Revelation 22:18-19 – God’s Final Warnings :: By Mark A. Becker

The Word of God: The completed Scriptures we have today begin with Genesis in the Tanakh (39 books of the Old Testament Hebrew Scriptures) and end with the book of Revelation in the Brit Chadashah (27 books of the New Testament Greek Scriptures) – 66 divinely inspired books within The Book of the Holy Bible, with the final book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ categorically declaring God’s Final Warnings to mankind concerning His perfect and infallible Word.

Underlined Scripture passages are my own emphasis.

Genesis Through Revelation: God’s Word Reigns Supreme

In the magnificent Psalm 119, which speaks exclusively of God’s Word for the believer, we note just a few verses which read:

“For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven… Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path… The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live… Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever… Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever… my heart standeth in awe of thy word.  I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil… Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.  Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.” – Psalm 119:89, 105, 144, 152, 160, 161b-162, 165-166

God’s Word is eternal.

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” – Isaiah 40:8

God’s Word is above His Name!

“I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” – Psalm 138:1-2

God’s Word shall prosper.

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11

God’s Word gives the believer great joy and rejoicing in heart:

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” – Jeremiah 15:16

God’s Word cleanses and makes holy the body of Jesus Christ.

“… even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” – Ephesians 5:25-27

God’s Word and prophecy:

“We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

“For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” – 2 Peter 1:19-21

God’s Word is intrinsically linked to His salvation!

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” – 1 Peter 1:23-25

God’s Word was carefully preached by Paul:

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

Paul encouraged Timothy of the immense value of God’s Word for the man of God.

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” – 2 Timothy 3:15-17

The Word of God, when received in faith, works effectively in believers.

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

The writer of Hebrews, concerning the Word of God, said,

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12

God’s Son fulfills His written Word!

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” – Matthew 5:18

The Jewish Bereans were commended for their diligence in searching the Word of God.

“And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” – Acts 17:10-11

Can there be any doubt as to the superiority of God’s Word?

The Son of God has spoken to us as recorded in His written Word and through the writings of His Apostles. God has spoken through His Word through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to the authors of Scripture. God has spoken His Word by divine dictation to His holy Prophets. And God has even given us His written Word by His own finger!

“And the Lord delivered unto me [Moses] two tables of stone written with the finger of God; and on them was written according to all the words, which the Lord spake with you in the mount out of the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly.” – Deuteronomy 9:10

“And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables… And he [Moses] was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water. And he [God] wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.” – Exodus 34:1, 28

When it comes to revealing Himself to His creation of mankind and His plans of salvation, redemption, reconciliation, and consummation, there is virtually nothing more important to God than His own wonderful, precious, perfect, and glorious written Word!

The Enemy of God Despises God’s Word

If I were to ask, what was mankind’s first sin (missing the mark) as recorded in Scripture, I suspect that most people would respond that it was when Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Would the reader be surprised to learn that Adam and Eve eating of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was actually mankind’s third sin?

Consider that the rebellion of Eve began by Satan deceptively questioning the veracity God’s Words at the onset.

“…And he [the Serpent, Satan] said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” – Genesis 3:1

Astonishingly, Eve’s response both added to and took away from God’s Words in response to the Serpent.

God had said, “Of every tree of the garden thou may freely eat” (Genesis 2:16), but Eve replied to the Serpent that “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden,” omitting God’s Word “freely” (Genesis 3:2). This was mankind’s first sin; that of taking away from God’s Word.

Eve then added to the Words of God by stating that God had said, “Neither shall ye touch it [the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil],” which God had never said (Genesis 3:3). God’s exact Words were, “But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17). This was mankind’s second sin; that of adding to God’s Word.

Here was Eve’s full reply to the Serpent:

“And the woman said unto the serpent, We may [Eve took away God’s Word “freely”] eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it [Eve added to God’s Words], lest ye die.” – Genesis 3:2-3

Though God originally spoke these Words in Genesis 2:16-17 to Adam before He created Eve, God Himself and/or Adam would have told Eve the very Words of warning God had spoken. If Adam, in sharing with Eve what God had spoken to him, had taken away and added to God’s original warning, then these first two sins were on Adam, though Scripture does not say or hint that this ever occurred. The text implies that Eve, on her own, was the one who took away and added to God’s commandments concerning eating of the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.

Prideful questioning of God’s Word is the precursor of all sin. Not believing the Creator’s Words, verbal or written, is the very foundation of rebellion against the Creator. Adding to and/or taking away what God has clearly declared in and by His Word can only be a deception tactic that our enemy has perfected. Fallen rebellious man is no different. God’s Word is not believed and ultimately rejected by the rebellious, both angelic and human.

