedia – Share-alike License

Shoppers in Toronto – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

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“AND WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS…

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LOOK UP, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD”

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

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

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

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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.

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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.

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

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“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

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

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FIRST FIND ORION & 7 STARS

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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).

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

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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).

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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.

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

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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

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ANOTHER HEAVENLY HOBBY: PRAYER-WALKS

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Now if you’re fortunate enough to be able to go on nightly walks, and you live in an area where you can safely view the stars, here is another Heavenly Hobby which Signs Of Heaven endorses…

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Why not combine star-watching with prayer, as you walk? What a great way to draw closer to God!

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It cannot be over-stressed, just how wonderful it is to walk under the dark canopy of Heaven, while lifting up one’s heart to our Heavenly Father! There is a closeness to God that cannot be described with words!

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(And even if you cannot safely do this, you can always do such prayer-walks in the daytime, in a safe place, such as a mall, which is every bit as effective, prayer-wise.

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And for those who are in confinement, one can view these starry signs on the Internet, or simply listen to Scripture on audio.

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Either way, all such may enjoy God’s richest blessings at this very time in which God is pouring out all Heaven’s treasures upon anyone willing to forsake all, and follow Jesus!)

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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped and altered image – Wikipedia – share-alike license

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THRICE-DAILY PRAYERS

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Now of course, the Bible commands us to, “pray without ceasing“. The Christian is to constantly talk with our Heavenly Father throughout the day.

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But the Bible also holds up the godly life of Daniel, who, when captive in Babylon, still set aside three times daily, in which he knelt for special prayer.

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And furthermore the Bible also says… “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17.

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Even those who are bed-fast or in a prison cell can begin to imitate Daniel in this way. And if one is fortunate to be able to walk, then this thrice-daily prayer regimen can be combined with three walks daily and even nightly.

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Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – public domain

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