The Bible, which is the inspired Word of God, is absolutely clear and firm on one essential truth: worship belongs exclusively to God. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture consistently teaches that no created being—whether human, angelic, or spiritual—deserves worship. God reveals Himself as a jealous God, not in the sinful or insecure sense that humans understand jealousy, but in a holy, righteous, and exclusive way. He does not share His glory with anyone, and He has made it very clear that all praise, honor, and worship must come from our hearts solely and exclusively to Him.
This truth is not a minor or secondary doctrine in Scripture. On the contrary, it is one of the foundational pillars of biblical faith. From the very beginning, God set clear boundaries regarding worship. The first commandments given to Israel were not about social behavior or ethics, but about worship and loyalty to God. This shows us how central this issue is in God’s revealed will.
One of the most striking biblical examples that illustrates this principle is found in the book of Revelation. The apostle John, exiled on the island of Patmos, was granted extraordinary visions of the end times, the glory of heaven, the judgment of God, and the final victory of Christ. These visions were overwhelming, filled with majesty, power, and divine authority. In the midst of these revelations, John interacts with an angelic being who communicates God’s truth to him.
At one point, John is so overwhelmed by what he sees and hears that he falls at the feet of the angel to worship him. The Bible records this moment with great clarity:
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
10 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.
Revelation 19:9–10
Verse nine is important because it gives us the context. The one speaking to John is clearly an angel, not Jesus Christ. This removes any possible confusion. Then, in verse ten, we see John’s human reaction: he falls down to worship the angel. This act, although understandable from a human perspective given the glory of the moment, was completely inappropriate from a biblical standpoint.
The angel’s response is immediate and firm: “See thou do it not.” In other words, “Do not do this.” The angel does not hesitate, does not accept any form of reverence, and does not allow even a momentary act of worship. Instead, he clearly identifies himself as a fellow servant—one who serves God just as John does, along with all those who hold the testimony of Jesus.
Then comes the central command: “Worship God.” These two words summarize one of the most important truths in all of Scripture. Worship God. Not angels. Not prophets. Not apostles. Not pastors. Not saints. Not images. Not spiritual experiences. Only God.
This passage teaches us something very important about angels. Angels are powerful beings, created by God, who carry out His will and serve His purposes. They are glorious, mighty, and beyond human ability in many ways. Yet even they fully understand that worship belongs to God alone. They do not seek glory, recognition, or honor for themselves. Any attempt to worship them is immediately rejected.
This truth is consistent with what God revealed centuries earlier in the Ten Commandments. When God delivered Israel from Egypt and established His covenant with them, He made His expectations regarding worship unmistakably clear:
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Exodus 20:4–6
God explicitly forbids the creation of images for worship, regardless of what those images represent. Whether they depict things in heaven, on earth, or in the sea, they are not to be objects of worship. The issue is not artistic expression, but devotion and reverence. God alone is the rightful object of worship.
When God describes Himself as “a jealous God,” He is revealing His covenantal faithfulness. Just as a faithful husband does not share his marital bond with others, God does not share His glory with idols or created beings. His jealousy is holy, righteous, and protective of His relationship with His people.
Throughout history, humanity has repeatedly struggled with this command. People have always been inclined to worship what they can see, touch, or admire. Sometimes it is a physical idol; other times it is a person, a movement, an ideology, or even oneself. The form may change, but the heart’s tendency remains the same.
Even in Christian contexts, this temptation still exists. It may not look like bowing before a statue, but it can take subtler forms: elevating spiritual leaders to untouchable status, placing more trust in religious experiences than in God’s Word, or allowing worship to become centered on emotions rather than on God Himself.
The angel’s words to John remain relevant today: “Worship God.” This command cuts through every generation, culture, and tradition. It reminds us that no matter how impressive, gifted, or spiritual a being may seem, worship belongs to God alone.
Only God is eternal. Only God is self-existent. Only God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. Only God is the Creator of all things. Everything else—angels included—exists because He willed it to exist. Therefore, only God deserves glory and honor.
This truth also protects us. When we worship God alone, our faith remains anchored in the unchanging One. Created beings can fail, disappoint, or pass away, but God remains forever faithful. Worship directed toward anything else ultimately leads to disappointment and spiritual distortion.
Let us examine our hearts. Who or what receives our deepest devotion, our highest affection, our ultimate trust? Worship is not limited to songs or prayers; it is expressed through our priorities, obedience, time, and loyalty. True worship flows from recognizing God for who He is and responding to Him with reverence, humility, and love.
May we never forget this essential biblical truth: no other being deserves glory and honor. Only our one true God is worthy of worship. Let all praise rise to Him alone—now and forever.