Answer
The identity of the bright morning star in Revelation 22:16 is revealed in the verse itself. Jesus says, “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” This verse is found in the concluding chapter of the book of Revelation, with Jesus confirming His divine nature and His physical lineage connected to David. In His human nature, Jesus is a “root”—He is lowly, humble, and unremarkable—but in His divine nature, Jesus is the “bright Morning Star”—He is majestic and lifted on high.
Some Bible readers find the term bright Morning Star controversial, as a similar term describes someone else in Isaiah 14:12, “How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!” Many theologians and scholars agree that this passage alludes to both the king of Babylon and Satan. How is it possible that the expression morning star also refers to Jesus?
Figurative language works in interesting ways, and one word can have different meanings depending on the context. This is what happens with the expression morning star. For example, consider how the word fire is used figuratively in these sentences:
A fire burned within him when he saw his wife wearing that black dress.
The soldiers ravaged the area like fire in a forest.
I’m hoping my talk will light a fire under her.
It should not be surprising or controversial that the Bible uses the term morning star in two different situations with different applications. This occurs with other words like water, son of man, and lion.The soldiers ravaged the area like fire in a forest.
I’m hoping my talk will light a fire under her.
Isaiah 43:2a states, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.” Here, water symbolizes an obstacle and a destructive force, akin to the Red Sea blocking the Israelites leaving Egypt.
Isaiah 12:3 uses the word water differently: “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”
Ezekiel was called a “son of man” in Ezekiel 2:2–3. The same title was used by Jesus throughout His ministry (see Matthew 12:8; Mark 14:62). The devil is compared to a lion (1 Peter 5:8), and so is Jesus (Revelation 5:5).
The use of the expression bright morning star for both Jesus and Satan can also have theological significance. Our enemy is the fallen star that remains fallen, and Jesus is the bright Morning Star that never goes out.
In Revelation 22:16, the title bright Morning Star conveys hope and assurance. The morning star is the harbinger of the day. As night falls away and a new day dawns, the morning star is the most prominent and beautiful of the celestial bodies. And, as the darkness of this evil world gives way to the brightness of God’s glorious kingdom, Jesus Himself will capture our attention as the One who ushers in the brand new day.
