“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)
John fell at the feet of one of our, not only his, fellow servants to worship him, and was firmly rebuked for doing so, and he did so twice.
“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.” (Romans 13:7)
But never worship.
“Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.” (1st Peter 2:18)
But never worship them.
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” (Eph. 5:22)
Worship is specifically designed only for the Most High God, creator of heaven and earth, and so it has always perplexed me why John, who walked with the Lord Jesus Christ for so long, would all of a sudden decide to bow down to anyone else and offer them worship, not once, but twice. One could understand in part the first instance because of what he was witnessing, a spur of the moment emotional mistake due to the situation, but not twice, especially after already being reproved once for his actions.
Worship is not just giving place to those who are in authority over us, it is not the submissive attitude and actions that a loving wife is to have for her husband who serves the Living God, it is more than honoring those who deserve some form of honor. It is offering oneself fully and without reservation to something or someone willingly and recognizing them as all-powerful.
It is subservience exemplified.
If Daniel’s three friends had enough knowledge of these truths, and did not bow down to the obelisk Nebuchadnezzar had made, why would John do so to one who was not worthy of worship, twice?
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” (Rev. 4:11)
“Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2nd Thess. 2:4)
Satan wants above all other things to obtain what only the Almighty is worthy of, and like John did twice, he will receive it.
I would ask you to consider the mindset of Nathanael here, and perhaps many in that day, not in a fashion that would portray those people at that time as backward or simple-minded, but in the simplicity of just how easily some are led to desired ends by others.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.” (John 1:50)
Nathanael called Him the Messiah because of that one statement, and because of it worshipped Him. How much more easily are so many led astray today, how simple is it to simply speak certain words and they will worship without reservation.
Who are the more simple minded, those of that day or those of today?
The signs and wonders so many profess to see in these days, are they from the Almighty, or from the prince of the power of the air? If one wanted to deceive people as an end goal of having them worship you, slowly and subtly would be the path, would it not? A little here, a little there, until the hook is firmly set.
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2nd Tim. 3:13)
My friends, if a man of God who sat right beside the Lord Jesus Christ, who heard Him speak, who saw miracles performed by Him, who by His power performed miracles himself fell into a form of abject worship, twice, at the feet of one who was not deserving of it, how much more today do you suppose that is happening?
The Most High would much rather you test the Spirits, and that with all due diligence and prayer to make sure without a doubt that it is Him that you are worshipping, than to fall down prostrate immediately at every sign or wonder and call it from Him.
“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” (Rev. 13:15)
Deceptions from our adversary always arrive slowly and with great subtlety, be very sure who you are worshipping.
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matt. 24:24)
