Revelation 19 10

Revelation 19:10 kjv

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 19:10 nkjv

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy."

Revelation 19:10 niv

At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus."

Revelation 19:10 esv

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God." For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Revelation 19:10 nlt

Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said, "No, don't worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers and sisters who testify about their faith in Jesus. Worship only God. For the essence of prophecy is to give a clear witness for Jesus. "

Revelation 19 verses

Revelation 19 10 Meaning

John, overwhelmed by the revelation from a glorious angel, falls to his feet to worship him. The angel sharply corrects John, explicitly forbidding such adoration. He declares himself merely a "fellow servant" alongside John and all believers who uphold the testimony of Jesus, thus clarifying that all glory and worship belong to God alone. The verse concludes with a foundational theological truth: the very essence, purpose, and driving force of all true prophecy is Jesus Christ, pointing to His person, work, and saving truth.

Revelation 19 10 Context

Revelation 19:10 appears within a passage of immense celebration and anticipation in heaven. The preceding verses (1-9) describe the exultant praises of a great multitude and the twenty-four elders for God's righteous judgments upon "Babylon" (the great harlot) and the joyous announcement of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. It is in this atmosphere of profound divine revelation and glorious visions, celebrating Christ's triumph and imminent return, that John is overwhelmed and mistakenly attempts to worship the angel delivering these great truths. This context highlights the potential for humans to err even when deeply moved by spiritual experience, underscoring the vital necessity of right worship. The angel's sharp correction establishes a foundational principle for interpreting all subsequent prophecy in Revelation: it must ultimately serve to reveal and glorify God through Jesus Christ, never His messengers.

Revelation 19 10 Word analysis

• And I fell at his feet to worship him.
  • Original Greek: kai epesa emprosthen tōn podōn autou proskynēsai autō
  • kai (καὶ): "And" - Connects John's action directly to the preceding glorious announcement of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
  • epesa (ἔπεσα): "I fell" - A graphic description of profound reverence, submission, or awe. John's physical reaction to the angel's majestic presence.
  • proskynēsai (προσκυνῆσαι): "to worship him" - From proskuneō, meaning "to prostrate oneself before," "to do homage," "to adore." While sometimes used for showing respect to high-ranking humans, its primary biblical use, especially in the context of divine beings, denotes worship due only to God. John's action here is explicitly forbidden, indicating the higher sense of ultimate adoration.
• And he said to me, "See that you do not do that!"
  • Original Greek: kai legei moi, Hora Mē!
  • Hora (Ὅρα): "See" or "Beware!" - A strong, imperative warning. It signals immediate attention to a critical prohibition.
  • Mē! (μή!): "not" - Coupled with Hora, it forms a decisive, urgent command: "Absolutely do not do that!" It expresses stern prohibition, preventing a profound error.
• I am your fellow servant,
  • Original Greek: syndoulos sou eimi
  • syndoulos (σύνδουλος): "fellow servant" or "fellow slave." This term is highly significant. It means sharing the same Master or Lord. The angel humbly places himself on par with John, emphasizing that both angels and humans serve God. It actively counters any form of angel veneration by denying superior status that would warrant worship.
  • eimi (εἰμι): "I am" - A declarative statement of his true identity.
• and of your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus.
  • Original Greek: kai tōn adelphōn sou tōn echontōn tēn martyrian Iēsou.
  • adelphōn sou (ἀδελφῶν σου): "your brethren" - Further extends the concept of shared status. It links angels, prophets (like John), and all believers in a common bond of servitude to God, under Christ.
  • echontōn (ἐχόντων): "who hold/have" - Denotes possession, adherence to, or active preservation of the "testimony of Jesus." It implies internalizing, proclaiming, and living by this truth, even in the face of tribulation.
  • tēn martyrian Iēsou (τὴν μαρτυρίαν Ἰησοῦ): "the testimony of Jesus." This is a key phrase in Revelation. It carries a double meaning: 1) The witness about Jesus (what people testify about Him); and 2) The witness from Jesus (what Jesus Himself testifies, as in His prophetic words through the Spirit). In context with believers "holding" it, it strongly refers to the church's witness about Christ, stemming from Christ Himself and often resulting in suffering and faithful endurance.
• Worship God!
  • Original Greek: Tō theō proskynēson!
  • Tō theō (τῷ θεῷ): "To God" - Dative case emphasizing that God is the sole recipient.
  • proskynēson (προσκύνησον): "Worship!" - The same verb from earlier, now as a command directed specifically to God. This command clarifies the correct object of John's worship, providing the necessary theological correction.
• For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
  • Original Greek: He gar martyria Iēsou estin to pneuma tēs prophēteias.
  • He gar (ἡ γάρ): "For" - Introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding command and the angel's self-identification. This clause explains why all worship must be directed to God and why the angel is only a fellow servant: because all true divine revelation ultimately concerns Jesus.
  • martyria Iēsou (μαρτυρία Ἰησοῦ): "testimony of Jesus" - Reiterates the profound importance of this witness, central to Revelation.
  • estin (ἐστιν): "is" - A direct statement of identity or essence.
  • to pneuma tēs prophēteias (τὸ πνεῦμα τῆς προφητείας): "the spirit of prophecy."
    • pneuma (πνεῦμα): "spirit." Here, it signifies the animating principle, the driving force, the inner essence, the very soul or dynamic power of prophecy. It is not merely the content, but the inherent character that defines genuine prophecy.
    • prophēteias (προφητείας): "of prophecy." Refers to all inspired divine utterance and revelation. The entire scope of God's revealed truth.
    This concluding statement is a powerful theological declaration. It means that Jesus Christ is the ultimate object and focal point of all true prophecy. Prophecy's central aim is to reveal and bear witness to Him—His past work, His present Lordship, and His future reign. The Holy Spirit (the "Spirit" of prophecy) reveals truth, and that truth invariably testifies about Jesus. Any "prophecy" that does not align with or elevate Christ is therefore not true prophecy.

