A Key to Open Scripture Metaphors, Book 2 · Part 2 · Subpart 48
Christ the Bright and Morning Star.
Rev. 22.16.
I am the Root, and Off-spring of David, and the Bright and Morning Star.
MOrning Star, in the Greek foreign, a Star of exceeding Brightness, Metaphorically signifies, the shining Light of the paths of the Just. Prov. 4.18. (where the Hebrew word is Lucifer, for the Morning Star) so Job 11.17. A fuller Knowledg of God by inward Illumination. 2 Pet. 1.19. The King of Assyria. Isa. 14.17. The glorious Light of Eternity. Rev. 2.28. (see Dan. 12.3. 1 Cor. 15.41, 42.) Lastly, Christ the Saviour of the World. Rev. 22.16. for which see Phil. Sacra. chap. 8. of an Anthropopathy, and the following Parallel.
METAPHOR.
I. THe Morning Star is a very solid Light, without twinkling, corruscation or sparkling, as other Stars do.
II. The Bright and Morning Star is the Harbinger to the greatest of natural Joy (viz.) rising of the Sun, what doth the Earth desire more?
III. The Morning Star is a great Ornament to the Heavens: this is so visible, that it needs no Instances to prove it.
IV. The Morning Star is a very pleasant Object to all that have Eyes to behold it and love the Light.
V. The Morning Star is esteemed not a little useful to guide Mariners when they have lost the light of their more common Guide, (viz.) the Pole Star.
VI. The Morning Star is by Astronomers accounted a Star of the first Magnitude.
VII. The Morning Star is observed to be a terror to Thieves and evil Men, when they see this Sun of the Morning appear they haste away to hide themselves, lest the light of the Day should overtake and discover them.
VIII. The Morning Star (as other Stars) is fixed in its Orb, wherein it performs a constant Motion.
IX. The Morning Star gives most Light just before break of Day.
X. It is the Opinion of some, that the Morning Star doth send forth very blessed Influences upon those Bodies that are under its Dominion.
XI. The Morning Star doth chiefly govern pleasant and delightful Plants.
XII. The Morning Star is accounted the master Planet, for Moderation, said to cause gentle Storms in Winter, and moderate Heat in Summer.
XIII. The Morning Star is said to be the cause of Beauty.
XIV. The Morning Star doth most Service in Winter, because the greatest part of that Season is Night and Darkness.
XV. The Morning Star hath an honourable Name, it is called the Son of the Morning.
XVI. The morning Star is known to be the Evening Star as well as the Morning Star, and in both respects is useful to the World.
XVII. The Morning Star, tho it may be obscured by Mists, Fogs, Clouds, and dark Vapors; yet nothing can hinder its Course, but it constantly keeps its Motion and Circle in the Heavens, cannot be prevailed against by any malignant Power whatsoever. Thieves and evil Men like not its Appearance, yet cannot obstruct its Motion in the Firmament, nor stop its Light from shining on the Earth.
XVIII. The Morning Star, as it hath those Properties and Excellencies already exprest; so lastly, it exceeds all other Stars for Brightness and Glory.
Parallel.
I. THe Lord Jesus is a very solid Light, whose Glory is not like others who have their Intermissions; but he abides steady, his Glory and Bright-shining is always alike, his whole course of Life was as if it had been but one continued Act of Goodness; He is the same in the Morning, Noon and Night; Yesterday, to day and for ever. Heb. 13.8.
II. Jesus Christ he is the Harbinger of the great Joy to all Nations. How joyful was that time, when the Day-spring from on high did first visit us? The People that sat in Darkness, saw great Light, and to those that dwell in the Vallies of the shadow of Death, great Light is risen, &c. His coming was the fulfilling of God's gracious Promise unto the Fathers, and as the blessed manifestation of God's rich Favour and good Will to Man; he is also the Fore-runner or the Harbinger of that Dominion that the Just shall have in the Resurrection, the morning of the longed-for Day. The path of the Just is as a shining Light, that shineth more and more to the perfect day. Prov. 4.18. The upright shall have Dominion over them in the Morning. The Night is far spent, Psal. Rom. 13.11, 12.the Day is at hand. This (above all others) is the day that the Lord hath made (for good Men) therein to rejoyce and be glad. Psal. 118.24.
III. Jesus Christ is not only an Ornament to the Christian Church and Profession, far beyond what Moses was to the Jews; but even to Heaven it self, and the Holy Angels, who did not a little rejoyce at his ascending into Heaven. God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a Trumpet; sing Praises to our God, sing Praises. Psal. 47.5.
