The Seven Stars (Revelation 1:16)

And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. Revelation 1:16 - King James

 

⚪ They represent special lightbearers In the Church, in each of its 7 phases

[Rev] 1:16. And He had In His right hand.—"This One whom we thus know, thus recognize, as the Instructor and Caretaker of the candlesticks, we are also to recognize as having In His right hand—In His favor as well as His power— seven stars, the angels, the messengers, of the seven Churches. That they are in His right hand seems to teach us that these should be considered as in some special sense under the Master's guidance, protection and care In the Interest of the Churches which they represented."— Z/16-345; Jer. 22:24. Seven stars.—"Apparently the stars represent special ministers, or servants of the Church. In Revelation 12:1 the Church Is pictured as a Woman crowned with twelve stars. These stars evidently represent the Twelve Apostles as the special lights of the Church. Similarly, in the picture before us, the seven stars which the Lord holds in His right hand seem to represent special lightbearers In the Church—in each of its seven phases, or stages, of development It will be noticed that the messages to the various Churches are sent by these stars, messengers, angels, as though our Lord would have us understand that the appropriate message for each appropriate epoch In the Church's experience, would be sent by the Lord through a particular star, or messenger, whom He would especially commission as His representative. Our Lord Himself is represented by the great light of the sun; and His special messengers In the Church throughout the entire period of the Gospel Age are consistently enough represented as stars."—Z. 16-345; Rev. 1:20. Source : 🇺🇸 1917-1923 -Studies in the Scriptures, Vol 7, The finished mystery, page 19, page 20 + Cover

 

⚫ They represent the bodies of elders, or overseers, in the congregations

Divinely constituted authority is also a factor within the Christian congregation. Revelation chapter 1 depicts Christ Jesus as holding the "stars" of the congregation in his right hand. (Rev. 1:16, 20) In a general sense, these "stars" represent the bodies of elders, or overseers, in the congregations. Such appointed overseers yield to Christ's leadership and imitate his kindly way of dealing with others. All in the congregation submit to the arrangement that Jesus made for "the faithful and discreet slave" to provide spiritual food at the proper time. (Matt. 24:45-47) Today, our willingness to study and apply this material demonstrates that we personally are yielding to Christ's headship, which contributes to peace and unity.—Rom. 14: 13,19. Source : 🇺🇸 The Watchtower (Etude), March 15 2008, page 4, page 5 + Cover