The Open Scroll - Heavenly Sign Watching: Part II

Heavenly Sign Watching: Part II

By Bob Schlenker  (Prints about 7 pages)


The Sign of Argo

In the celestial heavens, there is a constellation which depicts a sailing ship (Argo) under which are found the larger and smaller Magellanic clouds, two fish (Volens and Dorado) and a net. (Reticulum) Is this familiar imagery? Compare Matthew 13:47-50 and I Thessalonians 4:17. The symbolism suggests a harvest of people at the close of an age. The ship is above the clouds, a heavenly vision of where the fish are caught up to from out of the water (nations).

Argo, the constellation pictured as a ship, represents "The Pilgrims safe at Home" according to E.W. Bullinger. Its name means "company of travelers." The brightest, or, alpha star is Canopus; "the possession of Him who cometh" with others of the star-names being: Markab, (returning from afar) Sephina, (the multitude or abundance) Tureis, (the possession) Asmidiska, (the released who travel) Soheil, (the desired) and Subilon. (the branch)

a picture taken by the Hubble Space Telescope of Supernova 1987aWhat makes this region of the sky particularly relevant in our day is the special celestial event that took place in this portion of the sky a few years ago. Here is an excerpt from the following web page: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap970124.html "Explanation: Ten years ago the most notable supernova of modern times was observed. In February 1987, light reached Earth from a star which exploded in the nearby Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy. Supernova 1987a remains the closest supernova since the invention of the telescope. The explosion catapulted a tremendous amount of gas, light, and neutrinos into interstellar space. When observed by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in 1994, large strange rings were discovered whose origin is still mysterious, although thought to have been expelled even before the main explosion." Supernova 1987a is the celestial event F. Chris Patrick says the Lord showed him this is a sign pointing to "the rapture" of the church.

When I first saw the picture in a National Geographic, it struck me as a Venn Diagram. As the whole of humanity is composed of two sets of people, Jew and Gentile, we see two large rings possibly representing these two sets. The church of our Lord's body consists of a people called out from both Jew and Gentile, represented in the diagram where the two large rings intersect. These have in common holy spirit, depicted by the bright ring around the intersection. The two bright stars seem to represent the Father and the Son. The Father, the brighter is located just outside the one large ring. The Son is just within the other ring. That would be the "Jewish" ring. At the center of the holy spirit ring is a bright spot. Perhaps this represents the Bride, or the 144,000? Astronomers expect this event to reoccur any time now. Are you ready to open the door when the Bridegroom knocks?

The story F. Chris Patrick shared with me on the phone was not unlike that of my own, when the Lord got my attention turned to the latter day sign of the Magi and its meaning. You can order his book called The Zodiac Conspiracy from me for $6.95 plus $2 S&H (add additional postage if international mailing is requested) Mail to: Christian Research Ministries PO Box 620571 Orangevale, CA 95662

Hale-Bopp in Argo

We have seen evidence that the comet Hale-Bopp is a sign from a number of angles already, and have also considered a sign in the constellation Argo. Now, if the celestial light Hale-Bopp were to appear in the zodiacal sign known as Argo, wouldn't that be notable? It did! Hale-Bopp passed through that area of the sky in mid-August to December 1997!

As previously mentioned, Hale-Bopp very likely last appeared prior to the flood in Noah's day as a warning. Bob Wadsworth, fellow biblical astronomer, has noted that Hale-Bopp, as seen from earth, spends most of its time in the constellation Pavo. Pavo, previously known as Argos, appears to represent Noah, the builder of the ark of which Argo is likely a symbol. Another association with Noah is seen in connection with the year that began when the comet was actually seen in Argo. The Jewish accounting of the year which began in September of 1997 was the year numbered 5758. In Hebrew, it is composed of the four letters tav, shin, nun, chet and can be viewed as an acrostic meaning "season of Noah." As the Rabbis like to say, "Coincidence is not a kosher word."

Hale-Bopp/Hyakutake - X Marks The Spot!

