The Open Scroll

What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!'
Mark 13:37

The Celestial Sign of Comet 17P/Holmes

Updated: May 3, 2008

A very dramatic sign in the heavens has recently appeared in the sky. The summary from SpaceWeather.com's Comet Holmes Photo Gallery reads: "Comet 17P/Holmes shocked astronomers on Oct. 24, 2007, with a spectacular eruption. In less than 24 hours, the 17th magnitude comet brightened by a factor of nearly a million, becoming a naked-eye object in the evening sky." The apparent size of the coma, or, extended atmosphere of the comet is growing dramatically. According to astronomers at the University of Hawaii, "It continues to expand and is now the largest single object in the solar system," exceeding the diameter of our Sun on November 9. Those who have become educated about how the sovereign Lord communicates to His people know this is more than just an occasion for the community of astronomy buffs to rhapsodize. Those who seek wisdom from above want to know what it means. We know it's a sign, but what does it signify?

Considering the facts of the present and the facts of history, I believe the message being brought forth is this: Take refuge in me, the one who will shortly set my holy people, my Bride who will be without spot or blemish, free from the chains of death by resurrection. Take refuge because the time appointed for the judgments to be executed in the earth is at hand, as the counterfeit light that is spirit of antichrist will dawn upon men in the revealing of the lawless one.

Some Background

A comet is generally thought to be a bad omen. A survey of biblical history bears this out. I've written at some length over the years about celestial signs, addressing specific comets as the Lord grants insight. If you're not already familiar with what I've written, you may want to read through the following.

• Celestial Signs and the Basis for Biblical Astronomy
• Encoded Messages Found in the Bible's Literary Structure
• Genesis 1:14-18 - An Interactive Presentation of its Thematic Structure

From these two pages, Heavenly Sign Watching: Part I and Heavenly Sign Watching: Part II, the following sections are or particular interest. Be sure not to skip over the last one!

• The Shoemaker-Levy Comet Sign
• The Orion Comet Sign
• The Noahic Flood Comet Sign
• Hale-Bopp in Argo
• Hale-Bopp/Hyakutake - X Marks the Spot!

When the primary attributes of the ominous comet 17P/Holmes such as its naming, timing and positioning are considered, we discover a testimony being brought forth from this celestial messenger that is yet another warning of impending trouble. If you haven't taken clues from the news of late streaming the signs in the earth for all to see, the season of judgment for sin has come! Echoing the words of the prophets and many a dream, vision and angelic announcement, there is to be found in this an antichrist signification and indication of the conflict between the true and false Christs. You know, it is appropriate here to mention that judgment is often viewed as a bad thing, but really it depends upon the perspective of the one being judged. Judgment is simply a reality. Whether it is something you should look forward to depends upon what is due you; whether reward or penalty and punishment. Do not be deceived. We will get what we deserve. Yes, there is mercy and there is grace, and there is also justice.

The Comet's Positioning and Timing

Perhaps the most striking feature about this celestial phenomenon is its positioning! As you can see in the image on the right, the path traced this season is in a single constellation. Holmes doesn't just simply pass through this star grouping known as Perseus, it marks it out rather dramatically by tracing an elliptical loop concisely in its midst. This loop tracing phenomenon is known as apparent retrograde motion.

The meaning of Perseus is known to us from the names of the stars in that grouping, the names of that grouping of stars and the graphical representation as it has been passed down through the years. In this constellation we find representations of both the true and false Christs, their conflict and its outcome. According to the popular resource by E.W. Bullinger called Witness of the Stars, (referencing the classic work by Francis Rolleston called The Mazzaroth) this constellation is "called in the Hebrew Peretz, from which we have the Greek form Perses, or Perseus (Rom 16:13)." You can track this word's occurrences in the Bible using a version of Strong's Exhaustive Concordance found online at the Blue Letter Bible site. The word is paratz, (H06555) a word that is sometimes spelled as Peretz and further is found as the name Perez or Pharez. This word most simply means "breaker." It sometimes references the work of HaMashiach in breaking through death, setting His captive people free to the new life in resurrection.

That this "breaking" refers to resurrection may be seen in the relationship between Perseus and the woman Andromeda. From Greek mythology, which does indeed have some basis in truth and at times can offer insight, Perseus is the breaker of her bonds, the bonds of death. The name of the constellation in Hebrew is "Sirra," the chained. In Greek, it is "Andromedia," the set free from death. Resurrection! One of the stars in this constellation is named Al Moselsalah, meaning "from the grave, Sheol, Hades." Again: Resurrection! (Reference: The Mazzaroth)

From the usage of this word translated "breaker" in Micah 2:13, you can see it is a reference to the Lord the King of Israel, Y'shua HaMashiach, in the season of their ultimate restoration in resurrection.

