White Horse Of The Apocalypse XII

Sagitta - THE ARROW

"The LORD’s arrow of victory"

"But God will shoot at them with an arrow; Suddenly they will be wounded." 

(Psa. 64: 7)

"And he said, “Open the window eastward,” and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot,” and he shot. And he said, “The LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Syria! For you shall fight the Syrians in Aphek until you have made an end of them.” (2 Kings 13:17)

There can be no victory for the Lord and for his people without defeating the enemies of the Lord and his people. A winner implies a loser, and vise versa. The same divine act that delivers the Israelites and gives them victory destroys the enemies of Israel. The victory of the Lord and his people is defeat for the enemies of God and righteousness.

Peace results from the firing of this swift and mighty arrow of wonderful victory. There can be no peace while there are enemies seeking to destroy you and it. To have peace, those enemies of God and peace must be destroyed. When peace is not desired by an enemy, and when an enemy wants only to kill you, you can only have peace and safety when that enemy is destroyed. Said the Psalmist:

"My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war." (Psa 120: 6-7)

The devil will not ever make peace with God or confess his sin, and the same is it with sinful fallen man who lives under the power of "the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience" (Eph. 2: 2), i.e. the spirit of Satan. Sinners do not want to make peace with God nor turn away from their sinful passions and world philosophy. They hate true peace.

So too in the Apocalypse and "final conflict" between heaven's forces and the forces of evil, peace comes (Rev. 20-22), but only after the evil world has been destroyed by the arrival of God's arrows of end time judgment.

Some translations give "arrow of deliverance" (or salvation) or "arrow of victory" (or triumph). God's "arrow of victory" denotes an "arrow of death," an "arrow of justice," an "arrow of destruction" in relation to those who are its target. The same arrow that delivers one destroys another so that it is both an arrow of salvation to one class and an arrow of destruction to another.

These arrows of coming wrath and judgment are "targeted," and not simply shot randomly ("at a venture"; I Kings 22: 34). God's arrows are "seek and destroy" missiles.

Wrote the prophet Zechariah:

"Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it. I will bring it forth, saith the LORD of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof." (Zec 5: 3-4)

If we view "the curse" metaphorically as "arrows of the Almighty," then indeed they will "seek and destroy" those against whom they are aimed. That arrow will hunt for and find its target! God does not miss the mark. Interesting is the fact that the Greek word for "sin" is "hamartia" which means to miss the mark! It is used in Judges 20: 16 (Septuagint) to describe stone throwers who did "not miss" their mark.

"Thine hand (or arrow) shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee. Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the LORD shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. Their fruit shalt thou destroy from the earth, and their seed from among the children of men." (Psa 21: 8-10)

Like God's "hand," so his arrows of justice will "find out," or "seek and destroy," all his enemies, all those under his wrath. And, upon whom does the "wrath of God" abide? John wrote:

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3: 36)

These are they who are destroyed when Christ returns to "judge the living and the dead." Wrote Paul:

"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day." (II Thess. 1: 7-10)

Satan is said to shoot his "fiery darts" (Eph. 6:16), or "the flaming missiles" (Amplified) or "every burning missile the enemy hurls at you" (Phillips).

"Fiery darts" or "arrows" is from the Greek "belos" and "is literally something thrown (pointed weapon, arrow, dart). This is the only NT use of belos which is found 34 times in the Septuagint (LXX)."

The flaming missiles of Satan are deflected by those who have and use "the shield of faith" (Eph. 6:16). Certainly they do not compare to the missiles of Jehovah! The enemy of God has no shield that can stop those missiles!

Swift Justice

"He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly." (Psa. 147:15)

In Sagitta, we see the invisible God's "arrow of victory and salvation" in the heavens, reminding us of the reign of God's justice and righteousness. That heavenly arrow is associated with power and authority, with majesty and sovereignty, and with swiftness of execution. When God gives the order to his angels or messengers of Providence to execute sentence, or carry out his orders, then those agents act quickly in apprehending (seizing or nabbing) the rebels, and "executing the judgment written" (Psa. 149: 9) Wrote Solomon:

"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil." (Ecc. 8: 11)

The fact that the day of wrath, though threatened in the long ago, has not yet occurred, has led sinful man to think that he may never be arrested by God. So, today, after about six thousand years since the fall of Adam, men's hearts are indeed "fully set in them to do evil." God's longsuffering and forbearance with sinners will one day end and then the "sentence against" the sinner and his "evil work" will be "executed speedily." So said Jesus too.

