Dayspring #4

Monday, April 26, 2021

“Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78,79 KJV).

What is this “dayspring?”

Having seen the light of Messiah’s First Coming, His earthly ministry, we now glimpse the radiance of His Second Coming. For example, Isaiah 60:1-3 speaks to Israel: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” The nations languish in spiritual darkness and pagan idolatry as per Romans 1:18-32 and Genesis 11:1-9. However, once the LORD imparts spiritual light to Israel as she rises to kingdom glory, she preaches that Word of God to the Gentiles so as to dispel darkness from the Earth!

Looking beyond our Dispensation of Grace, we see the Apostle Peter urging Israel to trust Jesus as Messiah, that He first enlighten their souls with Divine revelation. When He returns, and they are redeemed, the converted nation evangelizes the lost Gentiles. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19). In addition to spiritual darkness, Christ’s Second Coming will drive out physical darkness. His glorious return will be a literal sunrise, to end the night of His extended absence: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” (Malachi 4:2). Second Thessalonians 2:8 alludes to this “brightness of his coming.”

Finally, Revelation 22:16: “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.” Come, Lord Jesus, Thou Dayspring!

Our two latest Bible Q&As: “Why was the levirate marriage important in Bible times?” and “Why was Moses ordered to be shoeless?”