10-16-2008, 01:01 PM
A recent article in the New York Times notes that for years mystics have tried to find the answers of the universe in the Great Pyramid of Giza.[1] While the Great Pyramid has not revealed any great cosmological constant, it confirms the Bible’s answers to mankind's most important questions.
Why the Great Pyramid of Giza?
Why would we look for answers to mankind’s important questions in some pile of rocks constructed thousands of years ago? We turn to an interesting text found in Isaiah 19:19, 20, for the answer.
“In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt.â€
How is it possible for something to be in the middle and also at the border? We find our first clue by realizing that this “pillar†for a witness is located in Egypt near the town of Giza--Arabic for “border.â€
Henry Mitchell, Chief Hydrographer of the United States Coast Survey, discovered an additional clue to this riddle while working on a report for the Suez Canal in 1868.[2] While scribing an arc around the Nile Delta on a map, he at first noticed that his center point was the pyramids of Giza. He wrote, “Subsequently I plotted the great pyramid… and found my previous result confirmed.†This remarkable feature led him to further write:
“Situated upon the last rock that confines the floods of the Nile, this structure [The Great Pyramid] occupies a more important physical position than any other artificial object upon the face of the earth, since it is the centre from which radiated the waters of the river, and from which, from age to age, the coast may be supposed to have advanced in concentric arcs.â€
Mitchell was amazed how this structure perfectly marked the border of Upper and Lower Egypt.
When you exam the latitude and longitude that intersect at the Great Pyramid, another interesting observation can be made. The east-west parallel that passes through the Great Pyramid also passes through Africa, Eurasia and the Americas. In addition, the north-south meridian that passes through the Great Pyramid also passes through the most land of any meridian as it goes through Europe, Asia, Africa and Antarctica. The Great Pyramid’s longitude and latitude break the world up into roughly equal land-surface quarters. Truly it is in the “midst†of the earth.
Who Built the Great Pyramid and Why?
Of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza alone has survived the ravages of time. Because of its immense size along with the fact that it is the oldest chambered building in the world, it has been universally recognized as standing preeminent among the wonders.
Many theories have been advocated as to the purpose of the Great Pyramid. The most popular theory is that it was a gigantic tomb for an ancient pharaoh. Indeed, most pyramids were built as tombs. However, there is abundant proof that the Great Pyramid is unique and was not intended as a tomb. Just as instructions were given to Noah for the building of the ark, and to Moses for the assembling of the Tabernacle, we submit that God gave instructions for the construction of the Pyramid that it might testify in the last days as to His infinite wisdom and foreknowledge.
The concept that the Great Pyramid was erected for this purpose is not new. It first came into prominence in 1860 by English publisher, John Taylor. What convinced him were primarily the many important scientific truths embodied in the measurements and angles of this wonderful structure.
Taylor was assisted in his conclusions by the writings of ancient historians, Herodotus and Manetho. They recorded that Egyptians helped to build the Great Pyramid under the direction of a shepherd king named Philitis. Manetho, himself an Egyptian wrote: “There came up from the East, in a strange manner, men of an ignoble race, who had the confidence to invade our country, and easily subdued it by their power without a battle.†These humble, peaceful invaders were styled Hyksos, that is, shepherd kings. He then related how afterwards they departed for Judea and built a city there, named Jerusalem. Another possibility is that this shepherd king was Shem, a faithful son of Noah, also known as Melchizedec, the King of Salem (peace—Jerusalem). Shem would have been alive at the time of the building of the Great Pyramid. This and other evidence points to a non-Egyptian architect and builder of the Great Pyramid, and one that was closely associated with the God of the Bible.
Astounding Scientific Facts
The measurements of the Great Pyramid have revealed remarkable mathematical and scientific facts which confirm an architect of superior knowledge. The following lists just a few of these astounding facts:
Twice the height of the Pyramid, divided into the distance around the base equals the mathematical value termed p (pi) to the nearest 1/10,000. Only recently has man been able to calculate p to this accuracy.
