Orion, The Good Shepherd

By admin On December 29th, 2012

.

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

.

.

.

.

ORION, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.Orion the Good Shepherd (5th personality of Orion)

“The LORD is my shepherd;

.

I shall not want (lack).

.

He maketh me to lie

.

down in green pastures:

.

He leadeth me beside

.

the still waters…

.

I will fear no evil:

.

for Thou art with me;

.

Thy rod and thy staff

.

they comfort me….”

Psalm 23:1, 2, 4

ABOVE STAR-CHART – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars) – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

 

“I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD”

.

 “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

.

By the infallible pen of Divine inspiration, God has forever connected Himself with the concept of a shepherd with his sheep.  The above verse from John’s Gospel portrays Jesus as the Good Shepherd. With His sacrifice on the Cross, Jesus truly fulfilled the above prophecy, giving His life for His lost sheep.

.

ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars) – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

LOVE STORY IN THE STARS

,orion good shepherd

But Scripture isn’t the only place where God has presented this concept of the Good Shepherd, Jesus. God has written His heavenly love story in the Sun, Moon, and Stars, as well, as is written… “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. And these Signs Of Heaven are a second witness to what the Bible declares.  

.

ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars) – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

ORION THE GOOD SHEPHERD

.

And this concept of the Good Shepherd is portrayed in the night sky, in this 5th personality of the Orion Constellation (see “The Orion Phenomena”).

.

And it is a concept which the Lord would have His own people learn and live. God’s people are likewise to become good shepherds too, in our own little sphere. That is, we are to seek and to save the lost, just as we see our Lord doing so.

.

This is part of what it means to follow Jesus. We become imitators of our Lord, the true Good Shepherd.

.

ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars) – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

ORION, THE GOOD SHEPHERD

01.17.20133

.

This star-chart from Wikipedia, has Orion sketched in by the editor of this website. With the addition of a single star, Theta Geminorum (the left hand of the Castor twin of Gemini), the sickle in Orion, the Reaper’s hand, now extends the blade, thus transforming that sickle into the hook of a shepherd’s rod and staff. And so now this little Gemini star becomes the tip of Orion’s Shepherd’s rod & staff. Thus with this additional star, Orion the Reaper Constellation now becomes the 5th personality of Orion: The Good Shepherd (sketch below right). Theta Geminorum is a class A3, 4th magnitude star, which means it is much fainter than either of the stars, Castor or Pollux. But faint as This little star may be, it nevertheless presents a giant concept, turning Orion’s sickle into a shepherd’s rod. And this is a very wonderful and beautiful Bible truth: namely, that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, as is written…

.

ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART (with Orion drawn in by this website) – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars) – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

.

01.17.20132

.

“As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.” Ezekiel 34:12 

.

And so God has placed this Starry Shepherd in the winter-night heavens to remind us of His great love for a planet which has wandered away: just like sheep that wandered to where the grass looked greener.

.

ABOVE WIKIPEDIA STAR-CHART (with Orion drawn in) – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars) – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

THE GOOD SHEPHERD FINDS US

Orion the Good Shepherd (5th personality of Orion)

.

“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” John 15:4-6

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_The_Good_Shepherd_(Le_bon_pasteur)_-_James_Tissot_-_overall.jpg

.

There are many who are confused as to just who found who. Because there are so many passages that urge us to seek the Lord, many mistakenly assume that the sheep find the Shepherd, when just the opposite is true. The Good Shepherd finds us, not we Him. Just listen…

.

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2nd Timothy 2:25, 26

.

ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars) – www.signsofheaven.org

Brooklyn Museum The Good Shepherd Le bon pasteur James Tissot wikpedia US-public-domain.jpg

.

.

 

.

.

.

SHEPHERD SEEKS US

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Christian_Friedrich_Mali_-_Hirtenjunge_mit_Schafen_im_Gebirge_(1904).jpg

.

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2nd Timothy 2:25, 26

.

Notice that the above passage declares that it is God who gives a man repentance. Does this above verse give any hope that we can somehow pluck our own selves out of Satan’s web of deceit and sin? Do we imagine that we can somehow create in our own heart, the Spirit of repentance? No, repentance is the gift of God, as the above passage makes perfectly clear. Listen again… “if God peradventure will give them repentance…” 

.

Sheep & Shepherd – Christian Friedrich Mali – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

HE CHOSE US

orion good shepherd

.

No, God is the Good Shepherd who comes searching for His lost sheep in the cloudy and dark day.

