As a people we have for years been interested in [a certain] portion of the starry heavens [the Orion nebula]; for to us it speaks of a coming Saviour, and of the glories that shine forth from the throne of the Eternal One. When we say that this nebula is the “gap in the sky,” we believe we speak advisedly; for there is nothing else like it in all the heavens. . . .

We do not like to speak of this opening as a “nebula”; for although it is thus classed in our works on astronomy, it is so different from all other nebulae . . . that writers upon this subject cannot but express wonder, admiration, perplexity, and reverence for this something, which, for lack of a better name, we call a nebula. With this one exception, all true nebulae seem to be composed either of clusters of fine stars or of what is called “fire-mist clouds,” and they are seen to hang separate from, and this side of, the blackness beyond. In other words, we can see space still beyond them; but . . . this nebula does not hang out separate from a black substance beyond, but is a distinct opening into a realm of glory situated on the other side of the great, impenetrable sphere that seems to enclose all the visible works of God’s created universe known as the starry heavens. In this the light seems to be gushing out from the very heaven itself. As we view this wonder, we cannot but feel that God in His mercy is permitting us to see a little of the glory of that city above, as it is reflected from those jasper walls through whose pearly gates the righteous nation soon shall enter in.

Herschel, the astronomer, in speaking of this open space, says, “This nebula has never been resolved into stars by the highest powers of telescopes that have yet been applied: nor is there any reason to believe that it consists of systems of stars, as is the case with other nebulae. It is, therefore, in all probability, a mass of self-luminous matter, but of what nature it would be vain to conjecture.”

“And there was war in heaven. . . . And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” “And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 12:7–9; 21:2). These and many other texts go to show that heaven is a place, out of which the city is to come, the angels that sinned were cast out. If heaven were a mere world like our own, or a globe like our sin, or even what is now our north star, it would seem proper to speak of Satan as a being cast off from, or away from, it; but no, he was cast out of heaven.

“The powers of heaven will be shaken at the voice of God. Then the sun, moon, and stars will be moved out of their places. They will not pass away, but be shaken by the voice of God.

“Dark, heavy clouds came up and clashed against each other. The atmosphere parted and rolled back; then we could look up through the open space in Orion, whence came the voice of God. The Holy City will come down through that open space.” —Early Writings, p. 41. [Emphasis supplied.]

“Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name” (Amos 5:8).