What Does Revelation 22:18-19 Mean?
Often when I am discussing Mormonism or other groups that add to Scripture, someone will being up Revelation 22:18-9. What does this passage say?
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” (Revelation 22:18–19 ESV)
This seems to be a pretty clear passage that warns people not to add any books to the Bible or to change the Bible in any way.
Except this passage has nothing to do with that.
One of the problems is that the New Testament canon had not yet been put together when this book was written. It is true that all the books of the New Testament had been written, but a warning about the collection of books would be meaningless if the collection had not yet been determined.
So what is this passage talking about? The warning that is given here is about not changing in Revelation. The book being talked about is Revelation and not the Bible. It is as simple as that.
I have no intention of recognizing books such as the Book of Mormon or anything else. But there are much better reasons for rejecting them than to misapply Revelation 22:18-19.
Hi Steve, I totally agree. Many Christians misapply this verse to the rest of the bible without considering the factor of the canon’s non-existence. Introducing the purpose of the book of Revelation can open a can of worms, if you know what I mean.
Galatians 1:6-9New King James Version (NKJV)
Only One Gospel
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:6-9
I believe the Lord is talking about all His word. Not just Revelation. We cannot change the Lord’s word wether it’s in the new testament or the old testament. You change any of the Lord ‘s word. Then you have change the promises of God.
I agree that we can’t change God’s Word, but in this case I think was speaking specifically about his vision.
Stephen, since you cannot use Rev 22:18-19 to reject the Book of Mormon, what are the reasons you “have no intention of recognizing books such as the Book of Mormon”?