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“And the nations were angry, and Thy wrath is come…

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And the temple of God was opened in heaven,

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and there was seen in His temple the Ark of His testament:

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and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings,

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and an earthquake, and great hail.”

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Revelation 11:18, 19

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THE ARK OF THE COVENANT

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In the days of Moses, some 1400 years before Christ, God instructed that great man of faith, to make a portable tabernacle for the children of Israel.

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This movable tabernacle was designed to take from place to place as they sojourned in the deserts of the wilderness for 40 years.

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This tabernacle was, of course, for the purpose of performing the animal sacrifices for the sins of the people of God…the Hebrews.

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Moses was given specific instructions as how to make that tabernacle: “And look that you make them after their pattern, which was showed you in the mount.” Exodus 25:40.

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The Lord God Himself, showed Moses, while on that fiery mount, just how that elaborate tent was to be constructed, and how it was to be furnished.

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In the heart of this tabernacle was a room called the Most Holy Place.

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In it was the Golden Ark of the Covenant (Law).

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Nobody but the high priest (symbolizing Christ) was allowed in that room.

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This most holy room was where the once-a-year Atonement for sin was made with the blood of the animal sacrifice (representing Christ’s blood).

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Now in this Ark were 3 symbolic items:

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1. a golden bowl of manna (bread), and

2. the 2 tablets of the Law, and

3. Aaron’s rod that budded with almonds, showing that Aaron (symbolizing Christ) was the chosen high priest.

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Now, this rod of Aaron was a type of kingly scepter.

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In other words, it was the forerunner of a king’s scepter which became a common symbol of power in most kingly courts around the world.

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Holman The Tabernacle in the Wilderness – Wikipedia – US Public Domain

(Above photo: Moses and Joshua in the Tabernacle, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (French, 1836-1902) at the Jewish Museum, New York. Public domain.)

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THE ARK IN THE HEAVENS

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So what importance to us is all this information?

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Well, if a person goes out at night, beginning in April (earlier in southern-most latitudes, and later in northern-most), in the pre-dawn hour, they just might locate the constellation commonly referred to as the  Sagittarius Constellation  .

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It is located in the southern sky. (Each night it appears a little earlier, slowly inching westward, through the summer, until it finally disappears below the western horizon in November.)

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At first, it simply appears as two twin birds flying westward.

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But if you look once again, it just might appear as a long box-like figure, with one star on the right, as you face it, and two stars on the left.

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The box, of course would be the Ark, and the stars on either side would represent angels, which are sometimes referred to as stars in the Bible (for instance, “the seven stars are the angels…” Revelation 1:20).

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To the right is a star-chart from Wikipedia, in which the editor of this site has sketched in this Sagittarius Constellation, to show how God created it to appear.

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – summer constellations – Two Turtledoves (Sagittarius) -Flower of the Field (Scorpio) – Cross/Scepter Constellations (stars from Ophiochus & Serpens cut) – www.theheavensdeclare.net – Not for commercial profit uses!

Star-chart to right is from Wikipedia. Editor has sketched over Sagittarius to show this Ark Constellation.

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THE ARK, CROSS/SCEPTER & FLOWER OF THE FIELD

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“And the temple of God was opened in heaven,

and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament”

Revelation 11:19

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The below sketch is of the southernmost constellations: The Ark of the Covenant, the Flower of the Field, and the Cross/Scepter Constellations.

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As you can see in the sketch, the two stars in this Ark of the Covenant Constellation, (on either side of the Ark) do not look like these two angels.

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This sketch is just an overly generous embellishment of this constellation.

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This sketch does however, present a view of the Ark, as it might have appeared (somewhat) in Solomon’s temple.

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This constellation is commonly known as “Sagittarius”.

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Why the ancients saw this as a centaur (man/horse figure) is a mystery.

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ABOVE PICTURE – SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS: Ark (Sagittarius) – Cross-scepter (Ophiuchus & Serpens Caput) – Flower of the Field (Scorpio) – signsofheaven.org – Not for profit uses!

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CROSS/SCEPTER CONSTELLATION 

click on above title

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“there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel”  Numbers 24:17

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While the above Bible verse was pointing to, and fulfilled in Christ, it nevertheless seems to be also associated with this constellation group.

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The accompanying sketches show this Cross/Scepter rising and going upward and northward toward the Revelation 12 Woman Constellation.

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So, this constellation group puts a double exclamation mark on that ancient prophecy…

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“there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel”  Numbers 24:17. 

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Now the star spoken of in this above verse appears to be speaking of Arcturus, the Host Star of this Website.

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And you will discover that this star, Arcturus, leads the many Signs Of Heaven constellations on a year-long trek through the skies.

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If you wish to read about Arcturus, you can just click here… “Arcturus (the star that wise men follow)” .

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“YEA, THY LAW IS WITHIN MY HEART”

Psalm 40:8…

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This above Bible verse (“Yea, Thy law is within my heart”), does not specifically mention the Ark.

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But it does point to the law as being in God’s heart.

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Couple this with the fact that the actual Ark has the two tablets of the Law contained within.

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Put these two facts together and one might come to the conclusion that the Ark Constellation, having the law within it, represents the heart of God.

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This is further substantiated by the following verse… “And I saw no temple therein in (the New Jerusalem): For the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.” Revelation 21:22.

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So, it is seen here that the temple was a representation of God, Himself. 

(Above photo: Moses and Joshua in the Tabernacle, c. 1896-1902, by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (French, 1836-1902) at the Jewish Museum, New York. Public domain.)

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THE MOST HOLY PLACE IN MY HEART

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“My son, keep My words, and lay up My commandments with thee….write them upon the table of thine heart.” Proverbs 7:1-3

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“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  1st Corinthians 3:16

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By combining these two above passages, it is discovered a very important truth, which God has somewhat concealed, in Scripture, to a certain extent.

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And that truth is this: If we are the temple of God, and if God’s Word is to be in our heart, then what can we say about our heart?

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That it represents the Most Holy Place, and the Ark, where the two tables of stone were kept.

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This is a profound truth.

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Let’s repeat this statement. If we are the temple of God, then our heart seems to spiritually be an extension of the Most Holy Place (“ye are the temple of God”).

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THE HEART: MODERN-DAY HOLY PLACE

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Again, it must be remembered that God’s people are a royal priesthood… “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,” 1st Peter 2:9.

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As priests, God’s people are to join together with Jesus, our High Priest, in prayers, supplications with thanksgiving.

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But today there is no physical Temple.

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But because we are the Temple of God, we can only worship and pray together with Christ in our hearts. In this following passage, Jesus explains that mere brick-n-mortar buildings or sacred cities are not required in order to worship God.

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Listen… “…ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh,

when ye shall neither in this mountain,

nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father…

God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him

must worship Him in spirit and in truth.”

John 4:20, 21, 24.

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In this famous story of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s Well, He plainly declares that true worship is not in some building, or even in Jerusalem.

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But true worship is in heart. 

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PRIESTS AND KINGS”

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“And hast made us unto our God, kings and priests: and we shall reign on the Earth.” Revelation 5:10 

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God has called us to be priests together with Christ.

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We are to be co-laborers with Christ, pleading for the people. Scripture commands us to… “Pray without ceasing.” 1st Thessalonians 5:17.

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As a Christian goes about his or her day, they are constantly praying and thanking the Lord, and interceding for others.

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Peter gave us this great encouragement... “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation” 1st Peter 2:9.

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Tissot – The Two Priests Are Destroyed – Wikimedia – Public Dom.

 

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SAME HOLY CALLING TODAY

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And so, the thought of today’s Christian should be exactly like the faithful priest of long ago.

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He must have a trembling heart at God’s holiness.

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All presumptuousness and flippancy and worldliness must be banished out of the Christian’s heart.

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No, the true worshipper will not literally be struck dead.

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But those who enter into the life of a Christian, will never know the deep spiritual and holy things of God, until they enter into this most solemn priestly office, by faith. 

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“Thus saith the LORD…but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word.” Isaiah 66:1, 2.

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Here God is making it clear what is to be the proper attitude of a True Worshiper. 

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Tissot – The Two Priests Are Destroyed – Wikimedia – Public Dom.

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THE CROWN AND THE CROSS/SCEPTER…

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The Revelation 12 Woman Constellation is seen reaching out her hand.

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At first it seems she is just in labor pains.

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But as we back up, we see that there is a Crown of 12 Stars and a Cross/Scepter, just out of her grasp.

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And so it now appears that this woman with child is reaching for either the Crown or the Cross/Scepter.

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Both of these possibilities have tremendous Biblical implications. (She also appears to be possibly grasping for that great star, Arcturus, which represents “Christ”).

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The crown in the Bible is found many times.

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It is the symbol of victory that the Christian strives to win as we run the Christian race.

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To read more on that subject, just click here… “The Crown of Revelation 12” Constellation.

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations w/ark (aka: Sagittarius) & Revelation 12 Woman (aka: Ursa Major, including The Big Dipper) – www.theheavensdeclare.net

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DAY & NIGHT

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Psalm 1 gives the formula for the successful Christian life.

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And one of the aspects found in that Psalm, is to meditate upon God’s Law (the Bible) day and night (“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.”).

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This is not a suggestion…this is a command…from God! 

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And the Christian should order his or her life in such a way, so as to allow this command to become a reality.

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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain

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“AARON’S ROD THAT BUDDED”…

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“behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded,

and brought forth buds,

and bloomed blossoms,

and yielded almonds. ”

Numbers 17:6-8

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Here we see that Aaron’s rod that budded symbolized that God put His divine approval on Aaron’s authority to be high priest.

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So too, the righteousness of Christ is His scepter of authority.

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Likewise, the Cross is a symbol of Christ’s authority.

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The Cross is the symbol of Christ’s righteousness…

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Of course, as already stated, the Cross/Scepter, coming out of the Ark Constellation is a heavenly symbol of this Biblical concept.

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And as Summer progresses, this Ark appears to tip over, as if spilling out its contents.

