John  I know that there is a fine line between astronomy and His signs in the sky, and astrology that we avoid.  However, in view of the imminent imminence of His coming that many of us are feeling, doves may be interested in an article on Bootes - but please be aware that the website does not share our (strongly held) rapture views.   

BOOTES - THE COMING ONE!

This is an excerpt from an article titled Bootes - He is coming that is on the www.heart4god.ws website (scroll to Current Highlighted Teachings).  The photo of the gamma ray and the portrayal of the sky diagram are quite stunning!   Joseph Seiss, in his book The Gospel in the Stars, has this to say about Bootes.  The name thus transformed into Greek has in it a Hebrew and Oriental root, Bo, which means coming; hence, the coming One...

One of the most common, constant, and expressive figures under which Christ is presented in Scriptures is that of the Oriental shepherd. Isaiah fore-announced Him as He who “shall feed His flock as a shepherd.” Peter describes Him as the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. He says of Himself, “I am the good Shepherd that giveth His is life for His sheep;” “I am the good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine;” “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand...”

The Greeks... also called this man Arcturus, the watcher, guardian, or keeper of Arktos, the adjoining constellation which in all the more ancient representations is the flock, the sheepfold. Bootes is... the guardian and shepherd of the flocks... The brightest star in Bootes is called Arcturus, the guardian or keeper of Arktos... Al Katurops, the star on the right side of the arm of Bootes, means the Branch, the Rod, and is often connected with the figure of a staff, the shepherd’s crook, the traditional symbol of pastoral office...He also bears a sickle, which shows Him as the great Harvester, and the harvest He gathers is the harvest of souls...   How close are we?  Maranatha!