When sharing controversial information, there’s only so much “paving the way” for that information that you can do, before the reader’s mind wishes you would “get to the point!” And so here we go…
Remember I first mentioned that I was reading alternative news, and wanted to create this blog as a place to share some of what I’d been discovering about the deception of the mainstream media? I have always been someone who likes to peel back the layers of the onion – always looking for the next level of understanding. Because of this I’m not turned off by new and controversial things. In fact, I’ve often found that truth lies far outside of the status quo.
While immersed in the alternative media sources during the 2016 elections, a YouTube video suggestion came up on my page. It was from Robert Breaker, who is a bible teacher that I have learned quite a bit from in the past. The video was called “September 23, 2017? What’s going to happen?” I’ve linked the title so you can watch it yourself if you so desire. Robert’s videos are not fancy or technical in any way, but the message is very sound from a biblical prospective ( remember, any doctrine you carry may feel attacked by some of the info.)
Essentially there is a prophecy in the book of Revelation. The Book of Revelations is the last book in the Christian bible, and is meant to “reveal” things to us about the time of the world that Christians are supposed to look forward to – the return of our savior Jesus Christ to the earth. The bible itself can be thought of as a history book, that also foretells the future. In effect, it’s a history of mankind. It speaks of the beginning, things that have happened along the way, and it even speaks (prophetically) of what the end of humanity looks like (yes, there is a predicted end.) The more you allow yourself to think of it in that context, the more it all seems to “come together.”
This triggered doctrine in me. The “end times” as they are commonly referred to are something that Christians are told to look forward to and expect. Ask most Christians, and they will agree that the bible also says that “you will know not the day nor the hour” (referring to Christ’s second coming.) Many generations have come and gone with that promise, but Christ never came, and so Christ “not coming” becomes the “normal” and scholars form doctrine to support that view.
In this case, not knowing the day or the hour ends up taking that bible text massively out of context, which changes the message considerably. We are in fact able to know the season – Christ was speaking to unbelievers in some places in the bible where people take that out of context. For the sake of this article, just know that Christ is very clear that we are to know the season of his return – if you’d like to explore that topic more, please go here: http://www.heavenlysign2017.com/why-watch.html (note that your past doctrine may kick in here – the church has taught for years the concept of “imminent” – that Christ could return at any time. Unfortunately, there are many “mile markers” leading up to Christ’s return, and some have passed by in very recent times – so I recommend that you press pause on any doctrinal thinking around this point, at least for now.
Pastor Robert’s video contained information on what is referred to as the Revelation 12 sign. Here’s what Revelation 12 says:
12 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
For years many scholars have taught that this text is painting a picture that references the birth of Christ – with Mary being the virgin, and Christ being the man child – and for many church organizations, this is the doctrine by which they have lived by, and it has existed unquestioned in the state for years. But there’s more – this is the only sign in the bible that is referred to as “the great sign.” It warrants a deeper look from a more current context.
I believe that God created the world, the heavens, the earth, and me. He knew me before I was born, and he knows what I will do before I do it. I’ve heard it described that God can see the beginning and the end – all at the same time. Because of this, God knows of all of the technology of our day- and with today’s technology, applied to the “revelation 12 sign,” we can begin to see that this “sign” may actually have a physical meaning. In other words, I don’t think that the use of technology in understanding His words about the future are a problem – God knew this technology would exist today, at a time when He wanted the tools to be used – for a time when He wanted something to be discovered – keep reading to see how a piece of technology turned Revelation 12 from an abstract image, to a real “thing” that is happening before our eyes.
If you take a piece of free software called Stellarium, and advance it to September 23, 2017, you will find:
The constellation Virgo (the virgin) is visible in the night sky
Virgo is clothed with the sun (over her shoulders) and the moon is under her feet
On her head is a crown of twelve stars (the 9 main stars of the constellation “Leo” and three additional planets (in perfect alignment.)
Virgo has the planet Jupiter performing a retrograde orbit inside the “womb” of Virgo – for 42 weeks, almost a perfect human gestation period.
Virgo gives “birth” to jupiter in early september, and then just a few weeks later (Sept 23) – the moon appears under her feet.
All of the above is from the perspective of the sky over Jerusalem.
I watched the video mentioned above with awe. And I’ve been consumed with researching and learning about the sign ever since, which got me very interested in “end times prophecy.” It turns out that you could ignore this sign altogether, and there’s plenty of other ways the bible predicts (and validates itself) that something big is happening in the fall of 2017.
So why am I writing this?
When Jesus came to the Jews in the flesh, they dismmissed Him – they were looking for a “conquering” king, and were not expecting the humble servant that was born into a horse feeding trough (manger) and rode into town, triumphantly, on a donkey. I think that the people of the day had heard of the coming king for so long, that the “not coming” of this king was their normal, and few were watching the signs (except for the three wise men who got this one right – they knew of the star that marked the arrival of the king – and took quite a long trip based on that knowledge.)
I think the same could happen to us – everyone is busy doing their own thing in their own “normal” and no one is watching for signs, as these signs have been foretold for centuries… and why should we expect it to come in our century (or for knowledge about the signs to change in our time?) And Jesus does tell us to “keep watch” (Mark 13:35) so that we will NOT be surprised. In fact, Jesus tells us there are consequences if we fail to watch and alert our brothers and sisters. Here’s another good study on “watching” for Jesus: https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/jesus-warning-to-watch-just-what-did-he-mean
The Revelation 12 sign is something that can be fairly accurately described as a sign occurring in the stars (heavens) – that was discoverable with technology available to us today. Before I lose some of the Christians saying that this is Astrology – let me correct that. Astrology is when we take the heavens and make them into deities (Gods). In fact, he bible, in genesis chapter, 1 verse 14 directs us to look to the stars for signs:
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
So the bible clearly tells us that the heavens are markers for events in time (i mean, if I believe that God created the heavens and the earth, then why would I not believe when he says the heaves are for signs and seasons?) In the Revelation 12, this sign is even referred to as “a great sign in heaven.” Some of the constellations are directly referred to in other parts of the bible.
Go watch and read what you can about the revelation 12 sign. Below are some video resources that have been helpful to me. I was fairly convinced that this was perhaps the real deal just from the Revelation 12 text itself, but I kept reading, watching and studying what others were saying. And to my amazement, there are so many other indications on top of the Revelation 12 sign, that I’ve become convinced that we are living in the most prophesied-about time in human history – the more I read the more I become convinced – and I’d like to take you through this journey with me, and share what I am learning.
Do I know what is going to happen on September 23? Not exactly, but I am confident enough to know that something big, something memorable will indeed happen. Oh and for those Christians who are struggling with this kind of a sign being astrology – please hang on until the next post – I’ll deal with that!
I strongly recommend that from here you take a posture of exploration. Leave any end times “doctrine” that you may have aside for now – and just explore the information. If you are not a Christian, this could be very scary. If you are a Christian, you may just be like me and become very excited about the prospect that we may be living in a time that was written about in the bible thousands of years ago. What an honor to be chosen for this time!
Next few days I’ll post about how I explored some of my doubts about this, and other supporting research I’ve one over the last 5 months.
~Bryan
Resources:
Robert Breaker: “September 23? What’s going to happen?”
God’s Road Map To The End – Sept 23 Part 1:
God’s Road Map To The End – Sept 23 Part 2
Parable of the Vineyard: “The Revelation 12 Sign in 5 Minutes”