What does Revelation 19:10 mean?
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Revelation 19:10
Explanation
Revelation 19:10 depicts an interaction between John, the author of Revelation, and an angel. John is overwhelmed by the revelations being given to him, and in a moment of awe and perhaps confusion, he falls at the angel’s feet to worship him. The angel immediately instructs John not to do so, stating that he is a “fellowservant” and a part of the brethren that bear “the testimony of Jesus.” The angel then emphasizes that only God should be worshipped and attributes the spirit of prophecy to the testimony of Jesus. This verse is stressing the prohibition of angel worship and reiterates that worship should be directed to God alone. It also underscores the unity and cooperation between divine messengers and human beings in the shared mission of spreading the gospel.
Historical Context
The Book of Revelation is traditionally believed to have been written by John the Apostle while he was in exile on the island of Patmos, around 95 AD. The early Christian community faced persecution from the Roman Empire, and Revelation is full of apocalyptic imagery and prophecies meant to both warn and offer hope to the early Christians. During this time, it would not have been uncommon for visions, angels, and divine messengers to figure prominently in religious texts, reflecting the cultural understanding of heavenly intervention in earthly affairs.
Theological Insights
Theologically, this verse offers several insights:
- Angelology: It provides a perspective on the nature of angels, showing them as messengers and servants, not deities to be worshipped.
- Christology: The reference to “the testimony of Jesus” underlines the central role of Christ in Christian prophecy and revelation.
- Eschatology: The broader context of Revelation deals with end times, and this verse contributes to understanding the angel’s role in the unfolding of the final events.
- Exclusivity of Divine Worship: The angel’s directive to “worship God” reinforces the monotheistic principle that worship is due to God alone.
Different Christian denominations may draw on this verse to affirm these theological points, with variations in their emphasis and interpretation.
Practical Applications
Practically, this verse serves as a reminder of the following points:
- Reserve worship solely for God, not for any created being or entity.
- Recognize the proper roles within the spiritual hierarchy – angels as messengers and humans as recipients of the divine message who are also equipped to share it.
- Encourage humility and caution against idolizing spiritual experiences or messengers.
- Affirm the importance of prophecy and its association with the testimony of Jesus.
Cross-References
- Revelation 22:8-9: “And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.”
- Deuteronomy 6:13: “Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.”
- Colossians 2:18: “Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,”
- Isaiah 42:8: “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”
Language Study
Key words in the original Greek text and their meanings:
- “Worship” (προσκυνέω, proskyneō): To kneel down and pay homage or reverence to a divine being or person.
- “Fellowservant” (σύνδουλος, syndoulos): A fellow slave or servant, indicating a shared position of servitude.
- “Testimony” (μαρτυρία, martyria): The act of bearing witness, an affirmation, or evidence given.
- “Jesus” (Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous): The Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua (Joshua), meaning “Yahweh is salvation.”
- “Spirit” (πνεῦμα, pneuma): Breath, wind, or spirit which can connote invisible, powerful, and life-giving force.
- “Prophecy” (προφητεία, prophēteia): The utterance or declaration of a prophet, often involving divinely inspired revelation or interpretation.
Cultural and Religious Comparisons
The prohibition on worshipping angels or any being other than God aligns with Jewish monotheistic traditions and is counter to many polytheistic religions of antiquity where multiple deities and intermediaries were venerated. In Greco-Roman culture, where the pantheon of gods and semi-divine heroes were worshipped, Christianity’s firm stance against worshipping angels would have served as a demarcation of its monotheistic beliefs.
Scientific Perspectives
From a scientific perspective, the concept of worship and angelic beings do not intersect directly with empirical methods or natural sciences, as they pertain to spiritual and religious practices and beliefs. However, the psychological and sociological study of religion can provide insight into the roles that worship and religious experiences play in human culture and individual behavior.
Commentaries
Various biblical scholars and commentators have explored Revelation 19:10, offering different insights:
- John Calvin: Interpreted the angel’s refusal of worship as a lesson in humility and the proper ordering of honor within God’s creation.
- Matthew Henry: Emphasized the impropriety of giving divine honors to any creature and the importance of the centrality of Christ’s testimony in the church.
- Albert Barnes: Suggested that the angel’s denial of worship served as a caution against idolatry and as an affirmation of God as the only appropriate object of religious devotion.
- Charles Spurgeon: Wrote about the need for discernment in spiritual encounters and staying grounded in worship of God alone.