What is the Gospel in the stars?

The Witness of the Stars
Written By Toni Joanna
A rolling field of flowers with the moonlight lighting up the words The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God

The Bible teaches that the heavenly bodies are for signs and seasons and for keeping track of days and years (Genesis 1:14). What if in this proper function, there was a way for those who could not read to remember important scriptures and prophesies? This is what the theory of the Gospel in the stars proposes.

Two important books were written in the 19th century which explained how the true meaning of these heavenly signs became misconstrued by what is known as the "zodiac".

  • The Gospel in the Stars by Joseph Seiss

  • The Witness of the Stars by E. W. Bullinger

These books are still in print today and can be found online and in some Christian bookstores. They can also be found in their original print to check out or download from Internet Archive's online library. They present in-depth explanations to the constellations based on the scriptures. These signs were actually meant to give hope to all mankind by displaying the redemptive work of the Messiah. They are symbols of God's promises in the heavens.

Psalm 19:1-14 KJV To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  (2)  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  (3)  There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.  (4)  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,  (5)  Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.  (6)  His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.  (7)  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  (8)  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.  (9)  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.  (10)  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  (11)  Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.  (12)  Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.  (13)  Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  (14)  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

In this Psalm, a comparison is established between the scriptures and the heavenly "line" called the ecliptic whose "voice has gone out into all the world" which the Apostle Paul quotes in Romans 10:18.

Romans 10:6-18  KJV But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)  (7)  Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)  (8)  But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;  (9)  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  (10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  (11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  (12)  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  (14)  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  (15)  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  (16)  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  (17)  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  (18)  But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.

Paul is quoting the same verse from Psalm 19 in the Septuagint which interchanges line with voice and many English translations will use either. These books were groundbreaking in their time, revealing this relationship and making a case that God is always using creation to reach out to mankind.

Some modern resources which take these studies further which I have found useful include:

I studied using these tools all on my own for about three years. On my third year I began to notice that some of the star catalog numbers actually reflected scripture references. Theta Virginis was the star that sparked my dive into researching if there was some sort of wonderful coincidence between the star catalog numbers and the interpretation of the constellations according to the gospel in the stars theory. Using Stellarium, I could easily see a list of catalog names. Theta Virginis was also called 51 Virginis. It's location was in the body of the Virgin constellation. I recalled the words to Psalm 51, especially verse 6:

Psalm 51:1-19  KJV To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.  (2)  Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  (3)  For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.  (4)  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.  (5)  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.  (6)  Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.  (7)  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  (8)  Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.  (9)  Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.  (10)  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  (11)  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  (12)  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.  (13)  Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.  (14)  Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.  (15)  O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.  (16)  For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.  (17)  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.  (18)  Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.  (19)  Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

This began a fun journey. In my opinion, I do see a correlation between star catalog numbers and the constellations with their Biblical meanings. This is a different approach to this topic of the gospel in the stars. The prior research had been based on traditional star names only and not numbers. Over time I figured out three different types of correlations:

  • Numbers which seem to have a synergy with word counts: catalogs HD, SAO, HIP, CD

  • Numbers which seem to have a synergy with Hebrew and Greek lexicon references: catalogs HR, TYC, BD,

  • Numbers which seem to have a synergy with Psalms: Names that begin with numbers or a letter followed by the constellation name, plus the BD, and CD catalog.

I don't know if these relationships are intentional. They most likely are not. Stars are named and ranked according to international standards and are usually based on brightness. The letters which appear like abbreviations do indeed represent the names of men who arranged the catalogs. Perhaps only God knows and understands this coincidence, which if He planned for it to happen, would not be coincidental.

I am attempting in my small way to make what I am learning available to others. This is my way of giving back and hopefully inspiring faith in Jesus. I share the passages which correspond to these numbers. You still must seek God to understand the Bible. A star can't do that for you. My posts and articles are about searching for scripture passages using these numbers like a treasure map. I think of studying in this manner to being like the parable of the treasure hidden in a field:

Mat 13:44  KJV Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

It takes some time to follow the treasure map represented by the star catalog numbers. It is very rewarding to read the scriptures and meditate on them once they have been identified. My purpose in sharing these is to simply make a fun way to read and study the scriptures. There is nothing here related to astrology. I am not trying to predict the future or anything like that. You can't find answers to problems by "asking the stars" through this process. You are not predestined according to the stars. On the contrary, while I am beginning to see how history repeats itself through these lessons, I see that the free will God gave us has everything to with how we handle the tests and trials represented in these lessons. Only God knows what is going on in your life and can answer you personally through the Holy Spirit and prayer:

Psalm 139:1-24  KJV To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.  (2)  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  (3)  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  (4)  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.  (5)  Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.  (6)  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.  (7)  Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  (8)  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  (9)  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;  (10)  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  (11)  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  (12)  Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.  (13)  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  (14)  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  (15)  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  (16)  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  (17)  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!  (18)  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.  (19)  Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.  (20)  For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain.  (21)  Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?  (22)  I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies.  (23)  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:  (24)  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Paul said the good news of the gospel is fit to teach "in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2) meaning that all of God's word is relevant at any point in time. The gospel in the stars is a way to arrange lessons by topic in order to remember them throughout the year and for study. I hope you will join me on my journey studying the Bible with a star. ✨ You can find all the posts linked together in threads and saved in my highlights. 💫

Toni Joanna
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