Constructs and Destructs

“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll.”(Revelation 22:18-19)

The Bible is complete and perfect in every sense, such that nothing needs to be added or subtracted. The historical events are clear, fully described as necessary. Biblical prophecies include enough information and details of future events to reveal and connect these future events with that prophetic message. Prophecies are not given so we can manipulate the future or any purpose other than validating God’s word and Sovereignty. 

The Bible has many encouragements and instructions for righteous living. These are not subject to amplification, extension or deletion. King Saul altered God’s instruction to him when he battled the Amalekites. (1 Samuel 15:1-26) Saul denied his disobedience, made excuses and blamed his soldiers before he confessed the truth. The Pharisees took all sorts of license with God’s word of instruction. They expanded certain commands like doing no work on the Sabbath to prohibit doing good by helping a friend in need. (Matt. 12:12) They contradicted God’s command to help and care for one’s parents by saying that money pledged to the Synagogue could be excluded from funds to care for parents. (Mark 7:11-12) Also, the Jewish leaders allowed the money changers in the temple, contrary to God’s instruction. (Matt. 21:12-13 ) 

In the New Covenant, there were heresies taught such as, Yeshua (Jesus) was not Divine God in the Flesh; that Yeshua was not a real human raised from the dead, and that there is no resurrection of the dead in heaven. These may seem drastic departures from clear reading of scripture, but there is a litany of heresy promoted by various church leaders, such as indulgences of the Catholic church and the other ninety-three thesis proposed by Martin Luther. The Mormon Church is founded on an angelic heresy of salvation other than Yeshua, Messiah. More recently, Herbert W. Armstrong started the World Wide Church of God that rejected the triune God. In 2009, the WCG confessed and repented. 

When men contrive to construct anything apart from the clear meaning of scripture whether by deleting scripture or adding to it, they have committed a serious act subject to most severe consequences. If a teaching suggests Scripture is no longer relevant or demands more than Scripture actually says, beware.