The Spirit and the Bride Say Come: Jesus’ Final Warning & Invitation
Bible Study Guide
The Bride and the Spirit say come. And with this will come the final warning and invitation extended to humanity before judgment (Tribulation).
Throughout the Old Testament, God warned the prophets. Then the prophets warned the people of their sinful ways and straying from God. Then Christ was born into the world. He offered the free gift of salvation. The same One who warned the prophets was then warning the people to turn from their ways. He was especially focused on the Jewish leaders.
In John’s epilogue of Revelation 22, we’ll once again see an invitation and warning. These will be from the Spirit (Holy Spirit) and the Bride (Jesus) themselves speaking directly to the Jews and the Gentiles.
John’s Testimony As the Witness To the Spirit and Bride
(Verses 8-9) John gives his testimony to all the things that were shown to him and everything that he was asked to write down. He testifies to when the Spirit and the Bride say come.
By now, John was likely emotional and mentally exhausted. He rode a whipsaw of visions from the most violent judgments upon the earth to the most glorious praise and worship visions in heaven. Most 90 year old men wouldn’t be able to withstand such extremes without a cardiac event. But John had been long reserved by God for a time such as his.
John was not about to let his best friend and his Lord down.
John’s Error Delivers a Powerful Message For Us
Suddenly, John stumbles on a past error of his actions. He reminds us of an incidence that occurred in Revelation 19. In that chapter, John had just witnessed a threefold worship and praise ceremony in heaven. It was a ceremony that quickly built up to a crescendo. It was a celebration of the Lord’s defeat of the evil pagan system (Babylon) that had plagued mankind for ages. And it was a worship ceremony giving all the glory and praise to God.
In John’s defense, Revelation 19 must’ve brought John to a point where his emotions were busting from his pores. Tears of joy were likely flowing from his eyes. His urge to want to worship was so strong, he fell to his knees and worshiped the angel next him.
The angel delivers a powerful message. Worship no other person except God. This would be a wonderful message to many religions who falsely direct their congregation to pray to people like Mary and their so-called saints. Our prayers and worship should always be directed to God and God alone.
Ask anyone who believes in prayers to Mary or any saints where in scripture God or a prophet ever instructed anyone to pray to anyone other than God. Even Christ turned peoples attention directly to God.
“Worship God!”
Do Not Seal Up the Words of the Scroll
(Verse 10) Approximately 700 years before Jesus gave the words of Revelation to John the apostle to write, God spoke to Daniel His prophet about the preliminary events that would lead up to Revelation.
Except, when Daniel received the words of prophecy about what would occur in the future and the lead up to the time of the Tribulation, he was told to seal up the words of the scroll.
“But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” (Daniel 12:4)
Notice, God doesn’t just instruct Daniel to seal up the words of the scroll. He also tells him that people will be much better informed of His words in the future. People will seek to understand the signs of the times. They’ll do it by reading and understanding Revelation. They’ll also seek sound pastors who adhere to the literal interpretation of the Bible and teach others to allow scripture to interpret scripture.
This underscores the openness and relevance of the message of Revelation to us in this day.
Isn’t that about us? Aren’t we the ones, right now, trying to understand the coming days and the events that are occurring before our eyes? While things may appear to be falling apart, they’re really falling into place. It’s truly a blessing to be alive in this day and age. Why? Because we see the signs converging and screaming at us. Jesus is coming soon!
Is This Encouragement From the Angel?
(Verse 11) We don’t want to look at this verse as an encouragement to those who sin. The angel is not trying to convince people to continue in their evil ways.
The angel is merely indicating that those who with full intention and knowledge of their sin and opposition to God will continue down the same path. We see this clearly in Revelation. As humanity will be hit with the worse disasters that the earth has ever seen, sinful people who blatantly choose sin will continue to oppose God.
There’s no clearer evidence of this than in Revelation 16 when those left alive on earth will have survived God’s judgments. Yet, they’ll still choose to defy Him.
“From the sky huge hailstones, each weighing about a hundred pounds, fell on people. And they cursed God on account of the plague of hail, because the plague was so terrible.” (Revelation 16:21)
And those who God has chosen to walk righteously and in holiness will not be taken away from Him.
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)
The Spirit and the Bride Say Come and Accept Our Invitation
(Verse 12) Jesus repeats the phrase, “Look, I am coming Soon!” The word “look” is used to grab the readers attention. In other words, listen and pay attention. What I’m about to say matters to your spiritual well-being.
