What Does The Bible Say About Addition And Subtraction?

What Does The Bible Say About Addition And Subtraction? The Lord God Almighty, His Word, and the Good News of the Gospel are unchanging, the same today, yesterday, and forever.
Isaiah 40:8 says “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
Deuteronomy 4:2 says, “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.”
Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Proverbs 30:5-6 says, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”
Revelation 22:18-19 says, “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”

In the world, every time a new politician steps in, he/she promises to bring change. Change can be good or bad. We know we should and regularly change the oil in our car engines, engine-generators, and motorcycles. And growth requires change. Similarly, many people believe we should also change our morals, ethics, and beliefs to accommodate changes in culture. But should everything be open to change? Scripture or the Word of God, Bible gives us clear guidelines on what should change and what should stay the same. “I, the Lord, never change,” God declares in Malachi 3:6. Change means a move in another direction. For the Lord God to change would mean that He either becomes better or worse, and the Lord God is ultimate perfection. The Lord God cannot change because He cannot be better than He already is, and He cannot fail or become less than perfect (immutability).

What Does The Bible Say About Addition And Subtraction?

Can we change God’s Word to fit today? No. In fact, Scripture teaches that God’s Word doesn’t change and it is never outdated. Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” Likewise, 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” Today, many say the way moral issues are looked at must change. That would mean changing God’s Word to fit the changing world. Is this reasonable? No, because man does not have the authority to change the will of God on any subject. Thus, we can’t change God’s Word to make it fit us. Scripture gives severe warnings on several occasions about trying to make changes to God’s Word. According to Galatians 1:6-9, perverting the Gospel by changing it will accurse us.

Unlike humans, God never changes, and nothing about Him changes: His character traits such as Love, Compassion, Kindness, Goodness, Mercy, Wisdom, and Justice always exist in perfection. While the methods God used to deal with human beings have evolved and changed through the centuries, the core values and purposes behind those methods have not changed. For example, under the Mosaic Covenant, God described that animals sacrificed in the manner He prescribed would atone for sins (Leviticus 4:23; 9:2–13; Numbers 29:11). Under the New Covenant, the Son of God Himself became the sacrifice, and the old system, having served its purpose, became obsolete (Luke 22:20; Hebrews 9:11–14). While God’s Holiness, His wrath against Sin, and His extension of mercy did not change, He did provide us a better sacrifice: the Perfect Lamb of God (John 1:29; Hebrews 10:10). This change secures Eternal Life for those who believe in Christ (John 3:16–18).

What Does Revelation 22:18-19 Mean?

Revelation 22:18-19 offers a stern warning not to add to or take away from the words of Revelation. Adding to the book of Revelation brings God’s judgment: plagues will fall on the one who adds to or subtracts from Revelation. Note that this might take the form of attempting to add words or prophesies as well as removing words or prophesies in a very literal way. It might also refer to those who try to make this writing say things it does not say: warping the text for their own ends. Adding comments, content, or interpretations that minimize Revelation’s Commands and Promises is tantamount to calling the Holy Spirit, who inspired the book, a liar.
Likewise, when Moses gave God’s statutes and rules to Israel, he warned “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2).

Similarly, in Deuteronomy 12:32, the Lord God warned: “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.” Proverbs 30:5-6 says, “Every word of God proves true…Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” As a matter of fact, God’s Word is perfect and authoritative and needs no human additions. Although the warning against adding to or taking away (Revelation 22:18-19) is technically in reference to the Biblical book of Revelation itself, the general principle is a good one to apply across all of Scripture (1 Corinthians 4:6). Brethren, behold, man is not to add to or take away from the Word of God. The Lord God Almighty has commanded us not to change His Word. Being the Author, He holds the eternal copyright.

What Does The Bible Say About Addition And Subtraction?

Revelation 22:18-19 – “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.”

Deuteronomy 4:2 – “You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.“

Proverbs 30:5-6 – “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”

Hebrews 4:12 – “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

Malachi 3:6 – “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Addition And Subtraction

Matthew 24:35 – “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”

John 1:1 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.“

James 1:17 – “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”

John 17:17 – “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

Galatians 1:6-9 – “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.”

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Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Addition And Subtraction

Proverbs 30:5 – “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

Numbers 23:19 – “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?“

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.“

James 1:21 – “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Matthew 4:4 – But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

John 1:14 – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.“

Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Addition And Subtraction

James 1:22 – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

Deuteronomy 12:32 – “Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.“

Luke 11:28 – But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

Psalm 119:11 – “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.“

Psalm 119:9 – “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.”

Colossians 3:16 – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“

Group 4 – No Man Shall Add To Or Take Away From The Bible Revelation

1 Peter 2:2 – “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—“

Revelation 22:18 – “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,”

2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

Proverbs 30:6 – “Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”

Psalm 119:130 – “The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.”

Psalm 119:160 – “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

Romans 12:1-2 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Group 5 – No Man Shall Add To Or Take Away From The Bible Revelation

Luke 1:37 – “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

Revelation 1:1 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,”

1 Corinthians 2:14 – “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Deuteronomy 8:3 – “And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 4:2 – “But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”

Group 6 – No Man Shall Add To Or Take Away From The Bible Revelation

Matthew 15:14 – “Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

2 Peter 1:20-21 – “Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

Psalm 18:2 – “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.“

Matthew 7:24 – “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.“

2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.“

1 Thessalonians 2:13 – “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”

Colossians 3:10 – “And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”

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Group 7 – No Man Shall Add To Or Take Away From The Bible Revelation

2 Corinthians 2:17 – “For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.“

Psalm 119:89 – “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.”

1 Corinthians 4:6 – “I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.“

John 8:31-32 – So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

1 Peter 1:23 – “Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;“

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Hebrews 1:3 – “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,”

Group 8 – No Man Shall Add To Or Take Away From The Bible Revelation

Psalm 18:30 – “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”

Acts 19:1-5 – “And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. …“

Group 9 – No Man Shall Add To Or Take Away From The Bible Revelation

John 6:63 – “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

2 Peter 3:16 – “As he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.“

John 15:3 – “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.“

1 Corinthians 15:51 – “Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,”

Psalm 119:1-176 – “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! ...”

Group 10 – No Man Shall Add To Or Take Away From The Bible Revelation

James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

Psalm 33:4 – “For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:“

John 16:13 – “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

Proverbs 2:6 – “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;“

Matthew 24:1-51 – “Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. ...”

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Group 11 – No Man Shall Add To Or Take Away From The Bible Revelation

John 10:35 – “If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—“

2 Peter 2:21 – “For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.”

John 7:38 – “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

Acts 17:11 – “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

Philippians 2:14-16 – “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

2 Peter 2:1 – “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.”

Group 12 – No Man Shall Add To Or Take Away From The Bible Revelation

Psalm 56:4 – “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?“

Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.“

1 Chronicles 16:11 – “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!“

Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;“

2 Peter 3:15-16 – “And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.“

Group 13 – No Man Shall Add To Or Take Away From The Bible Revelation

Psalm 119:18 – “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”

Joshua 1:8 – “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.“

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.“

Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Ephesians 6:17 – “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,“

Hebrews 7:12 – “For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.”

Exodus 32:14 – “And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.”

1 Corinthians 6:11 – “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.“

Group 14 – No Man Shall Add To Or Take Away From The Bible Revelation

Matthew 10:28 – “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Psalm 119:2 – “Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,“

John 3:16-17 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.“

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Acts 20:30 – “And from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.”

1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.“

Acts 2:38 – “And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Philippians 1:6 – “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”