Revelation 22:18-19: God’s Final Warnings Revolve Around His Divinely Inspired Written Word

Here are God’s Final Warnings to mankind, as recorded in the last chapter of the last book of His perfect Word regarding His divinely inspired written Word.

Adding to the Word of God

“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

These “plagues that are written in this book” – the entire Word of God – culminate in the “plagues” of physical death, Hell/Hades in Sheol, and The Great White Throne Judgment resulting in being cast into the Lake of Fire, which is the second death (Revelation 20:11-15).

Satan was the first to question and not believe the Word of God, and Eve was the first human being to “take away” and “add unto” the Word of God.

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” – Proverbs 30:5-6

Taking Away from the Word of God

“And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” – Revelation 22:19

Taking away from God’s divinely inspired Word – just as adding to God’s divinely inspired Word – has eternal ramifications.

Moses warned Israel before they entered the Promised Land…

“Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” – Deuteronomy 4:2

“What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” – Deuteronomy 12:32

Peter warned of false teachers who wrest the Scriptures unto their own destruction.

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” – 2 Peter 3:15-16

The collective warning in Revelation 22:18-19 is well-defined and should be terrifying to those who add to and/or take away from God’s divinely inspired Word.

Zechariah 5:1-4 – The Curse of the Flying Scroll and the Word of God

What I am about to share with the reader is what I believe could very well be a viable alternate secondary interpretation of Zechariah 5:1-4. As we should know, God’s Word can often be multifaceted with two or more applications available to the Bible student. God permitting, we will deal with the primary prophetic application of this vision in a future study.

In contemplation of the subject matter of Revelation 22:18-19 – God’s Final Warnings, and in my own personal Bible study time, I came across what I believe to be a subtle reference to this adding to and taking away of God’s Word found within the prophecy of Zechariah’s Flying Scroll, though it might be a little difficult to perceive without an investigation into the original Hebrew language.

“Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; the length thereof is twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof ten cubits.

“Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.” – Zechariah 5:1-3

Have you ever wondered why someone who “stealeth” and someone who “sweareth” (falsely) – stealing (the eighth commandment) and lying (the ninth commandment) – are singled out in this prophecy out of all the other great sins and commandments mentioned in Scripture? Could it be alluding to the Word of God itself, represented by the “flying roll” or flying scroll?

The Hebrew for “the curse” is הָֽאָלָ֔ה “hā·’ā·lāh” from 423 אָלָה “alah” and can also mean an oath, as it is rendered in Deuteronomy 29:14. The relationship between these two definitions for the same Hebrew phrase might be, any oath taken between any person and the LORD that is reneged upon and remains unfulfilled by that individual would invariably result in a curse by God.

If the intent of this passage is a curse, then we should also be able to understand that the Word of God is indeed a curse for those who abuse, neglect, ignore, or reject it. For it is the law of God that men are made aware of their sin natures and their need for the Savior. This curse, therefore, might also be considered an oath from the Lord against those who stealeth and/or sweareth, as they “shall be cut off.” That is, “the oath” is a divine promise from the LORD and His Word that those who stealeth and/or sweareth will result in “the curse” for them and should be taken very, very seriously.

“For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” – Romans 7:5-7

The Hebrew for “that stealeth” is הַגֹּנֵ֗ב “hag·gō·nêḇ” – used only this once – from 1589 גָּנַב “ganab” literally means to steal. When considering our topic of the Word of God, represented by the flying scroll, one can surely see the act of one taking away from the Word of God as equivalent “to steal[ing]” from the Word of God. Many false teachers do just this by omitting the Word of God – those passages they refuse to teach on because they do not accept them – as well as people who read the Scriptures and reject any portion thereof.

The Hebrew for “that sweareth” is הַנִּ֨שְׁבָּ֔ע “han·niš·bā‘” from 7650 שָׁבַע “shaba” and can indicate someone who swears or takes an oath. The connotation in our text could be rendered as one who “swears falsely” in the name of the Lord (Zechariah 5:4).

Is this not what happens when people add to the Word of God? Usually, when someone adds to the Word of God, this is accomplished through some self-proclaimed new understanding or through a declared encounter with “Christ” or “angels” that give extra-Biblical revelations that the person swears and/or takes an oath (or swears falsely in the name of the Lord) took place, and must now be used to augment the Word of God, and in many cases usurp the Word of God altogether.

When it comes to our topic and the Flying Scroll representing the oath of God’s revealed Word and ensuing curse, both the one who “steals” or “takes away” from the Word of God, and the one who “swears in the name of the Lord by an oath” or “takes an oath” falsely in the name of the Lord of their extra-Biblical revelation, thereby adding to the Word of God, will be “cut off.”

In all, I think we can reasonably see a subtle allusion to God’s Final Warnings in Revelation 22:18-19 within Zechariah’s prophecy of the Flying Scroll!

