*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 and 2 Timothy provides compelling evidence that Jesus is worshiped in the same manner as God. The command to serve Jesus the same way as God in 2 Timothy and the positive evaluation of *latreuó* directed towards Jesus in Revelation affirms His divinity and equality with God, as only the true God is worthy of such worship. ## 2 Timothy In 2 Timothy, we find further evidence that Jesus is to be worshiped in the same way as God. In 2 Timothy 1:3, Paul writes, > [!bible]+ [2 Timothy 1:3 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/55/1/) > 3. I thank God whom I serve (*latreuó*), as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. %% #2Timothy %% The Greek word for "serve" here is *latreuó*, indicating the worship and service directed towards God. Furthermore, in 2 Timothy 2:22, Paul instructs Timothy to; > [!bible]+ [2 Timothy 2:22 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/55/2/) > 22. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. %% #2Timothy %% The phrase "call on the Lord" is a reference to invoking Jesus, which is an act of worship. This is significant because it equates the worship of Jesus with the worship of God, as seen in 2 Timothy 1:3. ## Revelation > [!bible]+ [Revelation 20:6 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/66/20/) > 6. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. %% #Revelation %% > [!bible]+ [Revelation 21:23 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/66/21/) > 23. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. %% #Revelation %% > [!bible]+ [Revelation 22:1-5 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/66/22/) > 1. 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 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. %% #Revelation %% *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](http://www.answering-islam.org/Shamoun/latreuo.htm)). 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](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/REV.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](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/REV.22.16). There is only one throne, shared by the Lamb and God (Verse 1 and 3) - [Revelation 22:3](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/REV.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](http://www.answering-islam.org/Shamoun/latreuo.htm)). Jesus even claims to hold Gods throne in [Matthew 25:31-33](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/MAT.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](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/REV.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](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ROM.15.15-16) and [Revelation 20:4-6](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/REV.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](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/REV.1.7),[1 John 3:2-3](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1JN.3.2-3)) His name will be on his servants’ foreheads (Verse 4). - [Revelation 14:1](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/REV.14.1) and [Revelation 3:12](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/REV.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](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/REV.21.23), The light of God is also called the lamp of the Lamb. In [Revelation 22:5](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/REV.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](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.60.19-20), [Ezekiel 37:26-28](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EZK.37.26-28)) > [!example]- Scholarly Support For Jesus receiving *latreuó*. > 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. > >1. **NIDNTT (New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology)**: > - **[[UnknownUnknown-zd|H. Bietenhard]]**: Discusses the final perfection where victors bear the name of the Lamb (Rev. 3:12; 14:1; 22:4). > >2. **TDNT (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament)**: > - **[[Friedrich1959-rt|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) > > - **[[Friedrich1959-rt|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) >3. **Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words**: > - **[[Vine1920-xo|W.E. Vine]]**: Notes that both God and Christ (the Lamb) receive **latreuó** in Revelation 22:3. > >4. **Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament**: > - **[[UnknownUnknown-kv|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). > >5. **G.K. Beale**: > - **[[Beale2013-ej|G. K. Beale]]**: Argues that "they will serve him" in Revelation 22:3 likely refers to both God and the Lamb. > >6. **G.R. Beasley-Murray**: > - [**G.R. Beasley-Murray**](https://app.paperpile.com/my-library/Beale-2013-pWB54KUEwCvaoxnZsOr~7ag 'Revelation'): Discusses the unity of God and the Lamb in Revelation 22:3, where the singular pronoun "his" refers to both. > >7. **R.T. France**: > - **[[UnknownUnknown-dn|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) > >8. **Robert L. Thomas**: > - **[[UnknownUnknown-qw|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.