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MYSTERIES IN THE HEAVENS
In the constellation Orion, is a section that has been named the Great Orion Nebula. It was described by some as appearing to be like an enormous canyon in the heavens. Years ago, when it was first being photographed by Professor Larkin at Mt. Lowe observatory, he was literally overwhelmed by the sight that met his eyes! As the telescope and camera peered into what was then termed "the interstellar empty space", he said, "These photos reveal the opening and interior of a cavern so stupendous that our entire solar system would be lost therein. I have watched it since the days of my youth in many telescopes of many powers, but never dreamed that the central region is the mouth of a colossal cave! Pen of writer and brush of artist alike are lifeless and inert in any attempt to describe this interior for the depths of the Orion Nebula appear like torn, twisted objects, river masses of shining glass, irregular pillars and columns of stalactites in glittering splendor, and stalagmites rising from the mighty floor. The appearance is like that of light shining and glowing behind clear walls of ivory and pearls, studded with millions of diamonds that look like shining stars!
There must be some reason why all this grandeur is lavished on this one spot in the heavens. The colors are of a hue found only in Orion, and are studded around the opening so that they appear as if they were a pavement of starry sand."
Astronomers tell us that the diameter of our earth's orbit is about 186,000,000 miles; the opening that stretches across the opening of the canyon in Orion is perhaps more than nineteen trillion miles!. Unbelievable though it may sound, this encompasses an area so large that our entire solar system could literally be lost in its interior. There can be little doubt that, to this day, it's one of the most baffling and fascinating areas in the heavens!
Those who now study the heavens tell us that part of the astonishing sights that Prof. Larkin saw practically defy description even today! The dazzling bursts of light that he beheld may likely have been stars in the actual process of forming. Today, when our modern telescopes are trained on that area, they reveal a display of what appears to be breathtaking, exploding, fireworks, surrounded by a virtual rainbow of undulating colors, and great rolling masses of luminous, glowing clouds. In our attempts to peer further inside, photographs reveal an area of blinding light, so awesomely bright that its brilliance outshines all the other stars combined!
What else lies still concealed within the interior of Orion's Nebula? It's something about which one can only speculate. It's no wonder that some thoughtful men and women have postulated that when our Lord returns, this vast corridor of Orion might well be the star-lined procession way through which He will pass.
Abraham Lincoln once said, "I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down on the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot see how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God."
I agree with Mr. Lincoln except for one thing. I cannot see how any person can be an atheist no matter where he or she looks.
"Since earliest times men have seen the earth and sky and all God made, and have known of his existence and great eternal power. So they will have no excuse [when they stand before God at Judgment Day--implied] Romans 1:21
As David said, "The heavens keep telling the wonders of god, and the skies declare what he has done ... They don't speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice, yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world…"
Psalms 19:1,4
Astronaut Jim Irwin, when sharing his experience about going to the moon, said, "When I looked out and saw the earth only as big as a little marble, I thought, how big am I? I'm just a speck of dust, if that big, when compared to the universe. And yet this little speck has the capacity to know God! To know the One Who holds the universe. To know His love and have His direction. (He then quoted John 3:16) I realized then that God loves that little blue marble …that little planet. He loves all the billions of people on it, and he loves me. I realized that my relationship with Jesus Christ was the most precious thing I had."
Posted by cdrnorth at January 8, 2007 11:59 AM