Does the warning in Revelation 22:18-19 apply to the entire Bible or just the Book of Revelation?

Answer

Revelation 22:18-19 includes a caution for anyone who alters the biblical text: “For I bear witness 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. And if anyone takes away from the Words of the Book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the Book of Life, and from the holy city, and from the things that are written in this Book.” The question arises whether these verses pertain to the entire Bible or solely the Book of Revelation.

This admonition is specifically directed at those who distort the message of the Book of Revelation. Jesus Himself is the Author of Revelation and the one who gave the vision to the apostle John «The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to show to his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant John: », (Revelation 1:1). Therefore, He concludes the book by affirming His testimony to the finality of the prophecies contained in Revelation. These are His words, and He cautions against distorting them in any manner, whether through additions, subtractions, falsifications, alterations, or intentional misinterpretations. The warning is explicit and severe. The plagues of Revelation will befall anyone found guilty of tampering in any way with the revelations in the book, and those who dare to do so will have no share in eternal life in heaven.

While the warning in Revelation 22:18-19 is specific to the Book of Revelation, the principle applies to anyone who deliberately distorts God’s Word. Moses issued a similar warning in Deuteronomy 4:1-2, where he admonished the Israelites to listen to and obey the commandments of the Lord, neither adding to nor taking away.away from His revealed Word. Proverbs 30:5-6 includes a similar caution for those who try to add to God’s words: they will face rebuke and be exposed as liars. While the caution in Revelation 22:18-19 is directed at the Book of Revelation, its essence should guide our approach to the complete revealed Word of God. It is crucial to treat the Bible with respect and caution to avoid misinterpreting its message.