(The following is the December 30 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Revelation 22 and pay close attention to verses 18-19.)
Moses told the Israelites, “You must not add anything to what I command you or take anything away from it, so that you may keep the commands of the Lord your God I am giving you" (Deut. 4:2). We read elsewhere: “Every word of God is pure; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Don’t add to his words, or he will rebuke you, and you will be proved a liar” (Prov. 30:5-6).
It seems fitting that among the final verses of Revelation, we read: “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, 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 share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are written about in this book” (vv. 18-19).
It's always best to first interpret Scripture in its immediate context. These verses apply first to John’s prophecy. Still, it’s reasonable to close the entire canon of Scripture with a warning about not adding to or taking away from God’s Word. This message is consistent with divine warnings from Moses forward.
One might claim we add to or take away from Scripture through conversations, commentaries, paraphrases, teaching, writing, and other communications. But efforts to summarize, explain, and apply the Bible do not attempt to add or remove from Scripture itself. The Holy Spirit inspired about forty men over 1500 years to write the 66 books of the Bible. It is complete and perfect, and God has preserved it for us to know and respond to him.
May we learn, cherish, and hide his Word in our hearts. God will speak to us through its pages if we listen to his voice.
Next Step:
How does your current view of Scripture compare with how you perceived it years ago? Are you growing in your appreciation of it? Pray that God increases your love for and obedience to his Word.