THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

"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." Revelation 22:17

The following commentary is not my own. i have read it so many times and would like to share it with you. It is beautiful.

"I am the root and offspring of David"Rev 22:16-the origin and heir of the temporal promises of Israel; but much more than that-He is the bright and morning Star. It is what He is before He appears, in both respects; only the former regards Israel born of the seed of David according to the flesh. But the Lord has taken another character. He has not yet arisen as the Sun of Righteousness on this benighted globe; but, to faith, the dawn is there, and the assembly sees Him in the now far-spent night as the Morning Star, knows Him, while watching according to His own word, in His bright heavenly character-a character which does not wake a sleeping world, but is the delight and love of those who watch. When the sun arises, He will not be thus known: the earth will never so know Him, bright as the day may be. When Christ is in this place, the Spirit dwells in the assembly below, and the assembly has its own relationship. It is the bride of Christ, and her desire is toward Him.

Thus " the Spirit and the bride say, Come." It is not a warning from one coming as a judge and a rewarder, but the revelation of Himself which awakens the desire of the bride according to the relationship in which grace has set her. Nor is it a mere sentiment or wish: the Spirit who dwells in the assembly leads and suggests her thought. But the Spirit turns also and the heart of him who enjoys the relationship, to others. "Let him that heareth "-let him who hears the voice of the Spirit in the assembly join in the cry, and say, Come. It is one common hope, it should be our common desire; and the sense of what is coming on the earth and the sense of failure in things that are, ought only though it be in truth an inferior motive, to urge the cry in all. But while still here, the saint has another place also. Not only do his desires go after God upwards and the heavenly Bride groom, but he reflects God's known character, by having His nature and Spirit as manifested also in Christ's love and in possession of the living water, though not of the Bridegroom. He turns round and invites others "Let him that is athirst come," and proclaims it forth then to the world, "Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely." Thus the whole place of the heavenly saint, conscious of the assembly's place, is brought out in this verse, from his desire of Christ's coming, to his call to whosoever will to come.

The integrity of the book is preserved by a solemn warning of the danger of losing a part in the tree of life and the holy city. Christ then cheers the saint's heart, by assuring that He would quickly come; and the heart of the true saint responds with unfeigned and earnest desire, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus." And then, with the salutation of grace, the book closes leaving the promise and the desire as the last words of Jesus on the heart.

End commentary.

As the days grow urgent before His coming, His sheep know His voice. We anxiously await His return and we labor to harvest whosoever will come take the water of life. As we look up, we still look for the lost.

i was reminded yesterday by a dear sister in the Lord, of who i am in Christ. i know the Holy Spirit of God indwells me, but more than that, i am a bride of Christ. As a single woman in the crazy world we live in, i have assurance of a bridegroom that will never leave me, forsake me or let me down. He supplies all my needs, hears all my cries of joy as well as sorrow. Hears all my prayers. He comforts me and accompanies me wherever i go. He gives me strength, courage and power to go, to invite whosoever will, to come and partake of the marriage. To witness to all the world repentance and the remission of sins. i have great peace and joy in Him and never want to displease Him. Amen.