Chapter III. The Sign PISCES (The Fishes).

_The Blessings of the Redeemed in abeyance._

In this third chapter of the Second Book we come to the results of the Redeemer’s work enjoyed, but in connection with conflict, as is seen in the last of the three sections (the constellation of _Andromeda_, _the chained woman_), which leads up to the last chapter of the book, and ends it in triumph over every enemy.

Plate 21: PISCES (the Fish) and the Band

The Sign is pictured as two large fishes bound together by a _Band_, the ends of which are fastened separately to their tails. One fish is represented with its head pointing upwards towards the North Polar Star, the other is shown at right angles, swimming along the line of the ecliptic, or path of the sun.

The ancient Egyptian name, as shown on the Denderah Zodiac, is _Pi‐cot Orion_, or _Pisces Hori_, which means _the fishes of Him that cometh_.

The Hebrew name is _Dagim_, _the Fishes_, which is closely connected with _multitudes_, as in Gen. xlviii. 26, where Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons, and says, “Let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” The margin says, “Let them grow _as fishes do increase_.” It refers to the fulfilment of Gen. i. 28, “Be fruitful and multiply.” The _multitude_ of Abraham’s seed is prominent in the pronouncement of the blessings, where God compared his future posterity to the stars of the sky, and the sand upon the sea shore. “A very great multitude of fish,” as in Ezek. xlvii. 9.

The Syriac name is _Nuno_, _the fish_, _lengthened out (as in posterity)_.

The sign, then, speaks of the multitudes who should enjoy the blessings of the Redeemer’s work.

And here we must maintain that “the Church,” which is “the Body of Christ,” was a subject that was never revealed to man until it was made known to the Apostle Paul by a special revelation. The Holy Spirit declares (Rom. xvi. 25) that it “was kept secret since the world began.” In Eph. iii. 9 he declares that it “from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God”; and in Col. i. 26, that it “hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints.” In each scripture which speaks of it as “now made manifest,” or “now made known,” it is distinctly stated that it was “a mystery,” _i.e._, a _secret_, and had, up to that moment, been hidden from mankind, hidden “in God.” How, then, we ask, can “the Church,” which was _a subsequent_ revelation, be read into the previous prophecies, whether written in the Old Testament Scriptures, or made known in the Heavens? If the Church was revealed in prophecy, then it could not have been said to be hidden or kept secret. If the _first_ revelation of it was made known to Paul, as he distinctly affirms it was, then it could not have been revealed before. Unless we see this very clearly, we cannot “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim. ii. 15). And if we do not rightly divide the word of truth, in its subjects, and times, and dispensations, we must inevitably be landed in confusion and darkness, interpreting of the Church, scriptures which belong only to Israel.

The Church, or Body of Christ, is totally distinct from every class of persons who are made the subject of prophecy. Not that the Church of God was an after‐thought. No, it was a Divine secret, kept as only God Himself could keep it. The Bible therefore would have been complete (so far as the Old Testament prophecies are concerned) if the Epistles (which belong only to the Church) were taken out. The Old Testament would then give us the kingdom prophesied; the Gospels and Acts, the King and the kingdom offered and rejected; then the Apocalypse would follow, showing how that promised kingdom will yet be set up with Divine judgment, power, and glory.

If these Signs and these star‐pictures be the results of inspired patriarchs, then this Sign of PISCES can refer to “His seed,” prophesied of in Isa. liii.: “He shall see His seed.” It must refer to

“The nation whose God is the LORD, And the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance.”

(Ps. xxxiii. 12.)

“Such as be blessed of Him shall inherit the earth.”

(Ps. xxxvii. 22.)

“The LORD shall increase you more and more, You and your children, Ye are blessed of the LORD.”

(Ps. cxv. 14, 15.)

“Their seed shall be known among the Gentiles. And their offspring among the people; All that see them shall acknowledge them, That they are the seed which the LORD hath blessed.”

(Isa. lxi. 9.)

“They are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, And their offspring with them.”

(Isa. lxv. 23.)

The prophecy of this Sign was afterwards written in the words of Isa. xxvi. 15—the song which shall yet be sung in the land of Judah:

“Thou hast increased the nation, O LORD, Thou hast increased the nation.”

And in Isa. ix. 3 (R.V.), speaking of the glorious time when the government shall be upon the shoulder of the coming King:

“Thou hast multiplied the nation, Thou hast increased their joy.”

Of that longed‐for day Jeremiah sings (xxx. 19):

“I will multiply them And they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, And they shall not be small.”

Ezekiel also is inspired to say:

“I will multiply men upon you, All the house of Israel, even all of it: And the cities shall be inhabited, And the wastes shall be builded; And I will multiply upon you man and beast, And they shall increase and bring fruit.”

(Ezek. xxxvi. 10, 11.)

“Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; It shall be an everlasting covenant with them! And I will place them, and multiply them, And will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.”

(Ezek. xxxvii. 26.)

Indeed, this Sign of PISCES has always been interpreted of Israel. Both Jews and Gentiles have agreed in this. ABARBANEL, a Jewish commentator, writing on Daniel, affirms that the Sign PISCES always refers to the people of Israel. He gives five reasons for this belief, and also affirms that a conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn always betokens a crisis in the affairs of Israel. Because such a conjunction took place in his day (about 1480 A.D.) he looked for the coming of Messiah.(51)

Certain it is, that when the sun is in PISCES all the constellations which are considered _noxious_, are seen above the horizon. What is true in astronomical observation is true also in historical fact. When God’s favour is shown to Israel, “the Jew’s enemy” puts forth his malignant powers. When they increased and multiplied in Egypt, he endeavoured to compass the destruction of the nation by destroying the male children; but their great Deliverer remembered His covenant, defeated the designs of the enemy, and brought the counsel of the heathen to nought. So it was in Persia; and so it will yet be again when the hour of Israel’s final deliverance has come.

There can be no doubt that we have in this Sign the foreshowing of the multiplication and blessing of the children of promise, and a token of their coming deliverance from all the power of the enemy.

But why _two_ fishes? and why is one horizontal and the other perpendicular? The answer is, that not only in Israel, but in the seed of Seth and Shem there were always those who looked for a heavenly portion, and were “partakers of a heavenly calling.” In Heb. xi. we are distinctly told that Abraham “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (_v._ 10). They were “strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (_v._ 13). _Strangers_ are those without a home, and _pilgrims_ are those who are journeying home: “they seek a country” (_v._ 14). They desired “a better country, that is, an HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed(52) to be called their God; for He hath prepared for them a city” (_v._ 16). It is clear, therefore, that what are called the “Old Testament Saints” were “partakers of THE HEAVENLY CALLING” (Heb. iii. 1), which included a heavenly portion and a heavenly home; and all through the ages there have been “partakers of the heavenly calling.” This is quite distinct from the calling of the Church, which is from both Jews and Gentiles to form “one body,” a “new man” in Christ (Eph. ii. 15). It must be distinct, for it is expressly stated at the end of that chapter (Heb. xi. 40) that God has “PROVIDED (marg. _forseen_) SOME BETTER THING FOR US.” How can this be a “better thing,” if it is the _same thing_? There must be two separate things if one is “better” than the other! Our calling in Christ is the “better thing.” The Old Testament saints had, and will have, _a good thing_. They will have a heavenly blessing, and a heavenly portion, for God has “prepared for them a city,” and we see that prepared city, even “the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of HEAVEN, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. xxi. 2). This is the “heavenly” portion of the Old Testament saints, the Bride of Christ. The Church will have a still “better” portion, for “they without us should not be made perfect” (Heb. xi. 40).

The fish, shooting upwards to the Polar Star, exquisitely pictures this “heavenly calling”; while the other fish, keeping on the horizontal line, answers to those who were content with an earthly portion.

But both alike were divinely called, and chosen, and upheld. The names of two of the stars in the sign (not identified) are _Okda_ (Hebrew), _the united_, and _Al Samaca_ (Arabic), _the upheld_.(53) These again speak of the redeemed seed, of whom, and to whom, Jehovah speaks in that coming day of glory in Isa. xli. 8‐10 (R.V.):—

“But thou, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, The seed of Abraham My friend; Thou whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, And called thee from the corners thereof, And said unto thee, Thou art My servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away; Fear thou not, for I am with thee; Be not dismayed, for I am thy God! I will strengthen thee; Yea, I will help thee; Yea, I will UPHOLD thee with the right hand of My righteousness.”

This is the teaching of the Sign; and the first constellation takes up this thought and emphasises it.

1. THE BAND.

_The Redeemed Bound, but binding their Enemy._

The band that _unites_ these two fishes has always formed a separate constellation. It is shown in Plate XXI. The Arabian poems of ANTARAH frequently mention it as distinct from the Sign with which it is so closely connected. ANTARAH was an Arabian poet of the sixth century.

Its ancient Egyptian name was _U‐or_, which means _He cometh_. Its Arabic name is _Al Risha_, _the band_, or _bridle_.

It speaks of the Coming One, not in His relation to Himself, or to His enemies, but in His relation to _the Redeemed_. It speaks of Him who says:

“I drew them with cords of a man, With bands of love; And I was to them as they that take off the yoke on their jaws.”

(Hosea xi. 4, R.V.)

But it speaks also of His unloosing the bands with which they have been so long bound.

