April 21: JOY IN THE MORNING
“and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 2:28-29
The final promise from Jesus to His overcomers in Thyatira is the morning star. He later identifies Himself as its fulfillment:
“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.” Revelation 22:16
In this amazing promise, Jesus is declaring the gift of Himself to each one of His faithful. The wording takes our minds straight back to no less than four characters in the past:
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” Genesis 15:1
And then there is Jacob, the deceiver, who wrestled with God (and man) and ultimately came into agreement with His Maker who gave him a new name, declaring him no longer a deceiver, but an overcomer and prevailer with Himself:
“Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel*, for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.” Genesis 32:28 (*meaning Prince with God or Overcomer with God)
And Balaam, in spite of himself and his greed, could not set a curse upon the children of Israel in the wilderness. He prophesied of God’s gift:
“A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” Numbers 24:17 (see also Matthew 2:2)
The beloved Apostle Peter confirmed the connection between Bible prophecy and the Covenantal Promise of God to all who will hear what the Spirit says:
“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.” 2 Peter 1:19
The longest of the seven letters to the churches correlates with the longest time of persecution directed at the followers of Christ. Indeed, it was a very dark time. Jesus, the Light of Life, is the only true Comfort. His Spirit, our Comforter (John 14:16-17), makes all the difference between a sad countenance of defeat and the bright countenance of His people whose citizenship is (present tense) in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
Beloved, a very dark time is still ahead, but He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness (Romans 9:28). Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5), and there will be no night in heaven (Revelation 21:25).