And I will give him the morning star.
28. the morning star ] The only direct illustration of this image Isa 22:16, where Christ Himself is called the Morning Star: and the meaning here can hardly be “I will give myself to him.” Some compare 2Pe 1:19, others, perhaps better, Dan 12:3: taking the sense to be, “I will give him the brightest star of all, that he may be clothed (cf. Rev 12:1) with its glory.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
And I will give him the morning star – The morning star is that bright planet – Venus – which at some seasons of the year appears so beautifully in the east, leading on the morning – the harbinger of the day. It is one of the most beautiful objects in nature, and is susceptible of a great variety of uses for illustration. It appears as the darkness passes away; it is an indication that the morning comes; it is intermingled with the first rays of the light of the sun; it seems to be a herald to announce the coming of that glorious luminary; it is a pledge of the faithfulness of God. In which of these senses, if any, it is referred to here, is not stated; nor is it said what is implied by its being given to him that overcomes. It would seem to be used here to denote a bright and brilliant ornament; something with which he who overcame would be adorned, resembling the bright star of the morning. It is observable that it is not said that he would make him like the morning star, as in Dan 12:3; nor that he would be compared with the morning star, like the king of Babylon, Isa 14:12; nor that he would resemble a star which Balaam says he saw in the distant future, Num 24:17. The idea seems to be, that the Saviour would give him something that would resemble that morning planet in beauty and splendor – perhaps meaning that it would be placed as a gem in his diadem, and would sparkle on his brow – bearing some such relation to him who is called the Sun of Righteousness, as the morning star does to the glorious sun on his rising. If so, the meaning would be that he would receive a beautiful ornament, bearing a near relation to the Redeemer himself as a bright sun – a pledge that the darkness was past – but one whose beams would melt away into the superior light of the Redeemer himself, as the beams of the morning star are lost in the superior glory of the sun.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 28. And I will give him the morning star.] He shall have the brightest and most glorious empire, next to that of Christ himself. And it is certain that the Roman empire under Constantine the Great was the brightest emblem of the latter day glory which has ever yet been exhibited to the world. It is well known that sun, moon, and stars are emblems, in prophetic language, of empires, kingdoms, and states. And as the morning star is that which immediately precedes the rising of the sun, it probably here intends an empire which should usher in the universal sway of the kingdom of Christ.
Ever since the time of Constantine the light of true religion has been increasingly diffused, and is shining more and more unto the perfect day.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Either the light of glory, the blessed vision of God, or a certain hope of eternal life; or the Holy Spirit, called so, 2Pe 1:19; or rather, of myself. Christ himself is not called the Sun of righteousness, Mal 4:2, but the Morning star, Rev 22:16, because he excelleth all other stars in glory, and scattereth the darkness of ignorance and error by the light of his gospel: I will make him partaker of myself.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
28. the morning starthat is,I will give unto him Myself, who am “the morning star”(Re 22:16); so that reflectingMy perfect brightness, he shall shine like Me, the morning star, andshare My kingly glory (of which a star is the symbol,Num 21:17; Mat 2:2).Compare Re 2:17, “I willgive him . . . the hidden manna,” that is, Myself, who amthat manna (Joh 6:31-33).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And I will give him the morning star. So Christ is called,
Re 22:16; and here it designs an illustrious appearance of Christ at the close of this church state, and a communication of much light and grace from him, which introduced the Sardian church state, or the reformation by Luther, Calvin, c. which is the phosphorus, or morning star, to the spiritual reign of Christ under the Philadelphian church state which will be the bright, clear, day of the Gospel, when the present twilight, which is between the appearance of the morning star and that glorious day, will be removed: for by this morning star is not meant the glory that shall be put upon the bodies of the saints in the resurrection morn; nor the heavenly glory itself, or the hope of it; but the dawning of the latter day glory, which began at the Reformation, and is promised the faithful professors in the Thyatirian church state, who lived in the darkness of Popery.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
As I also have received ( ). Perfect active indicative of . Christ still possesses the power from the Father (Acts 2:33; Ps 2:7).
The morning star ( ). “The star the morning one.” In 22:16 Christ is the bright morning star. The victor will have Christ himself.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “Even as I received of my Father,” (hos kago eilepha para tou partos mou) “As I also have received administrative authority, power or jurisdiction of my Father,” with all committed to me, Joh 3:35; Luk 10:22; and all things will one day be put under his feet, under his subjection, Heb 2:8.
