Saturday, March 23, 2013

Lesson 010 The Wisdom of God



The Wisdom of God – The Seed of the Woman
Proverbs 3:13 -18
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7) – God’s introduction to the Proverbs.  The purpose of the Proverbs is to evoke a reverential awe of Jehovah and to give instruction in righteousness and true judgment.  A proverb is a discourse or saying of a poetic nature.  Like the Psalms, the book of Proverbs is in lyrical form to express or convey a message.  
While a psalm or hymn may move the reader emotionally, a proverb is an emotional expression in its design, yet without a strict adherence to the subject of the proverb.  In short, a proverb is an adage – a wise saying. 
The Old Testament Book of Proverbs is a collection of adages compiled from different sources with the majority of the sayings attributed to Solomon the son of King David.  Proverbs is commonly known as The Book of Wisdom and wisdom is the primary subject of the book.
The scriptures describe two different kinds of wisdom the wisdom from above and the wisdom of this world.  God’s Wisdom “is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).  The wisdom of this world is earthly, sensual, and devilish - sourced in the evil one (James 3:15). 
The scripture for this lesson is Proverbs 3:13-18:  “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.  For the merchandise of it (wisdom) is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.  She is more precious than rubies (or coral as the word would be more accurately translated):  and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honorHer ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:  and happy is everyone that retaineth her.” 
The two proverbs in verses 13 and 14 are the contemplation of buying wisdom and gaining understanding in terms of a commodity with the emphasis on the value of obtaining them.  Wisdom is compared in price to the three earthly treasures of silver, fine gold and rubies.  When coupled, verses 13 and 14 are a comparison and contrast to one another.  
On the one hand, “buying” the immaterial eternal merchandise of the Wisdom of God and gaining understanding of wisdom is contrasted to the merchandise that silver and gold buys.  On the other hand, the value of the skill of gaining wisdom and understanding is compared with the value of the silver and gold; the adage of the proverb is that both treasures require labor and toil; however, only one is eternally profitable. 
Verses 15-18 speak of the knowledge of the Wisdom of God as seen in His works of Wisdom.  In the design of God, His plan, His Wisdom is seen in His works.  The “why” of His works – His ways - is understood in one’s understanding and not in the knowledge of His works.  
In this portion of the proverbs, the Wisdom of God is personified as a living power, female in gender, with emphasis placed upon her greatness and beauty.  The Wisdom of God is the Seed of the Woman.  She is contrasted with the “strange woman,” the “foreigner,” the “harlot or adulteress” who in type pictures the wisdom of the world whose allurement is perilous to the soul of man and is sourced in the evil one. 
Proverbs 3:13-14:  “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.  For the merchandise of it (wisdom) is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.”  
The definition of the word happy in this context means to be desirous of, wishes for, covet or long for.  The word findeth in this verse indicates the active searching or seeking out of Wisdom.  Thus in this passage, happy is the man who is desirous of and finds Wisdom and gets understanding – in understanding is the why of such Wisdom.  The end of such searching is blessedness - another meaning for the word happy.  
Proverbs 3:14:  “For the merchandise of it (wisdom) is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.” 
The treasures of silver and gold were mined in Old Testament times and were used as a form of currency.  Mining requires labor and toil.  Thinking – reasoning with God for the understanding of His wisdom requires labor and toil.  
“Buying” the merchandise of the Wisdom of God is more valuable than anything one can buy with silver or gold.  The merchandise is the Wisdom of God, the knowledge of who He is, the things that He has done and the words of His mouth.  The buying, the benefits, and the diligence required to attain that merchandise is esteemed more valuable than merchandising with silver. 
The word merchandise in this verse has two meanings.  The merchandise of the Wisdom of God is used in a figurative sense.  The benefits gained through the diligent seeking (labor and toil) of the Wisdom of God exceed any merchandise bought with silver. 
The merchandise of silver refers to the monetary gain from the trade associated with it.  Merchandising with silver pales in comparison to the transaction of merchandising - “buying” the Wisdom of God.  The word silver in this context is a pale metal and the merchandise of silver is a word play.  Silver pales in comparison to the yearning for or the buying of the Wisdom of God.  It is better to yearn for God’s Wisdom than silver and the gain of understanding is better than gold.  
Men expend great effort in acquiring these material and temporary earthly treasures – silver and gold that moth and rust corrupt, and thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). 
Yet greater still is the immense worth that man places on the buying of the wisdom of his own thinking.  Thinking it to be his greatest commodity, the deceitfulness of his heart places great value on it.  
Man expends little energy and only slightly desires the finding of the Wisdom of God and the getting of understanding.  Why is that?  Why would man rather labor and toil for that which perishes when they could labor and toil for that which is eternal?  Perhaps the truth is that man prefers the knowledge of information above the Wisdom of God.  He thinks it is in knowledge that he will find heart satisfaction – peace.  That is the not so subtle wise saying of these two proverbs. 
Of the three commodities of silver, gold and rubies, rubies are the most precious and wisdom is more precious than rubies. 
Proverbs 3:15-18:  “She is more precious than rubies (or coral as the word would be more accurately translated):  and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.  Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.  She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:  and happy is everyone that retaineth her.” 
Precious is a powerful, weighty word.  That which is treasured as precious is always held close to the heart.  The Wisdom of God is precious.  The Wisdom of God is the Seed of the woman.  In verses 15-18, the heart of God is revealed in His Wisdom - the Son of His Love. 
The knowledge of God - His plan from eternity past is making known His purpose to have man in His image.  Beginning in time, God shared the light of His knowledge – God declares His glory in the gospel in the stars and in His written Word - the light of His knowledge is the gospel of the Covenant Son and the hope of life everlasting.  
The word of Christ in the gospel is the how of the covenant purpose.  He is the propitiation – the meeting place – the place where God and man are reconciled.  The Wisdom of God is the way of the tree of life – the way is a family tree for the seed of the woman.  The understanding of Wisdom is the why of the way and the how
In His symmetrical design and imagery of symbolism, God uses the same pattern over and over as a pictorial revelation of His Wisdom.  First was the man, then the woman - then man is of a woman. 
Following this pattern of God’s design, we see the Wisdom of God in the seed of the woman.  First, the personal being of God is willing to become flesh - in the likeness of man – male, and then the woman, the nation Israel, is female.  Then man is of the woman – her seed; there is no man-child to rule all nations without the woman.  This is the way of the tree of life and the how of Wisdom, and now the why of the Wisdom of God. 
Wisdom is personified as a woman because of her seed.  The seed of this woman is the only man to come from the seed of a woman; man comes from man’s seed.
In Psalm 22:9, the literal Hebrew reads, “You are My Taker from the womb” – referring to living cells of flesh – the living cells of flesh are the seed of the virgin for seed coat of the Seed of the woman; the man-child from the seed of a woman begotten from the dead is the Son to rule all nations. 
The Wisdom of God is that a woman has seed (living cells of flesh) so that God has a human body for His son.  The son of man cannot come from man’s seed as the body of man is consigned to dust and, therefore, needs a redeemer.  The Wisdom of God takes the living flesh of the woman and prepares a body in the likeness of man, a seed coat which houses eternal life; God in the flesh – is the seed germ of life for another Seed to come out of that body.  The Wisdom of God bypasses the sin and the consigning of the body to dust in the seed of the woman.  This is the why of the Wisdom of God.  
Wisdom is more precious than coral.  Coral was considered the most precious form of currency because of the great personal expense involved in the “harvesting” of it from the sea.  Coral is a living organic organism created of the skeletal remains of marine animals called coral polyps. 
The poetic understanding pictured in the coral is the expression of the Wisdom of God seen in the beauty of the coral as the “Branch” - the Seed of the Woman.  Pictured in the coral is "Life” out from the dead and the preciousness of the cost involved is understood.  A living “Branch” of the sea (of humanity) has the ability to harvest others into living organisms like it - the original.  
All things – which one can ask for or think of - anything that can be desired is not to be compared to the Wisdom of God.  The exchange rate is incomparable.  
As has been stated, the son of man could not come from man’s seed as the body of man is consigned to dust and, therefore, needs a redeemer, which is why the Wisdom of God is the seed of a woman.  Listed are seven attributes that describe the “total package” of this virtuous and righteous woman, the woman Israel.  In the description of her attributes, the Wisdom of God seen in the sign of Virgo with her Seed is clearly recognized.  
Laying the definition of wisdom from James 3:17 alongside the description of the seven attributes of wisdom in Proverbs 3 gives a vivid portrayal of the Otherness of God and the beauty of His Holiness. 
Comparison of Wisdom in Proverbs and James