If you think what you've been learning so far about this comet Hale-Bopp has been interesting, let me suggest to you that "you ain't seen nothin' yet"! A comparison of the paths of the comets reveals some extremely provocative information. When the paths of Hyakutake and Hale-Bopp are traced and charted, they can be seen to intersect, as my friend Bob Wadsworth discovered just this last month. The place where their paths intersect has a very significant meaning AND the interval of time between when each comet was at that intersection point is exactly one solar year - to the day! So, they were in the same meaningful place exactly one year apart - near the variable beta star Algol in the constellation Perseus: Hyakutake on April 11, 1996 and Hale-Bopp on April 11, 1997. Of course, this might be just a coincidence, but it seems far more likely that the Lord is directing our attention with this sign to focus upon both the date and the designated location. I think its reasonable to infer that the meaning of that area of the sky and the meaning of the indicated date are related and that these are in harmony with the general signification of a comet. The doubling of the comets suggests to me that it is established and that it will happen without a long delay. (See Genesis 41:32)

If you superimpose the charted paths of the two comets, you see that an X is formed, the paths being nearly perpendicular. The picture looks rather like the cross-hairs of a rifle scope, focused right between the eyes of what is pictured in the sky charts as the severed head of the Gorgon, Medusa. Although the Greeks called that head being held by Perseus, Medusa, the Hebrew name for it is Rosh Satan, "the head of the adversary" - Satan's head!

The paths of the comets intersect very near the beta star in Perseus, Algol, which means, "rolling round." Another name for it is Al Ghoul, the evil spirit. The Starlore Handbook says that, according to tradition, Algol is the most malevolent star of the heavens. This star is a variable star, cycling every 69 hours between a brightness of the fourth magnitude and the second. According to Bullinger: "It is a most remarkable phenomenon that so many of these enemies should be characterised by variable stars!"

The perpendicular intersection of the two comet's paths near Algol also appears like a cross; a cross, right between the eyes or in the forehead of the head of Satan! That's rather ironic symbolism, isn't it? This leads us to view this area of the sky as representing the lawless one, the anti-messiah beast. The appearance of the cross on the forehead reminds me of the mark of the beast in the forehead if the followers of the beast. (See Revelation 13:16) The beast whose followers will have his mark in their foreheads will surely be as Satan's head in the earth. The appearance of the cross speaks also of some association with the "Christian Church,' which is in keeping with the foreshadowing of the unveiling of the lawless one shown by Judas Iscariot's coming out from among the 12 disciples to betray the Messiah.

It would appear that this phenomenon of the crossing of the comet's paths is a sign given to indicate the coming of the lawless one. The coming of this wicked one will itself be a sign to the church that it is about to be gathered to the Lord. (See II Thessalonians 2:1-3) Because of this hope we have, a sign of the soon coming of the lawless one is a welcome sign, but a sobering one. Here is what the coming of the evil one will be like.
The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10 and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. II Thessalonians 2:9-12
Consider how that the people who have been involved with the Heaven's Gate group have fallen prey to this deception. Lest you think that the people who will be deceived are a particularly gullible few, consider the testimony our Lord related to us in Matthew 24:24.
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.
The implication here is that all but the elect will be deceived. That includes a majority of the people on the planet! How do we avoid being deceived? Because any counterfeit is recognized only by having a familiarity with the details of a genuine, to know the true Messiah intimately is our best preparation. To be familiar with what the Bible says about the lawless one and the signs to be given is most helpful. I have written at some length (See endnote #4) about the sign which is specifically given to signal the church when it is about to be harvested from the earth, a sign which involves the lawless one. When he is revealed in a powerful anointing and display of power and authority, this is the sign by which we will know the nearness of our departure to be with the Lord.

