The Bible I read from to begin my classes is getting a bit frayed on the edges. A few years ago I did a homemade rebinding job on it that has worked very well. It was a gift from some special friends so I am reluctant to retire it to a shelf. Today as I was reading to my students the book of Revelation fell out onto the floor. A couple of my Biblically literate students started laughing because of how the book of Revelation closes. “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” I clearly had subtracted not just words but the entire book.
John the Revelator was very precise about the importance of keeping his book intact. His message most assuredly applies to all Scripture. No one has the right to support their particular belief system by adding or subtracting material from God’s Word. Please note I used the word “material” while John uses the word “words.” Obviously very few of us are able to read the Bible in Hebrew and Greek. We are dependent on our English, Spanish, French, German and Chinese translations. We understand it is not the words that are important it is the ideas. Even good paraphrases, while not adhering so much to syntax, are morally and ethically bound to adhere to the ideas and not slip in any private beliefs.
Peter said it so well when he wrote, “For the prophecy came not in old times by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
Written by Roger Bothwell on July 23, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org