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

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

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“A SIGN…OF THE LORD…IN THE HEIGHT ABOVE”

Isaiah 7:11

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“Ask thee a sign of the LORD…in the height above…Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel…And there appeared a great sign in heaven; a woman… And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne. And the woman fled into the wilderness,” Isaiah 7:11, 14 & Revelation 12:1, 5, 6

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Long ago, God made a promise in the Book of Isaiah, Ch. 7… “Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.”

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Now just what sign could this be, that was either in the depth or in the height above? Well, Isaiah continues… “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

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Oh, OK. So we know this sign was fulfilled in the depth, with the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. But God also spoke of a sign in the “height above”. So where is the fulfillment of this sign, in the “height above”?

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A SIGN IN HEAVEN

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“And there appeared a great wonder (sign) in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:” Revelation 12:1

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You see, God has placed in the heavens, the symbol of His bride, the Church-Faithful. In the summer night-sky, she appears as the woman-in-travail. This is the constellation, Ursa Major. And this article will introduce you to this amazing sign of Heaven, and what it means to you and to me.

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DOUBLE ENTENDRE OF REVELATION 12 WOMAN

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“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church: and He is the Savior of the body.” Ephesians 5:23

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This page concerns the constellation which is commonly known as “The Big Dipper” and the “Great Bear”. It actually appears in the summer months as a woman travailing in child-birth. God has purposely given her no head. But God did this to present a very important concept.

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Yes, this woman represents the Church, the “Jerusalem above, which is free, and is the mother of us all” (see Galatians 4:26).

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You see, the single star she is giving birth to typifies the Christ child. Reading in Ephesians that Christ is the “head” of the Church, this single star is logically going to become her head. But how will that be accomplished? 

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ABOVE STAR-CHARTS: Ursa Major – IAU.svg – Star-Chart – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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WOMAN FLIPS AROUND IN WINTER

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Now, if this Woman-in-Travail were all that the Lord created in the heavens, it would be nothing short of amazing! But God, in His infinite power and majesty, has made this a great sign in Heaven, just as Revelation 12 proclaims. Because as the summer passes, this constellation begins to slowly flip around, until the stars representing her arms now become her legs. And the stars that once represented her legs now become her arms.  And finally, it appears as the Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12. And at that point, this single little star in her womb-area, representing the Christ-child, now becomes her head! And of course, this reminds us of the passage… “And He (Christ) is the head of the body, the Church…” Colossians 1:18.

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ABOVE STAR-CHARTS: Ursa Major – IAU.svg – Star-Chart – Wikipedia – Share-Alike License

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REVELATION 12 TAKES PLACE IN HEAVEN

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“And there appeared a great sign in heaven; a woman… And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne….And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness” Revelation 12:1, 5, 14

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From time to time, the Book of Revelation mentions stars. But when we get to Revelation Chapter 12, it speaks of two “sign(s) in heaven”. First, it speaks of a sign of a woman with child. Then it speaks of a sign of a great red dragon, with a tail that sweeps one third of the stars and casts these stars down to the Earth. And this same chapter also speaks of Michael fighting against the dragon.

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And so these two signs in heaven, a woman, and a dragon (but also Michael, i.e., Orion), are a major part of this website, Signs Of Heaven.

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So as we read Revelation 12, we get the sense, that these signs which the Apostle John was shown, were closely intertwined with the starry host of the heavens. 

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What really gives validity to this idea, is that God created the Universe in such a way, that if one looks at the major constellations, then this Revelation 12 scenario can be seen. So please read on. And if the reader really, really, desires to see this heavenly battle, he or she just might. It will take some real effort on that Christian’s part. But through prayer and child-like faith, God may just graciously open one’s eyes to see these things. (And let’s face it! If God was to merely drop this revelation into our lap, we probably wouldn’t appreciate it as much.)

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(EARLY WINTER WESTERN HORIZON FOUR CONSTELLATIONS…The sketch above is of the four primary constellations of the Winter Constellations. They can be seen in this position, in the winter above the eastern horizon. But they actually begin to appear in mid-summer in the east, in the hours just prior to dawn. The Woman is commonly called Ursa Major. Orion is the soldier at the bottom. The Dragon’s mouth is Hyades, and his tail is The Pleiades . The Horse’s head is of Perseus and his rear end is Cassiopeia.)

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GOD’S PEOPLE COMPARED TO WOMAN… 

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There is no shortage of scriptures which emphasize this idea of God’s people being compared to a woman. Just listen… “For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2nd Corinthians 11:2.

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Paul is speaking to, not only the church at Corinth, but to every Christian. He is comparing God’s people to a chaste virgin. Here again, in this next verse, Jeremiah makes a similar statement… “I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.” Jeremiah 6:2.

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Now it is seen that the Old as well as the New Testaments both agree in comparing God’s people to a woman. So true Believers in the Old Testament were likewise considered by God to be the bride of Christ. And no, God will not have two wives. The Church is made of both Old and New Testament Believers. This is the bride of Christ. One Church. One bride.

