CHAPLAIN’S PAGE – “THE MORNING STAR”
THESE days, there is so much being shown by the media to the public, we are all suffering from “shock and misery overload”. After years of this kind of thing our minds tend to cut it out, so that the full horror of the situation tends to float over us. There is only so much that we can take on board. Many people have given up taking daily papers, and even decline to watch TV news programmes. Their reasoning is that watching or reading about these dramas does nothing to alter or stop them, for we are powerless as individuals.
Whilst this may be true in one sense, there is another aspect that we Christians should think about. In fact, there are two aspects: firstly, for those who are suffering,
we are able to pray for them in their affliction. The second aspect confirms that we are living in the final days of the age. Most of you reading this are familiar with prophecies in both testaments that show us some of the catastrophic events that would occur on a global scale at this time. These events have been recorded for a specific purpose, which is that they may act as a life saving chart, a desperately needed map, to give us light and encouragement on our journey through life.
Those people with no faith, and, I am sorry to say, many who masquerade as Christians, but deny the authority of the Scriptures, have no map to steer them through the storms of the last days. That is their loss! The reason for prophecy is plainly stated in II Peter 1: 19,
“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:”
What a reassuring text this is! Prophecy gives us light in a very dark world. Our nation today is in the grip of terrible apostasy. The national Church should be preaching Christ and repentance for all it is worth. Sadly, this is not the case.
We have now arrived at the time shown to us by the Holy Spirit through Isaiah,
” For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.” – (Isaiah 60: 2)
At the beginning of this new century we are at the time of gross darkness. How long will it be before the glory of the Lord shall rise upon the nation? This is the time of the greatest challenge for the Church since the Reformation. To date there appears little sign that it will rise to that challenge. Our national Church is in self-destruct mode, whilst it argues over women priests and Sodomites.
The transformation from gross darkness to the glorious light of the Lord will not come about through the Church all the while that the bishops pour scorn upon the Scriptures. Paul’s message to the Corinthian Church is highly relevant to our Churches today.
” But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” (I Corinthians 4: 3-6)
The key word in this text is “light”. It is not necessary for us to tread a path of darkness through this evil world, although we are surrounded by darkness and the world is saturated with it. Our wonderful God, in His infinite love, has supplied us with light in order to read our map, and that Light is Christ.
Returning to our opening text, II Peter 1: 19, it says,
“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:”
What does “the day star arise in your hearts” mean? Part of the answer is found in the first two verses of Revelation 1,
” The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”
The Revelation has been revealed to us through the agency of five parties, thus: God, to Jesus, to His Angel, to John and finally to God’s servants. It is significant to note that five is the number of Grace.
Verse 3 must surely be one of the most wonderful promises to God’s servants.
“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”
The final part of this text is not just a promise or an invitation, it is a warning, which we cannot ignore. It reminds us of that incident when Jesus came face to face with two men possessed by devils. The devils recognised the authority and identity of Christ, and they said to Him,
” And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?” (Matthew 8:29)
They were aware that the time was short. How much time do we have before the Great Day of the Lord?
Our opening text, II Peter 1:19 concludes,
“and the day star arise in your hearts.”
It is an easy matter to read a text and miss something that is vital. What is the day star? To find the answer it is necessary to look at an event in Israel’s history that occurred nearly 3,500 years ago. In Numbers 24, Balaam had been commissioned by Balak to curse Israel out of existence. Numbers 24:13-17 says,
” If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak?
And now, behold, I go unto my people: come therefore and I will advertise thee what this people shall do to thy people in the latter days.
And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said:
He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the comers of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”
Note the last verse especially.
The time period for this prophecy is in the latter days (verse 14). Who or what is the Star out of Jacob, and what is the Sceptre?
The answer to both of these questions is found in Revelation 2:25. Christ is speaking to the Churches extant at the time of the end,
“But that which ye have already hold fast till l come.”
Christ is speaking to the true Church, the Elect or the Overcomers. He is speaking of the great future that will be theirs at His return. Then in verse 28 He says,
“And I will give him the morning star.”
Think about this incredible promise, that at the Lord’s return we will be one with Him. He will return as Lord of lords and King of kings. The sign of His authority is the Sceptre.
May we be sure that this is what is meant? Indeed, we can, for the final chapter of Revelation confirms the meaning,
” I, 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)
How wonderful this is, that the Lord Himself has confirmed that He is the bright and morning star!
We have the assurance of Jesus that we, who have overcome the world through His grace, will rule with Him in the eternities to come.
What greater promise could there be?
