“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll” (Revelation 22:18-19).
It’s nothing new for people to want to either add to what God has said or to take away sections of the Bible. This was a temptation at the very beginnings of the church. That’s why God warns us not to do so.
I want to highlight two things about these verses:
1. God takes his word seriously – God has given to the church everything we need to thrive and mature as followers of Jesus through his word. God expects us to keep his word with no deviations or subtractions. The word of God is to be our absolute guide.
2. There have always been sections of the Bible that people have had trouble with. That’s the reason why people either add to what is already there, or they want to strike what is disagreeable to them.
So, here is the guideline for how followers of Jesus Christ are to deal with God’s word – If you believe that God told you something that contradicts what is already said in scripture or what is not in scripture…you can absolutely know…THAT AIN’T FROM GOD!!!
The Bible is our standard. The Bible is our guide. The Bible is our truth. That’s what it means to be a follower of God. There is no other way to know what God wants and desires apart from God’s word.
So, good job church, for reading God’s word every day. Blessings!
Praxis: Faith in Action 