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In the picture here of the “Five Wise Virgins”, is the idea of five brides. But this is a parable. And while it is presenting a spiritual concept, it must not be taken literally. God frequently uses the number “five” in connection to “family”. These five wise virgins represent the countless Christians who will comprise the Church, God’s family, and also, the true bride of Christ. 

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five wise virgins matt25 www.thebiblerevival.com public domain

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“MAKE STRAIGHT…A HIGHWAY…”

Isaiah 40:3

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And so, this Revelation 12 Woman Constellation has been placed in the Heavens to teach this grand concept of just how the Christian is to work out his or her Salvation. Wouldn’t you agree that this is an amazing constellation? And God, in His wonderful grace and mercy, has given us these signs in the night heavens: signs which cut right through the cloud of confusion, which  presently covers the Christian world, presenting a straight and true pathway to Heaven.

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MANY LESSONS TO BE LEARNED

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And all the Christian must do, is to study the various nuances which these signs possess, to gain a clear understanding of just how we can win that glorious crown which God holds out to each and every overcomer. But we must not forget that it is truly God who will carry us over the finish line. We just need to persevere and not give up, even though it may get discouraging at times.

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GRASPING FOR SCEPTER AND A CROWN…

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This page however just deals with the Woman travailing in child-birth. When she is in labor, she appears to reach out her hand southward to grasp a The Cross/Scepter, which is coming from the South, out of an ark-like box. There also is a Crown of 12 Stars (13 counting a star in the center). But the Crown (the Corona Borealis Constellation) is not yet on her head. The crown is to the south of her. So she is grasping for the Cross/Scepter. She doesn’t yet wear the crown. This reminds us of that well-known passage in Philippians which states…

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“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13, 14

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And also another verse of the apostle Paul… “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” 2nd Timothy 4:8.

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So this woman with child is grasping, either for that Cross/Scepter, or perhaps that crown, or both. This is such an incredible scenario in the heavens! But this is a very complex concept. Because this headless woman-with-child, which turns upside down in winter to become the “Fleeing Woman of Revelation 12”; and combine this with that Crown and that Cross/Scepter, of which she appears to be grasping for in summer, and these various aspects present a great portion of what the Bible is about.

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SKETCH WITH JOSHUA TREES…The above sketch are the Summer Constellations .as they appear when in the western half of the night sky. The box-like constellation is the The Ark of the Covenant (AKA Sagittarius Constellation) is in the south. To the right is both the Flower of the Field Constellation and above the flower is The Cross/Scepter Constellation. Further to the north is the Crown of Revelation Twelve (AKA  Corona Borealis ) and the star, Arcturus . Farthest to the north is the  Woman of Revelation 12, Part one (Woman in Travail) (AKA Ursa Major). Of course, in this sketch is the desert with several Joshua Tress and some mesas, and a few other plants.

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THE SCEPTER AND THE WOMAN…

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Let’s take a closer look at the scepter. Remember the story of Queen Esther? How she went into the King’s chamber to try to save her people, the Jews? When she did, she knew that it was required of whosoever entered into the King’s chamber, that the King must hold out his royal scepter for that person to touch, or that person must die? Well, the King did hold out the scepter for Queen Esther, to show His favor towards her… 

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“And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre.” Esther 5:2 

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Well, this heavenly scenario, shows this Cross/Scepter flying out of the Ark Constellation, heading straight towards this travailing woman who likewise is stretching out her hand to touch the heavenly Scepter. (even bending itself somewhat, so as to go straight to the woman’s outstretched hand)… 

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Do you see the beauty of this heavenly picture story? We see the Ark tilted towards the North, towards the woman-in-travail. We see the Cross/Scepter Constellation which not only represents God’s favor and authority; but also the Cross represents God’s law of love for a fallen planet. 

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We see the travailing woman in turn, reaching out to take hold of the Cross/Scepter. We see the woman about to give birth to a star (which represents the Christ child). This is the story of God’s love for His people. This is the story of redemption. The woman…God’s people.

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Sceptre_and_Orb_and_Imperial_Crown_of_Austria Wikipedia photo by Michal Maňas-PUBLIC DOMAIN

Esther by Jacopo del sellaio, esther e assuero 1400’s wikimedia public domain

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SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS = “COME FOLLOW ME”

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This whole scenario paints the portrait of just what it means to become a disciple of Jesus. We are all called to, “go and sell all you have, and give to the poor…and come follow Me”.  

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And so, the new Christian begins his or her heavenly sojourn. Oh yes, we’re still here on Earth. But we now begin a spiritual pilgrimage, as we follow Jesus in our hearts, and learn of Him. The Woman Constellation giving birth to the Christ-child typifies the Church (all true worshippers) as we struggle to rightly present Christ to the world. “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” Galatians 4:19.

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So Paul here was using this idea of child-birth as way of illustrating how a Believer is in spiritual labor pains, waiting for Christ to be formed within.

