Respect for God’s Word

Mike Johnson

Revelation 22:18-19, a passage found near the end of the Bible, is a very significant passage.  It says:

 “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

This passage tells us we are not to add to or take away from God’s Word.  The “book” in the above verses refers to the book of Revelation.  However, it is clear if we are not to add to or take away from one book of the Bible, then we are not to add to or take away from any book of the Bible.  This concept is particularly evident when we read such passages as I Peter 4:11, which says that we are to speak as the oracles of God, and II John 9, which points out that if we transgress and abide not in the doctrine of Christ,  we do not have God.

The idea of not adding to or taking away from God’s Word is found at the beginning of the Bible (Deut. 4:2), in the middle (Pb. 30:6), and, as we have seen, at the end of the Bible.  These verses stand as sort of a three-fold guard.

The Lord’s Supper serves as an illustration of this principle. According to the Scriptures, the Lord’s Supper consists of the fruit of the vine and the unleavened bread.  Suppose a church decided to have only the bread and not the fruit of the vine.  Would this not involve taking away from God’s Word?  Some other group may choose to add apples to the bread and fruit of the vine.  This group would, of course, be adding to the Bible.

Many religious groups in their worship, teaching, practice, and organization add to or take away from God’s Word.  They stand condemned by the Scriptures for this.  We must respect God’s Word!