“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: 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. He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly ” (Revelation 22:18 -20).

At first glance the above admonition seems to be directly referring to the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation is the concluding text that closes out the entire Bible. From cover to cover, God designated the Holy Bible as a whole, a completely integrated design. The Bible is also a book of prophecy, and in light of that proven fact and the warning given by Jesus, anyone contemplating making any change to any chapter or any verse would be guilty of corrupting His word.

God takes His Word very seriously, much more so than man, and as such He’s willing to protect it tenaciously. Jesus is warning all who hear the word of prophecy in this book that adding man’s flawed concepts to His word, or subtracting any part from His word would be a fatal mistake, both physically and spiritually. Jesus’ warning is explicit. His word needs no adjustments no tweaking, no additions, and no subtractions. It’s perfect as written.

When a believer reads the Bible it becomes a love search. We gain a greater knowledge of who God is and with that new knowledge there becomes a need to continually pursue a better grasp of God’s plan for our lives. God loves us and He loves it when we immerse ourselves in His word.

But He’s adamant about making changes to it. No born-again follower of Jesus Christ is going to intentionally make changes to God’s perfect and inerrant word. Those who profess having a relationship with Jesus, but in all actuality don’t, are the ones who these scriptures are speaking to. It would be completely arrogant and foolhardy to tamper with God’s Word.

Many, in the past, have ignored these warnings and without either understanding or believing it possible, they’ve corrupted the word of God. Where will this lead those who follow such people? Now that’s a scary thought.

God’s Holy Spirit moved among selected men to record events in their specific day and to give them history lessons in advance so they could record this information for all posterity. The Holy Spirit inspired those men to place prophecies throughout the Bible so that God’s Word would gradually, over a period of many hundreds of years, develop into one complete unit, the Holy Bible.

Keep in mind that all the chapter and verse portions of the Bible were developed by translators, not the original writers. If you want to get a better concept of the Bible as one complete book, consider each book in the Bible as a chapter title, all formulated in the authors mind to be read as one book.

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

All Scripture is “God breathed” who in their right mind would want to mess with what God Himself has designated as true and complete?

Some will take 2 Timothy 3:16 and say when Paul wrote those words to Timothy there was very little of the New Testament completed, let alone circulated. Timothy, for the most part, had only the Old Testament Scriptures, and thus Paul was only referring to the Old Testament as God breathed.

Since God is thoroughly able to see the future of mankind shouldn’t we at least consider that the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write those words in anticipation of a still future completed book?

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned  and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15, 16).

Even the apostle Peter refers to Paul’s writings as Scripture comparing them to other Scriptures.

There are those who won’t see Jesus’ warning pertaining to the entirety of the Bible and will not agree with me on what I’ve stated, at least not from just three verses extracted from the book of Revelation which I laid out in the beginning of this commentary. As we study our Bibles we should find that there will be two or three witnesses to prove a matter. There are other verses that confirm this truth spattered throughout the Old and New Testaments.

“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 4:2. Does anyone dispute that what God is addressing here is the taking away or the adding to His word?

The warning, given in the book of Revelation, is of course a warning that transcends all scripture. Certainly we read the result of Bible tampering as a warning God takes very seriously. God has applied His warning to all of His words. There will be a huge price to pay for anyone who refuses to heed His warning.

What is meant by “add unto the word”? How do we do that? Here’s just one example (of which there are many) of how some add to God’s word. Baptism as a requirement for salvation is a heresy promoted by numerous churches around the world.

Adding to the sufficiency of the cross is wrong. It’s bad doctrine and it’s dangerous. How dangerous? Do plagues and having your part removed from the book of life jar your memory?

“What thing so ever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32).

We find this same admonishment twice in the book of Deuteronomy. God says what He means and means what He says.

[Jesus said,] “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

He isn’t just requesting we observe what He tells us, He’s telling us that if we love Him we will keep His commandments, and He commands us to leave this book as it is written.

These other verses that speak about adding to and subtracting from God’s word are very telling. God, by placing them strategically so many times throughout His word, fully expects some people to ignore His warnings. And guess what? They do. Is it that some folks think they are smarter than God in that re-writing His word has become their perceived destiny?

Think about it this way, we change God’s Word to fit our interpretation and we teach others our interpretation which is at odds with what God has plainly stated. Then this erroneous teaching gets passed on and on down the line and pretty soon there’s a snowball effect happening with loads of bad and destructive false doctrine being promoted as truth.

