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.

Jesus Christ gave his personal witness and attestation that he is the ultimate source and author of the Book of Revelation.¹ However, he did so through the angel that spoke for Christ by divine investiture of authority.² The angel spoke for Christ, saying: I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.³ The angel mentioned here was the heavenly messenger sent to John in Revelation 1:1.⁴ The angel delivered the message from Christ, and John published it to the seven churches in Asia as the Book of Revelation.⁵ The seven churches were all that remained of Christ's church in that day and they foreshadow the church in all subsequent ages.⁶

By the voice of the angel, Christ declared himself to be the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.⁷ These names figuratively describe the basis for Christ's authority to send John forth with the Revelation from God.⁸ Revelation 22:13 similarly declared Christ's authority as the Alpha and the Omega.⁹

Christ has several Davidic names¹⁰ which symbolize his unmatched power as both a king and a humble shepherd.¹¹ David was the great shepherd-king¹² who united and established the ancient kingdom of Israel.¹³ His rule over united Israel typifies Christ's future rule¹⁴ over gathered Israel in the celestial kingdom.¹⁵ Christ is called the root of David because Christ (Jehovah) was David's Lord¹⁶ and was preeminent above David.¹⁷ Christ is also the root that gives spiritual nourishment and life to the celestial house of Israel.¹⁸ Finally, Christ is called the offspring of David because Christ was born as David's direct descendant.¹⁹ For this reason, Christ is called the Son of David.²⁰ As the root and the offspring of David,²¹ Christ holds the key of David, which symbolizes his power to bind and loose all things on earth and in heaven.²²

Christ is also called the bright and morning star.²³ This name alludes to Balaam's prophecy in the Book of Numbers that a great star would arise from the house of Jacob to govern Israel.²⁴ Many scholars say the source of this metaphorical name is the planet Venus,²⁵ which is the bright star in the morning sky that heralds the dawn of a new day.²⁶ The name also describes Christ's brilliant qualities²⁷ and his preeminence over all God's children.²⁸

Christ's brightness and preeminence began at the time of the spirit creation,²⁹ when he (Jehovah)³⁰ was born³¹ as the first spirit child³² of God the Father³³ and his Heavenly Mother.³⁴

Christ was the preeminent birthright son,³⁵ ahead of all God's other spirit children who are figuratively called the stars of heaven.³⁶ Spirits of highest intelligence were favored to be born at the dawn of the spirit creation,³⁷ and they are called morning stars for that reason.³⁸ Since Jehovah was the firstborn in the spirit creation, he alone is the bright and morning star.³⁹ Exalted saints will become bright and morning stars,⁴⁰ but they will be subordinate at all times to Christ, who remains the bright and morning star in Revelation 22:16.⁴¹