Page 207 - Foundations

the experiences that are best suited for their maturing as children of God. They have decided for
themselves what experiences they want in life. Astrology becomes a means for them to achieve their
personal desires. This selfish aspect of astrology is revealed in the following passage of Scripture.

Isaiah 47:12-13
“Stand now with your enchantments and the multitude of your sorceries, in which you have labored
from your youth - perhaps you will be able to profit, perhaps you will prevail. You are wearied in the
multitude of your counsels; Let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators
stand up and save you from what shall come upon you.”

Note the words, “perhaps you will be able to profit, perhaps you will prevail.” All of the forbidden
occult practices named in these verses are utilized by men and women for personal profit, that they
might prevail in their desires. In contrast, the speech Yahweh utters through the starry host declares
His will and purposes. The constellations and sun and moon are used to reveal God’s plans to
humanity.

We see in these two distinct practices (the divine original and the Satanic counterfeit) a foundational
difference in the mindset of the practitioners. Those who look to the heavens to know what Yahweh
is speaking, do so that they might walk wisely, understanding the hour they live in and the purposes
of God that are appointed for the day in which they live. Christ admonished the Jews to study the
signs God set before them that they might recognize the purposes of God to be accomplished in their
time.

Matthew 16:2-3
He answered and said to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is
red.’ And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you
know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?”

Luke 19:41-44
And when He approached, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you had known in this day,
even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. For the
days shall come upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank before you, and surround you, and
hem you in on every side, and will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will
not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

Not heeding the signs Yahweh provided of the work He would accomplish in the hour in which they
lived, the Jewish rulers and people failed to respond in a manner that would result in peace between
them and God. They rejected the long promised Messiah, and crucified the Lord of glory, though the
Scriptures, the angels, and the stars of the heaven all announced His appearing. Consequently their
city was destroyed, their role as priests of God to the nations was taken away from them, and they fell
to their oppressors.

It is needful that the people of God today pay heed to the signs of the times. It is not a time to focus
upon the pursuit of material goods, worldly riches, and pleasures. These things must shortly pass
away. The heavens declare this fact, as do the Scriptures.