The Revelation Of Jesus Christ: “the bright and morning star”

 

Revelation 22:16 KJV

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

 

Jesus identifies Himself as “the bright and morning star” which describes the sun as it arises over the horizon.   Why would Christ liken Himself to the rising sun?  This is a description that pictures Christ at His first and second comings.

 

 

I.  Christ as “Dayspring” (dawn of the morning)

Job 38:12-13 KJV – “Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?”

Here, the morning sun is called “the dayspring” (dawn of the morning).  God the Father is being exalted for creating the sun and putting it in place every morning.  The sun would lighten the world and reveal those who work wickedness in dark places.

This dawning is seen as a picture of Christ at His second coming who will enlighten the world with the presence of God Himself, take sovereign control of the world as King of Kings and reveal the wickedness of mankind at the final judgments.

 

Luke 1:78-79 KJV – “Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,  To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Here, Christ is also described as a “dayspring” speaking of His first coming when He revealed God to man, giving light to a sin darkened world, and to lead mankind to the path of peace.

 

 

II.  Christ as the rising “Day Star”

2 Peter 1:19-20 KJV – “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” 

We are to take heed to the Word of God (the more sure word of prophecy) until the day dawns and Christ returns at the second coming.  With His second coming will come a more complete knowledge of Christ which will be like Christ arising in our hearts (understanding) as we see Him more fully.

 

 

III. Christ as the Sun

Isaiah 59:19 KJV – “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.”

In this text, the glory of the Lord is said to come upon man from the rising of the sun.  This is speaking of Christ at His second coming and His wrath that falls against wicked mankind.

 

Malachi 4:1-3 KJV – “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.  But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.  And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.”

This reference speaks of Christ’s second coming and His sending wrath upon the lost as excessive heat from the sun. Also, at His second coming His second coming is like the rising sun that spreads healing warmth and light to thrive for His people.

 

 

IV Christ As Lightning In The East

 

Matthew 24:27 KJV – “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

Christ’s second coming said to be in the eastern sky (where the sun rises) and will be like lightning.  This pictures His second coming as being unexpected, swift, powerful.  His power will be exercised at His second coming by the worldwide destruction of lost and total renovation of the earth.

May we all think of Christ as the Dawning Sun who came to the earth as and brought light into sin darkened world.   And someday, He will come again, as the Dawning Sun to shed the light of God’s glory into the world and to send  the heat of His wrath upon the lost in judgment and renovation of the sinful earth.

 

For an in depth look at these sections of the Revelation:

Revelation 22:6-21 “Conclusion To Revelation”