Topical Bible: Idolatry: Angels Refuse to Receive the Worship of

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In the biblical narrative, the worship of angels is explicitly rejected by the angels themselves, underscoring the monotheistic emphasis on worshiping God alone. This refusal is a significant aspect of the biblical teaching against idolatry, which is the worship of anything other than the one true God.

Revelation 19:10 provides a clear instance where an angel refuses worship. The Apostle John, overwhelmed by the revelations he received, falls at the feet of the angel to worship him. The angel's response is immediate and firm: "But he said to me, 'Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who rely on the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.'" . This passage highlights the angel's role as a servant of God, equal in service to the believers, and redirects worship solely to God.

Similarly, in Revelation 22:8-9, John again attempts to worship an angel, and the angel responds in the same manner: "But he said to me, 'Do not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!'" . This repetition emphasizes the importance of directing worship exclusively to God, reinforcing the message that even beings as magnificent as angels are not worthy of worship.

The refusal of angels to accept worship is consistent with the broader biblical condemnation of idolatry. Throughout Scripture, idolatry is portrayed as a grave sin, often leading to spiritual and moral decay. The First Commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3), sets the foundation for this teaching, establishing the exclusive worship of Yahweh as central to the faith of Israel and, by extension, to Christianity.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul warns against the worship of created beings, including angels. In Colossians 2:18, he cautions the believers: "Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind" . This admonition reflects the early church's struggle against syncretistic practices that threatened to dilute the purity of Christian worship.

The refusal of angels to receive worship serves as a powerful reminder of the proper object of worship. It underscores the biblical teaching that worship is due to God alone, who is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. This principle is foundational to the Christian understanding of idolatry and the nature of true worship.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 22:8,9
And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed me these things.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Chorus of Angels
... Scripture would have a direct tendency to promote idolatry. ... immediate object of the
worship of angels and men. ... slight the glorious Redeemer, and refuse Him the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlix the chorus of.htm

On Idolatry
... to the Help and Assistance of angels and saints ... life, salvation, safety, hope, defense,
refuse, solace, yea ... though the turpitude of this idolatry be exceedingly ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

Oration on the Holy Lights.
... we were illuminated, and with the Angels we glorified ... at all or not sufficiently,
and who would refuse to make ... covetousness, which is a second idolatry; but he ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxix oration on the.htm

False Brethren and False Principles in the Church: Spirit and ...
... in the fabrication of these objects of the heathen idolatry. ... renounce "the devil,
his pomp, and his angels" [321:2 ... They did not refuse to receive any one as a ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii false brethren and.htm

Concerning Worship.
... Popish mass, the adoration of saints and angels, the veneration ... among them, so neither
dare they refuse, but that ... For this kind of idolatry, whereby man loveth ...
/.../proposition xi concerning worship.htm

Toleration
... first Luther and our Reformers protested against Romish idolatry. ... to behold iniquity,
who charges His angels with folly ... Shall we refuse to work with one who is ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xxi toleration.htm

Messiah the Son of God
... in the gross and heinous crime of idolatry, by ascribing ... the LORD of hosts, then
they who refuse Him the ... the highest and most exalted of the angels, it would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxvii messiah the son.htm

The Case of all the Protestant or Reformed Churches, With
... (2.) Idolatry of The ... Kind is when the papists worship God, Christ, angels, the virgin ...
The reformed churches very properly refuse to profess communion of faith ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 22 the case of.htm

Acts vii. 35
... they on whom Christ confers His benefits refuse His kingdom ... The function of angels
in the giving of the law ... Egypt had been much addicted to the idolatry of the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvii acts vii 35.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... of it we ought to despise ourselves before God and his angels. ... The world will not
forsake its idolatry nor receive the ... world to go its way if it refuse to hear ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm