Stars

The stars are part of "the lesser light to rule the night" in Genesis 1.
Physically they are big balls of mostly hydrogen fusing into helium light-years away from our solar system.  They provide scant light during the night, but slightly more when the moon is eclispsed or a new moon.
Metaphorically these represent other leaders, bureaucrats, that hold some authority, but not as much as the king or secondary rulers.
Category:Apocalyptic Terms