Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”
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.” Revelation 19: 9-10, NIV
As I listened to an audio version of the final chapters of Revelation, I suddenly thought, Wait. How did we get back to chapter 19? We’re supposed to be moving forward, not backward!
But the audio hadn’t gone backward. When I heard these words in chapter 22, I realized I had heard a similar scene before:
The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”
“Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.”
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” Revelation 22:6-9, NIV
John didn’t make this mistake once. He did it twice.
Both times, John was overwhelmed by what God had revealed. And both times, he fell at the feet of the angel who had delivered the message.
The angel’s response was the same both times: “Worship God!”
John wasn’t a habitual idol worshiper. He was one of Jesus’ apostles. He had walked with Jesus, witnessed His death and resurrection, preached the gospel, and ultimately suffered exile on Patmos because of his faithfulness to God. Yet even John, a mature follower of Christ, momentarily misplaced his worship.
And perhaps that’s what makes these passages so important for us.
Most of us won’t receive a revelation from an angel. But we can still become so captivated by the messenger that we lose sight of the One who sent him.
God works through people. He uses pastors, teachers, mentors, parents, authors, leaders, friends, churches, and countless other people to encourage us, teach us, and point us toward Him. He gives us gifts, meaningful work, relationships, experiences, and opportunities that can bring tremendous joy and purpose.
But the good things God gives us were never meant to become substitutes for God Himself.
Sometimes the question isn’t whether something is good. The question is whether something good has gradually become ultimate.
And when we discover that our focus has shifted, we don’t need to remain there.
The angel didn’t condemn John. He simply corrected him: “Don’t do that. Worship God.”
God continued to reveal His truth to John. He continued to use him. John’s moment of misplaced worship did not disqualify him from God’s purposes.
What a gracious reminder for us.
When we realize that our attention, affection, or allegiance has drifted, we can simply turn our hearts back toward the One who is worthy.
So today, if something—or someone—has captured more of your heart than the One who gave it, pause and refocus.
The angel’s message to John is still the message for us: Worship God.
Lord, You are the magnificent creator of the universe, whose love for us is unconditional. Thank You for reminding us that we will be reuniting with You in the future. Sometimes we get distracted and misplace our worship by becoming so enamored with the blessings You have given us. Thank You for Your graciousness in calling us back to Yourself. Help us to worship You only. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Copyright Althea Gordon-Scott.
Althea’s passion is to validate, encourage, empower, and inspire people, especially young people, to find their identity, live out their purpose, and reach their full potential. She is a Christian Educators member, a public school educator, an ordained minister, a wife, and a mother.
