WORSHIP
Worship is commonly uderstand to being “homage or service paid to God”. (Oxford Dictionary)
The only real thing we can give to Him is our love. God created human beings according His own image. Your biggest emotional need is to love be loved and accepted. So God obliviously has the same want, highlighted in the first commandment of the New Testament.
That is the main reason of creation. Let him be accursed who does not fulfil His purpose. Even love is included in proper worship the meaning of the word is wider.
Other definition is: “Acknowledgement of God's worth” (THIN BE THE GLORY/W.Wolnizer) Writer's suggestion : “Worship God “ is the same as to say: ”Reflect the qualities of God”. First time word “worship”is mentioned in Gen.22;5 ...”I and the boy will go over there that we will worship and come back to you.” It is going over there to sacrifice my only begotten son to God just like your heavenly Father did it.
The four living creatures (like lion, calf, man and eagle) IN THE CENTRE OF TI-IE THRONE represent the QUALITIES of Christ. (Rev.4;6) Son on the other hand is “the radiance of God's glory and representation of his nature.” And we are supposed/commanded to imitate Him. God radiates these qualities and these qualities continually WORSHIP Him.(Rev.4;8 & l9;4) A “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, WHO WAS and IS and IS TO COME!” So when we are asked to worship God, it correspondingly means: Radiate the same qualities as Christ. “You shall be holy, for I AM holy.” (1Peter1;l6) The Sun is the symbol of God and the moon is the symbol of His church. Sometimes the moon reflects the light of the sun within its whole body, sometimes not at all, but usually the situation is something between these two choices.
Of course worship is lifting up (exalting) God including our brothers, His body and forgetting one's own desires. They” fell on their faces (covering/hiding their own personality)... and worshipped God.” (Rev.7;l 1) ' Man when in love with a woman is not looking after his own honour and blessings, but that of the woman.
What God is demanding from us, He is fulfilling these for Himself. What more, because we naturally don't own His glory: holiness, love,unselfishness, humbleness,justness...; Christ was crucified on the cross that we will have access to the living water by eating and drinking His blood. Your name (personality) is oil poured out. (Songl ;3) We are like batteries which need to be continually charged (with His nature) because we are leaking. ‘
God said to Cain: “What have you done? The voice of your brothers blood cries out to me from the ground...” It was not the natural blood but a spiritual one which cried, it was Abel's soul. We are actually drinking Christ's mind will and emotions.
We can make a quick charge by laying out hands but slow and less bleeding charge is received by meditating and understanding His word and promises.
“I...appointed you that you should go (inside my teachings and knowledge) and bear fruit (,it is receive the mind of Christ). Jon.l5;l6
“...Let each count others better than himself. (Phil.2;3) What higher you lift up your brother, the higher God lifts you. “...With whatever measure you mesure, it will be measured to you.” (Mat.7;2) That is exactly what makes heaven heaven.
“Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end” (Is.9;7) We are going to be more Christ like for ever and so worship is more and more intense within the time. Pharisees did look after their own promotion.
By lifting yourself up (your natural tendency), you naturally push your brothers down. This certainly not advance brotherly love but quit opposite. Selfishness is the reason of hell's existence and all other sins follow it. “Love your brother LIKE yourself.”
The pharisees didn't understand God's greatness but did see Him as selfish being who was after His own glory. He is looking after His own glory but inside us. You can't love God if His image is twisted in your mind.
I understand that the beast's horns inthe book of Revelations represents the false Christian organisations which ones are persecuting the proper ones. The image of the beast is the wrong idea (GOLDEN CALF) what they have from the Christ.
Rev. l3;4 “They WORSHIPPED the dragon (= devil) who gave the authority to the beast (= all false movements at same time period); and they WORSHIPPED the beast,...” Instead of reflecting the qualities of Jesus, who is LOVE, they hate real Christians and even each other.
This has happen many times in the past and will culminate in the future when “Christians” again have dominion when secular world views have lost their power. (writer's opinion only) Real Christians have their forehead marked with their Fathers name which is His personality and love (Rev.l4;l)
Rev.22;8,9 ...”I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel showing me these things And he said to me, See, don't do it! For I am your fellow servant, and of your brothers and prophets,and the ones keeping the Words of this book. Do worship God.” Rev.22;l3 The angel said John: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
Jesus is willing to lift His bride on the same level He Himself is standing. Do radiate the qualities of God.
Erno Miettinen
Unless stated otherwise the verses in this bible are referenced from a public domain bible.