Wisdom in Proverbs 3:15-18
Wisdom in James 3:17
She is more precious than coral
Pure
All things to be desired cannot be compared to her
Peaceable
Length of days is in her right hand
Gentle
Riches and honor are in her left hand
Easy to be Entreated
Her ways are ways of Pleasantness
Full of Mercy and Good Fruits
All her paths are peace
Without Partiality
She is a tree of Life to them that lay hold of her
Without Hypocrisy

Not wishing to sound redundant but desiring to make a point, the Wisdom of God is the seed of the Woman, more precious than coral.  The Wisdom of God to bring forth a body from seed, the seed of a woman, is beyond understanding if we do not reason along with God.  
All things desired are not to be compared to her.  What compares with the Otherness of God and the beauty of His Holiness?  The Wisdom of God provides length of days and riches and honor for His creation of sons of God in the seed of the woman. 
In the sign Virgo the length of days in her “right” hand is seen in the message of the star name “The Son – picturing man in the image of God who is the King heir of the kingdom of God and the High Priest of the royal priesthood.  In “The Son” the invitation of fellowship is extended.  The right hand is the hand of power and authority.  Have you heard of extending the right hand of fellowship?  “The Son” Given, the Begotten Son from the dead is the power and authority behind the offer of fellowship - the invitation to length of days – no end of living.  

The riches and honor in the left hand of Virgo is seen in “The Branch” - the son of humanity “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:6-8). 

Love being Love, counted the “Price of Conflict” (Libra) and for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame for the end – length of days and riches and honor for a kingdom of sons of God.  He willingly took the path of unpleasantness - the experience of death that His sons of God might experience all the paths of peace.  

The Wisdom of God – is a tree of life to them that lay hold of her.  To lay hold of something is to make it your own, to claim it a personal possession. 
Seven attributes describe the woman’s wisdom with the eighth being a new beginning “Happy is everyone that retaineth her.”  To lay hold of the Wisdom of God - Life everlasting - and apprehend that for which we have been laid hold of is to gain understanding and it brings substance to our faith and satisfies the heart. 
Understanding the Wisdom of God – the “why” He did what He did and what the “why” means to Him is the gain of understanding that is far greater than any earthly treasure. 

Next week the lesson will be about the virtuous woman, Israel (Proverbs 31).  The Wisdom of God brought her forth and the kingdom of peace and righteousness comes from her seed. 



Glossary for The Wisdom of God – The Seed of the Woman
Wisdom of God – is the Seed of the Woman – the way of the tree of life.  Wisdom is personified as a woman because of her seed – not the seed of man. 
Comparison of Wisdom in Proverbs and James
Wisdom in Proverbs 3:15-18
Wisdom in James 3:17
She is more precious than coral
Pure
All things to be desired cannot be compared to her
Peaceable
Length of days is in her right hand
Gentle
Riches and honor are in her left hand
Easy to be Entreated
Her ways are ways of Pleasantness
Full of Mercy and Good Fruits
All her paths are peace
Without Partiality
She is a tree of Life to them that lay hold of her
Without Hypocrisy

The knowledge of God – is His purpose and plan to have man in His image. 
The light of His knowledge is the Covenant Son and the hope of life everlasting. 
The understanding of Wisdom – is the why of the way and the how
The word of Christ – is the how of God. 



Lesson 009 – Virgo



The Seed of the Woman Virgo – Converting the Soul

The “Grace of the Branch” introduced in Libra is fully apprehended in the sign Virgo. 

In the sign of the virgin, Virgo is the Seed carrier for the promised ‘Seed-Life’ that would come and bring life everlasting.  The name of the sign has a double implication.  Virgo means “A Virgin” and Virga means “A Branch.”  In the more ancient languages, the same meanings are unmistakable; not only is the woman a virgin, but she is a virgin mother.  

The prophecy of the woman and her promised Seed is first mentioned in Genesis 3:15.  In this verse the woman is presented only as a woman; but in later prophecies in the scriptures, she is recognized as “A Virgin,” a reference to the twelve tribes of the nation Israel unto whom the “child is born and … a son is given” (Isaiah 9:6). 

Other sign names include “The Virgin,” “Maid of Virgin,” “Pureness,” “The Pure Virgin,” “An Ear of Corn,” and “The Place of the Desired Branch.” 

Star names in Virgo include Ear of Corn” or the Seed of Corn,” “The Seed,” “The Branch Who Shall Come Down” or “Who Shall Have Dominion,” “The Deliverer” or Branch Who Cometh,” The Son,” and “Gloriously Beautiful.” 

All life comes from seed; if there is no life within the seed, a body of flesh will not be brought forth after the seed is planted in the earth.  

In the message of the luminaires, the virgin woman is holding a branch in each of her hands.  Two of the star names in the constellation Virgo are “The Branch” and “The Son.”  In her left hand, she holds a branch of grain in a downward position; in her right hand, she holds the same branch minus the ears of corn lifted upward.  In typology, the right hand is symbolic of power and fellowship. 

In the Hebrew, the first star of the constellation is “Zerah” referring to the seed held in her left hand.  The Latin name is “Spica,” which is a term used for a cluster of seeds in a head of wheat or barley grain and is the name most used on modern star charts. 

