By Francis Frangipane
The day of the Lord, like the dawning of any calendar day, does not burst forth abruptly. It is not pitch black at 5:59 a.m. and then, suddenly, bright morning the next minute. The night sky gradually recedes, retreating from the approaching rays of light. Even before the dawn breaks, the morning star faithfully heralds the coming day, announcing to the world still in darkness that light is at hand.
The Scriptures use the image of the morning star to depict the church at the end of the age. Indeed, this visual portrays well the reality that awaits us.
Concerning the end times, Peter wrote:
“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts” (2 Pet. 1:19).
The ancients were fully aware that the morning star appeared while it was still night. The morning star, which is actually the planet Venus, is situated in our sky just above the eastern horizon. It is perfectly positioned to reflect the light of the coming day before the sunrise. The light of the morning star is a small but beautiful preview of the coming day. Here, Peter is saying that before the day of the Lord breaks, the morning star shall rise in our hearts!
Let’s be clear: We generate no light ourselves. It is only our position at the end of the age, and our surrender to Christ, that enables us to reflect the day that is coming — all the glory belongs to Jesus! He is Himself the “bright morning star” (Rev. 22:16).
This unveiling of Christ in His people will not be instead of the Rapture, but a prelude to it. Between now and whatever sequence you believe concerning the Second Coming — whether pre-, mid- or last trumpet — there will be a time when the presence of the Lord rises within us and progressively manifests through us. Like the morning star heralds the dawn, so Peter says the Morning Star will rise in our hearts.
This time of Christ’s unveiling is perfectly consistent with Isaiah’s word:
“Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Isa. 60:1). When will the glory rise? Just as the morning star rises while it is still night, so the glory of God shall rise within us when “darkness will cover the earth, and deep darkness the peoples” (v. 2).
Are you ready for the manifestation of the Lord’s glory?
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Adapted from Francis Frangipane’s book, The Days of His Presence, available at www.arrowbookstore.com.