Revelation 19 10 Bonus section

The strong warning against worshipping an angel is especially significant given that some early Christian communities wrestled with syncretistic practices or misinterpretations that could lead to veneration of spiritual beings (e.g., as hinted at in Col 2:18). This verse serves as a crucial theological polemic against such tendencies, reinforcing monotheism and the sole prerogative of God for worship. The repetition of this exact rebuke later in Revelation (22:8-9) further emphasizes its gravity and eternal relevance for believers to remain firm in worshipping God exclusively. It illustrates the humility of true servants of God, whether heavenly or earthly, who deflect attention from themselves to their true Master. Furthermore, "the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" functions as a critical test for discerning true prophetic utterance; if a message, vision, or teaching does not point to, uphold, or glorify Jesus Christ, its origin should be questioned.

Revelation 19 10 Commentary

Revelation 19:10 serves as a pivotal theological instruction and a guard against error. In a moment of overwhelming divine glory, John instinctively prostrates himself before an angelic being, revealing a common human tendency to glorify the messenger instead of the Message Giver. The angel's sharp rebuke and declaration, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant," emphatically redirect John—and all readers—to worship God alone. This principle aligns with the first commandment and is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, safeguarding against idolatry in any form, even toward exalted spiritual beings. The verse's climax, "For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy," reveals the profound Christ-centricity of all divine revelation. It declares that the very core and animating essence of true prophecy is the witness concerning Jesus Christ. Whether foretelling events, interpreting God's will, or bringing divine encouragement, all authentic prophecy is intended to magnify Him—His life, death, resurrection, present reign, and future return. This ensures that Jesus is not merely a subject of prophecy, but its fundamental purpose and ultimate expression. For practical usage, this verse instructs us to critically evaluate all spiritual messages and movements based on whether they uplift and glorify Jesus Christ and to direct our ultimate worship and adoration to God alone, recognizing all others—including angels and gifted individuals—as mere servants.