One of the star names has the ancient meaning of “The Branch” and points to the grain Seed that she holds as “The Branch.”  Thus the personal identity of Him who was to be the Seed of the woman is connected with the prophecies of “The Branch”; “The Branch” of the family tree of the nation of Israel is the bough of Life – the incorruptible Seed, the Word of God. 

The ears of corn, translated wheat in the gospel of John, speak of the Coming One who called Himself the Corn of Wheat (John 12:24) which falls into the ground and dies in order to bring forth fruit of life everlasting – bodies of spirit being, bodies of glory in the image of God. 

“The Branch” “(Zerah)” is the Hebrew word used in Genesis 3:15 where the “seedbed” of prophecy is found.  A seedbed is a plot of ground in which seeds and seedlings are cultivated.  Within this verse are multiple generations of seed:  The woman and her seed (the Jews), the nation Israel; the serpent and his seed (those who willingly follow him), and Christ and His seed.  Prophetically speaking, they are “in” the seedbed. 

God prepared a body for the Coming One, the incorruptible Seed.  As the birthed son of God, Jesus’ body of humanity was prepared in the womb of a virgin by means of the Holy Spirit coming upon her and the power of the Highest overshadowing her (Luke 1:35). 

The mortal body of the Branch was the seed coat of flesh - "barley grain" - the lowest form of the seed grains and the least expensive.  However, this seed coat of flesh, "barley grain," was enlifed by the Father through the channel of the Holy Spirit and thereby the seed coat housed the germ of Life - Seed for Life everlasting, "wheat grain," making it the highest form and most expensive of the grains. 

In the realm of the natural, a man needs a channel to transmit seed.  The Holy Spirit is the channel of the Father to enlife the mortal body with the power of an endless Life.  The body of flesh and bone and blood is the seed coat for the Seed for a forever-living body - a body of flesh and bone and spirit.  The Life of the body of glory is not blood but the Life that God is, Spirit being.  

The star name in the “resurrected” branch in the right hand of Virgo is known as “The Son.”  Resurrected from the dead, God’s birthed Son, “The Branch,” “The Son” of His love, is the first begotten Son of God, the first born from the dead, “The Son” in the image of God who is the King heir of the kingdom of God and the High Priest of the royal priesthood. 

Zechariah 6:12-13:  “…Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and He shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:  Even He shall build the temple of the LORD; and He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne:  and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.’” 

Zechariah 3:8c says, “…behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.”  

Jeremiah 23:5:  “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous BRANCH (i.e., a Son), and a King shall reign and prosper…”  The king heir is the man whose name is the BRANCH, the servant of Jehovah.  

The first decan in Virgo is “Coma.  The decan is known as “The Desired” or “Longed For.” 

The star names and star-chart drawings of the stellar sign of Virgo, the virgin, and her decan “Coma,” the virgin, reveal two women – one Seed.  This begs the question of how is it that two virgins are in the sign of Virgo.  How can there be two women and only one Seed?  

In the stellar sign, Virgo is the woman, the nation Israel; and the decan “Coma” is the Jewish virgin mother, Mary, who conceives and bears a son – identified in Isaiah 7:14 as Immanuel, God with us.  Immanuel is Spirit being of Deity clothed in a garment of flesh.  Thus, the Child born to the Jewish Virgin Mary prepared in the womb  by means of the power of the Highest overshadowing her is the Son” given, the Branch” of the nation Israel (Isaiah 9:6) – the Longed For Son,” the Desired” of all nations. 

Star names identified with “Coma” are “Who Bears” and “The Virgin Who Carries.”  The decan names emphasize the Desired” or “Longed For” ruler of the nations.  Although Israel’s Messiah, Jesus the Christ of God - the Covenant Son is not recognized or acknowledged by the other nations or Israel as “the Desired” or “Longed For,” He is the universal ruler of all the earth - God’s realm of authority - the heavens declare it. 

When the “Longed For” “Son,” “the Desired,” returns to set up His kingdom of God on earth, Israel on that day will look on Him whom she pierced, and mourn Him, as her only son (Zechariah 12:10, John 19:37).  As a regenerate nation, she will be the virgin that the sign of Virgo declares she is.  In her history as a nation, she played the harlot and had many lovers; but on the day of her redemption, she will be a virgin who has never known a man and receives her “Longed For” and “Desired” King.  

The second decan in the constellation Virgo is Centaurus also known asThe Despised Sin Offering.” 