Let me show you how the date the two comet's paths intersected relates to this sign. One of the most important things I learned about the revealing of the lawless one is that a particular date on the Hebrew calendar is highlighted by the foreshadowing biblical types of the event. The Hebrew calendar date Nisan 13 is strongly suggested for the event to occur. Because the Hebrew calendar is a lunar-based calendar, Nisan 13 corresponds to a different date each year on our common solar-based "Gregorian" calendar. In 1996 and 97, the comet's paths crossed on the same Gregorian date, April 11, but the corresponding Hebrew dates were Nisan 22 (in 1996) and Nisan 4 (in 1997). I was curious about how closely associated April 11 and Nisan 13 might be, so I cross-checked the calendar years for a thirty year period (from 1981-2010). April 11 coincides with Nisan 13 in only one year, 2006. As a plot of all the dates would show, April 11 falls in a very random distribution across the whole month of Nisan. This approach didn't produce the fruit I thought it might. However, when I ignored the Gregorian date and simply considered the two Hebrew dates designated by the comets, (Nisan 22 and Nisan 4) I discovered that the mean date was indeed Nisan 13! (22-4=18. 18/2=9. 4+9=13. 13+9=22.)

It is a fact that the mean Hebrew calendar date of the crossed paths of the comets is the very date given in the Bible when three (and four) distinct foreshadowing types are presented for the revealing of the lawless one. It is a fact that the comets crossed paths in the area of the sky known in Hebrew as "Rosh Satan"- the head of Satan; the nearest named star being traditionally known as the most malevolent star in the heavens. If there really are signs in the heavens and the lights in the celestial heavens are given for signs and appointed times, isn't it time we paid attention to their message? 

A Prophetic Message

Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20 do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21 Test everything. Hold on to the good. I Thessalonians 5:19-21
Prophetic messages have been given by some connecting the comet Hale-Bopp with the lawless one. John Leary brought forth a message in this regard on Thursday, March 27, 1997:
Jesus said: "My son, this comet that you have seen tonight with your own eyes, is the sign of the Anti-Christ's coming. I have told you before to look to the skies for the signs of things to come. I have also told you that I, and not the Anti-Christ, would produce this sign of his coming. As you see the darkness come after, you will know his reign will be brief, but darkness will have its day much like the men I allowed to crucify Me for your sake." (Thanks to Dr. William Zambrano for bringing this to my attention).
Although there are many who claim to be prophets and their testimonies are diverse, we have a directive (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21) not to treat prophecies with contempt and to test everything, holding on to the good. John Leary is a Catholic. Many would automatically reject any message he brought forth on that basis alone. It's not my intent to provide a blanket endorsement of all his prophecies and neither do I condone Catholicism or any other-ism, but we're going to find that this very relevant prophecy passes the test!

John stated that Jesus said: "My son, this comet that you have seen tonight with your own eyes, is the sign of the Anti-Christ's coming. That would seem to be confirmed by what we have noted thus far, would it not? The date the prophecy was brought forth seems to be important because of the words Jesus was purported to have said about the comet "that you have seen tonight with your own eyes." What was so special about Thursday March 27? It was "holy Thursday," the day before the day Catholic tradition asserts was the crucifixion day, or, "Good Friday." According to the scriptural record, Jesus was crucified on the 14th of Nisan. March 27th relates to Nisan 13, then, in a manner appropriate to the prophet's own frame of reference - it is the day before the crucifixion.

In my opinion, the prophecy passes the test. As a test of authenticity of any forewarning about the revelation of the lawless one, the Nisan 13 connection continues to work, time and time again. Watch future anniversaries of Nisan 13, friends. It looms darkly on the horizon.

Being now better informed of the facts, the traditional signification of a comet as that of a bad omen seems adequately supported by the Hyakutake/Hale-Bopp concurrence, doesn't it?

The Brightest Event Ever Recorded

What was quite possibly the brightest event ever recorded by man occurred on January 23, 1999. A Gamma Ray burst lit up the sky for a few seconds with a spectacular release of energy. The magnitude of the burst was such that the light emitted was the "power of nearly ten million billion suns" according to NASA. Was this a sign from God? Of course!

