Read & explore together
Nothing May Be Added or Removed
These verses give a solemn warning about the prophecy in this book, then finish with a promise from the one who testifies, a brief response, and a blessing for the saints.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage speaks directly about “the words of the prophecy of this book”. It warns everyone who hears not to add to these words or take away from them. It then gives the testimony, “Yes, I am coming soon”, records the reply, “Yes, come, Lord Jesus!”, and ends with a blessing of grace for the saints.
Revelation 22:18–21Main takeaway
Revelation 22:18–21 urges hearers to treat the words of this prophecy seriously and to end with hope and grace.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01A serious warning about adding wordsThe speaker says, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book”.
Explanation
The speaker says, “I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book”. The warning is wide in scope because it addresses anyone who hears. If someone adds to these words, the stated result is that God will add to that person “the plagues which are written in this book”.
02A matching warning about taking words awayThe next warning matches the first in shape and seriousness. If anyone takes away from “the words of the book of this prophecy”, the text names a loss.
Explanation
The next warning matches the first in shape and seriousness. If anyone takes away from “the words of the book of this prophecy”, the text names a loss. It says God will take away that person’s part from “the tree of life” and from “the holy city”, which are written in this book.
03The closing testimony and the responseVerse 20 turns from warning to a direct statement: “He who testifies these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’” The passage does not explain “soon” further here.
Explanation
Verse 20 turns from warning to a direct statement: “He who testifies these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’” The passage does not explain “soon” further here. It then records the response, “Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!” The reply agrees with the testimony and looks toward his coming.
04A final word of graceThe passage ends with a blessing: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints.
Explanation
The passage ends with a blessing: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.” After strong warnings and the promise of coming, the final line speaks grace. It is expressed as a blessing over “all the saints”, which is the group named in this verse.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Who is warned in verse 18, and what are they warned not to do?
Look at the opening words and notice that the warning is addressed to “everyone who hears” and concerns adding to the words of the prophecy.
02What two losses are named for the person who takes away from the words of this prophecy?
Read the whole sentence in verse 19 and list the two things the text names directly.
03How does the passage move from warning to hope at the end?
Notice the testimony that the speaker is coming soon, the response “Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!”, and the final blessing of grace.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 22:18–21
18I 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 which are written in this book.
19If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
20He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus!
21The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with all the saints. Amen.