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Commentary on Revelation 22 verses 6–19
We have here a solemn ratification of the contents of this book, and particularly of this last vision (though some think it may not only refer to the whole book, but to the whole New Testament, yea, to the whole Bible, completing and confirming the canon of scripture); and here, 1. This is confirmed by the name and nature of that God who gave out these discoveries: he is the Lord God, faithful and true, and so are all his sayings. 2. By the messengers he chose, to reveal these things to the world; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God; and God would not employ his saints and angels in deceiving the world. 3. They will soon be confirmed by their accomplishment: they are things that must shortly be done; Christ will make haste, he will come quickly, and put all things out of doubt; and then those will prove the wise and happy men who have believed and kept his words. 4. By the integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's guide and interpreter in these visions; this integrity was such that he not only refused to accept religious adoration from John, but once and again reproved him for it. He who was so tender of the honour of God, and so displeased with what was a wrong to God, would never come in his name to lead the people of God into mere dreams and delusions; and it is a still further confirmation of the sincerity of this apostle that he confesses his own sin and folly, into which he had now again relapsed, and he leaves this his failing on perpetual record: this shows he was a faithful and an impartial writer. 5. By the order given to leave the book of the prophecy open, to be perused by all, that they might labour to understand it, that they might make their objections against it, and compare the prophecy with the events. God here deals freely and openly with all; he does not speak in secret, but calls every one to witness to the declarations here made, Rev 22:10. 6. By the effect this book, thus kept open, will have upon men; those that are filthy and unjust will take occasion thence to be more so, but it will confirm, strengthen, and further sanctify those that are upright with God; it will be a savour of life to some and of death to others, and so will appear to be from God, Rev 22:12. 7. It will be Christ's rule of judgment at the great day; he will dispense rewards and punishments to men according as their works agree or disagree with the word of God; and therefore that word itself must needs be faithful and true. 8. It is the word of him who is the author, finisher, and rewarder of the faith and holiness of his people, Rev 22:13, Rev 22:14. He is the first and the last, and the same from first to last, and so is his word too; and he will by this word give to his people, who conform themselves to it, a right to the tree of life, and an entrance into heaven; and this will be a full confirmation of the truth and authority of his word, since it contains the title and evidence of that confirmed state of holiness and happiness that remains for his people in heaven. 9. It is a book that condemns and excludes from heaven all wicked, unrighteous persons, and particularly those that love and make lies (Rev 22:15), and therefore can never be itself a lie. 10. It is confirmed by the testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit of prophecy. And this Jesus, as God, is the root of David, though, as man, his offspring - a person in whom all uncreated and created excellencies meet, too great and too good to deceive his churches and the world. He is the fountain of all light, the bright and the morning star, and as such has given to his churches this morning light of prophecy, to assure them of the light of that perfect day which is approaching. 11. It is confirmed by an open and general invitation to all to come and partake of the promises and privileges of the gospel, those streams of the water of life; these are tendered to all who feel in their souls a thirst which nothing in this world can quench. 12. It is confirmed by the joint testimony of the Spirit of God, and that gracious Spirit that is in all the true members of the church of God; the Spirit and the bride join in testifying the truth and excellency of the gospel. 13. It is confirmed by a most solemn sanction, condemning and cursing all who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God, either by adding to it or taking from it, Rev 22:18, Rev 22:19. He that adds to the word of God draws down upon himself all the plagues written in this book; and he who takes any thing away from it cuts himself off from all the promises and privileges of it. This sanction is like a flaming sword, to guard the canon of the scripture from profane hands. Such a fence as this God set about the law (Deu 4:2), and the whole Old Testament (Mal 4:4), and now in the most solemn manner about the whole Bible, assuring us that it is a book of the most sacred nature, divine authority, and of the last importance, and therefore the peculiar care of the great God.
