NO MORE, NO LESS

(Revelations 22:18-19)

Mike Johnson

  “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.” (Rev. 22:18-19)

This passage, found at the end of the book of Revelation, states a fundamental principle, which many ignore.  It says we are not to add to or take away from God’s Word.  Specifically, he is speaking about the book of Revelation.  However, it is clear if we are not to add to or take away from one book of the Bible, we should not add to or take away from any book of the Bible. This point is especially evident when we consider such passages as I Peter 4:11, which says we must speak as the oracles of God, and II John 9, which states we must abide in the doctrine of Christ, and if we do not do so, then we “do not have God.”

The basic concept of not adding to or taking away from the Word of God is at the beginning of the Bible, the middle part of it, and at the end, serving as sort of a three-fold guard.  Near the beginning, Deuteronomy 4:2 says, “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.”  In the middle, Proverbs 30:5-6 says, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” At the end, Revelation 22:18-19 explicitly says, as we have seen, to not add to or take away from the Scriptures.

With this concept in mind, consider an illustration with the Lord’s Supper.  According to the Scriptures, the Lord’s Supper consists of the fruit of the vine and the unleavened bread (Mt. 26:26-30).  Suppose a congregation decided to offer only the bread and not the fruit of the vine.  Doing this, of course, would be taking away from God’s Word.  Suppose a church decided to add a third element, such as meat, to the Lord’s Supper.  They would be adding to God’s Word.

Many churches today are adding to or taking away from God’s Word in their worship, teaching, practice, organization, and work.  These groups fall under the condemnation of God’s Word.  Remember, no more, no less!  We must do precisely as the Bible teaches.