Jesus and Satan are both called the Morning star (Isaiah 14:12 and Rev 22:16), Why?
by Peter Salemi
Why are both Jesus and Satan called the "morning star?" Some claim that this proves Jesus and Satan are brothers. Others say Jesus and Satan are both angels, and therefore Jesus is NOT God. What is the truth?
Context is Key
When looking at these passages context is everything! Notice Jesus is called the "the Bright and Morning Star." It also says he is the "root and the offspring of David" (Rev 22:16). "The descendant; the progeny of David; 'the seed of David according to the flesh."' (Barnes Notes). Jesus said he descends from Royalty and Jesus, the son of David and is coming to inherit David's throne Luke 1:32-That is the context!
Symbolism of the "star"
We must remember "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation." (2 Peter 1:20). The Bible interprets its own symbols.
In this context, A star is often a sign of royalty and an ancient emblem of sovereignty : "There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel" (Num 24:17). This prophecy tells us that a King will rise out of Israel. This King would come out of Judah, "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [Messiah] come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." (Gen 49:10). Out of Judah came David, and God promised David that from him would come a line of Kings and a Messiah (Jeremiah 33:15, 17; Isaiah 7:13-14; 9:6-7). Jesus understood this and this is why he claimed to be, "the bright and morning star." He was the "star" the royal sovereign prophesied in the book of Numbers.
It is called the "morning" star meaning a new beginning and new reign was coming to earth the Kingdom of God. "as the morning star ushers in the sun, so shall I usher in the unclouded and eternal glories of the everlasting kingdom." (Clarke's Commentary)
"The star-metaphor reflects the significance of the morning-star which meant the beginning of a new day for toilers in the Levant...The phraseology brings out the conviction of the early church that the present trial was only the cold, dark hour before the dawn. Their faith in Jesus assured them that an eternal prospect of bliss awaited them, and that this vista of hope was hound up with the person of the risen Jesus (cf. Rev 22:13). The watchword was, sunrise and morning-star (cf. Expos. Dec. 1902, 424–441). Christianity was not some ephemeral Oriental cult, which had had its day; the cosmic overthrow meant a new era for its adherents. The Apocalypse thus closes, as it began (Rev 1:5-6) with a note of ringing emphasis upon the eternal significance of Christ in the divine plan and purpose." (The expositors Greek Testament by Robertson, emphasis added).
The "star" given to Christians
Revelation 2:28 reveals that this "morning star" will be given to Christians. "And I will give him the morning star." How is a star given? Again context is key. When the context is understood one can understand what Jesus meant; and the context is the same as Rev 22:16. It is speaking of the rule and reign of Christ and the Kingdom of God!
The previous passages in chapter 2 reveals to us the context, "...will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. " (Rev 2:26, 27). He gives his followers the morning star a symbol of royalty, power and ruler ship to sit with him on his throne (Rev 3:21)
and inherit the Kingdom of God! Jesus gives Christians the "morning star"-the kingdom of God.Lucifer the Morning star
Understanding this, when we get to the scriptures about Satan the Devil it makes total sense why he is called the "morning star."
Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 tell us that Satan fell from Grace and became rebellious towards God. But before that, Lucifer was an angel and obey and served God, "
Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created," (Ezekiel 28:15). This was the original state of Lucifer who became Satan the Devil, "till iniquity was found in thee." (v.15).Before he sinned
GOD GAVE HIM A THRONE! "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain [symbol of a kingdom Daniel 2: 35, 44] of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire." (Ezekiel 28:14). God set Lucifer up on this earth, on a throne ruling this earth as a vassal king for God. Lucifer was King over this earth!Jesus even said that his throne is on earth "even where Satan's seat is:" (Rev 2:13) The word "seat" is "thronos" (Strong's #2362) and it means throne. Jesus called Satan the "Prince of this world" (John 12:31). The Greek word "Prince" is "archon" (Strong's #758) and it means ruler.But as scripture says Lucifer sinned! Lucifer's "...
heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness:" (Ezekiel 28:17). Lucifer wanted to be worshipped! He wanted to be God and be above the angels!Understanding this, when we read Isaiah 14:12 and understanding the context we understand why Lucifer, now Satan was called the "morning star."
"How you have fallen from heaven, you morning star, son of the dawn!" (Isa 14:12 God's Word Transl). Why did God call him this? The context is in verses 13-14, "
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." (King James Version).Satan as Lucifer had a throne, a Kingdom-a morning star!
He was in charge of this earth and he rebelled against God. It was right in the beginning of his reign he rebelled, that why it's put "How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!" "a thing almost incredible," (Gill's Commentary). Barely the beginning of his reign and already his heart was filled with pride and he wanted to be "like God." This led to the original "star wars" and the wrecking of the earth and the Universe and the imprisonment of Satan the Devil on this earth. (Luke 10:18). His influence cannot pass the boundaries of this earth. So God re-created this earth in 7 days (Genesis 1).Now, God, to topple Satan off his throne, created man in his own image and to have "dominion" over the earth (Gen 1:26).
Why do you suppose that right after everything was complete after the creation week that Satan came to tempt Adam and Eve? He saw the threat to his rule, and tempted man; man fell into temptation and sinned. Satan won that battle. And to this day the Bible says that Satan is the ruler and the god of this world (John 12:31; 2 Corinth 4:4)!
However, God then sent his own Son, Jesus, who is called the "last Adam" (
1 Corinth 15:45). There was the first Adam, and then there is the last Adam, Jesus Christ. God sent him to inherit David's throne which is God's throne (see 1 Chron 29:23; 2 Chron 9:8), and to topple the current ruler Satan the devil.The Temptation of Jesus
Many do not realize what the temptation of Jesus really meant! "
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil." (Matthew 4:1). Why? Jesus spent is whole life up to that time, "...waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him....And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man." (Luke 2:40, 52). When someone is getting ready for a championship race, game, competition, one must practice over and over again, and pretty much live their life getting ready for such competition.Jesus was going up against the most evil, deceitful, cunning creature in the world, Satan the Devil. Jesus, in the flesh, at this time, when he was being, "led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil" was ready to go head to head against the Devil for the ruler ship of this world, and Jesus WON! Satan wanted to get Jesus [the last Adam] to do what the first ADAM DID, SIN. But Jesus prevailed and overcame "even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Rev 3:21).
Now Jesus is coming to set up his Kingdom, and knock the current ruler off his throne-Satan the Devil (Rev 20:1-3) and A New day, the Morning star-the Kingdom of God will be here for 1000 years (Rev 20:4).
After the 1000 years Satan will try and reclaim that throne again (Rev 20:7-10) but this will lead instead to his permanent imprisonment, and we Christians, "that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." (Rev 21:7) will receive that "morning star" as well.
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