This is the Judge and the Avenger, beloved brothers, that we are to await who, when he revenges himself, is destined to revenge us, the people of his church, and the number of all the just from the beginning of the world. Let him who hastens and hurries too much to his own revenge consider that he alone who avenges has not yet avenged himself.… In the Apocalypse, when John wishes to adore him, the angel resists him and says, “You must not do this because I am a fellow servant of you and of your brothers. Adore Jesus the Lord.” How wonderful then is Jesus our Lord, and what great patience this is that he who is adored in heaven is not yet avenged on earth! Let us think of his patience, beloved brothers, in our persecutions and sufferings. Let us show the full obedience that is inspired by our expectation of his coming, and let us not hasten with the impious and shameless haste of a servant to defend ourselves before the Lord. Let us rather persevere and let us labor, and [let us] be watchful with all our heart and steadfast even to total resignation; let us guard the precepts of the Lord, so that when the day of wrath and vengeance comes, we may not be punished with the impious and sinners but may be honored with the just and those who fear God.
The Father shows [the Son] to be his own proper and only Son, saying, “You are my Son,” and “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Accordingly the angels ministered to him, as being one beyond themselves; and they worship him, not as being greater in glory but as being some one beyond all the creatures, and beyond themselves, and alone the Father’s proper Son according to essence. For if he was worshiped as excelling them in glory, each of the things subservient ought to worship what excels itself. But this is not the case; for creature does not worship creature, but servant [worships the] Lord, and creature God. Thus Peter the apostle hinders Cornelius, who would worship him, saying, “I myself also am a man.” And an angel, when John would worship him in the Apocalypse, hinders him, saying, “See that you do not do it; … worship God.” Therefore, to God alone appertains worship, and this the very angels know, that though they excel other beings in glory, yet they are all creatures and not to be worshiped but worship the Lord.
Since there is no pride in the servant nor any vanity in the saints, [the angel] immediately exhorts him [not to worship him].… The angel proclaims that nothing is equal to the Creator, and he declares that nothing can be offered to another that is owed to the Lord God only.
This is why Lot and Joshua worshipped angels and were not forbidden to worship; but John in his Apocalypse wished to worship an angel, yet that same angel restrained him from worshipping him, saying: See that you do not do this, for I am your fellow servant and of your brethren. Why is it that before the Redeemer's coming angels are worshipped by men and remain silent, but afterward they refuse to be worshipped, unless it is that our nature, which they had previously despised, they now fear to see prostrate before them after they behold it assumed above themselves? Nor do they now dare to scorn as weak what is beneath them, since they venerate it above themselves in the King of heaven. Nor do they disdain to have man as a companion, since they adore man as God above themselves.
He shows the piety of the angel who has described and interpreted the vision, indicating that [the angel] would not allow himself to be worshiped by a fellow servant. Rather, with a good conscience we are to give homage to [our] common Lord.
I am a fellow servant, etc. Note how often he names both John the prophet and this book as prophecy; for there is much agreement with the prophets, not only in the senses but also in the words. For how many verses from Isaiah, how many from Zechariah, and other prophets do you find here!
And when he says I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel. These things are interpreted in those that have arrived, when we also have demonstrated that the doctrines of the atheistic Greeks about their national leaders have nothing in common with the purest doctrines of the church.
