Photo by: Nathaniel Smith

The 18^th and 19^th verses of Revelation 22 describe severe consequences to anyone who either takes away or adds to the words of the prophecy. Apocalyptic plagues are promised to those who add to the book. Even worse, the Tree of Life and City of God are to be taken from those who subtract from the prophecy.

Some believe the warning applies narrowly to the book of Revelation. Others are convinced that it refers broadly to the whole book of Scripture.

In either case, who among us can be sure that we have not either fallen short, or crossed the line? The question is similar to what we might ask after reading in Rev 2:7 that those who overcome (renewing their first love) will be given to eat of the “Tree of Life which is in the middle of the Paradise of God). Does that mean that those who lose their first love for Christ, and don’t renew it, will lose out on eternal life?

Or are these warnings too severe to be be taken seriously?

Seems to me these words are to be taken as seriously as the original warning given to our first parents. The fact that, by their distrust, they did lose access to the tree of life and Garden Paradise  is enough reason to believe that the warnings of God are not idle threats or scare tactics.

Adding or subtracting from the Word of God (like losing our first love) does deserve the severest consequence.

Photo by: Bob AuBuchon

Yet again we are faced with the issue of context. Once again we need to remember that the story behind words is what gives them meaning. Because these statements are found at the end of The Book, we already know that the severest and most deserved punishment has already been borne in our behalf. The worst of our sins– to the least– have already been paid for.  That is why John can go on to say to all whose confidence is in “the blood of the Lamb”, “Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all.” (So ends the Bible)

The Book that begins  with a warning (to our first parents) to trust what God said about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil–or lose the tree of life, ends with a similar warning— with one and only one hope: The grace of our Lord Jesus. Christ.

How else can we make sense of the worst warning or best of promises, if we lift either from their place in The Book.

PS Some commentators say that the warning is not to be taken literally, but rather is an exaggerated statement meant to indicate the seriousness of tampering with the Word of God. On the other hand, in the second century, the Church Father, Irenaeus, suggested that the warning was meant, not for the general reader, but for the false teacher who deliberately added to or subtracted from the words of Revelation. In either case the only hope still would be the grace of Christ…which a careless person might unknowingly need… and which a false teacher willingly rejects.

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