THE SECRETS OF WISDOM

15 THE SECRETS OF WISDOM He would show thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is. — Job 11:6

THINGS are more than they seem. They are not only more in themselves than we can know or understand, but they are related to other and hidden spheres beyond the reach of our natural reason. “They are double” in their expression, so that what is external and natural at the same time includes something recondite and spiritual. The Scriptures everywhere recognize this, and constantly proceed upon it in what we call symbols, types, parables, allegories, and tropes. And the true “secrets of wisdom,” as well as the characteristics of divine teaching, according to Zophar, lie in this double of what we naturally observe and experience. In so far, then, as this doubleness of showing is a mark of divine teaching, the primeval astronomy is pre-eminently a part of God’s own revelation; for here we find not only a superhuman knowledge of the natural economy of the starry heavens, but a doubleness of expression by which we may also read the whole system of Messianic truths, predictions, and hopes. To human observation there is nothing grander than this universe of heavenly worlds. The study of them is justly regarded as the sublimest of the sciences. But, on the basis of these natural facts and presentations, there is a duplicate of meaning touching another department of the divine manifestations which is vastly sublimer and more precious than all the knowledge of astronomy. THE GROUND THUS FAR In our endeavors to trace this double of the starry expressions we have been occupied entirely with the Solar Zodiac and its thirty-six Decans. In this we have indeed the main stellar presentations. Following this Way through its various steps or stations, with their explanatory Faces, we necessarily have before us all the most conspicuous markings of the heavens. And if there really is a legible record of the Gospel in the stars, it must be found, above all, in what we have thus gone over. Whether the findings have in fact been such as to warrant us in concluding that Christ and His fore announced achievements are there symbolized, must be decided by those who will candidly consider what has been brought out. For my own part, I have not the slightest doubt or question on the subject. Taking the facts, figures, and names as our common, every-day astronomy gives them, I find such clear and evident marks of connection and design, such thorough consistency in the elaboration of all the details, such distinct and orderly progress of thought in the arrangements of beginning, continuity, and end, such a universal and multitudinous array of myths and legends founded on the constellations and running parallel with their meaning as thus interpreted, such a complete identity of images and terms with the scriptural presentations of the same things, and such a self-evidencing and exhaustive outlining of all the great features of the Gospel story, along with such a profound and accurate penetration into the whole organization of the visible universe, — that I should have to go against all laws of evidence and principles of logic not to accept it as very truth that these heavens do declare ,the glory of God” as embodied in the person, mission, work, and redemptive achievements of His Son Jesus Christ. THE LUNAR ZODIAC But the markings of the heavens are not exhausted by what pertains to the Solar Zodiac and its Decans. There is also a Lunar Zodiac. It consists of the same belt as the Solar Zodiac, but divides that belt into twenty-eight in place of twelve parts or steps; and these twenty-eight are called the Mansions of the Moon. To each of these twenty-eight steps a particular name is given. In the Indian astronomy each of these steps or Mansions also had a particular figure additional to the name; but the figures are not invariably the same. In China and Arabia the names are more uniform, but are given without figures or emblems. The Parsis also had the Lunar Zodiac, and made much of it. Astronomers agree in regarding this Lunar Zodiac as containing the most ancient remains of the science of the stars. The Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians knew little or nothing about it, but it is a matter of record in China that it was known and understood in that country as early as the reign of Yao, about twenty-three hundred years before the Christian era, which was before the time of Abraham. [This point is scientifically presented in Max Muller’s Sacred Books of the East, vol. iii., by James Legge, Where it is said that “the most common, and what was the earliest, division of the Ecliptic in China is that of the twenty-eight Lunar Mansions, forming what we may call the Chinese Zodiac.”] In the Chinese astronomy it begins with Virgo, which would seem to indicate that the Chinese table came from the manifestly from the antediluvian times. The Lunar Zodiac is manifestly from the same source as the Solar, and great importance was attached to it wherever the knowledge of it was preserved in living observance. In Arabia and in India from time immemorial these Mansions of the Moon held place and rank equal, if not superior, to the Solar Zodiac, and are found interwoven with all poetry and science, and incorporated not only into the worship and mythology, but also into various customs of private life. Children there are still frequently named according to the Lunar Mansions under which they were born.

