<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Untitled Document ASTROLOGY AND THE HOROSCOPE

In the ancient Greek language the word astrology was in the form of two words, aster (star), and logos (word). It came to mean "speech of the stars." Webster defines astrology as "divination by means of the stars." Combined with the horoscope (horo, hour and skopeo, to view), these became schemes to view stars for the telling of one's fortune. It was associated with wizards, mediums and magicians. Moses (1450 BC) warned of these things in Lev. 19:26,31 and 20:6,27). Isaiah (750 BC) gave warning of the Babylonian idolatrous practices of astrology. He wrote, "...let now the astrologers, the stargazers, and the monthly prognosticators stand up and save you from these things that shall come upon you. Behold they shall be as stubble, the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame..." (Isa. 47:13,14). Note some of the evils and falsehoods of astrology:

Astrology Claims The Ability To Foretell The Future: -- It professes to predict from the stars the fate of nations, election results, also wars, earthquakes and other world calamities. Personal economics, daily activities, and even one's love life can be determined by the stars. Any question can be answered by simply charting the position of the planets and stars (horoscope). Individual character and/or personality, according to this falsehood, is determined by one's birth date. It is the height of folly to believe these lies.

Astrology Has The Capacity To Enslave: -- As with other aspect of the occult, astrology has a captivating aura about it. People are intrigued and drawn to it to the point they can become "hooked" on it. Many in high society throughout the world, in politics, the entertainment industry, and other areas of life, do not function in daily activity until they have consulted "their stars" -- their horoscope.

Astrology Denies Jesus As "The Way, The Truth, And The Life" (Jno. 14:6). It substitutes in place of Jesus, the sun, moon, planets and other heavenly bodies as the answr to sin, to life's problems, and to future concerns.

Astrology Supports A Host Of Fakes, Frauds, And Charlatains: -- It is no different than placing one's trust in the crystal-ball, tea-leaves, tarot cards, voo-doo, rabbit's foot, etc.

Astrology Is Rank Idolatry: -- According to God, all this is false, it is a form of rank idolatry. The Bible associates it with sorcery and other superstitions such as necromancy (black magic, communication with the dead/seances, etc.) and palmistry. The beloved disciple wrote: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols" 1 Jno. 5:21.

The whole system of astrology is a con to get your money; it is a lie, a fantasy. Christians are not to believe in it or get involved with it. The counsel of this falsehood only serves to confuse the minds of people from the true source of truth, which is God, through His Son Jesus Christ. The Bible is the only source of spiritual truth. The New Testament is the "power of God to salvation, for therein is the righteousness of God revealed" Rom. 1:16,17. God's Word is the only complete, sufficient, and perfect source of truth, for the present and future life! Jesus is ours and the world's only Savior!

By Lalo Enriquez in Bulletin Briefs, Vol. 7, No. 10, Oct. 2004.

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