Rev 22:18, 19  "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."

Satan and his followers and the false religionists of this world will always want to change, delete, add to, and/or eliminate the word of God. This is to be expected. The above warnings, however, are not to Satan and his followers or the false religionists of this world. These warnings are to "every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book." The only ones that "hear the words of the prophecy of this book" are the born again children of God. They are the only ones capable of hearing the words of the prophecy of this book. The warnings are to not add to the word of God or to take away from the word of God.

The actions of Nadab and Abihu and the actions of Uzzah are well chronicled to us in the scriptures. God's word is said to be a thorough furnisher unto all good works. If our religious exercises cannot be substantiated by God's word, then we need to quit those exercises. If our religious beliefs or practices are contrary to the word of God then we need to change our beliefs and practices. Adding to God's word or taking from God's word only gets us into trouble and brings us under the admonition given in the above passage of scripture.

I wander how many of God's people have had their soul plagued because they have added to the word of God. These plagues can come in many ways including our relationships, the trials and troubles we bring upon ourselves, the leanness of our soul, the loneliness that plagues many, the continual turmoil within the lives of those so plagued, the lack of contentment that so many experience, the pitfalls that many fall into in their lives, etc.

Similarly, by taking away from the words of the prophecy of this book, the warning is that we would have our part removed from the book of life, from the holy city, and from the things that are written in this book. God's children are not in danger of losing their eternal life. They are, however, in danger of losing the joy of their salvation, and the blessings of service to God, and the felt presence and fellowship of God and his people in the worship and service of God. They are in danger of losing their place in the Lord's church kingdom here in time.

Let us take heed to the admonitions given above.

Rev 22:20, 21 "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."

The Lord comes quickly in fulfilling his timely promises and in his blessings upon us for serving him and worshipping him in Spirit and in truth. He also comes quickly upon us in chastisement to correct us because he loves us.

Also, the Lord is not slack concerning his eternal promises: 2 Pet. 3:8 "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." Likewise, it often is the desire of God's children that the Lord would come quickly to usher in his eternal glorious kingdom as we are faced with the increasing trials of this life and the ever increasing wickedness coming upon the world. We thus say, "even so, come, Lord Jesus."

Regardless of the trials and wickedness we find in this world or how great the troubles or turmoils we are to face, we rest in the precious truths of God's grace. We are saved from sins condemnation by the grace of God. We are saved from sins bondage, by the grace of God. We are saved by sins corruption by the grace of God. All that we have received in the form of timely and eternal blessings is by the grace of God. No wonder the apostle could write, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen."    Elder Vernon Johnson