.

God is the One who finds us in places of danger and destruction. He is the Good Shepherd who takes His rod and staff, and hooks us, pulling us up into the safety of His everlasting arms, and carries us on His shoulders back to the sheepfold.

.

Just listen to the next passage… “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit” John 15:16.

.

Salvation is the gift of God. We all like sheep have gone astray, says the Scriptures.

.

ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars) – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

NO FREEWILL IN A SPIDER’S WEB

.

Just listen to the next passage… “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light ofhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Newton_j.jpg the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2nd Corinthians 4:3, 4.

.

This above passage really sheds light on the workings of Satan. The people of the world have been blinded by Satan. And only by the miraculous workings of God, can a spiritually blind person begin to see.

.

The most well-recognized of all gospel hymns, John Newton’s “Amazing Grace” declares those infamous words, “I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind, but now I see”. And thus is the condition of Lost Mankind. Until the Good Shepherd opens our spiritual eyes, we walk through this world, groping as in the darkness, not realizing that there’s something much, much better than anything this dying world can offer. And for those who are blind and in spiritual darkness, Jesus proclaims… “I am the light of the world: he that follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

.

John Newton – courtesy – Wikipedia – public-domain

.

.

.

.

.

SATAN’S PARALYZING POISON

.

Can a tiny bug pull itself out of a spider web? Does a little fly have free-will after it has been injected with the spider’s paralyzing poison, and wrapped by the spider into a mummy-like cocoon? This is the condition of lost Mankind. “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ…should shine unto them.”

.

We are totally lost and in darkness. We have no ability to free ourselves from that web of sin, called “The World”. It is only by the mercy of God that any person can be saved. Just listen to Paul…

.

“And you hath He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:1, 2

.

.

.

.

.

NO FREEWILL TO THE SPIRITUALLY DEAD

.

Listen again…“And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins: Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:1, 2

.

This above verse describes the condition of the world: “dead in trespasses and sins”. The Jews in Jesus’ day thought they were free-men, but Jesus told them plainly… “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34.

.

So these two passages from John and Ephesians explain that we were not only servants of sin, but actually dead in trespasses and sins. So just go into a graveyard and try to get someone’s attention. Well, unless there happens to be a gardener nearby, you simply won’t get anyone’s attention: they’re all DEAD! 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:CalvaryCemeteryQueens_edit.jpg

.

“And you hath He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins:

.

And “dead in trespasses and sins” is the spiritual condition of fallen Mankind, prior to Salvation. We have no freewill when in this dead condition. Oh yes, we see the sunshine and the world. Oh yes, we may enjoy many aspects of everyday life. And yes, we are able to make decisions in the day-by-day matters of life.

.

But when it comes to deciding which master we will serve, we have not that ability. We are dead, spiritually speaking. People can tell us about Jesus. But their words sound far off, and have little meaning. 

.

Calvary Cemetery Queens – Wikipedia – public-domain

.

.

.

.

.

NO SHOUTING AT LOST SHEEP

Orion the Good Shepherd (5th personality of Orion)

.

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:17, 18.

.

This passage from the New Testament Book of James, really sums up just how we can expect for God to prod us along, as His sheep. God is very tender-hearted. He treats us, just as the golden rule exhorts, “As ye would that others should do to you, so do also unto them”. And this is how we should lovingly treat others: even those who trespass against us. 

.

ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars) – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

A GENTLE SHEPHERD

.

But if the Good Shepherd gives us repentance, our eyes and ears will be miraculously opened. This is why Paul said in Timothy… “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.” 2nd Timothy 2:25, 26. 

.

And isn’t it wonderful, that the Good Shepherd exhorts us here in 2nd Timothy… “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;”                   

.

Brooklyn Museum – The Good Shepherd Le bon pasteur – James Tissot wikpedia – US-public-domain.jpg

 

.

.

.

.

.

SHEPHERD CARRIES US

.

Just think of the Good Shepherd looking high and low, and finally finding that one lost sheep.

.

Does He hit the sheep?

.

Does He yell at the sheep?

.

No, He lovingly places the sheep upon His broad shoulders, and joyfully carries it home. And that sheep, no doubt, enjoys the ride all the way back home.   

.

Brooklyn Museum – The Good Shepherd Le bon pasteur – James Tissot wikpedia – US-public-domain.jpg 

.

.

.

.

.

