What Is The Morning Star In Revelation 2:26-29?

26 He who overcomes, and he who keeps My deeds until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations; 27 And he shell rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to pieces, as I also have received authority from My Father…

In a continual series of promises (Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21) to the one who overcomes, Jesus promises nothing less than authority of Israel’s king over the nations of the world promised in the Scriptures. The verse quoted above comes from Psalm 2:9 and as we see from vs. 28 it applies first and foremost to Jesus Christ Himself (See also Rev. 12:5; 19:15). Yet strikingly Christ promises to share his own crown rights with those who will keep his commandments (works) for as long as needed.  

28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

The text that is often quoted in connection with this is 2 Peter 1:19 reads as follows:

“Moreover, we possess the prophetic word as an altogether reliable thing. You do well if you pay attention to this as you would to a light shining in a murky place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

But there seems to be little connection with it since here in Greek the word translated as “morning star” is φωσφόρος (phosphoros). The “morning star” in Rev. 2:28 is ἀστὴρ πρωϊνός (aster proinos), which faithfully reflects the meaning of the original. One other Jewish text may shed the light on this issue, however. When the Book of Sirach praises priest Simeon the Righteous, it describes him in very poetic fashion:

“How glorious was he when he looked forth from the Tent, and when he came out from the sanctuary! Like a morning-star (ἀστὴρ ἑωθινὸς) from between the clouds, and like the full moon on the feast-days; Like the sun shining upon the Temple of the Most High…” (Sirach 50:5-7)

Even though the second Greek word (ἑωθινὸς) is not exactly the same as in Rev.2:28 (πρωϊνός) it never the less is fully synonymous with it.

Therefore, the basic aspects of meaning of the concept of the morning star is glory. To receive or to be given the morning star should be understood as a promise of the glorious future, an affirmation of great good yet to come.

Jesus is promising to grant the gift of the morning star to the one who overcomes. In Rev. 22:16 Jesus states that He himself is “the bright morning star” (ὁ ἀστὴρ ὁ λαμπρὸς ὁ πρωϊνός). In short, to anyone with the ultimate faithfulness and perseverance of the overcomer Jesus promises to give a glorious future. They will share it with and in Christ Himself.

 

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Dr. Eli Lizorkin-EyzenbergTo secure your spot in our new course “The Jewish Background of New Testament” - CLICK HERE NOW

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  1. Lisa Bari

    There is one typo and one sentence fragment in this article. Would you be interested in a proof reader?

  2. spirit force..

    What a amazing creature we are..with chaos..earthquakes sicknesses..as we are now reaching to the stars..and healing the sick..maeybe we will understand..we are made of star matter.
    though more importantly..that which made the universes and cosmo
    is the spirit force..which is very much alive..this force which knows you personally..” Your thoughts..
    So within you..is the light of God..
    and if then the stars dance..before you….its the same as at which jesus taught..ask the tree or your dog..
    because god is in control..very much alive….
    and if jesus came ate dinner with you..you would know his voice..
    cuz were born again. and we are living in a river if living light..
    The cosmos..
    and the morning star..
    many just see the sun.
    though the sun of rightousness ..shines upon all..
    namaste
    oh and
    in the lords name..
    Have a great..day..

    1. Bruce Edward Pritchard

      The wind blows where it wills. You hear its sound but cannot tell where it came from or where it goes.