2) “And I will give him the morning star,” (kai doso auto ton astera ton proinon) “And I will give (dole out) to him the morning (lead) star,” the bright lead-star, the guiding star, the light of help and hope; all that the over-comer now of hereafter ever needs Jesus pledges, as the guiding star of hope, out of the night, out of the darkness, to walk, work, and honor him always in the light, Joh 8:12; 1Jn 1:7; 2Pe 1:19; Rev 22:16.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(28) The morning star.The pledge of the coming day, both for the waiting witnesses, and for the ungodly, who loved darkness because their deeds were evil: the earnest of the sovereignty of light over darkness, when the children of the day would be manifest, and shine as the stars for ever and ever (Dan. 12:3).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
28. Give him the morning star The beautiful announcer that the night is past and the day is come. This blessed token shall be given to the overcomer as he passes through every crisis of the long contest. Its promise cheers the living warrior here on the field; and when he comes unto the end it will beam with its assurance that “eternity dawns, and the kingdom is his.” And when he comes to the new heavens and new earth, (Rev 22:1,) he will find that the morning star, so given him, was no other than Jesus himself. See Rev 22:16.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Rev 2:28. And I will give him the morning star. This is one of Christ’s titles, ch. Rev 22:16 which he takes upon him, to signify that he is the first Prince of the resurrection; and so this is as much as if he had said, “I will give him power to be the morning-star, even as I am myself.” A star, in the symbolical language, signifies a king, prince, or ruler. But our adorable Saviour is both a Star and a Sun. See Mal 4:2. We maymark the opposition between the threatening to the idolatrous Jezebel, and the reward promised to the saints. She was the first destroyed and extirpated out of memoryfor her sin. The martyrs and faithful confessors shall bethe first glorified and rewarded for their constancy in the faith. Again, we may observe the gradual increase of this reward; first, to have power over the nations,to conquer; then, to rule them; next, to subdue all opposition, and destroy all enemies; and, lastly, to rule and reign, quietly, even before the rest of the saints.
Inferences.Let the ministers of Christ rejoice, that they are as stars in the right-hand of their Redeemer. “Support them, O Lord, by thy almighty power, and guide all their motions by thine infinite wisdom.” Let all the churches of Christ remember, that he walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks; may they be pure gold; may their lamps shine with unsullied lustre, that their Father may be glorified, and their Saviour delighted with the survey.
He sees our labour, our patience, our fidelity, and our zeal. May he see that we cannot bear those who would corrupt our religion, without exerting ourselves to silence their false pretensions, and to guard the churches, to which we are related, especially from the venom they might diffuse over them! In all these respects, may we daily approve ourselves to him in a more perfect manner! But, alas! does he not perceive in many of us, what he complained so early of in the church of Ephesus; that we have lost our first love, and that much of that zeal with which we set out in religion, is declined? If so, let us take the alarm; for dreadful indeed would it be, to have our candlestick removed out of its place; to have the gospel and all its privileges taken away from us. To prevent this awful judgment, let us recollect from whence we are fallen; if we are indeed in a backsliding and declining state; and humbly and heartily repent, and vigorously exert ourselves against the enemies of our salvation; that overcoming the difficulties of this howling wilderness, we may be received to the enjoyments of the heavenly country; and when we can no longer share in the bounties of Providence in this inferior state, be feasted with the fruit of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
Again, let us direct our eyes to that glorious person, who is the First and the Last; and who, though it may appear incompatible with that divine title, was once dead, and is alive again; and since he is awfully represented as with a sharp sword going out of his mouth, let us be greatly concerned, that we do not incur his displeasure by our irregular conduct, lest he smite, or even destroy us. Let us observe and imitate what he commends in some of the churches whom he addresses; their humility in being sensible of their poverty, when enriched by his grace; their patience, their diligence, and the resolution with which they retained the honour of his name, notwithstanding the throne of Satan was in the midst of them, and the rage of persecution had destroyed Antipas before their eyes; that blessed, that triumphant hero, whose fidelity and constancy his divine Saviour commemorates with approbation, and even with satisfaction and pleasure. Who would not be ambitious of dying in the same manner, were it ever so severe and terrible, to be thus honoured and celebrated by our Lord Jesus Christ, or any of his faithful apostles? Let us not be terrified at the apprehension of what we may suffer from the malice of Satan, and by his instruments, even though not merely imprisonment, but death itself, were to await us. It is only for a limited time that he can occasion tribulation to any of the faithful people of God; and our blessed Lord will never be unmindful of that gracious promise, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. O! let us by faith survey that innumerable company, who, though they have fallen by the stroke of the first death, have been, and shall for ever be, unhurt by the second,that blessed society who are encircled with immortal crowns, which their triumphant Leader, whom they followed with such undaunted fortitude, has bestowed upon them; who, though they partake no longer of the bread that perisheth, nor are feasted with earthly viands, are yet eating of the hidden manna; who have received the white stone, in token of their absolution; and while the names and memory of many of them have sunk into oblivion, and the honours attending others are of little consequence, they are known in the heavenly regions by a new name, conferred as a mark of favour and distinction by the King of kings and Lord of lords. We are drawing on to the completion of that blessed hope. And that we may not be disappointed, may we, by divine grace, be preserved from the artifices of those who call themselves the people of God, while they are indeed of the synagogue of Satan, and from whatever, like the doctrine of Balaam, would ensnare our consciences, and defile our souls!
