“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16).
While the book of Revelation contains many challenging passages, it is not a book that is reserved for a select group of readers who possess some form of special knowledge. Instead, it is given to “the churches.” And just as we read earlier in Revelation chapter one, “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near” (Revelation 1:3).
That brings to the last five verses of the book of Revelation…
“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.
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; 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.
He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Revelation 22:17-21).
Just as the Spirit of God appeared in the opening verses of the first Biblical book, He now appears once again in the closing verses of the last Biblical book. In addition to what we read here in Revelation 22: 17, Jesus spoke of the Spirit’s continuing ministry in the Gospel of John when He said, “…when he has come he will convince the world of its sin, and of the availability of God’s goodness, and of deliverance from judgment” (John 16:8 TLB).
Earlier in Revelation nineteen, we also encountered the imagery of a bride who “…was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:8 HCSB). So, these passages portray God’s people as a bride, while the marriage relationship symbolizes the privileged, intimate relationship that Christ seeks to enjoy with His people.
Here, the Holy Spirit joins together with the bride of Christ to present God’s gracious invitation to eternal life: “…Let those who are thirsty come! Let those who want the water of life take it as a gift” (GW).