In these verses, we have a solemn warning against
tampering with the meaning and truth of this book.
Jesus said, “If anyone adds to them,” how does one add to
“the words of the prophecy of this book?” One-way is by
claiming new revelation. Another way is by claiming advanced
knowledge in spiritual matters and that the Bible is not the
answer or simply wrong (2 John 9). Liberal humanists are
grossly guilty of this. Of course, such action not only is
adding but also subtracting. The point is that this reveals
a blatant unbelief in the Bible that denies that the Word of
God is the revelation and testimony of God. Such action is a
clear evidence of personal unbelief and rejection of Jesus
Christ.
The penalty – Jesus said, “God will add to him the plagues
which are written in this book.” In what sense will God add
the plagues to the offender? First, the unbeliever, the
person who does not believe the Word and rejects Jesus
Christ, will go into the Tribulation. Second, should he die
first without Jesus Christ, he will still face the wrath of
God from which the plagues proceed and spend eternity in the
lake of fire.
The second offense, Jesus said, “if anyone takes away from
the words of the book of this prophecy” in other words, if
he rejects any portion of The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
This is a grave warning to those who, in blatant unbelief,
have tampered with the books of the Bible in arrogant
self-confidence thinking that they are spiritually and
intellectually competent to judge the truthfulness of the
Bible.
The penalty - Jesus said, “God will take away his part from
the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written
in this book.”
This passage assumes that a child of God will not tamper
with these scriptures. It is the contrast of unbelief with
faith, the blinded, fallen intellect of man in contrast to
the enlightened Spirit taught believer. Although the true
child of God may not comprehend the meaning of the entire
book of Revelation, he will recognize in it a declaration of
his hope and assurance of his salvation in Christ.