They are preserved in Scandinavia and Burmah, and traces of them have been found in the ruins of ancient Mexico. Al Fergani in Bagdad, Albumazer in Spain, and Ulugh Beigh, the Tartar prince and astronomer, grandson of Tamerlane, have transmitted to us the names and enumerations of these Mansions of the Moon, and preserved to the world the evidences of their corresponding antiquity with the twelve signs of the Solar Zodiac. [See Hyde’s Syntagma, vol. i.; Freytag’s Arabic Lexicon; and LeGentil, Voy. dans les Indes.]

There is, therefore, every reason to expect, if it was meant that the stars should carry a prophetic record of the Gospel, that we would find it also in the arrangement and naming of these Lunar Mansions. And, as we would anticipate, so it really is.

NAMES OF THE LUNAR MANSIONS

Christ was predicted as “the Desire of nations,” “the Desire of women;” and so the first of these Mansions is named Al Awa, the Desired. Christ was foretold as “the Branch,” God’s “servant the Branch,” “the Branch of Righteousness who shall execute judgment,” and the like; and the second of these Mansions is called Simak al Azel, — Branch of the power of God. It was predicted of Christ that His soul should be made an offering for sin (Isa 53:10): He is the propitiation for our sins and for the sins of the whole world.” And so the third of these Mansions bears the name of Caphir, the Atonement, the Propitiation by sacrifice.

These three Mansions correspond to Virgo. Christ was everywhere promised as the Redeemer, the Saviour, He who should bring redemption; and the fourth of these Mansions is named Al Zubena, the redeeming, the regaining by purchase, the buying back. When Christ died he said, It is finished;” and the fifth of these Mansions is named Al Iclil, the complete submission.

These two names answer to Libra And so the list proceeds in strict accord with the scriptural prophecies and descriptions of the Seed of the woman. Thus CORRESPONDING TO SCORPIO Al Kalb, the cleaving or wounding;

Al Shaula, the sting, the deadly wound.

CORRESPONDING TO SAGITTARIUS Al Naim, the gracious, the delighted in;

Al Beldah, hastily coming, as to judgment. So far, the reference plainly is to the person and work of Christ as respects himself, as in the first quaternary of the Solar Zodiac. The succeeding series runs thus:

CORRESPONDING TO CAPRICORNUS Al Dibah, the sacrifice slain.

CORRESPONDING TO AQUARIUS Sa’ad al Bula, witness of the rising or drinking in;

Sa’ad al Su’ud, witness of the swimming or outpouring;

Al Achbiya, the fountain of pouring.

CORRESPONDING TO PISCES Al Pherg alMuchaddem, the progeny of the ancient times;

Al Pherg alMuachher, the progeny of the latter times;

Al Risha, the band, the joined together.

CORRESPONDING TO ARIES Al Sheratan, the wounded, that was cut off;

Al Botein, the treading under foot;

Al Thuraiya, the enemy punished.

These names thus run in remarkable parallel of meaning with the signs and more ample showings in the second quaternary of the Solar Zodiac. It is the same also with regard to the rest of these names as compared with the last four signs.

CORRESPONDING TO TAURUS Al Debaran, the Leader, the Governor, the Subduer;

Al Heka, the driving away.

CORRESPONDING TO GEMINI.

Al Henah, the wounded in the foot;

Al Dirah, the ill-treated.

CORRESPONDING TO CANCER Al Nethra, the treasure, the possession;

Al Terpha, the healed, the delivered, the saved.

