Morning Star Rising

"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." (II Peter 1:19)

We have introduced the study of what is meant by "until the day star arise in your hearts." Let us continue it.

Said one commentator:

"But it is hard to see how the Second Coming arises in the heart of the believer." (Mark Dunagan Commentary on the Bible)

That this is true in regard to many bible commentators on the passage is not denied. However, the difficulty in seeing the connection between the experience of the morning star rising in the hearts of Christians and the day dawning is due to the fact that the subject it encompasses has received little attention by writers on the second coming.

That subject involves the experiences of Christians who are left alive, or remain, unto the coming of that day.

What does the bible say about the state of Christianity at the time of the morning star rising, and when the day is beginning to dawn on this dark world? What about the Omega or last generation of Christians? Are there any clues as to the state and character of these Christians of the last generation?

We know that the bible has much to say about the state of the lost, or of the world, at the time of Christ's return. But, what about the state of the church? Before addressing these questions, let us look at some commentary on our text.

Heinrich Meyer's Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament

"The words: ἕως οὔ κ. τ. λ., show that for the believer another condition of matters will commence. The time when the day dawns in the hearts of the Christians, and the morning star arises, and when consequently they can do without the light, has been variously determined. According to Dorner, it is “a time within the development of the Christian life in the individual; that time, namely, when what is matter of history shall become living knowledge, influencing entirely the whole life” (Lehre v. d. Pers. Christi, 2 ed. part I. p. 104). But such a separation of the development of the Christian life of his readers into two periods can the less be assumed here, that the author would thus accuse them of still possessing a purely outward Christianity, and it can hardly be supposed that he should have considered the word of prophecy as unnecessary for the advanced Christian. Early commentators already correctly applied the words to the Parousia. It is erroneous, however, to understand them of that event itself, for with the advent the morning passes into the perfect day. The point of time which Peter has in view is that immediately preceding the second coming, the time when the σημεῖον (sign) of the Son of man appears (Matthew 24:30), when believers are to lift up their heads because their ἀπολύτρωσις draweth nigh (Luke 21:28), when accordingly the morning star which ushers in the day shall arise in their hearts; similarly Wiesinger and Brückner."

Yes, indeed, have the commentators "been variously" different in ascertaining the "time" for the day star rising and thus of its significance. There is no question in my mind that the day star rising in the hearts of believers is an event that takes place in the last hour of the night and immediately before the morning of the day.

Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament

"The reference, therefore, seems to be to the day of Christ’s Second Coming, in comparison with which the present state of the world is the time of night and darkness. The prophetic word to which believers are to give earnest heed is a lamp which is to go on shining until the Christ of whom it testifies appears. The fact that this is the ministry it is meant to serve is the reason why they ought to give such heed to it. And when the day of the Lord’s Advent, which shall be like the rising of dawn upon the world, is about to enter, as enter it certainly shall, its signs shall make themselves known to Christ’s own flock—in their hearts shall rise a light and assurance like the day-star, which comes with the day and attests its full entrance. Those, therefore, are right who think that the particular point of time in view is that immediately heralding the Second Advent itself, ‘the time when the sign of the Son of man appears (Matthew 24:30), when believers are to lift up their heads because their redemption draweth nigh (Luke 21:28), when accordingly the morning-star which ushers in the day shall arise in their hearts’ (Huther)."

Again, this is my view exactly. The fulfillment of the prediction for the day star to arise in the heart can only be with the final generation of believers, to those who "are alive and are left unto the coming of the Lord."

Gill's commentary:

"and the day star arise in your hearts; or "the sun", as the Syriac version renders it; not Christ, the morning star, the dayspring from on high, and the sun of righteousness, who was already risen upon them; nor the grace of God implanted in their hearts, by which they were already called out of darkness, and made light in the Lord; but as the day star is the bringer of light, as the word used signifies, or the forerunner of the day, so it here intends the immediate signs and forerunners of the coming of Christ; which when observed in their hearts, and by their understandings, as being come to pass, they may lift up their heads with joy, because their redemption draws near, Luke 21:28 and so the Ethiopic here renders it, "and redemption, arise for you in your hearts". Now till this time the sure word of prophecy concerning Christ's second coming is to be "taken heed unto", as a lamp, light, and torch, to direct us to it, to encourage us to love it, long for it, and hasten to it: and in so doing we shall "do well"; it will be well for the glory of God and Christ, this being setting our seals to them as true; and well for ourselves to keep up our faith, hope, and expectation of it, unmoved."

Gill here puts the fulfillment of the day star rising at the time immediately preceding the coming of Christ and of that new day.

Commentators at preceptaustin.com:

"The second coming of Christ will have not only an externally transforming impact on the universe (2Pe 3:7, 8, 3:9, 10, 11, 12, 13-See notes 2Pe 3:7-8, 3:9, 10, 11-13), but also an internally transforming impact (in your hearts) on those believers who are alive when Jesus returns, forever removing any of their remaining doubts. The perfect, albeit limited, revelation of the Scriptures will be replaced with the perfect and complete revelation of Jesus Christ at the second coming (Jn 14:7, 8, 9, 10, 11; 21:25).

At that time believers will have perfect knowledge and all prophecy will be abolished

for now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now (we) know in part, but then (we) will know fully just as (we) also have been fully known. (1Cor 13:14)

Hiebert has an interesting comment on the somewhat difficult to interpret phrase "in your hearts" writing that "The truth that Christ is coming again must first arise in their hearts, like the morning star, giving assurance of coming day. Assured of His anticipated return, they will be alert to detect the gleams of dawn breaking through the darkness. Those who disregard the light of prophecy will not understand the significance of these harbingers of coming day. Such a living hope must have a transforming impact upon daily life." (preceptaustin - here)

Vine adds that phosphoros "is used of the morning star, as the light–bringer, 2 Pet. 1:19, where it indicates the arising of the light of Christ as the Personal fulfilment, in the hearts of believers, of the prophetic Scriptures concerning His Coming to receive them to Himself. (Vine, W E: Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. 1996. Nelson)

I agree with these comments.

Believing strongly as I do that I may yet see the coming of the Lord and of that glorious day, I am looking for the Lord's "knocking" and for the day star to rise in my heart! I look forward to being an eyewitness and participant in the events scheduled by God for the "end of days." Are you eagerly watching for the signs of his coming? Are you prepared for that day? The rock caves will not hide from the day of the Lord's vengeance, wrath, and tribulation. Only in Jesus, the "rock of ages," can one be safe. Many believers will have to give their lives for their allegiance to Christ in these last days. Others will be kept safe and secure, and even empowered in miraculous ways.