Curry's Chapel Church
20251109 Bright Morning Star

  • Title

    Our Scripture verse today, comes from the last chapter of the Bible and it is just 5 verses from the end. And it is also the next to the last time Jesus speaks in the Bible.
    Text: Revelation 22:16 (ESV)
    Revelation 22:16 ESV
    “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
    I’ve also included the last time that Jesus speaks in the Bible from verse 20.
    Revelation 22:20 NLT
    He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

    Main Teaching

    Illustration:

    Nancy and I recently watched a verd good movie:
    “A House of Dynamite” is a gripping short thriller that unfolds over 18 minutes—the time it takes for a nuclear missile to reach Chicago from across the Pacific. The film is divided into three overlapping chapters, each showing the same crisis from a different vantage point: the White House Situation Room, a missile defense base in Alaska, and the Oval Office. As the U.S. military scrambles to identify the missile’s origin and intercept it, tensions escalate. Captain Olivia Walker leads the Situation Room’s frantic coordination, while Major Daniel Gonzalez oversees the failed interception attempt at Fort Greely, Alaska. Meanwhile, President Idris Elba must decide whether to retaliate without confirmed intelligence.
    The missile is about to strike Chicago, presumably killing millions. In the final scene, the President is handed a classified “menu of responses,” including nuclear retaliation. His advisors are divided — some urging immediate action, others pleading for restraint. Deputy National Security Advisor Jake Baerington warns against escalation without clarity. The President, visibly shaken, prepares to make his decision. Just as he’s about to speak, the screen cuts to a solider crying outside of the missile defense base in Alaska leaving the viewer wondering how the movie ends.

    Introduction: The End That Feels Like a Beginning

    Have you ever watched a movie or finished reading a story that felt like it wasn’t over?
    Revelation ends not with closure, but with invitation. Jesus speaks directly — not through symbols or angels — but with His own voice. And what does He say?
    “I am the root and descendant of David, the bright morning star.”
    This is not just a poetic flourish. It’s a theological declaration, a cosmic promise, and a personal invitation. It’s Jesus saying:
    “I am the fulfillment of history and the hope of eternity.”
    Let’s explore three dimensions of this verse:
    1. Jesus is the Root and Descendant of David
    2. Jesus is the Bright Morning Star
    3. Jesus is Our Hope — Right Now

    1. Jesus: The Root and Descendant of David

    This phrase is a paradox. How can Jesus be both the source and the offspring of David?

    A. The Root: Jesus as Origin

    Isaiah 11:1–10 speaks of a shoot from the stump of Jesse.
    John 1:1 reminds us: “In the beginning was the Word…”
    Jesus is not just David’s descendant — He’s David’s Creator. He is the eternal Logos (the Word), the divine root from which all life springs.

    B. The Descendant: Jesus as Fulfillment

    Matthew 1:1 opens with “Jesus Christ, the son of David.”
    2 Samuel 7:12–16 promises a throne that will last forever.
    Jesus enters history through David’s line, fulfilling covenant promises and anchoring Himself in human lineage.

    C. Theological Mystery

    Jesus is both Alpha and Omega, beginning and end.
    Like a painter stepping into his own painting, He authors the story and then becomes a character within it.
    Humor:
    “It’s like saying, ‘I’m my own grandpa.’ Confusing? Yes. But with Jesus, it’s not confusion — it’s divine mystery.”
    Application:
    This dual identity means Jesus is qualified to rule. He’s not just a king by birth — He’s the King by nature.

    2. Jesus: The Bright Morning Star

    The morning star — Venus — is the last light before dawn. It doesn’t erase the night, but it promises the sun is coming.

    A. Biblical Imagery

    Numbers 24:17: “A star shall come out of Jacob…”
    2 Peter 1:19: “...until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”
    The morning star is a symbol of hope, clarity, and transition. It appears when the night is darkest, but it signals that the day is near.

    B. Jesus as Light

    John 8:12: “I am the light of the world.”
    Revelation 2:28: Jesus promises to give the morning star to those who overcome.
    Illustration:
    A traveler walking through the night sees the morning star. It doesn’t change the terrain, but it changes his posture. He knows the sun is coming.
    By the way - (Humor):
    “You know you’re not a morning person when even the morning star looks at you and says, ‘I’ll come back later.’”
    Application:
    Jesus doesn’t just shine — He signals. He’s the light that says, “Hold on. The breakthrough is near.”

    3. What This Means for Us

    Jesus speaks this to the churches. This isn’t abstract — it’s pastoral.

    A. Invitation to Trust

    Revelation 22:17: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’”
    Jesus is inviting us to live in anticipation, not anxiety.

    B. Invitation to Worship

    Story:
    A missionary was told of a tribe that feared the night. They believed evil spirits roamed in darkness. But when they learned of Jesus — the morning star — they began to sing at dawn. Their fear turned into worship.

    C. Invitation to Witness

    Philippians 2:15: “...you shine like stars in the world.”
    We are not just recipients of light — we are reflectors of it.
    Humor:
    “If Jesus is the morning star, does that mean He wakes up before breakfast?” Answer: “He doesn’t sleep — He watches over you all night.”

    Application: Living in the Light of the Morning Star

    Let’s get practical. What does it mean to live in the light of the morning star?

    1. Trust His Timing

    The morning star appears before the sun.
    Jesus shows up before the breakthrough.
    Reflection:
    Don’t mistake delay for absence. The star is proof the sun is coming.

    2. Walk in His Light

    Don’t wait for full clarity. Start walking when you see the star.
    Reflection:
    Faith isn’t about seeing everything — it’s about trusting the One who shines.

    3. Invite Others

    Revelation ends with “Come.” That’s our call too.
    Reflection:
    We are morning star people — living in the tension between night and dawn, inviting others into the light.

    Conclusion: The Final Word

    Jesus ends Revelation with a declaration, not a warning.
    “I am the bright morning star.”
    He’s saying:
    “I’m the light before the dawn.”
    “I’m the promise before the fulfillment.”
    “I’m the King who came — and the King who’s coming again.”
    So when life feels dark, remember:
    The morning star has already risen.
    The sun is on its way.
    And Jesus is both.

    Closing Prayer Prompt:

    “Lord, help us live in the light of Your promise. Let us be people of the morning star — anchored in hope, walking in light, and inviting others to come.”
    Amen!

      • Revelation 22:16NIV2011

      • Revelation 22:20NIV2011

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