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
Their names supply us with the key to the interpretation of the picture.
The star α (in the waist) is called _Mirfak_, _who helps_. The next, γ (in
the right shoulder), is named _Al Genib_, which means _who carries away_.
The bright star in the left foot is called _Athik_, _who breaks_!
In his left hand he carries a head, which, by perversion, the Greeks
called the head of Medusa, being ignorant that its Hebrew root meant _the
trodden under foot_.(58) It is also called _Rosh Satan_ (Hebrew), _the
head of the adversary_, and _Al Oneh_ (Arabic), _the subdued_, or _Al
Ghoul_, _the evil spirit_.
The bright star, β (in this head), has come down to us with the name _Al
Gol_, which means _rolling round_.
It is a most remarkable phenomenon that so many of these enemies should be
characterised by variable stars! But this head of _Medusa_, like the neck
of _Cetus_, has one. _Al Gol_ is continually changing. In about 69 hours
it changes from the 4th magnitude to the 2nd. During four hours of this
period it gradually diminishes in brightness, which it recovers in the
succeeding four hours; and in the remaining part of the time invariably
preserves its greatest lustre. After the expiration of this time its
brightness begins to decrease again. Fit emblem of our great enemy, who,
“like a _roaring lion_, goeth about seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. v.
8.); then changing into a _subtle serpent_ (Gen. iii. 8.); then changing
again into “an angel of light” (2 Cor. xi. 14.). “Transforming himself”
continually, to devour, deceive, and destroy.
This brings us to the conclusion of the Second Book, in which we have seen
the Redeemed blessed with all blessings, delivered out of all conflict,
saved from all enemies. We have seen their Redeemer, “the Lamb slain from
the foundation of the world,” “the Conqueror,” “the King of Kings and Lord
of Lords.”
This is the Revelation recorded in the heavens. This is the prophetic
testimony inspired in the Book. And this is the heart‐cry prompted by
both:—
“Come, Lord, and tarry not,
Bring the long‐looked‐for day;
Oh, why these years of waiting here,
These ages of delay?
Come, for Thy saints still wait;
Daily ascends their cry:
‘The Spirit and the Bride say, Come’;
Dost Thou not hear their cry?
Come, for creation groans,
Impatient of Thy stay;
Worn out with these long years of ill,
These ages of delay.
Come, for Thine Israel pines,
An exile from Thy fold;
Oh, call to mind Thy faithful word,
And bless them as of old.
Come, for Thy foes are strong;
With taunting lips they say,
‘Where is the promised advent now,
And where the dreaded day?’
Come, for the good are few;
They lift the voice in vain;
Faith waxes fainter on the earth,
And love is on the wane.
Come, in Thy glorious might;
Come, with Thine iron rod;
Disperse Thy foes before Thy face,
Most mighty Son of God.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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