What does Revelation 22:16 mean?

I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. Revelation 22:16

Explanation

Revelation 22:16 is a proclamation from Jesus, directed at the early Christian churches, to affirm his divine authority and lineage. The verse serves to authenticate the visions and prophecies that the apostle John has presented throughout the Book of Revelation. Jesus identifies himself two-fold: as “the root and the offspring of David,” and as “the bright and morning star.”

These descriptors hold both a literal and symbolic significance. The “root and offspring of David” points to Jesus’s lineage, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah coming from the line of David, Israel’s great king. It also signifies that Jesus is both the source (root) and product (offspring) of this regal lineage, reinforcing his divine nature and messianic role.

The title “the bright and morning star” metaphorically represents Jesus as the bringer of light and hope, paralleling the appearance of a bright star at dawn that marks the end of night and the beginning of a new day. It signifies a new era of salvation and grace available through faith in him.

Historical Context

Revelation, as the last book of the New Testament, is a piece of apocalyptic literature written in a genre that was common among Jews and Christians in the first centuries. Traditional scholarship dates the book to the late 1st century, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Domitian. Christians faced persecution during this time, and the book was intended to encourage believers by assuring them of God’s ultimate victory.

The historical David was a king of Israel and a central figure in Jewish history, and messianic expectations in Jewish thought included the coming of a savior arising from his lineage. The early Christians believed that Jesus fulfilled this expectation.

Theological Insights

Interpreters from different theological traditions offer various insights on this verse. In Christian theology, the reference to Jesus as “the root and offspring of David” is seen as affirmation of both his deity and his humanity—his pre-existence before David and his incarnation as a descendant of David.

The description as “the bright and morning star” allows for Christological reflection, some seeing it as a reference to the Second Coming of Christ, while others relate it to the illumination that Jesus brings to the spiritual darkness of the world.

The verse also serves as Christ’s own affirmation of the message of Revelation, as it is being delivered by his “angel” or messenger, possibly referring to the apostle John or to an actual angelic being.

Practical Applications

Revelation 22:16 has multifaceted applications for individuals and churches. It can be understood as an invitation to look to Jesus for guidance and hope, much like travelers would follow a star. For believers facing difficult times, Jesus as the “morning star” symbolizes the promise of a new day and the assurance that darkness is temporary.

Emphasizing Jesus’ Davidic lineage serves as an encouragement to trust in the fulfillment of God’s promises, as the prophecies about the Messiah’s lineage were fulfilled in him.

Cross-References

• Romans 1:3 – “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;”
• 2 Samuel 7:12-13 – “And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.”
• Revelation 5:5 – “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
• Numbers 24:17 – “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”
• Revelation 2:28 – “And I will give him the morning star.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the term “ρίζα” (root) conveys the sense of being the source or origin, which is significant in its theological implications regarding Jesus. “Γένος” (offspring) denotes actual lineage or kinship, illustrating his humanity.

The phrase “λαμπρὸς ὁ ἀστὴρ ὁ πρωινός” (the bright and morning star) contains the word “λαμπρὸς” (bright), denoting brilliance or clearness, and “ἀστὴρ” (star), often symbolizing a divine or guiding presence, with “πρωινός” (morning) showcasing its timing as at dawn, the start of a new day.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Comparisons with other ancient myths and religions reveal similar motifs, such as the use of stars to signify divine beings or messengers. For instance, Venus, known as the “morning star,” was often associated with new beginnings or divine messages in Roman mythology. In Jewish literature, stars could represent the coming of the Messiah or the inclusion of divine agents in earthly affairs.

Scientific Perspectives

While the verse does not directly touch on scientific subjects, the metaphor of the morning star maps onto the planet Venus, which is visible just before sunrise and known for its brightness. Modern astronomy’s understanding of Venus as the “morning star” perhaps enriches the metaphor’s significance regarding the light and hope that Jesus represents.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have provided insights into Revelation 22:16. Matthew Henry’s Commentary highlights the prophetic fulfillment of Jesus’ relationship to David. The MacArthur Study Bible emphasizes that Jesus’ claim to be the root and the offspring confirms His deity, messiahship, and fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. The ESV Study Bible notes that the “morning star” promise reflects the personal presence of Christ with the believer. Daniel Akin’s commentary in the New American Commentary series underscores Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s promises to his people and the bringer of a new creation.