Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.
REVELATION 22:9KJVWhat does Revelation 22:9 mean?
Revelation 22:9 describes how the angel tells John not to worship him, but instead to worship God alone. The angel explains that he is only a fellow servant, like John, the prophets, and everyone who keeps the words of the book.
In this scene, John is so overwhelmed by what he sees and hears that he falls down to worship the angel who is showing him these things. The angel immediately corrects John, making it clear that worship belongs only to God, not to any created being, no matter how glorious. This verse highlights the shared role of all God’s servants and the importance of directing worship to God alone.
The Greek behind Revelation 22:9
- The word "fellowservant" (σύνδουλος, syndoulos) means someone who serves alongside another. The angel places himself on the same level as John and the prophets, emphasizing humility and equality among God’s servants.
- The Greek word for "worship" (προσκυνέω, proskyneō) is often used for acts of reverence or adoration. Here, the angel insists that such acts are due only to God, not to angels or humans.
- The phrase "keep the sayings" (τηρέω τοὺς λόγους, tēreō tous logous) means to guard, observe, or obey the words. The angel includes all who faithfully hold to the teachings of the book as fellow servants.
Why Revelation 22:9 matters
- This verse clears up any confusion about the proper object of worship, showing that even angels reject worship and direct all honor to God.
- Revelation 22:9 emphasizes the humility of the angelic messenger and the shared calling of all who serve God, regardless of their role or status.
- The verse connects to the larger theme of Revelation, where faithfulness to God’s word and exclusive worship of Him are central, especially in a context where false worship is a major issue.