Cm3 - Warning Not To Tamper With The Book, And Closing Prayers Series

Tom Lowe

3/12/18

Book of Revelation Commentary

Topic # C.M.: CONCLUDING MATERIAL (22:6-21)

Lesson: C.M.3: Warning Not to Tamper With the Book, and Closing Prayers (22:18-21)

Scripture (Rev. 22:18-21; KJV)

18 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:

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, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. {THE END.}

Introduction

These are the last words of the New Testament—the apostle John did not know that he was closing the canon of Scripture{1]. If he had known, he could not have closed it more appropriately. The vision granted to him seems to rapidly sketch the ages of the Christian dispensation. It seems to indicate the various forces which, taking various shapes would put the Christian faith and the Christian Church in peril. The last words gather up two things: the cheering message of the Churches Lord; and the proper attitude for the Church to preserve.

[1} The “Canon of Scripture” may be generally described as the "collection of books which form the original and authoritative written rule of the faith and practice of the Christian Church," i.e. the Old and New Testaments.

Commentary

18 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:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book,

Here we see the sacredness of the things recorded in this book (Revelation). Just as there is a special blessing promised to all who read and heed the message of this book, so there is a pronouncement of woe upon all who detract from or add to those things which God has written in this book. So important is the message in the Revelation that God solemnly warns every man not to tamper with its contents. He will not tolerate any attempt on man’s part at forgery; nor will He allow anyone to distort (in any way) the teaching which the book contains. It is very much like what Paul meant when he said: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8-9). The warning is stern and the penalty severe. Let the corrupters of these prophecies beware.

There are similar warnings in other parts of the Bible. God had said?

• “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2; NIV).

• “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:5-6; NKJV).

• “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8-9; NKJV).

In the days of Moses, Solomon, Paul, and John, such warnings from God were quite apropos inasmuch as all the books were hand-copied by scribes. This would be particularly the case with the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible copied by seventy Jewish scholars. It would be very easy for a scribe to make an omission or addition or to alter a phrase or even a word.

But this warning must apply to men of our day as well. Modern scholars who reject the plenary inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and who abridge and add, suppress and stultify the Word of God to satisfy their own minds, will do well to heed Christ’s warning. Some liberal preachers have brushed aside this warning by saying that it is perfectly possible that this warning is not a part of the original book at all. But by what right or authority do men cast such wicked aspersions?