Chapter I. The Sign TAURUS (The Bull).

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_Messiah, the coming Judge of all the Earth._

The picture is that of a Bull rushing forward with mighty energy and fierce wrath, his horns set so as to push his enemies, and pierce them through and destroy them.

It is a prophecy of Christ, the coming Judge, and Ruler, and “Lord of all the earth.”

Plate 28: TAURUS (the Bull)

The Egyptian Zodiac of Denderah already, 4,000 years ago, had forgotten the truth to which the prophecy had referred, and called him _Isis_, _i.e._, _who saves or delivers_, and _Apis_, _i.e._, _the head or chief_. The Bull is clearly represented, and in all the zodiacs which have come down to us is always in the _act of pushing_, or _rushing_.

The name of the sign in Chaldee is תּוֹר, _Tor_. Hence, Arabic, _Al Thaur_; Greek, _Tauros_; Latin, _Taurus_, etc. The more common Hebrew name was שׁוּר, _Shur_, which is from a root which means both _coming_ and _ruling_. There are several Hebrew words for bulls and oxen, etc. But the common poetical term for all is ראם, _Reem_, conveying the idea of loftiness, exaltation, power, and pre‐eminence. We find the root in other kindred languages (Etruscan, Sanscrit, etc.), and it can be traced in the name of Abram, which means _pre‐eminent_ or _high father_; _Ramah_, _high place_, etc.

The stars in Taurus present a brilliant sight. There are at least 141 stars, besides two important groups of stars, which both form integral parts of the sign.

The brightest star, α (in the bull’s eye), has a Chaldee name—_Al Debaran_, and means _the leader_ or _governor_. The star β (at the tip of the left horn) has an Arabic name—_El Nath_, meaning _wounded_ or _slain_. Another prophetic intimation that this coming Lord should be first slain as a sacrifice.

Then there is the cluster of stars known as the _Pleiades_. This word, which means _the congregation of the judge_ or _ruler_, comes to us through the Greek Septuagint as the translation of the Hebrew כִּימָה, _Chima_, which means _the heap_ or _accumulation_, and occurs in Job ix. 9; xxxviii. 31, 32, and Amos v. 8.

It consists of a number of stars (in the neck of Taurus) which appear to be near together. The brightest of them, marked η in all the maps,(59) has come down to us with an Arabic name—_Al Cyone_, which means _the centre_, and has given the idea to some astronomers that it is the centre of the whole universe. The Syriac name for the Pleiades is _Succoth_, which means _booths_.

Another group of stars (on the face of the Bull) is known as _The Hyades_,(60) which has the similar meaning of _the congregated_.

Other stars, not identified, are named _Palilicium_ (Hebrew), _belonging to the judge_; _Wasat_ (Arabic), _centre_ or _foundation_; _Al Thuraiya_ (Arabic), _the abundance_; _Vergiliæ_ (Latin), _the centre_ (Arabic, _vertex_) _turned on_, _rolled round_.

Every thing points to the important truth, and all _turns_ on the fact that the Lord is COMING TO RULE! This is the central truth of all prophecy. “The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” All hope for Creation, all hope for the world, all hope for Israel, all hope for the Church, turns on this, that “Jesus is coming again,” and that when He comes His saints, “the daughters of the King” (like the Pleiades and Hyades), will be with Him.

There is nothing of “the Church” revealed here. The Church will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, to be for ever with the Lord (1 Thess. iv. 17) _before_ He thus _comes unto_ the world in judgment. He will _come forth_ to receive the members of His Body unto Himself, before He thus comes with them to destroy all His enemies and “judge (or rule) the world in righteousness.” When we read this Sign of Taurus, therefore, we are to understand that His Church will be _with_ Him, safe from all judgment.

There is very much in the Scripture of the Book, (as there is in the prophecies in the heavens) about the coming of the Lord in judgment; and about this time of His indignation. For Enoch, who doubtless was used in arranging these prophetic _signs_, uttered the prophetic _words_, “Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment upon all and to convict all that are ungodly” (Jude 14, 15).

