“I warn everyone who listens to the statements of the prophecy in this book: If anyone shall add anything to them, God will add and lay upon him the plagues that are recorded and described in this book. And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of the book of this prophecy, God will cancel and take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the city of holiness (purity and hallowedness), which are described and promised in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19 ->me: Having now read through the entire book of Revelation before reading these 2 verses I get a good understanding of why God has put them there through John. There are many other places in the bible that say ‘don’t take away or add to’ the things written, but none of them go on to outline the consequences of doing so. One might think that this message to those who copy and distribute the bible but it to anyone ‘who hears these words’. The other stand out is that what you cannot add to or take away from is “the prophesy”. This is a good indication that its not just John’s book of Revelation that is covered otherwise it would say ‘this prophesy’. Finally, God makes it clear that the consequences of changing His word is proportional – ‘cancel or take away’ their appropriate share. Through these words I have even more confidence that God’s word is what we read in the bible…cover to cover.