We have seen His Star

Transcription

1 Lighted Way Ministries Newsletter: June-July, June-July, 2015 The Lion, Scepter, & Shiloh s Return We have seen His Star On Tuesday, June 30, of 2015, the renowned Star which launched the Wisemen s Journey appeared once again in the night sky. This is big news to say the least, for the Bethlehem Star hasn t been seen since it appeared in 2 B.C. to herald the arrival of the King. But before we can fully understand the prophetic significance of the Star s return, we must first clearly identify the Bethlehem Star, firmly establishing what it was, that we may be certain of its reappearance. Quoting the timely and compelling research of Rick Larson, presenter of The Star of Bethlehem, there are ten identifying Star characteristics listed in Matthew 2. All ten Biblical qualities must be present before any celestial phenomena may be considered to be the Star of Bethlehem. 1) The Star appeared around Yahshua s Birth, during the latter part of the reign of Herod (remember Herod died when Yahshua was about 2 years old) Matthew 2:1, 20 2) The Wisemen understood that the Star heralded a Birth Matthew 2:2 3) The Star heralded the Birth of a King Matthew 2:2 4) He would be a King in the Jewish Nation Matthew 2:2 5) The Bethlehem Star rose in the east Matthew 2:2 6) It appeared at an exact time Matthew 2:7 7) Herod didn t know when the Star appeared (the Wisemen had to tell him) Matthew 2:7 8) The Star endured in the heavens for a considerable period of time (the Wisemen sighted it in Babylon and yet could still see it after traveling all the way to Judea) Matthew 2:8-9 9) The Star appeared ahead of the Wisemen, as they head to Jerusalem and then on to Bethlehem Matthew 2:8-9 10) The Star stopped Matthew 2:8-9 Having compiled the complete list of Star characteristics from the Gospel record, let us now examine this evidence using historical and astronomical data. To begin, we need to narrow down the timing of the Star s appearance. Roman records indicate that Herod died in 1 B.C., so we should look at heavenly events which took

2 Lighted Way Ministries Newsletter: June-July, place in the years 2 and 3 B.C. (1 to 2 years prior to Herod s death), which aligns with the timing of Yahshua s Birth and age at the time of Herod s death. One pressing question, which comes to mind when considering the Bethlehem Star story, is how could Babylonian Wisemen not only notice the celestial event, but also rightly interpret its prophetic significance. Matthew 2:1 tells us that the magi, who came to Jerusalem, were from the east. As the ancient Jewish historian, Philo explained, the Wisemen were educated men who studied the physical world and were knowledgeable about the stars. These respected magi were consulted by the rulers of the day for guidance in affairs of state. This was also true during the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, some 500 years earlier. King Nebuchadnezzar had a court of magi or Wisemen. Nebuchadnezzar made the Hebrew prophet Daniel Chief Magus of his court when Daniel was able to interpret his dream of the image. Since Daniel was the head of the Wisemen in Babylon, the order of Wisemen were blessed to have Daniel s knowledge and prophetic insights. Daniel foretold the timing of Messiah s Advent (recorded in Daniel Chapter 9). He also kept a copy of the Scriptures, containing Jacob s Messianic prophecy about the scepter departing from between the lion s paws. This was a celestial event, the lion being the constellation now called Leo anciently known as Aryeh, the constellation associated with the tribe of Judah. This is why the Wisemen of Babylon not only recognized the Bethlehem Star, but rightly interpreted its Heavenly meaning. What was Jacob s Prophecy, which foretold of a heavenly event that would announce the Messiah s Arrival? Genesis 49:9-10 Judah is a lion's whelp The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be. The word sceptre is translated from the Hebrew word שבט (she bet ), which is the ancient name of a star the star between the lion s paws, which is now called Regulus. Whether called Shebet or Regulus, the star indicated royalty, for its name showed the power and authority of a King. So what celestial event had Daniel instructed the Wisemen to watch for, as foretold in Jacob s Prophecy? When the Sceptre star appeared to depart from between the feet of the lion (Regulus would be eclipsed, to use the correct astronomical term), this would herald the coming of Shiloh (Messiah and King). The Sceptre specifically referenced the Authority and Reign of Messiah, as we see in Revelation 12:1-5:

