Revelation 22:18-21 (NKJV) For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
V18 “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book…” In the early church age, most communication and important letters were read. See Colossians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:27, and Revelation 1:3. The person who adds words to the message John received will themselves receive the plagues written about in the Book of Revelation. The Greek word for plagues is (G4127) πληγή plēgḗ, which means ( Word Study Dictionary) “A stroke, stripe, blow, wound, or injury.” Many interpret this and apply it to teaching in Revelation or even the Bible, but the verse says, “Adds to these things,” which I understand to refer to the Greek Text as originally written. Those who do change will be punished, but to those who did change Scriptures will suffer some sort of penalty. Those who do so after the Rapture will experience these plagues.
Keathley adds: “So how does one add to the Bible or Revelation? One way is by claiming new revelation, that the Bible and the Book of Revelation are not enough (as with the Book of Mormon or any other religious writing that claims to be from God). Another way is by claiming advanced knowledge in spiritual matters and that the Bible is not the answer or simply wrong (2 John 1:9). Liberal humanists are grossly guilty of this. Of course, such action not only is adding but subtracting. The point is that this reveals a blatant unbelief in the Bible which denies that the Word of God is the revelation and testimony of God. Such action is clear evidence of personal unbelief and rejection of Jesus Christ.”
Dr. Henry M. Morris writes: “Note the importance of the words! The conveyance of precise thoughts requires the use of precise words. Only the doctrine of verbal inerrancy adequately expresses the true nature of Biblical inspiration. This warning at the end of the Book of Revelation (in fact, the end of the Bible) stresses the necessity of literal interpretation. Actually, a literal interpretation is not an interpretation at all, for it takes the words at face value, assuming that the Holy Spirit (using the thoughts and abilities of the human writer whose words He inspired) was able to say exactly what He meant to say. Any kind of allegorical or figurative interpretation of those words (unless directly indicated as required in the context) assumes that the interpreter knows better than the Holy Spirit what He should be saying, and such an attitude is presumptuous, if not blasphemous.”
V19 “…and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” The same issue of corrupting the text. Those who do so shall not enter heaven. Probably the reason is that those who corrupt the text are not genuine Christ followers. The Greek word for take away is (G851) ἀφαιρέω aphairéō, which means remove, cut off. So, another would be that a person becomes so apostate that they deny Christ completely and lose their salvation. Those who do not believe in full inspiration of Scripture are in great danger.
The basic idea of inspiration of the Bible is that every original text word is the word God chose. He did not dictate, except for direct revelation as “and the Lord said to Moses,” etc. God used the person’s vocabulary and writing style to have the correct words.
The main passage is 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 (MSB) “But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. [11] For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. [12] We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. [13] And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Holy Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.”
I do not know what my wife is thinking, though I may have a good guess. If she tells me what she is thinking, then I’ll know. The same with God’s thinking. We do not know, unless He reveals. He does reveal what He believes and wants for all Christ followers to know.
The other main passages are 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21.
V20 “He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.”
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” He who testifies is Jesus Christ. John adds his prayer, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Though the time seems long for us, it must be the perfect time. As humans, we do not know when the time is. A Christ-follower’s prayer, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
V21 “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” The Apostolic benediction. This is addressed first to the 7 churches of chapters 2-3 and secondly to all believers.
We learn:
- The finish of this present creation.
- The importance of respecting Scripture.
- To pray for His return (it is not a law, but our desire).
Questions:
- What are your views regarding the Scriptures?
- Are you ready for the return of Jesus Christ?