CORRESPONDING TO LEO Al Gieba, the exaltation, the Prince;

Al Zubra, the heaped-up, as sin and delayed punishment;

Al Serpha, the burning, the funeral-pyre. The whole series of these names thus runs parallel with the signs of the Solar Zodiac, and ends up precisely in the same way, proving that they are of a piece with it. THE MILKY WAY

Another distinct marking of the heavens is a snowy belt, from four to twenty degrees or more in width, which stretches obliquely over the sky from south-west to north-east, thus cutting the Ecliptic, and extending entirely around the whole circuit of the heavens in another direction. It is best seen in the months from June to November, and looks like a great river of hazy brightness. It is called the Galaxy, the Milky Way, the Galactic Circle. It was once supposed to be a vast collection of nebulous matter consisting of yet forming or unformed stars, but later investigations have demonstrated that the whole Milky Way is made up of myriads on myriads of suns like ours, which is itself one of them. Milton refers to this great belt as

“A broad and ample road, whose dust is gold,
And pavement stars, as stars to thee appear A circling zone, powdered with stars.” The ancient heathen poets and philosophers spoke of this Way as the path which their deities used in the heavens, and claimed that it led directly to the throne and the Thunderer’s abode.” And if the primeval prophets had wished to mark on the sky the steps and stages in the life and work of the promised Seed of the woman, and the results of the same, this marvellous “pathway of the gods” was well suited to their purpose. And so we also find it employed.

Twelve of the constellations are situated in or on this Milky Way; six of which relate to the first advert, and six to the second. They start at the lowest point with the Cross and the Altar of sacrifice, the burning’ penalty of sin; as Christ humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross, and laid the foundations of salvation in becoming a curse for us. Then comes the cleft of Scorpio, the sting of death and the power of hell, seeming to split asunder the Milky Way itself. Then comes the Eagle pierced; then the Swan on outspread wings, going and returning with the bright cross displayed upon its breast for all the world to see; and then the royal Cepheus swaying the sceptre of empire, with his foot upon the pole of dominion, high over all authority and power; all of which epitomizes with great exactness the biblical portraiture of Christ’s history up to the time when He is to come again. The first thing to occur when the time of Christ’s second corning arrives is the seizing away of His true people, dead and alive, to himself in the sky; and so the next sign on this Way is that of Cassiopeia, the enthroned woman, the Church set free from its bonds and crowned with heavenly glory. The next picture is that of Perseus, the illustrious Breaker, full-armed and winged, the savior of Andromeda, whom he has engaged to make his bride, and the slayer of the Gorgon, whose head, writhing with matted snakes, he bears away in triumph. The next is Auriga, the mighty Shepherd, ruling the nations with a rod of iron, but having the glorified Church in His bosom, and holding the alarmed little kids all safe on His mighty hand. The next succeeding picture is that of Gemini, the heavenly union of Christ and His Church, the marriage of the Lamb. The fifth picture is that of the doubly-glorious Orion, the mighty Hunter of all the wild beasts of apostate power in all their lurking-places, going forth in His princely and all-conquering energy, treading down the Serpent beneath His feet, and slaying even Death and Hell. And then comes the last of the series, Argo, the anchored ship of the heroes returned from their perilous expedition to recover the Golden Fleece, securely landed now on the home-shores, with their imperishable treasure secured forever. This completes the circle of the Snowy Way, which even the heathen recognized and celebrated as the path to glory and to God. Could this arrangement, so clear, so consistent, and so thoroughly conformed to all that the Scriptures teach us on the subject of our salvation, have come about by mere accident? Fitted in as it is with the Zodiacal showings, on a circle so different, and yet, in its own path, exhibiting the same story so vividly and so fully, how can we otherwise conclude but that here is proof of a purpose, and of the operation of some great master mind at once familiar with the whole Gospel scheme and with the whole system of the starry economies? But if we take the conclusion which thus presses upon our acceptance, then we might also reasonably expect to find other recognitions of it, and to be able to trace the same in the ancient symbolisms of the earthly economies also. And here too we only need to look to find many remarkable facts. THE PRIMEVAL PATRIARCHS.

