Jesus' Death

Prominent In The Heavens At The Time Of Jesus' Death

The Sun - Symbol of God's Power, Majesty and Justice, particularly as evidenced in Creation. The All-Powerful Father. Jesus the Creator.
          "But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings...." - Malachi 4:2 (KJ21)

          "In the Bible, the sun is portrayed as a powerful and majestic symbol of God's strength and sovereignty. In Psalm 19:1, King David writes, "The heavens
          declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." This passage highlights the connection between the sky, the sun, and God's glory.
          The sun is often associated with God's power and might, and its magnificence reflects the splendor of God's creation." - article

The Moon - Symbol of God's Love, Nurture and Mercy, particularly as evidenced in God's Plan of Salvation. The All-Loving Father. Jesus the Savior.
          "According to biblical interpretation, the moon is a symbol of spiritual enlightenment, renewal, and rebirth. It also represents the cyclical nature of life - the
          continuous process of birth, death, and rebirth. The moon's phases, in particular, symbolize the journey of spiritual growth and awakening.
                    "The moon is a symbol of the divine feminine energy of the universe. It represents the nurturing and compassionate qualities of God, and the
                    nourishing and creative forces of life." " - article

Jupiter - Symbol of Jesus the Redeemer: the Way to Salvation through the Satisfying of Justice, thereby Enabling the Grace of Mercy.
          "Jupiter, with its red spot in its side, is a symbol of the Messiah: wounded for our transgressions. It is composed of gas, like the Sun, but orbits around the
          Sun. In the same way, God who is spirit (gas giant) incarnated as a child and grew up as a man under the law of God (under the law of gravity). Jesus put
          away his divine privileges and power (nuclear reactions in the Sun) and humbled himself to become a man (Jupiter has no nuclear reactions within itself).
          Jesus fulfilled all the just requirements of the law [Justice Satisfied] that he might offer his life as a sinless sacrifice of atonement [Mercy Enabled]. The
          sheer mass of Jupiter, which is over two times the mass of all the other planets, tells us it is a symbol of something (in this case, someone) that is hugely
          important to God's spiritual program in the Universe." - article

Venus, The Bright Morning Star - Symbol of Jesus the Light of the World: the Bright Morning Star Who Reveals Everything To Us. Jesus the Truth.
          "The Bible has many metaphors (symbolic word-pictures) for God and Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said I am the bread of life, the light of the world, the door,
          the good shepherd and the true vine. All these metaphors give us meaningful insight into the many different aspects of the character, roles and relationships
          of Christ." - article
             Behind the Sun and the Moon, the planet Venus is the third brightest object in the heavens. Lingering in the early morning sky longer than any other planet or
          star, Venus has always been described as "the bright morning star." So when Jesus took this same expression for Himself (Rev 22:16), we know that Venus
          was the symbol He intended. Jesus is the Light which reveals all we need to know. Jesus: The Way, the Truth and the Life.

Constellation Gemini, The Twins -
             "Gemini (is) ... (m)arked by a constellation of two bright stars, named, Castor and Pollux, [see Acts 28:11] they have been depicted by secularists as twins...."
             "The zodiac according to the gospel in the stars identifies their true nature signifying ruler, judge, [Jesus the immortal God] and one who comes to labor
          or suffer [Jesus the mortal man]: as the dual function of Jesus Christ as king and ruler, and bridegroom to the church."
             "Joseph Augustus Seiss, whose work helps provide the basis for this series, pointing to ancient texts, suggests the twins are really a man and woman who
          figuratively represent Adam and Eve. More telling, they also represent the Son of Man- Jesus- the greater Adam, whose female companion or bride, is the
          church. Eve made from Adam's rib, is similar to the church coming from Jesus."
             "Gemini in the original Hebrew, Arabic and Syriac, means "completion." The marriage union of Christ and his church is described by the stars that comprise
          the constellation." - more fully explained here

