Astronomy vs Astrology

Friday, 8th February 2008

Today is the 2nd day of the Lunar New Year.

It is called "lunar" because the calendar used by the Chinese is based on the moon (whereas the calendar used by most Western countries is based on the sun, and the earth's relative location to it).

This year is considered the Year of the Rat. There are 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac starting with the rat and ending with the pig. This is part of Chinese astrology.

Western countries also have its own zodiac based on the stars. There are 12 stars -- starting with Capricorn and ending with Sagittarius.

But do you know that these 12 stars actually originated from God? His purpose was to tell the gospel story via the stars. However, like other wonderful things created by God such as sex and music, the devil has perverted this, and now caused the world to believe in horoscopes -- that their future is determined by the stars, or the signs under which they are born.

Which bring me back to the subject of today's post. There is a difference between Astrology and Astronomy.

Astrology is the study of the influence that the cosmos has on life on earth. On the other hand, astronomy is the scientific study of celestial objects.

While astrology is of the devil, astronomy is not. We read in Matt 2 that Magi from the east had studied the stars. In verse 2, they said, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship Him."

The gospel story is supposed to start with Virgo (the virgin birth) and end with Leo (the lion of Judah). We read in Isa 19:19 that "In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border."

What monument can we find in Egypt? The sphinx, which is a head of a woman and the body of a lion.

A coincidence?

Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles. The word "tabernacle" means dwelling. In Jn 1:14, we read that Jesus became flesh and made His dwelling among men. The sign during the Feast of Tabernacles is Virgo, the virgin.

Another coincidence?

Jesus was crucified during the Feast of Passover. Passover happens in March/April. The sign during the Feast of Passover is that of Aries, the lamb.

Yet another coincidence?

I will expound further on this when I blog about Gen 15.