Outside of Scripture, the morning star is a reference to the planet Venus, a light seen in the dark sky that confirms the imminent arrival of daylight. In Scripture, however, the morning star is a rich metaphor that has an eschatological focus (see Isaiah 60:1; Luke 1:78; Malachi 4:2; Numbers 24:17).1 Jesus himself is referred to as the morning star in Revelation 22:16. The reference to day dawning and a star rising are thus traditional eschatological references that have to do with the advent of God’s reign and the coming of his Messiah.2
19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,