Gamma Ray Burst: GRB 990123 Plotting this event's location, the burst marked the heavens at the line of Right Ascension that divides Leo and Virgo. According to a popular interpretation of the Sphinx, this is where the circle of the heavens is broken, marking the beginning and ending point. Perhaps the introduction of a great light at this point suggests that God, whose nature is light, has marked a time of new beginning for celestial revelation.

This Gamma Ray burst precisely marked the celestial sphere between the tail of Draco and Ursa Major. These constellations signify the dragon and the greater sheepfold. By means of our attention being drawn to that place at that time, a change in the relationship between the devil and the church might be a reasonable interpretation. The passage that comes to mind is Luke 22:31-32.
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

The Sign of the Heavenly Menorah

An alignment of seven heavenly bodies is an extremely rare event; so rare, in fact, that it may be we have never yet seen such a sight! The alignment of these seven lights in a straight line appears to represent the menorah. The menorah is a seven branched lamp that was a fixture in the tabernacle and then in the temple. These buildings and the fixtures associated with them were all patterned carefully after that which is in heaven. (Hebrews 8:5) According to the Jewish historian Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, book 3, chapter V11:7), the following seven celestial bodies represent the menorah: The Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. These same seven heavenly lights were aligned in a straight line on Iyyar 2, 5760, (2000) - in the constellation Aries. Because this alignment includes the Moon, which moves rapidly, it only lasted for a couple of days. The anniversary of the day construction began on both temples (by Solomon and then by Ezra) is one of these days, the second of the month Iyyar.
Sky & Telescope diagram; (c) 2000 Sky Publishing Corp.

The constellation Aries is known in the Hebrew as Taleh - "the lamb." The brightest, or, alpha star in Aries is named, El Nath which means; "wounded, slain." The beta star is Al Sheratan; "the bruised, the wounded." This zodiacal sign is an obvious picture of the lamb who was wounded and slain, our Lord Jesus Christ - the lamb of God of John 1:29 who takes away the sin of the world. The menorah is also a symbol of the Lord who is the Lamb, with his church over which he is the shepherd. I want you to consider what is written about this Lamb in Revelation 21:22:
I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
It is very interesting that the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple in the New Jerusalem. If the heavenly menorah is "in the Lamb," (Aries) it is symbolically placed in the temple in the New Jerusalem. The marking of the anniversary of the day construction began on the earthly temple twice before in history by such a unique celestial sign was certainly worth noting!

"Jerusalem Star of David Synchronicity"

An interesting event transpired on January 23, 1997. New Age people gathered in New York for a Simultaneous Global Meditation, welcoming in the age of Aquarius. I heard about it from a friend via e-mail and then I saw them on CNN brief! This particular time was evidently chosen because of an astrological chart of the heavens. The celestial bodies made five points of a star and the sixth was formed by the people themselves, supposedly completing the pattern as they gathered in New York at the location of 4 degrees 4 minutes Gemini on the Ascendant at 12:35 p.m.

I downloaded the graphic of the star from the Gaiamind website and noted that the celestial bodies in the alignment shown actually resembles an inverted five-pointed star, enclosed within a circle. Those of you who are knowledgeable about such symbols would recognize this as the pentagram of witchcraft, the Goat of Mendes, the sign of the cloven hoof. Compare the two in the graphic. You might also have noted that the name of the website, "Gaiamind," honors the Mother Earth goddess Gaia.

The page notes that at the very moment 4 degrees four minutes Gemini is rising in New York City, that same point is at Midheaven in Jerusalem. (7:35 Jerusalem time) It is also noted that this day, January 23rd, was a special day on the Hebrew calendar (Tu B'Shvat) which is known as the "birthday of the trees", or, as they say, Nature's birthday. I do not doubt that they celebrated Gaia's birthday at that time, welcoming the "new age" of Aquarius as her present to be shared with all her global children.

Many "spiritual" men and women consider this to be a very special celestial sign. The appears to be more a sign of antichrist than of the true messiah, doesn't it? But, as noted earlier, the coming of the one is related to the coming of the other.

