Biblical Zodiac, Twelve Tribes, and Prophetic Four Winds

Job 38:32

32 Can you bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or can you guide Arcturus with his sons?

In Job 38:32 the term Mazzaroth refers to the twelve signs of the zodiacETI Mazzaroth.2+1. This word specifically denotes the twelve portions or constellations that map out the movements of the heavenly bodies through the changes of the yearETI Astronomy.3.

🌌 Understanding Mazzaroth

The inclusion of Mazzaroth in the divine dialogue with Job highlights the infinite power of God in governing the universe.

• Definition: Mazzaroth is defined as the twelve signs of the zodiac or the twelve asterismsNWAD ASTERISM.2+1.

• Purpose: These signs were ordained by God to serve as markers for seasons, days, and years Genesis 1:14-18.

• God's Sovereignty: When the Lord spoke to Job out of the whirlwind, He asked if man could bring forth these constellations in their proper seasons, emphasizing that only the Creator can guide the ordinances of heaven Job 38:31-33.

• The Twelve Signs: These constellations include Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricornus, Aquarius, and PiscesLTJMB2 125.1+1.

🔭 Astronomical Significance in Job

The book of Job demonstrates a profound understanding of astronomy, using specific constellations to establish historical timelines and illustrate God's majesty.

• Cardinal Constellations: In the time of Job, Taurus (Chimah) and Scorpio (Chesil) served as the cardinal constellations for spring and autumnARSH April 8, 1880, page 227.10.

• Precession of the Equinoxes: Calculations based on the positions of stars like Aldebaran and Antares help fix the date of Job's trial to approximately 2338 B.C.ARSH April 8, 1880, page 227.10.

• Divine Wisdom: The "sweet influences" of the Pleiades and the "bands" of Orion are mentioned alongside Mazzaroth to show that human knowledge is nothing compared to the wisdom of Him who laid the foundations of the earth Job 38:4-7+1.

📜 Symbolic and Religious Context

While the zodiac describes the natural "world of sense" and the cycle of time, the Bible warns against the perversion of this knowledge into idolatryFACC 174.4+1.

• True Worship: The heavens are intended to declare the glory of God and show His handiwork Psalms 19:1.

• Warnings against Idolatry: The righteous kings of Judah, such as Josiah, put down priests who burned incense to the planets and the host of heaven 2 Kings 23:5.

• The Mazzaroth in Prophecy: In the day of the Lord's fierce anger, the stars and their constellations will not give their light, showing that the physical heavens themselves are subject to God's authority Isaiah 13:9-10.

By directing Job's eyes to the heavens, God reminds us that the same hand that guides the stars in their seasons also oversees the lives of His children Job 38:32+1.

The twelve tribes of Israel were assigned specific positions in their camp and carried standards that Jewish tradition connects to the signs of the zodiacNWAD ASTERISM.2+1. While the tribes represent God's church government on earth, the constellations in the heavens reflect the four changes of the year and the divine order established at creation Genesis 1:14-16EVRR489+1.

🚩 Tribal Standards and the Zodiac

The camp of Israel was arranged in a vast square around the sanctuary, with three tribes on each of the four sides, each division led by a primary standard-bearerBHOTV2 131.2. Tradition and sacred visions describe these banners as corresponding to the four living creatures, which are also linked to the quadrons of the zodiacEze 1:10+2.

• The Division of Judah (East): Judah, the leading tribe, bore the standard of a lion on a blood-red ground, which corresponds to the constellation LeoBHOTV2 131.2+1. With Judah were Issachar and ZebulunBHOTV2 131.2.

• The Division of Reuben (South): Reuben’s standard featured the head of a man on a dark red ground, associated with the constellation Aquarius or the human figureBHOTV2 131.2+1. Camped with Reuben were Simeon and GadBHOTV2 131.2.

• The Division of Ephraim (West): Ephraim carried the head of a bullock (an ox) on a hyacinth ground, representing the constellation TaurusBHOTV2 131.2+1. Benjamin and Manasseh were stationed with EphraimBHOTV2 131.2.

• The Division of Dan (North): Dan bore the emblem of an eagle on a bright yellow ground, often associated with the constellation Scorpio (which in some traditions is represented by an eagle)BHOTV2 131.2+1. Dan was accompanied by Asher and NaphtaliBHOTV2 131.2.