3 Lighted Way Ministries Newsletter: June-July, A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth... She gave birth to a Son, a male Child, who will rule all the nations with an iron Sceptre Revelation 12:1 5. Daniel had not only instructed the Wisemen of Babylon regarding the signs of Messiah s Coming, he had also left his fortune in the form of three telling gifts for the newborn King: gold (the gift you give a king), frankincense (the gift you give God), and myrrh (the gift you give someone who will die). His instructions were kept, in written records, and passed from one generation of Wisemen to the next. Some 500 years after Daniel s death, the Wisemen of Babylon still kept his instructions and watched the sky for the fulfillment of Jacob s prophecy just as Daniel had taught them. THE SCEPTRE SHALL NOT FROM JUDAH NOR A LAWGIVER FROM BETWEEN HIS FEET UNTIL SHILOH COME! Having fully set the stage, showing what the Wisemen knew and the prophecy which they awaited to see in the heavens, we are ready to identify the Star of Bethlehem and show how Genesis 49:9-10 were fulfilled before the Wisemen s wondering gaze. Not only was a specific celestial event foretold, but its precise location within the heavenly sphere was also identified. The event would take place in the lion constellation. The event actually took place, as Starry Night Pro (astronomy software) can be used to demonstrate, on Rosh Hoshanna (Feast of Trumpets - the beginning of the Civil Year) in 3 BC. There were three celestial players in what Larson aptly calls the starry dance : Jupiter (anciently called Tsedek, which means King of Righteousness ), Venus (anciently known as Nogah, which means Bright and Morning Star ) and Regulus (in Hebrew called Shebet). Jupiter has been known from ancient times to the present as the King Planet. This greatest of planets is a gas giant, approximately eleven times the size of Earth and over 300 times more massive. It circles the Sun far beyond Earth, in an orbit of about twelve years duration. In ancient times, planets like Jupiter were considered wandering stars. Since humans have assigned kingly qualities to this giant wanderer for dozens of centuries, might it have something to do with our Star announcing the birth of a king? (Rick Larson, The Star of Bethlehem, Jupiter is also visible to the naked eye. But, it s not enough to just have a kingly name and reputation, of course. To be Matthew s Star, Jupiter as viewed from Earth would have to do peculiar things. More precisely, as considered by a magus viewing from the Middle East during the years 3 and 2 BC, Jupiter s movements would have to satisfy all the identifying characteristics of the Star. In September of 3 BC at the time of the Jewish New Year, Jupiter began to do just that. A magus watching Jupiter that September saw two objects moving so close that they appeared to touch. This close approach of celestial bodies is sometimes called a conjunction. Our Middle Eastern viewer saw Jupiter coming into a close conjunction with the star, Regulus. Regulus takes its name from the word root which yields

