It is in Scripture, I agree, the only time "worship of other men" can be seen clearly, however that doesn't necessarily mean it's only a "one time event for all time". Re-read my post to Alamo-Girl for a discussion on this, but briefly, God wouldn't force men to do something that was sinful, because sin and God are incompatible elements.
In EVERY Biblical case and in EVERY Heavenly visitation case . . .
where folks have prostrated themselves before men, angels etc.
The stern rebuke is that ONLY GOD is worthy such.
With all due respect, your apparent disconnect here is amazing. You just acknowledged that in Rev 3:9 there is an example of men "worshipping" (prostrating themselves before) other men, but then right after you say, "In EVERY Biblical case...where folks have prostrated themselves before men, angels, etc.... The stern rebuke is that ONLY GOD is worthy such."
To be clear, it's not, I repeat, not, "every Biblical case" where that is true. You just admitted that yourself when you said, "I think the prostration ‘worship’ at men’s feet in Revelation is a particularly one time exception sort of thing." I see no point to comment further on that portion of your post.
The example in Rev, is, to me, quite clearly God exacting the sort of punishment for the prostraters that is most fitting—forcing them to do what they most deplore
while, in a sense, honoring GOD’S FAITHFUL servants . . . and doing so in a way that will make those faithful servants MOST humble and uncomfortable as that is NOT the standard order of Heaven nor all Creation.
In the Revelation example, it seems clear that the priority goal from God’s perspective is to force a very tailor made, most hated discipline, punishment on those prostrating themselves on them.
I have no problem with this interpretation of the passage in question. In fact, I'll let it stand without further comment other than to say: I don't see how that affects my point about "simple prostration not necessarily being worship to God alone", at all.
However, Prottys are used to some RC’s creating skyscrapers of dogma built on a toothpick foundation.
And Catholics are used to "Prottys" rejecting tradition as a source of knowledge. ;D
I think my wording is accurate.
The Revelation example is still in the FUTURE.
Has not happened, yet.
I need to look up THE MESSAGE version of that verse.
In terms of the RC issue of routine intensely emotionally focused worshipful adoration toward statues etc. of Mary et al . . .
I don’t think the Rev example, even if it had passed or even if it were a once in a person’s lifetime an administered punishment, discipline—I don’t think that as an example cuts any slack for the egregious stuff SOME demonstrate toward Mary day in and day out—short shrifting Christ, in the process.
And, by definition, God Almighty’s instructions are by definition not sinful. He writes the rules and implements His Holy exceptions . . . because . . . drum roll . . .
HE
happens to be
ALMIGHTY GOD OF THE ANGEL ARMIES.
One of His perks, so to speak.