💎 The High-Priest’s Breastplate

The twelve tribes were also immortalized through twelve precious stones on the breastplate of the high priest, which are said to describe the circle of the zodiac in its four annual changes Exodus 28:15-21FACC 175.4. These stones were engraved with the names of the children of Israel, linking each tribe to a specific gem and its corresponding celestial influence Exodus 28:21BHOTV2 131.2.

• Aries (The Ram): Often linked to the first stone, the sardius (sard), representing Reuben according to birth order Exodus 28:17BHOTV2 131.2+1.

• Taurus (The Bull): Associated with the topaz and the tribe of Simeon Exodus 28:17BHOTV2 131.2+1.

• Gemini (The Twins): Associated with the carbuncle and the tribe of Levi Exodus 28:17BHOTV2 131.2+1.

• Cancer (The Crab): Associated with the emerald and the tribe of Judah Exodus 28:18BHOTV2 131.2+1.

• Leo (The Lion): Associated with the sapphire and the tribe of Issachar Exodus 28:18BHOTV2 131.2+1.

• Virgo (The Virgin): Associated with the diamond and the tribe of Zebulun Exodus 28:18BHOTV2 131.2+1.

• Libra (The Scales): Associated with the ligure and the tribe of Dan Exodus 28:19BHOTV2 131.2+1.

• Scorpio (The Scorpion): Associated with the agate and the tribe of Naphtali Exodus 28:19BHOTV2 131.2+1.

• Sagittarius (The Archer): Associated with the amethyst and the tribe of Gad Exodus 28:19BHOTV2 131.2+1.

• Capricornus (The Goat): Associated with the beryl and the tribe of Asher Exodus 28:20BHOTV2 131.2+1.

• Aquarius (The Water-Bearer): Associated with the onyx and the tribe of Joseph Exodus 28:20BHOTV2 131.2+1.

• Pisces (The Fish): Associated with the jasper and the tribe of Benjamin Exodus 28:20BHOTV2 131.2+1.

⚓ Spiritual Significance

The number twelve remains constant in the government of God, from the twelve patriarchs and tribes to the twelve apostles and the twelve gates of the New Jerusalem Revelation 21:12-14EVRR489. While the names of specific tribes like Dan and Ephraim may be omitted from the final gathering of the 144,000 due to their historical choices, the structure of the twelve remains as a symbol of "God Ruled" authority Revelation 7:4-8EVRR489+1. This heavenly order confirms that success and wisdom are not governed by the stars themselves, but by the Creator who calls the stars by their names and guides the tribes of His people Job 38:31-33LTJMB2 125.1.

The 144,000 from the twelve tribes of Israel are sealed successively during the final period of the gospel dispensationARSH September 8, 1853, page 68.15+2. While the original twelve tribes existed in the past, the sealing work of Revelation 7 applies to the last generation of Christians who are identified as the "twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" James 1:1S144 4.1+1.

⏳ The Progressive Nature of the Sealing

The sealing is a process that involves a thorough testing and proving of God's people before the final closing of human probationSLG 19.1.

• A Gradual Development: The 144,000 are developed at the close of the gospel age as they come to understand and obey the commandments of GodSYNPT 315.6+1.

• The Midnight Cry: The process was notably advanced during the "midnight cry" of 1844, when the light on the seventh-day Sabbath was restored, leading many to be "sealed" in their commitment to God's lawSLG 19.1+1.

• A Living Work: Those being sealed are "servants of our God" and "living saints" who must be tried and humbled to prove their hearts before their sins are finally blotted outSLG 19.1+2.

• Order in Heaven: Although the distinction between the literal tribes has been lost to men, God preserves an accurate record in heaven, and each name is enrolled in its respective tribe in a specific order Hebrews 12:23S144 4.1+1.

📜 Biblical and Prophetic Timing

The sealing work is the result of the message given by the "sealing angel" of Revelation 7 which is identical to the final warnings given to the world in the last daysSYNPT 314+1.

• The Final Generation: The Apostle James addressed the twelve tribes specifically in view of the "coming of the Lord," proving that this grouping refers to the final generation of Christians rather than just literal Jews of the past James 5:7-8DAR1909 469.2.

• Spiritual Israel: True Israelites are those who are "Jews inwardly," including Gentiles who have been grafted into the "good olive tree" of the commonwealth of Israel Romans 2:28-29+1S144 4.1+1.

