Through the ages, people of various cultures have looked towards special astronomical events (like planetary conjunctions) as signs in the heavens.
“And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you (Helaman 14:5).”
From the Shepards in the Bethlehem fields to the Nephites in the American continent awaiting the birth of Christ, Christians have often looked to the sky for signs of the Lord and his promises. They are, after all, his own handiwork.
- The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
- Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
- There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
- Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
- Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race (Psalms 19).”
On April 29, 2022, in the morning hours, the two brightest planets will join together in the sky to form what might look like a new but temporary star. This same day a solar eclipse will cross Antarctica.
“And behold, again, another sign I give unto you, yea, a sign of his death (Helaman 14:14 )… the sun shall be darkened and refuse to give his light unto you (Helman 14:20).” While many might try to cover up or ignore Christ and his teachings, we have been promised that he will return.
Venus
Venus and Jupiter will be near the circlet asterism in the constellation Pisces. In astrology, the constellation Pisces is said to be the one that exalts Venus, or magnifies its effects.
In Roman mythology, wikipedia says this of Venus:
“Her cults may represent the religiously legitimate charm and seduction of the divine by mortals, in contrast to the formal, contractual relations between most members of Rome’s official pantheon and the state, and the unofficial, illicit manipulation of divine forces through magic… Astrologically speaking, Venus is associated with the principles of harmony, beauty, refinement, affections, love, and the urge to sympathize and unite with others (1).”
Unity, harmony, and legitimate religion. Sounds kind of like a Zion people doesn’t it?
In Christian tradition, Venus is associated with the approaching Son of God, and it is sometimes associated with Mother Mary. Both are of course similar thoughts; the Son of God being born of Mary. This symbolism is especially relevant when Venus is seen in the morning sky (as it will be tomorrow). Today we look forward to God’s coming a second time, not as an infant born of a virgin, but as a king coming from the heavens.
“For as the light of the morning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, and covereth the whole earth, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be (Mark 13:29).”
What about Jupiter?
Jupiter is the traditional ruling planet of Sagittarius and (you guessed it) Pisces. “Astrologically speaking, Jupiter is associated with the principles of growth, expansion, healing, prosperity, good fortune, and miracles. Jupiter governs long distance and foreign travel, big business and wealth, higher education, religion, and the law (2).”
As Jupiter is the largest planet, it is sometimes known as the King Planet. So like Venus, it can also be a representation of the Son of God. “Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel (John 1:49).”
To see Jupiter and Venus rising in the morning is a reminder that the King of Israel and Son of God is coming, even at the door to his Marriage feast with His church. That is, this sign in the heavens reminds us of the second coming of Christ.
“14 Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart, O daughter of Jerusalem.
15 The LORD hath taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more.
16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack (Zephaniah 3).”
Why Pisces?
Pisces is a perfect constellation to represent Christ’s church. That is after all who he’ll come to on his first of many comings as he ushers in the millennium.
“The Savior will make several appearances before His Second Coming to all the world.
- Christ will appear at Adam-ondi-Ahman (see Daniel 7:9–10, 13–14; D&C 116).
- The Savior will appear to those in the New Jerusalem in America (see 3 Nephi 21:23–25; D&C 45:66–67).
- The Savior will appear to the Jews in Jerusalem (see D&C 45:48, 51–53; Zechariah 12:10; 14:2–5).
- The Lord will appear in glory to all mankind (see D&C 45:44; 101:23; Matthew 24:30; Isaiah 40:5; JST, Revelation 1:7). (3)”
Pisces is the Latin plural for fish, which is a common Christian symbol. This constellation is usually depicted with a band tying two fish together to the constellation Cetus, which represents a sea monster.
Many scriptures refer to death and sin as bands that take us captive, but they can be broken by Christ. “Loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion,” (Isaiah 58:6) and “behold, the bands of death shall be broken, and the Son reigneth, and hath power over the dead; therefore, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead” (Mosiah 15:20).
The bands of death broken will be pictured in the sky tomorrow as the Sun illuminates the hoof of Aries (the Lamb of God) who in turn is crushing the head of the sea monster (satan, death, or hell), or perhaps breaking the “bands of death” with his illuminated foot.
Look Forward with Faith
I believe God created the stars and heavens for signs about the fulfillment of His words and promises. While we cannot know the exact time and days such prophecies will be fulfilled, we can choose to believe he will hold true to his promises.
He has broken the bands of sin and death, and he will return to govern his people in righteousness and peace. “And he shall rule them with the word of God; and they shall be in his hands as the vessels of clay in the hands of a potter; and he shall govern them by faith, with equity and justice, even as I received of my Father (Revelations 2:27).”
Maybe you see something else in this night sky depiction, but I see God working in power and majesty when I look to the stars. My faith in Jesus Christ increases as I look for signs of his work and promises because it means I’m thinking of Him. I hope you can take a moment to get outside and look up. Let the stars and their ordinances remind you of Him.
- “17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
- 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
- 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
- 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:
- 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2).”
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_in_astrology#Venus
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planets_in_astrology#Jupiter
- Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual (2010). Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Accessed Apr. 29, 2022 from https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/doctrines-of-the-gospel-student-manual/36-second-coming?lang=eng