"And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily." (Luke 18: 7-8)

God's time of longsuffering is a reason for the seeming delay in God's speedy execution of just vengeance and retribution (for his not yet bending his bow) upon the wicked, and the purpose behind that forbearance is twofold. First, God's delay in execution, or his waiting, is so that the wicked might turn from his sin, and seek peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness with his Creator. Second, it is so that the wicked world may reach that point, in their sins and rebellion against God, "of no return." To use the language of scripture, it will be when the iniquity of the world is "full" or "filled to the brim" with rebellion against the Lord and his word. (See Gen. 15: 16 and Matt. 23: 32)

Said the prophet Jeremiah: "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." (Lam. 3: 22) Each day that passes shows that God is now "reserving" his execution and being merciful and compassionate.

Who or what are the targets of the arrows of the Apocalypse, shot from the toxon of the mighty victorious warrior on the war steed? Who suffers the judgments that follow the first seal's opening? They are these:

Unbelievers
Persecutors of Believers
Ungodly people
Wicked rulers
Antichrist
False Prophet
Satan

Also, even earth itself, with its animals and vegetation, become targets as the seals following the first are opened.

The arrow of Sagitta is viewed as naked and alone, without bow, archer, or quiver. Yet, they are implied. The arrow does not seem to be pointed at anyone particular star or constellation, in other words, against no specific target. It seems as though its presence in the starry heavens, as such, does not mean that it is not directed (shot at random) but may simply denote that it is prepared to be directed and redirected, like today's "guided missiles."

The shooter of this arrow is invisible. Yet, the nature of the arrow itself reveals the identity of the shooter. He is not Apollo nor Cupid. He is rather "the invisible God."

SAGITTA (Ltn) “the arrow”; Sham (Hbrw) “destroying, desolate”

Wrote Seiss in "Gospel of the Stars":

"The first is Sagitta, the shot and killing arrow. It appears naked and alone. It has left the bow, and is speeding to its aim. It is a heavenly arrow, and He who shoots it is invisible. There is a majesty and a mystery about it which startles and awes. It is the death-arrow of almighty justice, which goes forth from the throne against all unrighteousness and sin. It is that death-inflicting instrument which comes with resistless force and sharpness against a world that lieth in sin, and which pierces the spotless Son of God as found in the place of guilty and condemned man. The execution it does is shown in the fallen and dying goat. It is the arrow of divine justice and condemnation upon sin piercing through the body and soul of the meek Lamb of God, who agreed to bear our sins and answer for them.

But this Arrow doubtless covers a further idea. There is a spiritual piercing and slaying in the case of those who come to new life in Christ, akin to the piercing and slaying of Christ himself. Sharp and hurtful words are compared to arrows. And of this character are the words of God as pronounced upon the wicked, judging and condemning them for their sins, bringing them down from their lofty self security, and killing out of them the vain imaginings in which they live. Isaiah speaks of this sort of shaft or arrow in the Lord's quiver — the arrow of the Word — the arrow of conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment — a wounding and killing arrow which enters into men's souls, and makes humble penitents of them, that they may come to life in Christ."

Brother I'll Tell You...

My favorite gospel singing quartet is the Inspirations. The following song "We'll Understand It Better In The By And By" (here) is one of my favorites.

Here are the words (highlighted lines denote a thought that grips my soul):

Oft I'm made to wonder along life's way (I wonder)
As I meet with heartaches from day to day (I wonder)
Why the Father willed it that we should sigh (I tell you)
Brother I'll understand it better in the by and by (in the by and by)

Chorus

By and by there in my new home (with Jesus)
I'll know why these heartaches come (to grieve us)
When I meet you up in the sky (I'll tell you)
Brother I'll understand it better in the by and by (in the by and by)

While the blessed Savior came down to earth (to wander?)
Left his home in glory with untold worth (to heaven)
For a world of sinners he chose to die (I'll tell you)
Brother I'll understand it better in the by and by (in the by and by)

Repeat Chorus

Another good song by the Inspirations that just thrills my soul is one titled

"This I Know" (Listen here)

Also "Better Get Ready" (Listen here)

Also, this by Doyle Lawson 

"I Am So Glad" (Listen here)

White Horse Of The Apocalypse XI

SAGITTARIUS - THE ARCHER

"the gracious one - the redeemer's triumph"

For those Christians who believe that the original Zodiac (Mazzaroth - Job) was written and designed by the first prophets in the time of the first family to tell the story of the Redeemer and of redemption, or of the gospel, the drawing of Sagittarius, together with its leading star names and Decans, speaks of some aspect of the Messiah or "seed of the woman." (Gen. 3:15). The stars and constellations were named by God and then given to these antediluvian prophets (Adam, Seth, Enoch, etc.) and the figures associated with them have prophetic significance.

Star Names

"He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names." (Psa. 147: 4)

"Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." (Is 40:26)

"And God said, Let there be lights (stars) in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years." (Gen. 1:14)

When the Lord gives something a name, that name becomes significant. It often can not only describe the thing named, but be prophetic. Names given to Old Testament heroes of the faith at their births were often such. The name "Joshua" (which is the same as "Jesus"), the assistant of Moses, was prophetic of his role of a deliverer of Israel.

Of course, we cannot be any more certain of the meanings of those star names and constellations without knowing their original. The oldest Zodiacal star names must take precedence over changes made by later peoples, especially the names of those stars in Hebrew. Studying those ancient star names will bring one to see clearly how those starry designations and arrangements were truly "for signs."

Truly the constellation signs tell of the coming of the "seed of the woman" and of his conflict with the "old serpent, the devil."

Wrote one author on the subject (here):

"The theory of “the gospel in the stars” is that God actually named the brightest stars and major constellations long, long ago, back in the earliest generations of humanity. He did this to tell an important story: stringing these constellations together, they foretell the message of the gospel.

A similar alternative theory is that God communicated his plan of redemption to the earliest people (to people like Adam or Seth) and they named the stars as a witness to this plan.

For instance…

Virgo represents the virgin who would give birth to the promised Messiah.
Capricornus represents the goat of atonement, slain for the redeemed.
Orion represents Christ, the heavenly light of the world.
Leo is the lion of the tribe of Judah.
…and so on.

Under this theory, early human cultures understood these original pictures in the sky, but then some time after the Flood, as sinful human beings spread all over the world, they attached their own names to the stars, and thus the pagan practices of astrology began.

This theory became popular in the late 1800s. Ms. Frances Rolleston’s book, Mazzaroth, published in the 1860s, was the first to propose this theory. Joseph Seiss’s book, The Gospel in the Stars, came out about 20 years later. E.W. Bullinger’s book, The Witness of the Stars, came out the last decade of the 19th century. The theory also has a number of modern proponents, probably the most famous being Dr. D. James Kennedy."

Wrote another in "Mazzaroth – Story in the Sky" (here):

"The Hebrew name for the zodiac is the Mazzaroth. Amazingly, is it possible that the twelve constellations in the Hebrew Zodiac (Mazzaroth) tell a fascinating story of God's plan for mankind's redemption?

1. Virgo – The virgin holding a branch and an ear of corn; the promised seed of the woman.

2. Libra – The scales; the price deficient balanced by the price that covers.

3. Scorpio – The scorpion; the attack of the enemy; the redeemer's conflict.

4. Sagittarius – The archer; the gracious one; the redeemer's triumph.

5. Capricornus – The sea goat; the goat of atonement slain for the redeemed.

6. Aquarius – The water bearer; the living waters of blessing poured forth for the redeemed.

7. Pisces – The fishes; the multitudes who will follow; the blessings of the redeemed.

8. Aries – The ram or lamb; wounded and slain, the blessings of the redeemed consummated.

9. Taurus – The bull; the congregation of the judge; the coming judge of all the earth.

10. Gemini – The twins; two natures; the reign of the prince of peace.

11. Cancer – The crab; assembled together; the redeemer's possessions held fast.

12. Leo – The Lion of the tribe of Judah; the consummated triumph of the redeemer in the end."

Notice that Sagittarius means "The archer; the gracious one; the redeemer's triumph."

