Praying the Names of God - March 11
From Praying the Names of Jesus Week Thirteen, Day One
The Name
In the last chapter of the book of Revelation, Jesus calls himself the "bright Morning Star." In ancient times, the morning star was thought of as a herald of the new day, signaling the dawn of hope and joy. The brightest object in the sky aside from the sun and moon, it is a fitting type for Christ, who ushers in a new day for the entire world. When you call on Jesus, the Bright Morning Star, you are calling on the One from whom all darkness flees.
Key Scripture
"I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." Revelation 22:16
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Monday
His Name Revealed
I see him, but not now;
I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
a scepter will rise out of Israel.
Numbers 24:17
"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
"Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star." Revelation 22:12 - 16
Lord, you are the brightest of all stars. With your light, chase away the world's darkness and the shadows that linger in my life. Help me to await your coming with hope and confidence and to long eagerly for the new day that will never end, the day in which your kingdom will be finally and fully established.
Understanding the Name
What the Bible refers to as the morning star is actually the planet Venus, known since prehistoric times. As the second planet from the sun, it is also one of the hottest. A relatively young planet, it is Earth's closest neighbor and is often called our sister planet. Because of its appearance in the eastern sky before dawn, it was thought of as the harbinger of sunrise. The title Aster Lampros Proinos (as-TAIR lam-PROS pro-i-NOS) presents a powerful and beautiful image of the One who is also known as "the light of the world."
Studying the Name
- Jesus says that he is coming soon. In what ways do you think his second coming will differ from his first?
- Describe your attitude toward the second coming — fear, doubt, hope, joy? Why do you feel the way you do?
- What kinds of people is Jesus describing in the passage from Revelation?
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Meet your spiritual ancestors as they really were: Less Than Perfect: Broken Men and Women of the Bible and What We Can Learn from Them.