4 Lighted Way Ministries Newsletter: June-July, our word regal. The Babylonians called Regulus Sharu, which means king. The Romans called Regulus Rex, which means king. So to start things, at the beginning of the new Jewish year, the Planet of Kings met the Star of Kings. (ibid) Jupiter actually passes Regulus about every 12 years. So, if a Wisemen held this office from 20 years old to 70 years of age, he might have seen a Jupiter/Regulus conjunction two or three times before. But not every conjunction is as close as it was in 3 BC. Still, a conjunction between Jupiter and Regulus alone would not be enough to launch the Wisemen on their Journey to find the Christ Child. There was more. The planets move against the field of fixed stars. From Earth, they appear to be active. For example, were you to watch Jupiter each night for several weeks, you would see that it moves eastward through the starry field. Each night Jupiter rises in the east (satisfying a second Star qualification). Each night it appears to be slightly farther east in the field of fixed stars. All of the planets move like this. But the wandering stars exhibit another, stranger motion. Periodically, they appear to reverse course and move backward through the other stars. This may seem odd, but the reason is simple enough: we watch the planets from a moving platform Earth hurtling around the Sun in its own orbit. When you pass a car on the freeway, it appears to go backward as it drops behind. For similar reasons, when the Earth in its orbit swings past another planet, that planet appears to move backward against the starry field. Astronomers call this optical effect retrograde motion. In 3/2 BC, Jupiter s retrograde wandering would have called for our magus full attention. After Jupiter and Regulus had their kingly encounter, Jupiter continued on its path through the star field. But then it entered retrograde. It changed its mind and headed back to Regulus for a second conjunction. After this second pass it reversed course again for yet a third rendezvous with Regulus, a triple conjunction. A triple pass like this is more rare. Over a period of months, our watching magus would have seen the Planet of Kings dance out a halo above the Star of Kings. A coronation As Jupiter was beginning the coronation of Regulus, another startling symbol rose in the sky. The constellation which rises in the east behind Leo is Virgo, The Virgin. When Jupiter and Regulus were first meeting, she rose clothed in the Sun. And as John said, the moon was at her feet. It was a new moon, symbolically birthed at the feet of The Virgin (see the image on right for the position of these heavenly bodies on September 11 Rosh Hashanah of 3 BC). The sheer concentration of symbolism in the stars at this moment is remarkable. These things could certainly lead our magus to conclude that a Jewish king had been born. But even this is not the whole story In June of 2 BC, Jupiter continued the pageantry, beginning to form the famous Bethlehem Star, by joining with Venus. Jupiter (Tsedek) appeared to join Venus (Nogah), visually forming one, brilliant new star. It was the most brilliant star in the night sky, noticeably standing out amidst the dazzling starry field. This joining of Venus and Jupiter, visually creating a new star, was the Bethlehem Star. That June evening, while facing toward Judea, the Babylonian Wisemen were blessed to see the spectacle of their astronomy careers.

5 Lighted Way Ministries Newsletter: June-July, No one alive had ever seen such a conjunction! If the Magi only began their travel plans in September, when they saw this sight nine months later, someone may have shouted What are we waiting for? Mount up! At the end of their travel, which may have taken weeks or months, these experts arrived in Jerusalem. They told their tale, and all Jerusalem was disturbed. Herod wanted to know two things: when the Star had appeared, and where this baby was. The Magi presumably described the timing of events starting in September of 3 BC and continuing through June of 2 BC. Herod sent them to Bethlehem in search of the child with orders that they return to tell where he was. (ibid) If one had possessed a telescope, the Star of Bethlehem would have appeared as shown in the picture (shown on the left). Additionally, Tsedek (Jupiter) continued to shine brightly appearing in front of the Magi as they traveled South from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. As Starry Night Pro (astronomy software) demonstrates, the Planet of the King visually hung over the town of His Birth even into the winter of 2 BC. All but one of the ten Biblical qualifications for the Star have now been plausibly satisfied (refer back to our star qualifications list on page 1): 1. The starry events took place in 3-2 BC. 2. The first conjunction signified birth by its association to the day with Virgo birthing the new moon. Some might argue that the unusual triple conjunction by itself could be taken to indicate a new king. 3. The Planet of King s coronation of the Star of Kings signified kingship. 4. The triple conjunction began with the Jewish New Year and took place within Leo, showing a connection with the Jewish tribe of Judah (and prophecies of the Jewish Messiah). 5. Jupiter rises in the east. 6. The conjunctions appeared at precise, identifiable times. 7. Herod was unaware of these things; they were astronomical events which had significance only when explained by experts. 8. The events took place over a span of time sufficient for the Magi to see them both from the East and upon their arrival in Jerusalem. 9. Jupiter was ahead of the Magi as they traveled south from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. But the last qualification would require that Jupiter stop over Bethlehem. How could a planet do that? And did Jupiter do it? Stars always appear stopped, to the naked eye. This is because the sky moves above the Earth at ½ the speed of the hour hand on a common clock. Such slow movements are imperceptible to the eye. So what did Matthew mean by saying that the Star stopped? Heavenly bodies do not move on a scale of minutes, like our Earth clocks. Rather they move on a longer scale of days, weeks and months. Jupiter entered retrograde motion towards the end of 2 BC., thus making it appear to stop, lingering over Bethlehem.