GOOD SHEPHERD LOOKS DOWN AT US IN LOVE

Orion the Good Shepherd (5th personality of Orion)

.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” John 21:25 

.

The above verse is nothing short of amazing! This world could not contain the books that should be written! God is truly the Good Shepherd! Listen again to Scripture…“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep.” John 10:11. No, the Savior is active in this world in many ways we know nothing about. In the painting below, is an artist’s rendition of the view from the Cross. Do you suppose that Jesus saw any of these people in hatred? or in love and pity? Scripture says… “for God is love.” 1st John 4:8. Notice it doesn’t say here that God simply loves, but it actually says, “God IS love”. Oh yes, God hates sin, and the workers of iniquity. But it is a perfect hatred, far beyond what Mankind can understand.

.

ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars) – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

GOD WORKS IN A 1000 WAYS

.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%D0%9C%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%88_%D0%BC%D0%B8%D1%80%D0%B0_%D0%9C%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B2%D0%B0_21_%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82_2014_%D0%9B%D0%98%D0%A6%D0%90.jpgSo then, just who in the world is God working with? Just who among this planet of rebels, are the angels of Heaven tenderly caring for on a daily basis?

.

Just listen to this next scripture… “Many, O LORD my God, are Thy wonderful works which You have done, and Your thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto You: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” Psalms 40:5.

.

Crowd of people – cropped photo – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

.

.

.

.

.

BEHIND THE SCENES

.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brooklyn_Museum_-_What_Our_Lord_Saw_from_the_Cross_(Ce_que_voyait_Notre-Seigneur_sur_la_Croix)_-_James_Tissot.jpgMore than can be numbered, are God’s thoughts toward us! And we go about our daily lives not even aware that God is working in the lives of so many! God is not an “in your face” God. He works so imperceptibly, that it is easy to forget that He is there! Nevertheless, it would be well to take notice when the people of the world seem to get help and aid in times of need, as if from unseen helpers. The following passage really speaks volumes about God’s love and mercy toward sinners… “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.” Psalm 107:43.

.

Yes, if we are wise, we will consider these things written in this Psalm 107. And if we are wise, we will consider the many times that God’s finger-prints are found, when good and merciful things happen to the people of the world. 

.

Brooklyn Museum – What Our Lord Saw from the Cross – James Tissot

 

.

.

.

.

.

“NO REST UNTO THE WICKED”

.

Orion the Good Shepherd (5th personality of Orion)

.

“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

.

The above passage, spoken by Jesus, is a call to all Humanity. Jesus says to us, “Aren’t you tired of this selfish and unhappy world? Aren’t you weary of struggling so hard to try to manage your own life? Won’t you come unto Me, and let Me be the Shepherd of your life and the Lord of your soul?”

.

ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd (Orion Constellation and rod made of Gemini stars) – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

NO REST UNTO THE SOUL

.

The people of the world quite often appear to be having such a good time!https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cheers!_(3162940696).jpg

.

And to a certain extent, there is a selfish pleasure which results from serving this world and the “god of this world”. But deep within the heart, there can be no lasting peace in a person who continues to live for self.

.

Just listen to Isaiah…“But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.” Isaiah 57:20, 21.

.

This is the condition of the people of this world. Outwardly they might appear as if life is just a breeze. But it won’t be long until they swell up just like a troubled wave of the sea, when it cannot rest. 

.

Hands Toasting Drinks – Cheers! Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

A ship in need in a raging storm (Willem van de Velde II – 1707) – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

A REST UNTO OUR SOULS

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ardiak._Zumaia._Euskal_Herria.jpg

.

To become a Follower of Jesus, not only makes us a Disciple. But we also become the sheep of the Good Shepherd’s pasture. No longer must we strive. No longer need we manage our own little world. Now we can just be content to nibble on God’s Word, throughout our day, just as sheep continually nibble the grass, throughout their day.

.

The more we come into harmony with God’s Word, the more we see that God and His angels are now orchestrating our lives. And instead of trying to manipulate circumstances, we merely go through our day, performing the duties before us, letting the Lord lead us along the upward pathway, just as He led His Disciples through the highways and byways of the Holy Land. The Christian is more and more content to simply graze in the peaceful green pastures, under the watchful eye of the Good Shepherd.

.

sheep – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

.

.

.

.

.

SHEEP WITH NO SHEPHERD

.

Orion the Good Shepherd (5th personality of Orion)

.

“But when He [Jesus] saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” Matthew 9:36

.