   Much about God's heavenly handiwork has been forgotten and these interpretations are not written in stone. It is also probable that these wonders were intended to have multiple applications, and I will add one more possibility: I believe the "twins" are also representative of God's people, Israel, and God's people, the Church.
   Throughout the New Testament, and certainly within the book of Revelation, the similarities and distinctions between these two intended targets of God's mercy are explained. At His first advent Jesus Messiah came to Redeem both His first people Israel and His second people the Church. Even though both groups, as the frail humans we are, have failed Him miserably, He loves us beyond our understanding. We are as precious to Him as a bride is to her husband. He has even made the two groups integral to His work of redemption and salvation, Israel as the Gateway and the Church as the Foundation:

          And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ...having the glory of God. Her
          brilliance was like a very valuable stone, like a stone of crystal-clear jasper. It had a great and high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels;
          and names were written on the gates, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel. ... And the wall of the city had twelve
          foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. - Revelation 21:2, 11-12, 14

Mercury, The Winged Messenger - Symbol of the Holy Spirit
          "Mercury was the Roman god of commerce, often serving as a mediator between the gods and mortals, his winged feet giving him the advantage of speed, and
          so was the patron of circulation in general - of people, goods and messages. ... [Mercury] is frequently depicted holding the caduceus, a wand used to
          reconcile conflicts, and winged sandals for quickly carrying messages for the gods." - article

          "Mercury, in the context of biblical studies, refers to the Roman god associated with commerce, communication, and messages."
          "Mercury was a prominent deity in Roman religion, often depicted as a messenger of the gods, a role that emphasized speed and eloquence."
          "A fabulous god of the ancient heathen, the messenger of the celestials, and the deity that presided over learning, eloquence, and traffic. - article

   The Holy Spirit is the Messenger to the world. He has always fulfilled this role, but does so in a special way since Jesus commissioned Him to convey to mankind, His message of salvation through the New Covenant of love and mercy. The Holy Spirit's role is clearly described as that of a messenger, to relay to man all that He hears from God the Father through God the Son:

          "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, namely, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, He will testify about Me...."

          "I [Jesus] have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them at the present time. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into
          all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me,
          for He will take from Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; this is why I said that He takes from Mine and will disclose it to
          you." - John 15:26 & 16:12-15

          "Christ's role as the ultimate messenger is not confined to His earthly ministry. Through the Holy Spirit, He continues to speak to believers today.
          Hebrews 4:12 describes the Word of God as "living and active", indicating that Christ's message remains dynamic and transformative. Believers are called
          to engage with Scripture, allowing the living Word to guide and shape their lives."
             "In summary, Jesus Christ stands as the ultimate messenger, fulfilling prophecy, embodying divine truth, and delivering the final revelation of God's plan for
          humanity. His message of salvation and His ongoing presence through the Holy Spirit affirm His unique and unparalleled role in the divine narrative." - article

The Timing of the Events Surrounding Jesus' Death

Note 1:   It is undeniable that, as given in the Gospels, the timeline for this week includes two separate Passover celebrations. Thus, the chronology of this time can only be correctly understood if we first understand how the Passover Festival was being observed in the time of Jesus. This information is imperative as we sort out the events of these days. Without this knowledge it is unavoidable that the Gospels will seem to contradict themselves regarding the celebration of Passover.
   As explained here, due to repeated cycles of apostacy, along with intermittant attempts by certain leaders to bring the people back to God, two separate Passover celebrations were in fact being observed at this time. There was the official celebration as stipulated in Leviticus 23, with the Preparation on Nisan 14 and the Passover Seder meal at sundown, the beginning of Nisan 15. This was the celebration observed by the Levitical Priesthood in the Temple - the Temple Passover.
   A day prior to this, the people conducted their own celebration which they held in their homes, with the Preparation on Nisan 13 and the Passover Seder meal at sundown, the beginning of Nisan 14 - the People's Passover.