Several star names identified with Centaurus are the “Heretofore” and the “Hereafter,” “The Pierced” or “Who Pierces” and “The Appointed Dies,” and “The Bruised.”  “Heretofore” – up to now, Jesus as the “Despised One” – the despised sin offering rejected of men, “Pierced” would not appear as a conqueror, but “Hereafter” at His second coming, all that has been accomplished by the grace of God will be made manifest.  

God will destroy all enemies.  The last enemy death, (1Corinthians 15:26) the false prophets (Ezekiel 34) who have followed the false prophet and the man of lawlessness will be judged and found guilty.  The false prophet and the man of lawlessness will be cast into the lake of fire.  

“Centaurus” is situated directly over the “Cross,” the first decan of Libra.  The cross speaks of life out from the dead, giving the reader insight into the truth that the Pierced” will also be the one “Who Pierces” all the enemies of God and rises as the conqueror, the power of God unto salvation. 

“The Branch” of the woman and the Conqueror “Centaurus” portray the same message of salvation.  The Law of God’s word, which is able to convert the soul, says you must be born again (John 3:3).  The issue is obedience to this truth. 

“For by one offering He (Jesus) hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14).  By the obedience of the one offering of Himself, Jesus put to death the power of death to hold the body and the lawlessness that masterfully rules the creation of men.  

The last prophetic revelation in the constellation Virgo is the third decan Bootes” also known as “The Herdsman – He Who Is Coming.”  Stars names identified with “Bootes” are “The Shepherd’s Crook,” “The Preserver” or “Guardian,” “The Pierced,” “Who Bruises,” “Who Separates,” and “The Most Beautiful.” 

A shepherd is a guide to His flock.  He subdues, rules and governs them.  The tool of the shepherd’s authority is his rod and staff.  The shepherd’s rod and his staff are the same instrument, but they are used differently.  The instrument is a “branch” that has been cut off from its life source.  Cut off, the branch is known as a rod.  The shepherd’s rod is a weapon used against enemies and his staff is the symbol of authority to discipline his flock.  The shepherd’s staff shows the concern and compassion that he has for His flock and is a symbol of comfort and longsuffering. 

“Bootes” is the resurrected Shepherd King Priest, “The Branch” – “The Son,” who comes to be the guardian of His own.  “The Branch” of the family tree, the rod of God’s authority becomes the staff of comfort and longsuffering.  The reigning power and authority of the kingdom will be peace and righteousness.  This kingdom will have absolute rest from its enemies.  The Shepherd King Priest is the guardian of the flock or household of God.  

Two of the star names in “Bootes” convey the idea of the ingathering of a crop.  The star name “He Who Bruises” is identified in the star charts with a sickle in the left hand.  The star name “Who Separates” has the sense of separating sheep from goats and is located in the left “calf” of the Shepherd King Priest in this decan.  This adds the thought of harvest.  The sickle is a tool used to gather the acceptable grain at harvest time. 

After the war of the great day of God Almighty (Revelation 16:14), the day of the Lord, the Son of Man, the Covenant Son, the Sovereign Shepherd King Priest will separate the sheep from the goats.  “He shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left … Then shall He say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from Me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:33-41).  

Thus, the kingdom of God will be set up on the earth.  The wheat of His crop, the sons of God redeemed in bodies of glory will include both Old Testament saints who were promised an inheritance of a kingdom and the tribulation saints.  The Old Testament saints will administer the government of God on earth.  The Old Testament saints will be “harvested” from paradise and given bodies of glory because they received the righteousness of God by believing into the Coming One (Christ) (Daniel 12:2-3; Isaiah 24:23). 

The tribulation saints also will receive their bodies of glory and reign with the Old Testament saints; both assemblies will be alive from the dead and will reign with Christ. 

The star name in the head of the decan Bootes,” “Pierced,” is carried over from the previous decan “Centaurus.”  This carrying over of the name is the revelation that the Coming Shepherd Priest is also the One who was “Pierced” and it is “He Who Bruises.”  This is the first mention of bruising in the star signs.  It brings to remembrance the prophecy of Genesis 3:15:  “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shall bruise his heel.”  

This prophecy of Israel’s Shepherd King, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep, was accomplished not as Israel’s King but as the Son of Man, the Seed of the Woman.  The next sign of Leo gives further insight into the bruising of the serpent’s head and the heel of the Seed of the woman. 

Thus, the names in the constellation Virgo give a complete beginning and ending pictorial of “The Grace of the Branch” to convert the soul.  Virgo fully expresses the awesomeness of God’s love and plan for man – may all who hear it and see it, say “yes” to it.  “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7).  Amen!!