The Great Pyramid's unique proportions solve one of man's most difficult mathematical challenges-the squaring of the circle. When the radius of a circle equals the height of the pyramid, then the circumference of that circle equals the perimeter of the pyramid's base.
The orientation of the Great Pyramid is within 3/4 inch of true north. A modern magnetic compass is usually far less accurate.
The measurement used by the builders, the "pyramid cubit," when divided into the base length of the Great Pyramid is 365.242 pyramid cubits. This is precisely the number for the days in one year.
The world's standard of measure is the meter - approximately one 10-millionth of the curved line along the earth's surface from the North pole to the equator. In 1850 Sir John Herschel, a leading astronomer, proposed that a more scientific alternative would be one 10-millionth of the earth's half axis - the straight line from the pole to the center of the earth. Unknown to Herschel, this distance he proposed had been the measuring rod of the Great Pyramid 4,000 years before in the pyramid cubit!
A “Witness Pointing to Jesus.†In the Scriptures, Christ Jesus is likened to the head cornerstone of a pyramid. Usually, the cornerstone is at the base of a building, however, with a pyramid, the cornerstone is the top-stone, and all other stones must conform to it, so that the final structure itself looks exactly like the top-stone. A pyramid is the only structure that offers this unique feature. The crowning feature of God’s Kingdom fulfilled will be Christ, the acknowledged Head over all its top-stone. Each symbolic stone will be fitly framed into the glorious building.
Isaiah 28:16 refers to Christ as the “precious cornerstone.†Zechariah 4:7 refers to its placement at the top of the completed edifice, with great rejoicing, saying, “He shall bring forth the head-stone...†The Prophet David, too, refers to our Lord, and uses a figure of speech exactly corresponding to that of this stone “witness†of Egypt. He says, prophetically, from the standpoint of the future, “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head-corner-stone.†(Psalms 118:22-24) Our Lord applied this very prophecy to himself, showing that he was the rejected stone, and that Israel rejected him, under the leadership of their priests and Pharisees. (Matthew 21:42,44; Acts 4:11) This is especially appropriate, because the Great Pyramid has no top-stone, nor has one ever been found.
Prophetic Confirmation: “The Bible in Stoneâ€
The striking religious symbolism of the Great Pyramid and its amazing corroborations of Bible prophecy and chronology have prompted the name “The Bible in Stone.†The chart above will illustrate this corroborative testimony.
The black lines of the chart break down Bible history and prophesy. When superimposed over the passage systems of the Great Pyramid, note the amazing correspondences of history with the symbolisms of these passage systems. The Egyptian names for these passages (*) provide clues as to the symbolisms intended by the Pyramid’s Architect. The most important features of God’s plan were carefully written into the blueprint of the Great Pyramid.
The Present Evil World (A)
This is the “night of weeping†from which all men groan to be released. (Rom. 8:22, 19, 2 Pet. 3:6-13) There is some righteousness in the world, but evil predominates.
Air Passages (B)
Symbolizing that life will be provided for all men on earth (see Queen’s Chamber) and faithful followers of Christ in heaven (see King’s Chamber).
Grand Gallery - “Hall of Truth in Lightâ€* (C )
28 feet high, 155 feet long, but only 6 feet wide. Its steep, narrow, but vaulted climb symbolizes the privileges and difficulties of the “narrow way to life†which Christ’s faithful followers walk at the present time and throughout the Christian Age. It leads to the King’s Chamber, which represents heaven.
First Ascending Passage - “Hall of Truth in Darknessâ€* (D)
Only the Great Pyramid has ascending passages, making it unique among any of the other pyramids. The first of the Great Pyramid’s upward passages represents the promise of life given to all Jews who could keep the law. It is blocked at its lower end by an immovable 50-ton granite plug. Granite in the Great Pyramid symbolizes that which is divine. Thus, the granite plug demonstrates that none could gain life during the Jewish age because none could keep the perfect requirements of the divine law.
Descending Passage - “The Descentâ€* (E)
A slippery, downhill passage, Jesus called it the “Broad Way†to destruction. (Matt. 7:13) All men have traveled this path toward death, but all men will gain a complete opportunity for life through Christ in the resurrection.