Note 2:   The Jews counted the twelve hours of the day beginning at sunrise, which is normally around 6:00 am. Reference to various times of day such as the third, sixth or ninth hour, were approximate (they didn't have clocks) and would have roughly corresponded to 9 am, noon and 3 pm respectively. Jesus' parable found in Matthew 20:1-14 confirms this understanding. Also see this article.

Nisan 7 (Friday, March 27, 33 AD) -
- John 12:1-11: "six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany" = Friday, March 27, Nisan 7
          - when spoken generically, "Passover" often includes the entirety of the Passover festival, beginning with the Passover's Preparation Day
          - the only Preparation Day identified or observed by Jesus and His disciples, took place on Nisan 13 and led to the Lord's Supper at the start of Nisan 14
          - on Nisan 7, Martha prepared a huge birthday party and Jesus travelled 15 miles (Ephraim to Bethany), both of which were unlawful on Sabbath, the next day

Nisan 8 (Saturday, March 28) -
- Jn12:12-19: "On the next day" = Saturday, March 28, Nisan 8; Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey; honored with palm branches and jubilation
        - believing this to occur on "Palm Sunday" causes both Jesus and Martha to have broken the Law of Moses on the previous day; they would not have done this
- Jn12:20-50: Jesus teaches

Nisan 13 (Thursday, April 2) -
- Matthew 26:1-2: two days before the Passover when Jesus would be crucified [the Temple Passover, Nisan 15] = Thursday, April 2, Nisan 13
       - Mt26:3-16: the recounting of previous events leading up to Passover, including . . .
       - the Pharisees plot to arrest and kill Jesus prior to the Temple's Passover Festival = on either Thursday, April 2, Nisan 13, or on Friday, April 3, Nisan 14
- Mt26:17-19: on the first day of unleavened bread, at a private home [the People's Passover] , the disciples Prepared Passover = Thursday, April 2, Nisan 13

Nisan 14 (Thursday, April 2) -
- Mt26:20-25: when evening came = Thursday evening, the start of Nisan 14 with the People's Passover Seder meal; Judas is identified as the betrayer
- John 13:1-20: "before the Feast of the Passover" Jesus performs the Lord's Supper; Feast of the Passover specifically identifies the Temple Passover
       - but Jesus and His disciples were clearly eating the Passover now (Mt 26:17-21), and so this can only be the one-day-earlier Peoples' Passover
- Jn13:21-30: Judas is identified as the betrayer; Jesus sends Judas away, telling him:
          27b "What you are doing, do it quickly." 28 Now none of those reclining at the table knew for what purpose He had said this to him. 29 For some were
          assuming, since Judas kept the money box, that Jesus was saying to him, "Buy the things we need for the feast"....
       - clearly all were aware that, even though they were now eating the People's Passover, the Temple Passover (with its Feast) was still to come
- Jn13:31-38: Jesus instructs His disciples; predicts Peter's denial of Him
- John 14: more instruction; future events; His Oneness (Deity) with the Father; promises that a Helper - the Holy Spirit - will be given to them; they depart
- John 15 - 16: more instruction; His new commandment - to Love; the near future; the Holy Spirit; empowerment of the disciples; He will return
- John 17: Jesus prays for His disciples and all future believers
- Mt26:26-29: Jesus transforms the Passover Seder meal into the Lord's Supper; predicts the 11 disciples will deny Him; they sing a hymn and depart for . . .
- Mt26:30-56 / John 18:1-12: the Mount of Olives and Garden of Gethsemane - Jesus prays; disciples sleep; Judas betrays; disciples flee; Jesus is arrested

