latreuó is a form of worship around actions and service. These actions are always evaluated positively when God is the grammatical object and negatively with reference to any other object (Silva1994-lp). The Book of Revelation provides compelling evidence that Jesus is worshiped in the same manner as God. latreuó directed towards Jesus in Revelation affirms His divinity and equality with God, as only the true God is worthy of such worship.
Revelation
- Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2. through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship (latreuó) him. 4. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
latreuó is the Greek word used in Revelation 22. The “His” refers to both God and the Lamb, indicating that both receive latreuó (Sam Shamoun). This is further supported by several passages that refer to both God and the Lamb with a singular phrase.
The angel delivering the revelation is sent by both God and Jesus
- In Revelation 22:6, the angel that is giving John the vision is said to be sent by God to show what must take place, however Jesus claims it is His angel in Revelation 22:16.
There is only one throne, shared by the Lamb and God (Verse 1 and 3)
- Revelation 22:3 The Lamb and God are on the same throne, and the servants will worship him. Moreover, in Revelation 20:11-15, the One seated on the throne will judge the dead. The NT clearly teaches that the Father judges no one but has entrusted all judgment to the Son. This again proves that Jesus is also sitting on the very throne of the Father (Sam Shamoun). Jesus even claims to hold Gods throne in Matthew 25:31-33.
- See Jesus Will Judge The Living And The Dead for more details.
He has servants that serve him (Verse 4).
- Revelation 20:6. Believers will reign with Christ and God (Him) for 1000 years. Jesus is shown to have priests serving him in Romans 15:15-16 and Revelation 20:4-6
His face will be seen (Verse 4).
- The Bible clearly teaches that it is the Son the believers will behold (Revelation 1:7,1 John 3:2-3)
His name will be on his servants’ foreheads (Verse 4).
- Revelation 14:1 and Revelation 3:12 shows us that it is both Jesus and God's name on the forehead, but our verse just read that it was one singular name. We can see from the rest of the NT that the Name of the Lamb and God is regarded as the same name (See The Exalted Holy Name of Jesus).
The light comes from Lord God (Verse 5)
- Revelation 21:23, The light of God is also called the lamp of the Lamb. In Revelation 22:5, this is stated again saying that only God is the light source. This is a contradiction if Jesus and God's light is not the same thing. This is also shown in the Old Testament where it says Yahweh will be the light of the city (Isaiah 60:19-20, Ezekiel 37:26-28)
These scholars provide a comprehensive understanding of how λατρεύω (latreuó) is applied to both God and the Lamb in Revelation 22:3, affirming the unity of Jesus with God.
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NIDNTT (New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology):
- H. Bietenhard: Discusses the final perfection where victors bear the name of the Lamb (Rev. 3:12; 14:1; 22:4).
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TDNT (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament):
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Carl Schneider: Explains that the servants of God bear the seal of God and the name of Christ and God on their foreheads, protecting them against divine judgment (Rev. 7:3; 9:4; 14:1; 22:4)
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J. Jeremias): Describes Jesus as the Lord of lords and King of kings, celebrating His marriage festival with the community and ruling as a partner of the throne of God (Rev. 17:14; 19:16; 22:1, 3)
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Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words:
- W.E. Vine: Notes that both God and Christ (the Lamb) receive latreuó in Revelation 22:3.
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Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament:
- A.T. Robertson: Explains that "Their" (autwn) in Revelation 6:17 means the wrath of God and of the Lamb, putting them on equality as in Revelation 22:3 (Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament, Revelation 6:17).
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G.K. Beale:
- G. K. Beale: Argues that "they will serve him" in Revelation 22:3 likely refers to both God and the Lamb.
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G.R. Beasley-Murray:
- G.R. Beasley-Murray: Discusses the unity of God and the Lamb in Revelation 22:3, where the singular pronoun "his" refers to both.
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R.T. France:
- R.T. France: Highlights that Jesus (the Lamb) is regularly associated with God in His glory and sovereignty, and worship and praise are offered to Him equally with the Father (Rev. 1:5f.; 5:8-14; 7:9-12; 22:3)
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Robert L. Thomas:
- Robert L. Thomas: Emphasizes the unity of the Father and the Son, where the singular pronoun "autw" in Revelation 22:3 refers to both.
