Worship (proskuneo) JESUS?

BLACK	BLUE	RED	OTHER
my words	SCRIPTURE, or Scriptural perspective	WT view / quotes / info	EMPHASIS
*Worship* *(proskuneo)* *JESUS ?*

WT says it is OK to Worship JESUS (1879 - 1954)	WT says it is NOT OK to Worship JESUS (as of 1954)
Let all the angels of God *worship* him. (WT 11/1879, p. 48) to *worship* Christ in any form *cannot be wrong. (WT 3/1880, p.83) And although we are nowhere instructed to make petitions to him, it evidently could not be improper to do so; for such a course is nowhere prohibited, & the disciples* *worshiped* him. (WT 5/15/1892, p.1410) “Yes, we believe our Lord Jesus while on earth was *really worshipped, & properly so*. While he was not the God, Jehovah, he was a God.” (WT 7/15/1898, p.2337)
*All creatures in heaven & earth shall* *worship* Jesus as he worships the Father. (WT 8/15/1941, p.252) *You* *must worship & bow down to* Jehovah’s chief one, namely Jesus Christ. (WT 10/15/1945, p.313) Well, then, since the angels are commanded to worship the glorified Jesus at his second coming, should not we, who, as humans, are so much less than angels, likewise worship him? In answer we say, We must render to him what God’s Word says we must. (WT, 5/15/1954, p.318)	No distinct worship is to be rendered to Jesus Christ, now glorified in heaven. (WT 1/1/1954, p.31) Do *not* erroneously conclude that Christians are to worship Christ. That is not what the Bible taught. (WT 7/15/1959, p.421) it is *unscriptural* for worshipers of the living & true God to render worship to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. (WT 11/1/1964, p.671) Jehovah, & no one else, is ‘the true God & life everlasting.’ He alone is worthy to receive exclusive worship from those whom he created—Revelation 4:11. (WT 10/15/2004, p.31)
when but again he may lead in the first born into the habitable, he says: And let worship him* all messengers of God.* (Heb.1:6 ~ Emphatic Diaglott interlinear NT, 1942, p.728) But when he again brings his First-born into the inhabited earth, he says: ’And let all God’s angels *worship* him.’ (Heb.1:6 ~ 1st NWT, NT only, 1950, p.634) But when he again brings his First-born into the inhabited earth, he says: ’And let all God’s angels *worship* him.’ (Heb.1:6 ~ NWT, 1961, revised edition, complete Bible, p.1293) But when he again brings his First-born into the inhabited earth, he says: ’And let all God’s angels *worship* him.’ (Heb.1:6 ~ NWT in The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, 1969, p.965) But when he again brings his First-born into the inhabited earth, he says: ’And let all God’s angels *worship* him.’ (Heb.1:6 ~ NWT, 1970, )	But when he again brings his First-born into the inhabited earth, he says: ’And let all God’s angels do *obeisance* to him.’ (Heb.1:6 ~ NWT, 1971, p.1244 / 1293) But when he again brings his First-born into the inhabited earth, he says: ’And let all God’s angels do *obeisance* to him.’ (Heb.1:6 ~ NWT, 1984, p.1172 / 1438 / 1490)
Should proskuneo be translated as worship or obeisance in Heb.1:6 ? 1. The WT itself decided that *worship* was the best translation of proskuneo in Heb.1:6 in the momentous publication event of the 1950 NT. 2. The WT still believed that, even after reversing their long-held view (1879-1954) that: "You MUST worship & bow down to... Jesus Christ". 3. So, the NWT of Heb.1:6 remained unchanged in the 1961 Revision, the 1969 Revision, & the 1970 Revision. 4. The change in translation of proskuneo from *worship* to obeisance was done in 1971 because of theological bias, not translation protocol. 5. Click here: Phronema was translated as "meaning" (in 1 of 4 occurrences) instead of "minding" or "mind" because of admitted theological bias. 6. Click here: Ruach was translated as "active force" instead of "spirit" because of mind-conditioning, theological bias. 7. More examples could be documented, but you already get the point.
We are not a prophet; we merely believe* that we have come to the place where the Gentile times have ended.* [Light, vol.1, 1930, p.194] This pouring out of God's spirit upon the flesh of all his faithful anointed witnesses does NOT mean those now serving as Jehovah's Witnesses are inspired. It does NOT mean that the writings in this magazine The Watchtower are inspired & infallible & without mistakes. It does NOT mean that the president of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society is inspired & infallible, although enemies falsely charge us with believing so.... [WT 15/05/1947, p.157] The Watchtower does NOT claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic. It invites careful & critical examination of its contents in the light of the Scriptures. [WT 15/08/1950, p.262] It is NOT claimed that the explanations in this publication are infallible. Like Joseph of old, we say: "Do not interpretations belong to God?" (Genesis 40:8). [Revelation - Its Grand Climax at Hand, 1988, p.9] Those who make up the one true Christian organization today do NOT* have angelic revelations or divine inspiration. But they do have the inspired Holy Scriptures,* {Who doesn't ?!?} which contain revelations of God’s thinking & will. As an organization & individually, they must accept the Bible as divine truth, study it carefully, & let it work in them. [Jehovah’s Witnesses - Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom, 1993, p.708] ~ {WOW, authority without responsibility! The WT does NOT claim to be infallible, it just claims to be "the ONE true Christian organization"!!! ~ { Any group (e.g. Mormons) can make that claim. But only Jesus is the ONLY Way. See Jn.14:6; Acts 4:12. } Although the slave class is defined as "faithful & discreet," Jesus did NOT say that it would be infallible. This group of faithful anointed brothers still consists of imperfect Christians. Even with the best of intentions, they can be mistaken, as such men sometimes were in the first century. [WT 1/12/2002, p.17]

