Whom should we worship?
Rev 14:7 saying in a loud voice: “FEAR God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.”
The scripture is clear that we must worship the creator. But Jehovahs witness’s believe Jesus was created first and all other things were created by Jesus. But we have already seen that Jesus does not have a beginning and rather, He is the Jehovah in the Old Testament. See: Is Jesus created?, An Angel called Jehovah.
Rev 14:7 saying in a loud voice: “FEAR God and give him glory, because the hour of the judgment by him has arrived, and so worship the One who made the heaven and the earth and sea and fountains of waters.”
The scripture is clear that we must worship the creator. But Jehovahs witness’s believe Jesus was created first and all other things were created by Jesus. But we have already seen that Jesus does not have a beginning and rather, He is the Jehovah in the Old Testament. See: Is Jesus created?, An Angel called Jehovah.
Here is further proof that Christ was not created:
John1:3 All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence
If ALL things came into existence through him, then he (Jesus) cannot be created. Further, if apart or without Christ not even ONE thing came into existence, then Jesus cannot be created!
Is Jesus the creator of all other things?
Col 1:16,17 Because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist.
In Colossians 1:16-17, we find the word OTHER being inserted in the NWT to indicate that Christ created all others things after he was created by God. (The Greek/English Interlinear Translation of this passage that the Watchtower Society published reads “because in him it was created the all (things) in the heavens and upon the earth. . .)
However if Jesus really is the creator of all (other) things, why didn’t the gospel writers also make it clear in all the OTHER texts that refer to Jesus as being the creator of EVERYTHING?
I Cor. 8:6 there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and we through him.
Jn1:3 All things came into existence through him, and apart from him not even one thing came into existence.
Heb 1:2,3 Has at the end of these days spoken to us by means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the systems of things. He is the reflection of [his] glory and the exact representation of his very being, and he sustains all things by the word of his power; and after he had made a purification for our sins he sat down on the right hand of the Majesty in lofty places
All things came into existence through Christ is the consensus of the scriptures. That means Christ is none other than the creator God Jehovah whom we must worship. See below:
Isaiah 44:24 This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser and the Former of you from the belly: “I, Jehovah, am doing everything, stretching out the heavens by myself, laying out the earth.
- If Jehovah created Jesus and Jesus created everything else as the Watchtower teaches, how can Jehovah say that He created “everything” by Himself and that no one was “with Him”? Since Jesus created everything—not just all “other” things—but everything that was ever created, wouldn’t this prove that Jesus Himself couldn’t be created? Otherwise, if he is created and He created everything, then he’d have to have created Himself, wouldn’t He?
Eph 3:9 And should make men see how the sacred secret is administered which has from the indefinite past been hidden in God, who created all things.
Eph 3:9 And should make men see how the sacred secret is administered which has from the indefinite past been hidden in God, who created all things.
However JW's say since Jehovah used or "through" Jesus created the worlds, Father is still supreme. Is it? At Rom 11:36 and Hebrews 2:10 all things are said to be created “through” the Father.
Heb 2:10 "For it was fitting for the one for whose sake all things are and through whom all things are, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the Chief Agent of their salvation perfect through sufferings"
Since it is untenable to argue that the Father is not the Supreme Creator because all things were created “through” Him, it is untenable to argue that Jesus is not the Supreme Creator simply because all things were created “through” Him.
If Jesus is the creator (and He is), then he deserves worship. Was Jesus worshiped?
Rev 5:14 And every creature that is in heaven and on earth and underneath the earth and on the sea, and all the things in them, I heard saying: “To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might forever and ever.” And the four living creatures went saying: “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Who created all things? Jesus Christ (Jn1:3). Recall that the twenty-four elders fell down before the One seated upon the throne and to the Lamb.
Where exactly is Jesus at His throne?
Rev. 7.15-17 That is why they are before the throne of God; and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them. They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down upon them nor any scorching heat, because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes
Note that the Lamb is in the MIDST of the throne!
Rev. 22.1-3 And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of its broad way. And on this side of the river and on that side [there were] trees of life producing twelve crops of fruit, yielding their fruits each month. And the leaves of the trees [were] for the curing of the nations. 3 And no more will there be any curse. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in [the city], and his slaves will render him sacred service;
Note also that "the throne of God and of the lamb" spoken in singular.
