Word@Work Rev104 - Revelation 19:10

Published: Thu, 03/08/18

Thursday, March 8, 2018

Word@Work from BeaconLight

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU WORSHIP

Revelation 19:10

At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.' (NIVUK)

Read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: in English, and many other languages

The hallelujah chorus has rung through heaven, for God has taken His final action against the devil-inspired world government, and an angel has announced the wedding of the Lamb of God (Jesus) to all those who love Him, the Church. It is a wonderful moment for John. In his vision, the pain of the past is gone and the glorious anticipation of being united with Christ excites his heart. So, he falls at the feet of the angel in worship, but is rebuked (Revelation 22:8-9). Angels are not God, and only God is worthy of worship. Worshipping anyone or thing other than God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is idolatry and the highest insult to God's Name (Exodus 20:3-5).

As awesome as an angel might be, to Balaam (Numbers 22:22-35), Gideon (Judges 6:11-22), Joseph (Matthew 1:20) and Mary (Luke 1:26-38), Hebrews 1:5-14 reiterates that angels are subordinate to God. Even though Jesus was made a little lower than the angels so that He might suffer death (Hebrews 2:7-9), all God's angels worship Him (Hebrews 1:6). But in the early church, and in some to this day, angels are wrongly worshipped and venerated (Colossians 2:18). Today's passage explains that the angels themselves revolt against the idea. They are just servants of God, ministering spirits who not only serve the Lord but also us, at His command (Hebrews 1:14).

In many ways, angels are different from us. They have not experienced either sin or salvation, but have observed both in human beings. They are not children of God (John 1:12), they are not adopted into his family (Ephesians 1:5), they do not have an inheritance (Colossians 1:12). Neither do they have supernatural knowledge (1 Peter 1:12). They are servants of God who honour those who uphold the Name of Jesus. But we are God's servants too; and in that role we and the angels have a shared cause to honour and obey the Lord God Almighty. The prophetic statements in John's vision have not come from the initiative or foreknowledge of angels but through the Spirit of prophesy, who is the Holy Spirit and He always bears witness to Jesus (2 Peter 1:21).

Angels are an important part of God's kingdom, but they are His servants to be deployed at His command and not ours. To worship them is to commit idolatry. Do not do that. And yet many believers are fascinated by angels. What is the borderline between interest and idolatry? It is entrusting yourself to whatever you worship and serving them. Think about good things (Philippians 4:8), but don't worship anything other than the Lord; and when you worship Him you should be bearing the testimony of Jesus.

Lord God. Thank You for creating angels to serve You. I am sorry for the times when I idolise Your creation instead of thanking You for what You have made. Please help me to trust You and be grateful for whichever servant You will send to help me worship You. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Your next Word@Work will be sent on Friday, March 9, 2018