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Remember the parable of ‘the Sower who went forth sowing seed’ (Matthew 13:3-9)? Hopefully our hearts are made of good soil into which the gospel seed can be sown. The Gospel is only planted as a little seed. The seed must grow. But if we are true worshippers, then our desire is to be co-laborers together with Christ, to purify our lives, in order that the world can look at us, and see Christ in us…

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“And every man who has this hope in Him (Christ), purifies himself, even as He (Christ) is pure.” John 3:3. Such a condition would be what the Bible speaks of as, “seed planted on good soil.”

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TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE

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RECEIVING THE CROWN… We have now arrived at that day, which the Bible refers to as The Time of Jacob’s Trouble (see Jeremiah 30:7). Like this woman, we too are grasping for the Cross/Scepter. And just like that crown not yet on her head, we have yet to receive that crown of life.

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 “Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love Him.” James 1:12 

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But the sins of the Church are great. God’s people are ashamed at how un-Christlike we are before the onlooking world. We pray that Christ would be formed within us, that we might glorify Him in all that we do. But we fail so often. With family. With friends. With seemingly everyone! Prayers seem unanswered. Characters still roughly hewn. We can certainly say along with Paul… “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Romans 7:24. 

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“WE HAVE… BROUGHT FORTH WIND”

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GOD’S PEOPLE NOT SAVED… “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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It is now time for God’s people to give birth. But because of the worldliness and neglect of the work of the heart that God has given us as the divine commission, the Church is ready to give birth…to wind! It is the sad truth that these words of Isaiah have a special application to today’s Church.

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This is a frightful prophecy. This not only goes out to God’s people at the time, but also to New Testament Christians as well. It goes along with the prophecy in Jeremiah… 

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“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?” Jeremiah 8:20-22. 

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This prophecy reminds us of the message to the church at Laodicea… “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.” Revelation 3:16.

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The Prophet Isaiah (Bible Card from 1904) – Wikipedia – public domain

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TIME OF JACOB’S TROUBLE…

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 “Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.” Joel 1:15

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AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT… But now we are at the final scenes of this grand play, called planet Earth. God is going to purify a people to stand through this soon coming climactic finale. Now God has pronounced that the day has come. We can’t put it off any longer. It is the time known in Scripture as the ‘Day of the Lord’. 

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Listen… “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness…” 2nd Peter 3:10, 11. 

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Now God requires a struggle from His sons and daughters. But alas…that day is upon us. (But in a sense, that day has always been upon Christians.) And just like a woman in labor pains, the day can’t be put off any longer. When a woman’s labor pains come, then the time is at hand. And this time we are now entering into, is the spiritual birth-pangs of Planet Earth. It is what the Bible calls the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble”. Jeremiah prophesied of this day…

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“Ask ye now, and see whether a man does travail with child? 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.”  Jeremiah 30:6

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Jacob – Wikimedia-US – Public-Domain

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TRAVAILING

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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 comprised of following rules and regulations. Paul was trying to dispel that notion by showing how Christianity is growing into a Christ-like character. It is a “new birth” experience.  

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CONCLUSION…

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These prophecies show that God is not wanting for His people to take a relaxed attitude toward their Salvation. Like Paul, every Christian too, must be running the Race. Like Paul, the individual Christian must be fighting the Good Fight. And just like Paul we should not consider ourselves to have already attained. Rather we need to joyfully suffer the loss of all things counting them as rubbish that we might obtain Christ…

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“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the Prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14.

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In essence, what Paul is saying here is the very same concept as that of having Christ formed within, yet in different language.

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Paul the Apostle – cropped & brightened photo – Artist – Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier – circa 1500s – Wikipedia – Public Domain

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ONE MORE THOUGHT…

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And one more thought, for those who might be somewhat skeptical about all this.

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Why is it so hard to imagine that God has created these signs in the Sun, Moon, and Stars? After all, He mentions these constellations in Scripture. God speaks of Orion, and the 7 Stars in Job. He speaks of the Revelation 12 Woman and the Dragon of Revelation, Chapter 12. And He mentions other of these constellations as well. So there is enough Biblical support for these signs for those who are open-minded to further investigate into these things.

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So please consider making Signs Of Heaven into your number-one hobby (along with your daily Bible study, of course). And if you study this website, you are guaranteed to discover new Bible truths, which are extremely helpful to your Christian walk. This is truly a “win-win” proposition!

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THE END

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NEXT ARTICLE:

WOMAN OF REVELATION 12-FLEEING WOMAN

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The next related article is about this same constellation in winter. This amazing creation of God completely turns upside down in winter and now looks like a running woman! Incredible? Oh very incredible, especially since these two aspects of this woman are spoken of in Revelation 12… “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman…travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered…And the woman fled into the wilderness,” Revelation 12:1, 2, 6 .

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So to read this amazing story just click here… “The Woman of Revelation 12–The Fleeing Woman”

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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