That is exactly how Christ as the rider on the white horse is described. The entire Apocalypse of Christ as pictured in Rev. 6: 2 and 19 shows him acting as a "redeemer" in "the day of redemption."

Author of many well known books, J. A. Seiss in "Gospel in the Stars" (here) wrote:

"And thus the "arrows" of the divine Hero of the text "are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies." His war is with the whole Serpent-brood, and His going forth is for their destruction. Whether we understand it of the moral and renovating power of the Gospel, or of the judicial administrations of the Son of man at the end of the present Gospel dispensation, or more naturally of both, it is the office and purpose in all the doings of the glorified Christ to pierce and wound the Serpent, to destroy all his works and power, and to disable him for ever. And this is shown in the sign, just as it is declared in the Gospel." (pg. 41)

Seiss also wrote:

"Swiftness is another idea included in these names; and hence of quick and resistless power, of which horses and horsemen are the biblical images, particularly in connection with the scenes of the great judgment which Christ is appointed to enact. And the coming again of Christ is everywhere described as being with great power and glory, quickly, suddenly, like the lightning's flash."

The Arrow of the Archer is pointed at the heart of the Scorpion (star "antares" meaning "wounding"). That is significant. Notice these passages.

"Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you." (Luke 10:19)

"Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under thy feet." (Psalms 91:13)

"To tread on serpents and scorpions. The promise is doubtless literal, so far as necessary to manifest higher spiritual power. In view of the connection we must accept an allusion to Genesis 3:15 : ‘bruise the head of the serpent,’ and perhaps to Psalms 91:13 also." (Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament)

In the star-picture of Scorpio we see a gigantic scorpion endeavoring to sting the heel a mighty man who is struggling with a serpent, but is rather crushed by the man, who has his foot placed right on the scorpion's heart. In one scene the foot of the glorious seed of the woman is seen in the act of stepping on the head of the scorpion and in the other we see him as an archer shooting his arrow at the heart of the scorpion. The Hebrew name is Akrab, which is the name of a scorpion, but also means 'the conflict,' or 'war.' The Coptic name is Isidis, which means 'the attack of the enemy,' or 'oppression;' referring to 'the wicked that oppress me, my deadly enemies who compass me about' (Ps. 27:9). Said Paul:

"And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen." (Rom. 16: 20)

In "The Witness of the Stars" E.W. Bullinger wrote:

"The names that God gave to the stars and the constellations was revealed to Adam, Seth, Enoch, and the first patriarchs of our race. The same is true with the gospel message that was revealed to those ancient prophets and which, together with the names God had given of the stars; it was written in "twelve chapters," each chapter being one of the twelve drawn constellations (or "houses") with their Decans. Starting from Virgo and going all the way around to Leo one will have the gospel story of the Messiah.

Of the major stars in Sagittarius and their star names and meanings:

1. "Vega" (the North Star) means "He shall be exalted, the warrior triumphant"

Is that not what Christ's appearance on the white horse demonstrates?

2. "Naim" means "the gracious One"

Again, all the scriptural testimony is to this fact about the character of the promised victor.

3. "Nehushla" means "the going, sending forth"

Is that not we see in Rev. 6: 2 when heaven says to our Lord "go"? He is the one who was sent here in his incarnation and who is to come a second time. He is throughout the scriptures called "the coming one." All these terms are likewise descriptions of Christ, the "seed of the woman," as are found in the scriptures.

