Name Above All Names--Bright Morning Star

artwork by Krista Hamrick

Krista Hamrick’s beautiful original art print, Name Above All Names Alphabet, has so inspired me. Each of the 26 individual Names she has identified are so special, as Krista has intricately painted, almost like stained glass windows, each one with its Scripture reference. Krista said, “This is probably the painting that I have most enjoyed researching, designing, redesigning and painting. Beth Willis Miller has expanded upon each name with devotional word studies. By knowing, believing and trusting who God says He is, we can be confident in who He has created us to be.” I so agree with Krista! 


My heart has been drawn to do a word study for each of the names included in her art print. Krista and I felt led to publish our Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ …available now on Amazon as a softcover book and as a Kindle book at this link.

Combining the beauty of Krista's artistic excellence with these word study devotionals is perfect for individual quiet reflection or small group Bible studies focusing on the Name Above All Names—Jesus Christ—and His attributes and characteristics.

Review by Michele Morin: “The infinite variety in nature, the curious complexity of human behavior, the synchronicity of multiple systems in our own anatomy — and in the solar system — all point, through general revelation, to the nature of God: multi-faceted, magnificent, and yet mysterious. Special revelation in Scripture picks up where creation leaves off, and Beth Willis Miller has teamed up with artist Krista Hamrick to focus on twenty-six pieces of evidence in Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ. The result is an alphabetical collection that resembles a twenty-six sided gem, each facet reflecting a slightly different hue of the nature of God the Son. From Alpha and Omega to King of Zion, each devotional highlights the Scriptural basis for the name in multiple translations and then provides commentary on the verses. Beth applies the truth and then invites her readers to join her in a prayer that turns the truth into a paean of praise. No mere academic exercise, the point of Name Above All Names Devotional is threefold:


Look up – Meditate on the name and what it reveals about the character of God.

Look in – I am propelled to ask galvanizing questions about my discoveries: “Because God is ___________________, I should therefore _______________.”

Look out – Let the nature of God impact on every relationship, for your good, and for His glory.

With full-color art work and space for notes, Name Above All Names Devotional is a treasure for devotional reading, a resource for serious study, and a thoughtful and inspiring gift for loved ones.” (review by Michele Morin)

 

I was inspired by CeCeWinan’s anointed song, Jesus, You’re Beautiful …Jesus, bright as the morning star…while studying Revelation 22:16…NASB: “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things [a]for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Amplified: I, Jesus, have sent My messenger (angel) to you to witness and to give you assurance of these things for the churches (assemblies). I am the Root (the Source) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and brilliant Morning Star.

Expanded: “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to ·tell you [testify/witness to] these things for the churches. I am the ·descendant from the family of David [root and descendant/offspring of David; a messianic title applied to Jesus; 5:4; Is. 11:10], and I am the bright morning star [2:28; Num. 24:17;a messianic title].”

NLT: “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this message for the churches. I am both the source of David and the heir to his throne.[a] I am the bright morning star.”

Young's Literal: I, Jesus did send my messenger to testify to you these things concerning the assemblies; I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star!

Pastor Francis Frangipane writes about Christ, who Himself is the "bright Morning Star" (Revelation 22:16): “A day is coming before the rapture, before the second coming of Jesus Christ, when those who follow Christ will be positioned, like the morning star—in the right place at the right time—and they will herald Christ's return. They will come from every nation, people, tribe and tongue, yet they will be one, for Christ will have given them His glory (John 17:22).”The word, dawns, comes from the Greek word diaugazo from diá which means through and augázo which means shine—literally “to shine through.” This word was used to describe daylight breaking through the darkness of night, picturing the first gleams of the sun piercing the darkness.

Pastor Marvin Vincent writes, "The verb diaugazo is compounded of dia which means through, and auge which means sunlight, thus carrying the picture of light breaking through the gloom. In other words, the truths in the Bible will continue to point to the source of all truth, Christ, until He returns in glory.”

