Charles Spurgeon Commentary Revelation 22:8-9

"And I John am he that heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel that showed me these things. And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets, and with them that keep the words of this book: worship God." — Revelation 22:8-9 (ASV)

And John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, See that you do not do it: for I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophet, and of those who keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

John made a mistake; he mistook the messenger for the Master, and I am not surprised that he did so, for the heavenly beings are like their Lord when they see him as he is. John was quickly set right, and his error was soon corrected. He was commanded to pay no kind of homage to one who, however bright and holy, was only his fellow servant. No worship of angels, no worship of angelic men, must be tolerated among us. Worship God, is the command to us as it was to John.