The Invitation

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.   Revelation 22:17

The question of where you will spend eternity is more important than any other issue you will ever face. The whole Bible story is about how God has opened the way into everlasting life through Jesus Christ for all who will come to him in repentance and faith. The Bible story ends with the greatest invitation you will ever receive!

The marvelous thing about John’s vision of the city is that all its gates are open. John saw an angel at each gate (see Revelation 21:12), reminding us of the beginning of the Bible story where the cherubim and a flaming sword guarded the entrance to the tree of life (see Genesis 3:24). But now Jesus Christ has come, and the sword of God’s judgment has been broken on him. Now the angels stand by the gates not to forbid entrance, but to welcome all who will come.

The bride is the church, and she invites you to come. If you have not yet come to faith in Christ, it is quite likely there’s a Christian somewhere who has been praying for you and longing that you will. It is my privilege to speak for the bride: the Lord Jesus Christ has come into the world for you. He has gone to the cross and opened the way to everlasting life. He offers all this to you, but you must come!

Enter by repentance and faith into what Jesus Christ has opened up for you. Come and receive the life he offers to you. Come to him, because one day every one of his people will enter into this marvelous city.

Alongside the invitation of the bride, the Holy Spirit also says, “Come!” God wants you to be part of this, and he invites you. Jesus Christ died to open these gates for you. God will not force eternity in his presence on you, but he wants you to enjoy his blessing and presence forever, so he invites you to come. Do not stand at a distance from the priceless gift that God offers to you. Come!

For further reading, see Isaiah 55