The Origin of Things Biblical – The Christian Underground Journal

This essay describes the following points.

Summary:

1. Eschatology in Genesis: An Examination of Biblical Prophecy. This essay delves into biblical eschatology, commencing with the creation narrative in the Book of Genesis. It emphasizes the pivotal role of humanity’s creation in the divine image (Genesis 1:27-28) and the establishment of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8-9). These foundational themes are then juxtaposed with the culmination described in Revelation 21, where a new heaven and earth are envisioned, providing a profound glimpse into God’s ultimate plan for humanity.

2. Astrology’s Influence: Astrology, encompassing horoscopes, has been criticized for potentially leading individuals to transgress the First Commandment (Exodus 20:3) by adhering to false deities associated with the zodiac signs. The critique delves into the spiritual repercussions of astrological beliefs, asserting that astrology is explicitly condemned in the Scriptures (Deuteronomy 18:10-14).

3. Perspective and Reflection: While stars evoke a sense of wonder in the face of God’s creation, guidance and knowledge should be derived from divine Revelation rather than astrological interpretations. The essay underscores the Bible as the definitive source of life principles and cautions against the confusion that arises from misinterpretations of Scripture and Satan’s manipulations.

4. Conclusion: The study of origins elucidates humanity’s role within God’s redemption plan and serves as a cautionary tale against astrology’s misinterpretation and diversionary influence.

This essay examines the biblical perspective on eschatology, specifically in the Book of Genesis. It analyzes the foundational commandment from Exodus 20:3, which prohibits worshipping any other deities before God. This commandment is a foundation for exploring astrology, a practice that can stimulate our imagination and lead to unforeseen consequences.

The Eschatology in Genesis

Genesis 1:27-28 (ESV), So God created man in his image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the sea fish, the birds of the heavens, and every living thing that moves on the planet.

Genesis 2:8-9 (ESV), And the Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there He put the man He had formed. And out of the ground, the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food.

Revelation 21:1-4 (ESV) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming from God’s heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them; they will be his people, and God will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

In Revelation 21, we encounter a new Jerusalem and a new Temple illuminated solely by God’s light, rendering the sun and moon obsolete.

In the preceding passage, we observe the ALPHA and the OMEGA, where humanity is positioned in a distinct garden, essentially separate from the outside world. In Revelation, believers (the bride of Christ) have ascended to a new earth and may be situated in a new garden, where they now enjoy eternal communion with the Lord God.

Indeed, Genesis serves as the prologue to the Revelation of the Almighty, the author of history from its inception to its culmination, encompassing both the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13).

Astrology’s Impact

Many individuals today read horoscopes, perceiving them as informative and innocuous. They often interpret horoscopes as providing insights into their character, essential knowledge, and areas of concern. Additionally, they believe that horoscopes foster happiness and a sense of alignment with the universe.

By adhering to horoscopes, individuals directly contravene the First Commandment. They are adopting erroneous ideals from deities that do not exist, as exemplified by the twelve zodiac signs and their associated deities. Unknowingly engaging in the astrology of the zodiac is a grave matter with substantial spiritual repercussions, as elucidated in Exodus 20:3.

Aries: Ares, God of War
Taurus: Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty
Gemini: Athena, goddess of wisdom and military victory
Cancer: Artemis, goddess of the moon and wilderness
Leo: Apollo, God of the sun and the light
Virgo: Demeter, goddess of grain and agriculture
Libra: Hera, goddess of women and marriage
Scorpio: Kali, goddess of death and sexuality
Sagittarius: Zeus, God of the sky and thunder
Capricorn: Persephone, goddess of harvest and queen of the underworld
Aquarius: Prometheus, God of forethought and humankind
Pisces: Ishtar, goddess of fertility and universal love

Astrology posits that the positions of stars and planets at the time of a person’s birth influence their destiny. However, this belief is unfounded. The Babylonian royal astrologers were exposed as incompetent by the prophet Daniel (Daniel 1:20), who was unable to interpret the king’s dream (Daniel 2:27). God explicitly states that astrologers will face judgment and destruction (Isaiah 47:13-14). Furthermore, astrology is expressly prohibited by Scripture as a form of divination (Deuteronomy 18:10-14). God instructed the Israelites not to worship or serve the “host of heaven” (Deuteronomy 4:19). Despite their repeated transgressions, including as mentioned in 2 Kings 17:16, Israel’s worship of the stars resulted in divine judgment each time.

Perspective and Reflecting

As an integral aspect of God’s creation, the celestial bodies should evoke a profound awe and reverence for His omnipotence, sagacity, and boundless infinity. They are tangible reminders of God’s unwavering faithfulness to His divine promises, facilitating our navigation of time and space. Nevertheless, our understanding and guidance are solely derived from God, not from the stars (James 1:5). The Bible, God’s sacred Revelation, stands as our steadfast beacon throughout life, illuminating the path to righteousness (Psalm 119:105).

In the study of the origin of things, there is a deliberate attempt to uncover how Satan distorts the narratives in the Scriptures to confuse those seeking to comprehend the nature of God, the reasons behind His creation of humanity, and the role of humanity within His plan of redemption. The narrative of creation encompasses not only the origins of primordial humanity but also the entirety of human history, from its inception to its culmination. The intervening periods illuminate humanity’s inherent inadequacy in fulfilling God’s aspiration to establish a familial bond with which He can share eternity.

From the beginning to the end, humanity has consistently demonstrated a lack of willingness to be with God. Satan provides humanity with numerous distractions, and coupled with humanity’s reckless desire for independence, God had to intervene and do what humanity could not—fulfill the law given to Moses by sacrificing Himself in human form on the cross. Through this act, God extended an open invitation to humanity to share eternity with Him without the need for any effort on their part. All humanity needs to do is accept God’s redemption plan through Jesus and believe in His offer by acknowledging Jesus. As Paul wrote in Romans 10:9-11, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God and by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

Fiction and Stretching the Story

Because of curious minds, some interpret the watchers mentioned in Daniel 4:17 and the Nephilim and giants referenced in Genesis 6:4, Numbers 13:33, and Deuteronomy 2:20 with vivid imagination. They expand these verses into fictional stories that draw on various scriptures throughout the Bible to validate their vision. While this makes for engaging Christian fiction, it should not be considered deuterocanonical or pseudepigrapha. Imaginative people will take the zodiac and build a story around its associated gods with events in Genesis and even Revelations; it is no wonder why many believers today tend to mix and match myth with Scripture, which births doubt and confusion.

Unintended Consequences

Throughout history, God has guided humanity through numerous crises, acting as a benevolent parent who corrects us. However, when God allows us to pursue our desires and sense of importance, His correction can be severe. From Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden until the present day, humanity continues to resist God’s will for our presence in His presence. Even within contemporary religious gatherings, we can still discern the recurring pattern of disobedience throughout the Scriptures. Suppose humanity persists in its resistance to God’s will. In that case, it serves as a stark reminder that if Jesus does not return soon, spiritual Israel (the church) may endure the same discipline that the physical Israel of old experienced.

Therefore, the eschatology that concerns us is not the end of the world, the rapture, or escaping God’s wrath. Instead, it is about redirecting our course towards Him before Jesus returns or we depart from this life. The origins of things are not solely about discovering God and His purpose; they are centered around our purpose within His design and His unwavering love for us.

By Mike Kovach
December 2024