The Bible gives us clear prophetic warning that no one is to add to or take away from God’s Word in any way. There are at least four clear messages regarding this caution in the Bible.
Throughout the centuries there have been many who have added or taken away not only from the book of Revelation from but from the entire Bible and seriously misinterpreted it. So in light of the warning against altering God’s Word in the book of Revelation, Christ cautions at the very end for His people not to deviate from what is written in the Holy Scriptures because there will be grave consequences (Matthew 7:21-23).
In reading Scriptures we find that the teaching of forbidding the adding to, or taking away from is not limited to the book of Revelation. From the earliest days of Judaism those who were charged with preserving the words spoken by the Lord knew that their duty was to maintain their precise accuracy. They took very seriously the words of Deuteronomy 4:2 – “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (See also Deuteronomy 12:32 and Proverbs 30:6). The oral tradition employed by generations of Jews went to great lengths to ensure that the exact words were passed on to the new generation.
The word “add” means to exceed or go beyond what God actually said in Scripture. No one is to add laws, make additional demands, or twist God’s Word like we so often see done in many religions. Nor are we to claim added revelations from God.
“Taking way” from Scripture means to remove the parts one may not likely agree with or understand.
God is so serious about this command that He repeated this prophetic warning at least four times in Scripture and had it strategically placed throughout the Bible. The warning is found at the beginning of the Old Testament when God’s laws were first given (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32) and in the center of the Bible (Proverbs 30:5-6). The final and most detailed warning is recorded in the closing chapter of the Bible (Revelation 22:18-19).
As we read Luke 24:25, we see where Christ rebuked certain disciples who had failed to believe the prophecies concerning His first coming. “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!”
When we study Revelation’s last chapter, it ends with an even more serious warning: “If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:19).
It is very vital for both Jewish and Gentile believers to understand these are very important words, since the warning was also given to the Jewish people in the Old Testament. “See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it” (Deuteronomy 12:32).
As believers we need to read the Bible, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand – “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God” (James 1:5). We need to believe God’s inerrant Word (2 Timothy 3:16), and obey the divinely inspired prophecies, as well as all the other revelations of the Holy Scripture.
David prayed “Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things in your law” (Psalm 119:18). When we hunger and thirst and express our sincere desire for the Holy Spirit to teach us, we are opening ourselves to receive true riches that only the Spirit can give.
We need to be very careful not to pay attention or be led into man-made traditions or false prophetic teachings. We are to abide only by the Word of God and need to dedicate time to search the Scriptures carefully. Remember if anyone “adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book” (Revelation 22:18-19).
Today as throughout history, there are “Christians”, especially among scholars who say they believe the Bible, but are nevertheless quick to adapt their own interpretations of Scripture to the latest speculations, or feel the need to add or change God’s Word. Beware this is an insult to our Creator.
The Holy Bible is unparalleled in all of human history because it is “God breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). No other ancient book is as accurate, and no other book is as relevant to human beings. Its truth transcends all times, languages and cultures and has as much to say to the person living in a big city as the bushman in the outback, because it was inspired by the Eternal God.
Scripture warns that spiritual leaders bear real responsibility for what they teach, since those who instruct others will be judged with greater strictness (James 3:1), and it calls believers to test what they hear against the truth of God’s word rather than accept comforting reinterpretations. 1 John 4:1 tells us: “do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
This is why Paul so emphatically stressed the importance of studying the teaching of God’s Word correctly. Take time to familiarize yourself with this Magnificent Book and to draw nearer to God. When others teach you, make sure that you are getting the absolute truth from God’s Word by searching the Scriptures yourself just as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11). If we desire to honor our Maker, we must search for truth and teach the truth with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
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