* * *

"To *each major word* we have *ASSIGNED ONE MEANING* & have held to that meaning as far as the context permitted." *(Kingdom Interlinear* - Foreword, p.10, 2nd para.)**
A strong bias AGAINST CHRIST was made for the word *proskuneo* where it applies to JESUS. *'OBEISANCE'* is used for **proskuneo, 18 of 60x (30%) & is assigned to JESUS (& a parable king, & Peter, & the conquerors). 'WORSHIP' is used for proskuneo, 42 of 60x (70%) & is assigned to The Father, Deity, idols, angels, demons, Satan, the Dragon, the Beast & his image.**
*Kingdom Interlinear* translation of *PROSKUNEO* (verb, *worship* 60x)	Translated Worship 70%	Translated Obeisance 30%	Re:
Mt.2:2,8,11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9,17; Mk.5:6; 15:19; Lk.24:52; Jn.9:38; Heb.1:6		15	JESUS
Mt.18:26		1	king
Acts 10:25		1	Peter
Rev.3:9		1	conquerors
Mt.4:10; Lk.4:8; Jn.4:21,22,23,23,24,24; 12:20; Acts 8:27; 24:11; 1Cor.14:25; Heb.11:21; Rev.4:10; 5:14; 7:11; 11:1,16; 14:7; 15:4; 19:4,10; 22:9	23		The Father
Jn.4:20,20,22	3		Deity
Acts 7:43	1		idols
Rev.19:10; 22:8	2		angels
Rev.9:20	1		demons
Mt.4:9; Lk.4:7	2		Satan
Rev.13:4	1		Dragon
Rev.13:4,8,12,15; 14:9,11; 16:2; 19:20; 20:4	9		Beast/Image
*Kingdom Interlinear* translation of *PROSKUNEETEES* (noun, *worshippers* 1x)
Jn.4:23	1		The Father
*New World Translation* of proskuneo & proskuneetees = the same as the Interlinear translation, except for Heb.1:6 where the WT used *worship* in the 1950, 1961, 1969 & 1970 editions, but *obeisance* in the 1971 & 1984 editions.

* * *

JESUS:

is The Alpha & Omega, The Beginning & The End, The First & the Last, The King of Kings & Lord of Lords, the Only-Begotten God, The Prince of Peace, The Word, The Way, The Truth, The Resurrection & The Life, The Good Shepherd, The Chief Shepherd, etc., etc.
is only deemed worthy (by the WT) to merit PROSKUNEO - OBEISANCE along with the parable king, & Peter, & the conquerors - in the 'JUST-HUMAN' category.
is not deemed worthy (by the WT) to merit PROSKUNEO - WORSHIP (even alias Michael, & Abaddon / Apollyon).
is excluded (by the WT) from the 'SUPER-HUMAN' category -- even though (other) angels, demons, the Beast & Image, made it.
is excluded (by the WT) from the 'GOD' category (The Father, Deity, Satan, idols) -- even though JESUS is to be honored - in order that ALL may HONOR THE SON JUST AS they HONOR THE FATHER. He that does NOT HONOR THE SON does NOT honor the Father who sent him. (Jn.5:23)

Bottom Line: JESUS is GOD & is to be worshipped (Heb.1:6).

* * *

ANGEL REJECTED PROSKUNEO - OBEISANCE from John

And ONE OF the 7 angels that had the 7 bowls came & spoke with me, saying: "Come, I will show you...." And he carried me away in [the power of the] spirit.... And so the angel said to me.... And he says to me... (Rev.17:1,3,7,15).

And he tells me.... Also, he tells me: "These are the true saying of God." At that I FELL DOWN before his feet to WORSHIP him. But he tells me: "Be careful ! DO NOT DO THAT ! All I am is a fellow slave of you & of your brothers who have the work of witnessing TO Jesus. WORSHIP GOD..." (Rev.19:9,10).

