What other scriptures emphasize the importance of preserving God's Word unchanged? Revelation 22:19—A Solemn Guardrail “And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” John’s closing warning is not an isolated command; from Genesis to Revelation God consistently insists that His message remain untouched. Old Testament Foundations • Deuteronomy 4:2 – “Do not add to the word I command you, and do not subtract from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you.” • Deuteronomy 12:32 – “See that you do everything I command you; do not add anything to it or take anything away from it.” • Joshua 1:7 – “Be careful to observe all the law… do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go.” Wisdom Literature Warnings • Proverbs 30:5-6 – “Every word of God is flawless… Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.” • Psalm 119:89 – “Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens.” • Psalm 119:160 – “The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.” Prophetic Promises of Permanence • Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” • Isaiah 55:11 – “So My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.” Words of Jesus on Scripture’s Endurance • Matthew 5:18 – “Until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” • Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” • Luke 16:17 – “It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.” • John 10:35 – “Scripture cannot be broken.” Apostolic Echoes • 2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.” • 1 Peter 1:23-25 – “You have been born again… through the living and enduring word of God… ‘the word of the Lord stands forever.’” • 2 Peter 1:20-21 – “No prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation… men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” • Jude 1:3 – “Contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.” Why the Repetition Matters • God’s integrity is linked to His unaltered Word; to tamper with Scripture is to challenge His character. • Protection against deception: unchanged truth exposes false teaching and guides believers safely. • Preservation ensures every generation hears the same gospel that first saved the saints. Living It Out • Read Scripture carefully—resist the urge to soften, embellish, or skip the hard parts. • Memorize key verses that affirm the Bible’s permanence (start with Deuteronomy 4:2; Matthew 24:35; 1 Peter 1:25). • Share the Word as written; let its own power do the convincing (Hebrews 4:12). The same God who warns against altering His message also empowers His people to guard, proclaim, and cherish it unchanged. |
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