Decans of Sagittarius (associated constellations)

1. Lyra – the harp (denoting praise for the triumph of the warrior prince)
2. Ara – the altar (turned upside down and spewing out a fiery deluge denoting wrath poured)
3. Draco – the dragon (like serpent, hydra, and scorpion, a symbol of Satan)

The constellation names are:

• Latin is Sagittarius, meaning “archer.”
• Hebrew & Syriac is Kesith, meaning “the archer.”
• Arabic is Al Kaus, meaning “the arrow.”
• Coptic is Pimacre, meaning “the graciousness, or beauty, of the coming forth.”
• Greek is Toxotes, meaning “the archer.”

Al Shaula (Arabic for “the dart”),
Al Warida (Arabic for “who comes forth”),
Ruchba er rami (Arabic for “riding of the bowman”),
Nun-ki (Akkadian for “Prince of the earth”) and in the Denderah he is called Pi-maere (same as Coptic- “beauty of the coming forth”).

These names give us a clear indication that the rider is the “beautiful bowman” who is “riding forth” to conquer Satan and redeem His loved ones at His second coming (Rev 19:11).

Dr. D. James Kennedy, who also believed that Rev. 6: 2 referred to Christ, also spoke on Sagittarius being an emblem of the Messiah as he comes to destroy the serpent and his brood. (see here)

Are We Really What We Profess?

The words of an engraving from the cathedral of Lubeck, Germany, echo Jesus' sobering declaration…

Thus speaketh Christ our Lord to us…

You call Me master and obey Me not,

You call Me light and see Me not,

You call Me the way and walk Me not,

You call Me life and live Me not,

You call Me wise and follow Me not,

You call Me fair and love Me not,

You call Me rich and ask Me not,

You call Me eternal and seek Me not,

If I condemn thee, blame Me not.

Was Christ Crucified On Friday?

"For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:40)

If Jesus spent "three days and three nights" dead "in the heart of the earth," then he could not have been crucified on Friday.

For a couple good defenses of a Wednesday afternoon crucifixion see these postings.

HERE and HERE

Dr. D. James Kennedy & The Gospel In The Stars

"The gospel in the stars" series by the late Dr. D. James Kennedy (here)

In this series Dr. Kennedy introduces the subject of how the first patriarchs organized the constellations and designed their images with the purpose of giving a prophetic history or revelation pertaining to God's plan of redemption through "the seed of the woman." These messages are well worth the time for any Christian to listen to. I guarantee that you will come away strengthened in your faith in the gospel. You will come away with a firm belief that the gospel was well understood by those patriarchs and prophets who produced the original Zodiac or "Mazzaroth."

The link above takes you to a web page that gives all his sermons on each of the twelve signs.

White Horse Of The Apocalypse X

Christ The Archer

"the Son of God goes forth to war" 
 "he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors."

Wrote Dr. Henry M. Morris:

"At this tremendous moment in history, "the Son of God goes forth to war," as the Lamb breaks the First Seal. The seven seal judgments follow, then the seven trumpets , then the seven bowls. However the seventh seal includes all of the seven trumpets and the seventh trumpet leads into the seven bowls. The entire series thus represents the Lamb's successive forays into the invader's strongholds until finally the enemy is driven out completely. The climax comes at the battle of Armageddon, when the great Rider appears once again on His white horse to win the final victory (Revelation 19:11, 19)." (As cited here)

This is good commentary on what the appearance of the Son of God, or Lamb, in his first appearance as the white horse rider, signifies. His first appearance in vision signals the beginning of that "war" of all wars, or "war to end all wars," while his second appearance (Rev. 19) signals the end of it.

As each seal is opened things happen on earth that fulfill what the scriptures describe relating to the day of judgment, the day of wrath and tribulation, and the day of redemption. Each act and each scene are scenes of just retribution and vengeance upon wicked inhabitants who refuse to acknowledge God and his righteous judgments.

Commenting on Revelation 6:2, Dr. Henry M. Morris says the following:

"he that sat on him. Many futurist commentators take the rider on the white horse to be the Antichrist, who they say is seeking to imitate Christ, who is certainly the conquering Rider on the white horse in Revelation 19:11. This interpretation seems inappropriate. The coming Antichrist is not a “false Christ,” pretending to be Christ, but is the ultimate Antichrist, openly opposing Christ and seeking to destroy all Christian believers and everything for which Christ stands. The Antichrist, or Beast, will receive his power and authority from Satan (Revelation 11:7; 13:7), not Christ."

