For thousands of years humans looked to the stars for navigation, deities, personality insights, predictions and omens about the future. What can we learn from these heavenly bodies? The Bible says that the Lord placed them there as faithful witnesses to mark the seasons, the days, and the times. The Bible also tells of Wise Men from the east that followed a star to Bethlehem to find a king. What other events might be revealed by the movement of the stars and planets? Is there more hidden in the stars? Is there a Star Code?

Star Code

By Chris Ward

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 Chris Ward
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4490-3303-3

Contents

Dedication.........................................................................ixPrologue...........................................................................xiAuthor's Note......................................................................xiiiSoftware Recommendations...........................................................xviiChapter 1: How Can We Know the Exact Birth Date of Christ?.........................1Chapter 2: Old Testament Clues.....................................................5Chapter 3: New Testament Clues.....................................................9Chapter 4: The Historical Tradition................................................19Chapter 5: Jewish, Julian, and Gregorian Calendars.................................23Chapter 6: Jewish Tradition and Feasts.............................................25Chapter 7: What We Know About the Magi.............................................27Chapter 8: Technology and Planetary Software.......................................33Chapter 9: Facts About Astronomy and Ancient Culture...............................35Chapter 10: The Astronomical Evidence of Jesus' Birth Date.........................41Chapter 11: What Sign Triggered the Travel of the Magi?............................49Chapter 12: Jesus' Birthday and Nine-Eleven........................................57Chapter 13: The Biblical Prediction of the Antichrist..............................59Chapter 14: The Rising of the Antichrist @ 666.....................................77Chapter 15: The Tribulation and the Catching Out of the Church.....................85Chapter 16: Rising of the Antichrist and Mayan Eclipse @ 666.......................91Chapter 17: Life Applications-What Should You Do?..................................99Chapter 18: When Should We Celebrate Christmas?....................................111Chapter 19: But Wait! There's More!................................................115Epilogue...........................................................................123The Star Code Challenge............................................................125References.........................................................................127About the Author...................................................................131

Chapter One

How Can We Know the Exact Birth Date of Christ?

How can we know what day Jesus was actually born based on historical evidence and scientific investigation? Jesus warned us, that no one would know the time of His Second Coming, "But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36) Scripture indicates that the Magi and the Hebrew scholars knew the day and hour of His first coming. Even Herod knew the hour as reported by the Magi, "Then Herod, when he had privately called the three Wiseman, enquired of them diligently, what time the star appeared." (Matthew 2:7) We can expect, that the Magi told Herod the exact day and hour that the star appeared which predicted the birth of a king. So, if people of the time period figured it out, then it is possible for us to calculate, and to know the exact day, and hour of the birth of Christ.

If you have been interested in this subject, you already know that historians have speculated, that Jesus was born anywhere from 8 B.C.E to 8 C.E. In other words, these experts, all claiming to know exactly the date of Jesus' birth, predicted that Jesus was born "exactly" on a certain date, somewhere within a sixteen year period. Some have used Biblical literature, and some have used astronomy, or both, to support their speculations. Up to this point, Jesus' birth date has been calculated based on anecdotal information, religious fiat, historical speculation, or astronomy. So where is the concrete scientific evidence to back up their claims?

Today, prognosticators have the use of cutting edge technology, and a sizeable data bank of expert historical and religious opinion. The Bible mentions a sign, signs, and signs and wonders. For example, God presses Ahaz to ask for Him a, 'sign' in the Book of Isaiah.

"Moreover, the LORD spoke again unto Ahaz, saying, 'Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.' But Ahaz said,' I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. And he said, 'Hear you now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also?' Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.'" (Isaiah, 7:10-14)

The prediction, and 'sign,' regarding the birth of Jesus, was right to the point, in that it identified the 'sign' as being both physical, "either in the depth," and spiritual, "or in the height above." Therefore, it is conceivable that the evidence for Jesus' birth should be physical and spiritual. This is why I began to look for a star code, a code that is Biblical and astronomical; a sign in the heavens, which will reflect, and validate the words in the Bible and confirm Jewish tradition.

This study will identify Jesus' birth, both in the depth, and height, as it relates to Biblical, historical, and scientific-astronomical evidence. Up until this book, no one has attempted to discover a star code using the 'keys,' presented in the Scriptures. Imagine, being able to report the date of Jesus' birth, that is both Biblical, and scientific, with absolute accuracy.

Once the 'sign' and the 'keys' are established, other more remarkable prophecies, in the Bible are predictable. This study will establish that the 'key,' to comprehending the 'sign,' is found in the Gospels, as it relates to the point of origin, of the Magi, in relationship to Babylon, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem. Understand that the 'sign,' is the manifestation and the point of reference is the 'key' to the unveiling of the prophecy. Once the point of origin and the 'key' is confirmed, then it is possible to hypothesize the rise of the Antichrist.