We have said (pages 17, etc.) that at a very early period these signs were appropriated to the Twelve Tribes of Israel, and borne upon their “standards.” This may be traced in the Blessing of Jacob (Gen. xlix.), and in the Blessing of Moses (Deut. xxxiii.). Taurus was assigned to Joseph, or rather to his two tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, like the two powerful horns:

“The firstling of his bullock (marg. _his firstling bullock_)—majesty is his, And his horns are the horns of the wild‐ox (_Reem_). With them he shall PUSH (marg. _gore_) the peoples, all of them, even the ends of the earth. And they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, And they are the thousands of Manasseh.”

(Deut. xxxiii, 17, R.V.)

It is not, however, merely by men alone that this will be done, for David sings:

“Thou art my King, O GOD.... Through Thee will we PUSH down our enemies; Through Thy Name will we tread them under that rise up against us.”

(Ps. xliv. 5.)

“I will punish the world for their evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.... Every one that is found shall be THRUST THROUGH.”

(Isa. xiii. 11‐15.)

Speaking of that day, the Holy Spirit says by Isaiah:

For the LORD hath indignation against all the nations,” And fury against all their host: He hath utterly destroyed them, He hath delivered them to the slaughter.... The LORD hath a sacrifice in Bozrah, And a great slaughter in the land of Edom, And the wild oxen [_Reem_] shall come down with them, And the bullocks with the bulls; And their land shall be drunken with blood, And their dust made fat with fatness. For it is the day of the LORD’S vengeance, The year of recompense in the controversy of Zion.”

(Isa. xxxiv. 2‐8, R.V.)

“Behold, the LORD cometh forth out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: The earth also shall disclose her blood, And shall no more cover her slain.”

(Isa. xxvi. 21.)

This is the united testimony of the two Revelations. It is pictured in the heavens, and it is written in the Book. It is the prophecy of a coming Judge, and of a coming judgment.

It is, however, no mere _Bull_ that is coming. It is a man, a glorious man, even “the Son of Man.” This is the first development, shown in the first of the three constellations belonging to the sign.

1. ORION (The Coming Prince).

_Light Breaking Forth in the Redeemer._

Plate 29: ORION (the Glorious One)

This picture is to show that the coming one is no mere animal, but a man: a mighty, triumphant, glorious prince.

He is so pictured in the ancient Denderah Zodiac, where we see a man coming forth pointing to the three bright stars (_Rigel_, _Bellatrix_, and _Betelguez_) as his. His name is given as _Ha‐ga‐t_, which means _this is he who triumphs_. The hieroglyphic characters below read _Oar_. Orion was anciently spelt _Oarion_, from the Hebrew root, which means _light_. So that Orion means _coming forth as light_. The ancient Akkadian was _Ur‐ ana_, _the light of heaven_.

Orion is the most brilliant of all the constellations, and when he comes to the meridian he is accompanied by several adjacent constellations of great splendour. There is then above the horizon the most glorious view of the celestial bodies that the starry firmament affords; and this magnificent view is visible to all the habitable world, because the equinoctial line (or solstitial colure) passes nearly through the middle of Orion.

ARATUS thus sings of him:—

“Eastward, beyond the region of the Bull, Stands great Orion. And who, when night is clear, Beholds him gleaming bright, shall cast his eyes in vain To find a Sign more glorious in all heaven.”

The constellation is mentioned by name, as being perfectly well known both by name and appearance, in the time of Job; and as being an object of familiar knowledge at that early period of the world’s history. See Job ix. 9; xxxviii. 31, and Amos v. 8 (Heb. כְּסִיל, _Chesil_, which means _a strong one_, _a hero_, or _giant_).

It contains 78 stars, two being of the 1st magnitude, four of the 2nd, four of the 3rd, sixteen of the 4th, etc.

A little way below ι (in the sword) is a very remarkable nebulous star. A common telescope will show that it is a beautiful nebula. A powerful telescope reveals it as consisting of collections of nebulous stars, these again being surrounded by faint luminous points, which still more powerful telescopes would resolve into separate stars.

Thus beautifully is set forth the brilliancy and glory of that _Light_ which shall break forth when the moment comes for it to be said, “Arise, shine, for thy light is come.”

The picture presents us with “the Light of the world.” His left foot is significantly placed upon the head of the enemy. He is girded with a glorious girdle, studded with three brilliant stars; and upon this girdle is hung a sharp sword. Its handle proves that this mighty Prince is come forth in a new character. He is again proved to be “the Lamb that was slain,” for the hilt of this sword is in the form of the head and body of a lamb. In his right hand he lifts on high his mighty club; while in his left he holds forth the token of his victory—the head and skin of the “roaring lion.” We ask in wonder, “Who is this?”(61) and the names of the stars give us the answer.

