AND THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY, “COME!”

by Rogath Henry | 19 September 2020 08:46 pm09

 

Shalom! I welcome you to reflect together on the words of life.

In this final season, there is only one response that will identify who the true Bride of Christ is.

Remember, the bride is different from a concubine. Solomon had 700 concubines, but his wives (the brides) were only 300. The difference between a wife and a concubine is that the wife has full legal rights, including inheritance and property, while a concubine may be given many things but not the inheritance or the family name.

You can see this in the life of Abraham. Besides Isaac, he had seven other sons, but they were given only gifts—lands, houses, and other possessions. Isaac alone received everything: the gifts, the inheritance, and the name. That is why even today we recognize Isaac and not the others, because they were sons of concubines and not sons of the lawful wife, Sarah.

Genesis 25:5–6
“And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac. But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.”

So it is even in these last days—these two groups still exist. Therefore, do not rejoice merely because God blesses you, or because He gives you this or that. Rejoice when you are certain that you are an heir of God’s eternal promises after this life.

For concubines are always more numerous than wives.

Now, when we return to the book of Revelation, you will see in many places that the Lord Jesus declared these words: “Behold, I am coming quickly.” Read the following:

Revelation 22:7
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Revelation 22:12
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.”

This shows that the time of His return to the earth is very near.

But if you go a little further down, you will see two who are recorded as responding to that call—the Holy Spirit and the Bride.

Revelation 22:17
“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.”

Why did the Bride have the boldness to respond to that call, saying, “Come, Lord Jesus”? It is because she knew her true inheritance was near. It is because she had confidence in her faith through the Holy Spirit who dwelt within her.

That is why even the apostle John, when he heard the Lord repeat those words again, responded with great courage and said, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

Revelation 22:20
“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”

Only the Bride, filled with the Holy Spirit, will have the courage to speak these words in these last days.

The question to ask ourselves is this: Can you and I say these words? Remember, the answer is not in our mouths but in our hearts. If we do not have that boldness, then we are not the Bride—no matter how much we may claim to be saved. We would only be like the concubines, and when the day of the rapture comes, we will remain here on earth; we will not be taken together with the true Bride.

Concubines are also symbolized by the foolish virgins who took their lamps but carried no extra oil in their vessels. When the Bridegroom came, they were found without enough oil.

Matthew 25:1–13 (Excerpt)
“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom… Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish… While the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’…
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, brothers and sisters, let us not rejoice merely in calling ourselves Christians. Rather, let us rejoice in being the Bride—filled with the Holy Spirit. Remember the word of the Lord:

Matthew 22:14
“For many are called, but few are chosen.”

If we are already saved but still living lukewarm lives, then this is our time to prepare our lamps in the short time we have left.

May God grant us, by His grace, to reach a blessed end.

Maranatha — Come, Lord!

Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2020/09/19/and-the-spirit-and-the-bride-say-come/

---