Observe Daniel’s wonderful prayer to God on behalf of himself and his people, Israel, because they had not obeyed God’s voice (His Word):

“Neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.

“Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him.” – Daniel 9:10-11

Consider also Agur’s prophetic words:

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

“Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

“Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” – Proverbs 30:5-9

Zechariah’s prophecy ends with the following declaration from God:

“I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: and it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.” – Zechariah 5:4

The utter destruction of those who offend in these two ways is certain!

Returning to our initial question in this section: Why does God single out lying and stealing out of all the commandments and sins available in The Curse of the Flying Scroll?

If we think of the vision of The Flying Scroll as a subtle reference to the Word of God and how men and women in general, and false prophets and false teachers in particular, handle the revealed Word of God (and I do think we have a good case for believing that it may very well be considered at least a secondary interpretive application), then consider our summary:

Anytime someone takes away from God’s Word, they are literally stealing from the revealed Words of God; and anytime someone adds to God’s Word – attempting to supersede, augment, or usurp the authority of God’s revealed Word – they will inevitably be found to be lying, swearing falsely in the Lord’s Name.

Eve, the mother of all humanity, was sadly guilty of both. And unless we may have the impulse to elevate ourselves above mother Eve, be assured we would have certainly done the same.

Jesus Christ and His Words

The Words of Jesus Christ are so vitally important that heaven and Earth will pass away, but His holy Words will never pass away.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” – Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33

Messiah Yeshua links together a man who should gain the whole world and yet lose his own soul, with someone who would be ashamed of Him and His Words.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

“Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” – Mark 8:36-38

Luke records this same teaching.

“For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

“For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.” – Luke 9:25-26

If someone dares to be ashamed of Jesus Christ and His Words, Jesus Christ will be ashamed of them. This is nothing less than someone who would seek to “gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away… in exchange for his soul.”

One sure-fire way to be ashamed of the Lord Jesus Christ, and for Him to be ashamed of us, is to add to and/or take away from His holy and perfect Words, and this could very well have eternal ramifications for those who do!

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.” – John 14:23-24

‘In the beginning was the Word…’

The truth is, when it comes to the Word of God, His divine story begins with the spoken Words of God, and His Words were recorded for us:

“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.” – Genesis 1:3

We learn later that it was Creator Messiah Yeshua Himself who spoke these Words and is the Word incarnate:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

“The same was in the beginning with God.

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” – John 1:1-4

“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” – 1 John 5:7

The Word of God is light.

“To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” – Isaiah 8:20

It was the Son of God who was the Word of God who spoke creation into existence:

“Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” – Psalm 33:8-9

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” – Hebrews 11:3

And it is the Son of God who is the Word of God who personally gives His last divinely spoken Words from the mouth of God in the completed written Scriptures:

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen.” – Revelation 22:20

Even in John’s final divinely inspired written Words in his book of Revelation, Jesus Christ personified comes crashing through, even in the very last Word of Scripture:

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” – Revelation 22:21

How does this reveal our Lord Jesus Christ personified?

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God…” – Revelation 3:14

One of the many glorious titles of Messiah Yeshua, the Son of God, the Word of God, is “The Amen!”

Is it any wonder that God’s Final Warnings to mankind revolve around His Word?

Final Thoughts

In conclusion and on this study’s theme, I thought it imperative to give a final warning myself to my brothers and sisters on this topic and ask: Where does one draw the line when it comes to the inspired Word of God and extra-Biblical literature?

I am not speaking of trusted and tried Bible teachers who are committed to the integrity of the Scriptures within their teachings, of course, but extra-Biblical literature – e.g., The Book of Enoch, Essene writings, The Talmud (Oral Law), many early first through third century teachers and writers and many of the so-called Church Fathers, The Gospel of Thomas, The Gospel of Judas, The Gospel of Mary, etc., etc., etc., as the list is endless.

Please, dearly beloved Saint, avoid at all cost extra-Biblical literature, as these writings will often lead one into adding to and/or taking away from the divinely revealed and inspired Word of God. I have seen this sad truth play out many times over. God has given to His people everything we need to know and learn about Him and His great plan of salvation, redemption, reconciliation, and consummation in Holy Writ. We need nothing else.

As for me and my house, we have determined and purposed in our hearts to draw the line at the 66 books of the Holy Scriptures with absolutely nothing supplemented from extra-Biblical literature in a resolute attempt to shield ourselves from the sin of adding to and/or taking away from the mighty God-breathed Scriptures. Everything else that we may read will always be diligently filtered by the already established revealed Word of God.

How about you?

***

May we all keep Answering the Call of The Great Commission, and giving an answer to every man and woman who so desperately needs Jesus and asks us, “Why Am I Here and What Is It All About?”

Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!

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