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“Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it:

it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble;

but he shall be saved out of it.”

Jeremiah 30:7

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The Crown of Revelation 12:

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What Is “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”?

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OUR TWO HOSTS

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GLORIOUS CROWN CONSTELLATION… 

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& THE REVELATION 12 WOMAN

 

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Let us meet our first host: The Glorious Crown of Revelation 12 Constellation!

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This Glorious Crown Constellation looks like a wreath at first glance.

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It has 7 stars, plus another star in the middle.

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This Glorious Crown Constellation is commonly referred to as the Corona Borealis Constellation.

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This wreath reminds us of the victory wreath given to athletes who won races in the ancient cultures.

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This was spoken of by Paul as he compared those ancient races to the race that Christians must run…

  “Know you all not, 

that they which run in a race run all,

but one receives the prize?

So run, that you all may obtain.”

1st Corinthians 9:24 (see also Hebrews 12:1) 

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Corona Borealis – seen in warmer months – cropped photo – Wikipedia – Taken from software called Perseus – All rights by Roberto Mura 

Laurel Wreath, Wikipedia

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“A CROWN OF 12 STARS UPON HER HEAD” …

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But upon a closer examination if you have access to a very dark sky out in the country…

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…if you watch this wreath, you will eventually see 5 more very faint stars, making a total of 12 stars, plus that single star in the middle.

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This wreath now becomes a glorious crown of 12 stars!

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This goes along with Revelation 12, which tells of a crown of 12 stars upon the head of the Virtuous Woman of Revelation 12.

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Just listen to Revelation… “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman…and upon (or, “over”) her head a crown of twelve stars:” Revelation 12:1.

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But this crown is not yet upon the head of the Virtuous Woman of Revelation 12 Constellation (also known as Ursa Major).

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It is just over or above her head, as if she has yet to attain it.

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Of course, the 13th star in the middle would represent Christ (Who is our true “Crown of rejoicing”).

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Okay, so we have a picture of Christ and His twelve tribes of Israel.

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But also, we have a picture of Christ and His twelve apostles, which is a picture of His Church.

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So, this heavenly crown is a multi-faceted concept.

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Photo: Corona Borealis – seen in warmer months – cropped photo with crown drawn in by this website – Wikipedia – Taken from software called Perseus – All rights by Roberto Mura 

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“THERE IS A CROWN LAID UP FOR ME”

2nd Timothy 4:8

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But as far as this article is concerned, the concept to remember is that this Revelation 12 Woman (Ursa Major) appears to be grasping for this 12-star crown.

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It represents the prize which God has promised to all who finally overcome the world.

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Listen… “To him that overcometh

will I grant to sit with Me in my throne,

even as I also overcame,

and am set down with My Father in His throne.”

Revelation 3:21

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And so, with this in mind, one can see that there’s a prize to win: a glorious crown!

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Wikipedia Star-Chart – Corona Borealis

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WHAT IS “THE TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE”?

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“ …wherefore do I see every man

with his hands on his loins,

as a woman in travail,

and all faces are turned into paleness? 

Alas! for that day is great,

so that none is like it:

it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble;

but he shall be saved out of it….

in the latter days ye shall consider it.”

Jeremiah 30:6-8, 24

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Such strange language, God speaks in the above passage!

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How can a man travail in child-birth? And not only so, but God says that… “every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail…”.

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So God is declaring that every man will be laboring in child-birth!

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And if that’s not enough, God says that “all faces are turned into paleness”.

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This above passage is not speaking collectively. It is speaking individually to “every man”.

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But notice it says that Jacob “shall be saved out of it”.

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Just who is God referring to here, calling him Jacob? After all, Jacob died thousands of years ago.

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Jacob – Wikimedia-US – Public-Domain

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“In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory”

Isaiah 28:5

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The sketch is of the Revelation 12 Woman Constellation, as she attempts to grasp for the crown of victory.

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These two constellations can be seen in the warmer months.

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And this heavenly scenario is a fitting portrait of the Christian, as he or she struggles to give birth to Christ…

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…while at the same time reach out for that Crown of Victory which God promises to all who overcome the world.

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Listen…

…”And every man that striveth for the mastery 

is temperate in all things.

Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown;

but we an incorruptible.”

1st Corinthians 9:25.

