THE BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION OF THE

SIGN OF THAUMIM (GEMINI), “The United”

The gospel preached to the Gentiles - Jews and Gentiles united together to form one new man.

“But now in Christ Jesus ye (Gentiles) who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” (Eph. 2:13)

Thaumim is represented by the 15th letter of

the Hebrew alphabet and has a value of 60

Samech

Modern

Hebrew

60

Paleo

Hebrew

The Hebrew letter Samech means “to support, to prop, aid, assist, lean upon, equality, circle, wedding band.” Can also imply to embrace, or hug someone. The meaning of the letter Samech corresponds perfectly with the meaning of the Hebrew name for Gemini which is Thaumim, meaning “to be coupled together, united.” The number 60 relates to the age Isaac was when the twins Esau and Jacob were born unto him through Rebecca. (Gen. 25:26)

Gemini, “the Twins” follows after the sign of Taurus, “the Ox” where we saw symbolized the preaching of the gospel exclusively to the Jews. In the New Testament those who were laboring in word and doctrine were likened to “oxen” ploughing the field and sowing the good seed. (See 1 Cor. 9:9; 1 Tim. 5:18) As we come to the sign of Gemini a shift takes place from the exclusive preaching of the gospel to the Jews to the inclusion of the Gentiles.

The Gemini Twins are referred to in the book of Acts where Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, sets sail under the Sign of Castor and Pollux on his final journey to Rome. He boards a ship from Alexandria, “whose sign(or figure head) was Castor and Pollux.” (Acts 28:11).

I find it significant that the Holy Spirit chose to inspire the writer of the book of Acts to include the sign of Gemini that was on the bow of the ship taking the Apostle Paul to Rome where he would be preaching the gospel to the Gentiles. (See Acts 28:28).

Another interesting observation is that throughout Paul’s journey to Rome there is a recurrence of the number “three”. Seven times this number is mentioned. The reason why I find this significant is because the sign of Gemini corresponds to the “third” month of the Hebrew year, Sivan. Thus the number three may be an indication linking the sign of Gemini to this story involving the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles.

1. There were three ships that took Paul to Rome, the third of which had the sign (or figurehead) of the Gemini Twins. (See Acts 27:2,6,11).

2. It was on the third day that the other prisoners on the ship with Paul lost all hope of being saved because of extreme weather conditions. (Acts 27:19,20)

3. After the ship was broken up and cast ashore the passengers courteously received lodging for three days. (Acts 28:7)

4. It was after three months that Paul and the other prisoners set sail again on a ship whose sign was Castor and Pollux. (Acts 28:11)

5. After landing at Syracuse, the passengers tarried there three days. (Acts 28:12)

6. “When the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.” (Acts 28:15)

7. “And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of the Jews together…” (Acts 28:17)

The first occurrence of the number three in the Bible is from the third day of creation in Genesis 1 in which the dry land appeared up out of the water, and vegetation sprung up out of the earth. (See Gen. 1:9-12). It was on the third day that Christ rose from the grave. Thus the number relates to being “raised up.” In like manner, the Gentiles were dead in their sins until they were raised up to new life by the blood of Christ. They were as the Scriptures state:

“…without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” (Eph. 2:12-14)

And again,

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 2:4-7)

This is forever immortalized in the heavens in the sign of Gemini, Jews and Gentiles sitting together amongst the stars “in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

THE FIRST “TWINS” MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE

Let’s briefly turn our attention now to the first pair of “twins” mentioned in the Bible, Jacob and Esau. The differences between these two brothers will serve as a prototype for what we see concerning the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles in the New Testament.

“And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord. And the Lord said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob.” (Gen. 25:21-28)

I’ve underlined the key points to focus on. First, notice there is a “struggle” between the two. Second, they’re described as “two manner of people”, and third they are to be “separated” one from the other.

