A Warning (22:18–19)
John draws the book to a close
with a brief warning to anyone who would either add to or take away from the
words of this book.
22:18 The warning that appears here is directed not so much toward
those who would tamper with the text itself but those who by their conduct or
teaching would blunt the demands Christ makes on his readers (Deut 4:2; 12:32;
Matt 5:19). (Lexham Context Commentary: New Testament, ed. Douglas
Mangum [Lexham Context Commentary; Bellingham, Wash.: Lexham Press, 2020],
Logos Bible Software edition)
The twofold warning of 22:18–19
is directed against those who foster or follow such seductive teaching. This
Deuteronomic background is remarkably comparable to Rev. 22:18–19, since the
descriptions in the three vice lists of Rev. 21:8; 21:27 and 22:15 all conclude
by emphasizing the deceptiveness of the ungodly in connection with idolatry.
Consequently, ‘to add’ to the words of John’s prophecy is to promote the false
teaching that idolatry is not inconsistent with faith in Christ. ‘To take away
from the words of the book of this prophecy’ is also to advance such deceptive
teaching, since it would violate and vitiate the validity of Revelation’s
exhortations against idolatry. Alternatively, it may be best to see ‘adding’
and ‘taking away’ as a hendiadys referring to a warning not to be associated
with false teaching. (G. K. Beale, John’s Use of the Old
Testament in Revelation [Journal for the Study of the New Testament
Supplement Series 166; Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, 1998], 96-97)
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