HERO WORSHIP

Hero Worship

Reading: Revelation 22:1-9
"You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honour and power;
for You created everything" (Rev 4:11)

God uses human instruments of His choice in revival. We should not hero-worship them.
The man at the Beautiful gate but in an awful state presented a great challenge to Peter and John who had just experienced revival fires. God used Peter and John to perform an instant miracle on this born lame. Folks were greatly amazed and they ran to Peter and John. When Peter saw it he said, "Why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?" (Acts 3:12). Both the preachers and the people are responsible to see that no man is idolized.
Quite unusual to the military way of saluting, Cornelius fell down at Peter's feet and worshipped him. "But Peter lifted him up, saying, Stand up; I myself am also a man" (v 26). The vehicle which brings God's blessing should not be worshipped. Peter rightly said, I am also a man!
God used Paul to heal a born cripple at Lystra. The people were highly excited and they shouted, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" (Acts 14:11). They brought garlands for Paul and Barnabas and were even getting ready for sacrifices! The reaction of the apostles deserves our attention. They tore their clothes and cried out, "Men, Why are you doing these things?" (vv 14,15). God alone is worthy and we should never touch His glory. Let's protest all religious showmanship. God sends revival with a "concern for His holy Name!" He told the people of Israel, "I do not do this for your sake, but for My holy Name's sake" (Ezek 36:21,22). Christ must be the centre of all attraction.
John was closer to Jesus than all the other disciples. Yet he found it so difficult to learn the truth that God alone is to be exalted and worshipped. Being excited over the prophetic revelations he received through the angel, he fell down and worshipped him. Poor thing, the angel had to teach John the kindergarten lesson, "Don't worship me, worship God!" (Rev 19:10). He repeated this blunder in the last chapter of the Bible also (22:8,9). Fortunately there is no 23rd chapter lest John worships the angel again! During times of revival when the Holy Spirit is outpoured there may be several prophetic revelations. Beware of worshipping a prophet!
Crown the Saviour! Angels, crown Him! Rich the trophies Jesus brings:
In the seat of power enthrone Him, while the vault of Heaven rings!
                                         (Thomas Kelly, 1769-1854)