Joseph Herrin (12-16-2011)
Suicide Comet
(Lovejoy pictured against the backdrop of the Sun)
An amazing sign in the heavens was observed early this morning. A comet discovered as recently as December 2nd, was observed by NASA’s SOHO satellite observatory passing within 140,000 kilometers of the surface of the Sun. The heat at this distance is so intense that it was fully anticipated that the comet would burn up and disappear in this death plunge toward the Sun. NASA scientists were astonished to find that LoveJoy survived, and can now be observed emerging from its close brush with this heavenly inferno.
That this event contains a profound parable is unmistakable. I am in awe of the manner in which Yahweh orders all things to bring forth such potent testimonies written where all who have eyes to see might discern His voice. Comets are given the names of their discoverers, and the Father wanted this astral body to serve as a sign and testimony. Consider the likelihood of someone in Australia with the last name of Lovejoy being the discoverer of this comet.
The website www.spaceweather.com has posted the following information on this event.
COMET LOVEJOY SURVIVES:
Incredibly, sungrazing Comet Lovejoy appears to have survived its close encounter with the sun. Lovejoy flew only 140,000 km over the stellar surface during the early hours of Dec. 16th. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory caught the comet emerging from perihelion (closest approach).
Comet Lovejoy began the week as a chunk of dusty, rocky ice some 200 meters in diameter. No one can say how much of the comet's core remains intact or how long it will hang together after the searing heat of perihelion. Another movie from SDO hints at the rough treatment this comet has endured.
New images from the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory confirm that Comet Lovejoy survived perihelion and is now receding from the sun:
Curiously, the comet seems to have lost its tail in transit through the sun's atmosphere. A decapitated remnant tail can still be seen tracing Comet Lovejoy's path into the sun, but the exiting comet has no obvious trail of dust behind it. Stay tuned for more discussion of this point.
Discovered on Dec. 2nd by amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy of Australia, the comet is an unusually large member of the Kreutz family. Kreutz sungrazers are fragments of a single giant comet (probably the Great Comet of 1106) that broke apart back in the 12th century. SOHO sees one plunging into the sun every few days, but most are small, no more than 10 meters wide. Comet Lovejoy is at least ten times larger than usual.
[End article]
What is represented by this heavenly sign? I see in it a testimony of those saints who are accepting Christ’s invitation in this hour to take up their cross and follow Him. Christ said:
Luke 12:49-50
“I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!”
This fire that Yahshua spoke of is that purifying process that all the sons of God must experience. Christ was the forerunner. He was baptized with fire, even the sufferings of the cross. He has invited those who would be His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him.
I Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
Christ said He came to cast fire upon the earth. Man’s flesh was formed of the dust of the earth. It is man’s flesh that must be consumed, but this fire will not result in the end and dissolution of man. Rather, it will give rise to glorified sons. We must pass through many fiery trials to be purged, purified and refined. The result will be the emergence of sons and daughters that are holy, bearing the image of the divine.
Numerous websites had been tracking this comet since its discovery. They had been describing Comet Lovejoy as the “Suicide Comet” as it was heading for a brush with the fire of the Sun that all anticipated would result in its demise. In the same way, Christ has invited all those who would follow Him to “come and die.” The invitation of Christ is to embrace the cross, an instrument of death. Those who follow Christ are called in the Greek “martus.” This is often translated as “witnesses,” but the more accurate meaning is martyrs, those who lay down their lives.
Acts 1:8
“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses (martus, martyrs) both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth."
It is said of Christ that for the JOY set before Him He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). It was His LOVE of the Father that held Him to the fiery course appointed to Him. We too will follow Christ because we love Him, and for the joy set before us. If we will surrender our lives to follow Christ through fiery trials, we too will rejoice with great exultation when His glory is revealed in us.
The article on the Space Weather website states:
Comet Lovejoy began the week as a chunk of dusty, rocky ice some 200 meters in diameter.
We too begin our journey with Christ being very earthy. Yet, if we will stay the course we will find the dross of this flesh being consumed, and a purified heavenly being will be left in its place.