Nisan 14 (Friday, April 3) -
- Mt26:57-73 / Jn18:13-26: Jesus is interrogated by Annas and then Caiaphas, the High Priests; beaten by the Pharisees; outside Peter denys the Lord three times
- Mt26:74-75 / Jn18:27: heralding the dawn, the rooster crows; Peter weeps bitterly
- Matthew 27:1-10 / Jn18:28: morning had come = Friday morning, April 3; Jesus sent to Governor Pilate; Judas is mortified; Temple Seder Meal still to come
- Luke 23:6-12: Pilate sends Jesus to Herod who interrogates and mocks Him while Jesus stays silent; Herod returns Jesus to Pilate
- Mt27:11-26 / Jn18:29-39: Pilate interrogates Jesus who is silent before His accusers; Pilate offers to free Him; crowd demands Barabbas freed & Jesus crucified
- Mt27:27-32 / John 19:1-16: Pilate has his soldiers take Jesus and mercilessly flog, torture and mock Him; they leave for Golgotha for the crucifixion
       - "Now it was the day of preparation for the Passover; it was about the sixth hour [noon] ." (Jn 19:14); again . . .
       - Jesus was crucified after He ate the Passover with His disciples, yet this is the preparation day - the day before the Passover
       - the only way this is possible is because there were two Passover celebrations - the People's Passover and the Temple's Passover
- Mark 15:25: "Now it was the third hour [9 am] when they crucified Him."; Mark has included the morning's flogging and torture here; the other Gospels don't
- Mt27:33-45 / Jn19:17-27: Jesus is crucified, abused, mocked; from the 6th hour [noon] to the 9th hour [3 pm] there is darkness; Jesus entrusts His mother to John
- Lk23:44-45: "It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the entire land until the ninth hour, because the sun stopped shining...."
- Mt27:46-49: about the 9th hour [3 pm] Jesus cries out to His Father "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"
- Mk15:33-37: all four gospels concur on the time of the darkness and the time of Jesus' death
- Mt27:50 / Jn19:28-30: Jesus cries out again, "It is finished [completed; accomplished]." (John 19:30 - EXB (CJB, MOUNCE)); giving up His spirit, Jesus dies
- Mt27:51-54: the temple veil is ripped in two; there is a great earthquake; Roman soldiers believe; later with His resurrection many tombs open and saints appear
- Mt27:55-61: because it is the preparation day, Jesus' body is quickly taken to the nearby unused tomb of a rich follower of Jesus, Joseph from Arimathea
       - Mk15:42: "since it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath" (Mark 15:42) = late Friday afternoon
            - a generic reference to the Sabbath like this, indicates the more commonplace weekly Sabbath was foremost in the writer's mind
       - Lk23:54-56: "It was a preparation day, and a Sabbath was about to begin. ... And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment."
            - the very non-specific a Sabbath, again indicates the weekly Sabbath; clear reference is made to the weekly Sabbath of the Ten Commandments
       - Jn19:31-42: "since it was the day of preparation, to prevent the bodies from remaining on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day)"
            - according to many, John's reference to this Sabbath as a high day indicates the conjunction of a yearly Sabbath with a weekly Sabbath
            - after Jesus' body is placed in the tomb John reiterates, "because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there."
- On this day and by His sinless life and death, Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant moed (God's appointed time) of the spotless sacrificial Passover Lamb:
       - John 1:29: "(John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
       - 1 Peter 1:18-19: "... redeemed with ... precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ." - Jesus Our Redeemer

Nisan 15 (Saturday, April 4) -
- Mt27:62-66: "Now on the next day, that is, the day which is after the preparation" = Saturday (Sabbath), April 4; Pharisees seal and guard Jesus' tomb

Nisan 16 (Sunday, April 5) -
- Matthew 28:1-7: "Now after the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week" = Sunday at dawn; women go to the tomb; Jesus had resurrected
       - there was originally no chapter break between Matthew 27 and 28 and clearly, the Sabbath that occurred the day after Jesus' death was a Saturday
- Mark 16:1-12: "When the Sabbath was over [at sunset on Saturday] (certain women) bought spices so that they might come and anoint Him. And very early
       on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. ... He has risen.... He had risen early on the first day of the week...."
       - here there is again no room for doubt that this just-ended Sabbath had been a Saturday
- Luke 24:1: there were also originally no chapter breaks in Luke's writing; Luke 23:56b through Luke 24:1 reads:
       - "And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb bringing the
         spices which they had prepared."; it could hardly be stated more clearly that Jesus died on a Friday, was in the tomb Saturday and rose on Sunday
- John 20:1-18: "Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, while it was still dark, and saw the stone already removed from the tomb."
- Jn20:19-25: "Now when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week" = Sunday, near the end of Nisan 16; Jesus visits the disciples, Thomas is absent
- On this day and by His resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant moed (God's appointed time) of the First Fruits Offering:
       - 1 Corinthians 15:20: "But the fact is, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep." - Jesus Our First Fruits Offering