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SUMMARY
Revelation 22:9 records a pivotal moment at the climax of John's apocalyptic vision, where the guiding angel firmly rebukes John's attempt to worship him, redirecting all adoration to God alone. This final, emphatic command underscores the foundational truth that worship is exclusively reserved for the Creator, reinforcing the humility of heavenly beings and establishing a profound unity among all who serve God by keeping His word.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Revelation 22:9 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is Repetition, as this scene directly mirrors Revelation 19:10, where John also attempts to worship an angel and receives the same firm rebuke. This recurrence serves to underscore the absolute paramount importance of the message: worship belongs to God alone. The angel's words also utilize Direct Command and Imperative Mood ("See thou do it not," "worship God"), conveying an urgent and non-negotiable directive. There is a clear Contrast established between the created angelic being and the uncreated God, highlighting the infinite qualitative difference between them and why worship must be exclusively directed to the latter. Finally, the angel's self-identification as a "fellowservant" and his inclusion of "thy brethren the prophets" and "them which keep the sayings of this book" employs Identification or Solidarity, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose among all who serve God, whether heavenly or earthly.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 22:9 serves as a powerful theological anchor, grounding the entire apocalyptic vision in the fundamental truth of God's sole worthiness of worship. It is a stark reminder that no created being, however glorious or instrumental in divine revelation, can ever usurp the unique position of the Creator. This principle safeguards against all forms of idolatry, whether overt worship of other gods, veneration of spiritual entities, or the more subtle idolatry of human achievements, material possessions, or even spiritual experiences. The angel's humility underscores that true greatness in God's kingdom is found in humble service, not in seeking or accepting adoration. This verse provides a definitive statement on the nature of true worship and the absolute distinction between the Creator and creation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 22:9 offers a profound and timeless lesson for believers today. In a world saturated with distractions and temptations to place ultimate value, trust, or adoration on created things—be it fame, wealth, human wisdom, political power, or even spiritual leaders—this verse firmly redirects our focus. It calls us to examine our hearts and ensure that our praise, adoration, and ultimate devotion are reserved for God alone, for He is the only One truly worthy. This means cultivating a posture of humility in all our service and recognizing that any gifts, positions, or insights we possess are given by God for His glory, not for our own. Our highest calling is to be faithful "fellowservants" who not only hear but actively obey God's revealed word, allowing it to shape our lives and priorities. This passage challenges us to constantly re-evaluate who or what truly occupies the throne of our hearts, ensuring that God remains supreme.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did John attempt to worship the angel twice, even after being corrected the first time?
Answer: John's repeated attempt to worship the angel (first in Revelation 19:10 and again in Revelation 22:9) highlights the overwhelming nature of the apocalyptic visions he was experiencing. The glory and authority of the angelic messenger, who was revealing such profound divine truths, were so immense that John, a human prophet, was naturally overcome with awe and reverence. His actions likely stemmed from an instinctive, albeit misdirected, response to such a powerful manifestation of the divine presence. The repetition serves a crucial pedagogical purpose for the reader, emphasizing the absolute necessity of directing worship solely to God, even when confronted with extraordinary spiritual phenomena.
What does the angel's declaration, "I am thy fellowservant," imply about the nature of heavenly beings?
Answer: The angel's statement, "I am thy fellowservant" (Greek: sýndoulos), profoundly implies that even the most glorious and powerful heavenly beings are not divine themselves but are created beings, just like humanity. They serve the same ultimate Master, God. This declaration underscores the humility inherent in true service to God, even for those in exalted positions within the spiritual realm. It establishes a solidarity between heavenly messengers and human believers, united in their common devotion and obedience to the Creator. This distinction is vital for maintaining proper theological boundaries, preventing the worship of angels or any other created entity.
Is it ever permissible to worship angels, saints, or other spiritual figures in Christianity?
Answer: Based on Revelation 22:9 and numerous other biblical passages, it is unequivocally not permissible to worship angels, saints, or any other spiritual figures in Christianity. The Bible consistently teaches that worship is due to God alone. Jesus Himself, when tempted by Satan, declared, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve" (Matthew 4:10). The angel's repeated rebuke to John serves as a clear and final warning against any form of creature worship, reinforcing the absolute monotheism that defines biblical faith. All honor, reverence, and devotion ultimately belong to the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 22:9, while a direct command to worship God alone, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The angel's humility as a "fellowservant" starkly contrasts with the divine nature of Christ, who, though truly God, willingly took on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). Unlike the angel who must refuse worship, Jesus receives worship throughout the Gospels (Matthew 2:11; 14:33; 28:9, 17) because He is God incarnate, the very Word made flesh. He is the one whom all angels are commanded to worship (Hebrews 1:6). Furthermore, Jesus perfectly embodies the "brethren the prophets" and "them which keep the sayings of this book." He is the supreme Prophet, the one to whom all previous prophets pointed (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22), and He perfectly kept all the sayings of God's book, living a life of absolute obedience (John 15:10). Thus, the command "worship God" is fulfilled in the worship of Christ, for in Him, the fullness of God dwells bodily (Colossians 2:9), and He is the ultimate object of all creation's adoration (Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 5:11-14).