Here is a clear description not only of Jacob and Esau, but of the relationship that exists between those who serve God and those who serve themselves. Between Jew (who is one inwardly) and Gentile. One pious, the other worldly.

The two struggle one against the other, and are described as “two manner or people” which are “separated” one from the other. The Apostle Paul makes this distinction very clear in his second epistle to the Corinthians:

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?…Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” (2 Cor. 6:14,17)

Studying these Twins a bit further we see that Jacob and Esau varied greatly both in character and in life, and even in appearance. Esau centered all his interest on the present moment, and enjoyed the wild freedom of the chase as a hunter. He is described as coming out “all red, like a hairy garment, a cunning hunter, and a man of the field.” Red is a persecuting color - John saw in vision a great red dragon who “makes war with the remnant of the woman’s seed, which keep the commandments of God…” See Rev. 12)

In the parable of the wheat and the tares, the “field” is declared to be “the world.” (Mt. 13:38) The book of Hebrews informs us further that Esau was a “profane” person:

“Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.” (Hebrews 12:16) The word profane is from the Greek word bébēlos, which means someone who is “heathenish, wicked, unhallowed, common, ungodly.” [G952] A perfect description of those who are of the world who will be lost.

Jacob on the other hand had a gentler disposition and was ever thinking more of the future than the present. He’s described as a “plain man dwelling in tents.” The Hebrew word for plain is tam, meaning: “complete; usually (morally) pious; specifically, gentle, dear:--coupled together, perfect, plain, undefiled, upright.” [H8535] What a beautiful description of those who worship and serve the Lord.

“Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” (Ps. 37:37)

“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.” (Ps. 119:1)

Turning back to the constellation Gemini we see how Pollux, (the Gentile believers with the club in his hand) would relate to Esau who was a hunter. The name Pollux means: “very sweet,” bringing to mind this beautiful verse: “Behold, how good and how pleasant (sweet) it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 133:1) The club in his hand from the branch of a tree is indicative of his former wild nature. The Gentile believers were referred to as “wild olive branches” grafted in with the “natural olive branches” of the Jewish believers. (See Rom. 11)

Castor, on the right, whose name means: “pious one”, (one who is devoutly religious), would relate to Jacob and his offspring. The bow and arrow in Castor’s left hand, symbolizes the Word of God. “Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word.” (Hab. 3:9). The harp in the right hand is an instrument used for the praise and worship of God. (See Ps. 71:22; 147:7; 150:3; Rev. 14:2; 15:2).

THE GEMINI CONSTELLATION

Gemini is one of the brighter zodiac constellations. The best time to observe Gemini at night is overhead during the months of January and February.

Pollux(left) and Castor(right), “The Twins”

(Polydeuces), also known as the Dioscuri in ancient times.

Though “twins”, you can see they are different in color. Pollux is a yellow/reddish star, Castor a blueish white star as can be seen below in this incredible video footage filmed by Kathleen Weckerle with a Nikon P1000 camera.

Another observation to be made is that just as the sun on the ecliptic passes through Castor on the right first and then through Pollux, so also was the gospel first preached to the Jewish people after the death of Christ and then to the Gentiles three and a half years later after the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

THE HEBREW NAME FOR GEMINI

Thaumim (תֻּמִים) is the Hebrew name given to the sign of Gemini. It means: “to be coupled together, united, twinned, to be finished, come to an end, complete, fulness, perfect(ion).”

The gematria of Thaumim is 490. It was when the 70 weeks (490 years) allotted to the Jewish people (Dan. 9:24-27) were finished, had “come to an end” and were “complete” that the gospel was preached to the Gentiles. Upon acceptance of Christ as the Son of God and Savior of the world they were “coupled together, united, and twinned” as it were with their Jewish brethren in faith. The wild olive tree being grafted in together with the natural olive tree.