I Corinthians 15:47-49
The first man is from the earth, earthy ; the second man is from heaven. As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly. And just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
This same article goes on to say:
Another movie from SDO hints at the rough treatment this comet has endured.
The disciples of Christ are told to anticipate rough treatment as they follow Christ. The world, and worldly Christians, cannot love the disciples of Christ. They will array themselves against the saints as adversaries.
John 15:20
“Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...”
Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
It is our love for God and Christ that will lead us to embrace the cross. Yet there is also joy in knowing that Christ will bestow great reward upon those who follow Him down an afflicted path.
Revelation 22:12
“Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”
An unbelieving world will watch in astonishment as they see these glorified sons coming forth from the presence of the Son of God. They will say, “Did not these ones get cast into the fiery furnace? How is it that they survived?” The answer is found in the One who walks with them. He has promised:
Isaiah 43:2-3
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. For I am Yahweh your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
Comet Lovejoy’s Fiery Path
What an amazing testimony the Father has set in the heavens for the encouragement of His saints. Perhaps you are sensing the Spirit of Christ to be indicating that a fiery experience lies ahead of you. Following the course Christ has appointed to you may look like certain death in your job, your relationships, your reputation, or some other realm of life. It will require a martyr’s commitment to take up your cross and follow Christ.
Perhaps you are already experiencing the burning of those fiery trials appointed to you. Remain firm in love and joy. There is great hope and promise in this heavenly sign. You will survive.
Observe the marvelous testimony in the following details of this celestial event. The article above contains the following words:
A decapitated remnant tail can still be seen tracing Comet Lovejoy's path into the sun, but the exiting comet has no obvious trail of dust behind it.
It is a remnant that will follow Christ down the afflicted path. Many are called, but few are chosen. There is an afflicted path that leads to life, and few are those who find it. To take Christ as Head, a man must remove his own head. He must be decapitated.
Revelation 20:4
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Yahshua and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image...
John is writing using symbolic speech. Those who are beheaded have died to their own self-rule. They have removed themselves as head that they might take Christ as Head.
I Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man...
Only those who remove themselves as head will submit to take the death plunge into those fiery trials that the sons of God must pass through. Lovejoy was entering its most painful and fiery trials on the 15th of December. The number 15 is 5+5+5 and denotes a fulness of grace. God will not be stinting in offering every encouragement and assistance to His sons and daughters who yield their lives to follow in the steps of Christ. He will be with them all the way saying, “You are doing good. Don’t stop now.” The apostle Paul gives similar encouragement in stating that these are but momentary and light afflictions, not worth comparing to the glory to be revealed in you.
It is the judgment and wisdom of God that everything that can pass through the fire must do so.
Numbers 31:21-23
"This is the statute of the law which Yahweh has commanded Moses: The gold and the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin and the lead, everything that can stand the fire, you shall pass through the fire, and it shall be clean...”
You may see yourself through natural eyes and conclude that you cannot possibly survive that path Christ is urging you to take. Be encouraged. The truth is written in the heavens. Lovejoy will survive to the astonishment of many.
May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.
Update: Viewing another article on this comet, I found the following statements:
It made its closest solar approach on Thursday, Dec. 15, at about 7 p.m. EST -- when it was only 87,000 miles from the churning solar "surface" of the sun, called the photosphere.
At these hellish depths of the solar atmosphere, the comet endured the extreme coronal environment where temperatures can soar to millions of degrees. [http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/12/16/lovejoy-lives-comet-survives-solar-encounter/#ixzz1giDqLl5w]
Two things stood out to me immediately. The number 87,000 is significant. Bullinger has an entry on the significance of the numbers 8 and 7 appearing together.
http://philologos.org/__eb-nis/eight.htm
Bullinger states:
we must note the remarkable connection between seven and eight when used together.
Seven means, as we have seen, according to its etymology, that which is spiritually complete or satisfying; while eight denotes that which is superabundant or satiating.
Additionally, this article mentions Comet Lovejoy passing through "the extreme coronal environment." Coronal refers to the crown. There is an extreme environment all sons of God must pass through if they are to attain the crown God has prepared for those who overcome.
Revelation 2:10-11
"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."
Note: Speaking of Christ coming to KINDLE a fire on the earth, I have the following news to share about the book revision work on which I have been laboring.