Glossary for Virgo
Names of the Stellar sign of Virgo: 
“The Virgin”
“Maid of Virgin”
“Pureness”
“The Pure Virgin”
“An Ear of Corn”
“The Place of the Desired Branch”  

Star Names in Stellar sign of Virgo: 
“Ear of Corn” or the “Seed of Corn”
“The Seed”
“The Branch Who Shall Come Down” or “Who Shall Have Dominion”
“The Deliverer” or “Branch Who Cometh” and
“The Son”
“Gloriously Beautiful” 
“Zerah” – seed held in Virgo’s left hand.
“Spica” – the term used for a cluster of seeds in a head of wheat or barley grain. 

Names of Decans in Virgo: 
“Coma” – known as “The Desired” or “Longed For.” 
Star Names Identified with Coma:
“Who Bears”
“The Virgin Who Carries”

“Centaurus” – known as “The Despised Sin Offering.” 
Star Names identified with Centaurus:
“Heretofore”
“Hereafter”
“The Pierced”
“Who Pierces”
“The Appointed Dies”
“The Bruised” 

“Bootes” – known as “The Herdsman – He Who Is Coming.” 
Star Names identified with “Bootes”
“The Shepherd’s Crook,”
“The Preserver”
“Guardian”
“The Pierced”
“Who Bruises”
“Who Separates”
“The Most Beautiful” 

Virga means “A Branch.”  
Virgo means “A Virgin.”  




Friday, March 22, 2013

Changes & updates

Hello to everyone sharing these lessons,
This blog is a new format for us and we will be making changes to the post like adding the handouts to the lessons and not putting them up as separate post along with other updates. Please feel free to add your comments or suggestions.