Jesus reverts back to the beginning before He broke the first seal and initiated the judgments of God upon the earth. He goes back to the seven letters written for the seven churches. They also were an invitation and a warning.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)
“Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:
‘Today, if you will hear His voice,
8 Do not harden your hearts…’” (Hebrews 3:7-8)
When you hear the invitation of the Spirit and the Bride, allow Christ to enter.
What Are the Rewards Jesus Is Speaking About?
Where have we heard Christ describe the rewards He will bring with Him when He comes to gather his church at the rapture. If you’re thinking the seven letters to the seven churches at the start of Revelation…nice work!
In the seven love letters, Jesus explains the rewards for those who accept the invitation when the Spirit and the Bride say come. I’m sure you remember the letters also describe what happens if the invitation and warning are not heeded.
With each letter, Jesus describes one of His rewards.
Jesus’ Rewards
| “To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7) | Church of Ephesus |
| “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” (Revelation 2:11) | Church of Smyrna |
| “To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17) | Church of Pergamum |
| “And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— 27 ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’— as I also have received from My Father; 28 and I will give him the morning star.” (Revelation 2:26-28) | Church of Thyatira |
| “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” (Revelation 3:5) | Church of Sardis |
| “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.” (Revelation 3:12) | Church of Philadelphia |
| “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Revelation 3:21) | Church of Laodicea |
The Deity of Christ
(Verse 13) The apostle John writes 21 chapters in his gospel. He dedicates each one to demonstrate the deity of Christ. Here in Revelation 22, Jesus uses one verse to remind us that He is God made man.
The alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. He’s the first and the last. The beginning and the end. Christ existed before creation and will continue at the end of the current age and through eternity.
(Verse 14) Here we have the seventh and final blessing of Revelation. The only book of the Bible that begins with a blessing and ends with one. The washing of the robe is a metaphor for the Christian walk through life. It’s what a true biblical Christian does everyday in their walk with the Holy Spirit.
Once you give your life to Christ and are justified by God. The Holy Spirit enters you. It’s the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction that leads us to wash our robe daily. This means that everyday, a Christian is walking closer toward holiness and righteousness. Until eventually, the robe is fully cleansed by Christ in glorification so that we are able to be with Christ and presented to the Father as holy and righteous.
The act of washing your robe signifies your desire to detach from this world and grow closer to spiritual things.
Who Will Get To See the Gates of the New Jerusalem?
It’s only these who’ll have the ability to enter the gates of the New Jerusalem which will be on the new earth.
(Verse 15) Jesus clearly describes six different categories of sinners that will not enter the gates of the new Jerusalem.
(Verse 16) Jesus is a witness to Himself. He adds authenticity to the Words given to the angel which was given to John to write the book of Revelation. The churches described here are meant for everyone from the time of the writing of Revelation up until today.
Sadly, so many pastors don’t even teach on Revelation. A book that God gives multiple blessings for reading, understanding and sharing its truth.
As the root of David, He set David on his throne. And as the Offspring of David, Jesus falls in the line of the tribe of Judah. The same as David. Except, Jesus is the ultimate and true fulfillment of the King of kings and Lord of Lords.
Again, the Spirit and the Bride Say Come
(Verse 17) This is the final invitation of when the Spirit and the Bride say come, in Revelation written by John. John references those who can hear meaning they should listen and accept the invitation to eternal life. This is an all inclusive reference to everyone who has ears.
John is echoing the words of Christ. Jesus used this reference in each of the letters to the seven churches at the start of Revelation to indicate that all should listen (Revelation 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:29; 3:6; 3:13; 3:22).
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 2:11)
(Verses 18-19) Throughout scripture, God has always been very clear. Their are rewards for those who accept God’s commands and obey. There are also punishments for those who take God’s Word and twist them to satisfy their own narrative and evil desires.
It’s important that we stay true to the Word. We must grow to understand it in all its literal forms and not approach it from an allegorical interpretation. This only leads to sinking sand theology.
(Verse 20) Christ testifies, “Yes, I am coming soon.” And all God’s people say, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”
The Final Benediction
(Verse 21) John opened the book of Revelation with a benediction.
“John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:
Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,” (Revelation 1:4)
This benediction was directed to the seven churches of Minor Asia. This closing benediction is for all of God’s people. Imagine that. If you’re a follower of Christ and you’ve made Jesus your Lord and Savior, John’s benediction is meant for you also.
Over two thousand years ago, John, the apostle spoke the words of this benediction for you and I, and all God’s people to have Christ’ grace placed upon us. What an amazing and beautiful thing that is.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21)
Will you accept the invitation of the Spirit and Bride before the rapture arrives?
I’d like to close with a quote. In his book Escape the Coming Night, Dr. David Jeremiah states, “we must not allow the present world events to distract us from proclaiming the truth of things to come.”