Nisan 23 (Sunday, April 12) -
- Jn20:26-29: "Eight days later" (Hebrew inclusive counting) = Sunday, April12; "His disciples were again inside, and Thomas was with them."

The Risen Lord remains with His followers for many days -
- Jn20:30-31: "many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples"
- John 21:1-25: "After these things Jesus revealed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias" ; "there are also many other things which Jesus did"
       - the Gospels don't tell us how long Jesus remained on the Earth after His resurrection, but Luke's The Acts of the Apostles will give us that information

Iyar 26 (Thursday, May 14) -
- Acts 1:3: "To (His various followers) He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of
       forty days and speaking of things regarding the kingdom of God."
       - the first day that Jesus was alive after His suffering was His resurrection day, Sunday, April 5, Nisan 16; the 40th day was Thursday, May 14, Iyar 26

Sivan 6 (Sunday, May 24) -
- Acts 2:1-3: "When the day of Pentecost had come ... suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they
       were sitting. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out."
       - the date of Pentecost is confirmed three ways, all affirming Sunday, May 24, Sivan 6:
            - Pentecost was 50 days after this year's celebration of First Fruits on Sunday, April 5, Nisan 16;
            - Pentecost also comes 50 days after Jesus' resurrection as the First Fruits offering; and
            - because Jesus ascended 40 days after His resurrection, Pentecost comes 10 days after Jesus' ascension

Corresponding Patterns In the Heavens

   Due to its retrograde orbit timed impeccably during this period, Jupiter was allied with the Constellation Gemini (either on direct approach, in actual contact with one of the Gemini Twins, or located directly between the twins) from well before the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, and ending at the very events which sealed the world into Jesus' New Covenant and created His Church. This glorious exhibition in the heavens presents the history of God's dealings with mankind from Creation, to the establishing of Israel as His First Covenant People, then the Church as His New Covenant People, as well as the assurrance that God has not forgotten Israel who will return to Him in the End Time and even accept Jesus as their Messiah.
   With the display continuing from Sunday, May 25, Iyar 26, 32 AD, The Day of Pentecost, until Sunday, May 24, Sivan 6, 33 AD, The Day of Pentecost, it endures for an astonishing 365 days, one exact year which Jupiter spent in collaboration with Gemini, at this, the most crucial time of God's interaction with mankind since the Creation:

