God Prophetically Named the Stars--Part 6

Gemini, The Twins

The Hebrew name for Gemini is Thaumin, "the united." The Copic name is Pi-Mahi, "the completely joined." Gemini usually pictures two young men walking. One holds a great club in his right hand. The other holds a harp in one hand, and a bow and arrow in the other. The Latins called them Castor and Pollux, named for the bright stars located in the head of each figure. The Greeks called them Apollo and Hercules. The Egyptians pictures them as a man walking hand in hand with a woman.

As for the biblical meaning, it depends upon the level of application that one is considering. Insofar as marriage is concerned, the Egyptian meaning is most applicable, and this is consistent with the other constellations picturing Christ and His Bride. Recall that Andromeda was the chained woman being set free by Cepheus, the deliverer. Whereas Cassiopeia, the enthroned woman, shows the woman's position/status after her deliverance, Gemini is meant to portray the relationship of the New Covenant marriage relationship. The purpose of marriage was ultimately to become "one flesh" (Gen. 2:24). This is a picture of full unity, peace, and harmony.

To the Greeks, Castor and Pollux had the same mother, but had different fathers. Pollux was an immortal god, while Castor was mortal and human. In Biblical terms, these represent Christ and the Bride. Since they are pictured in unity, it speaks of the unity, peace, and harmony of the Kingdom that is to come, after the redeemer has unchained the woman, married her, and enthroned her. Thus, Ephesians 2:6 says,

"And raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Ephesians 5:31, 32 says,

³¹ For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. ³² This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the Church.

The decans of Gemini are:

1. Lepus (the Hare, or the enemy trodden under foot)
2. Canis Major, or Sirius (the big dog, or the Faithful Prince)
3. Canis Minor (the little dog, or the Faithful Ones)

Lepus is usually pictured as a hare, because of its Arabic name, Arnebeth. But its brightest star carries a Hebrew name, Arnebo, which means "the enemy of Him that comes." In Persia, Lepus was pictured as a serpent. In Egypt it was an unclean bird standing on a serpent. Most important, if you recall our study of Taurus, one of its decans is Orion, the Coming Prince. Orion is pictured with his right foot over Lepus, showing that Christ has conquered the enemy.

Canis Major, "the Dog," is pictured in Egypt as a hawk or eagle, the mortal enemy of serpents. In the Bible, one of the two witnesses in Moses' day was Caleb (along with Joshua). Caleb means "dog" in the sense of one who is "faithful." Caleb was of the tribe of Judah (Num.13:6), while Joshua (or Hoshea) was of the tribe of Ephraim (Num. 13:8). Together they picture both of Christ's comings, the first (Caleb) of the tribe of Judah, and the second (Joshua) of Joseph in order to lead us into the Kingdom.

One of the major stars in Canis Major is Sirius, called "The Dog Star." In ancient Akkadian, it wasKasista, "the Leader." Canis Minor is the smaller dog, representing the Caleb company of faithful ones here on earth. Because these are decans of Gemini, we should view the two dogs in that light. The Big Dog is Christ; the little dog is his twin, those who are in the image and likeness of Christ. 2 Cor. 3:18 says,

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory."

Cancer, The Crab

The Hebrew name for Cancer is Sarton, which carries the same meaning as its Arabic name Al Sartanand the Syriac name, Sartano. It means "who holds or binds together." The Latin name, Cancer, comes actually from the Arabic, Khan = "an inn," and Cer - "encircling." The Egyptian name, Klaria, "cattle folds, resting places," probably gives us the clearest original picture.

Cancer pictures the Messiah's possessions encircled and held fast. The Church or Bride is encircled and protected in a resting place. This pictures the purpose of marriage, which is to bind two together, as portrayed by Gemini. But Cancer focuses upon the place of rest that such a marriage brings, and upon the time of the great Sabbath-rest during which this takes place.

Stars in Cancer are: Tegmine, "holding," Acubene, "the sheltering, or hiding place," and Ma'alaph, "assembled thousands." In the middle of Cancer is a cluster of stars that modern astronomers call "The Beehive." Its actual name is  Praesepe, "a multitude, offspring." Revelation 7:9 says,

"After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands."

The decans of Cancer are:

1. Ursa Minor (The Little Bear, Little Dipper, or smaller Sheepfold)
2. Ursa Major (The Big Bear, Big Dipper, or larger Sheepfold)
3. Argo (the Ship

A bright star is Dubheh, "a herd of animals." In Arabic it means "cattle," and in Hebrew it means "rest, security, a fold, or enclosure." This Hebrew word is used in Deut. 33:25, "so shall thy rest or security be" (Revised Version). The NASB renders it "so shall your leisurely walk be." But because the word is similar to Dob, "a bear," it began to be pictured incorrectly as a bear.

The greater and lesser sheepfolds represent the Old and New Jerusalems, as well as Hagar and Sarah (Gal. 4:22-31). Hagar is the bondwoman; Sarah is the free woman. Those who consider the Old Jerusalem to be their "mother" are the enchained woman; those whose mother is the New Jerusalem is the enthroned woman. In other words, Judaism is Hagar, the bondwoman; true Christianity is Sarah, the free woman.

In a New Testament context, however, believers have again been divided into two groups in a new fashion. The bondage of Hagar has been extended into the Pentecostal Age, because the majority of the Church over the centuries has merely added Jesus Christ to a modified Old Covenant religion, chaining the Bride of Christ with a different set of chains.

Both the Church as a whole and the Overcomers belong to Christ, but the Church forms a larger group than the sheepfold of the Overcomers. The Church correlates also with the enchained woman (Andromeda), in that it is under the rule of "King Saul," the Pentecostal type. Recall that the people had rejected the direct rule of God, desiring a king to rule and represent them (1 Sam. 8:7-18). This is the origin of denominations and the idea of submitting to men as if they were God. Such a relationship puts chains upon the Bride of Christ until the Messiah comes to set her free.

Argo is the ship of Jason and the Argonauts. Jason is one of the Greek forms of the name Jesus. They seek a lost treasure, "the golden fleece," which is the transfigured body of the Lamb of God, possessing the divine nature (gold). This is the inheritance of both sheepfolds, each in its own time. We were created in the image of God (the golden fleece), but lost it through Adam's sin. We regain it through Jesus (Jason).