Chapter Two

Old Testament Clues

There are miraculous clues throughout the Old Testament, which pinpoint the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. This is truly amazing when you consider that all of our points of reference have been polluted: The Hebrew calendar, the Julian calendar, and the Gregorian calendar have all been altered or modified by mandated adjustments by well intentioned men. It is only a miracle, that astronomy has not been so infected with politically correct attempts to adjust man-made calendars and that we have an accurate clock in the heavens. Thanks to Keplar (1615) we have the three laws of planetary motion that are still used by planetarium software today.

The first star code that is absolutely miraculous is found hidden in Scripture in the Old Testament. Let's take a look at the Old Testament's proclamations, that admonish Jews in exile (Babylon), to pray towards the Temple in Jerusalem, that are documented in the Bible.

"And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hear, forgive {toward this place: or, in this place}." (1Kings 8:30)

"When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place (Jerusalem), and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflict them." (1Kings 8:35)

"What prayer and supplication so ever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house." (1Kings 8:38)

"And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gave unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name." (1Kings 8:48)

"Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple." (Jonah 2:4)

These Scriptures all admonish Jews to pray toward the Temple in Jerusalem when they are exiled in other lands. Daniel also reinforced the precedent to face Jerusalem when he prayed. "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." (Daniel 6:10)

Brown (2009) defined the prayer regimen as: "Three times a day-(Ps 55:17). The third, sixth, and ninth hour which are 9 A.M., 12 noon, and 3 P.M. (Ac 2:15; 3:1; 10:9; 10:30; compare Daniel 9:21)." (Power CD Bible)

The Geneva Bible Notes (Power CD Bible), reflected on Daniel's defiant prayer in this manner: "Because he would not by his silence, show that he consented to this wicked decree, he set open his windows toward Jerusalem when he prayed: both to stir up himself with the remembrance of God's promises to his people, when they should pray toward that temple, and also that others might see, that he would neither consent in heart, nor deed, for these few days, to anything that was contrary to God's glory."

Clark (Power CD Bible) made this note: "His (Daniel's) windows being open, he would not shut them to conceal him, but 'kneeled down with his face turned toward Jerusalem, and prayed thrice each day, giving thanks to God as usual.' When the Jews were in distant countries, in prayer, they turned their faces towards Jerusalem; and when in Jerusalem, they turned their faces towards the temple. Solomon, in his prayer, at the dedication of the temple (1Kings 8:48), had entreated God to hear the prayers of those who might be in strange lands, or in captivity, when they should turn their faces towards their own land, which God gave unto their fathers; and towards the city which he had chosen, and the house which was dedicated to his name. It was in reference to this, that Daniel turned his face towards Jerusalem when he prayed."

According to the Bible Dictionary (2009), Jews prayed three times per day, known as watches. Three watches per day meant the following: 1st watch (9 A.M.), 2nd watch (12 noon), and 3rd watch (3 P.M.). This "watch" time, provides another clue to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. The watch is condensed to read 9:12:3 which provide our first hint of the date of Jesus' birth. It has always been right there in Scripture. This 9.12.3 is interpreted as September, the 12th day, and the year 3 B.C. We now have the first part of the puzzle.

Numerous commentators have attempted to establish the date of birth and identify the Star of Bethlehem, with some known astronomical or astrological phenomenon. There are, however, too many possible phenomena to single out one of them with certainty, and none, but one, seems to match the Gospel account exactly. Because the Gospel accounts seem to assume that the birth took place sometime before the death of Herod, most historians assume that Jesus was born around 4 B.C.E., or slightly before. (Wiki, 2009)

Mommsen (Wiki, 2009), makes the first mention of December 25 being the birth of Christ in a Latin chronographer of 354 C.E. "Year 1 after Christ, in the consulate of Augustus Caesar and Paulus, the Lord Jesus Christ was born on 25 December, a Friday and 15th day of the new moon." This date was not based on knowledge, truth, or revelation; it was designed for religious purposes and by fiat.

It is believed, that the Christmas date, was chosen to take advantage of the imperial holiday, of the birth of the Sun God Mithras, which coincided with the "return of the sun," after the shortest day of the year. (Wiki, 2009) According to this theory, the reason was, to replace the popular pagan holiday, with a Christian celebration of Holy Communion. For example, the Catholic Encyclopedia states: "Natalis Invicti, celebrated on 25 December, has a strong claim on the responsibility for our December date." (Wiki, 2009).

This is basically misinformation, and a contrived reference, because the Gospel of John introduces Jesus in this manner: "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). The word used for "dwelt," literally means "tabernacles" i.e., God's Word became flesh, and put his tent up among us. (Wiki, 2009) The idea that God tabernacles among us leaves one to speculate, that the Messiah would be born on the Feast of Tabernacles, which is Rosh Hashanah. So now all we have to do is find a Rosh Hashanah that falls on 9.12.3 or there about.

