Recently scientists have observed the orbital path of the planets in our solar system more-or-less circle the sun where they are aligned on a flat plane at the equator of the Sun. [1] This is called the ecliptic plane and it is thought the reason the planets are aligned in this way is due to the way the solar system was formed by dust circling the sun in a flat disk which gradually came together through gravitational forces to form planets, and asteroids.
References
- Arika Higuchi, “Anisotropy of Long-period Comets Explained by Their Formation Process,” The Astronomical Journal Vol 160 No 3, pp 134, DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/aba94d (https://doi.org/10.3847%2F1538-3881%2Faba94d)
- Julia Heisler, Scott Tremaine, “The influence of the Galactic tidal field on the Oort comet cloud,” Icarus Vol 65, Is 1, January 1986, Pages 13-26 https://doi.org/10.1016/0019-1035(86)90060-6
Scientists have recently however discovered objects that orbit the sun which are found outside of this ecliptic plane. These objects are long period comets that are on time scales of thousands of years. This new research provides an answer for their alignment and long period orbits. According to the published work, there is a different orbital plane that is rotated 180 degrees in respect to the galactic pole. These comets with long period orbits are difficult to observe at great distances. When they come closer to Earth, scientists are able to calculate their trajectories and velocities. Using this information, it is possible to extrapolate their entire orbital path. Those who are working on this type of research have noticed something very interesting about the point in the orbits farthest from the Sun. This point at which they are farthest from the sun is called the aphelion, and this point actually correlates to the ecliptic plane. The researchers also found a second group of long period comets for which their calculations did not show an aphelion that is aligned with the ecliptic plane. The aphelions (the farthest point from the sun) for this second group also do not occur in random locations. Their aphelions appear to align along a second plane. It is important to note that the ecliptic plane (for the planets) is oriented 60 degrees from the galactic plane. This new plane is also oriented 60 degrees in respect to the galactic plane but in the opposite direction. The researchers say these comets may have formed by the gravitational field generated by the galaxy itself (the galactic tide). A galactic tide is a tidal force experienced by objects subject to the gravitational field of a galaxy such as the Milky Way. Particular areas of interest concerning galactic tides include galactic collisions, the disruption of dwarf or satellite galaxies, and the Milky Way’s tidal effect on the Oort cloud of the Solar System. (The Oort cloud is a spherical cloud of small rocky and icy bodies postulated to orbit the sun beyond the orbit of Pluto and up to 1.5 light years from the sun, and to be the source of comets. Its existence was proposed by J. H. Oort.) The researchers hypothesize the galactic tide may have pulled some of the long period comments askew into their new orbital plane. Researchers have for decades theorized the galactic tide has an effect on the Oort cloud comets. [2] This hypothesis however needs more observational evidence to support it. The researchers turned to a simulation model using analytical computational work to model how the galactic tide might affect the Oort cloud. Their model predicted the distribution of aphelions having two distinct peaks near the observed orbital alignment planes. The model provides decent experimental evidence to confirm their findings.
The Spiritual Insights that we receive from this type of work is related to this research topic on studying the orbital alignment of planets and comets in our solar system. The orbital alignment parallels the concept of Derech HaShem (דרך השם) “The Way of God” which is a philosophical principle that is taught in the Scriptures related to the existence of God and of God’s people. This philosophy of thought, the way of God, covers topics on subjects such as the purpose of Creation, the Creator (God), human responsibility before God, the spiritual realm, providence, Israel and the nations, the human soul, prophecy, the study of Torah, and the function of obeying the mitzvot (commandments). The way the scientific research draws out this concept is in the observable orbital path, the planets and comets are aligned to orbit in a particular way. The idea of Milky Way’s tidal effect on the Oort cloud pulling comets into their own orbital plane also parallels our lives having been at first aligned with worldly lifestyles, to have the Lord God Almighty enter into our lives by faith in the Messiah and pulling us out of alignment with the world and into alignment with His ways. This concept of the people of God walking in Deresh Hashem, the way of God is drawn out in the Hebrew concept of God saying הִתְהַלַּכְתִּי֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם (“I will walk in your midst,” Vayikra / Leviticus 26:11-12). The scientific research on the orbital path of the objects in our solar system tends to draw these things out according to the Scriptures.
Notice what we read according to Bereshit / Genesis 3:8.
