Charles Ellicott Commentary Revelation 19:10

"And I fell down before his feet to worship him. And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren that hold the testimony of Jesus: worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." — Revelation 19:10 (ASV)

And I fell at his feet . . .—The impulse to worship the messenger who had unfolded such visions was not unnatural: the immediate checking of it here and in Revelation 22:8-9, on the part of the angel, supplies indirect evidence of the genuineness of the whole book, and gives it a moral tone immeasurably superior to the vision-books of pretended revelations.

And he says to me, See (or, take heed) not (that is, do not do it); I am a fellow servant of you and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus: worship God; for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. One bond of service unites angels and men: to be servants of God is the highest title they can attain; worship is for God alone.

The words “worship God” are most emphatic: “To God give your worship, and not to me, who am only your fellow servant.” The angel is his fellow servant, and at that time he was emphatically so, as he and the Apostle were engaged in one common work—“the testimony of Jesus.”

The Apostle’s work in the world was the testimony of Jesus (Revelation 1:2; Revelation 1:9), and the Spirit of prophecy which moved the angel (2 Peter 1:21) was likewise the testimony of Jesus. One work and one worship belong to both.

He whom Apostles worshipped unrebuked (Matthew 28:9; Matthew 28:17) was the one whom all the angels of God were commanded to worship (Psalms 97:7; Hebrews 1:6). It is surprising, with this emphatic witness to our Lord Jesus Christ, that any should have undervalued this book of Revelation, as one which failed to honour Him.