In the picture these fishes are bound. One end of the _band_ is fastened securely round the tail of one fish, and it is the same with the other. Moreover, this _band_ is fastened to the neck of _Cetus_, the sea monster, while immediately above is seen a woman chained as a captive. These both tell the same story, and, indeed, all are required to set forth the whole truth. The fishes are _bound_ to _Cetus_; the woman (_Andromeda_) is chained; but the Deliverer of both is near. Cepheus, the Crowned King, the Redeemer, “the Breaker,” the Branch, is seen coming quickly for the deliverance of His redeemed. These are the three constellations of this sign, and all three are required to set forth the story.

Israel now is bound. The great enemy still oppresses, but deliverance is sure. ARIES, _the Ram_, is seen with his paws on this band, as though about to loosen the bands and set the captives free, and to fast bind their great oppressor.

2. ANDROMEDA (The Chained Woman).

_The Redeemed in their Bondage and Affliction._

This is a peculiar picture to set in the heavens. A woman with chains fastened to her feet and arms, in misery and trouble; and bound, helpless, to the sky. Yet this is the ancient foreshowing of the truth.

In the Denderah Zodiac her name is _Set_, which means _set_, _set up as a queen_. In Hebrew it is _Sirra_, _the chained_, and _Persea_, _the stretched out_.

Plate 22: ANDROMEDA (the Chained Woman)

There are 63 stars in this constellation, three of which are of the 2nd magnitude, two of the 3rd, twelve of the 4th, etc.

The brightest star, α (in the head), is called _Al Phiratz_ (Arabic), _the broken down_. The star β (in the body) is called _Mirach_ (Hebrew), _the weak_. The star γ (in the left foot) is called _Al Maach_, or _Al Amak_ (Arabic), _struck down_.

The names of other stars, not identified, are _Adhil_, _the afflicted_; _Mizar_, _the weak_; _Al Mara_ (Arabic), _the afflicted_. ARATUS speaks of _Desma_, which means _the bound_, and says—

“Her feet point to her bridegroom _Perseus_, on whose shoulder they rest.”

Thus, with one voice, the stars of _Andromeda_ speak to us of the captive daughter of Zion. And her coming Deliverer thus addresses her:—

“O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, ... in righteousness shalt thou be established: Thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: And from terror; for it shall not come nigh thee.”

(Isa. liv. 11‐14.)

“Hear now this, thou afflicted.... Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; Put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem.... Shake thyself from the dust; Arise, and sit down, O Jerusalem: Loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For thus saith the LORD, Ye have sold yourselves for nought; And ye shall be redeemed without money.”

(Isa. li. 21‐lii. 3.)

“The virgin daughter of My people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow” (Jer. xiv. 17).

The picture which sets forth her deliverance is reserved for the next chapter (or Sign), where it comes in its proper place and order. We are first shown her glorious Deliverer; for we never, in the heavens or in the Word, have a reference to the sufferings without an _immediate_ reference to the glory.

3. CEPHEUS (The King).

_Their Redeemer Coming to Rule._

Here we have the presentation of a glorious king, crowned, and enthroned in the highest heaven, with a sceptre in his hand, and his foot planted on the very Polar Star itself.

His name in the Denderah Zodiac is _Pe‐ku‐hor_, which means _this one cometh to rule_.

Plate 23: CEPHEUS (the Crowned King)

The Greek name by which he is now known, _Cepheus_, is from the Hebrew, and means _the branch_, and is called by EURIPIDES _the king_.

An old Ethiopian name was _Hyk_, _a king_.

There are 35 stars, _viz._, three of the 3rd magnitude, seven of the 4th, etc.

The brightest star, α (in the left shoulder), is called _Al Deramin_, which means _coming quickly_. The next, β (in the girdle), is named _Al Phirk_ (Arabic), _the Redeemer_. The next, γ (in the left knee), is called _Al Rai_, which means _who bruises_ or _breaks_.

It is impossible to mistake the truth which these names teach. The Greeks, though they had lost it, yet preserved a trace of it, even in their perversion of it; for they held that _Cepheus_ was the father of _Andromeda_, and that _Perseus_ was her husband.

Yes; this is the glorious King of Israel, the “King of kings, and Lord of lords.” It is He who calls Israel His “son,” and will yet manifest it to all the world.

In Jer. xxxi., after speaking of Israel’s restoration, Jehovah says (_v._ 1):—

“At the same time, saith the LORD, will I be the God of all the families of Israel, And they shall be My people.... For I am a father to Israel, And Ephraim is My firstborn”

(_v._ 9).

As He said to Moses: “Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn” (Exod. iv. 22).

Here is the foundation of Israel’s blessing. True, it is now in abeyance, but “the LORD reigneth,” and will in due time make good His Word, for

“The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever. The thoughts of His heart to all generations.”

(Ps. xxxiii. 11.)

This leads us up to the last chapter of the Second Book, which shows us the fulfilment of all the prophecies concerning the Redeemed and the sure foundation on which their great hope of glory is based.