Revelation 21:18-19

It applies to John's revelation. Other, similar verses apply to the whole Bible.
(I can't look them up right now, my BibleGateway is down--I'll cite the references later...)

 

There are no verses in scripture that refer to a 'Bible' since the Bible didn't yet exist. I think we, as Christians, lose credibility with the lost world when we misapply scripture (including making anachronistic applications).

 

Thank you. But I said 'apply' to the whole Bible, not 'refer' to the Bible. I am perfectly aware of the difference and chose my words carefully.

However, you are more thatn correct when you observe that we lose credibility through sloppy scholarship. That is a discussion that merits its own thread. One in which we can name names...

 

Revelation 21:18-19
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 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 think he's referring to the book of Revalation.

 

In application, it is referring to Revelation. In practicality, it can refer to the whole Bible message. Grace through faith + nothing = salvation. Add to that equation, and you are removing yourself from the book of life.

 

I'm surprised that nobody caught the mistake in the title of this thread---the chapter of Revelation is incorrect:

Revelation 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

Revelation 21:19 And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

It should be Revelation 22:18-19:

Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

Revelation 22:19 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.

And that's all I have for now.

 

:laugh::laugh:
Good catch, Linda. I even looked up the verses to double check!

 

Actually, it's the Revalation of Jesus Christ to John.


Pick, pick, pick........:laugh:

 

Amy G,
That's why I didn't capitalize 'revelation'...:laugh:

 

This is what I believe.

 

John was the youngest of all the apostles, and outlived them all. He addresses the elect lady of 2John as himself being "the elder" or the aged. One of the purposes of the Gospel of John was to give supplemental information to the synoptic gospels which had already been written and which John had already been in possession of and read. He knew what they had written. He added to their information.
Most of the NT was written between 50 and 70 A.D., but John's works were written between 90 and 98 A.D., the Book of Revelation being the last book to be written.
Thus in application I believe that John had the entire Bible in mind when he wrote those verses. His book was the last book to be written. He was the last Apostle living and knew it. Even the Apostle Paul had been beheaded by this time. With the completion of his book the canon of Scripture would be closed. The verses, although in immediate context would refer to the Book of Revelation, in application would refer to the entire Bible.

 

I have no objection to your historical outline above, but I don't believe John's statement refers to the entire canon.

Here's why:

1. John says "the words of the prophecy of this book." This expression never used of all of Scripture.

2. It is most nature to read "the words of the prophecy of this books" as the Apocalypse, since it is prophetic by nature, which is not true of the canon.

3. Reference to the "tree of life and in the holy city" were just mentioned in chp 22, manking the Apocalypse "the prophecy of this book."

 

Unless the canon was compiled and completed when John wrote Revelation, there was no "book" that was finished. He had to mean the one he was writing (Revelation).

JMO.