IV. Jesus Christ is a very pleasant Object to Men that are spiritually inlightned; therefore it is that they do ardently desire to be near him, and with him where he is. David, tho he had not so clear a sight and prospect of this bright and morning Star, as Men have under the Gospel; yet that prospect he had, made him use this pious Prayer; O when shall I come and appear before God! Psal. 42.2. Then shall I be satisfied when I awake with thy Likeness, &c. Psal. 17.15. I have a desire (saith Paul) to depart and to be with Christ, &c. Phil. 1.23. Those that look for him do also cry, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.
V. Jesus Christ is highly esteemed by all that sail Heaven-wards, no steering the right Course without him; He gives good Assurance to all that follow him, they should not abide in Darkness, but have the Light of Life. The Following of Christ Jesus is the most certain way to avoid the Rocks, the Sands, and the Hands of all spiritual and temporal Enemies.
VI. Jesus Christ is really the most excellent and chiefest Light that ever God set in the Church; Moses and the Prophets, John Baptist, and the three Beloved Apostles, Peter, James and John, and Paul who was most eminent, were shining Lights and glorious Stars, who adorned the Profession of the Holy Gospel; but in all things this Bright and Morning Star infinitely surpassed them in Splendor and Brightness.Heb. 1.3.
VII. Jesus Christ is a great Terror not only to wicked Men, but wicked Angels, to all that love Darkness more than Light, they hate him and fear him, they consulted against him, and more times than once attempted to pluck this Star out of the Firmament, that so they might walk in Darkness, carry on their black Designs and Deeds without discovery. Satan attempted his Destruction from the Pinacle of the Temple, sets a Squadron of the black Regiment to resolve upon his Death,Mat. 4.5. knowing him to be the Fore-runner of the Day, which Thieves and Robbers cannot endure; Come, let us kill the Heir, Mat. 21.38&c. They hate the Light, come not to it, lest their Deeds should be reproved. They led him to the Brow of the Hill, that they might cast him down headlong. Luk. 4.29. The evil Angels thought he came too soon, Why art thou come to torment us before the time?Mat. 8.29.
VIII. Jesus Christ is constant in his Orb or Station, he is a Priest for ever, a Prophet to guide for ever, a King to govern for ever; he leaves not his Office as inconstant Men do, but makes good his Word as settled in Heaven. And lo I am with you always, to the end of the World. Mat. 28.20.Heb. 13 5. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee; or leave thee to a forsaking.
IX. Jesus gave a great Light unto the World by the Ministry of John, by the Appearance of himself, and by the Ministry of the Apostles and their immediate Successors. But the greatest Light is reserved to the flying of the Angel through the midst of Heaven with the everlasting Gospel, before the great and notable Day come, wherein the whole Earth shall be lightned with his Glory, both Jews and Gentiles shall acknowledg the Blessed Messiah. Arise and shine, for thy Light is come, the Glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. The Gentiles shall come to thy Light, and Kings to the Brightness of thy rising. Isa. 60.1, 3. The Earth shall be filled with the Knowledg of the Glory of the Lord, as the Waters cover the Sea. Hab. 214.
X. Jesus doth send forth very blessed and sweet Influences upon the Bodies and Souls of Men that are under his gracious Rule and Dominion; it is he who sends down the Holy Ghost. If I go away, I will send you another Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, &c. Joh. 16.7, 8.
XI. Jesus Christ, tho all Power in Heaven and Earth be given unto him, by whom Kings raign and Princes decree Judgment and Justice, Nobles rule, even all the Judges of the Earth, Who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords; yet his chief Rule and Government is over the pleasant and delightful Plants, the Saints who are on the Earth, the Excellent in whom is all his delight; 'tis they that hear his Word, obey his Voice, and do his Will, &c. The hundred forty and four Thousand are pleasant and delightful ones;Rev. 14.1, 4. Rev. 7.17. (1.) The Father's Name is upon them; (2.) They are not defiled with Women; (3.) They follow the Lamb whithersoever he g…eth. These are governed by the Lamb.
XII. Jesus Christ is the Master of all Moderation both for soft Words and gentle Instructions, who by good Doctrine did so eminently qualify his Followers, that he fitted them for every Season, when cast down, he comforted them with good Words and Promises: Let not your hearts be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in me. If I go away, I will come again and receive you to my self, that where I am, you may be also. Joh. 14.1, 3. When hot and fiery, he cools and abates Choler. You know not what Spirit you are of. The Son of Man came not to destroy Men's Lives, Mat. 11.28, 29.but to save them. Love your Enemies. Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find Rest for your Souls.