“…visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation…” Deuteronomy 5:9.

What we can take from this Scripture verse is that the sin of the father is taught to the children even unto the third and fourth generation. The children pickup the sins the father commits and carry them on in their generation and even pass them on to their children and so on. In that sense we see what’s being taught by one is passed down to those he is teaching.

If someone changes God’s Word and teaches these changes to others and they in turn teach the changes to still others we see that this can lead to generation after generation being taught false and destructive doctrines. Just take a look at the Christian cults that have flourished for generations. They’re all guilty of making fatal changes to God’s inerrant Word.

“Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar” (Proverbs 30:6).

Doubting God’s promises as described in Revelation 22:18 and 19 will lead to perilous times for those foolish individuals who take from or add to His word. Warnings which are purposely and  openly observable abound throughout the Scriptures to keep us from harm. Over and over again we’re admonished to listen to God and He will be our shield and make our paths straight. If we don’t  listen to God our paths will be wide and will undoubtedly lead to destruction.

“And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God” (Luke 4:4).

Jesus used those words in response to Satan’s attempts to tempt Him during a 40 day fast in the wilderness. The word of God is the key. Jesus knew it and He’s been trying to get the rest of us to see it for years now. The Bible is perfect and believable and many do believe it, and many hold it in the highest esteem. But many more disparage, neglect, hate, dismiss and even change God’s word to fit their agendas. Those who treat God’s word with contempt will regret their life and their decision to do so.

My wife and I attended a conference years ago in Tennessee. While we waited for it to begin, she and I went to a coffee shop for some coffee. Seated near us two men, who seemed to be pastors, were discussing the Bible. We weren’t eavesdropping, but could hear the conversation clearly.

One was explaining to the other how the Bible should be re-interpreted to take in a broader scope. He actually said “We need to take Paul’s letters and extrapolate them forward to fit today’s society.” In other words, take the words that God told Paul to write and change them to make the Bible conform to us rather than us conform to the Bible. Be Careful my brethren, this approach to God’s Word will lead to a very sticky end.

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3).

This verse is an admonishment to the believer to declare the truth about what they believe. Contend for the faith. The truth we know as God’s word is something we must, with complete conviction, stand firm on.

Keep a watchful eye and ear out for those who have their own dubious plans to corrupt the Word of God. Through the arrogance of people such as these, many of our brethren are being falsely led. The outcome of this type tampering can only result in the further dumbing-down of the Church.

God bless you all,

Ron Graham

 

Living on this side of heaven presents many challenges. There are ups and downs in life and people who don’t have a relationship with God will blame Him for troubles when things go wrong, but they don’t give Him credit when things go right. What’s even sadder is when a Christian follows that same pattern.

A lie has been going around, probably started by Satan, that life becomes a bed of roses once you accept Christ. That just isn’t true. In fact, the testing of faith in the one true God has gone on for thousands of years. Think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego whose faith was tested by fire. They refused to bow down and worship false gods and were thrown into a fiery furnace.

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)

Their faith was tested but God preserved them and they were not even singed in that furnace. Throughout Scripture we read about  many men and women who loved God but faced many trials, so we shouldn’t expect perfect circumstances in our own lives. Illness, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, persecution, and financial difficulties are just some of the things we face that can cause us to question God. These circumstances may test our faith, but a Christian can be assured that whatever testing we face, God is with us.

The way a Christian handles trouble matters because other people learn from us. When I was very young I woke up one Saturday morning and was thrilled to see my grandmother in our home. She seldom left her house, so to have her in my living room was exciting. She pulled me onto her lap and gave me a hug and gently told me that there had been a car accident and my fourteen year old brother had been killed.

My joy turned to disbelief and sorrow. My grandmother could have shown me her own despair, but instead she explained that my brother was now with Jesus and one day we would see him again.

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalm 18:2)

Grandma helped build a strong foundation of faith in me, which is with me to this day. We need to have faith that God is on His throne and nothing will defeat us as long as we stand strong in Him. Since the time of my brother’s death I’ve faced much sorrow and grief from the deaths of many people I loved dearly, but because my grandmother helped me through the death of my brother, I have a strong faith that those I love who died knowing Christ are truly alive.