This word also occurs as the name of a man found in the genealogy of the Mashiach, whose birth and subsequent naming may hold some pertinent signification.

Basically, three occurrences of this Hebrew word appear in one verse; verse 29.

• paratz = What! thou hast broken forth
• peretz = on thee [is] the breach
• peretz = Pharez

Now, it is a fact this region of the sky is the very same that was marked out by the Hale-Bopp/Hyakutake sign! Those comets got the attention of many a saint as their paths came to a point of intersection exactly one year apart - near the variable beta star Algol in the constellation Perseus. (Hyakutake on April 11, 1996 and Hale-Bopp on April 11, 1997) Now, little more than 10 years later, we will have another comet sign in the same location! From the tracing in the image (near the top of this page) you can see Holmes will pass right by Algol! Although this comet's arrival at Algol on around the 23rd of January, 2008 will not be as with the other two, on April 11, its path's crossing where the other comets' paths crossed is no less provocative.

Some of you will recall that according to The Starlore Handbook, tradition identifies Algol as the most malevolent star of the heavens. This star is a variable star that cycles between a brightness of the fourth magnitude and the second every 69 hours. Bullinger observed regarding celestial representations of the true God's enemies that, "It is a most remarkable phenomenon that so many of these enemies should be characterised by variable stars!" Is it not that same feature, the variable nature, of this comet 17P/Holmes that arrested our attention, as it unexpectedly brightened a million-fold in less than the span of a single day?

I believe there is a characterization of an enemy of God in this comet just as there is in those variable stars to which Bullinger referred. There is a spirit of antichrist and there is one man who will be its champion. This enemy of God is the one I refer to most commonly as the lawless one. His baptism and anointing is going to occur very soon, as I write. This is the enemy signified by the star Algol, in Perseus, in the region of that constellation known as Rosh Satan, the head of Satan. The numbering of this lawless one is shown by many examples in When Will the Lawless One be Revealed? and The Number Thirteen to be 6 and also 13. This numbering feature finds a match in this comet! The perihelion (a body's closest approach to the Sun) date of this comet is known to be June 13, which is the 13th day of the 6th month. The perihelion is a significant attribute of a comet, and it is this feature that stamps the numbers six and thirteen definitively upon it, giving it an antichrist signification! This is not unlike the time/positioning feature where the paths of comets Hale-Bopp and Hyakutake crossed at a significantly numbered time. This crossing was on different days as accounted on the Lord's calendar, (not on the selfsame day as accounted by the solar-based Gregorian calendar) but the median date was the 13th day of the first month - the very day appointed for the revelation of the lawless one!

There is a link between Holmes and Algol that is more direct than the historical connection with the previous comets. The star Algol has a cycle as it varies in magnitude that is 69 hours in duration. The comet Holmes has an orbital cycle of 6.9 years. They share this numbering in common: As the pulse of Algol, so is the period of P17/Holmes. Yes, there are some common elements shared by these comet signs. And, it seems these celestial messengers bring forth a similar testimony!

The Comet's Name

The comet 17P/Holmes is firstly tagged with the number 17. This has come to us as a sign in what is the 17th year, as accounted from the great celestial sign marking the Lord's coming in 1991! This number far more than any other has been the subject of my attention for several years now. "Seventeen" signifies victory in resurrection. It is what I call the nested thirds number in the context of a series of weeks; three being the fundamental number for resurrection. The Bride Theft, a very significant resurrection event, may appointed for this 17th year, following shortly after the revealing of the lawless one, the 6 and 13! Although the hoped for events did not come to pass at Pesah in the spring of 2008 there were many kinds of signs seen in that season by those of us who watched. Keep watch, friend, and pray.

• The Year of His Coming: 1991 - Part II
• The Lord's Shemittah
• The Numbers Seventeen and One Hundred Fifty-Three

The name Holmes is very interesting as an attribute of this comet. Celestial bodies are often named for their discoverers, and this comet's discovery in November 1892 is attributed to an amateur English astronomer named Edwin Holmes. For many of us, the name Holmes brings to mind the fictional character "Sherlock Holmes"; the detective invented by the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. That particular Holmes is synonymous with intellectual prowess and extraordinary powers of observation and deductive reasoning. Although it does not require such to discern the message of this celestial sign, it does require the work of the holy spirit, convicting us of the truth! The name Holmes in reality bears the signification of a defensible place - a place offering protection.

Searching the Web for the meaning of the name, I turned up the following.