6 Lighted Way Ministries Newsletter: June-July, With all ten of Matthew s identifying Star characteristics satisfied, we can safely state that we now know the full identity of the famous Bethlehem Star, which was not only a star, but a series of heavenly events, which fulfilled Jacob s Prophecy proclaiming the Coming of Shiloh the first time around. Considering this, we can now proceed to the sky events which took place at the end of June, For the first time in over 2000 years, the Star of Bethlehem shone again in the night sky! One hour after sunset, on June 30, 2015, Jupiter and Venus conjuncted so closely, within the constellation of Leo (the lion), that they once again formed a super-brilliant single star, to the naked eye. Be sure to circle July 18, 2015 on your calendar as well. Venus will be almost in conjunction with Regulus, a slight bit ahead of Jupiter in the great race to the constellation Leo s brightest star. On July 18, the crescent moon, Venus and Jupiter will all fit within a circle sporting a diameter of less than four degrees. (Four degrees of sky approximates two finger-widths at an arms length.) Don t miss out on this close-knit celestial grouping on July 18, featuring the moon, Venus and Jupiter the brightest, second-brightest and third-brightest orbs of nighttime. On June 30 and July 1, 2015 Venus and Jupiter had the closest conjunction until August, So mark your calendar for July 18 and then watch again in August of next summer. This celestial event will be ongoing until then. Thus, just as it did when it first appeared, Jacob s Star will continue its starry dance over quite some time, within the feet of the lion in the constellation of Ayeh/Leo. What does it all mean? No one can say it better than Jacob, himself: THE SCEPTRE SHALL NOT FROM JUDAH NOR A LAWGIVER FROM BETWEEN HIS FEET UNTIL SHILOH COME! We truly see this as yet more evidence that we are now in the final preparation for the End. This is the Last Days. And Shiloh is SOON TO COME! How stands your soul? Are you ready for Yahshua to Come?

7 Lighted Way Ministries Newsletter: June-July, Announcing our NEW Online ACADEMY! Early Registration by July 17 for Grades 7-12 In order to strengthen the younger members of the Body of Messiah and prepare them to be a part of the final Elijah Team, Early Registration this coming school year ( ) Lighted Way Ministries will be opening a new online academy for Homeschooling families! The First Day of School is September 8, Classes will be by July 17, 2015 broadcast LIVE on the Internet via an interactive mode, allowing students to see and hear the teacher and one another. Students will ($200 Discount!) be able to present their research papers, projects, join in for ITBS and CoGAT Testing (which is state diagnostic testing required by law), and even participate in our Science Fair. Shauna Manfredine (former high-school teacher and director of the Homeschool Resource Center) will be offering the Messiah-centered, Bible-based courses appropriate for grades 7-12, which meet education standards for high-schoolers and junior high students School Year: July 17 Early Registration August 15 End Registration September 7 ORIENTATION September 8 First Day of School September 15 Feast of Trumpets September 24 Day of Atonement September 28-Oct 6 Tabernacles October 7-9 Fall Break October 12 Columbus Day November 2-6 ITBS/CoGAT Test November Thanksgiving Break December 18 1 st Semester Ends December 21-Jan. 1 Winter Break January 4 2 nd Semester Begins January 18 MLK Jr. Day April 21 Passover April Unleavened Bread April 29-May 6 Spring Break May 30 Memorial Day June 16 Last Day of School HOW IT WORKS: Enrolled students will receive all books and printed materials needed for the school year from Lighted Way Ministries. During the scheduled class-times, Mrs. Manfredine will broadcast the classes with full instruction - LIVE, online. Students may participate LIVE, in order to get their questions answered and to participate in discussions. Students may also watch the class presentations (archived) at a later time to refresh concepts. Lesson Assignments and Grades are viewable 24/7 via online Planbook (accessible with private parent/student access codes). All needed the Teacher's editions with full answers and explanations are sent to each parent, so that YOU can help your child during our non-broadcasting study periods. Early Registration is by July 17, 2015 (which comes with a $ tuition discount). Registration ends August 15, COURSES OFFERED FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR: Literature: 9:30AM-10:00AM (PST) We will be reading through the Bible together in 180 days! The Bible is the oldest and best literary (and much more) Work. We ll be reading and marking the Word of Yahweh version (not provided in the materials shipment from Lighted Way). Bible: AM (PST) Growing in Wisdom Scripture tells us that Yahshua grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with YAH and man (Luke 2:52). This course will help students develop the character qualities of

