Revelation 22:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,

NIV: I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll.

NASB: I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;

CSB: I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book.

NLT: And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.

KJV: 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:

NKJV: For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;

This verse offers a stern warning not to add to the words of Revelation; the next verse also condemns those who would attempt to censor it. Adding to the book of Revelation brings God's judgment: plagues will fall on the one who adds to Revelation. This might take the form of attempting to add words or prophecies in a very literal way. It might also refer to those who try to make this writing say things it does not say: warping the text for their own ends.

Adding comments, content, or interpretations which minimize Revelation's commands and promises is tantamount to calling the Holy Spirit, who inspired the book, a liar. When Moses gave God's statutes and rules to Israel, he warned, "You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you" (Deuteronomy 4:2). Also, in Deuteronomy 12:32, the Lord warned: "Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it." Proverbs 30:5–6 says, "Every word of God proves true…Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar."

God's Word is perfect and authoritative and needs no human additions. A message as complex as Revelation, in particular, cannot be manipulated without risking severe error. Though this warning is technically in reference to Revelation itself, the general principle is a good one to apply across all of Scripture (1 Corinthians 4:6).

Revelation 22:14–21 concludes the epilogue begun in verse 6. It contains promises, blessing, an invitation, a warning, and a benediction. The Old Testament closed with the promise that the sun of righteousness will arise with healing in its wings (Malachi 4:2). The New Testament closes with the promise that the ''bright and morning star'' will come. Just as the morning star appears before the sun arises, so Jesus will come for the church before He returns to restore Israel to Himself.

John sees additional images of New Jerusalem. The city's depiction stands in contrast to the ruin experienced during the tribulation, and evokes comparisons to the garden of Eden from the book of Genesis. After this, John relates several commands and messages from Jesus Christ. Among these are a dire warning not to manipulate the words of this message. Revelation, along with the canon of Scripture, ends with a benediction and prayer for Jesus to return.

This passage completes the description of New Jerusalem. Earlier chapters in Revelation described the final judgments against sin and death. Genesis chapter 3 described humanity's loss of paradise; Revelation 22 describes paradise regained. Concluding remarks by Jesus begin in verse 6 and continue through verse 20. Verse 21 records the apostle John's benediction, which marks the end of the New Testament canon.

The word ''revelation'' means ''an unveiling or disclosure.'' This writing unveils future events such as the rapture, three series of judgments that will fall on the earth during the tribulation, the emergence of the Antichrist, the persecution of Israel and her amazing revival, as well as Jesus' second coming with His saints to the earth, the judgment of Satan and his followers, and finally, the eternal state. This content, combined with the original Greek term apokalypsis, is why we now refer to an end-of-the-world scenario as ''an apocalypse.''