Probably the only thing even resembling a reasonable defense that Calvinists can employ against Revelation 22:19 is the wording that some manuscripts of it use. The word used in the Byzntine majority texts and Septuagint for “take away” (root verb: aphaireo) is ‘apheloi’, the mood of which is called ‘optative,’ which very often means that the verb in question is something the author wishes to take place, and is most often translated as “may [optative verb]…” For example:
“The Lord grant unto him that he may find mercy….” (2 Timothy 1:18)
The word for ‘grant’ here is in the optative mood, and expresses a desire, which is equivalent to Paul saying, “May the Lord grant him that he find mercy…” This is known as an optative wish. You may see where this is bringing the argument; some authors have claimed that the use of the optative verb for ‘take away’ indicates that Revelation 22:19 is simply John’s wish that God take away the part in His kingdom from those who detract from His word, and that such a consequence was not uttered nor intended by God Himself, and is only John saying, “…may God take away his part…” This seems like a pretty good argument, until one considers that many other texts, including the Alexandrian texts and some majority texts instead employ ‘aphelei,’ which has an indicative mood (which indicates actual or future occurance), rather than optative.
So how can one tell which reading is correct? A vast majority of the major Bible translations (except the World English Bible, which is still in draft form) all render the passage “God will/shall take away,” instead of “May God take away,” and with good reason. Look at its context in verse 18,
“For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book…”
The warnings of verses 18 and 19 are given in testimony — a statement or declaration of truth, also called bearing witness — and under divine inspiration no less. The idea that John is simply praying or hoping for God to damn the apostates does not fit in the context of the passage, as solemn testimonies are for bearing witness to statements of fact, not wishful thinking. If we were to try to interpret this passage as just John’s whim, it would basically end up saying, “I testify that may God cut off whoever detracts from this book.” The thought being expressed by this text is clearly a proclamation that God will take away the right to the tree of life and the holy city from someone who tries to tamper with His divine Revelation.
Though there is some manuscript evidence for the optative form of “will take away,” the fact that the warning is a testimony rather than a prayer or wish establishes that a definite consequence is being stated in verse 19, not merely John’s desire.
In Death or Life 