Why Are Both Lucifer and Christ Called the “MORNING STAR”?
Before his fall from Heaven (Luke 10:18), Satan is referred to in the Bible as “Lucifer, son of the morning” (Isaiah 14:12 KJV), a ruling spiritual being (paralleled in this context with the king of Babylon, Sennacherib). The word translated as “Lucifer” (in the King James Version) is helel (hay-LAYL); other English translations say “morning star,” “shining star, “day star” and the like, which you can compare here. The word literally means “shining one” and is only used this sole time in Scripture.
What we get from this is that Satan was “Lucifer” — aka “shining one” — before his angelic rebellion and fall from Heaven. In other words, he’s no longer God’s “shining one”; rather he’s a dark archangel (a ruling angel) who functions outside of God’s grace and, in fact, foolishly opposes the LORD’s kingdom, which you can read details about here.
The fact that Satan used to be Lucifer, the “shining one,” explains how he can effectively disguise himself as an “angel of light” to deceive ignorant people (2 Corinthians 11:14 & Revelation 12:9).
As for Jesus Christ, he described himself as the “bright morning star” in Revelation 22:16. “Morning star” here is two words in the Greek: próinos (pro-ee-NOHS) means “early morning” and astér (aws-TAIR) means “star.” Not only is the Mighty Christ like a morning star, he’s a bright morning star, meaning “shining, magnificent, splendid.” I was just outside under the starry panorama and to the southeast there was one star that was far brighter than any other — none other was comparable. Yeshua is similarly the bright morning star.
As you can see, the descriptions of Lucifer and Christ as “shining one” and “bright morning star” respectively are different Hebrew and Greek words. While the descriptions may be similar they are not references to the same person.
How about another comparison between the two? Elsewhere in the Scriptures the Messiah is called the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). Jacob — renamed “Israel” (Genesis 32:28) — described his son Judah as a “lion’s cub” (Genesis 49:9) and thus the lion became the symbol and standard of that tribe. The lion is of course the “king of beasts” and hence represents strength, boldness and sovereignty. Spiritually speaking, the true Lion of Judah is Christ Himself. Interestingly, Judah means “praise” and thus Judah was the tribe that led Israel into battle (Judges 20:18).
The devil is also likened to a lion, but only in the sense of a ferocious predator scaring its potential prey immobile with its intimidating roar (1 Peter 5:8). New Covenant believers, however, don’t have to fear Satan or his filthy minions because they’re defeated; and disciples of Christ have authority over them (Colossians 2:15 & Luke 10:19), which you can learn more about here. In other words, although Satan is a lion in the above sense, to believers he’s a toothless, sinew-less cat on his last leg (yet still very formidable if one isn’t applying spiritual warfare truths).
Although both are referred to as lions in the Scriptures, they couldn’t be more different:
- Christ is the Word of God (John 1:1-5), one with the Father and Holy Spirit (John 10:30, John 14:9, Matthew 28:19 & 2 Corinthians 13:14), who created all things, including Lucifer who rebelled and became the devil (Colossians 1:16).
- Satan is a created spiritual being, an ex-employee of Heaven and Ultimate Loser who was kicked out due to his gross folly, which you can read more about here.
While Satan is an archangel — a ruling angel — he’s a morally filthy slanderer, liar and murderer (Revelation 12:10 & John 8:44).
Christ, by contrast, is The Angel of the LORD. The term ‘angel’ means “messenger” and thus the Messiah is God’s ultimate message to humanity. He’s the living Word of God (John 1:1-5).
As you can see, comparing the Lord with evil spirits is an amusing parallel at best, whether the wicked spirit is Satan or any of his sheeple underlings. Want to know what happens when Yeshua and demonic spirits come face to face in a confrontation? The demons shriek in horror at the mere sight of the Mighty Christ and literally beg the Lord not to torture them and throw their filthy hind ends into the Abyss! See for yourself:
26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.
30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.
So when misguided souls try to parallel satan with the Lord Jesus Christ — or even equate them — it’s pretty laughable.
Related Topics:
Demons Vs. Jesus Christ — No Contest!
ANGELS — What Are They? What’s Their Purpose?
Jesus Christ — Milksop or Mighty Lord?
Comparing Jesus Christ with… Superman
Evil Spirits (Demons) — What Are They? What’s Their Purpose?
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