Christ the Shining Living Star vs. Christ’s Faithful Followers — the Many Living Stars

 

Christ the Shining Living Star vs. Christ’s Faithful Followers — the Many Living Stars

Revelation 22:16 — “I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the bright Morning Star.”

Daniel 12:3 — “Those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.”

2 Peter 1:19 — Paying attention to the prophetic word as to a lamp shining in a dark place. 

Aspect	Christ, the Shining Living Star	Christ’s Faithful Followers  — the Many Living Stars
Meaning	Christ is the bright Morning Star, the center, content, and reality of God’s economy, shining forth God’s purpose and bringing in the kingdom and divine government of life.	The many living stars are the reproduction and expression of Christ, shining in the dark age to turn people to righteousness and the proper way.
Reason	As both the Son of God and the Son of Man, Christ is preeminent in all things to be the center and universality of God’s economy.	By following Christ’s heavenly, living, present, and instant vision, believers are enlightened and transformed to become shining ones.
Distinction	He is the source Star, the intrinsic light, the One who initiates shining.	They are the reflecting stars, vessels that shine under Christ’s illumination.
Characteristics	He is the Morning Star (not the evening star), ushering in a new day, resurrection, and the nearness of the kingdom.	They shine in darkness, guiding people from error to righteousness for the testimony of the churches.
Mutual Relationship	Christ is the reality of the Star; without Him, there are no stars.	The many stars exist by following, enjoying, and living out Christ as His duplication and extension.
Examples	In Revelation, Christ walks among the churches as the Morning Star.	The seven stars—the messengers of the seven churches—shine in the local churches (Rev. 1:20).
Application	Believers must daily turn to Christ’s shining and live in His present appearing.	Believers should shine in the church life, not by position but by life, to lead others to righteousness.
Burden	To bring people into the experience of Christ as the Morning Star, not merely religious knowledge.	To be shining ones in a dark age so that God’s people may be blessed.
Prophesying Guidance	Proclaim Christ as the center of God’s economy, the Morning Star, and the reality of the kingdom.	Testify how we follow the Morning Star and shine as living stars in the churches.
Conclusion	Christ is the unique source and center of all shining.	The many living stars are Christ’s faithful followers shining in the church for His testimony.
Related Scriptures	Colossians 1:17b, 18b — “All things cohere in Him… that He Himself might have the first place in all things.” Matthew 17:1–8 — Christ’s shining on the Mount of Transfiguration manifested the kingdom coming in power.	Revelation 1:20 — “The seven stars are the messengers of the seven churches.” Isaiah 50:10–11 — Walking in the light given by God, not in self-made light.

Core Summary:

• Christ is the Morning Star, the center of God’s economy.
• The many living stars follow Him, reflect His shining, and exist in the churches.
• Where Christ shines, the stars appear; where the church is, the stars are.

 

*Please refer to the 2025 Thanksgiving International Symposium on the All-Inclusive Christ Revealed in the Gospel of Matthew, Part One: The Vision of the Present, Immediate, and Living Heavenly Christ as the Living Star