The Bright Morning Star!

From the desk of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D. A few days ago, a sister in Christ asked me the following question: Why are both Jesus and Satan referred to as the morning star? Excellent question! Allow me to answer it. The first reference to the morning star as an individual is in Isaiah 14:12-15: “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations! But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, And I will sit on the mount of assembly In the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit.” It is clear from this passage that Isaiah is referring to Satan’s fall from heaven. Jesus describes Satan’s fall as “like lightning” indicating that his judgment in heaven was swift and obvious (Luke 10:18). So in this case, the morning star refers to Satan. In Revelation 22:16, Jesus unmistakably identifies Himself as the morning star. He said, “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” However, the idea of a “bright morning star” is a star that outshines all the others, and Jesus is the One who is called “bright.” Satan was a morning star. Jesus, as God incarnate, the Creator of the universe, is the BRIGHT and morning star! Jesus is the most holy and powerful “light” in existence! So, while both Jesus and Satan can be described as “morning stars,” in no sense is this equating Jesus and Satan. Satan is a created being. His light only exists to the extent that God created it. Jesus is the light of the world (John 9:5). Only Jesus’ light is “bright” and self-existent. Satan may be a morning star, but he is only a poor imitation of the one true bright morning star, Christ Jesus, the light of the world. Be encouraged!