Revelation 19:10

What does Revelation 19:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 19:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 19:10 means

Overcome, John falls at the messenger’s feet to worship, but is firmly redirected: “See thou do it not.” The speaker identifies himself as a fellow-servant with John and with all who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship belongs to God alone. This correction protects the church from elevating messengers—angelic or human—above their station. The closing statement, “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy,” clarifies that true prophetic revelation centers on, and springs from, Jesus. The point of visions and messages is not novel spectacle but faithful witness to Him. Keeping the focus on God and His Christ guards the people from deception and misplaced devotion.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And I went on my face before his feet to give him worship. And he said to me, See you do it not: I am a brother-servant with you and with your brothers who keep the witness of Jesus: give worship to God: for the witness of Jesus is the spirit of the prophet's word.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I fell before his feet, to bow before him, and he saith to me, `See--not! fellow servant of thee am I, and of thy brethren, those having the testimony of Jesus; bow before God, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of the prophecy.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I fell down before his feet, to adore him. And he saith to me: See thou do it not. I am thy fellow servant and of thy brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Adore God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I fell before his feet to do him homage. And he says to me, See [thou do it] not. I am thy fellow-bondman, and [the fellow-bondman] of thy brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Do homage toGod. For the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus.

Context

This moment follows the solemn assurance of verse 9 and shows how overwhelming the scene is for John. The rebuke prevents idolatry and reinforces the chapter’s Christ-centeredness: prophecy exists to bear witness to Jesus. With the focus corrected, the vision is ready to unveil the central figure of the chapter’s second half: the Rider who returns in glory (verse 11). The transition from worship to warfare is thus prepared by an insistence on right worship and right testimony, ensuring that the coming judgment is seen as the work of God’s appointed King, not of an angelic intermediary.

v.9And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they that are bidden to the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are true words of God.

v.10This passage

v.11And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 1:9

    I John, your brother and partaker with you in the tribulation and kingdom and patiencewhich arein Jesus, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

  • Philippians 3:3

    for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God, and glory in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh:

  • Hebrews 1:14

    Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to do service for the sake of them that shall inherit salvation?

  • Revelation 4:10

    the four and twenty elders shall fall down before him that sitteth on the throne, and shall worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and shall cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

  • Hebrews 12:25

    See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:

  • Revelation 12:11

    And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death.

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