If The Morning Star Rises In Our Hearts

2009-05-30 21:37

If the morning star rises in our hearts, the day dawns and the darkness comes to an end. Jesus must be the bright Morning Star who puts an end to the night, as the Bible says, "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 22:16).

If anyone knows only Jesus of the flesh--a light shining in a dark place, without experiencing Jesus of the Spirit--the morning star, he cannot escape from the darkness, the flesh.

As is written in the testimony, "And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts." (2 Peter 1:19).

Anyone in whose heart the morning star has not risen cannot put aside the deeds of darkness. It is because he knows only Jesus who is written about in the Bible, but has not experienced Jesus who rises in the heart yet.

Therefore, it is written, "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Romans 13:12-14).

The Bible said beforehand about those in whose hearts the morning star would rise, "Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn." (Psalms 57:8). And again, "Awake, awake! Rise up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of his wrath, you who have drained to its dregs the goblet that makes men stagger." (Isaiah 51:17).

The Bible says about the day, "And it will be said: 'Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.' For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives forever, whose name is holy: 'I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me--the breath of man that I have created. I was enraged by his sinful greed; I punished him, and hid my face in anger, yet he kept on in his willful ways. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near,' says the LORD. 'And I will heal them.'" (Isaiah 57:14-19).

As is written in the testimony, "The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings--external regulations applying until the time of the new order." (Hebrews 9:8-10).

Therefore, the morning star that rises in our hearts is not Jesus who came in a natural body, nor Jesus who will again be brought into the world in a spiritual body, but the Spirit of God, that is, the Spirit of Christ who now comes into our hearts. It is written, "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ." (Romans 8:9).

If this morning star rises in our hearts, all these words will be fulfilled: "Awake, awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again." (Isaiah 52:1). And also, " For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth). (Ephesians 5:8-9).

And then the words of testimony the Lord Jesus himself said will be accomplished, "'Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.' By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified." (John 7:38-39). Amen. Thank you, Lord.