My faith was strengthened because someone took the time to teach me about faith in a time of testing. We all have that opportunity. People all around us face trials and tribulation and need the strength and comfort we can share. Do we help their faith or do we feed their anguish? Jesus never said that if we follow Him life will be easy. In fact He said just the opposite.

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The Greek word “thlipsis” is translated in this verse as “tribulation” but in other verses it’s translated affliction, trouble, anguish, persecution, and burdened. This doesn’t mean that a Christian’s life should be one of despair. We have every reason to have joy. No matter what we face, Jesus is our joy and our salvation. Keeping focused on Jesus will keep our joy from being squelched. We have the blessed hope of knowing Christ as our Savior and no matter what happens in this life He will see us through. He has overcome the world and in Him we have eternal life.

People who walk close to God always seem to handle adversity in a victorious way. The first thing they do is pray. When we talk with God He listens. The trick is that when He talks to us, we need to listen. We can’t just pray and wait for God to do it all for us. The Israelites were hungry as they wandered in the wilderness and complained about how much better they had been in slavery. They had very short memories!

“Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.” (Exodus 16:4)

They were tested to be sure they put their faith in God. God provided the manna but they had to gather it. You may be tested if the company you work for is about to close and you’ll be out of a job. Pray that God will open doors for you to find another job, but get out there and look.

Do you have a medical condition that needs attention? Pray for God’s healing. Scripture tells about people being miraculously healed and those aren’t just stories or folklore, they are true stories about real people. God still heals today. It isn’t wrong to pray for healing, but seeking medical attention is important. God will always do His part, but we need to do ours.

Few people have suffered as much as Job. He lost everything, boils covered his body, and he had friends who were less than helpful. After much soul searching he was able to say:

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.” (Job 19:25-27)

Do you have the faith to say that? When you suddenly fall off the mountain top into the valley of the shadow of death, do you know with all your heart that your Redeemer lives? It took Job some time and a bit of a pity party before he realized that no matter what he lost, even if he himself died, he would see God. He knew his Redeemer lives. Job did make it through his ordeal and God restored everything to him. Even so, Job eventually did die. He was mortal like all of us but when his faith was tested he trusted God and we can be sure that he indeed is with his Redeemer.

You may not be facing any big problems, but feelings of doubt and weakness can test your faith just like financial ruin or health troubles. Ask fellow Christians to pray for you. Paul faced many challenges in his walk with Christ, and at one point he “despaired of life.”

“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

He didn’t go into detail about the cause of his troubles but we can draw encouragement from his faith in whatever we face. Our strength is in God and even if things look as if there’s no way out, don’t despair. Focus on Jesus and let Him lead you. Many times Paul asked for prayer, but it wasn’t as easy for him to ask to be put on a prayer list as it is for us today.

We have email and texts but for Paul prayer requests traveled at a slow speed. I have a friend that I know I can count on to pray when I need it. My first action when my faith is being tested is to send her an email asking her for prayers. She does the same when she faces testing. Even though she lives many, many miles away our Christian faith binds us. We both know that God hears our prayer.

The harshest test of my faith has always been the death of a loved one. My prayers were for healing, but one of the hardest things to accept is that God’s will isn’t always mine. I prayed for healing so I could continue in this life with them, but God’s will was that they go Home to be in a place where there is no more pain, suffering, and where faith will no longer be tested.

I’m thankful that my loved ones died knowing Christ. They are with Him now. One day it will be my turn to go Home. My children can rest assured that even though my faith has been tested many times in life, I have come through being stronger in my faith.

“For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21)

When I’m called Home it will be into everlasting life. When that time comes my children’s faith will be tested, but like my grandmother told me so many years ago, because we know Jesus—one day we will all be together again.

My fondest desire is that my children and friends will see in me a strength of faith that only comes through growth in the dark valleys of testing. I pray they will see Christ’s love in me and that it will strengthen their own faith. If the testing of my faith can help someone else to find strength to face their own trials, then God is glorified.

“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:4-5)

Each time we go through a valley we have an opportunity to learn more about God’s grace and mercy. If we learn the lesson that comes through testing we will be able to help someone else to cope when they face testing.

Is your faith being tested? Are you watching someone you love having their faith tested?

Ask Jesus to guide you through the valley you’re traveling through.

“So that we may boldly say, ‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.’” (Hebrews 13:6)

He will lead you to victory.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original Scripture is “theopneustos” (God breathed).