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So here God declares that there is a crown to be won.

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THE NIGHT OF JACOB’S WRESTLING

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The story of Jacob and Esau is the story of two twin brothers (certainly not identical twins!). Both were very flawed individuals.

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But the big difference between them, is that Jacob desired to become spiritual while Esau loved the world and only desired the things which the world had to offer.

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You could say that Esau was a “hairy man”, a man of the flesh, while Jacob was a man of the Spirit. (See Genesis 27:11)

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Esau desired the things of the world, while Jacob desired the things of Heaven.

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But Jacob was still unrefined.

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He still had sin in his life, which caused him to resort to much un-Christ-like behavior.

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And so, after deceiving his father into giving the long-promised and long-awaited family blessing which rightfully belonged to his elder brother, Esau, Jacob had to flee for his life.

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And God allowed all this, so that He could bring Jacob through the necessary life-experiences, to cleanse and purify Jacob’s deceitful and distrustful heart.

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Esau and jacob – Wikigallery – US public domain

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NIGHT OF TROUBLE

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But after all the years of suffering at the hand of Uncle Laban, it was now finally time for Jacob to return to his homeland to confront his angry brother,

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Esau. Jacob had learned many life-lessons during his years serving Uncle Laban.

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But on this return-trip home, Jacob was accosted by a man, one fateful evening, with whom he wrestled all through that entire night.

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But at the dawning of the day, the man pleaded with Jacob to let him go.

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But Jacob refused, saying… “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Genesis 32:26. 

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You see, in this early morning light Jacob now could see that this mystery-man was not the enemy, but actually was an agent sent from Heaven.

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Now Jacob realized he had been wrestling with the Angel of the Lord.

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And so Jacob refused to let his Lord go until he had God’s blessing.

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Jacob – Wikimedia-US – Public-Domain

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JACOB’S PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF

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And God did indeed give Jacob the true blessing that he desired. The angel replied…

…”What is thy name?

And he said, “Jacob”. 

And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel:

for as a prince hast thou power with God

and with men, and hast prevailed.”

Genesis 32:27, 28.

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Now that Jacob had prevailed with God, he was no longer known as Jacob, which means “Deceiver”.

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Now God gave him the glorious name, “Israel”, which means “He strives with God”.

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And now Jacob realized that the angel of the Lord, with whom he had wrestled through the night was none other than Jesus.

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This is why he exclaimed… “…for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” Genesis 32:29, 30 

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This was what the Prophet Jeremiah referred to as “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble”.

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Jacob wrestles angel – wikipedia – US public domain

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THE OLD MAN & THE NEW MAN

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But as for Esau and Jacob representing the “Man of Flesh” and the “Man of Spirit”, just listen to this next verse…

“Lie not one to another,

seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 

And have put on the new man,

which is renewed in knowledge

after the image of Him that created him:”

Colossians 3:9,10

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And just as Jacob was trying to escape Esau, so the Christian is trying to flee from his or her own fleshy desires. 

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Oh yes, the Christian wants very much to have a consistent walk in the Spirit.

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But it seems that so many of us sincere Christians are too often falling into our fleshly lusts: pride, anger, judging, lusting, gluttony, worldliness, and a host of other sins are constantly rising up, making us to doubt our Salvation.

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James Tissot – Jacob & Esau – The Mess of Pottage – wikipedia – US public domain

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“RENEWED IN KNOWLEDGE”

Colossians 3:10

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But let’s not allow the remedy listed in the above passage to escape our notice.

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Listen once again… “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him:” Notice that it says that the New Man is “renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him”.

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So, the New Man is renewed in knowledge after the image of Jesus.

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WHY DO WE NEED TO WRESTLE?

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“We have been with child,

we have been in pain,

we have as it were brought forth wind;

we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth;

neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.”

Isaiah 26:18

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The big problem is found in the above passage from Isaiah, in which the Lord pronounced this sad judgment upon His Church in the very last days.

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God is revealing here that His people have been laboring in vain.

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The Church has not given spiritual birth to Christ. We gave birth to wind.

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We have failed to finish up the work which God gave us to do, and all our evangelistic efforts have been in vain.

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The inhabitants of the Earth have not fallen in our failed attempt to evangelize the world. They remain more defiant than ever.

