Heed the Final Call

Revelation 22:17 ~ "The Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come.' And let the one who hears say, 'Come.' And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price."

The Book of Revelation spells out for the entire world the final and ultimate judgment of God and redemption of those who have trusted Christ for salvation. It ends with a view of the glorious city of God, King Jesus enthroned and His bride, the church, with Him forever. It also reveals those who will forever be in the outer darkness of eternal judgment. And then, in our text today, is the clarion call--the last invitation to those who would hear and respond to the salvation of Christ. Two destinations are illuminated and two final outcomes of all humanity is made known. The question we hearken unto is this: will you heed the final call?

There are three making their plea to those remaining outside of the redemption of the LORD to come. But "come" where? What destination is laid before the wandering soul that is of such critical need that the three mentioned in our text would beseech anyone to leave the world behind? It is to come to the salvation of Christ. To come to Jesus and look unto Him for the redemption of your soul and the gift of eternal life. 

The first is the Holy Spirit, for the Spirit says "come." This invitation of the Holy Spirit does not come in some sky-writing in the air, but upon the deep-seated conviction of the heart concerning sin. The LORD Jesus testified to this in John 16:8, "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment." The "he" referred to in the aforementioned text is the Holy Spirit. It is the working of the Spirit of Christ to begin the process of leading a sinner to repentance and faith in Jesus. Many who try to resist the Spirit, discount the conviction of sin in their heart and try to mollify their conscience with the idea that their sins are more acceptable to society so they must be agreeable with God. But the Spirit calls to the heart of a lost person with the conviction of sin. Dear reader, if you are not yet a true believer in the LORD Jesus, and conviction of sin has hit your heart, then know that it is the Spirit telling you to come to Christ Jesus and believe on Him for your salvation.

The second is the Bride, and that would be the church, calling you to "come." And who better to call to the unrepentant sinner to come to Christ than those who have found mercy and grace with Jesus! We who have fled to take hold of the hope in the LORD surely understand that His promise is true. It is those in the church who, once they knew their wretched state before the Holy God, pleaded for His mercy and found a full and free pardon from sin through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. It is as if one beggar found favor at a palatial estate, and the owner of that estate has promised to care for any--whether beggar or not--who come to His door and seek His grace. And we who are the church were once the spiritual beggars, for our sins had impoverished and condemned us. But we have come to find that Jesus the King died in our place and rose from the grave. And the church, the bride of Christ, is bound to Him with such eternal love and gratitude that we are eager to reach any who would heed our call to repentance. 

The third is: the one who hears, says come. This would be all those who have now understood that salvation is of the LORD and there is enough grace for any who would place their faith in Jesus. They have heard the Savior's call, have bowed beneath the Spirit's conviction and have trusted in Jesus for salvation. You might even now be "one who hears." For, perhaps even now you have come to trust Christ as your Savior and are filled with the new life promised to all who believe. Perhaps you're a long-tested saint, having walked with Christ for the span of your generation. You are also "one who hears," for you did hear, and still hear, that salvation is of the LORD. 

But to whom do we call? To everyone--and the ones who are thirsty will respond to the call to drink deep of the waters of life. Jesus is the well and grace is the water and all who come to Christ by faith and trust in Him for salvation will discover a refreshing stream ever flowing from the heart of the Savior. He will wash away your sins and refresh you with His love. The price for your soul has already been paid by the LORD Jesus. He died in your place, took your deserved punishment and received as your substitute the Father's full and furious wrath against sin. He did it all because He loves you and would have you delivered from your sins and redeemed for eternity.

Dear reader, if you have not yet received the salvation offered by Christ, then do so now. And, if you are already a Christian, then be another voice with an invitation to the lost to come and trust in Jesus.

In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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