THE Bright and Morning Star

"I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star." - Revelation 22v16

The term ‘bright and morning star’ is not one that is exclusive to Jesus. From what I have read it can refer to anyone who offers hope of a new day. The ‘morning star’ refers to Venus which in certain seasons and certain places rises in the east to herald in a new day. When Venus rise she may do so beautifully, but that is no indication of what the day may actually bring. In the same manner the title ‘Morning Star’ does not always mean that it is going to be a good day.

Here though Jesus says, ‘I am the Bright and Morning Star;’ We can’t see it in print, but I do not think we do it injustice to say ‘I am THE Bright and Morning Star.’ Even the Great Morning Star of the Reformation, John Wycliff, cannot compare to THE Bright and Morning Star. Eosphorus, the dawn-bearer of Greek mythology, and even Lucifer (Latin for day-star) have also been called by this same title.

What makes Jesus different? Simple enough, all of the others may seem like the harbinger of light for a great new day, but only Jesus delivers on the promise of a bright new day.

The day that He heralds will outshine them all. There will be no more darkness or death or sorrow or weeping. Venus rising gives us just a hint of the brightness of a new day. At the moment all we see in Jesus is the glimmer of hope for the eternal new day. It reminds me of Paul’s point about seeing things today ‘through a glass darkly,’ but one day face to face.

If all we have of Christ today is just the morning star promise, can you imagine what it will be like when we have it all?