The Star of Bethlehem

Revelation 12 stands apart from the rest of the book due to its distinct language and themes. Linguistic analysis identifies "semitisms," indicating that it may have originated from an earlier Aramaic or Hebrew text. This chapter focuses on a cosmic struggle mirrored on Earth, serving as a pivotal transition in the narrative of Revelation.

What the Magi Observed in the Heavens

The Magi, expert celestial observers, witnessed a series of significant astronomical events that they interpreted through their secret manual, Enuma Anu Enlil. These observations included three key events:

• The Woman Signaling Difficult Births: In the autumn of 3 BC, the Magi observed the constellation Virgo "clothed with the sun," with the moon at her feet. Venus, dimmed by its proximity to the Sun, was also present, symbolizing challenging births. This alignment corresponded to Babylonian interpretations of transformation and turmoil, echoed in Revelation 12’s imagery of a woman in labor.
• The Dragon in the Heavens: In 2 BC, Mercury traversed Hydra, the dragon constellation. This movement "crowned" the dragon, turning it red as Mercury passed—a sign interpreted as the dragon’s fall. The end of August meteor showers coincided with the disappearance of the dragon’s "tail," aligning with Babylonian omens predicting chaos and the downfall of a ruler.
• The Woman Leaving Her Secret Place: Through calculations, the Magi anticipated Venus leaving its "secret place" in Scorpio. This event symbolized the reconciliation of the gods with Amurru and the rise of a victorious new king, a moment of resolution in the celestial narrative.

To the Magi, these celestial signs foretold the arrival of a new King of Amurru—a liberator. Interpreting this as divine will for change, they embarked on a journey westward to seek the earthly manifestation of these signs.

Revelation 12 and the Magi’s Observations

The celestial events observed by the Magi bear striking parallels to the imagery in Revelation 12:

• The woman clothed with the sun and the dragon with seven heads correspond to the alignments of Virgo, Venus, and Hydra.
• The calculated event of Venus leaving her secret place aligns with the third implicit sign in Revelation 12.

This theory builds on Ernest L. Martin’s work in The Star That Astonished the World, which predated the modern compilation and translation of Enuma Anu Enlil. As a closely guarded text, Enuma Anu Enlil was accessible only to the Magi, allowing them to uniquely interpret these celestial events. This exclusivity explains the alignment of Revelation 12’s narrative with the Magi’s perspective.

The Link Between the Magi and the Beast, 666

Revelation 12 transitions seamlessly into Revelation 13, where the dragon grants authority to the Beast, whose number is 666. This connects to historical events involving Emperor Nero and his interactions with Parthia, Babylon’s ruling power at the time:

• Nero's name calculates to 666 in Greek, linking him to the Beast symbolically and numerically.
• As part of a peace agreement, the Parthian King ceded Armenia to Nero on the condition that he appoint a Parthian prince as King of Armenia. This figure, described as a "little beast" speaking with the dragon’s tongue, reflects this historical compromise.

The Magi’s perspective connects the dragon (Babylon) and the Beast to the historical struggles between Rome, Parthia, and the Amurru region (modern-day Syria and Israel). These connections highlight the Magi’s role in interpreting celestial signs as indicators of geopolitical power shifts.

The Message of Revelation Decoded

The Magi’s observations underscore a central theme in Revelation: the relationship between celestial events and earthly consequences. Revelation 4-11 emphasizes this interplay:

• Revelation 4-5: Depicts the divine orchestration of time and the necessity for change.
• Revelation 6-11: Chronicles celestial events and their earthly impacts, culminating in the Last Judgment in Revelation 11.

Revelation 12 introduces a pivotal transformation. The cosmic struggle depicted in the heavens shifts to an earthly plane as the dragon targets the woman’s offspring. This narrative bridges the celestial and terrestrial realms, emphasizing how divine will operates across both domains. The parallels between Revelation 12 and the Magi’s observations reflect a unique intersection of ancient celestial interpretation and theological storytelling.