Take, for example, the names of the antediluvian patriarchs as given in the fifth chapter of Genesis. From early Christian antiquity these have been held to contain a synopsis of the whole Gospel story. These names all have meanings; and those meanings, taken in their historic order, indicate the main things in the history of our redemption. But who would anticipate, without being told it, that these names and their meanings equally correspond with the Zodiac in the senses in which I have been explaining them?

Adam means the bright, the excellent, the godlike, and also to suffer death. And who is the fountain and soul of our salvation but another Adam, the brightness of the Father’s glory and the express image of His person, given to die for our sins? But this is the picture of the Seed of the woman in Virgo, glorious as Spica, blessed as the Branch, precious as the Desired One, like God as Son of God, and the sufferer as Centaur and the Victim.

Seth means appointed in the place of another, a substitute, a compensation, a price. So Christ is our Seth, appointed to take our place as our substitute, making compensation for our sins, and paying the price by which we are redeemed. But this is the precise representation given in the sign of Libra.

Enos means mortal, suffering, afflicted. So Christ was the appointed bearer of our griefs, the carrier of our sorrows, stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted, by whose stripes healing comes to us. But this again is the exact showing we had .in the sign of Scorpio Cainan means acquisition, forcible gaining of possession. So Christ’s mission is to bruise the Serpent’s head, to ride forth hereafter in joyous majesty as a warrior, whose right hand shows terrible things, and whose arrows are sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies. But this is the precise exhibit in the sign of Sagittarius.

Mahalaleel means the display or praise of God. And so it is everywhere set forth as the particular outshining of God’s glory and the special topic of His praise that Christ was “delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification,” thus begetting unto himself a peculiar people to “make known the riches of His glory,” “to the intent that unto the principalities and powers in the heavenlies might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God,” “to the praise of His glory.” But this again is what we had in the sign of Capricornus.

Jared means the descending, the coming down, as the Holy Ghost shed forth to quicken and energize humanity, according to the promise. But this was the showing which we had in Aquarius!

Enoch means consecrated, initiated, taught trained, and this is what characterizes the Church of all ages. To that of old time and to that of our dispensation it could equally be said: “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light” (1Pe 2:9). But this is the very subject of the sign of Pisces!

Methuselah means released from death. So Christ appeared to John in the visions of the Apocalypse as the Lamb standing in the midst of the throne, marked as having been slain, but invested with the perfection of power, wisdom, and divine endowment, and having also the keys of Death and of Hades to release and bring forth all His people to the same heavenly life. But this, again, is the very presentation made in the sign of Aries!

Lamech means the strong, the mighty, the wild and invincible over thrower. And so Christ is to come “travelling in the greatness of His strength,” “with power and great glory,” to execute judgment upon the Enemy, to make the apostate nations drink the cup of His indignation, and to tread the winepress of the wrath of Almighty God, till the mountains are melted with blood. But this is the exact presentation which we had in the sign of Taurus!

Noah means rest. And so there remaineth a rest for the people of God after the wicked are destroyed — a calm repose with our Redeemer when we reach the farther shore of the boisterous sea of this world — an everlasting union with the Lord as His bride and wife. But this is the very theme of the sign of Gemini! This exhausts ten signs of the Zodiac in their order; and if we would have names similarly answering to the remaining two, Shem and Arphaxad, in whom the line of the promised Messiah was continued after Noah, may serve to furnish them.

Shem means name, renown, the standard of empire, the symbol of an established kingdom; just as is predicted of the glorious kingdom to be given to the saints. But this is the subject given in the sign of Cancer! And Arphaxad means the strength, the stronghold of the assembly; which again is the import of the sign of Leo.

It is marvellous that things should be so; but here are the facts, and they could by no possibility have been what they are by mere accident. There must needs have been great intelligence thus to fit what we might call accidents of earth with such elaborations of signs in the heavens, to utter and record in both the full-length evangelic story. Nor could that intelligence have achieved such a work unhelped by the Spirit of Him who alone knows the end of all things from the beginning. THE TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL

Likewise in the names of Jacob’s sons in his prophetic blessings on them (Genesis 49), in the corresponding song of Moses on the several tribes of Israel (Deuteronomy 33), on the banners borne by these tribes in their march through the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan, and in the jewels of the breastplate of their officiating high priest, do we again find distinct correspondence to the celestial signs, just as I have been identifying and describing them. I may not enter now upon the full showing in these instances. I state only a few elements of the presentation.

