We are Called to worship
When God sent his representatives (Moses and Aaron) to Pharaoh, it was with the message to, “Let my people go that they may serve, or worship Me” (Exodus 8:1). Throughout the wilderness years, the people murmured and longed for the sights, and tastes of Egypt; so much so that when Moses was perceived to have been away too long, they coerced Aaron to “make us gods” (Exodus 32:1) -Aaron capitulated and they made the golden calves; the result of which was that about 3,000 people lost their lives that day (Exodus 32:28). Contrast the people’s request with David assertion, “Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves”. Psalm 100:3
Be careful how you worship
The fact that there are so many warnings about worshipping false gods is indicative of an inert desire within us to worship a higher power. The warning against worshipping false, in-effective gods is enshrined in the Ten Commandments; “You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them” (Exodus 20:3-5). Furthermore, we are warned against worshipping, the way other people worship their gods. “When the Lord your God cuts off from before you…. do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way; for every abomination to the Lord which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.” Deuteronomy 12:29-31
The Battle of the Thrones
The controversy is also seen in what I call, “The Battle of the Thrones.” Revelation 4:10, 7:11 and others, speaks of worship being offered to the one who, “sits on the throne.” Notice these two examples from Isaiah: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1). Now contrast Satan’s intention: “For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven; I will exalt my throne above the stars of God” (Isaiah 14:13). Notice the conflict in the positioning of the thrones. The Lord’s throne was “high and lifted up” and yet Satan says he (a created being) will exalt his throne, “above the most high”. Satan’s desire for worship was also evident during his temptation of Christ in the wilderness. He claimed ownership of the world but was prepared to give it up saying’ “If you will worship before me, all will be yours” (Luke 4:7).