The words, morning star, come from the Greek word, phosphoros from phos which means light and phero which means to bring; in English the word phosphorus means a substance that glows in the dark—literally light bringing, light bearer or bringer or bringing morning light. The morning star was the name that Greeks assigned to the planet Venus which was the brightest object in the sky apart from the sun and moon and appeared sometimes as the evening star and sometimes as the morning star. In the desert, the morning star is so brilliant that it appears as though the sun were about to rise.

Theologian W. E. Vine writes that phosphoros is used of the morning star, as the light–bringer in 2 Peter 1:19, where it indicates the arising of the light of Christ as the personal fulfillment, in the hearts of believers, of the prophetic Scriptures concerning His coming to receive them to Himself. In the context, these images (day dawning and morning star arising) point to the parousia or the appearing of Jesus Christ. This was partially fulfilled at Messiah's first coming but will be fulfilled at His return, His light driving away the spiritual darkness of this present evil age. "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, the bright morning star." Here, in Revelation 22:16, Christ triumphantly proclaims that He is the true "Morning Star.”

The word, arises, comes from the Greek word, anatello from aná, which means up and téllo, which means, set out for a goal—literally, to cause to arise, spring up, or be up. It was used especially of things in natural creation, like the rising of the sun or moon.

The word, hearts, comes from the Greek word, kardia, is not used to refer literally to the physical heart, but describes the seat of the desires, feelings, affections, passions, and impulses. Kardia refers to the causative source of a person’s psychological life in its various aspects, and with special emphasis upon thoughts—‘heart, inner self, mind.' "Heart" refers to the volition (your will), the mind, and the desires.

Pastor John MacArthur comments on kardia noting that...”Throughout Scripture, as well as in many languages and cultures throughout the world, the heart is used metaphorically to represent the inner person, the seat of motives and attitudes, the center of personality. But in Scripture it represents much more than emotion, feelings. It also includes the thinking process and particularly the will. In Proverbs we are told, “As [a man] thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7, KJV). Jesus asked a group of scribes, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?” (Matthew 9:4)... The heart is the control center of mind and will as well as emotion. The problem that caused God to destroy the earth in the Flood was a heart problem. “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). God has always been concerned above all else with the inside of man, with the condition of his heart. The second coming of Christ will have not only an externally transforming impact on the universe, 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 revelation of the Scriptures will be replaced with the perfect and complete revelation of Jesus Christ at the second coming."

Pastor Theodore Hiebert writes: “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 our daily lives.”

What if today you don’t feel like singing songs of joy? What if painful or difficult circumstances have stolen your joy? Frustrations assail you; burdens or responsibilities weigh your heart down, so that the last thing you want to do is sing with joy. Ask God for the grace to praise him; ask him to open your spiritual eyes so that you stand in awe of Him.

Lord Jesus Christ, our Bright Morning Star, we praise You for Who You are. Your glory is higher than the heavens. Your majesty fills the earth. We worship and adore you. Open our eyes to see Your unfailing love and goodness. Renew our trust in Your Word. With a word You brought into existence the stars in the heavens and held the seas in place. Nothing can thwart Your plans. Fill our hearts with songs of joy. You are worthy of our unending praise! You created the stars and turn darkness into dawn and day into night, I bow before You. Nothing can withstand your power! Thank you for your Word, which reminds me of Who You are and calls me back to devotion and truth. Keep me from evil, and guide me along the path of life. Thank you for the free gift of salvation, that we are justified on the basis of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. Thank You that, right now, we are under the completely sufficient imputed righteousness of Christ. Because we have placed our trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are redeemed by His precious blood. The threat of failure, judgment, and condemnation has been removed. Knowing that God’s love for us and approval of us will never be determined by our performance is the most encouraging promise to which we cling. Oh what a Savior! Jesus, we love You, it is in Your mighty Name Above All Names—Bright Morning Star, we pray, amen.

Look Up—meditate on Revelation 22:16

Look In—as you meditate on Revelation 22:16 pray to see how you might apply it to your life.

Look Out—as you meditate on Revelation 22:16 pray to see how you might apply it to your relationships with others.

Name Above All Names Devotional: Focusing on 26 Alphabetical Names of Christ

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