The Heaven's Gate religious sect was in the news a while back, bringing to everyone's attention the fact that people, even intelligent people who appear every bit as normal as your next door neighbors are making life and death decisions based upon their interpretation of the heavenly signs. One woman who recently received my publication A Sign to the Magi proposed that if the people involved with the Heaven's Gate would have read this publication, they never would have been deceived.

Holocaust Rembrance Day Conjunction / Occultation

A celestial event marked Holocaust Remembrance Day, April 23rd, 1997. Jupiter and Venus were near conjunction separated by only 1/2 a degree when occulted by the moon. From some locations, these planets were both hidden by the moon at the same time. These two brightest planets haven't been occulted together since 1791, over two hundred years ago. Is this a warning about a coming holocaust? Probably, but I think it has a direct relevance for those of us who press toward the prize of the upward calling.

This visually dramatic event occurred where Aquarius, the water bearer, pours the water out of his jar and one of the fish of Pisces receives it with open mouth. Living water, poured out by the Lord Jesus Christ is received by his church.

"Holocaust" is a Greek word that has the meaning of burnt and wholly consumed, as a "burnt offering." The Septuagint translates the Hebrew for "burnt offerings" into this word, which can also be found in the NT scriptures. Isaac as a burnt offering was a type of Christ. To really remember the holocaust is to keep the cross in view. Look back and look ahead. Fear not to become a burnt offering, for if he deems you worthy to call you to such an end, your Lord will pour out living water for you and you will have great joy as he shares his glory.

The Lunar Occultation of Al Debaran

On the very day Hale-Bopp arrived at the location Hyakutake had passed exactly one year earlier, a further celestial event occurred; the Moon occulted the bright alpha star in Taurus - Al Debaran. A Lunar occultation occurs when, as viewed from the Earth, an object is "behind" the Moon and thus obscured from view. This is one way of bringing a certain star to our attention on a particular date, thereby associating the meaning of the star with that date.

The star name Al Debaran means "the leader, or, governor." Taurus is depicted as a charging bull in the sky charts with Al Debaran (a red star) being the "red eye" of the bull or re'em. (See Revelation 1:14) According to Bullinger, the constellation Taurus represents "Messiah, the coming Judge of all the earth," but as with many messianic symbols, there is an opposing signification as well.

Larry Pahl, who maintains a popular website shared the following with me in a recent e-mail: Al Debaran is the eye of Taurus. Symbolically Taurus represents the juggernaut of the antiChrist. While of course the bull can symbolize a sacrificial offering such as the red heifer and thus symbolize Christ, I think its intended eschatological meaning is the driving, wasting power of the antichrist at the end of time. In the Bible the eagle represents both Christ and Satan as does the lion (your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,...The Lion of the tribe of Judah), so it is not unusual that this bull could have both significations. The reasons I give this interpretation are put in the heavens by God. The horn of Taurus is striking the heel of Auriga, the charioteer, a plain symbol of Christ. We know that the first prophecy of the gospel in the Bible, Gen. 3:15 says that he, Satan, would bruise the Messiah's heel. Also, Orion, another plain symbol of Christ as the returning conqueror, with his club raised, is raised to strike Taurus. The name Al Debaran, meaning the leader, or governor would thus be Satan, the eye and director of the antichrist. Nearly a month prior to the Lunar occultation of April 11, there was another of the same star as viewed from Europe and the Middle East, on March 14. Bob Wadsworth had noted at that time that "the Muslims see this as a very important sign in the heavens, of their "leader" rising up and leading them to war against Israel. This may be pure speculation, or maybe its not. Most nations of the Muslim influence have the crescent moon with the star on their national flags. Seeing such a sign in the Heavens may inspire them to take certain actions."

Certainly, the last few months have been marked by Arab aggression towards Israel, but what I have observed to be particularly fascinating is that the action Bob rather insightfully associated with the lunar occultation of Al Debaran is that of aggression towards Israel.

