. . . And if anyone takes away from the words of the book . . .

It speaks volumes that yesterday’s suggested Episcopal Lectionary reading from the last chapter of Revelation omits the following verse:

and if any one 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.

To willfully “take away” that very verse from the reading demonstrates a contempt of the word and an utter lack of fear of God’s judgement that boggles my mind at least.

But then I guess universalism is a lack of fear of God’s judgement almost by definition.

Kendall Harmon goes into more detail, including more omitted verses, here.