The Well - “Well of Lifeâ€* (F)
Not really a well, but a way of escape from death to life for those pictured in the lower reaches of the Pyramid. It symbolizes Christ, whose death as a ransom sacrifice will provide a way of escape for all — even those in the “pit†of death.
The Pit - “Chamber of the Ordealâ€* (G)
Its sides and ceiling are finished, but its floor is unfinished and extremely uneven. Thus it is “bottomless.†This symbolizes the condition of death. All men will be raised from the dead by Christ with a fresh opportunity for life. Job 33:24; Acts 24:15
Horizontal Passage (H)
6/7 of its length is cramped and low, and the last 1/7 has room for a man to walk upright. This symbolizes 6,000 years of the “night of weeping†followed by a 1,000-year Sabbath rest and refreshing, which God promised his human family. Isa. 26:9, 35:1-10
Queen’s Chamber - “Chamber of Regenerationâ€* (I)
This large chamber symbolizes the everlasting home for all men upon the earth. After they reach perfection in Christ’s Kingdom, “there will be no more death, neither sorrow, crying, nor pain.†Rev. 21:4
King’s Chamber - “Open Tomb of Resurrectionâ€* (J)
With granite walls and life-sustaining air passages, the King’s Chamber is the largest and most beautiful room. It is symbolic of divine life — immortality — the condition of Christ and his faithful followers in heaven. There they will rule and bless mankind. Rev. 20:6
The World to Come . . . (K)
...Wherein dwelleth righteousness. This is the “morning of joy†for which all men pray when they utter the words, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth…†The first 1,000-year age of this endless age is set aside in God’s plan for the restoring of man and the conquering of sin and death. Acts 3:19-21, 1 Cor. 15:25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End Notes
1. George Johnson, “Suddenly, the Cosmos Becomes More Fickle,†New York Times, August 19, 2001.
2. Henry Mitchell, The Coast of Egypt and the Suez Canal. The North American Review, vol. 109, issue 225 (October 1869), page 480.
Why the Great Pyramid of Giza?
Why would we look for answers to mankind’s important questions in some pile of rocks constructed thousands of years ago? We turn to an interesting text found in Isaiah 19:19, 20, for the answer.
“In that day shall there be an altar to the Lord in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the Lord of hosts in the land of Egypt.â€
How is it possible for something to be in the middle and also at the border? We find our first clue by realizing that this “pillar†for a witness is located in Egypt near the town of Giza--Arabic for “border.â€
Henry Mitchell, Chief Hydrographer of the United States Coast Survey, discovered an additional clue to this riddle while working on a report for the Suez Canal in 1868.[2] While scribing an arc around the Nile Delta on a map, he at first noticed that his center point was the pyramids of Giza. He wrote, “Subsequently I plotted the great pyramid… and found my previous result confirmed.†This remarkable feature led him to further write:
“Situated upon the last rock that confines the floods of the Nile, this structure [The Great Pyramid] occupies a more important physical position than any other artificial object upon the face of the earth, since it is the centre from which radiated the waters of the river, and from which, from age to age, the coast may be supposed to have advanced in concentric arcs.â€
Mitchell was amazed how this structure perfectly marked the border of Upper and Lower Egypt.
When you exam the latitude and longitude that intersect at the Great Pyramid, another interesting observation can be made. The east-west parallel that passes through the Great Pyramid also passes through Africa, Eurasia and the Americas. In addition, the north-south meridian that passes through the Great Pyramid also passes through the most land of any meridian as it goes through Europe, Asia, Africa and Antarctica. The Great Pyramid’s longitude and latitude break the world up into roughly equal land-surface quarters. Truly it is in the “midst†of the earth.
Who Built the Great Pyramid and Why?
Of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the Great Pyramid of Giza alone has survived the ravages of time. Because of its immense size along with the fact that it is the oldest chambered building in the world, it has been universally recognized as standing preeminent among the wonders.