Bereshit / Genesis 3:8
ח וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ אֶת-קוֹל יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהִים מִתְהַלֵּךְ בַּגָּן לְרוּחַ הַיּוֹם וַיִּתְחַבֵּא הָאָדָם וְאִשְׁתּוֹ מִפְּנֵי יְהוָֹה אֱלֹהִים בְּתוֹךְ עֵץ הַגָּן:
3:8 They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. (NASB)
It is at this point in the Scriptures, Adam and Eve have disobeyed God and have eaten from the Tree of knowledge of good and evil. Following these events we are told they heard the sound of the voice of the Lord God walking (מִתְהַלֵּךְ) in the garden of Eden in the cool of the day. An interesting observation is how the text is written to say the voice of God is heard walking. How does one hear the voice of God walk? There appears to be a bit of a mystery here in relation to God being in the midst of the garden. As we read through the Torah, there is a very significant statement that we read in the book of Vayikra / Leviticus. According to Vayikra / Leviticus 26:11-12 the Hebrew text states, וְנָתַתִּ֥י מִשְׁכָּנִ֖י בְּתוֹכְכֶ֑ם וְלֹֽא־תִגְעַ֥ל נַפְשִׁ֖י אֶתְכֶֽם׃ וְהִתְהַלַּכְתִּי֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם וְהָיִ֥יתִי לָכֶ֖ם לֵֽאלֹהִ֑ים וְאַתֶּ֖ם תִּהְיוּ־לִ֥י לְעָֽם׃ here the Lord is speaking about giving the tabernacle to be in the midst of His people, (26:12) and and that he will not abhor them. The key phrase is found in 26:12 where it says וְהִתְהַלַּכְתִּי֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם “I will walk in your midst.” This connects us back to Bereshit / Genesis 3:8 where we read, וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ אֶת־ק֨וֹל יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים מִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ בַּגָּ֖ן לְר֣וּחַ הַיּ֑וֹם וַיִּתְחַבֵּ֨א הָֽאָדָ֜ם וְאִשְׁתּ֗וֹ מִפְּנֵי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים בְּת֖וֹךְ עֵ֥ץ הַגָּֽן׃ “and they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden…” the Bereshit / Genesis 3:8 text uses the word מִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ for walking. The way the text is written in Bereshit / Genesis 3:8 and in Vayikra / Leviticus 26:11-12, a connection is made between the garden of Eden as being God’s sanctuary. The relative location of the statement הִתְהַלַּכְתִּי֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם in Vayikra / Leviticus 26 also draws in the idea of how God’s people are to live as the Lord is giving the people His Derech HaShem (דרך השם) “The Way of God.” The connection being made back to the garden of Eden is to the Lord God walking in the midst of the garden (Bereshit / Genesis 3:8) and of the Lord God establishing a particular way of life from the very beginning. Adam and Eve sinned in disobedience turning away from God’s way of life and this resulted in sin. We note as God walked in the garden, Adam and Eve’s sin caused them to hide from His presence. This is a significant observation!
These things draw out for us an interesting point, when the Serpent deceived Eve, he played upon her pride to “be like God” in eating the fruit and obtaining something she did not know prior, meaning that she would gain the knowledge of the difference between good and evil. Pride is an ever increasing problem in today’s culture. For example, there are many people, due to pride, who have a moral superiority complex when it comes to having discussions about politics. This attitude comes from the mindset of liberalism, which establishes a form of moral superiority in relation to their opinions compared to their conservative peers. I personally believe when one holds liberal ideologies in one’s heart he or she is a sinning! Looking at the definition of Liberalism, it is essentially a program of naturalism. The definition of liberalism is that it is a moral philosophy based on liberty, consent of the governed and equality before the law. Liberals espouse a wide array of views which are strongly dependent upon their understanding (presuppositions) of these principles. Liberals generally support free markets, free trade, limited government, individual rights, capitalism, democracy, secularism, gender equality, racial equality, internationalism, freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of religion. It is easy to understand why one would want to hold onto a liberal ideology or why one would accept this way of thought. Each of these are very important and relevant topics in our lives today. However, under the auspices of “Freedom” what we see going on is how our culture (how people) actually live out their liberal ideology. It is very important that one understands how liberal ideology is lived out. In our culture, we