Chapter Three

New Testament Clues

According to Matthew (70), a prophecy was given in the Book of Isaiah 7:14 that said, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel (Messiah), which being interpreted is, God with us." This prophecy was to predict the coming of the anointed one, or messiah which Matthew reports is Jesus of Nazareth. The emphasis here is on the sign which is a virgin.

Matthew (70) reports a chain of events, which indicate a point of origin, which is the key to the prophecy. "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came Wiseman from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, 'Where is he that is born King of the Jews for we have seen his star in (from) the east, and are come to worship him?'" (Matthew 2:21)

These Magi have come from the east, because they report they saw his star while in the east, or actually while they were in the east (Babylon), as shown in Figure 1. Therefore, they were coming from the east. The Magi came from Babylon, a center of Zoroastrianism, which is approximately 500 miles due east of Jerusalem. The term Magi, refers to a priestly caste of learned men of Zoroaster as shown in Figure 2.

The Magi, consulted King Herod, as to the location of the birth, of this coming king, and where it is prophesied he would be born. Matthew journalizes this account (Chapter 2), "And when he (King Herod) had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born." It is obvious at this point, that Herod, and the scribes were familiar with the prophecy. They answered, "And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." (Micah 5:2)

Many Biblical scholars argue that the prophecy of Daniel, as to the rebuilding of the temple, and the coming of the Messiah, would have given enough information to predict within a couple years, the date, the Messiah enter Jerusalem. Daniel said "Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times." (Daniel, 9:25) The angel Gabriel told Daniel that the Messiah would appear on the scene exactly 173, 880 Jewish calendar days, after the rebuilding of the temple was started. The order was given to rebuild the temple on March 14, 445 B.C.E., in the Book of Jeremiah.

"And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king that wine was before him...And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favor in thy sight, that thou would send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may build it. And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) for how long shall thy journey be and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time." (Nehemiah 1:1, 5, 6)

According to Missler (1996), Jesus entered into Jerusalem, exactly on Palm Sunday, April 6, 32 C.E. Missler (1996), calculates the prophetic timeline like this, "When we examine the period between March 14, 445 B.C. (The decree for the rebuilding of the Temple), and April 6, 32 A.D., and correct for leap years, we discover that it is 173,880 days exactly, to the very day!" So how hard would it be to calculate the Messiah's approximate arrival on planet earth based on Missler's calculation?

Let's consider, for example, that a Jewish man, who would be king, would probably be around 30 years old, according to Jewish custom, and from what we know traditionally, regarding the ministry of Jesus. So now if you subtract 33 years, from 32, we find our selves in the shoes of the Magi standing before Herod, and looking at a star, that is hovering over Bethlehem and Jerusalem around the year 1, 2, or 3 B.C.

There is one last important marker, in order to triangulate the birth date of Jesus, and that is the alignment of astronomy, religion, spiritual and prophetic evidence. Matthew (70), comments that the angels also confirmed the birth of Jesus Christ. "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:8-12)

At this point, Matthew (70) has established the seven main reference points, needed for an exact triangulation, which will produce the date of Jesus' birth. (1) He established that the Magi came from the east; (2) they came from Babylon, and (3) saw the star while in the east; (4), he pinpointed the destination, thanks to Herod the Great, Bethlehem; (5) the 'signs,' which are a 'child born of a virgin;' and (6) a star over this new born king; and (7) the witness of the angels. When we factor in the prophecy of prayer time at 9 A.M., 12 noon, and 3 P.M. (3.9.12 scientific time), we have an eighth key. So, we have the following eight (8) keys:

1. The Magi saw the star while in the east while they were east of Jerusalem

2. Starting Point: Babylon

3. Star: Anomaly (Conjunction)

4. Destination: Bethlehem

5. Child: Born of a Virgin, a birthday not a rising

6. Purpose: Birth of a King

7. Prophecy: Scripture and Angels

8. Prayer Time: 9.12.3 or 3.9.12 (Scientific time)

Matthew (70) indicates that the king is Jesus. It is obvious that what ever the star was, it was not something that you would normally see. Probably only the trained eye of a Magi would have spotted it. In fact, it would be fair to say, that astronomers did not follow just any star. Nor would they have interpreted that this star signifies that a king is being born unless it met criteria. This star would have to be an exception to the normal movement of the night stars, and was probably a conjunction of stars that indicate a king; as in this case, a king star in conjunction with a king planet. A conjunction of this magnitude would indicate a king of kings.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Star Codeby Chris Ward Copyright © 2009 by Chris Ward. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.