REFLECTIONS.1st, The first epistle is directed to the angel of the church of Ephesus. We have,
1. The preface, informing us who dictated what the apostle wrote, even that glorious Personage that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, and who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks. Note; The Lord Jesus is he who makes his ministers bright stars: he gives them purity of doctrine and holiness of life, and enables them to shine to his own glory. May we each be upheld by his almighty arms, and be fed with oil from the living source, shining brighter and stronger till we come to the eternal temple above.
2. The contents.
[1.] The epistle contains matter of great commendation. I know and approve thy works, and thy labour, as a minister of zeal, and the works of the church in general, as exemplary; and thy patience under persecutions; and how thou canst not bear them which are evil, abhorring their principles and practices, and removing them from communion with you: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not; and hast found them liars, detecting their impostures, and demonstrating the falsehood of their pretended commission from Christ: and hast borne many conflicts, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured with fidelity, and hast not fainted. Note; They who are put in trust with the ministry, may expect many trials. They have need of peculiar faith and patience, that they may persevere in their labours, and not faint.
[2.] We have a needful rebuke and admonition. Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love, and grown colder of late in affection to me and my ways. And such a backsliding in heart the Lord Jesus observes, and cannot but be highly displeased with. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Note; (1.) They who are fallen, should remember how much they have lost, and with grief and shame consider their ways, conscious of their danger of eternal loss. (2.) They who truly repent, will return to their first works, and then they will return again to a sense of the divine grace and love. (3.) The churches that neglect Christ’s admonitions, may expect to be visited with his judgments.
[3.] A word of encouragement is added. But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate; their idolatrous, vicious, and impure principles and practices. Note; True Christians will maintain a holy hatred to all the ways of sin.
3. The conclusion. Where we have, (1.) A solemn call to attention. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Note; The scriptures are of general use for all ages; and what was written of old, was written for our instruction, as well as for those to whom it was more immediately addressed. (2.) A gracious promise. To him that overcometh, and perseveres unto the end, manfully fighting under my banners against sin, Satan, and the world, will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God; admitting him to all the blessings and happiness of the celestial paradise, infinitely surpassing that from which Adam for his transgression was rejected. Note; In Christ Jesus, and by his grace, we may be advanced to much higher glories than even man in innocence enjoyed.
2nd, The form of the second epistle is similar. We have,
1. The preface, to the church of Smyrna. These things saith the First and the Last, the Creator and Judge of all, the Origin and End of all things; who was dead, and is alive, who was delivered for our offences to make the one great atonement, and is raised again for our justification.
2. The contents. (1.) Their commendation. I know thy works, and tribulation, how zealously thou hast laboured, and how much thou hast suffered; and thy poverty (but thou art rich); for whatever the faithful lose for Christ, and the gospel’s sake, shall procure them much more substantial treasures in a better world. And I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan, who, while they pretended a peculiar covenant-title to God’s favour, were, in fact, Satan’s emissaries, and the bitter enemies of the spiritual Israel. (2.) Warning is given them of approaching trials. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer, so as to be terrified from the path of duty: behold, the devil, by cruel persecutors his instruments, shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried, and your faith and constancy proved in the furnace of affliction; and ye shall have tribulation ten days,that is, for so many years. (See the Annotations.) Note; God’s people need not fear the malice of their most envenomed persecutors. If he be for them, no matter who may be against them. (3.) An encouraging promise is added. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life; and then, though it be won by martyrdom, our gain will be unspeakably great.
