The Witness of the StarsBullinger, E. W. (Ethelbert William)
Religion
The Witness of the Stars
Bullinger, E. W. (Ethelbert William)
Astronomy; Astronomy in the Bible; Bible and science; Constellations
From first to last Hercules is seen engaged in destroying some malignant
foe: now it is the Nemean lion; then it is the slaying of the boar of
Erymanthus; again, it is the conquest of the bull of Crete; then the
killing of the three‐headed hydra, by whose venom Hercules afterwards
died. In the belly of the sea monster he is said to have remained “three
days and three nights.” This was, doubtless, a perversion of the type of
Jonah, introduced by LYCOPHRON, who (living at the court of PTOLEMY
PHILADELPHUS, under whose auspices the Hebrew Scriptures were translated
into Greek) would have known of that Divine miracle, and of its
application to the Coming One. Bishop Horsley believed that the fables of
the Greek mythology could be traced back to the prophecies of the Messiah,
of which they were a perversion from ignorance or design. This is
specially true of Hercules. In his apparently impossible tasks of
overthrowing gigantic enemies and delivering captives, we can see through
the shadow, and discern the pure light of the truth. We can understand how
the original star‐picture must have been a prophetic representation of Him
who shall destroy the Old Serpent and open the way again, not to fabled
“apples of gold,” but to the “tree of life” itself. He it is who though
suffering in the mighty conflict, and brought to His knee, going down even
to “the dust of death,” shall yet, in resurrection and advent glory, wield
His victorious club, subdue all His enemies, and plant His foot on the
Dragon’s head. For of Him it is written:—
“Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder;
The young lion and the dragon shalt Thou trample under foot.”
(Ps. xci. 13.)
“Come, Lord, and burst the captives’ chains,
And set the prisoners free;
Come, cleanse this earth from all its stains,
And make it meet for Thee!
Oh, come and end Creation’s groans—
Its sighs, its tears, its blood,
And make this blighted world again
The dwelling‐place of God.”
Chapter IV. The Sign SAGITTARIUS.
_The Redeemer’s Triumph._
This is the concluding chapter of the first great book of this Heavenly
Revelation; and it is occupied wholly with the triumph of the Coming One,
who is represented as going forth “conquering and to conquer.”
The subject is beautifully set forth in the written Word (Ps. xlv. 3‐5):—
“Gird Thy sword upon Thy thigh, O most mighty,
[_Gird Thyself_] with Thy glory and Thy majesty,
And in Thy majesty ride prosperously,
Because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness;
And Thy right hand shall teach Thee terrible things.
Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies;
Whereby the people fall under Thee.”
John, in his apocalyptic vision, sees the same mighty Conqueror going
forth. “I saw (he says) a white horse, and He that sat on him had a bow,
... and He went forth conquering and to conquer” (Rev. vi. 2).
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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