ACC ~ Revelation 22 v9

NOW IS THE TIME FOR PATIENCE AND OBEDIENCE. CYPRIAN: This is the Judge and the Avenger, beloved brothers, that we are to await who, when he revenges himself, is destined to revenge us, the people of his church, and the number of all the just from the beginning of the world. Let him who hastens and hurries too much to his own revenge consider that he alone who avenges has not yet avenged himself. … In the Apocalypse, when John wishes to adore him, the angel resists him and says, “You must not do this because I am a fellow servant of you and of your brothers. Adore Jesus the Lord.” How wonderful then is Jesus our Lord, and what great patience this is that he who is adored in heaven is not yet avenged on earth! Let us think of his patience, beloved brothers, in our persecutions and sufferings. Let us show the full obedience that is inspired by our expectation of his coming, and let us not hasten with the impious and shameless haste of a servant to defend ourselves before the Lord. Let us rather persevere and let us labor, and [let us] be watchful with all our heart and steadfast even to total resignation; let us guard the precepts of the Lord, so that when the day of wrath and vengeance comes, we may not be punished with the impious and sinners but may be honored with the just and those who fear God. THE GOOD OF PATIENCE 24.

WORSHIP IS OWED TO GOD ALONE. ATHANASIUS: The Father shows [the Son] to be his own proper and only Son, saying, “You are my Son,” and “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Accordingly the angels ministered to him, as being one beyond themselves; and they worship him, not as being greater in glory but as being some one beyond all the creatures, and beyond themselves, and alone the Father’s proper Son according to essence. For if he was worshiped as excelling them in glory, each of the things subservient ought to worship what excels itself. But this is not the case; for creature does not worship creature, but servant [worships the] Lord, and creature God. Thus Peter the apostle hinders Cornelius, who would worship him, saying, “I myself also am a man.” And an angel, when John would worship him in the Apocalypse, hinders him, saying, “See that you do not do it; … worship God.” Therefore, to God alone appertains worship, and this the very angels know, that though they excel other beings in glory, yet they are all creatures and not to be worshiped but worship the Lord. DISCOURSES AGAINST THE ARIANS 2.23.

NOTHING IS EQUAL TO THE CREATOR. APRINGIUS OF BEJA: Since there is no pride in the servant nor any vanity in the saints, [the angel] immediately exhorts him [not to worship him]. … The angel proclaims that nothing is equal to the Creator, and he declares that nothing can be offered to another that is owed to the Lord God only. TRACTATE ON THE APOCALYPSE 22.9.

THE PIETY OF THE ANGEL IS REVEALED. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: He shows the piety of the angel who has described and interpreted the vision, indicating that [the angel] would not allow himself to be worshiped by a fellow servant. Rather, with a good conscience we are to give homage to [our] common Lord. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 22.8-9.