Bright And Morning Star

“I am… the bright morning star” — Revelation 22:16 ESV

The “Morning Star” is actually not a star.  It is actually a nickname for the planet Venus.  Venus is called the “Morning Star” because

1) it looks like a star; and 2) when it appears, the sun is sure to appear very soon after — at the most, in an hour or two.

So you could think of the appearing of the Morning Star as an announcement that the sun will be appearing soon.  The morning star is here, and the full light of day will shine soon.  

Jesus called Himself “The Bright Morning Star.” What is the significance of that title? When Jesus was in the world, he said he was “The Light of the World” (John 8:12).   He appeared as a light in the darkness.  Listen to Matt 4:16, which speaks of His birth: “The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”  This world is full of spiritual and moral darkness, and the birth of Christ a light was shining bright, as Jesus lit up the world as “the true light, who gives light to everyone” (John 1:5).  

Jesus calling Himself the Bright Morning Star means that His first appearing (when He was born) was simply an announcement that His second coming is inevitable (when He returns to right every wrong, and we live in heaven with Him).  Just as Venus rises as a small light and announces the sun is on its way to give the full light of day, Jesus’ first appearing was an announcement that His Second Coming is imminent and inevitable.  He came the first time as the Light of the World.  He will come again as the One who leads us into the everlasting Light.  He will bring us to the place that

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This blog is an excerpt from Robert Presson’s devotional book, “Look to Jesus,” available for a donation of any amount at cityrevivalnola.com/give. Please indicate that you would like the book when you give.