“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.” (Rev. 19:10)
Twice John did this while witnessing the events that were unfolding before him in the events recorded for us in the Book of Revelation. This man had no knowledge of holographic images, of television, of any of the modern technological items that many of us take for granted today, and he described and wrote for us by the Holy Spirit what he saw as best as he could, it is why you read words in the Book such as, “as it were” and “like unto,” it was the best description he could give.
I do not question the imagery, we will be present at that day and see the same things, what I do question is the need to worship those two that came down to him, that spoke with him. Worship means to adore, to bow down in respect of a power greater than oneself, it is what those whom the Lord has placed in positions of authority on this planet today desire, to be recognized for being greater than those around them, and I do not understand why the man who laid his head on the chest of the Lord Jesus Christ, the man who knew that He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings would bow down and worship anyone but Him.
It is a subtle trick, yet an open deceit of Romanism to have those who have been deceived by them to bow down before them, to kneel at the feet of those who claim to have greater Spiritual discernment than them, but ask yourself this, have you ever knelt at the feet of your pastor at church and worshipped him? When an elder or deacon is in your presence, you may not bow before him or kiss his ring, but do you feel that you are beneath this person in some way because they hold a position that you do not, because they are “closer to God?”
Have you ever seen footage of what people do when a statue supposedly “bleeds?” They are on their knees, worshipping.
“And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev. 13:7)
“I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” (Isaiah 14:14) Satan wants worship, it is what he has always wanted, and he has received it throughout the centuries, and will receive it during the Tribulation period, by whatever means necessary.
Perhaps John was simply taken by the moment, perhaps all that he was witnessing simply was so overpowering to his mind that he forgot himself, but he did so twice, and that is why I ponder this today. Why did John do that, why did he kneel to give obeisance to anyone but the Most High?
When we worship the Lord, we do so not only because we realize that He alone is Sovereign, but because we love Him. “Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” (Rev. 5:12) You have seen people bend the knee to kings and monarchs, you have read how Daniel’s three friends refused to do so when commended to by Nebuchadnezzar, Israel, whose name was once Jacob, stood in the presence of Pharoah, John walked with the Lord Jesus Christ, but worshipped twice before those who were not the Lord. I do not blame him, not in the least, I only seek to know what was in his mind at those two moments, and offer a warning to you today, that we worship the Lord our God, no one else.
All will bend the knee one day to Him, either by their own free will or by force. See that you do not do so to anyone but Him. And understand this, that it is not just an action of the flesh, but an obedience of the mind, of the will, and may cost you much one day if you refuse to do so to anyone but Him.
