What does Revelation 22:18 mean?

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: Revelation 22:18

Explanation

Revelation 22:18 is a stern warning against altering the prophecies contained in the Book of Revelation. The verse emphasizes the inviolability of the prophetic message, suggesting that the content is complete and divinely inspired, not to be tampered with. The “words of the prophecy of this book” refer specifically to the content of Revelation, although some interpret this more broadly as relating to the entire Biblical canon. The warning is explicit: if anyone adds to the words, they will face divine retribution in the form of the “plagues that are written in this book,” meaning the various judgments described throughout Revelation.

Historical Context

The Book of Revelation is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle and was written towards the end of the first century A.D., likely during the reign of Emperor Domitian. It is apocalyptic literature, which was a common genre among Jewish and early Christian texts. The historical context includes Roman persecution of Christians, and the text can be seen as a response to the struggles faced by early Christian communities. The warning against adding to the book could reflect concerns about maintaining the integrity of the message amidst this persecution, as well as preventing heresy and preserving orthodoxy as the Christian canon was developing.

Theological Insights

Theologically, the warning carries the implication of the absolute authority of the Biblical text, particularly for those who consider Revelation to be directly revealed by God. The verse can be seen as emphasizing the closed nature of divine revelation — once God has spoken, there should be no further addition. From an Evangelical perspective, this could underscore the principle of Sola Scriptura, the doctrine that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation. A Catholic interpretation might place this verse in the context of the broader Church tradition and the Magisterium, which provides authoritative interpretation. Different denominations may debate the verse’s implications for the development of doctrine and the canon of Scripture.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, Revelation 22:18 can be applied by encouraging individuals to respect the teachings of the Bible and approach it with reverence. For religious scholars and teachers, it’s a call to be vigilant against false teachings and to avoid misrepresenting Scripture. In personal spiritual practice, it can remind believers to seek understanding of the Bible’s message through prayer and study, rather than trying to make it fit preconceived ideas or ideologies.

Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 4:2: “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
• Deuteronomy 12:32: “What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.”
• Proverbs 30:6: “Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”
• Revelation 22:19: “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the key phrases are:

• “προσθει” (prostheie): meaning “to add,” connoting the idea of adding something externally that was not originally part of the content.
• “πληγας” (plēgas): meaning “plagues,” referring to the calamities or punishments detailed in Revelation.

Understanding these words in their original Greek context underscores the command’s literal aspect, as well as the severity of the consequences for disobedience.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Similar warnings against altering religious texts or revelations can be found in other religious traditions. In Islam, the Qur’an is considered the unalterable word of God. In various ancient cultures, oracles and prophetic pronouncements were treated with a similar kind of sanctity and were not to be changed by human intervention. Such prohibitions reflect a universal concern for protecting the purity and authority of religious texts and divine revelations across different faiths.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific perspectives typically do not intersect with the content of this verse, as it deals with theological and doctrinal matters. However, textual criticism and scholarly methods used in analyzing historical documents could provide insights into how religious texts have been preserved or altered over time. Meanwhile, the psychology behind why a community might want to keep its sacred texts unchanged could be an area for social scientific study.

Commentaries

Various commentaries offer different views on Revelation 22:18. For instance, the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary suggests that the warning emphasizes the completeness and sufficiency of prophecy given by God. Matthew Henry’s Commentary interprets the verse as a general rule that should apply to all of God’s revealed will, cautioning against the dangers of adding human inventions to divine instructions. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes that similar admonishments found in Scripture underscore the severe view that God holds regarding the alteration of His words, which are delivered with an expectation of human obedience.