8 Lighted Way Ministries Newsletter: June-July, Peacemaking (Matthew 5:9), Holy Boldness (as true Soldiers of the Cross - Matthew 5:10), Endurance (Matthew 5:11), and Joyfulness (Matthew 5:12). Throughout this course, students will memorize key Scriptures, do Word studies, look up Cross references, and complete readings showing the themed character qualities in Scripture, Linguistics, History, Science, Law, and Medicine. The themes and lessons from this class will be carried into our Language Arts and Science programs as well. Students will receive 1 hour of online instruction, with Mrs. Manfredine - Monday-Thursday. Whatever assignments are not completed during online class time would be completed by the student at home. Lighted Way Calendar Yom Terruah FEAST OF TRUMPETS September 15 2 PM (PST) Yom Kippur DAY OF ATONEMENT September AM & 2 PM (PST) Sukkot FEAST OF TABERNACLES September 29-October 6 (schedule soon to be online) JOIN US for this powerful Campmeeting at Noah s Ark in Winston, OR. Rod Blair will be coming to share Biblical Archaeology, see the new Biblical History museum on tour, and MUCH MORE Save the Date! Mathematics: Consumer Math (11:30-12:30 PM (PST) Students will learn practical math skills, as needed for life. Students will learn family finance, budgeting, basic accounting, how to calculate interest, percentages, and more. Students will receive 1 hour of online instruction, with Mrs. Manfredine - Monday- Thursday. Whatever assignments are not completed during online class time would be completed by the student at home. Language Arts/English 1:00-2:00 PM (PST) Thematic and comprehensive English program based upon the Bible Themes from Growing in Wisdom. Within a continually Christ-centered theme, students will learn spelling, vocabulary, paragraph writing, essay writing, grammar, parts of speech, research skills and editing. Science: Demolishing Evolutionary Strongholds Evidence for Creation 2:30-3:30 PM (PST) M, W This course will help students to deeply understand the Truth of Creation, being able to give an answer to anyone who asks. Course content will cover the differing World Views of Creation vs. Evolution, expose Evolution in the Pop Culture, and prepare your teen to stand firm on the Authority of the Word of God, as the basis for everything - including Science. Students will be taught to develop a Biblical worldview, reach others for Christ, confront our evolutionized culture, recognize "cultural brainwashing" and find scientific answers in Genesis! History: Reformation Heroes 2:30-3:30 PM (PST) T, Th The Reformation was begun under the unction of the Spirit. It was a movement so threatening to hell that the Jesuit Order was formed specifically to squash it. Thus, the Counter-Reformation was begun. This course will help students to know the main Reformers (roughly 1 Reformer studied per week) along with their contributions to the Reformation. Students will be encouraged to continue the work of the Reformation, being taught that this work wasn't finished, having been hijacked by the Jesuit Counter-Reformation. Students will be encouraged to pick up the torch of Truth, which their predecessors laid down. PLEASE PRAY FOR THIS YOUTH MINISTRY: So often, Torah-observant parents tell us that they are worried about their teens. The teens seem to be just along for the ride, but not personally interested or invested in Feast or Torah keeping (many don t even have a personal walk with Yahweh). This is a great concern! Please pray for us that this special academy will help bring young people into a full commitment to Yahweh and to obedience to His Will and Word. This is the primary goal, for which this school is being established! We sincerely seek your daily prayers on behalf of us and the students that Feast keeping will grow among the youth as well. Thank you for keeping this youth ministry in your daily prayers! Prayer works!!!!

9 Lighted Way Ministries Newsletter: June-July, Books and DVD s From Passover / Unleavened Bread 2015 Torah: Entering Yah s Covenant Protection by Shauna Manfredine Body Temple & Testimony by Denny & Brenda Kaneshiro New DVD s & Books from the 2015 Spring Feast Item Torah (8 DVD s) by Shauna Manfredine Body Temple & Testimony (3 DVD s) by the Kaneshiro s Rescued from a Flesh-eating Bacteria (book) - Kaneshiro s Gems of Truth series (2 DVD s) Mark Manfredine Whole Retreat Set (includes 23 DVD s no books) Suggested Donation $48.00 $21.00 $19.95 $14.00 $ Order Quantity Total Gems of Truth by Mark Manfredine

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