observe this ideology tends to cause one to lean towards the freedom of morals, allowing for immorality. Restraint is thrown off and a free rein given to one’s passions, this is why liberals are the ones who spearhead the LGBTQ movement (i.e. the ones who are the driving force or leaders behind this movement). This is the attitude of whatever one thinks, he is pleased to do! (One will do whatever he or she wants or whatever pleases.) This is actually a very satanic principle! (i.e. this is a creed of wicca) This attitude is obvious in cities across the USA which are burning to the ground due to liberal riots (what the left calls peaceful protests). Liberalism in the intellectual order is basically a license to live however one feels in the moral order. This causes great disorder in both life and intellect, and when there is disorder in the intellect there is disorder in the heart which leads to one’s actions to choose to sin and be disobedient before God! The general conclusion, based upon these simple observations, is that Liberalism propagates immorality, and ungodliness! For those who claim to be Christian and liberals (i.e. the liberal Christian), the liberal ideology of immorality is lived out by voting against conservatives. This is a significant problem because pride sets itself up against truth. Liberals are full of pride because there is a form of moral superiority that is developed as a result of their liberal ideologies that are held in one’s heart. The basic conclusion is liberal ideology is therefore a radical denial of divine truth as we see revealed to us according to the Bible! Liberal ideology is a heresy and rebellion against the authority of God in one’s life! These are very strong statements! The reason this is such a significant issue in relation to matters of faith is because liberalism is a worship of self, it is a form of idolatry! The two most spoken about topics in all of the Scriptures are (i) the dangers of idolatry, and (ii) sexual sin. Isn’t it interesting how liberal ideology tends to couple these two things together into the life of one who believes in and adopts liberalism? Based upon this discussion, liberalism affects two levels of one’s life, (i) in matters of doctrine, and (ii) in practice (i.e. how one lives, the decisions one makes, the actions one takes, etc). In the matters of doctrine this is related to truth verses heresy and the issue of morals and our faith (i.e. LGBTQ is sin in the eyes of God!). On the level of practical application, one must sin against the command of God in order to support LGBTQ philosophy and lifestyles and allow these ideologies and lifestyles to be pushed upon our culture and our children. I believe liberal ideology is one of the most significant of all sins in all of Scripture, as Yeshua explained according to Matthew 18:1-10
Matthew 18:1-10
18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ 18:2 And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, 18:3 and said, ‘Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. 18:4 ‘Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 18:5 ‘And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me; 18:6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. 18:7 ‘Woe to the world because of its stumbling blocks! For it is inevitable that stumbling blocks come; but woe to that man through whom the stumbling block comes! 18:8 ‘If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be cast into the eternal fire. 18:9 ‘If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be cast into the fiery hell. 18:10 ‘See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven. (NASB)
To have faith like a child, or as Yeshua says, “to become like a child” in matters of faith, this is a reference to having an innocent heart. Is it possible for those who are prideful in moral superiority over others to have a child like faith? Liberal ideology literally transgresses the Mitzvot (Commandments) of God! Liberalism strikes at the very foundation of our faith, by leading one to heresy, ungodliness, and holding onto a form or righteousness in one’s heart as it is also a matter of pride under the guise of moral superiority. The reason this is such a spiritual danger in relation to salvation, it is not simply that liberalism is an infraction upon the divine Torah (Law) of God, the weightier matter is how liberalism sanctions and authorizes these infractions in one’s heart, which reveals to us how liberalism is a great deception! It may even be “the” great deception that is described in the Scriptures! (Matthew 24:4)
The weightier matter is how liberalism sanctions and authorizes these infractions in one’s heart, this is the great deception!
