Topical Bible: Prophecy: Punishment For: Adding To, or Taking From

◄ Prophecy: Punishment For: Adding To, or Taking From ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, prophecy holds a sacred and inviolable status as the divinely inspired word of God. The Scriptures emphasize the severe consequences for those who dare to alter the prophetic word by either adding to or taking from it. This principle is rooted in the belief that God's word is perfect and complete, and any human interference undermines its divine authority and integrity.

Deuteronomy 4:2 serves as an early admonition against altering God's commandments: "Do not add to the word that I command you, nor subtract from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you." This directive underscores the importance of preserving the purity of God's instructions as given to the Israelites.

The Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, reiterates this warning with particular emphasis on prophecy. Revelation 22:18-19 states: "I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in 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 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." This passage highlights the gravity of tampering with prophetic revelation, associating such actions with dire spiritual consequences.

The warnings against altering prophecy are not merely about textual fidelity but also about maintaining the theological and moral truths conveyed through divine revelation. The prophetic word is seen as a direct communication from God, and any modification is viewed as an affront to His sovereignty and wisdom.

Throughout the Bible, the role of the prophet is to faithfully convey God's message without alteration. Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel were tasked with delivering God's word precisely as received, often facing persecution for their unwavering commitment to truth. Jeremiah 26:2 records God's command to Jeremiah: "Stand in the courtyard of the LORD’s house and speak to all the cities of Judah that come to worship there. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word."

The biblical narrative consistently portrays the act of altering God's word as a serious transgression. In Proverbs 30:5-6, the wisdom literature echoes this sentiment: "Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. Do not add to His words, or He will rebuke you and prove you a liar."

In summary, the biblical injunctions against adding to or taking from prophecy serve as a solemn reminder of the sanctity and authority of God's word. The consequences outlined in Scripture for such actions reflect the seriousness with which God regards the integrity of His divine revelation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 22:18,19
For I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Census of Israel
... The going and the coming, the adding and the taking away ... waits, waits in infinite
mercy; but the punishment of the ... is me that I have to deliver such a prophecy! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

Elijah the Tishbite
... of his prophecy of swift-coming punishment, quickly spread ... of hundreds of idolatrous
priests, the prophecy of Elijah ... Thus they were adding to the guilt that ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 9 elijah the tishbite.htm

1 Cor. xiii. 8
... this to be done away equally with the prophecy and the ... a purple vest, is to suffer
the severest punishment, much more ... And why say I, by adding and taking away? ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxiv 1 cor xiii.htm

Acts ii. 14
... He again lets them take breath, adding, "And it shall ... known to all what a doom and
punishment he had ... forcible than to argue with them from prophecy: this was ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily v acts ii 14.htm

Matt. xxvi. 67, 68
... But these things the prophecy foretold from of old ... the deed alms, what manner of
punishment wilt thou ... and so doeth an injustice, as by adding fourfold scarcely ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxv matt xxvi 67.htm

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him ...
... body, for scourging was so cruel a punishment that the ... corrupt heart of Pilate, and
form a prophecy of the ... by hating and rejecting him, thereby adding to their ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxi third stage of the.htm

Matt. xxiv. 1, 2
... in this way only, but also by His adding, that it ... For He brought in also a prophecy,
to confirm their ... indeed this wealth is to him an addition of punishment. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxv matt xxiv 1.htm

A Homily Delivered on the Saturday Before the Second Sunday in ...
... for He both teaches the truth of prophecy by His ... the way to heaven, and by the
punishment of the ... of the adjective supports Codex Bez?? (D) in adding lian after ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon li a homily delivered.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... crimes, for which she deserves and shall receive punishment. ... of his oracle, he prefaced
his prophecy with this ... on the lips of Christians, adding Stauros at the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

Matt. Iii. 1, 2
... the law, and so comes to His baptism, adding it as ... as in figure, it being in truth
a prophecy which he ... and of the kingdom there, and of the punishment in hell. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily x matt iii 1.htm