Now let’s take a closer look at the words “coupled together”. In the building of tabernacle the LORD said unto Moses:

“Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them. The five curtains shall be coupled together one to another; and other five curtains shall be coupled one to another.” (Ex. 26:1,3)

The Hebrew word for “coupled together” in this verse is “chabar” which means: “to unite, bind together, be joined, be coupled, be in league, have fellowship with.” H2266

This is very near to the definition for the word Thaumim, (The Twins). Fascinating don’t you think? This is precisely what we see with the Gentiles who were coming into fellowship with the Jewish believers in the first century.

Reading further…

“And thou shalt make fifty taches of gold, and couple the curtains together with the taches: and it shall be one tabernacle.” (Ex. 26:6)

The coupling together of the two sets of curtains formed the innermost covering of the tabernacle. A beautiful representation of the Jewish and Gentile believers being coupled together to form a covering for one tabernacle. A dwelling place for God’s presence in the heart of his people, comprised of both Jews and Gentiles that Christ was to build back up again.

“After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up.” (Acts 15:16)

Not a physical temple, but a spiritual one.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1 Cor. 3:16-17)

When God first organized his people at the foot of Mt. Sinai it was comprised of both the children of Israel and a mixed multitude (i.e. Gentiles) that came up out of Egypt with them. (See Ex. 12:38) The LORD said unto Moses: “One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you.” (Exodus 12:49). There was to be no difference between the two. The mixed multitude, though not children out of the loins of Jacob, were to be grafted in and made part of the commonwealth of Israel. In the New Testament Christ is once again building back up his tabernacle just as he had organized them in the beginning.

Speaking to the Gentile converts the Apostle Paul states:

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” (Eph. 2:12-14)

Thus in the sign of Gemini we see represented two different types of people united together in Christ. Notice that both the weapons of Pollux with the club, and Castor with the bow and arrow are in repose. The animosity between these two classes is depicted as coming to an end. As the Apostle Paul so beautifully expresses:

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.” (Eph. 2:13-17)

HEBREW TRIBE ASSOCIATION

The Hebrew tribe corresponding to Gemini is Benjamin which means: “Son of the right hand” indicating one standing or sitting next to another as we see with the Gemini Twins.

We find that those of the tribe of Benjamin were skillful archers: “They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul’s brethren of Benjamin.” (1 Chr. 12:2). In the left hand of Castor we see the bow and arrow.

Interesting that both King Saul in the Old Testament and Saul of Tarsus in the New Testament were skilled bowmen from the tribe of Benjamin. (1 Sam. 9:21; Phil. 3:5) The first in the handling of a physical bow, the second of the Word of God which is likened to a bow:

“Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah” (Hab. 3:9)

The ultimate skillful Bowman was Christ himself who’s name is called “The Word of God” and is now “sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Rev. 19:13; Heb. 10:12)

Of Benjamin it was prophesied by Jacob his father:

“Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.” (Genesis 49:27)

The Savior warned his disciples:

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15).

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.” (Mt. 10:16-18)

The Apostle Paul also spoke these words of caution before his death:

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” (Acts 20:28-30)

During the “times of the Gentiles” under the sign of Gemini this is precisely what occurred during the long period of persecution in the Dark Ages when the flock of God was ravished by grievous wolves. It is estimated that approximately 100 million Christians were put to death by the Papal power in Rome. Of this persecuting power it was said: “Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God (i.e. the church), shewing himself that he is God.” (2 Thess. 2:4).

During this time many “false prophets” entered in amongst the flock of God and lead countless thousands, even millions astray with their deceptions.

SUMMARY

Thus, the sign of Gemini encompasses the period of “the times of the Gentiles” beginning from the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7, the first Christian martyr and Peter’s vision in Acts 10, and extending all the way through the long period of Papal supremacy known as the Dark Ages. Spoken of by Christ as the “great tribulation” in Mt. 24.

PROMISES

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Rom. 11:25-27)

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Heb. 8:10-12)

NEW RELEASE FROM THE MAZZAROTH STORE

(18” x 24”) or (24” x 36”) POSTER