Taking into consideration the two signs which occurred on April 11, 1997, a single message seems to be implied. They point towards the soon appearance of a Satanic leader, an aggressor against God's people, a deceiver and an evil Messianic pretender.

Mark the date on your future calendars and watch carefully, fellow prophecy students. We should be watching for the sign for the church, learning about it and sharing what we know with anyone who will listen. We must faithfully prepare to testify when that day of evil comes that Jesus is the true Christ, Y'shua HaMashiach, and that the lawless one is an impostor, a pretender. We should be well prepared to show from scripture the foundation for our claims - and to give our lives for this cause. These remarkable celestial signs warn of a coming day, the very "day of evil" itself. We should be mentally, physically and spiritually prepared when it comes; practicing obedience, humbling ourselves before the Lord as willing subjects, repenting of every sin and honoring what is holy.
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:11-13

The Great Pyramid: - A Polar Alignment

There is another facsimile of a temple located in Egypt, the great Pyramid of Giza. The capstone of this ancient stone structure is a symbol of Jesus. It has ever been missing from its pinnacle for it is the stone referred to in the Bible as "rejected by its builders."(Luke 20:7) This is an allegory of Jesus being rejected by national Israel at his first advent. He will be accepted, and the capstone brought out according to Zechariah 4:7. Volumes have been written about its physical architecture, internal and external. Honest skeptics who investigate the claims made about its Messianic teaching turn to accept Jesus as their Savior and Lord. It has been said to be a Bible in stone and a chronograph of the history of man, a revelation of the world's government by its Creator. Much has also been written about its astronomical curiosities.

It is no coincidence that the dates I have ascertained for Y'shua's birth, baptism and death by various means (most particularly biblical astronomy) are identified and validated by students of the Great Pyramid. Quoting from the above-referenced website: From the beginning of the Ascending Passage to the beginning of the Main Gallery is 1,485 inches. If 1,584 is added to the date of the exodus of the Jews from Egypt (start of the Ascending Passage), the result (if fractions of an inch are taken into account) is April 3, 33 A.D., the crucifixion of Christ and the start of the Main Gallery. The intersection of the Queen's Chamber floor with the floor of the Ascending Passage at its opening into the Grand Gallery creates a triangle. The triangle's length along the Ascending Passage of 33,512 Jewish inches places the intersection of the Queen's Chamber floor and the Ascending Passage at September 29, 2 B.C., the date of the birth of Christ. (Our calandar contains a two-year error. When historians originally attempted to count backward to the birth of Christ, they did so by accounting for the Reign of Kings. One of the kings counted was actually ruler of his country twice, the second time under a different name for a period of two years. When the years of rule were counted, this king's reign was mistakenly counted twice). Coincidentally, the horizontal base of the triangle in the Pyramid is 30,043 inches, or 3,469 inches short of the crucifixion, which corresponds to the date of October 14, 29 A.D., the date of Christ's baptism.

The Descending Passage of the Great Pyramid is aligned with the zenith of the heavens. This feature relates to a heavenly sign because it lines up as an optical sighting instrument to a pole star. In 2170 B.C. the pole star Alpha Draconis, (Also knoown as Thuban, the Subtle One) was at the zenith of the heavens, shining down the Descending Passage. That star is no longer the pole star because of a characteristic of the earth's movement called the precession of the equinoxes. The Pole Star Al Ruccaba, (The Revolved Upon) commonly known as the North Star, presently lines up with the Great Pyramid's optical sight. In 1997, this brightest star in the constellation known as the "greater sheepfold" or the "stronghold of the saved" shone upon the Pyramid's feature known as the "Point of Last Escape," the entrance to the Well Shaft. In 2004, it will have precessed to shine upon the floor of the "Subterranean Passage." What does this mean? Heaven and Earth are bearing synchronized testimony. The geo-celestial alarm clock is going off. Something is going to happen. Watch! Stay alert and watch.