The Editor

Lesson 008 - Libra



The Transaction of Propitiation - The Law of the LORD is Perfect

In eternity before time, God, the one Being of Deity, the only God planned a creation of sons of God in His image - a kingdom of royal priests of sons of God.  This is God’s covenant with Himself - a legal binding agreement. 
The transaction or contract of the eternal covenant for sons of God in His image is pictured in the sign of Libra.  Beginning with Libra and following the path of the sun, the revelation in the stars tells what God is doing; it shows His plan of a holy calling of sons of God before the eternal ages.  
The message in the stars is obedience to the truth; sin is not the issue.  The issue is that man needs a forever-living body.  Man must be born again (John 3:3). 
In the gospel in the stars, God teaches man that the Law of the Lord is perfect – and He invites or “calls to” man giving him the opportunity to be a son of God. 
The Stellar sign Libra has several meanings:  “The Scale or Weighing,” “Purchase or Redemption,” “The Mediator,” “House of Propitiation or Station of Propitiation,” and “Yoke, Cross Bar or Balance Beam.” 
While the function of scales is for weighing, the primary purpose is to negotiate a transaction for possession.  The cross of Christ Jesus, the Yoke, Cross Bar or Balance Beam” was “the Scale” - “the Mediator’s” instrument for the transaction.  
Two root words of the word propitiation mean literally the Grace of the Branch,” a fitting synopsis of the simple but deeply profound message of Libra.  Grace is God’s great favor for man in the Son of His covenant, Jesus Christ, who is known by the title, “the Branch” (Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12).  
The three star names of Libra are (1) “The Price Deficient,” (2) “The Price Which Covers” - “Swept Away and CoversHeaped Up Highand (3) “The Price of Conflict,” along with the decans of Libra, “The Cross,” “The Victim Slain” (“Lupus”) and “The Crown” accurately tell forth the details of the great favor of God in “the Branch.” 
God’s plan to have man in His image requires two bodies.  Men born in mortal bodies of the earth, bodies of flesh, are deficient of the image of a son of God.  The body of flesh falls short of the glory of the image of a son of God (Romans 3:23).  Man in the flesh needs a covering that is sufficient.  
Before God entered time, a contract or transaction took place in the counsels of the eternal God.  In order to accomplish His purpose to have sons of God in His image, God must have an image.  God’s life must be put in a mortal body of the earth; therefore, one of the beings of Deity must take a body of flesh.  One of the three personal beings of Deity must take a body for a material physical image of God, a body where God can be seen.  God is not a creation; God has no beginning or end – He is eternal.  A body must be brought forth so that God can be led forth to be seen.  One of the three personal beings of Deity must bear the same image as the man they purposed to create; one must be birthed in a body of human flesh but not birthed of the seed of man.  The seed of man will reproduce a “body that is dead because of sin” (Romans 8:10) – a body consigned to return to the dust of the ground.  One of the three personal beings of Deity must become a birthed Son of God birthed of a virgin in a mortal body of humanity of the earth earthy. 
God offers man propitiation (a meeting place) – “The Price Which Covers” for “The Price Which is Deficient (a body of flesh).  The Price Which Covers” is the resurrected body of the Son of God.  The resurrected body has “Swept Away” that which is deficient “and Covers”; Heaped Up High” is the glory of the resurrected body.  
Man needs a “Mediator.”  A Mediator is an arbitrator for legal counsel.  God would send the Mediator, the man Christ Jesus in the likeness of man, in a flesh body of humanity so that man might unite himself to God.  Deity unites Himself to His creation of man in a body.  
God the Father would prepare a body and enlife it for His birthed Son.  The body prepared for the birthed Son is a seed coat that covers the eternal life within.  In order for man to have a deathless body raised from the dead, it is imperative that he choose to unite himself with the incorruptible seed, the covenant Son, the begotten Son.  
The Word of God is the only incorruptible seed with the power of life eternal to raise a body out from the dead, deathless to die no more.  “The Mediator,” the meeting place – “the House of Propitiation” are the same.  The man Christ Jesus, God’s birthed son, is “the Mediator” between God and man; He is the negotiator.  His body of flesh prepared in the womb of the virgin enlifed by the Father is the meeting place, “the House of Propitiation.”  
God desires to build a household of sons of God, a royal priesthood.  The birthed Son is the incorruptible seed, the power of God unto salvation to whosoever will believe and receive the gift of life (Romans 1:16).  The body of Jesus is the tent of meeting.  The transaction for a possession, man in God’s image is accomplished in the eternal God before time began. 
The scale of Libra is perfectly balanced, although not identical, as indicated in the star names – “The Price Which is Deficient” and “The Price Which Covers.”  How can they be perfectly balanced when the star names are “The Price Which is Deficient” and “The Price Which Covers”
The pictorial is clear.  Having no power to be raised from the dead, man’s body of flesh is lifeless.  However, the birthed body of Jesus has the power of an endless life.  The birthed body of Jesus is the only body of humanity brought forth from the womb that holds immortality.  The birthed body of the child born is in the likeness of man, “the Price Deficient” for a son of God.  Jesus, the Son begotten from the dead, is “the Price Which Covers” – man in the image of God. 
