As about 9:00 pm this week the two brightest stars in the heavens will be visible to most observers in the Northern Hemisphere.
The brightest star of them all is Sirius, whose name means “The Prince.” Sirius is part of the constellation now known as Canis Major, or the big dog, but which was known in ancient times as “the leader.” The prince of stars is a picture of Jesus the prince ruling over His Father’s kingdom. The brightest “planetary” (moving) object, the sun, also pictures Jesus the ruler, showing His preeminence through both the planets and the stars of heaven.
The second brightest star is Canopus, whose name means “the possession of Him who comes,” and it is a picture of the church as the bride of Christ. Interestingly, the second brightest planetary object is the moon, which is only bright because it reflects the light of the sun (Christ) and also represents the church. Canopus is part of the constellation Argo (the ship), which is reminiscent of Noah’s Ark and represents our salvation through Christ (see I Pet. 3:18-22).
Both Sirius and Canopus are South of the celestial equator and accordingly are not visible in northern portions of the Northern Hemisphere. Sirius is only a little south of the equator and is visible on Earth South of the Arctic Circle. Canopus, however, is much farther south and cannot be seen above 38 degrees north, about the middle of the U.S. Even there, Canopus is only visible when it reaches its highest point in the Southern sky, about 9:00 pm this week. Canopus is almost due south of Sirius, and so it is visible when Sirius reaches its highest point at about the same time.
You might say that the bride (Canopus) doesn’t come out in her beauty until the Prince (Sirius) is exalted. This reminds us that the wedding supper of the Lamb comes when Jesus has returned to take His place as King (Rev. 19:9).
See if you can find the royal couple in the sky tonight, and find someone you can invite to the wedding! {eoa}
Ron Allen is a Christian businessman, CPA and author who serves in local, national and international ministries, spreading a message of reconciliation to God, to men and between believers. He is founder of the International Star Bible Society, telling how the heavens declare the glory of God; the Emancipation Network, which helps people escape from financial bondage; and co-founder with his wife, Pat, of Corporate Prayer Resources, dedicated to helping intercessors
