Revelation 22:18 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Revelation 22:18

Comments

What a warning! – ‘If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. 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.’ This warning – not to add, not to take away from God's inspired inerrant word – doesn't only apply to the Book of Revelation as some people may think, because it corresponds exactly with the warning in the Book of Deuteronomy, chapter 4 and verse 2. We remember that the first five books of the Bible used to be one book. So we might say, this same warning is given in the first book of the Bible – the first true book which we have divided the into five – and the last book of the Bible. That tells me that these words in both places combine together to apply to the whole of the Bible. It is precious, sacrosanct, must not be interfered with. Those theological liberals who take some parts and leave other parts as it suits them, are to be warned. They are under the condemnation of God. The words in themselves do not indicate the closure of the canon, for the similar words in Deuteronomy 4:2 could not mean this, being positioned where they are in Scripture. They warn against any attempt to change Scripture or alter its meaning by any addition or removal. They identify the Bible as unlike any other book for God is its author, and who can add to his words without charging him with omission, or take away from his words without charging him with error or redundancy? In both cases men claim to be wiser than God. But what he has put in his word is exactly what his infinite wisdom has determined should be there. However, coming at the end of the Bible, and Revelation being the last inspired book given, they confirm that the canon is indeed closed, and must not be altered.

Application

This warning anticipates attacks on Scripture. It has nothing to do with mistakes made by those who sincerely try to translate or publish the word of God. It is obviously dealing with deliberate attempts to corrupt it. The enemies of the truth have certainly made such attacks. They have tampered with the text of Scripture; they have called into question the authenticity of its books which the church has received from the hands of the apostles and prophets as inspired Scripture; and they have added man-made traditions which prevent men from obeying God (Matthew 15:4-6). But most of all they have denied its truth, rejecting the power and authority of the Lamb, the way of salvation by grace alone, the satanic alliances of this corrupt world and the need for the church to engage in a struggle of life and death for the truth.

Questions

Can any have their name removed from the book of life? As in Revelation 3:5 the warning must be taken seriously. It must be taken seriously by believers and by unbelievers. In the case of the former, it will be the very means of preserving them from destruction. It will stress to them the enormity of what is at stake and how important is their respect for God’s revelation. Believers will heed the warning, and unbelievers will ignore it and in them the warning will be fulfilled in them.

Outline

Purpose

Introduction

Revelation 22:18 Commentary and Bible Study