* * *

ANGEL REJECTED PROSKUNEO - OBEISANCE from John - a 2nd time !

Well, I John, was the one hearing & seeing these things. And when I had heard & seen, I FELL DOWN to WORSHIP before the feet of the ANGEL that had been showing me these things. But he tells me: "Be careful ! DO NOT DO THAT ! All I am is a fellow slave of you & of your brothers... WORSHIP GOD." (Rev.22:8,9)

* * *

PETER REJECTED PROSKUNEO - OBEISANCE from Cornelius

They said: "Cornelius, an army officer, a man RIGHTEOUS & FEARING GOD & well reported by the whole nation of the Jews, was given divine instructions by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house & to hear the things you have to say."... As Peter entered, Cornelius met him, FELL DOWN at his feet & did OBEISANCE to him. But Peter LIFTED him up, saying: Rise; I myself am also a man." (Acts 10:22,25,26)

Even if Cornelius was just showing him respect as God's mouthpiece, Peter saw a man falling down before him, & was discerning enough to correct him.

* * *

Creator-JESUS ACCEPTED OBEISANCE from Peter

JESUS did not correct Peter when "Peter FELL DOWN at the knees of Jesus" (Lk.5:8).

JESUS is THE CREATOR (Col.1:16). Is HE LESS AWARE or LESS DISCERNING of the significance of BOWING DOWN, & of PROSKUNEO - Obeisance - Worship THAN HIS CREATURES (Peter, & the angel) ?!?

I don't think so ! -- What do you say ?

Even on a human level, the 12 year old child Jesus amazed the Hebrew scholars with His knowledge of Scripture. Jesus had human & divine knowledge of Exodus 20:1-3,5 which states:

And God proceeded to speak all these words, saying: "I AM JEHOVAH your God.... You MUST NOT have ANY OTHER GODS against my face.... You MUST NOT BOW DOWN to them NOR be induced to SERVE them, because I JEHOVAH your God am a God exacting EXCLUSIVE DEVOTION..."

* * *

JEHOVAH endorsed & approved OBEISANCE - WORSHIP TO JESUS from Angels !!!

But when HE again brings HIS First-born into the inhabited earth, HE says (literally) : "PROSKUNEsatosan Him all angels of God." (Heb.1:6)

PROSKUNesatosan is in the IMPERATIVE mood which states a thing as URGENT or EMPHATIC !

The fact that Jehovah COMMANDED ANGELS TO WORSHIP CHRIST, refutes the teaching that Jesus is the angel Michael, & Abaddon a.k.a. Apollyon.

Questions from Readers - May 15, 1954 Watchtower states: "Are YOU an angel of God in heaven? If YOU are, then Hebrews 1:6 applies to YOU. If YOU are not one of God's angels in heaven, then Heb. 1:6 is not directed to YOU..." The issue is not WHO this incredible verse applies to. The issue is the profound doctrine-setting, doctrine-destroying, fact that JEHOVAH GOD COMMANDED ANGELS TO WORSHIP JESUS !!!

Make Sure of All Things quotes Rev.19:10 & Rev.22:8,9 (on p. 135 & 138) in support of the following titles:

CREATURE Worship Forbidden
Angels Not to Be Worshiped.

How can JEHOVAH COMMANDED ANGELS TO WORSHIP JESUS in view of the above titles & the WT's teaching that Jesus is "God's first creation" (Aid, p.918, para.1)???

* * *

JEHOVAH endorsed & approved OBEISANCE - WORSHIP TO JESUS from humans !!!

After Jesus had been born... astrologers... came to Jerusalem, saying: "Where is the one born KING of the Jews? For we saw his star when [we were] in the east, & we have come to do him OBEISANCE." ... Then Herod... said: "Go make a careful search for the young child, & when you have found IT report back to me that I too may go & do IT OBEISANCE." When they had heard the king, they went their way; &, look! the star they had seen when [they were] in the east went ahead of them, until it came to a stop above where the young child was. On seeing the star they rejoiced very much indeed. And when they went into the house they saw the young child with Mary ITS mothers, &, FALLING DOWN, they did OBEISANCE to IT. Mt.2:1,2,7-11

Jehovah KNEW the astrologers were specifically seeking to find & worship the Child.

Jehovah LED them to His Son via the star.

Jehovah ALLOWED them to worship.

Jehovah did not warn them NOT to worship.

Jehovah did warn them not to return to Herod (Mt.2:12) & then warned Joseph to flee by night (Mt.2:13).

