"I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the off-spring of David, and the bright and morning star.” Rev. 22:1616I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22:16) is for the churches, which were previously shown to be in ruin, and about to be judged. The Lord announces Himself as "the root and the offspring of David," a title which showed He had a glory to show to the earth when the churches were set aside.
“The bright and morning star" is a title in which His blessedness is suited for those who watch through the night, as we do, that is, the living members of the heavenly Church who are found amid the ruined churches.
The title of Christ, as to the earth, is that of "the Sun," as may be seen in Mal. 4:22But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2), and in Psa. 19—the day-dawn upon the earth. But before the Sun shines, we shall be with Christ in the heavenly glory.
In 2 Peter 1:1919We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (2 Peter 1:19), the exhortation about the Day—star arising in our hearts seems simple enough. "Hold to the prophetic word, and give heed to it, until you see that Christ will appear to remove His Church before He comes down to the earth" is the substance of the exhortation. We talk of the sun rising in London, rising in Paris, etc., and so the light of Christ as the Morning Star—hope of His bride—does not shine into every believer's heart, though the privilege of all. In Rev. 2:2828And I will give him the morning star. (Revelation 2:28) He says, "I will give him the morning star." This, I should suppose, like eating of the hidden manna, showed a distinctive connection to come with the Bright and Morning Star to the overcomer—an entering, perhaps, into the affections, thoughts and sentiments of His heart, as the One that has been waited for during the night.
In this passage it comes, as it does in Revelation 22, after a clause which points to the earthly side of the Lord's coming glory, and, perhaps, there is a contrast in Peter also. For he speaks of the "more sure word of prophecy" which he had, and which they to whom he wrote had, besides the vision on the mount, and this Day-star shining in the heart.
We know the blessed Lord is spoken of as now upon the throne, either as the Son, or the Lamb. Hereafter, we see Him as entering the heavenlies to receive His Church, and thirdly, as descending from the heavenlies to the earthlies, in which He will shine forth as the sun. Is it not in His transit from where He now is, the Son of man upon the throne of the Father, and the Lamb upon the throne of God Almighty, that this morning-star glory comes in?
It is a blessed subject, one which refreshes the heart.
G. V. Wigram