Christ's self-designation as the herald of eternal day. 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. The morning star is Venus, the brightest body in the predawn sky — the last light before the sun rises, the sign that the night is ending. The image had been promised in Numbers 24:17 (there shall come a Star out of Jacob) and echoed in 2 Peter 1:19 (the day star arise in your hearts). Christ as the bright morning star is the promise that whatever night the church endures, the eternal day is at hand. He has risen; the dawn is certain; the night is almost over.