REVELATION 22:8-9
Read Revelation 22:8-9.
The moment I read this passage, I knew I had read these words somewhere earlier. Indeed, they are found in Rev. 19:10. Despite having been told earlier not to worship the angel, John simply could not help himself. The moment was just too much for him. He was moved to worship. What moved him so powerfully? The answer appears to be common in both instances: Rev. 19:9 and Rev. 22:6.
These are the true words of God. (19:9)
These words are trustworthy and true. (22:6)
The words and the revelation given to John were important words emphasized by the fact that they were said to be true. I wonder why the angel needed to emphasize this. Would John not have believed the words? Did the angel really need to tell him the words were trustworthy and true?
When I have dreams (and I’m not suggesting John was dreaming), sometimes I wake up and realize it was only a dream. I calm myself and go back to sleep, able because I know it was only a dream. I wonder if John doubted for a moment what he was seeing. Like waking up from a dream, I wonder if he thought this was not real. I can’t say for sure, but it seems the angel’s words jolted him back into reality. This vision was real. The impact of those words seemed to cause him to fall in worship.
I must confess that sometimes I treat God’s truth as a dream. I don’t always live like it is real. Have you ever wished the reality of God’s truth would bring you to your knees in worship? I sure do. It’s perhaps not so much doubt in God’s truth, but probably more neglect of God’s word. Taking it for granted, living on autopilot, putting experience before faith. Believing in God’s truth will lead to a life of worship, and if that’s the goal of my life, then it’s important to get it out in front of my life. Do I believe forgiveness is essential for good relationships? Then I better forgive rather than think holding it in is the better thing to do! Do I believe persevering will strengthen my faith and reveal God more in my life? Then I better not throw in the towel and give up or give in! Do I believe transformation really begins with the mind? Then I better be very careful what I fill my mind with! If we believe God’s word is trustworthy and true, it will be reflected in the decisions we make. It will lead to a life of worship.
Worship reflects our trust in God’s word. May His word be real in your life, and may it lead you to fall on your knees in worship as it did with John.
-Mike
