“ONE OF THE FINAL WARNINGS’ (Revelation 22:18-19)

 

1.  To us a yo-yo is a toy.  This toy started out as a weapon.

2.  For a time yo-yos were used by hunters in the jungles of the Philippines

3.  Hunters would take a vine that was about 20 feet long.

4.  They  attached to this vine two stones, which were about 4 pound each.

5.  Hunters would then climb up a tree, and when their prey, (enemy) passed by, the stones were dropped.

6.  If the first blow didn’t kill the animal (enemy) the stones could be quickly reeled up, dropped again.

7.  This weapon was used at least until the 16th century.

8.  In 1929 a form of this device was introduced in America as a toy.

 

I.   THE YO-YO IS A DEVICE WHICH HAS BEEN ALTERED.  IT WAS ALTRED BOTH IN DESIGN AND PURPOSE.

 

     A.  Man has not stopped with the yo-yo.  He is still altering things in the world.

     B.   Last Wednesday Ford motor company was at a NY auto show.

     C.  At this show the redesigned Lincoln Town car was introduced.

     D.  This car has been altered.  The changes now give buyers.

           1)   A firmer ride, snappier handling, changes in styling, and on at least one model,

           2)   Faster acceleration, every major part of this is new or reengineered.

     E.   Man is in the habit of making changes and alternations.  Look at products,

     F.   In our local grocery stores.  Words such as “new, redesigned, recently invented formula”

     G.  Better than before, cleans twice as well, are abundant.

     H.  God has given us His word; the Bible.

     I.    In this word there are several warnings, some of these warning involved alterations.

     J.    God made us.  He knew how we would think and work.  He knew that some would be tempted.

     I.    To alter His word. Thus, God has cautioned us about this.

           1)   This warning is inclusive – “every man.”

           2)   John said that people familiar with this book could:

           3)   “Add to it” and “take away from it.” John had in mind some type of alteration.

           4)   He wrote that any kind of change to God’s word is wrong.

           5)   Adding to God’s word, justifies a series of plaques.

           6)   Removing things from God’s word justify, the penalty of being left out of heaven.

     J.    Some have said to me, “this warning is for this book.”  This is exactly right.

     K.  John said, “The words of the prophecy of this book   it is wrong to modify any of the words.

     L.   It is wrong to modify any of the words in the book of Revelation.

     M.  In principle John’s words extend to the rest of scripture.  Let’s use this illustration:

           1)   1st Cor:  6:18 says, READ

           2)   What if someone argued, “This has no bearing on our lives.

           3)   This was written to the Corinthians and no one else.”          

           4)   We would point out to this person that this vs. applies in previous vs.

           5)   The statement in 1st Cor: 6:18 has universal application.

      N.  We have a principle in Rev: 22:18-19.  This principle applies to the rest of God’s word.

      O.  Bye the way, this principle is not limited to Rev: 22.  Long before John lived this principle,

      P.   Was made clear.  Please read Deut. 4: 2; 12_32.

 

II   IN BOTH THE OT AND THE NT GOD SAID, “WE ARE NOT TO ADD TO OR TAKE AWAY FROM” HIS WORD.  IN SPITE OF THIS CLEAR COMMAND,

 

      A.  Human beings have not always followed God’s directions.

      B    In fact, many have rejected this part of God’s will.

      C.  Let’s go to the book of 1st Sam., chapters 13 & 15.

      D.  Both of these references tell us about King Saul.

      E.   Saul was supposed to wait for Samuel, 1st Sam. 10:8

      F.   Samuel had promised that he would come and offer a sacrifice.

      G.  Saul waited and waited; he saw no sign of Samuel.

            1)  Saul was in the midst of a military battle, and he thought that a sacrifice had to be offered.

            2)  Remember, sacrifices were only to be done by the Levites.   Saul was a Benjaminte.

            3)  He was from the wrong tribe.  Verses 8-10 READ.

      H.  Saul has done some editing of God’s word.

            1)  When he offered the sacrifice, he in essence “added” the Benjaminte clan to the priesthood.

            2)   Notice the first words out of Samuel’s mouth – v.11a READ

            3)   Saul was ready to justify his act – 11B-12-READ.

      I.    How serious was Saul’s addition to God’s word – v. 13-14A-READ

      J.    This is an example of adding to God’s word.  Saul was punished.

      K.  1st Sam. 13 gives us an example of adding to God’s Word.

      L.   1st Sam. 15 gives us an example of “deleting” part of God’s word.

            1)   Let’s read verse 3 of 1st Sam. 15 READ; God told Saul to destroy everything. Was this done?

