Expert: Spirit Sword - 9/3/2006

Question
Can you explain what Revelation 22:18-20 means?

Answer
Hello Deena,

Thank you for your question.
In a nutshell what the word of God is saying here is that all that God wants to say to mankind has been finished and anyone who tampers with the word of God in any fashion will come under damnation.  After the final verse of Revelation had been penned down this sealed the Bible and nothing is to be added or taken away from the entire canon of scripture.   Some organized religions believe that their founders received divine messages from God and that (their prophetic writings + the Bible = the word of God).   This would be a direct example of adding to the word of God.   On the other hand if anyone takes away anything from the scriptures by removing any divine message from it will also come under severe judgment as well.   

The sealing of God's message is indeed a good thing since it allows us to quickly dismiss anyone claiming they have received writings from God without having to go to great lengths to figure out the authenticity of the source.  The sealing of the scriptures also leaves us with a big test.   Are we going to listen to God's word alone or are we going to be lead astray by false gods and doctrines that have potentially come from the minds of men or demonic sources?    

Some have argued that these verses only apply to the book of Revelation but in my opinion I doubt this is an accurate conclusion.   Is it ok for us to add or take away from the book of Genesis or any other book of the Bible and wrong for us to add or take away *only* from the book of Revelation?     Of course it is wrong to add or take away from *any* divine message God sends to us since we would be distorting the truth.   Anyone who distorts God's word in any fashion must come under divine judgment.    


Spirit Sword