Rev. 7.15-17 That is why they are before the throne of God; and they are rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple; and the One seated on the throne will spread his tent over them. They will hunger no more nor thirst anymore, neither will the sun beat down upon them nor any scorching heat, because the Lamb, who is in the midst of the throne, will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes
Note that the Lamb is in the MIDST of the throne!
Rev. 22.1-3 And he showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of its broad way. And on this side of the river and on that side [there were] trees of life producing twelve crops of fruit, yielding their fruits each month. And the leaves of the trees [were] for the curing of the nations. 3 And no more will there be any curse. But the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in [the city], and his slaves will render him sacred service;
Note also that "the throne of God and of the lamb" spoken in singular.
About worshiping Jesus:
The Greek word “Proskuneo” is used 58 times in the NT and could be translated as prostrate or worship. However, the context decides the interpretation. JW say the word used in reference to God should be translated WORSHIP but if used in reference to Jesus it should be translated Obeisance. Why? One doesn’t selectively change the meaning of the word according to whom it is talking about. That’s bias. We see in Revelation 5:14 that the Jesus received worship.
The Greek word “Proskuneo” is used 58 times in the NT and could be translated as prostrate or worship. However, the context decides the interpretation. JW say the word used in reference to God should be translated WORSHIP but if used in reference to Jesus it should be translated Obeisance. Why? One doesn’t selectively change the meaning of the word according to whom it is talking about. That’s bias. We see in Revelation 5:14 that the Jesus received worship.
In Revelation 19:10 and Acts 10:25, 26, the same greek word is used and the context can only be speaking about worship and not obeisance.
Rev 19:10 At that I fell down before his feet to worship him. But he tells me: “Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who have the work of witnessing to Jesus. Worship God; for the bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires prophesying.”
Acts 10:25, 26 As Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet and did obeisance to him. But Peter lifted him up, saying: “Rise; I myself am also a man.”
An angel rejected worship (Rev 19:10). Peter is not rejecting mere respect here but rather worship because he says i myself am a man because worship is only due to God.
In the following instances, worship was accompanied by falling down before someone’s feet. Now not all falling down constitute worshiping, but the context decides the meaning! Jesus is worshipped in heaven and the more appropriate word in the following instances could be worship and not obeisance.
Matt 28:9 And, look! Jesus met them and said: “Good day!” They approached and caught him by his feet and did obeisance to him.
Rev 5:8 And when he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp and golden bowls that were full of incense, and the [incense] means the prayers of the holy ones
Joshua 5:14, 15 To this he said: “No, but I—as prince of the army of Jehovah I have now come.” With that Joshua fell on his face to the earth and prostrated himself and said to him: “What is my lord saying to his servant?”
Rev 19:10 At that I fell down before his feet to worship him. But he tells me: “Be careful! Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who have the work of witnessing to Jesus. Worship God; for the bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires prophesying.”
Acts 10:25, 26 As Peter entered, Cornelius met him, fell down at his feet and did obeisance to him. But Peter lifted him up, saying: “Rise; I myself am also a man.”
An angel rejected worship (Rev 19:10). Peter is not rejecting mere respect here but rather worship because he says i myself am a man because worship is only due to God.
In the following instances, worship was accompanied by falling down before someone’s feet. Now not all falling down constitute worshiping, but the context decides the meaning! Jesus is worshipped in heaven and the more appropriate word in the following instances could be worship and not obeisance.
Matt 28:9 And, look! Jesus met them and said: “Good day!” They approached and caught him by his feet and did obeisance to him.
Rev 5:8 And when he took the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp and golden bowls that were full of incense, and the [incense] means the prayers of the holy ones
Joshua 5:14, 15 To this he said: “No, but I—as prince of the army of Jehovah I have now come.” With that Joshua fell on his face to the earth and prostrated himself and said to him: “What is my lord saying to his servant?”
Conclusion : Christ who is the creator of all things and who sits in the midst of the throne of God, who is worshipped in heaven is the Almighty who truly is worthy of worship.