"The Water of Life"
Revelation 22:17-21
“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.”
These are the final verses of the Book of Revelation and the Bible itself. For the most part, in this book, John is given a message and visions about future events. After the introduction in chapter 1, and the letters to the seven churches in chapters 2 and 3, John, in chapters 4 and 5, sees a future worship scene in heaven. Then from chapters 6 through 19, John sees and writes in detail about the events and things that will take place during the seven-year Tribulation of God’s wrath being poured out on the earth!
At the end of chapter 19, John sees the glorious return of Jesus Christ to the earth with His saints and the armies of heaven to set up His kingdom where He will rule from the throne of David for a thousand years. Chapter 20 ends with the Great White Thone Judgment, which also marks the end of time, as we know it, on earth. John takes us into eternity in chapters 21 and 22 as he describes the heavenly and holy city that comes down out of heaven where we will dwell forever!
Now as John closes the book, in Revelation 22:6, an angel assures him that everything he has seen and written about is “faithful and true”. It is almost like John is shocked back into the reality of time, and where he is, and he falls down to worship the angel who has given him this message! The angel stops him and tells to “Worship God”!
This should remind us that while the study of Revelation and future events is interesting, encouraging, and motivational for us to live for Jesus today, our main focus and purpose in life is to worship God! That is why we were created! If we are not careful, we begin to worship the messengers, the preachers, the evangelist and the personalities who brought us the inspiring insights into the future! What a great reminder to “Worship God”. He alone is worthy of our praise and worship!!!!
Now, in these last verses of the Book of Revelation we have a final invitation, a final warning, a final word from Jesus, and a final prayer! The truth is, the entire Bible is an invitation from God Himself to come to Him and trust Him for everything you really need. So, it should be no wonder that in these last verses He makes this invitation very specific! Come!!!!
First, we noticed yesterday that the Holy Spirit is involved in giving this invitation to come. Then the bride, who is the church, is also giving this invitation to come. Remember as believers, we are the church, and we should do our part in sharing this great invitation to come. Then specifically, anyone who has read the words of this book of prophecy should also be very motivated to tell people to come to Jesus before it is too late. (v. 17).
After John tells us who is responsible for giving and sharing the invitation, he tells us who is receiving the invitation. First it is anyone who is thirsty (v. 17). I’m convinced that inside every person there is an emptiness and a void that only God can fill and satisfy. The problem is that we seek to satisfy this desire with everything except God!
In John 4, we read the story of the woman at the well that Jesus asked for a drink of water. He then offered her water that would forever quench her thirst. This dear woman was obviously looking and thirsting for something. She had been married five times and was living with a man who wasn’t her husband. She represents so many of us today that are looking for human relationships to bring us a sense of security and peace. That day, this woman met Jesus, and everything changed for her!
The invitation “Come” is also for “whoever desires”! That means anyone and everyone is invited to drink of the “water of life” that only Jesus can give and when you do you will never thirst again! (John 4:13-14)
God bless!
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