S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Revelation 22:18-19 contains a warning to anyone who tampers with the biblical text: "For I testify together to everyone who hears the Words of the prophecy of this Book: If anyone adds to these th...

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July 01 2013 • 5 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Miho Valle Supporter Evangelist

The word "Book" in Revelation 22:18-19 in Greek is bibliou, biblion, Word Origin from biblos, hence we have the word "Bible".
So, when Jesus said, "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 
He is speaking in the entirety of the whole bible as a whole (Deuteronomy 4:1-2).

Here is a good example..
Jeremiah 36:4 "Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book".
Jeremiah 36:23 "And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
27 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, 28 Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.

Note: Jehoiakim cut God's word and cast it into the fire.,Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah. Watch what happens as God's warning is fulfilled.

Verse 29)And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the LORD; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast? 30 Therefore thus saith the LORD of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.

Note: The King tampered, or "Took away of God's word", 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life".

Jehoiakims outcome...".He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out"
God took away his part as a King. 

So than, is the whole bible God's word?
2 Timothy 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2 Peter 1:21
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Note: Since "ALL" scriptures are given by inspiration of God,and holy men moved by the Holy Ghost, than, the "WHOLE" Bible, being inspired by The Living God is His word, and cannot be "ADDED" to, nor "Taken Away" from.

December 24 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Matthews Supporter Retired Professional Singer, Conductor and Seeker

It seems fairly certain that the addition or subtraction John of Patmos refers to are to be applied to the book of Revelation and not the entire Bible texts. The different books had not been compiled at this particular time in history so the warning apparently only applies to John's prophesies.

Adding or subtracting from biblical texts is dangerous to one's spiritual health. God's Word should be sufficient for all believers. Not everything or every situation is found in scripture but that doesn't mean that biblical Truths won't apply. One should be able to find biblical precedence for all situations.

November 10 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

There is a statement in the Book of Revelation that has been used to argue that nothing else can be added to Scripture. John wrote:

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book; if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away that person's share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book (Revelation 22:18,19).

Does this statement mean the canon of Scripture is closed?

It Was Primarily Speaking of the Book of Revelation

First, we must note that this passage is primarily speaking of the Book of Revelation. John writes about the words of the prophecy of this book. This would be a specific reference to the Book of Revelation. John earlier had written that the entire Book of Revelation is a prophecy.

Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near (Revelation 1:3).

He also used the phrase, "The prophecy of this book" two other times in the last chapter.

And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is he who heeds the words of the prophecy of this book (Revelation 22:7).

John then said:

Then he told me, "Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near" (Revelation 22:10).

In addition, when the Book of Revelation was written, there were still questions as to which books would constitute Holy Scripture. This issue had not been settled yet. There may have been New Testament books written after the Book of Revelation. For example, it has been argued that the Gospel of John was written after John wrote Revelation.

There Is an Implication for the Rest of Scripture

While primarily speaking of the Book of Revelation, these verses certainly imply that God has nothing more to reveal to humanity. Anyone who added after this time would be judged and anyone who took away from what was previously revealed. While this refers primarily to the contents of the Book of Revelation, Revelation does close out the program of God. Hence the application to the other books is possible. —Don Stewart

July 10 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

John Appelt Supporter

The warning in Revelation 22:18-19 is specifically about the Book of Revelation. The warning emphasizes the seriousness of the words of the prophecies. They are not to be tampered with. Those adding to it are liable to be punished with the very plagues mentioned in the book. Those removing the words will have special privileges withheld from them.

In context, Revelation 22:6-21, is written to encourage believers, God’s servants, to be found faithful at Christ’s coming. It is to be noted that these words are not for unbelievers who were already judged at the Great White Throne judgment, and cast into the lake of fire, Revelation 20:11-15, 21:8. These are words for believers. 

The prophetic word is pronounced as “faithful and true,” Revelation 22:6. Then, Jesus promises, at His coming, blessing and rewards to those keeping and doing the word, Revelation 22:7, 12, 14. (Some versions have the better “do His commandments,” instead of “wash their robes.”) The believer is encouraged and exhorted to be ready, for the time of Christ’s coming is at hand, Revelation 22:10-11, by living godly, Revelation 22:14-17, and having respect for the words of prophecy, Revelation 22:18-19.

Different versions and commentaries of Revelation 22:19 have different readings. Some read, “book of life,” while others say, “tree of life.” In Greek, tree “zylou” and book “biblou,” are similar, but more noticeable in Latin is the similarity of tree “ligno” and book “libro.” 

In the early 1500s, the scholar Desiderius Erasmus edited his first Greek New Testament using Greek manuscripts. However, when he came to the last six verses of Revelation, he had only one rather damaged Greek manuscript on loan from Johann Reuchlin. Erasmus decided to take the Latin Vulgate and commentary notes to translate Revelation 22:16-21 into Greek. It had “book of life,” likely an error that began in the earlier process of copying of Latin manuscripts. Based on this text, this reading stuck with some translations and versions.

The context and subject matter favor the “tree of life” reading. Theologically, the “tree of life” best fits because believers cannot be removed from the “book of life,” losing out or losing on salvation. However, there will be loss of rewards by those who are careless in obeying Christ and who disregard the word of Christ. It is a privilege to be granted access to the tree, and entrance into the city by the gates, Revelation 2:7, 22:14. The saved ones not living right nor overcoming evil will suffer the loss of special privileges of access to the tree of life and entrance into the holy city. This loss is reminiscent of God driving out man, for his disobedience, from the Garden of Eden and from the tree of life, Genesis 3:24. 

The warning of Revelation 22:18-19 concerns the attitude toward the Book of Revelation by believers. It is in the context of looking forward to the coming of the Lord who will reward those who are faithful to Him and honoring His revelation of truth.

October 27 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Rich Hazeltine Supporter

One must consider that Paul was speaking to Timothy about the Hebrew scriptures. I don't think Paul himself would assign such authority to his own writing in general. There was in New Testament bible in that era. I tend to filter confusing new testament verses through the understanding of the O. T. and my understanding of God's nature and intent.

August 28 2018 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report