The brightest, α (in the right shoulder), is named _Betelgeuz_, which means _the coming_ (Mal. iii. 2) _of the branch_.

The next, β (in the left foot), is named _Rigel_, or _Rigol_, which means _the foot that crusheth_. The foot is lifted up, and placed immediately over the head of the enemy, as though in the very act of crushing it. Thus, the name of the star bespeaks the act.

The next star, γ (in the left shoulder), is called _Bellatrix_, which means _quickly coming_, or _swiftly destroying_.

The name of the fourth star, δ (one of the three in the belt), carries us back to the old, old story, that this glorious One was once humbled; that His heel was once bruised. Its name is _Al Nitak_, _the wounded One_.(62) Similarly the star κ (in the right leg) is called _Saiph_, _bruised_, which is the very word used in Gen. iii. 15, thus connecting Orion with the primeval prophecy. Like Ophiuchus, he has one leg _bruised_; while, with the other, he is _crushing_ the enemy under foot.

This is betokened by other stars, not identified, named _Al Rai_, _who bruises_, _who breaks_ (as in _Cepheus_); and _Thabit_ (Hebrew), _treading on_.

Other (Arabic) names relate to His Person: _Al Giauzâ_, _the branch_; _Al Gebor_, _the mighty_; _Al Mirzam_, _the ruler_; _Al Nagjed_, _the prince_; _Niphla_ (Chaldee), _the mighty_; _Nux_ (Hebrew), _the strong_.

Some names relate to His coming, as _Betelgeuse_ and _Bellatrix_, as above; _Heka_ (Chaldee), _coming_; and _Meissa_ (Hebrew), _coming forth_.

Such is the cumulative testimony of Orion’s stars, which, day after day, and night after night, show forth this knowledge. That testimony was afterwards written in the Book. The Prince of Glory, who was once wounded for the sins of His redeemed, is about to rise up and shine forth for their deliverance. Their redemption draweth nigh; for—

“The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war; He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies. I have [_He says_] long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: Now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.”

(Isa. xlii. 13, 14.)

Then it will be said to His people (and the setting of the prophecy in its beautiful introverted structure shows us the beauty and glory of the truth it reveals):(63)

(Isa. lx. 1‐3.)

This is “the glory of God” which the heavens constantly declare (Ps. xix. 1). They tell of that blessed time when the whole earth shall be filled with His glory (Num. xiv. 21; Isa. xi. 9); when “the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isa. xl. 5), as all see now the beauty of Orion’s glory.

But side by side with the glory which the coming Light of the world shall bring for His people, there is “that wicked,” whom the Lord “shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.” Hence, as in the concluding chapter (IV.) of the _First_ Book (of which this _Third_ Book is the expansion) we had in LYRA (_the harp_), as § 1, Praise prepared for the Conqueror; and in ARA (_the burning pyre_), as § 2, Consuming fire prepared for His enemies: so in the _first_ chapter of this book, we have in ORION, as § 1, Glory prepared for the Conqueror; and in ERIDANUS, as § 2, the River of wrath prepared for His enemies. This brings us to—

2. ERIDANUS (The River of the Judge).

_The River of Wrath Breaking Forth for His Enemies._

It issues forth, in all the pictures, from the down‐coming foot of Orion. While others see in it, from the ignorance of fabled story, only “the River Po,” or the “River Euphrates,” we see in it, from the meaning of its name, and from the significance of its position, _the river of the Judge_.

Plate 30: ERIDANUS (the River)

In the Denderah Zodiac it is a river under the feet of Orion. It is named _Peh‐ta‐t_, which means _the mouth of the river_.

It is an immense constellation, and our diagram is on a smaller scale than the others (which are all in relative proportion, except where otherwise noted).

According to the Britannic catalogue, it consists of 84 stars; one of the 1st magnitude, one of the 2nd, eight of the 3rd, etc.

The brightest star, α (at the mouth of the river), bears the ancient name of _Achernar_, which is in, as its name means, _the after part of the river_.

