This week on January 2, 3, and 4 the morning stars tell their story just before sunrise.
The “Morning Star” Mercury is one of the “Seven Planets” which were visible to the ancients. The fourth day of the week, Wednesday, is named in English after the Norse god corresponding to Roman Mercury and Greek Hermes. The planet Mercury is symbolic of Satan in the Star Bible and is mentioned in a passage in the Bible about Satan (Isaiah 14:12), where he is described as the Morning Star Laid Low. The Greek name Hermes, meaning “The Burnt One”, also adds to the picture of Mercury as representing Satan.
The planet Mercury is very close to the sun and can only be seen as a morning or evening star. Most of the time it is too “laid low” near the sun to be seen at all. However, in early January it will be visible just before Sunrise. Then it will disappear into the fire of the sun, reminding us that Satan will one day be thrown into the fire.
The other Moring Star, Venus, is named for the pagan mother of the Seed of Woman (See Genesis 3:15) and the sixth day of the week is named for Venus. However, Venus represents the Seed of Woman Himself, Christ, and He describes Himself as the Bright Morning Star (Revelation 22:16). Venus is the brightest of the planets and shines brightly high in the Eastern sky dominating the Morning Star Laid Low as Christ dominates Satan.
About 30 minutes before sunrise there will be an impressive sight in the eastern sky as Mercury (Representing Satan) appears below Jupiter (representing Jesus the Suffering Savior). And both appear below Venus, the Bright Morning Star.
Adding to the picture is the waning crescent Moon, representing Believers (Psalms 89:37), passing next to Venus, Jupiter and Mercury, near to the bright star Antares (the Wounded) in the constellation Scorpio (the Scorpion), which represents the Rebellion of Men (Ezekiel 2:6). The Moon reminds us that the Church will overcome the rebellion of men and Jupiter shows how it was done through Christ’s sacrifice. So the Moon and Jupiter add to the picture of the defeat of the Morning Star Laid Low. It is worth remembering that, while the Moon often appears partly dark to us, from the vantage point of Mercury the Moon is always bright and white, reflecting the light of the sun, as the Church reflects the light of Jesus, the Light of the World.
So take some time to enjoy the story of Satan laid low, the dominance of Christ the Bright Morning Star, and the overcoming Church reflecting the light of Jesus.