* * *

Review these *PROSKUNEO - WORSHIP* Scriptures (Your conclusion affects your eternal destiny.)
Acts 10:25	Peter REJECTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from Cornelius.
Rev.19:10	An angel REJECTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from John.
Rev.19:10	An angel DIRECTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* to God.
Rev.22:8	An angel REJECTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from John a 2nd time
Rev.22:9	An angel DIRECTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* to God a 2nd time.
Mt.4:9	Jesus REFUSED to fall down & give *proskuneo-WORSHIP* to Satan.
Lk.4:7	Jesus REFUSED to fall down & give *proskuneo-WORSHIP* to Satan.
Mt.4:10	Jesus taught that *proskuneo-WORSHIP* is to be given to God. (Jesus is God!)
Lk.4:8	Jesus taught that *proskuneo-WORSHIP* is to be given to God. (Jesus is God!)
Jn.4:21	Jesus taught that *proskuneo-WORSHIP* is to be given to The Father.
Jn.4:23	Jesus taught that true worshippers will *proskuneo-WORSHIP* The Father in spirit & truth.
Jn.4:24	Jesus taught that God is a Spirit & must be *proskuneo-WORSHIPPED* in spirit & truth.
Mt.2:2	Astrologers came (led by God) to give *proskuneo-WORSHIP* to the One born King of the Jews.
Mt.2:8	Herod pretended to want to *proskuneo-WORSHIP* the Baby Jesus also.
Mt.2:11	Astrologers bowed before Baby Jesus & *proskuneo-WORSHIPPED* Him.
JESUS DID NOT REJECT *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from humans or angels ! ! !
Mt.8:2	JESUS ACCEPTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from a leper (Lord make me clean).
Mt.9:18	JESUS ACCEPTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from Jairus (my daughter is dead).
Mt.14:33	JESUS ACCEPTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from His disciples (You really are God's Son).
Mt.15:25	JESUS ACCEPTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from a Phonecian woman (Lord help me & my daughter).
Mt.20:20	JESUS ACCEPTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from Zebedee's wife (James/John in Your Kingdom).
Mt.28:9	RESURRECTED JESUS ACCEPTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from Mary & Mary Magdalene!
Mt.28:17	RESURRECTED JESUS ACCEPTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from Peter & the 10 other disciples (Go, make disciples, baptize them in *The NAME of The Father & The Son & The Holy Spirit) !!!*
Mk.5:6	JESUS ACCEPTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from the demon *Legion* !
Mk.15:19	Roman soldiers bowed before Jesus in mock proskuneo-WORSHIP.
Lk.24:52	RESURRECTED JESUS ACCEPTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from His disciples AS HE WAS ASCENDING INTO HEAVEN !!! (Where was the thunderous DISAPPROVAL??? It never came & JESUS CLAIMED: *I ALWAYS DO THE THINGS PLEASING TO HIM* - Jn.8:29.)
Jn.9:38	JESUS ACCEPTED *proskuneo-WORSHIP* from a blind man (I put my faith in You Lord).
Heb.1:6	GOD COMMANDED ALL ANGELS to *proskuneo-WORSHIP* JESUS !!!
Is it possible all these worshippers (the leper, Jairus, the disciples, the Phonecian woman, Zebedee's wife, Mary, Mary Magdalene, the blind man, plus the 11 disciples - Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholmew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the zealot - Acts 1:13) DID NOT fully understand the significance of what they were doing, or that it was simply "an act of respect" (Aid, p.1241)? It seems to me they all knew. At least Peter knew. But more importantly, JESUS KNEW & ACCEPTED their **proskuneo-worship. Jesus didn't rebuke or correct any of them - because what they were doing was correct. LEGION KNEW who Jesus was. Legion understood that he MUST bow before The Lord Jesus. Regardless, the main point is that JESUS FULLY UNDERSTOOD the significance of PROSKUNEO** !

* * *

Aid to Bible Understanding (p.1242) reads: "Hence, if what we understand as 'worship' is apparently directed to the Son by ANGELS, it is in reality being directed THROUGH HIM to Jehovah God..." This is an extremely feeble attempt to explain away GOD'S COMMAND TO WORSHIP JESUS.

"PROSKUNEsatosan HIM ALL ANGELS of God." (Heb.1:6)

The WT would have you believe that GOD didn't mean or understand what HE Himself said.

Let the reader understand that:

JESUS said : PROSKUNEO GOD (Mt.4:10; Lk.4:8, Jn.4:21) !

GOD said : PROSKUNEO JESUS (Heb.1:6) !

that ALL may HONOR THE SON JUST AS they HONOR THE FATHER (Jn.5:23)

so that in the name of JESUS EVERY knee should bend of those in heaven & those on earth & those under the ground, & EVERY tongue should openly acknowledge that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD to the glory of God the Father. (Phil.2:10,11)

Click here for a chart of interesting LINKS & tons of RESEARCH.

Email me if you feel I've made any errors, or misrepresented Watchtower teaching in any way.
I will make corrections immediately.
There are no unanswered emails, so the reader can be assured that what I've written is fair, accurate, truthful, correct (& irrefutable).