Page 198 - Foundations

with the parallel statement, “God placed them in the expanse of the heavens...” Having determined
that the stars should be used for signs, and to announce appointed times, it was necessary for Yahweh
to arrange the heavens in an orderly fashion. Yahweh established a plan of the ages before He ever
began the work of day one. He determined the course of creation, its works, its ages, and its
conclusion.

Acts 15:18
Known from the ages to God are all His works...
[Young’s Literal Translation]

Ephesians 3:10-11
That there might be made known now to the principalities and the authorities in the heavens, through
the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God, according to a plan of the ages, which He made in
Christ Yahshua our Lord...

Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand the ages to have been prepared by a saying of God...
[Young’s Literal Translation]

Isaiah 46:9-11
“For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from
the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying,'My purpose will be
established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure...' Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it
to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.”

Yahweh’s plan of the ages has moved inexorably forward to its fulfillment. It cannot be sped up, or
slowed down. No one can resist the omnipotence of Yahweh’s might. Before the stars were set in
place to mark the appointed times of the Creator, the divine plan had been established. Everything
was assigned a proper time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven...

Was it merely poetic inclination that inspired Solomon to connect the words “appointed time” with
the words “under heaven”? I do not believe so. I am persuaded that this wisest of all kings understood
well the purpose of the starry heavens. He recognized their role to mark the appointed times (moedim)
of Yahweh. At the appointed time a child was born to a virgin in the tribe of Judah, a descendant of
David. At the appointed time the star appeared in the heavens announcing that the King of the Jews
th
had been born. This star had been set in motion 4,000 years earlier on the 4 day of creation. It
appeared at a specific place in the heavens, at the precise moment of Yahweh’s choosing, to coincide
with events in Yahweh’s plan of the ages.

Matthew 2:1-2
Now after Yahshua was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from
the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw