New Testament · Prophecy

Revelation 22:19

Come, Lord Jesus

And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book. Revelation 22:19 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Revelation 22:19, in plain English

Similarly, if you remove or deny parts of this prophecy, you'll lose your place in the eternal life and the holy city that it describes.

Why it's here

Just as there's a warning about adding to Scripture, there's one about subtracting from it. Both errors carry real consequences. This protects the message's completeness and authority.

Who's speaking

Jesus

Where it sits in the story

The Bible treats God's word as sacred and whole. Editing it, denying it, or treating parts as unimportant amounts to rejecting God's authority. The consequence is serious: exclusion from eternal life.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Conversely, removing or diminishing any of this book's words will result in the offender being stripped of access to the tree of life and the holy city.

Language and setting

This parallels verse 18 but emphasizes subtraction—the danger of reductionism, of scholars or teachers who dismiss parts of Revelation as inauthentic or unimportant. John asserts the wholeness and necessity of his testimony.

Voice

John the seer

Significance

Together, verses 18-19 form an inclusio protecting the text. The threat mirrors the conditional structure of Deuteronomy's covenant blessings and curses, suggesting that proper treatment of this prophecy is itself a form of covenant faithfulness that determines eschatological destiny.

In context

Revelation 22:17–21

17The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.

18I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.

19And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book.

20He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints.

Read all of Revelation 22 — The final invitation. The Spirit and the bride say: Come. The last words of Scripture are a promise and a prayer.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad