Unleashing the Beast

248 / U NLEASHING THE B EAST

the heavens. The prophetic symbolism found in the Book of Revelation can correspond to certain heavenly constellations. The woman with child (Revelation 12:1, 2) is a picture of Virgo the virgin. The great dragon (Revelation 12:3) could allude to Draco, the dragon. The ram (lamb) with two horns (Revelation 12:11-16) and identified with the false prophet could be parallel to the star formation called Aries, the ram. Christ is called the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5); the constellation called Leo is identified as a lion. It appears that some of the veiled symbols John saw in his revelation were heavenly symbols the people of his day were familiar with. T YPES OF C OSMIC S IGNS With this concept in mind, let us attempt to interpret the various prophetic signs in the sun, moon and stars, Seven types of cosmic signs are mentioned in prophecies throughout the Bible:

 A sackcloth sun (Revelation 6:12)  A bloody moon (Revelation 6:12)  Great signs in the heavens (Luke 21:25)  Fearful signs in the heavens (Luke 21:11)

 Stars falling from the heavens (Matthew 24:29)  A darkening of the constellations (Isaiah 13:10)  The powers of heaven are shaken (Luke 2-1:2-6) Luke quoted Christ as warning of great and fearful signs