Names of Jesus: Root of David, Bright Morning Star

In Revelation 22 Jesus is identified by two names at once; Root of David, and the Bright Morning Star. These particular names speak about Jesus in both physical and spiritual terms, about His humanity and divinity. It is no accident or coincidence that these names are paired together here at the end of scripture, and today we will dive into what this two-part name means and why it is significant for believers.

What does it mean that Jesus is the Root of David, the Bright Morning Star?

It is no coincidence that Root of David, and the Bright Morning Star are named together. They hold significance to all mankind and teach us much about who Jesus is. In Revelation, Jesus is revealing to the apostle John what will happen at the end of the age after He has returned and all mankind is judged. He is telling us that believers will be with Him and the curse of sin will be no more.

16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:16-17 NKJV

Here at this beautiful conclusion, He is giving us a glimpse of Heaven and eternity, and in the same stroke He explains that the end is near, that soon He will repay each person for their work, and He calls on us to live by His commands. He tells us that those who “wash their robes”, who live in holiness that is pleasing to God, will be blessed and enter the gates of Heaven, but those who remain in sin and disobedience will be outside the holy gates of Heaven forever. It is at this powerful point He names Himself the Root of David, the Bright Morning Star.

• Read more: How do we test what is pleasing to God?
• Read more: Warning Signs: Don’t Sin Willingly
• Read more: How living in obedience can change your life for the better

The Root and the Offspring of David

Jesus is both the source and the son of David. Everything was made through, by, and for Jesus, therefore that includes King David. Jesus made David for Himself and came into the world to dwell among mankind through the genealogy of David, King of Israel. It was prophesied that the Messiah would come through the line of David, and that prophecy was fulfilled. This shows Jesus’ divinity in that He created David Himself and used David for His purposes, and shows His humanity in that Jesus was born as a human baby to dwell among us through the line of David. It proves Jesus is heir to the throne of David, and also shows that He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or [a]principalities or [b]powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Colossians 1:16 NKJV

5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Revelation 5:5 ESV

There shall come forth a [a]Rod from the [b]stem of Jesse,

And a Branch shall [c]grow out of his roots.

Isaiah 11:1 NKJV

10 “And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,

Who shall stand as a banner to the people;

For the Gentiles shall seek Him,

And His resting place shall be glorious.”

Isaiah 11:10 NKJV

The Bright Morning Star

Jesus is 100% God and 100% man, having both created the line of David and having been born of the line of David. He is also the Bright Morning Star. Jesus, fully man and fully God, is the light and hope for all who believe in Him. Because of His divinity and humanity, He is the only One worthy and able to save mankind from the penalty of our sins. His sacrifice is the only sacrifice able to pay the price demanded but that no one can pay. Because we cannot pay the price for our sins Jesus, the spotless lamb, left Hsi throne in Heaven to become like us, to live a perfect, sinless, human life and sacrifice His life so that by believing in Him we could be saved by His blood.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 
¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

John 3:16-17 NKJV

Jesus is our hope

Those who have faith in Him will be saved, and those who are saved are blessed. When you have trusted Jesus as your Savior you are called to obey His commands. Part of His appeal in Revelation 22 is for the Spirit and the bride to say “come”, which tells the Church, the Bride of Christ, to call unbelievers to Jesus to share in the eternal inheritance and the right to the tree of life.

• Read more: Women of the Word: Godly Woman
• Read more: Names of Jesus: Bridegroom
• Read more: Names of Jesus: Head of the Church

14 Blessed are those who [a]do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.

Revelation 22:14 NKJV

If we truly love Him, we will obey Him. Our faith should be evident in the way we live our lives. Our lives should pour out the love and light of Jesus and draw others to Him, bearing His fruit by abiding in Him. In abiding in the vine and living water that is Jesus our thirsty souls will be satisfied and we will bear fruits of the Spirit in our lives.

13 Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, 
14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

John 4:13-14 NKJV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

John 14:15 ESV

These beautiful names of Jesus as the Root of David and Bright Morning Star speak of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of Lords, sovereign over our whole lives. If Jesus is truly the Lord of our whole lives we will look to Him and His Word and live by it. We will not dwell on earthly things, but will focus on Jesus and allow Him to teach us how He wants us to see both earthly and heavenly things.

4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”

Matthew 4:4 NKJV

We are called to place Jesus in His rightful place in and over our lives and accept Him as our savior in faith. We should then begin to grow in our personal relationships with Him and commit to learning and applying His Word to ourselves. As we learn and grow, we become more like Him, display Him throughout our lives, draw others to Him to share in the eternal blessings, and at the end of the age we will receive our inheritance by joining Him in the gates of Heaven for eternity.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, ^[a]we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Romans 5:1-2 NKJV

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