Enlifed by the Father, the incorruptible seed has the power of life to be raised from the dead a Son of God, the Son given, “the Price Which Covers.”  Only the Son given, the begotten Son of God, the first-born from the dead provides “Redemption” for God’s creation of humanity.  Therefore, the balance of the scale of Libra is equal because of the Life of the incorruptible seed.  Held in the seed coat is Life everlasting (“the Price Deficient”) and the Seed is Life everlasting (“the Price Which Covers”) making the weight the same.  
The last price in the sign is the third star, “The Price of Conflict.”  For God the Son to step willingly out of eternity and into time and take upon Himself the likeness of the man He fashioned – a body that He retains forever and ever is an act of infinite condescension.  
God is other than His creation.  He is Spirit Being of Deity.  His choice was a voluntary service of supreme love.  There are three personal beings of one essence of Deity.  Deity is a being of spirit.  The three personal beings are one in essence, one spirit of life, love and light, having the same mind, the same will and the same emotions.  In every way, the three persons are equal in the essence of Deity, the essence of God.  A being of spirit – immaterial and invisible, does not have an image.  God does not have a visible, corporeal image. 
Choosing to cover His essence of Deity with a mortal body of flesh and blood and lay it down as a propitiation (meeting place) for mankind to be raised up in a body of Spirit is truly the act of love beyond understanding. 
“The Price of Conflict” agreed upon in eternity past was lived out in time in the Garden of Gethsemane and finished at the cross of Calvary.  It is one thing to weigh in the balance “the Price of Conflict” and another to go through that trial and live it!  
The first decan of Libra is known as Crux or the Cross.”  In the luminaires are four bright stars in a reasonably shaped cross.  Its ancient Hebrew name was Adom, which means “cutting off – it is finished.” 
Thus, “the Price of Conflict” in both the offering of the sacrifice; i.e., the flesh body – the seed grain of Jesus – and the offering of Himself, the troubling of His soul, was finished once for all.  God accomplished the work of redemption.  The shed blood of Jesus “cut off” the sin and death passed upon all men, and the resurrection of His glorified body finished the reign of that power.  “It is finished” (John 19:30). 
The second decan is most commonly known by its Latin name “Lupus” or “Victima,” “the Victim or the Slain.”  The contemporary Greek name is “Wolf or the Beast,” implying an enemy.  The Hebrew name means, “To Be Slain and in ancient times was referred to as “Sura,” a sheep or lamb.  Thus, the star names in this sign give a detailed message of that which is slain:  a victim - a Lamb, and an enemy - the wolf or beast. 
The victim slain (the lamb) and the enemy (the wolf or beast) are put to death by the Conqueror “Centaurus, the second decan of Virgo, coupling the two constellations Libra and Virgo.  Obviously, a lamb and a wolf are not the same animal any more than a victim and enemy are the same.  So what is the picture?  In the sign Virgo, “Centaurus” is portrayed as a conqueror, a mighty warrior, although the star names signify the “Despised One,” “the Pierced” and “He Who Pierces.”  The star names and the title conqueror are clearly at odds with one another.  
Nevertheless, Jesus as the “Despised One” – the despised sin offering rejected by men was the “Victim Slain” – the Lamb of God.  Pierced” by wicked hands, crucified and put to death is the conqueror for it is “He Who Pierces” the enemy the “Wolf or the Beast.”  “Centaurus” the executioner, “He Who Pierces,” puts the enemy to death.  
Within this decan are multiple revelations.  The wicked hands that put to death the Lamb of God belonged to the false prophets (the chief priests), which “appeared” as shepherds but were dressed in sheep’s clothing; inwardly, they are ravening wolves – beasts, enemies of God (Matthew 7:15; John 10:7-13).  While God permitted these wicked hands to put to death the Lamb of God, it must be understood that the Lamb of God willingly took upon Himself the sting of death – no man took His life from Him; Jesus laid it down voluntarily (John 10:18).  Jesus took the sins of all humanity on His body and destroyed the last enemy, death, by His resurrection.  Victory swallows up death.  But much more was accomplished by the grace of God.  At His second coming, the wolves, the false prophets and the beast will be put to death.  
Only the covenant Son has the power of righteousness required to slay the enemy death and provide the gift of everlasting life in a body of glory. 
The third and last decan of Libra is “Corona,” “the Crown.”  In Old Testament times, the victor of the race run was given a crown of woven vines.  The Hebrew name for “Corona” means “Royal Crown” and the brightest star in the decan means “the Shining.” 
“The Crown” follows “the Price of Conflict,” which is the Cross” and the Victim Slain.  The decan of “the Crown is a lovely semicircle of a half dozen stars and is one of the few decans that looks like the object for which it is named. 
Having run the race set before Him by His Father, Jesus finished the course and received not a woven crown that withers and perishes but a body of glory.  For suffering death, He was crowned with a body of glory and a kingdom of glory fitting the worthy Redeemer.  Jerusalem, the city of the king, will be the capital of the world; the king of glory will set his throne in her city and all the nations of the world will come and worship the LORD of hosts – Jesus, King of kings and LORD of Lords, the crowned victor – the King of glory, The LORD of hosts! 
In the end God will be all and in all.  He will have His kingdom of sons of God; He will have His royal priesthood.  He will have His sons of God.
God’s perfect plan is in the stars and God’s perfect plan is in His written Word – “For the Law of the LORD is perfect” (Psalm 19:7).  The Hebrew word for perfect means entire – whether literal, figurative or moral.  It means without blemish, complete, full, perfect, undefiled, upright, and whole.  
Libra is an overview of God’s entire story.  Indeed, “the law of the LORD is perfect.” 