I think I have shown how the Antichrist view of Rev. 6:2 is not sound interpretation. The arguments made to supposedly prove it have all been shown to be untenable.

Morris continued:

"The proper interpretation is to view Christ as the rider; remember also that each judgment of the seven seals is sent forth by Christ, not Satan. Furthermore, it is eminently fitting that the conquering Christ should be seen as riding forth both at the beginning of His cleansing judgments on the earth, and then again at their climactic completion (Revelation 6:2; 19:11). Throughout the events of Revelation 6 through 19, as the successive seal judgments are sent forth, He is gradually “conquering” and is destined finally “to conquer” completely." (see here)

Though I once leaned towards the Antichrist view, yet after nearly fifty years of meditation and research on the text, I have come to see just exactly what Dr. Morris has here stated as being the most obvious interpretation of the passage. What he here says is exactly what I have been trying to demonstrate throughout this series.

In Rev. 19: 11 it is said that Christ, as the white horse rider, "in righteousness (or justice) judges and makes war." When did this righteous war begin? Who began it? Did it first start in Rev. 19 when the last seal has been broken and all of its seven woe trumpets have been blown and their effects realized? Surely not. Surely it began with the opening of the very first seal! And as each seal is opened, there is more victory by the heroic warrior prince who continues going forth "conquering," overcoming and gaining victory after victory. The four horsemen of the Apocalypse of Christ show the initial attack of this mighty warrior who has his name "the Word of God."

Notice how both "judging" and "making war" are connected together in the words "in righteousness he judges and makes war." The one judging is also the one leading military action. This signifies that the "day of judgment" runs along with the "war" being described.

Christ, in his apocalypse, fulfills several roles (or we might say "wears many hats"), such as being a judge, warrior or combatant, redeemer, savior, etc. As judge he gives sentence. As Governor and Lord he executes that sentence.

God's Poisoned Arrows

"For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, Their poison my spirit drinks; The terrors of God are arrayed against me." (Job 6: 4 KJV)

"The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God's terrors are marshaled against me." (NIV)

Job was a righteous man. None of the afflictions and sufferings that he experienced were the result of his sin. They did not show that he was God's enemy, as his friends supposed. No, he was God's close friend. But, he indeed was treated by God as if he were an enemy (to a large degree). Job was an enemy in appearance, judging by his circumstances. After all, "the arrows of the Almighty" with its "terrors" and "poison" are intended for the wicked, not for the righteous, as Job was.

Job's case is unique. God has a purpose for Job suffering some of these arrows of judgment and destruction from God's bow of justice. It is in some respects the same with these same arrows that were shot at the Lord Jesus by divine justice in his sacrificial death. In the case of Jesus it was justice meted out, not against him personally, for he was sinless, but against him as the bearer of the sins of the world. In the case of Job, God makes use of Job to demonstrate the truth of God and the falsehood of Satan the accuser.

Notice what God says to Satan about why Job experiences arrows of judgment, that are intended for the wicked only, but nevertheless experienced by this righteous man:

"And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and eschews evil? and still he holds fast his integrity, although you move me against him, to destroy him without cause." (Job 2: 3)

God was moved to be "against" righteous Job, to "destroy" or "undo" him, but it was "without cause," meaning it was not what was due Job because of his sin, but in order for God to accomplish his purpose in 1) Sanctifying Job (by the fires of his trials, purging him) and 2) demonstrating both the Deity's character and that of Satan the accuser.

The main point in citing these words of Job is to show that God has from the morning of time been viewed as an Archer shooting deadly arrows at his foes. It is also to show how the metaphor of God shooting arrows denotes his sending of evils upon a man in just retribution for his rebellion against his Maker. In the Book of Revelation we may see each scene of destruction as the result of the shooting of these arrows of justice.