Zebulon means dwelling, the choosing and entering upon a home. Jacob blessed Zebulon as to dwell at the seas as a haven for the ships. Moses sung of his joyful going forth. His jewel representative was Bareketh, glittering, bright. So Christ is the brightness of the Father’s glory, who, when He entered upon His ministry of light and salvation, selected Zebulon as its home-centre, and on those shores opened out His brightness, so that the land of Zebulon beheld a great light come to well there as Lord and Saviour. But all this is in thorough correspondence with what hung prophetic in the sky in the sign of Virgo. The next succeeding sign did not appear on any of the standards of Israel, for Levi had no separate banner. The sanctuary itself was Levi’s ensign. His business was to take care of that, and there to offer sacrifices for the people’s sins. But all the more expressively did he thus bear aloft the showing of redemption’s price, just as we found it signalized in Libra. He kept the balances of the sanctuary.

Dan means judge, administering as a judge. Jacob describes him as judging and punishing, and as a serpent and adder by the way that bites the horses’ heels. Moses refers to him as a lion’s whelp, leaping from Bashan. His emblem was the serpent, and the whole description concerning him answers to Scorpio, which was the place assigned him in the Jewish Zodiac. In the same way Asher answers to Sagittarius. His jewel representative is called Shoham, the lively, the strong, and his name means the blessed, the happy, the triumphant going forth. Moses speaks of him as approved and prospered, dipping his foot in oil, wearing shoes of iron and brass, and riding forth in the strength of the God of Jeshurun, precisely as the picture is in Sagittarius.

Naphtali is “a hind.” a wrestler with death, let go to drop and die, but filled with favor and blessing nevertheless; falling, yet joyfully bringing forth abundant new life and, gladness by his “goodly words;” which is the showing in Capricornus.

Reuben in like manner corresponds to Aquarius. His name means Behold a son, new being. Jacob speaks of him as the beginning of strength and excellence, going on to excel as water flows. His jewel was Nophek, the pouring forth, as water and light.

Simeon means hearing and obeying. Jacob associates Levi with him, signifying the united, joined together, bound; and Moses assigns them the blessing of the prophetic lights and perfections; all of which answers to the Church as pictured in the sign of Pisces. So Gad is Aries. The name means the seer, as the Lamb has “seven eyes.” He is pierced, but overcomes at the last.

He is blessed, seated as a lawgiver, dwelling as a lion. His jewel was the diamond, cutting and breaking, as well as shining. With the heads of the people he executes the justice and judgments of the Lord with Israel — that is, with the Church. All of which is precisely the showing in the sign of Aries.

Joseph is Taurus, the reem. Ephraim and Manasseh are his two great horns, pushing the people to the ends of the earth. The arms of his hands are made strong by the mighty God of Jacob. His glory is like the firstlings of the herd. His jewel-sign signifies tongues of fire. The two pictures are exactly identical.

Benjamin is Gemini. He had two names, as Gemini has two figures — Benjamin, son of the right hand, an Benoni, son of my sorrow, which together describe Christ and the Church He has “begotten by His sorrows.’ Both are the beloved o the Lord, the latter dwelling between the shoulders of the other, sheltered and blessed by Jehovah all the day long, in the morning devouring the prey like a ravening wolf, and in the evening dividing the spoils.