3. The conclusion. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; what encouragements there are to fidelity, and how watchful God is over his believing people: He that overcometh in the holy warfare, and is finally victorious over his spiritual foes, shall not be hurt of the second death, has nothing to fear, has every thing to hope for in eternity.
3rdly, We have in the third epistle, as before,
1. The preface, to the angel of the church of Pergamos. These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; the sword of his word and his providences, to defend the faithful, and cut off all enemies and apostates.
2. The contents. (1.) Notice is taken of their perilous situation. I know thy works, and behold with satisfaction whatever is excellent among you; and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is, environed with enemies: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, amid the fire of hottest persecution, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth, and manifests his bloody rage against my loyal subjects. Note; Steady fidelity in perilous days, is doubly commendable. (2.) A reproof is given them for what was amiss. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to cast a stumbling-block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Some such seducing teachers were among them, who inculcated the lawfulness of eating idol-sacrifices, and of fornication. So hast thou also them that held the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate; and countenance their impure and abominable practices. Note; God hates all impurity; and they who make light of fornication, will feel the heavy wrath of an offended God, which it provokes. (3.) They are warned to repent. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly in judgment, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth: and no sword is so fatal to the body as the denunciations of his wrath are to the guilty soul. Note; By speedy repentance alone we can prevent the threatened judgments. And not only must we cleanse our hearts from the love of sin, but separate ourselves from all communion with scandalous offenders, lest we become by connivance partakers of their guilt and ruin.
3. The conclusion. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches: To him that overcometh, faithful in the arduous conflict, will I give to eat of the hidden manna, feeding him with the abundant grace and consolations of my Spirit and my gospel in this world, and in the world to come with the joys of heaven: and will give him a white stone, absolving him from all his iniquities; and in the stone a new name written, the name of a child of God and heir of glory, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
4thly, The fourth epistle is directed to the angel of the church of Thyatira.
1. The preface describes the Son of God, who dictates to the sacred penman. These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, infinite in wisdom and knowledge, discerning the secrets of all hearts; and his feet are like fine brass, almighty to support his faithful people amidst every danger, and to tread his enemies and theirs into the dust.
2. We have the contents. [1.] They are highly commended. I know thy works, and am pleased with them; and thy charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first; that in all divine graces and good conversation thou art increasing with the increase of God, growing more exemplary and eminent. Note; It is well for us when he who knoweth our hearts, bears witness that our last works are more than the first. [2.] They are reproved for what was blameable among them. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess (probably some woman of eminence among them, who pretended to inspiration, and had her abetters, and followers,) to teach, and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols, perverting their souls, and leading them to corporal and spiritual idolatries and impurities. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not; therefore behold swift vengeance shall overtake her and her adherents: I will cast her into a bed of languishing and misery, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation; the partakers of her sins shall partake of her plagues, except they repent of their deeds, and prevent the threatened judgments: and I will kill her children with death, as surely as the sons of Ahab perished by the sword of Jehu: and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts, and can discover every hidden principle and secret of the soul, distinguishing the hypocrite from the faithful; and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. Note; (1.) They who abuse the patience of God, and harden themselves in sin, instead of repenting of their iniquities, will bring aggravated guilt and ruin upon their souls. (2.) God’s omniscience cannot be deceived, nor his justice eluded; the faithless professor will be detected and sentenced at his impartial tribunal. [3.] He encourages the faithful among them. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, As many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, abhorring all such impure principles and practices, which impostors influenced by deep Satanical subtilty, seek to inculcate, I will put upon you none other burden, nor add any farther injunctions or restraints than those revealed in my word. But that which have already, the doctrines and precepts of the gospel which you have embraced, hold fast till I come, to take you to my eternal rest, and deliver you from all your temptations for ever. Note; (1.) The Lord knows how to separate between the precious and the vile, and will secure his faithful people amidst all the arts of deceivers. (2.) They who would meet Christ with comfort at his coming, must hold fast his truth in principle and practice, and never be moved away from the hope of the gospel.
