March 29: DO NOT TAKE AWAY FROM THE LORD’S WORD
…and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:19
Every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4) is given for our benefit. No other body of literature has such power to uplift, ennoble, inspire, encourage, comfort, guide, rebuke, correct, strengthen, and prepare us for what lies ahead. There is no end to the benefits that God has intended to lavish upon His beloved creatures. In His word, He points to our greatest need: that of a Savior! He provides forgiveness, cleansing, and sanctification for every meek soul who comes to Him in true repentance. The word of God shows us how to live abundantly. It reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and teaches us how to care for our bodies and minds that we may live in a state of readiness to receive all of His blessings! This supernatural word helps us to understand that He is the Creator who made us to begin with — and then He bought us back from slavery to sin by paying the death penalty that was ours. You are not your own (1 Corinthians 6:19). In fact, you are doubly His, having been made by Him and redeemed by Him at the highest possible price.
Revelation 22:18-19 reflect Deuteronomy 4:2: “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” The unique and prophetic significance of Revelation builds upon the rest of the Scriptures, emphasizing the essential element of honoring the Lord’s commandments (12:17; 14:12; 22:14). There are only 404 verses in this book, yet there are over 500 references to other books of the Bible. The words of the book of this prophecy are given to prepare God’s people to face severe opposition in a world under the heavy-handed influence of an enraged enemy. These words also convey the assurance of the presence of Jesus through every trial.
If anyone takes away . . . God shall take away . . . The punishment fits the crime. Even though the modern market is flooded with loose paraphrases of the Word, alterations of original meaning can be easily overcome by the thoughtful Bible student (see example below*). A much more serious problem arises when leaders or laity avoid large swaths of Scripture simply because they do not like them. Yet, in His patience, God will continually put His finger directly on the very things that are coming between an individual and Himself. This is not a vague or general sense of sin. The Lord’s Spirit knows how to be very specific in directing your attention. Two subjects hotly contested in our day are the Bible’s guidelines for healthy habits and keeping the Sabbath. There is an abundance of passages regarding God’s plan for our good health and the keeping of His holy day, but most people choose to go along with the crowd. Instead, you and I can choose to be thankful for His tender care, and obey what is laid out in His marvelous Word. Beloved, never doubt that He has your best interest in His great heart of perfect love.
The LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. Deuteronomy 30:6
*Job believed in God’s power to resurrect: “And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God.” (19:26). Several modern versions, in order to support the idea of “dualism” (a individual as two separate entities, namely body and spirit) render Job’s statement thus: “And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That without my flesh I shall see God.”