The Final Invitation: "The Spirit and the Bride Say, 'Come!'"
In the closing verses of the Bible, just before the final benediction, we find one of the most poignant and profound invitations ever uttered. It is a divine summons, echoing through the corridors of eternity, and culminating in the climactic plea of Revelation 22:17: "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." This verse encapsulates the very heart of God's redemptive plan, a final, gracious call to humanity before the curtain falls on this present age. It is a harmonious chorus, sung by two distinct yet inseparable voices, beckoning all to partake of eternal life.
The Voice of the Spirit
The first voice in this final invitation is that of the Holy Spirit. From the very beginning, the Spirit of God has been active in creation, brooding upon the waters (Genesis 1:2), and in conviction, striving with man (Genesis 6:3). In the New Testament, the Spirit's role in salvation is unequivocally clear. He is the divine agent who convicts the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:8). Without the Spirit's work, no one would recognize their lost condition or their desperate need for a Saviour.
The Spirit illuminates the truth of God's Word, making the Gospel understandable and compelling. Jesus Himself promised that when the Spirit of truth is come, "he will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). It is the Spirit who regenerates the lost soul, giving new life and making one born again, not of water only, but of the Spirit (John 3:5). This is the "washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). He draws individuals to Christ, empowering them to respond to the divine call. The Spirit's "Come!" is an internal, powerful, and often silent urging, a divine wooing that resonates within the hearts of those He is seeking to save. He testifies of Christ, glorifies Him, and makes the sinner willing to come to the fountain of life.
The Voice of the Bride
Alongside the Spirit, the "bride" also says, "Come!" The bride, in biblical typology, refers to the Church, the collective body of believers who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ and are being prepared for union with Him as His eternal consort. Paul describes this relationship in Ephesians 5:25-27, where Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. The Church, therefore, is Christ's beloved, His chosen, and His representative on earth.
The Church's "Come!" is the outward manifestation of the Spirit's internal call. It is the proclamation of the Gospel, the earnest pleading with lost souls to repent and believe. Having received the Great Commission from her Lord (Matthew 28:19-20), the Bride is compelled to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Her voice is heard through missionaries on foreign fields, pastors in pulpits, and individual believers sharing their faith in daily life. This is the divine principle: "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14). The Bride’s "Come!" is an act of obedience, love, and longing – longing for Christ’s return and longing for lost souls to be saved and join her in that glorious anticipation. She echoes the Spirit's yearning for all to be reconciled to God.
The Urgency of the "Come!"
The placement of this invitation at the very end of the Bible, before the final amen, imbues it with immense urgency. It signifies that time is short, and the opportunity for salvation will not last indefinitely. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself declares in Revelation 22:12, "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." This impending return emphasizes that "now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). Life is but a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away (James 4:14). For every individual, the finality of death means that "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
There will be no second chance, no opportunity for repentance beyond the grave. The eternal destiny of every soul is sealed by their response to Christ in this life. The "Come!" is therefore not merely an invitation but a solemn warning. To ignore it is to choose eternal separation from God, a fate described as everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46). The urgency of the Spirit and the Bride's call is a loving, desperate plea for humanity to turn from sin and embrace the only way to eternal life before it is too late.
To Whom is the Invitation Extended?
The invitation is remarkably broad and inclusive, extending to three distinct groups, yet ultimately to all who will hear:
First, "let him that heareth say, Come." This is a call to those who have already heard and responded to the Gospel. It is an imperative for believers to join the chorus, to echo the invitation of the Spirit and the Bride. Having received the water of life, they are now to become conduits, sharing the good news with others. This highlights the chain of evangelism and discipleship.And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Second, "let him that is athirst come." This speaks to the spiritually needy, those who recognize their emptiness, their longing for something more than the world can offer. Jesus Himself proclaimed, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John 7:37). This spiritual thirst is a God-given yearning for righteousness and truth, a divine discontent that can only be quenched by Christ. It is an invitation to all who feel their spiritual barrenness, those who are tired of the broken cisterns of this world.
Finally, and most wonderfully, "whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." This phrase throws wide open the gates of salvation to all humanity. It is a universal invitation, emphasizing God's desire for all to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). There are no preconditions of merit, wealth, or status. The only requirement is willingness – a willingness to come to Christ, to believe, and to receive His gracious gift. The water of life, symbolic of eternal life and the Holy Spirit, is offered without price, without stipulation, purely by grace. This echoes the great Gospel promise of John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
The Response to the Invitation
The invitation "Come!" demands a response. It is not merely an intellectual assent to truth, but an active turning towards God. The required response is twofold:
- Repentance: A turning away from sin and self-reliance. The Spirit convicts of sin, and the Bride calls for a change of mind and direction.
- Faith: A turning towards Christ, believing in His finished work on the cross for salvation. It is to take the water of life freely, to receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour. As the Philippian jailer was told, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house" (Acts 16:31). This faith is not merely intellectual, but a heartfelt trust and reliance upon Him, confessing with the mouth the Lord Jesus, and believing in the heart that God hath raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10).
Conclusion
The final invitation in Revelation 22:17 is a beautiful symphony of divine grace and human evangelism. It is the Holy Spirit, working internally, convicting and drawing; and it is the Church, Christ's beloved Bride, working externally, proclaiming and pleading. Together, they issue a heartfelt, urgent, and universal call: "Come!" This invitation is for all who hear, for all who thirst, and for all who are willing. It is a call to cease from striving, to lay down the burdens of sin, and to freely receive the inexhaustible spring of eternal life offered by Jesus Christ.
As the Bible closes with the fervent prayer, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Revelation 22:20), let us, the Bride, continue to echo the Spirit's cry, inviting all who will to partake of the life-giving water. For those who hear and respond, the promise is sure: they shall never thirst again, and they shall inherit eternal life with the Lord. Let us, therefore, not delay, but come, and invite others to come, before the final "Amen" is uttered.