- 17 Days from May 25, 32 AD to June 10, 32 AD, Jupiter leaves Taurus and approaches Gemini; contact is made at the extended foot of Gemini's first twin
       - from the Creation until Abraham, God had no chosen people; the promise of both Israel and the Church was then given when God made contact with Abraham
- 50 Days from June 10, 32 AD to July 30, 32 AD - Jupiter is in contact with Gemini Twin #1 (headed by the star Alpha Gemini), representing Israel
       - Israel was God's first chosen people, beginning with Abraham, his son Isaac, and Isaac's son Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel
- 43 Days from July 30, 32 AD to Sept 11, 32 AD - Jupiter moves away from Israel, toward Gemini Twin #2 (headed by the star Beta Gemini)
       - after Israel's continuous refusal to live in obedience to God, He moved away from them as He had warned them He would
- 56 Days from Sept 11, 32 AD to Nov 6, 32 AD - Jupiter is in contact with Gemini Twin #2, representing the Church
       - the Church was chosen when Jesus commanded His disciples to preach the Gospel to all the world, and sent them His Helper 50 Days after He resurrected
- 47 Days from Nov 6, 32 AD to Dec 23, 32 AD - Jupiter moves back toward the Israel Twin
       - as God has promised, He will never reject Israel and will keep calling Israel back to Himself
- 93 Days from Dec 23, 32 AD to March 26, 33 AD - Jupiter is in contact with the Israel Twin
       - Israel will come back to God, and before the end of the age many in Israel will recognize Jesus as their Messiah
- 36 Days from March 26, 33 AD to May 1, 33 AD - Jupiter again moves forward toward the Church Twin
     - April 3, 33 AD - Jupiter is located exactly between Gemini Alpha and Gemini Beta today and throughout the following days
          - April 3, 33 AD - Crucifixion - Jesus sacrificed His perfect life in order to provide both Israel and the Church a Way to receive God's Mercy
               - Jupiter's positioning reflects the fact that Jesus loves and came to provide salvation for all the world - both Israel and the Church
               - Cartes du Ciel tells us that on this day: Jerusalem's moonset = 05:37 and sunrise = 05:48; moonrise = 18:18 and sunset = 18:19
                    - literally to the minute, this day's Full Moon hid herself all day on the day of Jesus' crucifixion, unable to look upon - or shine upon - such a horror
                    - additionally, the Moon couldn't bear the full light of the Sun, and was eclipsed within the shadow of the earth through part of the day
               - all four Gospels confirm that, in similar fashion, the Sun refused to shine on this abhorent scene until it had ended, when Jesus died at three pm
- 23 Days from May 1, 33 AD to May 24, 33 AD - Jupiter is in contact with the Church Twin
     - May 14, 33 AD - Jupiter begins its exit from Gemini, after which it will not return again for 11 (Judgment) years, on May 24, 44 AD, again The Day of Pentecost
          - May 14, 33 AD - Jesus' Ascension - Jesus leaves His Church in the hands of His disciples, not to return again for 2000 years, this time in Judgment
               - this very day (40 days after Jesus' resurrection) Jesus left the Earth, leaving the disciples to build His Church, having promised them the Holy Spirit Helper
     - May 14, 33 AD to May 24, 33 AD - as Jupiter is readying to leave Gemini, Mercury quickly approaches Jupiter
     - May 24, 33 AD - the swift Mercury briefly conjuncts Jupiter (9 am to 6 pm) at the outer bounds of Gemini, as the trio becomes directly aligned with Jerusalem
       - the conjunction maximizes at 1:33 pm with Gemini precisely over Jerusalem, and with Mercury connecting Jupiter to the Church Twin
          - May 24, 33 AD - Pentecost - 365 DAYS - Jesus appoints the Holy Spirit to be His Messenger, connecting Jesus with His Church on Earth
            - at the third hour (Acts 2:15; 9 am) this very day, the Holy Spirit rushed into the Jerusalem house where the disciples awaited Him - "suddenly a noise like
              a violent rushing wind came from heaven" - filling both the house and the people in it with God's Power, thus beginning the Gospel mission to all the world
_______________

     - May 25, 33 AD - virtually identically, Mercury repeats its conjunction with Jupiter of the previous day
          - May 25, 33 AD - Pentecost + 1 - reaffirmation - a second day (plus many more to follow) with the Holy Spirit's awesome outpouring (Acts 2:43-47)
     - Jupiter now moves out of Gemini, making its way to and conjuncting with the Sun for 8 days
          - The 8 days of Jupiter's conjunction with the Sun represent God's Perfect-7 of Completion plus a Perfect-New-Beginning 8th Day
            - after gifting His disciples with the Holy Spirit and leaving His Church in their hands, Jesus' Work of Salvation was Perfect, Complete, and is presented to us
              as the New Beginning given to us under His New Covenant
            - upon completion of this astonishing accomplishment Jesus joined His Father in heaven, where He remains until it is Time For His Return