Revelation 22:19
What does Revelation 22:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 22:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 22:19 means
A companion warning forbids taking away from the words of this prophecy. The consequence is loss of one’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city described here. Subtracting from God’s word is as deadly as adding to it; both acts deny His lordship and imperil souls. The warning underscores that our access to life and the city is bound to the truth God has spoken. The church must preserve the message intact, receiving and transmitting it without mutilation. Fidelity to the written prophecy honors the Author and safeguards the hope of those who hear and keep it.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And if any man takes away from the words of this book, God will take away from him his part in the tree of life and the holy town, even the things which are in this book.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and if any one may take away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the scroll of the life, and out of the holy city, and the things that have been written in this scroll;'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And 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 these things that are written in this book.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And if any one take from the words of the book of this prophecy,God shall take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.
Context
This verse completes the pair of prohibitions begun in verse 18, showing that the prophecy’s integrity is vital to salvation’s hope. With the message thus protected, the scene is clear for the final word from Jesus in verse 20—His swift coming—and the church’s responsive prayer. The chapter will then end with a benediction of grace, sealing the book with the very gift it proclaims.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 11:52
Woe unto you lawyers! for ye took away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
- Revelation 1:3
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.
- Revelation 7:9
After these things I saw, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and ofalltribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, arrayed in white robes, and palms in their hands;
- Revelation 21:22
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God the Almighty, and the Lamb, are the temple thereof.
- Revelation 21:2
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.
- Revelation 22:12
Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render to each man according as his work is.
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