Don Stewart :: Should People Worship Angels?

When angels have appeared on the pages of Scripture, they often are impressive looking - having clothing described as dazzling. Because of their imposing appearance, there was the temptation to worship them.

Do Not Worship

Though impressive looking beings, angels should not be worshipped. Since angels were created by God, they are not worthy to be worshipped. The worship of angels was condemned by the Apostle Paul.

Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, dwelling on visions, puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking (Colossians 2:18).

It seems that angel worship was practiced at the time Paul wrote to the Colossians. Paul forbade believers to be engaged in such conduct. Though we do not fully understand the background of his statements, several observations can be made.

1. Experienced Visions

The people who were engaged in angel worship had experienced visions. They were dwelling on what these visions had told them. The Bible warns people to beware of appearances of angels.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should proclaim to you a gospel contrary to what we proclaimed to you, let that one be accursed! As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let that one be accursed! (Galatians 1:8,9).

2. Pride

Those who practiced angel worship were lifted up with pride - they considered themselves more holy than anyone else because of their angelic visions. Their pride, in turn, brought about a false humility. Though they were pretending to be humble, they were, in actuality, proud.

3. Focused On Angels, Not Jesus

These people had the wrong focus. They were dwelling on angels, instead of the Creator of angels, Jesus. This type of thinking was not divine, but rather human. For this, they were chastised by the Apostle Paul.

Negative Results

The worship of angels, therefore, can bring about a number of negative results. It was wrong from the start because it centered on the wrong object - the creation rather than the Creator.

John

There is an incident when John the Apostle was rebuked when he attempted to worship an angel.

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 comrades who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10).

The angel made it clear that only God is worthy of our worship- we should not worship angels.

I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; but he said to me, "You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your comrades the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!" (Revelation 22:8,9).

Reason For Invisibility

One of the possible reasons that angels remain invisible is that, if visible, humans would worship them. As long as humanity cannot see angels, or directly experience or contact them, then the chances of angels worship is greatly diminished.

Summary

The worship of angels is something that is condemned in Scripture. Only God is to be worshipped. The angels of God do not allow themselves to be worshipped, they always direct worship to where it belongs- to God and Him alone.