Stars Vs. Messengers
Messengers versus the seven stars
In Revelation 1, the seven stars are mentioned first ((1:16) and then the explanation comes in 1:20, stating “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw upon my right hand … the seven stars are the seven messengers of the seven churches.”
The term messengers is used in the introduction to each of the seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3. (2:1, 8, 12, 18; 3:1, 7, 14)
The “seven stars” are also mentioned to the church in Ephesus (2:1) and the church in Sardis (3:1).
I think the Lord uses the metaphor of “stars” is quite significant, demonstrating that He is addressing a very dark age. John mentions the words tribulation, kingdom and endurance (1:9) earlier and then brings in the thought of “stars” as messengers.
The “church age” is a degraded age, an age of immorality, adultery, apostasy and confusion. Even by the time John wrote the book of Revelation the churches were already quite messy as indicated in his epistles (1, 2, 3 John). In the Lord's eyes, the church is in darkness along with the world. Therefore, He uses “stars” as points of light, shining forth.
To me, however, “stars” can only cast so much light in the darkness. It is rare that one can see very well on a star lit night (most of the light at night comes from the moon). Therefore, I would say that the mention of “stars” as messengers implies that there are some who seek, follow and love the Lord and do His bidding and they render “spots” of light to others. However, they do not light the way as the moon or sun would. I believe this might “play into” the concept of individual responsibility before the Lord versus corporate accountability. I will get into this more later.
Why would the Lord mention “messengers” in each of seven short epistles, calling them the “stars”. Then, He also mentions the “stars” two more times (in Ephesus and Sardis). I believe this is to emphasis the fact that the church age is in darkness, but that there are spots of light for Christ. Ephesus' failure related mainly to the loss of their first love. Sardis' failure related to the lack of completion of what they “saw” before the Lord. The “stars”, the messengers, are emphasized in those churches to show that the basis of God's economy or plan initiates and propagates in and through love and that love will eventually bring us to fulfillment, completion, maturity in Christ.
We cannot allow the degraded church situation to be an excuse for our lack of love for the Lord and for one another. Neither can we allow it to be our excuse for not complete that which the Lord has begun in us (Philippians 1:6). To me, the question is how do we rekindle the flame of love each and every day. Also, how do we become enlivened before the Lord in order to grow to maturity in Him in such a dark age?
