The Bright Morning Star

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Summer Of Possibilities

I called the summer of 2021 the summer of possibilities. I hiked to a peak that had been a goal of mine for years, and I rode my horse several times a week. Then Lyme Disease reared its ugly head once again. I felt discouraged. All my accomplishments felt like they were slipping through my fingers once again.

Since last June, I have gone through trial treatments, started using a Rife Machine, and had a miraculous encounter with Jesus. You can read about that here. Even with all of this, I still face a few challenges.

But God…

This week brought a new milestone. I got on my horse for the first time since 2021 and it felt amazing. My horse must think I am a drama queen because I cry all the time when I ride him. God has used Little John to help me through this horrible disease and every time I get the privilege of riding him, I am overwhelmed by God’s goodness.

The Bright Morning Star

Yesterday, teaching the last class on Revelation, the name Jesus calls Himself in Revelation 22, “The Bright Morning Star” struck my attention. I hold on to this scripture in Lamentations that says His mercies are new each morning and wondered if this meant the same thing.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

Just as this scripture tells us His mercies are new each day, the bright morning star represents hope, promise, and new beginnings. It symbolizes the start of a new day, with all its opportunities and possibilities.

Why are Jesus and Satan both referred to as morning stars?

Isaiah clearly speaks of Satan as a morning star that has fallen from Heaven. This is one of our only pictures of Satan’s fall.

“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!”

Isaiah 14:12 NIV

But notice in Revelation, Jesus specifies He is the Bright Morning Star.

“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

Revelation 22:16

Satan is one of many stars, but Jesus shines the brightest. He is the creator of the Heavens and He shines brightest among everything.

What does it mean for Jesus to be the bright morning star?

This name is a fulfillment of prophecy. The author of Numbers tells us “A star will come out of Jacob” (Numbers 24:17 NIV) We know Jesus was born from this line. 2 Chronicles 21:7 reiterates Jesus will come from the line of David as a lamp: “He had promised to maintain a lamp for him and his descendants forever.” Matthew 1:1 confirms this lineage and then Peter sums all of this up in his book of 2 Peter.

“We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

2 Peter 1:19 NIV

The Light Of The World

We find several places in the Bible that Jesus is the light of the world and in Revelation 21:23 we read, “The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.” Jesus refers to Himself as light many times. But, I think this image of Him being the bright morning star brings even more hope of all things becoming new.

Just as the morning star signals the start of a new day, Jesus came to bring a new era of salvation and redemption to the world. The reference to Jesus as the morning star suggests His authority over all creation. As the “root and descendant of David,” he is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the ultimate ruler of God’s Kingdom. His brightness and radiance signify His power and glory.

Matthew Henry tells us, “The Bright Morning Star has given to his churches this morning light of prophecy, to assure them of the light of that perfect day which is approaching.”

All of us experience days that are hard and we wonder if we will have the strength to move forward. Then Jesus shows up and tells us He is the bright morning star, the One who brings light and hope for each new day. This brings joy to my heart and gives me the strength to expect something more for each new day.

Prayer

I encourage you to take some time in prayer and lay before Him the struggles you are facing. Imagine yourself laying all of your burdens at the foot of the cross. Physically writing these down can help you acknowledge them and let them go. Hand it over to God and ask Him to be your Bright Morning Star. Ask Him to show you where He is making all things new.