XIII. Jesus Christ is really the cause of all Beauty to the true Church, and to all the Members thereof. 1. In respect of Imputed Righteousness, by which they are justified. 2. In respect of Grace and Vertue, by which they are adorned. 3. In respect of Good Life and Conversation, which arises from his Spirit, Doctrine, and good Example.Act. 13.39. By him all that believe are justified — But the fruits of the Spirit are Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance. Gal. 5.22. You are compleat in him, who is the Head of all Principalities and Powers.
XIV. Jesus Christ doth greatest kindness in the Winter, or dark time of the Church; then it is he maketh Intercession, manifesteth Care, and sends Relief and Succour to the Saints, performs all the parts of a merciful High-Priest and Mediator: but when the Winter is past, the darkness gone, and the night quite spent, then his Office of Priesthood and Mediatorship shall cease; Then shall the Son deliver up the Kingdom to the Father, and God shall be All in All. 1 Cor. 15.24.
XV. Jesus Christ hath a very honourable Name, Jesus which is Saviour,Phil. 2.9. Mat. 1.21. Acts 4.26. Joh. 6.59. Psal. 4.5. 1 Joh. 5.20. Act. 13.15. Rev. 1.5. 2 Tim. 1.10. Heb. 1.4. Christ which is Anointed; The Son of God, the only begotten, well beloved; the Emanuel, God with us; and he hath a Name above every Name. Thou shalt call his Name Jesus, for he shall save his People from their Sins. The Rulers set themselves against the Lord and his Anointed. And we believe thou art Christ the Son of the Living God. God is gone up with a shout. This is the true God, and Eternal Life; Lord of all, Lord of Glory, Prince of Life, Prince of Peace, Prince of the Kings of the Earth. The day-Star from on high, that bringeth Life and Immortality to light, by the Gospel. He hath by Inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than the Angels.
XVI. Jesus Christ is Omega as well as Alpha, the Finisher as well the as Author or Beginner of our Faith; the Re…egard, as well as the Captain of our Salvation; gives the latter, as well as the first fruits of the Spirit; trains as well as conducts; he rewards according to the Works of Piety and Goodness, as well as he commands to do them; he concludes this day of Grace when he comes to judg, as well as he began it when he came to save. He ushers in the dismal night of Darkness to the wicked, as well as he ushers in the day of glad Tidings and great Joy to the Righteous; He appears after the going down of the Sun and shutting up of Mercy, as well as before the rising of the Sun, and clear approach of Mercy; He is a Harbinger to Captivity, as well as to the year of Jubile and Deliverance; He sends down to Hell and Darkness, as well as as sends up to Heaven and Glory. I am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. Rev. 1.8. Heb. 12.2.Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our Faith.
XVII. Jesus Christ, and the Light of the Gospel, altho sometimes obscured by the means of misty foggy Clouds, Powers of Darkness, Ignorance, Unbelief and Heresy; yet nothing can hinder his Course, but he constantly keeps his glorious Circle in his Dispensation, and keeps a continual Motion in a way of Divine Providence, until the time of his Kingdom and Patience is over.Heb. 10.37. He that hath promised to come, will come, and will not tarry. The Lord whom you seek, Rev. 1.7.will suddenly come to his Temple. Behold, I come quickly, and my Reward is with me. He cannot be prevailed against by any malignant Powers of Earth or Hell. Herod, Pontius Pilate, the High-Priest, the whole body of the Jews, the Romans, Mahomatans; and Papists that hate him and his glorious Appearance, cannot obstruct his Motion and Operation in the Church or World, nor in any-wise extinguish his Light from its glorious Splendor. Hereafter shall you see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and …reat Glory. 'Tis hard for thee to kick against the Pricks. The Disciples waxed bold and multiplied. Mat. 24.30 Act. 9.5.The Blood of the Martyrs was the Seed of the Church. O Galilean! thou …a… overcome me, saith wicked Julian. On this Rock will I build my Church, Mat. 16.18and the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. The Administration of Christ is like the Path of the Just, that sh…neth more and more to the perfect day. Of his Kingdom there shall be no end, Isa. 9.7.upon the Throne of David, to order and establish it with Judgment and with Justice from henceforth, even for ever.
