Philologos
Bible Prophecy Research
Title: Morning Star
Submitted by: research-bpr@philologos.org
Date: November 18, 1998
URL: http://philologos.org/bpr/files/m004.htm

Morning Star

"Lucifer is a Latin word which signifies the 'morning star.' 'All the ancient versions and all the Rabbins make the word a noun denoting the bright one, or, more specifically, bright star, or according to the ancients more specifically still, the Morning Star or harbinger of daylight' (Dr. J. A. Alexander). This term 'Lucifer' has been commonly regarded as one of the names of Satan, and what is here said of the Morning Star is viewed as describing his apostasy. Against this interpretation we have nothing to say, except to remark that we are satisfied it does not exhaust this remarkable scripture...The force of this particular title 'Morning Star' is seen by comparing it with Revelation 22:16, where we learn that this is one of the titles of the God-man. The 'Morning Star' speaks of Christ coming to usher in the great Day of rest for the earth. In blasphemous travesty of this Satan will send forth the mock messiah to usher in a false millennium."

(The Antichrist, Arthur W. Pink)

What is the Morning Star?

"'Morning Star' is a name often used to describe the planet Venus. For part of each year Venus rises in the eastern sky, just before the sun. Since it is a very bringht planet and at that time remains visible into the morning hours, it might be called a morning star even though it isn't really a star at all. During other parts of the year, Venus becomes an evening star. Then it sets in the west, after the sun. Whether visible in the morning or evening, Venus never moves very far from the sun because it is an inner planet. Mercury also qualifies as a morning and evening light, but it is more difficult to see.

"In Scripture the title morning star is used in three different ways. First, Job 38:7 describes angels as morning stars (or day stars) that sang together at the creation of the universe. Angels were part of the initial creation (Col 1:16) and thus became witnesses of the great event. Second, the king of Babylon is described as a morning star and also a fallen star (Isa 14:4,12). The evil leader fell from the highest position to the lowest, just as Satan did. Third, the Lord Jesus is described as 'the bright Morning Star' (Rev 22:16), which rises in our hearts (2 Peter 1:19). Early-morning stargazers often watch the eastern sky to see the brilliant planet Venus rise to signal a new day. As Christians--children of God--we are told to shine 'like stars in the universe' (Phil 2:15)."

(Astronomy and the Bible, Donald B. DeYoung)

See Red Beast/Islam/Ottoman Empire under "Red Crescent."  

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