Issachar means recompense. His jewel representative is Pitdah reward. Jacob speaks of him as a strong ass resting between the burdens of treasure. He sees his resting-place that it is good, Moses describes him as rejoicing in his tents, to whose mountains the people come with sacrifices of righteousness, and to suck the abundance of the seas and the yet hidden treasures on the shore. All these presentations answer throughout to Cancer. And in all the given particulars Judah is Leo. His name means the praise and glory and majesty of God. His banner bore the sign of the rampant lion. His jewel representative was the ruby the symbol of blood-shedding unto victory. And Jacob describes him as the lion, the tearer in pieces, the glorious victor, the same as exhibited in the sign of Leo. THE NEW JERUSALEM And when we come to the New Testament we not only find the images of the constellations repeatedly employed in the same sense and application as in our interpretations of the signs, but also systematically placed together, if not in the twelve Apostles of the Lamb, yet in the twelve jewels which make up the foundations of the New Jerusalem, in which are the names of those Apostles. I am not sufficient master of the lore respecting precious stones to verify all the particulars involved, but, availing myself of several lists which claim to give the facts, I find the reading here just as distinct and marvellous as anywhere else. The Apostle says, “The first foundation was jasper,” which he describes as “a stone most precious,” bright and clear. This reminds us at once of Spica, the bright and precious Seed of the woman. The meaning of jasper is said to be coming to bruise and be bruised — the same story of the coming of the precious Seed of the woman as set forth in Virgo.

“The second, sapphire,” which means number, the count of price and weight; which is Libra.

“The third, chalcedony,” which means affliction, torture; and this is the showing in Scorpio.

“The fourth, emerald,” which means defending, keeping as a mighty protector; and this is the picture in Sagittarius.

“The fifth, sardonyx,” which means The Prince smitten; the same as in Capricornus. “the sixth, sardius,” which means the power issuing forth; and so is the parallel of Aquarius.

“The seventh, chrysolite,” which means He who binds, who holds with bands, the bound together; and this answers to Pisces.

“The eighth, beryl,” which means the Son, the first-born, the exalted Head; corresponding precisely with the sign of Aries.

“The ninth, topaz,” the distinguished gem of Ethiopia, which signifies dashing in pieces; as we saw in Taurus.

“The tenth, chrysoprasus,” nearly the same as chrysolite, meaning they who are united; which is Gemini.

“The eleventh, jacinth,” which means possessing, He shall possess; just as we saw in Cancer.

“The twelfth, amethyst,” which means He that destroys, destroyer of the destroyer; which is Leo.

Now, if we should set ourselves with all the genius and thought we can by any means command, could we possibly express more clearly or fully by twelve stones the characteristics of the twelve signs of the Zodiac, as I have explained them in these Lectures, than we thus find them set forth by these twelve jewels of the foundation of the New Jerusalem? Nay, upon what else could the golden and eternal home of God’s redeemed ones be built but on these precious jewels of the person, the character, the offices, the work, and the achievements of that illustrious Seed of the woman in whom standeth our salvation? It is wonder on wonder that these precious stones are there, with just this significance; but, having this significance, and epitomizing as they do the whole redemption-history from first to last, I should wonder all the more if this architectural picture of the eternal home and blessedness of the saints did not contain them as its foundation. And being there, in the precise order, and in full recognition of the precise imagery and symbolic import, of the twelve signs of the circling year of time, they give the stamp and seal of the final revelation of the sublime and finished result of all that fills the perturbed ages of this world to the reality of what I have been seeking to show; to wit, that the mystic garniture of these heavens, which modern science in its vanity has chosen to regard as crude and grotesque scribbling, is verily a writing of God, indited by His Spirit from the beginning to hold up to the whole race of man, in all its branches and generations, what He has also caused to be recorded in the Word deposited with His own particular people touching the course and outcome of all His grand purposes in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Thus, then, has the great Almighty inscribed the works of Nature with the symbols and signs of His more precious works of grace, and shown us “the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is.”

“Wisdom! that bright intelligence,
which sat Supreme when,
with His golden compasses,
Th’ Eternal planned the fabric of the world,
Produced His fair idea into light,
And said that all was good! Wisdom, blest beam!
The brightness of the everlasting light!
The spotless mirror of the power of God!
The reflex image of the all-perfect Mind!
A stream translucent, flowing from the source
Of glory infinite — a cloudless light!”