Did the Emperor Ever Warn Lorgar Against Worshiping Him?

It really seems like it depends on who you ask. The general consensus in the lore is that Lorgar had no formal warning from the Emperor until Monarchia. In books like “The First Heretic,” Lorgar emphasizes that he’s never been explicitly told to stop his religious activities, which makes the Emperor’s sudden objection feel hypocritical, given he had let it slide for so long. However, it’s clear that the Word Bearers ignored the ‘Imperial Truth’ knowing well that religion was forbidden, which adds an interesting twist to the narrative. Essentially, Lorgar thought he was in the right, but he misread the situation completely.

Honestly, I find Lorgar’s manipulation quite fascinating. Instead of seeing him as just a misguided follower, I believe he purposefully cultivated a religious following across several worlds, playing a long game similar to the Emperor himself. That makes him a much more compelling character compared to the classic ‘he was just confused’ excuse. His actions suggest he fully understood the ecclesiastical implications yet chose to ignore them. It paints a picture of a Primarch who was savvy it’s just that his ambition blinded him.

Yeah, it’s a messy situation for sure. The ‘Imperial Truth’ was well-known among all, including Lorgar and his Legion. They were very aware that the Emperor was staunchly against religion. In fact, the Emperor only laid down the law at Monarchia after a century of Lorgar’s shenanigans. The big question is why he waited so long to intervene, especially with the chaos brewing under his nose. One can only assume he thought Lorgar would eventually connect the dots on his own.