Revelation 22
17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
18 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,
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.
20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
21 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
At the very end of the Bible we hear the invitation to “come”. When the Holy Spirit speaks we must obey with trembling. Never resist what He says. Without Him we cannot be drawn to the Lord (as Jesus said in the Gospels). Notice that the Holy Spirit and the Bride (Christ’s church) have become so totally united that they say the same thing. Both say, “come”. The Bride is possessed by the Holy Spirit. She has been bought by Jesus. The full “dowry” for the bride has been paid (in African tradition a dowry is paid for a bride). His payment is His precious Blood. His suffering, death and resurrection have bought the Bride, his Church, to Himself. Now, she and the Spirit say the same thing – “come”. Are you part of the Bride? Are you so possessed by the Spirit that you say the same thing that He does?
The invitation to “come” implies two things:
1. Come to the Lord to drink His water. His water of life is free and you can drink it now. It removes all your thirst for the world. His water fully satisfies.
2. It is also a prayer for Jesus to come quickly. The return of Jesus is precious to the Spirit and the Bride. Is Christ’s return precious to you? When He comes all sorrow, sin and death will be finished. Will you enjoy the great feast with Him or is your part in the lake of fire?
Let the Bible be. Don’t add to it. Never adjust it. The Word of God must remain as it is. Verses 18 and 19 have grave threats for the one who tampers with God’s Word.
Notice that Jesus responds to the Spirit and the Bride, in verse 20 by saying: “Surely I am coming soon.” He promises to return soon.
On the first day of the New Year of 2013 make sure that you heed this invitation. If you are not part of the Bride then accept His invitation in vs 17: “And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price”.