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ABOVE PICTURE – SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS: Ark (Sagittarius) – Cross-scepter (Ophiuchus & Serpens Caput) – Flower of the Field (Scorpio) – signsofheaven.org – Not for profit uses!

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STAR IN THE ARK…

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Do you see the star in the middle of the Ark Constellation?

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Why did God put it there?

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Maybe it represents the Lord Jesus.

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Maybe His people. 

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ABOVE PICTURE – SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS: Ark (Sagittarius) – Cross-scepter (Ophiuchus & Serpens Caput) – Flower of the Field (Scorpio) – signsofheaven.org – Not for profit uses!

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“I WILL OPEN YOU THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN

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AND POUR YOU OUT A BLESSING”…

Malachi 3:10

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Now if all these things are not amazing enough, this is not the end of the story.

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You see, when these constellations are seen in the early part of summer, the Ark is somewhat tipped.

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This reminds us of that well-known story about when the Ark was being brought back to the Jews.

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The cart on which the Ark sat shook, and it looked as if the Ark was going to fall over.

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But a man named Uzzah grabbed hold of the Ark to steady the Ark, in a humanitarian effort.

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But God was displeased with Uzzah for presumptuously touching this sacred symbol by his own human strength.

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And so God struck Uzzah dead. (See 2nd Samuel, Ch. 6).

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Uzzah Touches Ark by James Tissot – Wikipedia – public domain

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ARK CONSTELLATION TIPS

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So here’s the amazing phenomenon about this Ark Constellation.

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You see, as summer progresses, the axis of the Earth changes, so as to make it appear that this Ark tips more and more.

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This seems to present a most incredible concept: that God is now willing to pour out His own heart to Mankind.

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And along with that, God is willing to pour out His abundant treasures to anyone willing to receive His spiritual treasures: His great Love, His Spirit, His goodness, patience, wisdom and knowledge.

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ABOVE PICTURE: “Ark of the Covenant” (aka Sagittarius) and “Flower of the Field” (aka Scorpio) Constellations ( in the autumn) Public Domain-www.signsofheaven.org

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Listen… “And it shall come to pass afterward,

that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh…

And I will show wonders in the heavens

and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke.”

Joel 2:28, 30. (Condensed)

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Notice that in connection with the Day of the Lord, God says He will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh.

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But also He says that He will show wonders in the heavens.

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And of course, one of those wonders in the heavens is this Ark, pouring out its blessed contents.

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But if you are in very good star-watching conditions, you can see a cloudy pillar of stars rising up out of this Ark!

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ABOVE STAR-CHART – Summer Constellations w/ark (aka: Sagittarius) & Revelation 12 Woman (aka: Ursa Major, including The Big Dipper) – www.theheavensdeclare.net

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WHAT TEMPLE-SERVICE IN JOEL?

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Notice this Book of Joel has to do with the end-times, and yet is concerned with the temple service.

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Well, the temple service has been done away with in Christ. It will never again be revived in symbolic type but is now fulfilled in Christ!

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That is, Christ is our temple…

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…He is our sacrifice…

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…He is our High Priest…

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…He is that Ark…

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…He is the Holy and Most Holy Place…

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…He is the Altar… “Christ is all, and in all” Colossians 3:11.

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PRIESTS WITH JESUS

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But we New Testament Believers are joint heirs with Christ, and as co-priests, we nevertheless must heed these fiery words of Joel, and by faith enter into this most solemn priestly work…

…”Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD,

weep between the porch and the altar,

and let them say, Spare Thy people, O LORD,

and give not Thine heritage to reproach,

that the heathen should rule over them:

wherefore should they say among the people,

Where is their God?”

Joel 2:17.

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Joel the Prophet – www.wikipaintings.com – Public Domain

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WE ARE TO CRY OUT

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Are you tired of having yourself and your family ruled over by unbelievers, out in society?

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Well then, the remedy for this is found in this above verse.

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Listen again…“Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD,

weep between the porch and the altar,

and let them say, Spare Thy people, O LORD,

and give not Thine heritage to reproach,

that the heathen should rule over them:

wherefore should they say among the people,

Where is their God?”

Joel 2:17.

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As New Testament priests, we are to cry out to God for deliverance: deliverance for our family, friends, and for the Church of God (that is, the Chosen and Elect).

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Ebenezer Newman Downard – Morning prayer – 1860 – Wikipedia – public domain

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THE SIGNS OF HEAVEN

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“And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed Him.” Luke 5:11 

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So now this Ark Constellation and the Cross/Scepter Constellation are two of the constellations which make up this Constellation group known as “Arcturus with His Sons”.

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Along with all the rest of the constellations in this website, God is revealing what He spoke of in the Gospel of Luke… “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars” Luke 21:25

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Nevertheless, God is just now revealing these heavenly signs, to show us His great love for this fallen world.

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And this constellation group is a call; a call to you…and a call to me… “Come follow Me, and I will make you Fishers of Mankind”, says Jesus.

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THE END

 

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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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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 starwatching 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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