The next star, β (at the source of the river), is named _Cursa_, which means _bent down_. The next, γ (at the second bend in the river), is called _Zourac_ (Arabic), _flowing_. Other stars, not identified, are _Pheat_, _mouth_ (of the river); and _Ozha_, _the going forth_.

Here, then, we have a river flowing forth from before the glorious _Orion_. It runs in a serpentine course towards the lower regions, down, down, out of sight. In vain the sea monster, _Cetus_, strives to stop its flow. It is “the river of the Judge,” and speaks of that final judgment in which the wicked will be cast into the lake of fire. It was evidently originally associated with _fire_; for the Greek myths, though gross perversions, still so connect it. According to their fables, something went wrong with the chariot of the sun, and a universal conflagration was threatened. In the trouble, _Phaeton_ (probably a reference to the star _Pheat_) was killed and hurled into this river, in which he was consumed with its fire. The whole earth suffered from such a burning heat that great disasters ensued. We see from this myth two great facts preserved in the perverted tradition, _viz._, _judgment_ and _fire_.

ARATUS also preserves the connection,—

“For yonder, trod by heavenly feet, Wind the scorched waters of Eridanus’ tear‐swollen flood, Welling beneath Orion’s uplifted foot.”

Is not this the testimony afterwards written in _the Book_? Daniel sees this very river in his vision of that coming day, when the true Orion shall come forth in His glory. He says, “I beheld till the thrones were placed, and one that was ancient of days did sit:... His throne was fiery flames, and the wheels thereof burning fire. A FIERY STREAM ISSUED AND CAME FORTH FROM BEFORE HIM.” This is _the River of the Judge_; for he goes on to say, “the judgment was set, and the books were opened” (Dan. vii. 9‐11, R.V.).

We have the same in Ps. xcvii. 3‐5 (R.V.), which describes the scene when the Lord shall reign:

“A FIRE GOETH BEFORE HIM, And burneth up His adversaries round about. His lightnings lightened the world: The earth saw and trembled, The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, At the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.”

So again in Ps. l. 3, we read:

“Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence, A FIRE SHALL DEVOUR BEFORE HIM, And it shall be very tempestuous round about Him.”

By Habakkuk the coming of the Lord is described; and it is written:

“His brightness was as the light, ... Before Him went the pestilence, And burning coals went forth at His feet.”

(Hab. iii. 5.)

What is this but _Orion_ and _Eridanus_!

Again, it is written in Isaiah xxx. 27‐33 (R.V.):

“Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, Burning with His anger, and in thick rising smoke: His lips are full of indignation, And His tongue is as a DEVOURING FIRE: And His breath is as AN OVERFLOWING STREAM [_of fire_].... For a Topheth is prepared of old; Yea, for the king [_Moloch_] it is made ready; He hath made it deep and large; The pile thereof is FIRE and much wood; The breath of the LORD, LIKE A STREAM OF BRIMSTONE, doth kindle it.”

So, again, we read in Nahum i. 5, 6:

“The mountains quake at Him, And the hills melt; And the earth is burned up at His presence, Yea, the world and all that dwell therein. Who can stand before His indignation? And who can abide in the fierceness of His anger? His fury is POURED OUT LIKE FIRE.”

In Isa. lxvi. 15, 16, we read:

“For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, And with His chariots like a whirlwind, To render His anger with fury, And His rebuke with FLAMES OF FIRE, For BY FIRE, and by His sword, will the LORD plead with all flesh.”

With this agree the New Testament scriptures, which speak of “the Day of the Lord,” “when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, IN FLAMING FIRE taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess. i. 7, 8).

This is the true Eridanus. It is no mere “picture.” It is a dread reality! It is written in stars of fire, and words of truth, that men may heed the solemn warning and “flee from the wrath to come”!

But we ask, “Who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth” (Mal. iii. 2)? “Who can stand before His indignation,” when “His fury is poured out like fire” (Nah. i. 6)?

The answer is given in the next picture!

3. AURIGA (The Shepherd).

_Safety for the Redeemed in the Day of Wrath._

Here is presented to us the answer to the question, “Who may abide the day of His coming?”

“Behold, the Lord GOD (Adonai Jehovah) will come as a mighty one, And His arm shall rule for Him: Behold, His reward is with Him, And His recompense before Him. He shall feed His flock like a shepherd, He shall gather the lambs in His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And shall gently lead those that give suck.”

