By Evangelist John BJ Hall
The BIBLE is Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. It is the very definition of Truth. It is filled from Genesis to Revelation with essential instructions for life and for preparation for the eternal life that it offers.
Today lets focus on one passage in The Revelation of Jesus Christ. Revelation 22:17 (NASB) “And 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 wishes take the water of life without cost.”
This passage contains the most essential instruction. Here we see the Holy Spirit and the bride of Christ (the church) saying “come.” This is a twofold invitation. It is first an invitation by the Holy Spirit and those who have been saved, asking the Lord Jesus to come.
In this chapter alone Jesus says three times, “I [Christ] come quickly" (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20). However the Lord Jesus has of His own will “delayed” His return for over 2000 years. “What?” you ask, “He delayed?” Yes, He delayed and the Apostle Peter tells us why. God wants to give this sinful world opportunity to repent and be saved, 2 Peter 3:9 (NASB) “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”
The Holy Spirit and the Church and cry out “Come!” They are asking the Lord to come. The bride wants to meet her Bridegroom and enter into her home. John ends the book with these words, Revelation 22:20-21 (NASB) He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.
The second phrase of the verse says “And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ ” This phrase is instructing us to give the invitation to the lost, to ask them to come and drink of the Water of Life.
And finally the instruction is given to the lost, “And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” There is a prerequisite for taking the water of life without cost. You must be thirsty.
The Holy Spirit works in our lives to give us a thirst for the water of life. The Holy Spirit creates that thirst by convicting us of sin. Without conviction of sin there would be no drive, no thirst, for salvation.
If you know someone who doesn’t have the thirst for the water, all the plans of man will not change him. Pray for the conviction of the Holy Spirit in his life. Only then will he realize his need for salvation.
The Beloved
“The beloved” they had called him,
So many years ago.
His love for Christ was not a whim,
For his love he did show.
But many years had come and gone.
He was now very old.
Years had taken their toll on John,
Yet he was still so bold.
So long upon this lonely isle,
So windswept and obscure.
He had traveled many a mile
With word of love assured.
Now in the Spirit he was found
As he walked with the Lord.
He saw no earthly sight or sound
And his heart truly soared.
He saw a heav’nly vision clear,
No man had seen before.
He saw his Lord and gave an ear
As they walked Heaven’s shore.
© Copyright 2001 by Passages Ministries. All rights reserved.
For permission to use this poem contact Passages Ministries.