Revelation 22
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;
19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
These are the last words in the Bible. The Spirit and the bride say “come”. Who is the Spirit and the bride. The bride is the children of God, the believers. They say come, Lord Jesus. Both the Holy Spirit and the bride agree in their desire that the Lord Jesus would return.
The Holy Spirit in the bride of Christ expresses His desire that the Lord should return. The Holy Spirit work in the children of God to have the desire for the Lord’s return.
The Lord Jesus bought us as His bride. The zulu expresses it so significantly that He paid the dowry for us. Has the Lord bought you already and do you belong to the Lord?
There shouldn’t be any doubt in your heart regarding this question. It should be crystal clear to you that you belong to Him, otherwise there is a serious problem with you.
When we marry people and they stand before the altar we ask them whether they are sure they are meant for each other. For all these years there’s never been a situation where one was unsure. They always answer clear before the congregation, “yes”.
It would be heartbreaking if tonight at the end of the year you are unsure whether you are part of the bride of Christ.
Some are confused. They say 2000 years have passed since the Lord promised that He was coming soon, yet He hasn’t come. Remember that with the Lord a thousand years is like one day.
Maybe you cry for the Lord’s return but if you haven’t prepared yourself and washed your garments in the Blood of the Lamb and made them white, that day will be hell unto you and you will be terribly ashamed.
The story is told of a prayer lady, but she had hidden sin in her life. The day when she died she expectantly waited for the Lord Jesus to come and fetch her, when lo, the devil appeared and took her soul.
How many people have you brought to the Lord this past year, or have you been barren? There is an amazing word in the Bible which says, “here am I Lord and the children You have given me”. Will that be your testimony?
Some say that the Bible is the white man’s book and Jesus is the white man’s God. Well, then you are adding and removing from the Word of God and God will also remove you from the Tree of Life, Who is Christ. We may not add or subtract from God’s Word. God has spoken to you and unless you obey He will remove your part from the Tree of Life.
It is good at the end of this year to take stock of your life. What has the past year been like? Have your life been what God expected of you or have you followed your own ideas? Parents, God tells you how to raise your children; have you been obedient? Children, God’s Word tells you how to obey your parents; Have you obeyed?