Revelation 22:19

[Steven2006]

Rev 22:19 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.

Do you believe this warning is speaking just to the book of Revelation or to the entire Bible? I have heard people claim both. Thanks in advance for your input.

 

[npetreley]

Do you believe this warning is speaking just to the book of Revelation or to the entire Bible? I have heard people claim both. Thanks in advance for your input.

I think it's specifically in reference to Revelation, but it still applies to the whole Bible.

 

[Scarlett O.]

Do you believe this warning is speaking just to the book of Revelation or to the entire Bible? I have heard people claim both. Thanks in advance for your input.

Here's a commentary on verse 18 and 19 from Marsh (I like his commentaries). I think he nails it.

(18) The prophecy put forth in Revelation is complete. Dire penalties await those who add or subtract words that would change the meaning of any passage. Like the rest of the Bible, one can not choose to accept one part of Revelation and ignore the rest. It comes as a whole piece and must be accepted or rejected as a whole. This does not mean we have to understand everything about it, but we have to accept by faith that everything will become clear as the events come to take place.

(19) No true Christian would change the meaning of passages of this book (or by extension, the other books of the Bible). Thus, if someone intentionally rewords or interprets Scripture in a way that clearly violates the intent of the author (or God), it is likely that he is not a Christian, even if he claims to be one. There are parts of Scripture that can be interpreted in several ways. In other parts, the meaning of words, places, and phrases has been lost. In these cases, the interpreter must be very careful with how he might interpret a passage. However, if he keeps in mind the spirit and context of the entire Bible (and his relationship with God), he is more likely to make an accurate and useful interpretation of the obscure passage.

 

[skypair]

Do you believe this warning is speaking just to the book of Revelation or to the entire Bible? I have heard people claim both. Thanks in advance for your input.

The penalties cited in the context are from this book, not any other. Rev 22:18 is VERY forboding. It warns that those adding to the book will actually go into the tribulation!!

To me, that is as much as saying that those averring a post-trib rapture where none is seen in The Revelation will actually not be raptured pretrib and will suffer the seals, trumpets, and bowls (the souls seen arriving in heaven are souls of MARTYRS)!

Why is that? Are postribbers not saved? Or is it a practical thing like Lot's wife "looking back?" I can't say for sure but from the parable of the 10 virgins (Mt 25), I would conclude that they "believed in vain" -- had no Holy Spirit "oil."

The case for "taking away" from the book is more severe, to me. At least for those who add, 22:19 is suggestive that they may still end up in the book of life. But for those who take away from it, NO book of life (which means no salvation)!

skypair

 

[Bob Alkire]

To say that a true child of God would never tamper with these Scriptures is simply naive.
It does not mean only the open infidelity which refuses it as God’s word. The professing Church has practically set aside this book, not through mere misunderstanding, which is not here referred to, but because its character and hopes took a worldly life rather than living for God.
The denunciation extends to those who shall add to or take from the words of the book of Revelation or any other part of the Bible. To add to God’s word, or to take from it, must bring judgment.
If the person who corrupts Revelation is an unbeliever, he or she will have no part in the blessings of the new creation. If he or she is a believer, the part lost must be some special privilege in the eternal state.

 

[Grasshopper]

Rev 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy

Pretty clear it speaks of Revelation. There was no "book" (canon of scripture)when Revelation was written.

 

[LeBuick]

Moses gave a similar warning;

Dt 4:2 (KJV) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

I have believed over the years these warnings mainly had to do with the scribes and their duty to make copies of the original text. Most people never saw the originals so these copies were all they had to go by. A scribe could theoritically put what they wanted and who would know the difference.

I have often wodered how/if these warnings pertain to those who have translated the many versions of the bible. Reading one version vs another may give you a differnet meaning.

 

[Tentmaker]

I think it's specifically in reference to Revelation, but it still applies to the whole Bible.

I would agree.

 

[EdSutton]

I would agree.

Me, too!!

Ed

 

[TCGreek]

I think it's specifically in reference to Revelation, but it still applies to the whole Bible.

This is my own conclusion too.

 

[Palatka51]

I think it's specifically in reference to Revelation, but it still applies to the whole Bible.

Solidarity is a beautiful thing.
As a personal point IMHO this is a warning to the future attempts to add to by Islam's Koran and the LDS's book of Mormon.

 

[TCGreek]

What about the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, L. Ron Hubbard and so on?

 

[Palatka51]

What about the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, L. Ron Hubbard and so on?

By all means yes.

 

[EdSutton]

Solidarity is a beautiful thing.
As a personal point IMHO this is a warning to the future attempts to add to by Islam's Koran and the LDS's book of Mormon.

I noticed your 'tag line' says this.

The Center verses of the King James Version
Psalm 118:8&9
8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Unfortunately, that is a false statement, and I would personally urge you to redo it.

As I said before, in another post, the center verses of the 31,102 found in the KJV are found in Psalm. 103:1-2.
(There can be no middle verse, with an even number of verses.)

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: (Ps. 103:1-2, KJV)

And, as I said before elsewhere, the center verses do have a three-fold mention of blessing the Lord, in them.


Ed

 

[Palatka51]

A PM to Ed

I noticed your 'tag line' says this.Unfortunately, that is a false statement, and I would personally urge you to redo it.

As I said before, in another post, the center verses of the 31,102 found in the KJV are found in Psalm. 103:1-2.
(There can be no middle verse, with an even number of verses.)And, as I said before elsewhere, the center verses do have a three-fold mention of blessing the Lord, in them.


Ed

Ed,
Why do you persist in bringing me to task regarding my signature? Does it bother you? If I am wrong leave me in my idiocy. However I'll refer you to this sight that investigates urban legends. Among others this is where I've based my facts. I do not know where you have gotten your figures for the verse count. Please explain. http://www.snopes.com/religion/center.asp
They are an independent none religious site and thus have no agenda for their research.

 

[LeBuick]

Ed,
Why do you persist in bringing me to task regarding my signature? Does it bother you? If I am wrong leave me in my idiocy. However I'll refer you to this sight that investigates urban legends. Among others this is where I've based my facts. I do not know where you have gotten your figures for the verse count. Please explain. http://www.snopes.com/religion/center.asp
They are an independent none religious site and thus have no agenda for their research.

I'm not speaking for Ed but you get information from a "independent none religious site" then get offended when someone corrects you? If you see your brother scriptorially wrong, are we not obligated to offer correction or should we allow an untruth to continue to propogate?