• The Song of Victory: This group is redeemed from among the living and will stand on Mount Zion, having been changed from mortal to immortality without tasting death Revelation 14:1-5ARSH October 16, 1855, page 58.14.

🏛️ The High Priest's Role

Just as the ancient high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes on his breastplate when he entered the Most Holy Place once a year, Jesus entered the heavenly sanctuary in 1844 to begin the final work of judgment and sealing Exodus 28:29-30SLG 19.1+2. He presents the "whole Israel of God" at the Father's throne, waiting to seal them once they have been fully refinedSLG 19.1+1.

Revelation 7:1

1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.

The four winds of the earth represent all the elements of political strife, commotion, and war that exist in the worldARSH April 25, 1865, page 162.14+2. In Bible prophecy, winds symbolize the fierce passions of men and the restless struggle of nations for supremacySSP 128.1+1. Currently, these winds are held in check by heavenly agencies to allow time for a special spiritual work to be completed before the final crisis of human historyEVRR297+2.

🌪️ The Nature and Symbolism of the Four Winds

The "four winds" denote a universal condition of global strife that will eventually break forth from the four quarters of the globeDAR1909 459.3+1.

• Political Commotion: Winds are a symbol of war and contention between nations Daniel 7:2SSP 128.1+2.

• A Great Whirlwind: When the four winds are eventually loosed to blow together, they will produce a "great whirlwind" that brings destruction from one end of the earth to the other Jeremiah 25:32-33S144 3.3+1.

• The Power of Satan: These winds represent the terrible power of Satan being exercised in its fury through human instruments and the elements of natureRH June 7, 1887, par. 13+2.

• Four Sore Judgments: The loosening of these winds is associated with the release of famine, pestilence, and the swordEze 14:21+3.

🛡️ The Work of the Four Angels

John the Revelator beheld four mighty angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding these winds to prevent a universal engagement of war Revelation 7:1LDE 228.4+1.

• Sentinel Angels: These angels act as a restraining power, preventing the nations from entering into one deadly combat prematurelyLDE 238.3+2.

• Providential Restraint: While science may seek to explain natural disasters or political shifts, it is actually these celestial beings who are frustrating the counsels of men who would hinder God's work19MR 280.1+2.

• Jesus' Intercession: The angels continue to hold the winds because Jesus, our High Priest, is still pleading His blood in the heavenly sanctuary for those who are not yet preparedBDOC 32.15+2.

• The Sealing Delay: A specific command was given by another angel to "hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees" until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads Revelation 7:2-3LDE 125.2+2.

⏳ The Purpose of the Delay

The winds are being held for a specific period of probationary time to allow for the completion of the gospel messageCCh 67.2+1.

• Global Warning: The winds are restrained so that missionaries may be sent to all parts of the world to proclaim the warning against disobeying God's lawLDE 125.2+2.

• Preparation of Character: This delay provides an opportunity for individuals to trim their lamps, receive the oil of grace, and develop a character that can stand in the presence of GodCCh 67.2+1.

• Constitutional Freedoms: In the past, the holding of these winds allowed for the growth of Protestantism and democracy in America, providing a "new soil" for the cultivation of religious freedomSSP 128.1.

• Closing of Probation: As soon as the sealing work is finished, the angels will cease to hold the winds, human probation will end, and the seven last plagues will be poured out Revelation 15:1ExV 19.1+2.

🌍 The Signs of Loosening

Although the winds are held, there are indicators that the restraining power is beginning to be withdrawnChS 52.1+2.

• Fitful Gusts: The world sees momentary outbreaks of strife and "fitful gusts" of war, but the full "hurricane wind" has not yet blownPTUK October 19, 1893, page 451.8+1.

• Natural Disasters: Increasing accidents by land and sea, hurricanes, tempests, and earthquakes are symbols of what will occur worldwide when the angels fully let goRH June 7, 1887, par. 13+2.

• Angry Nations: While nations are currently eager for conflict and are gathering deadly instruments of warfare, they are being kept under control until the battle of ArmageddonLDE 238.3+1.

Once the sealing is complete, the four angels will let go, and a scene of strife will follow that no pen can pictureChS 52.1+2. All of God's elect will then be gathered from the "four winds" at the appearing of the Son of Man Matthew 24:31SpTA11 26.2+2.