            2)   Verse 9 READ

      M.  Saul was told to destroy every trace of Amalek.  Saul didn’t destroy everything.

      N.  He “deleted” part of God’s command.  What was God’s response?  Vs. 10-11 READ

      O.  God was not happy – Saul had “ deleted” part of His word.

      P.   In spite of this deletion, Saul felt good- Vs: 13 READ.  After Samuel commented on Saul’s

      Q.        Disobedience, the king said, Vs 15- READ.

      S.   The sin that is recorded in 1st Sam. is still occurring.

            1)   People alter God’s word and then they offer an excuse.

            2)   People attempt to justify the alterations they make.

            3)   Let’s consider some examples and the excuse that was used.

            4)   Today is Easter; a large number of groups are having special services & programs.

            5)   Does the Bible tell us to have a special Easter service?

            6)   No. We find that Christians met on the 1st day of the week year.

            7)   The fact that we are meeting attests to Christ’s resurrection.

            8)   There is no record of special services or a command to have them.

            9)   In fact, as one checks history, Easter references start in the 2nd or 3rd centuries.

           10)  The custom of Easter services and programs is an addition.

      T.   This does not set well with many people.  Most still try to justify Easter just like Saul tried to

      U.   Justify through men offer justification for additions and deletions, every addition and every

      V.   Deletion of God’s word is wrong.

            1)   God said that men are to preach; some are brazen enough to add women.

            2)   God has made baptism a part of man’s salvation.  A number of people delete it.

            3)    The Lord’s Supper is often deleted from every Lord’s Day.

            4)   Tithing is added to giving.  All people are welcome and equal in Christ; Co: 3:28.

            5)   Some delete the “all” and thereby support discrimination.

            6)   Christ puts people into the church – Acts 2: 41-47.  Some have deleted

            7)   The Lord from this job and added another. 

            8)   God’s plan for church organization has been deleted and

            9)   A different plan has been added in its place.

      W.  A few groups have deleted information about hell and punishment.

      X.   Some have added the idea of annihilation.  Other groups have added the idea of“rapture”   

      Y.   The idea about Christ reigning upon the earth has been added. 

      Z.  Most groups add the Ten Commandments to the new covenant.

      A.  Man made instruments of music are added to worship services.

      B.   People have sought to add doctrines to and remove doctrines from scrip.

            1)  A lot of this has come through to personal teaching.

            2)   In some cases, this has been attempted through translation.

            3)  There is no passage in scripture which tells which version of the Bible.

            4)  Versions are kind of like recipes – are not all good.

            5)   Some translations have actually added things to God’s word.

            6)   The NIV repeatedly uses the words “sinful nature.” 

            7)   This is an addition.

            8)   Other translations delete some things   

      C.   Two older translations that are good are the ADV & KJV.

      D.   A more modern translation that is excellent is the NKJV.

 

III        LETS SAY THAT IN SPITE OF THE WARNINGS, PEOPLE STILL PERSIST IN ADDING TO AND TAKING AWAY FROM GODS WORD.  WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS?

 

            A.   From Rev: 22:18-19 we learned that severe judgment is promised.

            B.   Some other NT verses give us some additional information.

            C.  The remaining NT verses I want to cite are these:

                  1)   Mt. 15:9;   2) Gal. 1:8-9; 1st Tim. 4: 1-3.

            D.  The first of these is Matt. 15:9 – READ.

                  1)   Let’s start with the end of this verse – “Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of me.”

                  2)   What is this statement saying?  Those who do this are “anathema.”

                  3)   They had added to and made deletions from God’s word.

            E    What did this act do to the Jews?  9A – worship was vain.

            F.   Not only does God promise to punish those who tamper with His plan,

            G.  He says that our worship is invalidated.  It becomes vain; useless.

            H.  On to the next reference – Galatians 1:8-9 Read

                  1)   “Another gospel” would be one that has been changed.

                  2)   Things would either be deleted or added.

                  3)   If this is done, what is the result?  Those who do this are “anathema.”

                  4)   This means that these people are “accursed”; dedicated to destroy.

            I.    Not abiding by what God says in His word does more than affect our name.

            J.    This sin, if not repented of, damns our soul.

            K.  In fact, adding and deleting things put in league with the devil.

            L.   1st Tim 4:1-3 Read.

                  1)   The people described here “forbid marriage.”

                  2)   This teaching took away God’s will on marriage and added man’s

                  3)   The same thing was done with meats.

                  4)   Paul said that these teachings were “doctrines of demons.”

           

CONCLUSION:

1.  When it comes to adding to God’s word, or deleting all of it,

2.  We do not want to have any part of this.

3.  We must be the church of the NT – no additions, no subtractions, no alterations