3. The conclusion. And he that overcometh and keepeth my works unto the end, patiently and faithfully persevering in the profession and practice of the gospel, to him will I give power over the nations, when he shall sit with me on my throne at the great day; and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, breaking in pieces all the wicked of the earth; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received, in my office-capacity, a kingdom of my Father: he shall share my glory, and reign with me for ever; and I will give him the morning-star, so that he shall shine bright in the eternal glory as the stars for ever and ever. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. Lord, open thou mine ears, and make me earnestly take heed to the things that are spoken!
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
28 And I will give him the morning star.
Ver. 28. I will give him the morning star ] i.e. I will clear his wronged innocence, Psa 37:6 , and grant him a glorious resurrection, Dan 12:3 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Rev 2:28 . To “grant the morningstar” (a characteristically loose usage of ) means, not to invest him with its glory, nor to give him possession of Christ himself, but (so Bleek, after Victor.) to make the dawn of salvation or of life eternal shine on him after his dark afflictions. The victor shares in the divine life (with its punitive government) and honour above, or rather in the new messianic era of Jesus himself (see note on Rev 22:16 , where by a further application the metaphor is directly connected with Jesus). Staunch adherence to the truth on the part of leaders and confessors is similarly rewarded in Dan 12:3 , En. xiv. 2. Semitic folklore found some mystic connexion between the countless brilliant stars in heaven and the departed faithful, who became immortal (4 Ezra 7 :[97]), and the sense here might be that the loyal Christian was sure of shining like a star in immortality; cf. Ign. ad Rom 2:2 , , (and passage cited on Rev 1:10 ). But Rev 22:16 ( cf. Job 3:9 ) tells against this, as does Ign. ibid. vi. 2 (speaking of his martyrdom) . The collocation of the morning star and the judicial authority over the nations may have been suggested to the prophet’s mind ( cf. Rev 2:14 ; Rev 2:20 ) by the prophecy, read in a messianic sense, of Num 24:17 . The sequence and the Christian spirit of the whole promise are certainly improved if we omit 27 a with Selwyn (194) and Jacoby ( Neutest. Ethik , 1899, p. 446) and Wellhausen (with Rev 2:23-28 a ), since the doubled promise and the later use of the metaphor do not justify any suspicion of 28 as a gloss (so Knnecke, p. 34). But it is as likely that the author himself ( cf. Rev 17:14 ) added this co-operation with the vindictive messiah ( cf. Rev 12:5 .Rev 19:15Rev 19:15 ), as that an early copyist was responsible for the insertion.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
morning star. Fulfilled Rev 22:16. See Num 24:17, connecting the “star” with Israel and the day of the Lord’s judgment.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Rev 22:16, Luk 1:78, Luk 1:79, 2Pe 1:19
Reciprocal: Job 38:7 – the morning Isa 14:12 – Lucifer Mal 4:2 – the Sun 1Jo 5:10 – hath the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Rev 2:28. Morning star. Jesus calls himself the “morning star” in Rev 22:16. The significance of this phrase is due to its brightness as it precedes the sun in rising, thus announcing that a new day is dawning. (See 2Pe 1:19.) The present verse means that the faithful disciple will be given the spiritual brightness of Christ.
Comments
Verse 28: Rev 22:16 identifies Christ as the Moming Star. The redeemed also get Christ. The morning star is the object in the sky that is seen just before the dawn. Christ leads the lighting of the spiritual world with his truth. (2Pe 1:19)
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Rev 2:28. And I will give him the morning star. Very various opinions have been entertained with regard to the meaning of this star. It has been supposed to be the devil, or the king of Babylon, or the glorified body, or the heavenly glory, or the earnest of the sovereignty of light over darkness. We must gather the meaning from the Apocalypse itself; and from chap. Rev 22:16 we shall be led to the belief that the morning star is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the bright and morning star, and He gives Himself to His people, that in Him they may find their victory and joy. There is a peculiar propriety in the mention of this reward for the Church at the moment when she is thought of as set on high over all her enemies. When she is secretly nourished in the Tabernacle of God she is a candlestick: when she has met and conquered the world she is a star,the Lord Himself being in the first instance both the one and the other. With this idea of the morning star no thought of bringing in those who have rejected Jesus ought to be combined. Whether or not they shall be brought in lies in the secret purposes of God unrevealed to us (comp. on Rev 2:27).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Verse 28
The morning-star. The morning-star is the symbol of approaching light, life, and joy.