# 400 – The Heavens Declare God’s Message
Psalm 147:1-5, 8:1-9, Romans 1:19-20, 10:17-18, Psalm 19:1-14
WT#400
Orion
The Coming Prince
Light Breaking Forth in the Redeemer
The picture presented by the constellation Orion shows that the coming one is no mere animal, but a man: a mighty, triumphant glorious prince.
He is so pictured in the ancient Denderah Zodiac, where we see a man coming forth pointing to the three brightest stars of the constellation, Rigel, Bellatrix and Betelguez, as his. His name is given as Ha-ga-t, which means ‘this is he who triumphs’. Orion was anciently spelled Oarion, from the Hebrew root, which means light, so that Orion means ‘coming forth as light’.
Orion is the most brilliant of all the constellations and, when he comes to the meridian, he is accompanied by several adjacent constellations of great splendor. There is then, above the horizon, the most glorious view of the celestial bodies that the starry firmament affords. This magnificent view is visible to all the habitable world because the equinoctial line (or solstitial colure) passes nearly through the middle of Orion.
Aratus thus sings of him:
“Eastward, beyond the region of the Bull, stands great Orion.
And [the individual] who, when night is clear, beholds him gleaming bright,
Shall cast his eyes in vain to find a sign more glorious in all heaven.”
The constellation is mentioned by name, as being perfectly well known both by name and appearance, in the time of Job; and as being an object of familiar knowledge at that early period of the world’s history. See Job 9:9 and 38:31.
It contains 78 stars, two being of the 1st magnitude, four of the 2nd, four of the 3rd, sixteen of the 4th, etc.
A little way below ι (found in the sword) is a very remarkable nebulous star. A common telescope will show that it is a beautiful nebula. A powerful telescope reveals it as consisting of collections of nebulous stars, these again being surrounded by faint luminous points, which still more powerful telescopes would resolve into separate stars.
Thus, beautifully is set forth the brilliancy and glory of that Light which shall break forth when the moment comes for it to be said, “Arise, shine, for thy light is come.”
The picture presents us with “the light of the world.” His left foot is significantly placed upon the head of the enemy. He is girded with a glorious girdle, studded with three brilliant stars; and upon this girdle is hung a sharp sword. Its handle proves that this mighty Prince is come forth in a new character. He is again proved to be “the Lamb that was slain,” for the hilt of this sword is in the form of the head and body of a lamb. In his right hand he lifts on high his mighty club; while in his left he holds forth the token of his victory – the head and skin of the “roaring lion.” We ask in wonder, “Who is this?” and the names of the stars give us the answer.
The brightest star, a (in the right shoulder), is named Betelguez, which means the coming of the branch.
The next brightest, β (in the left foot), is named Rigel, or Rigol, which means the foot that crusheth. The foot is lifted up, and placed immediately over the head of the enemy, as though in the very act of crushing it. Thus, the name of the star bespeaks the act.
The next brightest star, γ (in the left shoulder), is called Bellatrix, which means quickly coming, or swiftly destroying.
The name of the fourth brightest star, δ (one of the three in the belt), carries us back to the old, old story, that this glorious one was once humbled; that his heel was once bruised. Its name is Al Nitak, the wounded One. Similarly, the star κ (in the right leg) is called Saiph, bruised, which is the very word used in Genesis 3:15, thus connecting Orion with that early prophecy of man’s redeemer. He has one leg bruised; while, with the other, he is crushing the enemy under foot.
This is betokened by other stars, not identified, named Al Rai, who bruises, and Thabit (Hebrew), treading on.
Other (Arabic) star names relate to his person: Al Giauza, the branch; Al Gebor, the mighty; Al Mirzam, the ruler; Al Nagjed, the prince; Niphla (Chaldee), the mighty, and Nux (Hebrew), the strong.
Some star names relate to His coming, as Betelgeuse and Bellatrix, mentioned above; Heka (Chaldee), coming; and Meissa (Hebrew), coming forth.
Such is the cumulative testimony of Orion’s stars, which, day after day, and night after night, show forth this knowledge. That testimony was afterwards written in the books of Scripture.
The prince of glory, who was once wounded for the sins of the redeemed, is about to rise up and shine forth for our deliverance. Our redemption draws near!
Then it shall be said to God’s people:
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the nations shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. ISAIAH 40:1-3
This is “the glory of God” which the heavens constantly declare (Psalm 19:1). They tell of that blessed time when the earth shall be filled with God’s glory and when “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together,” as all see now the beauty of Orion’s glory.
From The Witness of the Stars by E. W. Bullinger, 1893. Pages 124-129.
