Revelation 22:8,9

Strauss-' Comments
SECTION 72

Text Revelation 22:8-9

8 And I John am he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that showed me these things. 9 And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets, and with them that keep the words of this book: worship God.

Initial Questions Revelation 22:8-9

1.

Should not John know that Christians are not supposed to worship angels - Revelation 22:8?

2.

Does the angel accept John's worship - Revelation 22:9?

3.

What does the angel command that John do - Revelation 22:9?

Revelation 22:8

John failed to learn his lesson from the heavenly messenger in Revelation 19:10. John attempted to worship an angel and the angel rebuked him. Here again, John fell to worship before the feet of the angel who had revealed the holy secrets to him. The following rebuke is in harmony with the general biblical attack on the flourishing angel-worship in Asia Minor.

Revelation 22:9

John was emphatically rebuked the second time. John was so emotionally involved as he was trying to write down the last words of the angel's message that he became more enthralled with the messenger than with his good tidings. The angel declared that he was a faithful follower of the Word of God, but that this did not give him any special standing before God. Even angels are creatures and not the creator.

Discussion Questions

See Revelation 22:20-21.