Revelation 22:18 (WEB)

Passage

I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.

Nearby Context

Revelation 22:16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.”

Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.

Revelation 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book, if anyone adds to them, may God add to him the plagues which are written in this book.

Revelation 22:19 If anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, may God take away his part from the tree of life, and out of the holy city, which are written in this book.

Revelation 22:20 He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "testify", "everyone", "hears", "words", "prophecy", "book", "anyone", and "adds". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "testify" and "everyone", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 17's "The Spirit and the bride say Come..." into verse 19's "If anyone takes away from the words...", so "testify" and "everyone" belong inside that flow. In Revelation context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "testify" and "everyone" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.