A Reliable Book

Today’s text validates the contents of the book of Revelation. God has declared His protection over His words to ensure that this message makes it to humanity unadulterated. Yet, this text also predicts that some would indeed attempt to “add to,” or in tomorrow’s verse, “take away from,” the words of Revelation.

The Bible declares, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). “Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle,” the smallest marks in the Hebrew language, “will by no means pass from the law” (Matthew 5:18). “The entirety of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever” (Psalm 119:160).

But what does it mean to “add to” God’s words? While this can be understood as tampering with the manuscripts by adding new words, it can also mean adding ideas and interpretations not based on the text. This can be done by loose translations leading to ideas not conveyed in the original language. It can also be done by those in a position to teach the Word of God conveying false ideas about the Scripture.

Apocalyptic literature in the Bible, such as portions of Daniel, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and Revelation, are often ripe for speculative philosophies. A trip to your local Christian bookstore or research on the internet typically reveals dozens of new “ideas” about what the Bible says, including the popular Left Behind series, which has done immeasurable damage to getting the true message of Revelation to the world.

Regardless of the source, whether it be a dream, vision, professed prophet, or even an angel from heaven, “to the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).

Heavenly Father, I submit my ideas to Your Word and humbly ask for the Holy Spirit to be my Teacher and Guide.

For Further Study: Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:5, 6; Galatians 1:8

Key Bible Texts

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (Revelation 22:18 KJV)