As previously, we might picture someone applying scissors to parts of Revelation considered to be unsavoury. A less obvious way to take away
from the book would be to ignore (a portion of) it or perhaps interpret it in a manner not consistent with its evident meaning. It is helpful to note how often deception receives mention in the book of Revelation (Revelation 20:3, Revelation 20:8, Revelation 20:10; Revelation 21:8, Revelation 21:27; Revelation 22:15). We also understand that adding
implies taking away
; for example, listening to a false prophet implies taking away the instruction of a passage as Revelation 19:20. As two sides of one coin, the lesson is to avoid all false teaching.
19 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.