Glossary for Libra
Names of the Stellar sign of Libra: 
“The Scale or Weighing”
“Purchase or Redemption”
“The Mediator”
“House of Propitiation or Station of Propitiation”
“Yoke, Cross Bar or Balance Beam” 
Star Names in Stellar sign Libra: 
“The Price Deficient”
“The Price Which Covers – Swept Away and Covers – Heaped Up High”
“The Price of Conflict”
Names of Decans in Libra: 
“The Cross” – Adom - cutting off – it is finished; no star names preserved. 
“The Victim or the Slain” (“Lupus”) - Hebrew name means, “To Be Slain and in ancient times was referred to as “Sura,” a sheep or lamb.  Contemporary Greek name means “Wolf or the Beast” – the name implies an enemy; no star names preserved. 
“Corona” -“The Crown” – “Royal Crown” Ornament or Jewel
Star name:  “The Shining”  
House of Propitiation – means a meeting place. 

Incorruptible Seed – is the first begotten Son of God from the dead. 

Mediator – is an arbitrator or negotiator – the Man Christ Jesus – the meeting place – the house of propitiation – redemption between God and man. 

Price Deficient equals the Price Which Covers – because the birthed body of Jesus has the power of an endless life – the child born is in the likeness of man (seed coat), the Price Deficient for a son of God.  Jesus, the Son begotten from the dead (Incorruptible Seed), is the Price Which Covers – man in the image of God.  
Lesson 008 Libra Stars