There are now ten books available in Kindle format on Amazon's website. I have a few books yet to post. However, the remaining ones all need to be revised before posting. Among those writings posted you will find one that has not previously been offered in book form. This is the E-book titled The Gate and the Way.
This book was recently posted as a series that was titled The Way to Life. Its focus is upon the cost of discipleship, shedding light on the truth that Christianity is much more than confessing a set of beliefs and doctrines. To be a disciple of Christ one must accept Christ's invitation to "Come, take up YOUR cross, and follow Me."
You will find this book, and nine more at the following link.
Joseph Herrin's Kindle Books
As a reminder, you do not have to own a Kindle device to read these books. The free Kindle E-reader that runs on a computer, smart phone, or tablet can be downloaded at the following links:
Kindle Reader for PC
Kindle Reader for iPhone
Kindle Reader for Mac
Kindle Reader for Android Phone
Additionally, for those who do not have the dollar required by Amazon to download these books, you can write to me and I will be glad to send you the books you request at no charge in PDF or Kindle format (please specify). The books currently available are:
- God's Plan of the Ages
- The Gate and the Way
- Overcoming Addiction by the Spirit of Christ
- Laying Down the Law
- Christ in You - The Hope of Glory
- The Mark of the Beast
- Sabbath
- The Marriage Covenant
- The Remnant Bride
- Evidence of Things Unseen
Joseph Herrin
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
7 comments:
Brother Joseph,
Thank you, as always for this post.
Like you I do see meaning in this; but, perhaps, for a different reasons.
Given our conversation this week about joy while on the afflicted path, this comet also illustrates that Love and Joy are needed to go through the furnace and survive the process.
Joseph, you may feel that my view on this may make me "un sober" but I, like you, have no reason to be joyful as some consider joyful conditions. In fact circumstances are quite dire in this world and I need to provide for a family, and so I hold on to joy and love as my core condition as I seek to find His Grace and His path for me and dive out the sin in my life.
No doubt, if I did not have Love and Joy, I am sure I would not survive the afflicted, firey path.
YBIC,
DR
Brother Randall,
I don't think your view makes you "un sober." For the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross. I am sure that externally Christ was quite sober at that time. From the Gospel descriptions of Christ's life leading up and continuing through the crucifixion, things were very sober. Yet there was a joy of greater things beyond the suffering that held Him to the course.
May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days.
The meaning of this comet seems obvious to me. something somewhere is toying with our rationality. LET GO AND BELIEVE.
Dear Brother Joseph,
I'd like to add something to this truly amazing event and the parable behind it.
The comet "lovejoy" is a member of the Kreutz-Family.
I found this even more incredible, the name Kreutz is a German spelling variation of "Kreuz" and Kreuz is the German word for "Cross"
Blessings,
Joe
I found the last sentence to be thought provoking.
"The comet may well be too faint to see, experts say."
Perhaps the bride of Christ is going to be too faint to see with human eyes (especially looking towards the sun which can damage ones eyes). She may even be missed...
Deirdre
How interesting is THAT! Thanks Joseph.
After reading Joe's comment I looked up Kreutz and found this.
"The German surname of KREUTZ was a name given to a pilgrim, for someone who lived near a stone cross set up by the roadside or in a market-place. The name was originally rendered in medieval documents in the Latin form CRUCIS. In a few cases the surname may have been given originally to someone who lived by the crossroads, but this sense of the word seems to have been a late development. In other cases the surname may have denoted one who carried the cross in processions of the Christian Church." http://www.4crests.com/kreutz-coat-of-arms.html
It is also remarkable that just before its plunge into and through the sun (leaving its dust tail literally 'wiggling' behind, like a serpent, that Comet Lovejoy took on the unmistakeable form of a cross (I inserted a few close-up pictures into a recent post). Further, I find it amazing that the only place in scripture where the words 'love' and 'joy' occur adjacent to one another is also the place where they occur in that order, and that is, Galatians 5:22, in which Paul describes the first two aspects of the singular "fruit of the Spirit". May all those with eyes see what our marvelous Christ is speaking in this hour!!
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