XVIII. Jesus Christ in all that hath been or can be said, exceeds in Brightness and Glory; for (as hath been manifested) he is the Brightness of his Father's Glory, in which respect he exceeds Angels and Men, for tho he was the Off-spring of David, yet he is the Bright and Morning Star.Rev. 22.16
METAPHOR.
I. The Morning Star did not make it self, nor other Stars.
II. The Sun, and Morning-Star, are two things; for the Morning-Star is much inferiour to the Sun in light and glory.
III. The Morning-Star gives but external light to the corporal sense.
IV. The Morning Star gives light only in the night, but loseth its glory when the Sun ariseth.
V. The Morning Star gives Light only to the visible World.
VI. The Morning Star shall fall from Heaven, or be dissolved at the general Conflagration of the World; the Heavens and the Earth that now is are reserved, &c.
Disparity.
I. JEsus Christ the Bright and morning Star, made the Orbs wherein the Stars are fixed, with the Sun, Moon and all the World besides. And thou Lord, in the beginning didst lay the Foundations of the Earth, and the Heavens are the Work of thy Hands.Psal. 102.25.
II. Jesus Christ thought it no Robbery to be equal with God.Phil. 2.6, 7. And he is not only the bright and Morning-Star, but also the Sun of Righteousness, (see Sun.) the brightness of his Father's Glory, and the express Image of his Person, Heb. 1.3.and he upholds all things by the Word of his Power.
III. Jesus Christ gives internal light, which illuminates the Minds and Souls of all Believers. This is the true Light, who is not only the Light of the World, but delivereth also all those that truly follow him out of darkness, and bestoweth on them the Light of Life.Joh. 8.12.
IV. Jesus Christ giveth light continually, and can never lose his Glory, because a greater Light than he cannot arise; The night and the day are alike to him. The Light shined in Darkness, and the Darkness comprehended it not. Joh. 1.5. Isa. 60.20.He is the Lord that is an everlasting Light.
V. Jesus Christ gives Light to the visible and celestial too, to this World, and to the World to come, or heavenly Jerusalem, which City hath no need of Sun or Moon to shine in it, but the Lord God and the Lamb is the Light thereof. Ye are come to Mount Zion, to God the Judg of all, Heb. 12.and to Jesus the Mediator.
VI. Jesus shall never fall from Heaven, nor be dissolved, but abide and continue when the Heavens shall be no more. And thou Lord, Psal. 102.25, 26, 27.hast laid the Foundations of the Earth, and the Heavens are the Work of thine own Hands: they shall wax old as doth a Garment; and as a Vesture shalt thou shalt fold them up, and they shall be changed; Heb. 13.8.but thou art the same, and thy Years fail not; Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, to day, Heb. 3.8.and for ever.
Inferences.
I. WHat great Love doth God bear? and what Care doth he take of Believers? in placing such a Star as Jesus Christ is, to be a Light unto them, to direct them how to steer their Course in the darkest time, so as to miss all dangerous Rocks and Sands, and to arrive in safety at the desired and longed-for Haven.
II. How safe are they that do always steer their Course by his Light, and follow his Conduct? they shall not be at a loss in their Journeys or Voiages, nor suffer Shipwrak by Rocks, Sands or Storms, but shall have the Light of Life, Act. 16▪32.shall never perish. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved.
III. This may shew also the certainty of their perishing in the Dark and in the Deep, that continue their Course to the end of their Voiage without the Light and Guidance of this Bright and Morning Star. This is the Condemnation, that Light is come into the World, and Men love Darkness rather than Light, Joh. 3.12.because their Deeds are evil.
VI. Hence all true Christians (that have experimentally enjoyed Inlightnings, Refreshings, and Conduct by Jesus Christ, as the Bright and Morning Star) may be stirred up and perswaded yet more and more to look unto Jesus, who is not only the Author and Finisher of their Faith, but causeth his Glorious Light to shine upon their Path; by reason whereof, the nearer they approach to the end of their joyful Journey or Race, the more and more will the Light shine unto the perfect day. Prov. 4.18.Take you heed therefore to that more sure word of Prophecy, as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place, until the Day dawn, and the Day-Star arise in your Hearts.2 Pet. 1.19
V. Lastly, If Christ be the Bright and Morning Star; then let us look and wait for the Day, which he is the fore-runner of; seeing the Morning Star hath appeared and is up, be sure the Day is at hand, and a glorious Day it will be to them who are ready and prepared for it.