What consequences are mentioned for removing words from Revelation 22:19? Setting the Scene “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 22:19) The Twofold Loss Described • Loss of access to “the tree of life” – Revelation 2:7 pictures this tree as the reward granted to the overcomer, symbolizing eternal life in God’s presence. – Removing words from the prophecy therefore brings the gravest penalty imaginable: forfeiting everlasting life. • Loss of a portion “in the holy city” – Revelation 21:2, 27 portrays the New Jerusalem as the eternal home of the redeemed, a place of perfect fellowship with God. – To have one’s share taken away means exclusion from that glorious, promised inheritance. Why Such a Severe Warning? • God guards His Word. Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6—both Old Testament passages forbid subtracting from Scripture. The same standard persists to the last page of the Bible. • Scripture is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16); tampering with inspired words is an assault on His authority. • Jesus affirms every “jot or tittle” (Matthew 5:18). The integrity of the message is non-negotiable because souls hang in the balance. Echoes Elsewhere in Revelation • Revelation 3:5 contrasts the promise to “never blot out” the overcomer’s name from the Book of Life. Revelation 22:19 shows the inverse—names erased for willful mutilation of God’s prophecy. • Revelation 21:8 lists those barred from the city; deliberate distortion of Scripture ultimately aligns a person with that company. Takeaway for Today God’s Word is complete, sufficient, and untouchable. Reverencing it safeguards our share in the life and home He lovingly prepares for His people. |
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