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In Christ, Mark
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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.
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 and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
Revelation 22:18-19
This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.
As we saw in yesterday’s message, the Book of Revelation begins with these words:
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Revelation 1:1-2
And so this book, a book full of prophecy regarding “what son must take place”, was a “revelation” that was delivered via “Jesus” after “God gave” it to Him. In turn, this revelation was passed onto their “servant John” who wrote down and testified “to everything he saw”. The finished product, the Book of Revelation that we are nearly finished studying, is thus “the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus”.
Now, we know that God, the Maker and Master of all things in Heaven and earth, is perfect in every way (Deuteronomy 32:4, Psalm 18:30, Matthew 5:48). He has absolutely no flaws and so nothing He does or says is in need of editing. Not now, not ever.
We also know Jesus and His Father are one (John 10:30). Therefore, everything that is of God is of the Son and that includes the Father’s perfection. Jesus came to earth and walked among sinners but He Himself was perfectly righteous and sinless (1 Peter 2:22).
And so when we say that the Book of Revelation and its prophecies are the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus, then we know that everything is entirely true and accurate. Every word is important and necessary. No other words need to be added and certainly no words should ever be subtracted.
With this truth in place, we now have a good base by which to approach our verses for today as we read a firm warning from Jesus regarding this entire book. Look again at His words here:
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 and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. Revelation 22:18-19
Here, we find serious penalties for anyone who decides to alter the perfectly arranged words of this book of prophecy. For Jesus promises the following will happen to anyone who does so:
1. For the one who chooses to add.
If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.
If you’re a believer, you should really listen to what Jesus is saying here because part of the amazing blessing of being a Christian believer is that they will be taken away from this world at the Rapture and therefore not have to experience the terrors that will come as the “plagues described” in this book are unleashed from Heaven to earth. All those who place their belief in Jesus will escape the frightening terrors of God’s judgment found in this book of prophecy unless someone opts to add something to this perfect book given by a perfect God and His Son. Those who choose to add will be left behind at the Rapture, remaining on earth to endure the punishment of God.
Only a fool would want to end up in that place.
2. For the one who chooses to subtract.
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 and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.
If a person who adds to the words of Revelation is a fool, then anyone who takes words away from this perfect book of prophecy is even more so. For note that the offender in this case will lose their opportunity for eternal life altogether for God will “take away” their “share in the tree of life” and “the Holy City”.
Wow. If that doesn’t get a person’s attention, I don’t know what will.
The message here is clear.
Do not alter the Book of Revelation in any way, or else.
I would recommend that no one test this promise because Jesus never makes one that He doesn’t keep.
Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
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