We have been studying the “I AM” statements of Jesus in our early Sunday morning worship hour. These statements reveal different truths about our Savior, emphasizing His willingness and ability to meet our every spiritual need. The statements begin in John’s gospel but continue in the book of Revelation.
So far, we have studied the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Door of the Sheepfold, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, the Way the Truth and the Life, the Good Vine, the Alpha and the Omega, and the Root and Offspring of David. I have one more sermon I want to preach in the series, but there are a couple more statements that “didn’t make the cut.” One of them is Jesus as “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” (Rev. 22:16).
The recipients of Revelation were suffering terribly for their faith in Jesus. The letter was written to encourage the Christians to remain faithful and overcome with the Lamb. As the Root and Offspring of David, Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise of a deliverer even in the most unlikely of circumstances. The nation had been sawed down to a lifeless stump, but from a humble sprout, God’s promise would survive and be fulfilled. These suffering saints saw their faith being “cut down” and destroyed by the Jews and now by the Roman Empire, but God’s enemies will never destroy His promises.
The Bright and Morning Star has roots in Old Testament prophecy. Balaam, the son of Beor, was hired to curse the Children of Israel, but spoke God’s words to Balak. His fourth oracle spoke of a future king arising from the infant nation of Israel. “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult” (Num. 24:17). A Scepter is a staff or rod that symbolizes royal authority and sovereignty. The Star is linked with the Scepter, indicating He will be a King.
The Morning Star is the brightest star seen in the sky before dawn. Today, we know this is actually the planet Venus (sometimes Mercury) when it appears in the east just before sunrise. It was a beacon of the dawning of the day. This is how the figure was used by Peter. “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:19).
Going back to the context of the book of Revelation: these Christians were enduring an unimaginable period of persecution. They cried out “How long, O Lord?” (Rev. 6:10). Jesus as the Bright and Morning Star answers this question. The long night of tribulation is almost over. The King is coming soon and He will usher in the victorious dawn of a new day.
This figure also gives us comforting reassurance. Jesus our King. We are citizens in His kingdom, enjoying His protection and provision. Whatever suffering we must endure as we sojourn in this world will be short compared to eternity. The wait is almost over. The new day will soon be here. We can endure.