Many theories have been advocated as to the purpose of the Great Pyramid. The most popular theory is that it was a gigantic tomb for an ancient pharaoh. Indeed, most pyramids were built as tombs. However, there is abundant proof that the Great Pyramid is unique and was not intended as a tomb. Just as instructions were given to Noah for the building of the ark, and to Moses for the assembling of the Tabernacle, we submit that God gave instructions for the construction of the Pyramid that it might testify in the last days as to His infinite wisdom and foreknowledge.
The concept that the Great Pyramid was erected for this purpose is not new. It first came into prominence in 1860 by English publisher, John Taylor. What convinced him were primarily the many important scientific truths embodied in the measurements and angles of this wonderful structure.
Taylor was assisted in his conclusions by the writings of ancient historians, Herodotus and Manetho. They recorded that Egyptians helped to build the Great Pyramid under the direction of a shepherd king named Philitis. Manetho, himself an Egyptian wrote: “There came up from the East, in a strange manner, men of an ignoble race, who had the confidence to invade our country, and easily subdued it by their power without a battle.†These humble, peaceful invaders were styled Hyksos, that is, shepherd kings. He then related how afterwards they departed for Judea and built a city there, named Jerusalem. Another possibility is that this shepherd king was Shem, a faithful son of Noah, also known as Melchizedec, the King of Salem (peace—Jerusalem). Shem would have been alive at the time of the building of the Great Pyramid. This and other evidence points to a non-Egyptian architect and builder of the Great Pyramid, and one that was closely associated with the God of the Bible.
Astounding Scientific Facts
The measurements of the Great Pyramid have revealed remarkable mathematical and scientific facts which confirm an architect of superior knowledge. The following lists just a few of these astounding facts:
Twice the height of the Pyramid, divided into the distance around the base equals the mathematical value termed p (pi) to the nearest 1/10,000. Only recently has man been able to calculate p to this accuracy.
The Great Pyramid's unique proportions solve one of man's most difficult mathematical challenges-the squaring of the circle. When the radius of a circle equals the height of the pyramid, then the circumference of that circle equals the perimeter of the pyramid's base.
The orientation of the Great Pyramid is within 3/4 inch of true north. A modern magnetic compass is usually far less accurate.
The measurement used by the builders, the "pyramid cubit," when divided into the base length of the Great Pyramid is 365.242 pyramid cubits. This is precisely the number for the days in one year.
The world's standard of measure is the meter - approximately one 10-millionth of the curved line along the earth's surface from the North pole to the equator. In 1850 Sir John Herschel, a leading astronomer, proposed that a more scientific alternative would be one 10-millionth of the earth's half axis - the straight line from the pole to the center of the earth. Unknown to Herschel, this distance he proposed had been the measuring rod of the Great Pyramid 4,000 years before in the pyramid cubit!
A “Witness Pointing to Jesus.†In the Scriptures, Christ Jesus is likened to the head cornerstone of a pyramid. Usually, the cornerstone is at the base of a building, however, with a pyramid, the cornerstone is the top-stone, and all other stones must conform to it, so that the final structure itself looks exactly like the top-stone. A pyramid is the only structure that offers this unique feature. The crowning feature of God’s Kingdom fulfilled will be Christ, the acknowledged Head over all its top-stone. Each symbolic stone will be fitly framed into the glorious building.
Isaiah 28:16 refers to Christ as the “precious cornerstone.†Zechariah 4:7 refers to its placement at the top of the completed edifice, with great rejoicing, saying, “He shall bring forth the head-stone...†The Prophet David, too, refers to our Lord, and uses a figure of speech exactly corresponding to that of this stone “witness†of Egypt. He says, prophetically, from the standpoint of the future, “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head-corner-stone.†(Psalms 118:22-24) Our Lord applied this very prophecy to himself, showing that he was the rejected stone, and that Israel rejected him, under the leadership of their priests and Pharisees. (Matthew 21:42,44; Acts 4:11) This is especially appropriate, because the Great Pyramid has no top-stone, nor has one ever been found.