Notice that Job speaks of God's arrows as connected with "terrors" being "marshaled" or "arrayed" against him. These words are of a military nature denoting the assembling or arranging in order and rank, the various weapons and ordinance intended for use in conflict. The Hebrew verb means "to set in battle array." "The figure in the end of the verse is that of a beleaguering army; this host is composed of “terrors” from God. The reference is again not to Job’s mere physical pains, but to the perplexing thoughts and fears which they occasioned." (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges)

Is this not what we see as each seal of the scroll is unbroken? Do we not see a "marshaling" of heavenly forces against the evil world and its wicked inhabitants? Are not the red, black, and pale horses a "marshaling" of terrors and punishments?

"The “arrows” of God are the plagues, diseases and pains with which He assails men, ch. Job 16:12 seq.; cf. Psalm 38:2 seq.; Deut. 32:23. So Hamlet, 'The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.'"

Jeremiah, like Job, also spoke of Lord God having bow and arrows and of having had some of those arrows shot at him.

“He hath bent His bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. He hath caused the arrows of His quiver to enter into my reins. I was a derision to all my people; and their song all the day.” (Lamentations 3:12-14)

Many Christians have seen the experience of being under deep conviction of sin as the result of having become "wounded" in spirit by the word and Spirit of God. This seems to be the meaning of the prophet in this passage. Still, the primary "mark" for God's arrows are for the wretched guilty world in the day of judgment.

Is the figure of being shot by God's arrow a type of being convicted of sin? Of being saved? Is God like Cupid?

Moses' Prophecy of Judgment Arrows

"They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them. They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs." (Deut. 32: 21-25)

"See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people." (Duet. 32:39-43)

Ezekiel's Prophecy of Judgment Arrows

"When I send against them the terrible arrows of famine which shall be for destruction, which I will send to destroy you, I will increase the famine upon you and cut off your supply of bread: So I will send against you famine and wild beasts, and they will bereave you. Pestilence and blood shall pass through you, and I will bring the sword against you. I, the LORD, have spoken." (Ezekiel 5:16-17)

"Even though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live," says the Lord God, "they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness." For thus says the Lord God: "How much more it shall be when I send My four severe judgments on Jerusalem—the sword and famine and wild beasts and pestilence—to cut off man and beast from it?"  (Ezek 14:20-21)

Psalms Prophecy of Judgment Arrows

"God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors." (Psa. 7: 11-13)

"He sent out His arrows, and scattered them, And lightning flashes in abundance, and routed them." (Psalm 18: 14)

"For You will make them turn their back; You will aim with Your bowstrings at their faces." (Psalm 21: 12)

"Your arrows are sharp; The peoples fall under You; Your arrows are in the heart of the King's enemies." (Psalm 45: 5)

"But God will shoot at them with an arrow; Suddenly they will be wounded. So they will make him stumble; Their own tongue is against them; All who see them will shake the head. Then all men will fear, And they will declare the work of God, And will consider what He has done." (Psalm 64: 7-10)

"The clouds poured out water; The skies gave forth a sound; Your arrows flashed here and there. The sound of Your thunder was in the whirlwind; The lightnings lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook." (Psalm 77: 17-18)

"Then the LORD will appear over them, And His arrow will go forth like lightning; And the Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, And will march in the storm winds of the south." (Zechariah 9: 14)

"Sun and moon stood in their places; They went away at the light of Your arrows, At the radiance of Your gleaming spear." (Habakkuk 3: 11)

God's Arsenal

"They come from a far country, from the end of heaven, even the LORD, and the weapons of his indignation, to destroy the whole land." (Isa. 13: 5)

"The LORD hath opened his armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation: for this is the work of the Lord GOD of hosts in the land of the Chaldeans." (Jer. 50: 25)

"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak. According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence." (Isaiah 59: 16-18)

"Thou Cyrus, art my battle axe and weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms." (Jer. 51: 20)

The Gospel In The Stars

"The Gospel In The Stars" (here) is a two hour video showing in a condensed form how the gospel message is told in the ancient Zodiac. It is well worth anyone's time to listen to it. But, if you want an even shorter condensed version, go to the end of the video and listen to the last ten to fifteen minutes where the speaker sums it all up.