(Isa. xl. 10, 11. R.V.)

This is exactly what is presented before us in this last section of the chapter, which tells of the coming judgment. We have had the picture of a mighty _Bull_ rushing forth; then the fiery river of _the Judge_; and now we see _a Great Shepherd_. He is seated upon “the milky way,” holding up on his left shoulder a she goat. She clings to his neck, and is looking down affrighted at the terrible on‐rushing Bull. In his left hand he supports two little kids, apparently just born, and bleating, and trembling with fear.

ARATUS says,—

“She is both large and bright, but they—the kids— Shine somewhat feebly on _Auriga’s_ wrist.”

Is not this the Great Shepherd gathering the lambs in His arm? and carrying them in His bosom? Is He not saying:

“I will save My flock, And they shall no more be a prey.”

(Ezek. xxxiv. 22.)

“And David my servant shall be king over them, And they shall have one shepherd.”

(_ib._ xxxvii. 24.)

“And they shall fear no more, Nor be dismayed, Neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.”

(Jer. xxiii. 4.)

Plate 31: AURIGA (the Shepherd)

AURIGA is from a Hebrew root which means _a shepherd_. It is a beautiful constellation of 66 stars; one of the 1st magnitude, two of the 2nd, nine of the 4th, etc.

The brightest star, α (in the body of the goat), points her out as the prominent feature of the constellation, for its name _Alioth_ (Hebrew) means _a she goat_. It is known by the modern Latin name _Capella_, which has the same meaning.

The next star, β (in the shepherd’s right arm), is called _Menkilinon_, and means the _band_, or _chain of the goats_, and points out the truth that they are never more to be lost again, but to be bound, with the bands of love, to the Shepherd for evermore.

The name of another star is _Maaz_, which means _a flock of goats_.

Can there be any mistake as to who this Shepherd is? for the bright star in his right foot is called _El Nath_(64) (like another in ARIES), which means _wounded_ or _slain_. This is He, then, who was once bruised or wounded in the heel. He is “the GOOD Shepherd,” who gave His life for the sheep (John x. 11), but He was “the GREAT Shepherd” brought again from the dead (Heb. xiii. 20); and is now the CHIEF Shepherd (1 Pet. v. 4) seen in the day of His coming glory. Another star emphasises this truth, for it is named _Aiyuk_, which also means _wounded_ in the foot.(65)

The star marking the kids is called _Gedi_ (Hebrew), _kids_.

In Latin, the word _Auriga_ means a _coachman_ or _charioteer_, the band in his right hand being taken as his _reins_. But the incongruity of a _charioteer_ carrying a she‐goat, and nursing two little kids, never struck them; nor did the fact that he has no chariot and no horses! When man blunders in the things of God, he does it thoroughly!

In the Zodiac of Denderah the same truth was revealed more than 4,000 years ago; but the Man, instead of carrying the sheep, is carrying a sceptre, and is called _Trun_, which means _sceptre_ or _power_. But this is a strange sceptre, for at the top it has the head of a goat, and at the bottom, below the hand that holds it, it ends in a cross! With the Egyptians the cross was a sign of _life_. They knew nothing of “the death of the cross.” Here, then, we see _life_ and _salvation_ for the sheep of His flock when He comes to reign and rule in judgment. The truth is precisely the same, though the presentation of it is somewhat varied.

The connected teaching of the two constellations, _Eridanus_ and _Auriga_, is solemnly set forth in Mal. iv. 1‐3 (R.V.):

“Behold, the day cometh, It burneth as a furnace; And all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stubble: And the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, That it shall leave them neither root nor branch. BUT UNTO YOU that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings; And ye shall go forth and gambol as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet In the day that I do make (marg. _do this_), saith the LORD of hosts.”

In Psalm xxxvii. this day is repeatedly referred to, the day when “the wicked shall be cut off”; and it concludes by summarizing the same great truth (_vv._ 38‐40, R.V.):

“As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together; The latter end of the wicked shall be cut off, But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: He is their stronghold in the time of trouble, And the LORD helpeth them, and rescueth them; He rescueth them from the wicked and saveth them, Because they have taken refuge in Him.”

Oh, that all who read these pages may heed the solemn warning, and flee for refuge to Him who now, in this day of grace, is crying, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, O all ye ends of the earth” (Isa. xlv. 22).