December 14, 2004

THE DAYSTAR

"We 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 brilliant imagery of the star is frequently applied to Jesus in Scripture. He is called the star that would come out of Jacob (Numbers 24:17). He identified Himself to John the Beloved as "the bright and morning star" (Revelation 22:16) and to the apostle Peter as the "day star" (2 Peter 1:19).

The daystar is the first indicator of daybreak. It announces that the long night is passing and a new day is approaching. The Greek word, phosphorus, translated "daystar" means "light-bringer" or "light-bearer," and is applied to Venus as the morning star.

At Christ's first advent, the star was a joyous announcement of the new day of salvation, and freedom. Christ came to take away the sin of the world (see John 1:29) and to usher in the new era of the kingdom of God. It was the glorious daybreak of the long expected Messiah (see Isaiah 58:6-9). Christ's first advent brought to full view the plan of salvation. The kindergarten era of types and shadows had given way to the visible manifestation of Christ, the supreme revelation of God.

In the second advent, Christ is called the daystar. He is the daystar of the eternal day of ultimate restoration. He is the daystar of the most glorious day ever to dawn on our planet, the golden daybreak that will have no sunset. Concerning this day, Ellen G. White wrote: "The whole earth is to be illuminated with the glory of God's truth. The light is to shine to all lands and all peoples... The daystar has risen upon us, and we are to flash its light upon the pathway of those in darkness."--Maranatha, p. 261.

My Prayer Today: Lord, the appearance of the daystar fills me with hope. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on the approaching day. Amen.