• The boy's name Holmes \ho(l)-mes\ is pronounced holms. It is of Middle English origin, and its meaning is "holly; islands in the river". (Think Baby Names)
• Holmes: Meadow lands near or surrounded by water, grassy plains; sometimes an island.
  Source: An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names With an Essay on their Derivation and Import; Arthur, William, M.A.; New York, NY: Sheldon, Blake, Bleeker & CO., 1857.". (Ancestor Search)
• In establishing settlements our early British ancestors sought places which were easily defensible. Islands offered that protection. The name for such places was borrowed from word introduced by the Norse Invaders well before the Conquest - namely "Holm". It was rapidly absorbed into our native language and became almost synonymous with "habitation" or "settlement". It should be noted, though, that it is in no way related to the word "home" nor to "ham". The similarities are coincidental. (GENUKI - UK & Ireland Genealogy)

The common theme in what is suggested about the name Holmes is that of protection, a defensible place. As islands in a river offer a measure of protection, so does holly. Excerpted from the current Wikipedia entry for holly "During winter storms, birds often take refuge in hollies, which provide shelter, protection from predators (by the spiny leaves), and food." "Holly shrubs and trees are often used by homeowners and landscape architects for home security purposes. The sharp thorns of many species deter unauthorised persons from entering private properties, and may prevent break-ins if planted under windows and near drainpipes. The aesthetic characteristics of holly plants, in conjunction with their home security qualities, makes them a good choice for hedges"

For such a meaning as that, it is implicit that there must also exist some level of threat to the safety of those taking refuge. If one has wisdom in this present hour, it must be acknowledged that this is indeed our situation!

The Holmes family crest (View image here) has the Latin phrase: "fide sed cui vide" which translates to: "Trust, but see whom you are trusting." or "Trust, but be careful whom (you trust)" or "Trust, but in whom take care" Ominous, yes?

What does it mean?

With regard to this motto and the meaning of the comet's discoverer's first name, Joseph Herrin, a dear brother in the Lord, has added insight into the message. ( The Sign of Comet Holmes/17P ) He relates it to Israel, now on the precarious precipice of what looks like disaster. Negotiations between Israel and her neighbors continue. "Trust, but be careful whom (you trust)," is the motto on the Holmes family crest. Israel should trust in her God, not in the USA, which she is surely doing by thinking to enter into compromising agreements. The comet's discoverer's first name is Edwin, which means "wealthy friend." Is the USA not an "Edwin" to Israel? To enter into agreements with "Edwin" is nothing less than idolatry for Israel, trusting in their wealthy friend America instead of the God who gave them the land and promised them much if they would trust Him for it. This is not the first such message to be brought forth as this closely follows the space shuttle Columbia pattern Joseph has detailed on his Web site. The comet discovered by Edwin Holmes that had become for a short season the single largest object in our solar system has much to testify about at this critical juncture!

Joseph had more insight too, which also speaks to me as true and relevant. He relates the comet's number 17 to the 17 perils listed in Romans chapter 8.

Brother Joseph writes: "Great tribulation is coming to the earth, and this list reveals the enemies that mankind, and Christians in particular, will be met with."

If this comet was the only sign in our midst, an isolated, solitary witness; we should simply make note of it and keep watching for collaborating testimony. It comes, however, at a time when many similar testimonies are being brought forth from many kinds of witnesses. Consider what is found at these two links.

• Cover letter for November 5, 2007 newsletter: World Challenge, Inc. (David Wilkerson)
• The Dream: October 30, 2007 (Michael Boldea Jr.)

Taking all this into consideration, and further, having a familiarity with and understanding of the context of our time, of the soon revealing of the lawless one, (You have read up on this in The Open Scroll, right?) it does not seem to me very difficult to make sense of the message being presented by this celestial sign. The Lord knows the time and so should we - it is the 17th year of His coming. In all matters of prophetic revelation, discernment involves time and place, time and action; timing makes the critical difference. You and I today sit on the threshold of the great conflict between two Christs. In one, the true Messiah, is protection. He is the trustworthy one. In the false, Rosh Satan, the lawless one, there is the threat. We must discern between them, their activities and agendas. Almost incredibly to some of you, in these matters most will be deceived! The comet 17P/Holmes loops around Perseus, representing the true Messiah in whom is protection as abiding within a hedge of holly or islands in a river. Trusting in Him is safety itself, my friend! If you look at the image near the top of the page again, consider how the path traced by Holmes in Perseus is like that of an island surrounded by a river, or like an encircled hedge of holly. There is a dire threat facing us, a threat worthy of such a series of warnings like the comet signs. The danger threatening us is not merely for the safety of our temporal lives but for what is truly life, beyond the grave; everlasting. This threat is real. Are you living under delusion? Will you be taken by surprise and, having failed to submit to the Bridegroom, find yourself left out when He selects His Bride and takes her to Her Father's house? Odds are, you will! Few indeed will make the cut. Pray for me. Pray for yourself, that you may be found worthy at His coming.