dayspring and morning star
OBSERVATION:
As Christmas Day fast approaches, the joy and celebration reach a crescendo with the celebration of the Birth of Christ early on that Christmas morning. It is good, better yet, essential for us to remember the importance of the Christmas story and not get lost in the business and sometimes routine of the Christmas season. Join me over the next seven days as we look at the fulfillment of the prophetic light coming into the world through Jesus Christ. Each day, we will light a candle symbolizing the “Light of the World,” Jesus Christ's entrance into the world He created, to save mankind. We will examine the Old Testament prophecy and the New Testament fulfillment in Luke, chapters 1 and 2.
Imagine, if you will, a menorah with seven candles.
As Christmas Day fast approaches, the joy and celebration reach a crescendo with the celebration of the Birth of Christ early on that Christmas morning. It is good, better yet, essential for us to remember the importance of the Christmas story and not get lost in the business and sometimes routine of the Christmas season. Join me over the next seven days as we look at the fulfillment of the prophetic light coming into the world through Jesus Christ. Each day, we will light a candle symbolizing the “Light of the World,” Jesus Christ's entrance into the world He created, to save mankind. We will examine the Old Testament prophecy and the New Testament fulfillment in Luke, chapters 1 and 2.
Imagine, if you will, a menorah with seven candles.
The menorah is a seven-branched candelabrum used in the ancient Jewish temple, symbolizing light and the presence of God.
The menorah calls us to be the light of the world, reflecting the true Light of the World—Jesus—to everyone. – GotQuestions.org.
The menorah calls us to be the light of the world, reflecting the true Light of the World—Jesus—to everyone. – GotQuestions.org.
As we light each candle over the next seven days, let it shine the light of Jesus in your hearts, homes, and those around you. May the Light of the Word fill you with joy this season.
The Light of the World – Dayspring and Morning Star
As we light the first candle, we see Jesus as the “Light of the World.” Isaiah 9:2 tells us, “A light has dawned, and the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” We see that Zacheriah also prophesied about Jesus as, “the Dayspring from on high”.
Luke 1:78-79 NKJV - Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."
In this instance, the dayspring is a metaphor for the promised Messiah, Jesus, who would soon arrive. The NIV translates the word for “dayspring” as “the rising sun”; the New American Standard Version (NASB) translates it as “the Sunrise from on high.” The word "Sunrise" is capitalized in the NASB because it refers to the Son of God, who would rise like the sun to bring light to all men.
Dayspring signifies morning or dawn. The SON has risen at dawn, not only at His birth, but also at His resurrection.
In Revelation 22:16, Jesus referred to Himself as the “Bright and Morning Star.”
Revelation 22:16 NKJV - "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."
The idea of a “bright morning star” is a star that outshines all the others, and Jesus is the One who is called “bright.” Jesus is the most holy and powerful “light” in all the universe. We see that this prophecy is mentioned in Numbers 24:17.
Numbers 24:17 NKJV - "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult."
Luke 1:78-79 NKJV - Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace."
In this instance, the dayspring is a metaphor for the promised Messiah, Jesus, who would soon arrive. The NIV translates the word for “dayspring” as “the rising sun”; the New American Standard Version (NASB) translates it as “the Sunrise from on high.” The word "Sunrise" is capitalized in the NASB because it refers to the Son of God, who would rise like the sun to bring light to all men.
Dayspring signifies morning or dawn. The SON has risen at dawn, not only at His birth, but also at His resurrection.
In Revelation 22:16, Jesus referred to Himself as the “Bright and Morning Star.”
Revelation 22:16 NKJV - "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star."
The idea of a “bright morning star” is a star that outshines all the others, and Jesus is the One who is called “bright.” Jesus is the most holy and powerful “light” in all the universe. We see that this prophecy is mentioned in Numbers 24:17.
Numbers 24:17 NKJV - "I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult."
The last of Balaam’s four prophecies reached the apex as he was allowed by God to look down through history to the coming of the Messiah. Balaam said,
“I see Him, but not know… a Star shall come out of Jacob…” The birth of Jesus was announced by the presence of a star.
On the last page of the Bible, in Revelation 22:16, Jesus referred to Himself as “ the Bright and Morning Star.” Jesus truly is the Star of the Bible. – Chuck Smith.
“I see Him, but not know… a Star shall come out of Jacob…” The birth of Jesus was announced by the presence of a star.
On the last page of the Bible, in Revelation 22:16, Jesus referred to Himself as “ the Bright and Morning Star.” Jesus truly is the Star of the Bible. – Chuck Smith.
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.
APPLICATON:
John 8:12 NKJV - Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
Though the world we live in is full of darkness, a Light has dawned.
John 1:4-5 NKJV - In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
The word “comprehend” can be better rendered as “extinguish”. The darkness tried, failed, yet continues to try to extinguish the truth of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. The darker it gets, the brighter the Light of the World shines. As we follow the Light of the World, we are called to shine that same light to others—like a lighthouse, searchlight, and SONlight in a dark world.
Keep Shining!
John 8:12 NKJV - Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
Though the world we live in is full of darkness, a Light has dawned.
John 1:4-5 NKJV - In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
The word “comprehend” can be better rendered as “extinguish”. The darkness tried, failed, yet continues to try to extinguish the truth of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. The darker it gets, the brighter the Light of the World shines. As we follow the Light of the World, we are called to shine that same light to others—like a lighthouse, searchlight, and SONlight in a dark world.
Keep Shining!
PRAYER:
Jesus, thank You for being the Light of the World. Shine bright in my life, that I might shine in this dark as a reflection of the true light. This Christmas season, may I rejoice in Jesus, the Light of the World!
Jesus, thank You for being the Light of the World. Shine bright in my life, that I might shine in this dark as a reflection of the true light. This Christmas season, may I rejoice in Jesus, the Light of the World!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved.”
– Jesus (John 3:16-17)
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world through Him might be saved.”
– Jesus (John 3:16-17)