In the above verse Jesus was going through the cities and villages, preaching the Gospel. But Jesus looked upon the very people who were chosen by God long before, to be the people of God. And yet, Jesus was “moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”

.

Now this wretched condition was prophesied of, long before the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Just listen to the much despised prophet, Micaiah… “Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master…” 2nd Chronicles 18:16

.

ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

SAME CONDITION EXISTS TODAYhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aurlandsveien_sheep.jpg

.

Unfortunately, this very same condition exists today. As a matter of fact, we are living in a day, in which is described as the “Church of Laodicea”. Laodicea was the last church of the 7 churches, spoken of in Revelation, Ch.’s 2 & 3. The name, Laodicea is from two Greek words, meaning “people of judgment”, or “people of dividing”.

.

Aurlandsveien_sheep – Wikimedia Commons – share-alike license & GNU free license

.

.

.

.

.

LAODICEANS SELF-DECEIVED

.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aurlandsveien_sheep.jpg

Laodicea was and is the wealthy church, just as Jesus says to them… “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” Revelation 3:17.

.

Laodicean Christians believe we are spiritually rich: we think we are the Church of Philadelphia. But we’re not! We’re Laodiceans: lukewarm and very double-minded.

.

This is the self-deceived church-world of our day.

.

Aurlandsveien_sheep – cropped image – Wikimedia Commons – share-alike license & GNU free license

.

.

.

.

.

“THOU…ART LUKEWARM”

Orion the Good Shepherd (5th personality of Orion)

.

Sadly, this lukewarm, self-satisfied condition describes the overwhelming proportion of God’s professed people. So many faithful church-goers sit in the pews, week after week, rarely being touched by the sermons preached. And even when they are, by the time they leave church, the self-conviction of that message has already begun to wane. And by Monday, it’s back to seeking after the things of the world. It’s back to serving the gods of this world. That convicting message no longer touches the heart of that church-goer. Jesus describes these as “seed sown by the wayside”.

.

Listen… “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.” Matthew 13:19

.

ABOVE PICTURE – winter – Orion the Good Shepherd – www.signsofheaven.org

.

.

.

.

.

.

WORLD’S BROKEN CISTERNS

.

The great problem of the lukewarm Christian, is that while he (or she) believes the Gospel message, yet has never believed it to the point of being transformed into a new creation. All such are yet eating the leavened bread, and drinking of the broken cisterns of the world. These have never received that new heart which Jesus promises to give. Such have yet to enter that “rest unto your souls”, which the Good Shepherd bids all to enter into.

 .

Orion the Good Shepherd – Wikipedia star-chart (with the shepherd drawn in by this website)

 

.

.

.

.

.

A REST UNTO THE SOUL

Orion the Good Shepherd (5th personality of Orion)

.

“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

.

The Good Shepherd stands at the door and knocks. Just listen to the call of Jesus to the Laodiceans… “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

.

.

.

.

.

.

WON’T YOU OPEN?

.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ivy_Door_Hawthorn_Hall.jpg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hunt_Light_of_the_World.jpgIf you, dear Reader are convicted in heart, that you are one of the Lost Sheep of Israel (spiritual Israel, that is), then you can rest assured that Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart.

.

Won’t you invite Him in? Won’t you begin to break bread with Him, right now, wherever you happen to be? Won’t you let go of your tight grip on the things of this dying world, and enter into the everlasting joy of Heaven?

.

Oh the joy of becoming one of Jesus’ Disciples! Oh the freedom which comes from forsaking all, to follow Him! (see Luke 5:11)

.

Ivy Covered Door – Hawthorne Hall – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

Hunt – Light of the World – Jesus Knocking on the Door – Wikimedia – Public Domain

.

.

.

.

.

RICH REWARDS WAITINGhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Braet_von_%C3%9Cberfeldt_woman_with_bible_1866.jpg

.

And though you will still have to work, and take care of mundane duties, yet you will live in, and breathe in the very atmosphere of Heaven! You will be filled with the peace and joy which only comes when a person decides the best place possible is to be snuggled safe and warm in the loving arms of our Shepherd-Lord.

.

And your life will become dedicated to spreading the precious Gospel seed wherever you go, whatever you do, as those around you behold the light and love of Jesus emanating from your eyes.

.

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

.

.

.

.

.

