Thinking About the Heavens in Real-Time.
Polaris- The Little Dipper – Ursa Minor
Time-lapse photography is amazing. Just for fun, download the free app, Stellarium. Find the North Star called Polaris which in in Ursa Minor. Center it in your screen, select a time, date, location, then press and hold the hour advance arrow and watch ‘the heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaim his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
Looking at things in real-time gives us a clear visual to see what actually has occurred in the past. Engineers regularly do this by capturing past data through various kinds of measuring instruments then analyzing it. Consider what the Black Box in downed aircraft records before its fate. This is a helpful tool to see what transpired before the incident. So, let’s use this app to take a closer look at Jesus in real time. With the app still open, take a journey back in time and see for yourself what the heavens were declaring from east to west in the ancient sky. Here’s some data to enter into the app. You might be surprised what you find.
Modern biblical scholars have estimated that Jesus’ sacrificial work on the cross occurred a few hours before sundown on Passover Friday, April 3, 33 AD. In Jerusalem, Jesus willingly surrendered His life for His followers. Just minutes before sundown, about 6:15 pm, the sacrificial Lamb of God was placed in a borrowed grave.
The following Sunday, April 5, just before sunrise around 4:40 am, Jesus, who is called the Morning Star, rose alive from the tomb. At dawn, around 5:40 am, Jesus, the Lamb of God taking away the sins of the world, appeared to several people. And then for the next forty days reappeared instructing those first believers what to do until His promised return.
On Ascension Day, May 15, 33 AD, about 11:30 am, Jesus, the Lion of Judah, was taken bodily to Heaven for His coronation. There, Jesus was crowned King and now reigns as the Sovereign over the universe. While Jesus’s followers were gazing into the heavens, angels appeared and informed them to head back to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit’s anointing. With great joy they did as instructed.
Ten days later, on Pentecost, May 25, shortly before 8:30 am, the Holy Spirit descended from Heaven pouring out on Jesus’ church the empowerment to proclaim God’s salvation through faith in Jesus. Thousands responded with joy and gladness.
Are you not amazed? Now read these accounts of Jesus concerning the past acts, present promises and future hope in the Acts chapters 1-2. It’s there that He can be found in this great expanse, east to west and from cover to cover. God’s word is more sure. “The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7)
At Pine Grove Bible Church, we’re still waiting with joyful confidence for Jesus’ grand return. Come join on Sundays at 9:30 am. Let’s worship Him together at 9196 South State Road, Goodrich, MI 48438.
Passover April 3, 33 AD-Lamb Slain
Resurrection Day April 5, 33 AD – Venus, Aries, Regulus
Ascension Day May 15, 33 AD- Lion of Judah
Pentecost May 25, 33 AD -Holy Spirit Descending
Pentecost May 25, 33 AD – Hydra the serpent Ascending