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Francken Hieronymus the Younger Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins – c 1616 – wikipedia – pub-dom

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WHY THE BREAK OF DAY?

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Now the question must be asked, “Why did this wrestling match culminate at the breaking of the day?” 

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Just listen to Peter…

…”We have also a more sure word of prophecy;

whereunto ye do well that ye take heed,

as unto a light that shineth in a dark place,

until the day dawn,

and the day-star arise in your hearts:”

2nd Peter 1:19.

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So Peter here, speaks of a time called “The Dawning of the Day”, in which the Church will receive a great spiritual blessing.

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And this Day-Star, Christ, which will arise in our hearts is the very same concept of which this article is speaking of, howbeit in somewhat different allegorical terms.

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Through the Old Testament, there are various stories which concern the “dawning of the day”.

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The conquering of Jericho occurred at dawn. (Joshua Chapter 6)

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The story of the Levite & His Concubine (Judges, Ch. 19) culminated with the concubine reaching the threshold at dawn.

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To gain a greater understanding of this, just go to… “Castor and Pollux (Part 2: The Return of Christ & The Dawning of the Day)”

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Lot Flees that infamously wicked city by Benjamin West- www.christimages.org US public domain

By G. Dore 084 The Levite & his Concubine wikipedia US public domain

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CAN A MAN TRAVAIL IN CHILD-BIRTH!?!

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 Jeremiah shows that Jacob’s night of wrestling was a picture of that time known as “the time of Jacob’s trouble”.

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The question, “Ask ye now…does a man travail with child?” shows that this is speaking metaphorically.

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Listen to Paul’s language, his strange language regarding a church that’s having spiritual problems…  

“My little children,

of whom I travail in birth again

until Christ be formed in you…”

Galatians 4:19.

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The churches of Galatia were being leavened by false teaching that propped up the notion that Christianity is just a mere “following rules and regulations”. 

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JACOB & ESAU: FRIENDS AGAIN

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At the end of the story of Jacob and Esau, the time finally arrives for the long-dreaded reunion between the two twin-brothers. Jacob, with much apprehension, prepares to meet his angry brother.

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Jacob and his huge family and flocks are confronted by Esau and his small army.

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But when the time fully comes, much to Jacob’s surprise, his brother, Esau, hugs Jacob, and greets him in peace and love.

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In spiritual terms, this seems to be a picture of the time when the tried and tested Believer finally and fully overcomes the world.

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At that time we will have completely overcome the “Old Man with his deeds” Col. 3:9 

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meeting of jacob and esau – 1844 – wikipaintings – public domain

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OVERCOMING JUST AS PAUL!

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That Believer will now have his or her body fully in subjection.

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And the Believer will now be able to say with Paul…

“But I keep under my body,

and bring it into subjection:

lest that by any means,

when I have preached to others,

I myself should be a castaway.”

1st Corinthians 9:27.  

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Paul kept his body in complete subjection. He had fully mastered his rebellious flesh.

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And this will be the purpose of the coming tribulation (which has already begun in the lives of God’s tried and tempted faithful ones).

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The Church will be fully purified by the fiery trial before us. At that time we will have completely overcome the “Old Man with his deeds” Colossians 3:9 

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Paul Shipwrecked – Acts 27:41-44 – www.lavistachurchofchrist.org – Public Domain

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“A GREAT WONDER IN HEAVEN…“A WOMAN…TRAVAILING IN BIRTH”

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“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven;

a woman clothed with the sun,

and the moon under her feet,

and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 

And she being with child cried,

travailing in birth,

and pained to be delivered.”

Revelation 12:1, 2 

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And so, it now becomes more apparent why God has placed this headless woman with child in the heavens.

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She is to present that glorious concept: that God’s people are to strive with God, as God has planted the Gospel seed within His people.

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And striving, as did Jacob, there will finally come that glorious dawning of the day, in which we will be finally victorious.

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And in our victory, Christ will be fully formed within the hearts of each Believer.

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And then we will “shine forth as the Sun” to a world still held captive in sin and darkness. Matthew 13:43

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

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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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“AND WHEN YE SEE THESE THINGS…

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LOOK UP, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD”

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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 having said this, 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.

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

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“And there shall be signs in the sun,

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and in the moon,

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and in the stars;

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and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity;

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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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