“THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY, COME!”(Revelation 22:17, NKJV)
Shalom, dear brethren! I warmly welcome you to reflect with me on these powerful words of life drawn from the final chapter of the Bible.
We are living in the closing moments of human history—the last dispensation before the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this decisive hour, there is only one response that truly reveals the identity of the Bride of Christ: the cry of longing and readiness—“Come, Lord Jesus!”
There is a profound difference between a bride and a concubine. In Scripture, King Solomon had 700 concubines and 300 wives (1 Kings 11:3). The wives represented legitimate covenant partners, but the concubines, though close to the king, lacked covenantal rights to his inheritance and name.
Likewise, Abraham’s relationship with his sons illustrates this truth. Scripture says:
Genesis 25:5–6, NKJV) “And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac. But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had, and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son…”
Genesis 25:5–6, NKJV)
“And Abraham gave all that he had to Isaac. But Abraham gave gifts to the sons of the concubines which Abraham had, and while he was still living he sent them eastward, away from Isaac his son…”
Isaac alone received the promise, the inheritance, and the name, because he was the son of Sarah, the legitimate wife of covenant. The others, though blessed, remained outside the covenantal lineage.
This distinction is symbolic of two kinds of Christians in the Church today:
Those who merely enjoy God’s blessings (like concubines receiving gifts), and
Those who are in a covenant relationship with Christ—the true Bride—sharing in His name, His inheritance, and His destiny (Romans 8:16–17).
Romans 8:16–17, NKJV) “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…”
Romans 8:16–17, NKJV)
“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ…”
In the book of Revelation, the risen Christ repeatedly announces His imminent return:
Revelation 22:7, NKJV “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:7, NKJV
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”
Revelation 22:12, NKJV) “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”
Revelation 22:12, NKJV)
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”
These declarations serve as both warning and comfort. To the unprepared, they are a trumpet of judgment; to the Bride, they are a call of hope and reunion. The repetition of “I am coming quickly” underlines the urgency of readiness and holiness (Hebrews 12:14).
Amidst all creation, only two voices are recorded as responding to this divine call: the Holy Spirit and the Bride.
Revelation 22:17, NKJV) “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 .
Revelation 22:17, NKJV)
“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 .
The Spirit yearns for the completion of redemption—the moment when the Church, the Bride, will be united with her Bridegroom in eternal glory.The Bride, filled with that same Spirit, echoes heaven’s longing with the same cry: “Come!”
This harmony between the Spirit and the Bride demonstrates spiritual maturity and unity with the divine will. Only those filled and led by the Spirit can genuinely long for Christ’s appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
2 Timothy 4:8, NKJV) “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:8, NKJV)
“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
Why does the Bride respond with such confidence and joy? Because she knows that her redemption is near and that her inheritance is secure in Christ (Ephesians 1:13–14). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the “guarantee” of her future glory, confirming her position as the Bride.
John 14:2–3). “And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’” is not a mere statement—it is a cry of intimacy and expectation.Just as a bride eagerly awaits the day of her wedding, so the true Church eagerly awaits her union with Christ at His return .
John 14:2–3).
“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’” is not a mere statement—it is a cry of intimacy and expectation.Just as a bride eagerly awaits the day of her wedding, so the true Church eagerly awaits her union with Christ at His return .
That is why, when John heard the Lord say, “Surely I am coming quickly,” he boldly responded:
Revelation 22:20, NKJV) “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Revelation 22:20, NKJV)
“Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
Only those who walk closely with the Holy Spirit will echo that same cry in this generation.
The concubines of the modern Church are those who claim the name of Christ but lack the inner life of the Spirit. They resemble the foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1–13, who carried lamps but had no oil. They represent believers without the continual infilling of the Holy Spirit—professing faith but lacking power and intimacy.
When the Bridegroom came, their lamps had gone out, and they were shut out of the wedding feast.
Matthew 25:9–10, NKJV) “But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.”
Matthew 25:9–10, NKJV)
“But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.”
Therefore, the call to the Church today is not merely to identify as Christian but to be filled with the Spirit and live in readiness.
Matthew 22:14, NKJV) “Many are called, but few are chosen.”
Matthew 22:14, NKJV)
“Many are called, but few are chosen.”
If you have already received salvation but have been living a lukewarm or compromised life, this is your moment to trim your lamp—to return to the first love (Revelation 2:4–5).Repent, rekindle your devotion, and be filled afresh with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
Christ is not coming for a distracted or divided Church, but for a pure Bride, “without spot or wrinkle” (Ephesians 5:27).
Beloved, let us not simply rejoice that we are called Christians—let us rejoice that we are part of the Bride of Christ, sealed and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit and the Bride continue to cry, “Come, Lord Jesus!”Let that cry rise from within us daily as we long for His glorious appearing.
(1 Thessalonians 5:23, NKJV) “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:23, NKJV)
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!(Revelation 22:20, NKJV)
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