“Revelation 22:18-21”

Friday, February 09, 2018

“‘I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.”

---End of Scripture verses---

Homer Hailey commented on verse 1: “The words of the prophecy are the thoughts, principles, judgments, and messages of the book. The Lord is not speaking of an honest error in judgment and interpretation, even though this is serious. Rather He condemns the presumptuous and all who manifest a careless or flippant attitude toward the Word. As Lenski intimates, this makes writing about the book a serious and sublime matter to be pursued with the deepest of reverence for God and His truth.” Anyone who “adds to” it will multiply his own affliction, and anyone who “takes away from it” will suffer loss on the grandest scale.

The word of God is far too perfect, pure and important to be tampered with. All who would dare alter the inspired word of Truth will not escape the consequences of their insolence. That principle is true for “the words of the book of this prophecy” (verse 19), and pervades throughout the entirety of the Bible. “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12); and “is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). To “play God” by attempting to “improve” upon His perfection, or to portray Him as a liar by refuting the aspects you are not fond of is each an act of arrogance of the highest degree.

“You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2). “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32). “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). “Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 1:9).

“‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (verse 20). “This is the equivalent of the transliterated Aramaic word, ‘Maranatha’ found in the conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 16:22). What a wonderful finish for a people whose only wish is to please the Lord and whose overriding desire is to live with Him in eternity. (Harkrider) “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen” (verse 21) “These last words are a fitting benediction to this wonderful book. God’s scheme of redemption is by His grace. His continued involvement in guarding and preserving His kingdom against the onslaughts of Satan, is an expression of great favor. And His promise to restore the tree of life for all who keep His commandments, is a promise founded in grace. Indeed, only one word remains to be said, Amen, be it so!” (Harkrider)

We made it all the way through the New Testament!

Thanks for walking through it with us!

- Louie Taylor

Share