The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!"
By Thomas R. Dohling
“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And
let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life
freely” (Revelation 22:17).
Testifying to the
churches in
Jesus stated His
Being and inherent authority in verses 12-13 and 16. He is the Supreme One,
especially to His church or assembly of followers, those devoted to Him. It is
through His people that He appeals to those who are spiritually thirsting. The
invitation to “take the water of life freely” is for “whoever desires.” There
has to be a thirsting and a desiring for things spiritual. Without a hungering,
thirsting and desiring, one could never be satisfied. The deep emptiness people
experience in spite of great worldly possession arises from being spiritually
dry and barren.
Jesus is one with
His bride, the church. He is the Spirit inherent in His bride. He carries out
His purpose in the world through the church, His physical representative on
earth, to reach out to the lost and spiritually thirsting souls with the
invitation, “COME!”
The Father has
been merciful. He has poured out His love on humanity, and He joins in
imploring lost humanity to look to the cross where Jesus, His only begotten
died, having become the sacrificial Lamb that takes away the sins of the world.
Jesus said, “My
reward is with
Life is very
short. It is gone before we even realize. Are you coming to Jesus? Will you
heed His and the church’s invitation to “Come”? There is much to gain in being
reconciled to and united with the One
Who is Eternal. It is an assurance of our eternal being. So, come and “take the
water of life freely.” To GOD be the glory now and always, in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Amen.