These are the problems with liberal ideologies and the dangers thereof. While studying the Scriptures, specifically looking at the Masoretic Text (i.e. the Hebrew Language), we begin to see how the Lord God defined a particular way for us to live and have our being (our thought life). This is the spiritual insight that we receive from the scientific research studying the orbital alignment of planets and comets in our solar system. These things go hand-in-hand in drawing out the issue of the philosophy of thought, in morality and truth as God had commanded. The way the scientific research draws out this concept is in the observable orbital path, the planets and comets are aligned to orbit in a particular way. Similarly, the people of God, due to the concept of הִתְהַלַּכְתִּי֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם (“I will walk in your midst,” Vayikra / Leviticus 26:11-12), if we truly love the Lord, our alignment will be according to the Way of God which stands in opposition to the lifestyles promoted by liberal ideology. This is analogous to the scientific research on the orbital path of the objects in our solar system. When we can consider Abram according to the Torah, he was declared righteous because he trusted in God, he trusted and believed in the word of the Lord, God’s promise of life, and he lived by his faith (emunah, אמונה) by doing as God had commanded him to do. (see Parashat Lech Lecha, Bereshit / Genesis 12:1-5) The word אמן (aman) means “to rest securely” or “to rely upon,” occurs first time in the entire Bible here in connection to Abraham in Bereshit / Genesis 15:6 (ו וְהֶאֱמִן בַּיהוָֹה וַיַּחְשְׁבֶהָ לּוֹ צְדָקָה). Here Abraham was declared righteous because of his faith, and trusting in the Word of God evidenced by the way he lived his life. The promise was the Lord would give him and his wife a child, in spite of their age, who then would become a great nation. Notice how in the life of Abraham, faith is not simply an intellectual act.
One may think that liberal ideology falls within the framework of the NT text believing free markets, free trade, limited government, individual rights, capitalism, and democracy are reasons why to accept liberalism. We have to remember that Satan also sprinkles a little truth in the midst of his lies. The point is that the human heart is desperately wicked and in need of salvation! Paul wrote that all of scripture was given by God and is profitable for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). When Yeshua taught, he focused upon the inner meaning of the Torah, for example, to love God and to love others. (Matthew 22:36-40) It is this inner heart attitude that we have which is important. For example, when Yeshua taught about how the Torah forbade murder, he extended the scope to include the intent of the heart. (i.e. “You have heard it said, you shall not murder… but I say unto you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause is liable to excommunication; whoever insults his brother is liable to punishment, and whoever calls his brother a fool is in danger of the fire of hell.” Matthew 5:21-22) Another example, when the Torah forbade adultery, he said “But I say to you that anyone who looks at a woman with lust in his eye has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28) Yeshua said that the Law forbids even looking with lust upon a woman, all the more reason not to do the physical act of adultery. Yeshua’s teaching again dealt with the inner attitude, one’s intent. (Remember, this is what the Word of God does in our lives revealing the intention of ones heart and actions. See Hebrews 4:12) The Torah speaks about the moral aspect, as I had mentioned before, the two things that are talked about the most in the Scriptures are idolatry and sexual sin. These things underscore the need for personal deliverance. These things also underscore the significance of holding liberal ideologies in one’s heart. Under the claims of “freedom” our culture lives out liberal ideologies in the most sexually immoral ways (i.e. LGBTQ). This ideology is not just related to the moral order, but to attitudes of hatred towards others, racism, and thoughts of murder as we see occurring in cities across the USA burning due to riots led by the leaders of liberalism. The way the scientific research draws out these concepts is in the observable orbital path, the planets and comets are aligned to orbit in a particular way. There is a reason and design behind this phenomenon! In similar fashion, our lives are to be organized to live in peace, to love one another, and to walk in truth, justice, righteousness, and holiness, due to the concept of God saying הִתְהַלַּכְתִּי֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם (“I will walk in your midst,” Vayikra / Leviticus 26:11-12), our alignment as a faithful people is to be according to the Way of God. All of these things are related to the fruit of the Spirit, the observational phenomenon of God living in and through us! In terms of ethics, Yeshua’s interpretation of the Torah was very rigorous in relation to one’s intention. Practically speaking, Yeshua taught us that we are to respond to the love of God by walking in His ways! We are not to live our lives in a form of spiritual anarchy or lawlessness, as liberalism leads one towards having divided allegiances. Yeshua taught us that we are to bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2) by living in sacrificial love towards one another. (John 13:15, 15:12) Note how believing in Yeshua we receive the Holy Spirit of God, who writes the Torah upon our hearts (Derech HaShem), and gives us peace, joy, and the desire to love and serve one another. Again these things stand in opposition to liberal ideologies that we see are being lived out in the lives of people in our country and our cities which are burning and people are dying. We are called to love God and to love one another and this is the gospel message, not to uphold the particular ideology. Remember, one day we will all answer to God! This is a very significant statement point from the Scriptures, we will give an account of our lives before God! We will not be giving an account to a culture that is looking for politically correct ideologies in order to receive approval from those who choose sin over life everlasting in the Messiah Yeshua!
