Could more books be added to the Bible?
The Bible's 66 books are complete and will not be added to in the future. How can we know? The strongest passage to address this question is found in 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." Additional warnings against adding to or taking away from Scripture are found in Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32, and Proverbs 30:5-6.Based on these passages, it is clear we should not expect the appearance of another book to the Bible (or for lost books of the Bible to appear). What God has already given is sufficient for every need. Psalm 19:7-9 says:
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
If the Scripture we already have is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true, why would we need more? Why would we seek more? Instead, we are taught, "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 complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Scripture already revealed by God can make us complete for everything He has called us to be and do in life.
Isaiah 40:8 notes, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." The words of the Bible will not be added to in the future, but rather will endure forever to accomplish God's purposes. The Word of God will not return empty "but it shall accomplish that which I [God] purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11). The Word of God will not be changed, but will accomplish its purpose. Jesus said: "For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished" (Matthew 5:18). We are called to read it, study it, and to apply it to our lives in order to honor God and impact those around us.
What is the canon of the Bible and how did we get it?
Is the Bible really the Word of God?
Are only the original manuscripts of the Bible inerrant?
How is the Bible inspired? What does it mean for the Bible to be inspired?
Are the translations of the Bible inspired?
Truth about the Bible