INTO THE HIGHWAYS OF ETERNITY

.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ThomasCole-Pilgrim_Cross_End.jpgDay by day, you will find yourself walking, like the Disciples, spreading the precious Gospel seed wherever the Good Shepherd leads you; honoring the lovely name of Jesus, with every word spoken; walking through this sin-darkened world, witnessing to those who take notice that of a truth, Jesus the Good Shepherd is leading you; even like faithful Enoch, walking through the highways and byways of life in this world, spreading the Gospel-seed of unpretentious love, wherever you may go. Day by day, you will become more and more closed-in with God. Your heart will become intertwined with God’s heart, eventually the two hearts beating as one heart. And just like Enoch, when the appointed sojourn on earth is finally done…you will walk onward…and upward…and into the highways and byways of eternity! (“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Genesis 5:24).

.

Thomas Cole-Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey – Wikimedia – US public domain

.

.

.

.

orion good shepherd

.

“Behold, I, even I, will both search

.

My sheep, and seek them out. 

.

As a shepherd seeketh out his flock

.

in the day that he is among his sheep

.

that are scattered;

.

so will I seek out My sheep,

.

and will deliver them out of all places

.

where they have been scattered

.

in the cloudy and dark day.”

Ezekiel 34:11, 12

.

.

.

.

.

THE END

 

.picture - soldiers of the cross - armor up!

.

.

.

.

 

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

ETERNITY NOT A PUFFY LITTLE CLOUD!

.

“Where there is no vision, the people perish” Proverbs 29:18

.

In the beginning, God placed our first parents in a beautiful garden. But as a result of sin, this world lost much of its beauty. The curse has marred, to a great extent, the pristine condition of nature.

.

There are perhaps many, who are under the impression, that God’s redeemed will spend all eternity sitting on a puffy little cloud, strumming a harp. Nothing could be further from the truth! “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth:” Revelation 21:1

.

Do we really imagine that the same God who created that incredible garden for our first parents, would then put us through all this sorrow and hardships, only to now stick us in some boring situation, for eternity? Such people don’t know God nearly well enough.

.

Sin and rebellion has marred the original beauty of this present world. But in spite of that, there still remains some of the beauty that this planet originally possessed. But marred as it is, still the beauty and innocent joys of this present world, are just a faint reflection of what awaits all those who persevere on the upward pathway to that Celestial City of God.

.

.

.

.

.

CATCH A VISION OF THAT PROMISED LAND!

.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:1, 2

 

.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elakala_Waterfalls_Swirling_Pool_Mossy_Rocks.jpg

So Signs Of Heaven encourages the reader to begin to get a vision of the New Heaven and New Earth, and begin to get excited about it. When we hear the cry of a new born baby, or the innocent laughter of little children. When we see a little forest creature having fun, or we enjoy a walk along the sand at the ocean, and hear the majestic roar of the crashing waves. These, and the many other joys of life were created by the One who has also gone to prepare an even more beautiful place for us to live. He knows our needs, and will provide a place far more wonderful home than this sin-cursed Earth.

.

And when we finally cross that river, and we stand together on the shores of that world to come, we will look in amazement at what He has in store for us there. And then we will know for certain, that “His mercy endures forever”, because “God is love”!

.

FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Psalm 104  Job 12:7-10  Isaiah 51:11

.

Elakala Waterfalls Swirling Pool Mossy Rocks – cropped image – Wikimedia – share-alike license

.

.

.

.

.
.

.

.
.

.

 

.

A HEAVENLY HOBBY

.

.

.

.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Starry_Night_at_La_Silla.jpg

.

.

“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

.

.

.

.

.

The above verse is a plea from God to look up at the Heavens and behold Who has created these http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New_york_times_square-terabass.jpgthings.

.

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 http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shoppers_on_Dundas,_near_Yonge.jpgworries, and habits, to name just a few.

.

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.

.

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

.

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

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

.

.

.

.

.

.

“AND WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS…

.

LOOK UP, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD”

.

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

.

.

.

.

.

.

.summer w/woman & doves

.

.

.

“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

.Orion Constellation

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 Chur7 stars as Crossch (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

.

.

.

.

.

.

ANOTHER HEAVENLY HOBBY: PRAYER-WALKS

.

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…

.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Starry_Night_at_La_Silla.jpg

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

.

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!

.

(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.

.

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

.

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!)

.

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

.

.

.

.

.

.

THRICE-DAILY PRAYERS

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Marines_at_Prayer_by_Alex_Raymond.jpg.

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

.

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.

.

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.

.

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.

.

Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – Wikimedia – public domain

Comments are closed.