The warning in Revelation 22:18,19 is specifically to the prophecies of the Book of the Revelation given to John. However, the warning is relevant in regard to any extra-biblical treatment to any of the other books of the Bible.
It comes to us as a solemn warning that up to this point (i.e. the final revelation in the Bible), Jesus has only given this much news of the Church present & that which is to come upon it & the World. Many attempt to add more to it by way of special revelation, or as supposed prophets coming after the close of this Book. Their prophecies are false & their adherents usually have to reject the Bible in part or whole & cling onto the proclamations of their prophet as the final word 'from God'. We can think of Islam & the cults & a myriad of religions that have given their own versions of the present & future, that ultimately will fail as they are in direct conflict with the revelation from Heaven. These verses truly come to all of us as solemn warnings.
You speak devoutly but we must not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Ephesians 4:11 clearly tells us that there are still prophets in the Church age. There may be 1,000 false prophets, but there will also be 1 who truly has received the office of being a prophet from Almighty God.
Let us get the Holy Spirit and then we can not be deceived.
Your comment is appreciated Hugo. Indeed, the Church has been blessed with many gifted with abilities from God. And prophecy was one of them. Some would argue the prophetical content of those so gifted: are they establishing the published prophecies in the Word, or are they proclaiming something added to existing prophecies, or even something totally new as some have been prophesying on future events from present news. To this, I am very concerned & of course, the truth of the prophecy can be verified by its outcome: Deuteronomy 18:20-22.
The Bible, in totality, is God's Word, past, present & future, to mankind. Prophets in the past have received God's Word directly to them which they have faithfully passed on. Others such as the apostles, in the new Church age, took up those prophecies & shed further light on them as they were led of the Spirit. Sometimes, they declared a 'mystery', something which was not revealed or clearly seen before (e.g. Romans 11:25, 1 Corinthians 15:51, 2 Thessalonians 2:7, & others). And the union of believing Jew & Gentile in Christ's Church is seen today in full measure.
In the Church now, which has the whole counsel of God in the Word & by His Spirit, any prophetical utterance has to be seen & tested by what has already been revealed. The fear that I expressed concerns the volume of cults & other God-centric religions that proclaim & prophesy matters that are not in the Bible, even anti-biblical & anti-Christian in content. And we also have a plethora of those who want to tingle our ears with something new so that we might be drawn to their 'prophecies or delusions', even donating money to keep their ministry going & our accepting them as fact rather than seeing them as 'an opinion', yet to be verified. Where is that "one prophet" of God out of a 1000 false ones that will make our hearts & spirits burn with joy & hope, rather than tingle our ears with nonsense? Blessings & peace on you too brother.
From the Commentary on This Website. Free to everybody :)
Wesley's Notes for Revelation 2:19
2:19 I know thy love - How different a character is this from that of the angel of the church at Ephesus! The latter could not bear the wicked, and hated the works of the Nicolaitans; but had left his first love and first works. The former retained his first love, and had more and more works, but did bear the wicked, did not withstand them with becoming vehemence. Mixed characters both; yet the latter, not the former, is reproved for his fall, and commanded to repent. And faith, and thy service, and patience - Love is shown, exercised, and improved by serving God and our neighbour; so is faith by patience and good works.
People's Bible Notes for Revelation 2:19
Re 2:19 The last [to be] greater than the first. "That thy last works are more than the first" (Revised Version). Instead of retrograding, their works grew more excellent.
We need to be very careful we are not changing the truth of scriptures, any time . Always confess your errors to the lord , we all make them , the truth will set us free from the errors .
Deuteronomy 4. 2
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you , neither shall ye diminish ought from it , that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your GOD which I command you .
Add thou not unto his words , lest he reprove thee and thou be found a liar .
There is another verse similar to this one .
It comes to us as a solemn warning that up to this point (i.e. the final revelation in the Bible), Jesus has only given this much news of the Church present & that which is to come upon it & the World. Many attempt to add more to it by way of special revelation, or as supposed prophets coming after the close of this Book. Their prophecies are false & their adherents usually have to reject the Bible in part or whole & cling onto the proclamations of their prophet as the final word 'from God'. We can think of Islam & the cults & a myriad of religions that have given their own versions of the present & future, that ultimately will fail as they are in direct conflict with the revelation from Heaven. These verses truly come to all of us as solemn warnings.
You speak devoutly but we must not throw out the baby with the bathwater. Ephesians 4:11 clearly tells us that there are still prophets in the Church age. There may be 1,000 false prophets, but there will also be 1 who truly has received the office of being a prophet from Almighty God.
Let us get the Holy Spirit and then we can not be deceived.
Peace & Love in Christ
The Bible, in totality, is God's Word, past, present & future, to mankind. Prophets in the past have received God's Word directly to them which they have faithfully passed on. Others such as the apostles, in the new Church age, took up those prophecies & shed further light on them as they were led of the Spirit. Sometimes, they declared a 'mystery', something which was not revealed or clearly seen before (e.g. Romans 11:25, 1 Corinthians 15:51, 2 Thessalonians 2:7, & others). And the union of believing Jew & Gentile in Christ's Church is seen today in full measure.
In the Church now, which has the whole counsel of God in the Word & by His Spirit, any prophetical utterance has to be seen & tested by what has already been revealed. The fear that I expressed concerns the volume of cults & other God-centric religions that proclaim & prophesy matters that are not in the Bible, even anti-biblical & anti-Christian in content. And we also have a plethora of those who want to tingle our ears with something new so that we might be drawn to their 'prophecies or delusions', even donating money to keep their ministry going & our accepting them as fact rather than seeing them as 'an opinion', yet to be verified. Where is that "one prophet" of God out of a 1000 false ones that will make our hearts & spirits burn with joy & hope, rather than tingle our ears with nonsense? Blessings & peace on you too brother.
Wesley's Notes for Revelation 2:19
2:19 I know thy love - How different a character is this from that of the angel of the church at Ephesus! The latter could not bear the wicked, and hated the works of the Nicolaitans; but had left his first love and first works. The former retained his first love, and had more and more works, but did bear the wicked, did not withstand them with becoming vehemence. Mixed characters both; yet the latter, not the former, is reproved for his fall, and commanded to repent. And faith, and thy service, and patience - Love is shown, exercised, and improved by serving God and our neighbour; so is faith by patience and good works.
People's Bible Notes for Revelation 2:19
Re 2:19 The last [to be] greater than the first. "That thy last works are more than the first" (Revised Version). Instead of retrograding, their works grew more excellent.
Mishael
We need to be very careful we are not changing the truth of scriptures, any time . Always confess your errors to the lord , we all make them , the truth will set us free from the errors .
Deuteronomy 4. 2
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you , neither shall ye diminish ought from it , that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your GOD which I command you .
Psalms 138.2
Isaiah 55.11
Psalm 119.160
Remember the Bible is a collection of books and was not yet organized which books considered canon into the King James book and which books left out
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