When latreuó is used in Revelation to describe the service rendered to both God and the Lamb, it signifies that Jesus is not merely a revered figure but is indeed God himself. The fact that Jesus receives latreuó demonstrates that He is recognized as the true God, worthy of the same worship and service as the Father.
The Son Of Man Receives Worship
The prophet Daniel had a vision in which he clearly saw the Son of Man that Jesus claims to be in Mark 14:61-62 and Matthew 25:31-46. In this vision he sees the Son of Man receive worship.
13. “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. 14. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve (latreuo) him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.
The word worship is the Hebrew פְּלַח pelach which means to "Serve or Worship" is the same word used though the book of Daniel (Daniel 3:12, 14, 3:17-18, 3:28; 6:20; 7:14, 7:27 ) to describe worship to other Gods and the Ancient of Days. Moreover, the Septuagint Greek translation of Daniel uses the word latreuo for pelach (@Bowman2007-gc).
16. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17. If this be so, our God whom we serve (latreuo) is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve (latreuo) your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” 19. Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated. 20. And he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. 22. Because the king's order was urgent and the furnace overheated, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. 23. And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. 24. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” 25. He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” 26. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire. 27. And the satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king's counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. 28. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants, who trusted in him, and set aside the king's command, and yielded up their bodies rather than serve (latreuo) and worship any god except their own God.
Even Early Church Fathers such as Justin Martyr and Polycarp said that we should give latreuo to Jesus.
But if so great a power is shown to have followed and to be still following the dispensation of His suffering, how great shall that be which shall follow His glorious advent! For He shall come on the clouds as the Son of man, so Daniel foretold, and His angels shall come with Him. These are the words: ‘I beheld till the thrones were set; and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of His head like the pure wool. His throne was like a fiery flame, His wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him. Thousand thousands ministered unto Him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The books were opened, and the judgment was set. I beheld then the voice of the great words which the horn speaks: and the beast was beat down, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame. And the rest of the beasts were taken away from their dominion, and a period of life was given to the beasts until a season and time. I saw in the vision of the night, and, behold, one like the Son of man coming with the clouds of heaven; and He came to the Ancient of days, and stood before Him. And they who stood by brought Him near; and there were given Him power and kingly honour, and all nations of the earth by their families, and all glory, serve Him (latreuousa). And His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not be taken away; and His kingdom shall not be destroyed. And my spirit was chilled within my frame, and the visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and inquired the precise meaning of all these things. In answer he speaks to me, and showed me the judgment of the matters: These great beasts are four kingdoms, which shall perish from the earth, and shall not receive dominion for ever, even for ever and ever. Then I wished to know exactly about the fourth beast, which destroyed all [the others] and was very terrible, its teeth of iron, and its nails of brass; which devoured, made waste, and stamped the residue with its feet: also about the ten horns upon its head, and of the one which came up, by means of which three of the former fell. And that horn had eyes, and a mouth speaking great things; and its countenance excelled the rest. And I beheld that horn waging war against the saints, and prevailing against them, until the Ancient of days came; and He gave judgment for the saints of the Most High. And the time came, and the saints of the Most High possessed the kingdom. And it was told me concerning the fourth beast: There shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall prevail over all these kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall destroy and make it thoroughly waste. And the ten horns are ten kings that shall arise; and one shall arise after them; and he shall surpass the first in evil deeds, and he shall subdue three kings, and he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall overthrow the rest of the saints of the Most High, and shall expect to change the seasons and the times. And it shall be delivered into his hands for a time, and times, and half a time. And the judgment sat, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom, and the power, and the great places of the kingdoms under the heavens, were given to the holy people of the Most High, to reign in an everlasting kingdom: and all powers shall be subject to Him, and shall obey Him. Hitherto is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was possessed with a very great astonishment, and my speech was changed in me; yet I kept the matter in my heart.’
“Therefore prepare for action and serve (douleusate) God in fear” and truth, leaving behind the empty and meaningless talk and the error of the crowd, and “believing in him who raised” our Lord Jesus Christ “from the dead and gave him glory” and a throne at his right hand; to whom all things in heaven and on earth were subjected, WHOM EVERY BREATHING CREATURE SERVES (latreuei), who is coming as “Judge of the living and the dead,” for whose blood God will hold responsible those who disobey him.