THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST: CLOSED CANON

THE WORD OF GOD

Proverbs 30:5-6

King James Version (KJV)

5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

THE WORD OF GOD - The word “canon” is the term used to describe the completed number of the books of the Bible – the closed canon of the 66 books of the Holy Scriptures. It is derived from ancient words meaning “measuring stick.” and is applied here to designate those books that meet the requirements of being acknowledged as divinely inspired.

The Bible warns against either adding to or subtracting from its contents. Rev. 22:18 makes a conclusive statement, positional in God’s providence and wisdom, at the Bible’s end. While it refers directly to the Book of Revelation, most Bible scholars also provide a finalizing footnote on this subject: “Add to or subtract from the Bible at your own risk.” (A classic study of the judgment for “taking away” from God’s Word is seen in Jer. 36:20-32.)

In this regard, we are wise to understand terms. When we refer to the “revelation of the Scriptures,” it is important that we distinguish this consummate order of divine revelation from any other use of the term, however sacred. There are many today who do not know the difference between a “revelation” (an insight or an idea that may be of God, of man, or of the Devil) and the revelation of God, which is in the closed canon of the Scriptures.

Because there are many books that claim to be divinely given, a casual or gullible attitude toward them can result in confusion and eventual destruction. It is interesting to note that even in Jesus’ time, several books held by some today to be intended for the OT were in existence then. Yet, in the 64 times Jesus quotes from the OT, not once does He quote from any of those books.

The Bible is complete, completely trustworthy, and sufficient to completely answer anything we need to know for eternal salvation or practical wisdom concerning our relationships, morality, character, or conduct.