Prophetic Confirmation: “The Bible in Stoneâ€
The striking religious symbolism of the Great Pyramid and its amazing corroborations of Bible prophecy and chronology have prompted the name “The Bible in Stone.†The chart above will illustrate this corroborative testimony.
The black lines of the chart break down Bible history and prophesy. When superimposed over the passage systems of the Great Pyramid, note the amazing correspondences of history with the symbolisms of these passage systems. The Egyptian names for these passages (*) provide clues as to the symbolisms intended by the Pyramid’s Architect. The most important features of God’s plan were carefully written into the blueprint of the Great Pyramid.
The Present Evil World (A)
This is the “night of weeping†from which all men groan to be released. (Rom. 8:22, 19, 2 Pet. 3:6-13) There is some righteousness in the world, but evil predominates.
Air Passages (B)
Symbolizing that life will be provided for all men on earth (see Queen’s Chamber) and faithful followers of Christ in heaven (see King’s Chamber).
Grand Gallery - “Hall of Truth in Lightâ€* (C )
28 feet high, 155 feet long, but only 6 feet wide. Its steep, narrow, but vaulted climb symbolizes the privileges and difficulties of the “narrow way to life†which Christ’s faithful followers walk at the present time and throughout the Christian Age. It leads to the King’s Chamber, which represents heaven.
First Ascending Passage - “Hall of Truth in Darknessâ€* (D)
Only the Great Pyramid has ascending passages, making it unique among any of the other pyramids. The first of the Great Pyramid’s upward passages represents the promise of life given to all Jews who could keep the law. It is blocked at its lower end by an immovable 50-ton granite plug. Granite in the Great Pyramid symbolizes that which is divine. Thus, the granite plug demonstrates that none could gain life during the Jewish age because none could keep the perfect requirements of the divine law.
Descending Passage - “The Descentâ€* (E)
A slippery, downhill passage, Jesus called it the “Broad Way†to destruction. (Matt. 7:13) All men have traveled this path toward death, but all men will gain a complete opportunity for life through Christ in the resurrection.
The Well - “Well of Lifeâ€* (F)
Not really a well, but a way of escape from death to life for those pictured in the lower reaches of the Pyramid. It symbolizes Christ, whose death as a ransom sacrifice will provide a way of escape for all — even those in the “pit†of death.
The Pit - “Chamber of the Ordealâ€* (G)
Its sides and ceiling are finished, but its floor is unfinished and extremely uneven. Thus it is “bottomless.†This symbolizes the condition of death. All men will be raised from the dead by Christ with a fresh opportunity for life. Job 33:24; Acts 24:15
Horizontal Passage (H)
6/7 of its length is cramped and low, and the last 1/7 has room for a man to walk upright. This symbolizes 6,000 years of the “night of weeping†followed by a 1,000-year Sabbath rest and refreshing, which God promised his human family. Isa. 26:9, 35:1-10
Queen’s Chamber - “Chamber of Regenerationâ€* (I)
This large chamber symbolizes the everlasting home for all men upon the earth. After they reach perfection in Christ’s Kingdom, “there will be no more death, neither sorrow, crying, nor pain.†Rev. 21:4
King’s Chamber - “Open Tomb of Resurrectionâ€* (J)
With granite walls and life-sustaining air passages, the King’s Chamber is the largest and most beautiful room. It is symbolic of divine life — immortality — the condition of Christ and his faithful followers in heaven. There they will rule and bless mankind. Rev. 20:6
The World to Come . . . (K)
...Wherein dwelleth righteousness. This is the “morning of joy†for which all men pray when they utter the words, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth…†The first 1,000-year age of this endless age is set aside in God’s plan for the restoring of man and the conquering of sin and death. Acts 3:19-21, 1 Cor. 15:25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
End Notes
1. George Johnson, “Suddenly, the Cosmos Becomes More Fickle,†New York Times, August 19, 2001.
2. Henry Mitchell, The Coast of Egypt and the Suez Canal. The North American Review, vol. 109, issue 225 (October 1869), page 480.