In the spiritual battle we face, understanding our enemy is crucial. Among the great and powerful angels named by God, we focus on Heylel, the anointed cherub who rebelled against God and became known as Satan, the adversary. Originally, as described in Ezekiel 28:12, he was one of two cherubs whose wings covered the throne of God. Isaiah 14:12-14 recounts his fall from this exalted position due to his attempt to overthrow the Almighty and establish his own throne. In some translations, such as the King James Version, he is called Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12, but the underlying Hebrew word is heylel. The term Lucifer, derived from Latin, means light-bearer or light-bringer, akin to the Greek word phosphoros, yet this is not the meaning of heylel. In contrast, II Peter 1:19 identifies Jesus Christ as the morning star, using the Greek term phosphoros, and in the Latin Vulgate, this is rendered as lucifer, highlighting that He, not Heylel, is the true Light-bearer. The Hebrew word heylel, appearing only in Isaiah 14:12, is derived from the root word halal, often translated as praise, glory, and boast. This suggests that he was created to praise and glorify God, but instead became boastful, seeking praise and glory for himself, leading to his downfall and renaming as the adversary of God and all who stand with Him.

The concept of the Morning Star is tied to the origin and fall of a significant angelic being. In the account of creation, the morning stars are described as light-bringing angels and archangels, singing together with all the sons of God in joy at the perfect and glorious creation of the earth, as mentioned in Job 38:4-7. This imagery reflects their role as creations of God, embodying truth and beauty in the initial order of the world. However, the Morning Star also relates to the fall of Lucifer, a former archangel cherub, as detailed in Isaiah 14:12-14. Lucifer, addressed as the son of the morning, fell from heaven due to his rebellion. He sought to ascend into heaven, exalt his throne above the stars of God, and be like the Most High. This ambition led to his downfall, transforming him from a bearer of light into an adversary. His rebellion, involving a third of the angels who became demons, caused chaos on the earth, turning a perfect creation into a state of disorder. Lucifer, once perfect and full of wisdom as described in Ezekiel 28:12-15, was a created being, anointed as a cherub who covered the throne of God. He was placed on earth to administer the Government of God over the angels. However, his beauty and perfection filled him with vanity and self-desire, leading to envy of God's power and resentment of authority. His plot to invade heaven and overthrow God marked his transformation into Satan, the adversary, disrupting the initial harmony associated with the Morning Star.

In Isaiah 14:12, the fallen angel helel is referred to as the son of the morning, a title that some connect to the concept of a light-bearer or light-bringer. However, the Hebrew word helel, derived from the root word halal meaning praise, glory, and boast, indicates that he was created to praise and glorify God. Instead, he became boastful and sought glory for himself. This contrasts sharply with the true Light-bearer and Light-bringer, Jesus Christ, who embodies the light and truth. The name Lucifer, often associated with helel, comes from Latin and shares the same meaning as the Greek word phosphoros, light-bearer, but this term is misapplied to helel, as it rightly belongs to Jesus Christ. When sin was found in him, God cast helel back to Earth, renaming him to reflect his true nature as the adversary, far removed from any association with light or glory.

In the context of overcoming as a central theme in the book of Revelation, the promise to the Thyatirans stands out with profound rewards for their victory. Jesus promises them power over the nations and the Morning Star, which is Christ Himself. This extraordinary reward signifies the immense value of their triumph over grave spiritual weaknesses. They must overcome their susceptibility to false teachers and their inclination toward corruption, which have deeply affected their church. By achieving victory over these significant challenges, they demonstrate the qualities necessary for leadership and a close relationship with Christ, as symbolized by the gift of the Morning Star.

In the letter to the church of Thyatira, as found in Revelation 2, Jesus Christ promises a profound reward to those who overcome and keep His works until the end. He declares that He will give them the Morning Star, a symbol revealed in Revelation 22:16 where He identifies Himself as the Bright and Morning Star, the Root and Offspring of David. This promise signifies an intimate unity with Him, an inseparable bond where the overcomer becomes one with Christ, reflecting the deep connection He desires with His chosen people. This reward underscores His aim for absolute unity, emphasizing that true faithfulness leads to a closeness with Him that cannot be broken.

In the rich tapestry of biblical symbolism, the concept of holding fast until morning carries profound significance. Every one of us, as living stones in God's house, must remain steadfast until the morning dawns, when the Daystar arises. This imagery, rooted in the instruction from Exodus 12 to stay within the house until morning, paints a vivid picture of enduring faith. Morning, as a symbol of hope and renewal, will someday dawn, and we are urged to remain inside the house, behind the bloodstained door, until that time. Regardless of the darkness or turmoil outside, we must stay secure within, resisting every pull that might draw us out, until the Light of the world comes. Whether we are alive or resting in our graves, our confident hope lies in holding fast until that morning arrives.