“Revelation 22:16-17”

Thursday, February 08, 2018

“‘I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the change curches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ 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 wishes take the water of life without cost.”

---End of Scripture verses---

The Apostle John has been shown many visions through the agency of various angels, but from the beginning it has been declared that this is “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bondservants…” (Revelation 1:1). Jesus personally sent His “angel to testify” with His authority “these things for the churches” (verse 1). He is both “the root and the descendant of David.” As God Almighty who has existed from all eternity, Jesus is David’s Lord (Matthew 22:43-44) and therefore his “root” and Creator. As God “manifested in the flesh” (1 Timothy 3:16) and a direct “descendant” of King David, He is David’s “son” and successor (Matthew 22:42).

Jesus also called Himself “the bright and morning star.” Robert Harkrider wrote that this term signals “the beginning of a new day at dawn. By fulfilling the purpose and plan of God through His birth, life and death, Jesus shines forth a morning of victory for all who follow the Lamb wheresoever He goes (2:28; 14:4).” Homer Hailey wrote: “A prophet long ago declared that out of Jacob would come forth a star, a sceptre (symbol of royalty) that would smite His enemies, breaking the sons of tumult (Num. 24:17). Jesus now declares that He is that star, ‘the bright, the morning star,’ who, as the offspring of David, has conquered His enemies. And as the morning star, He heralds the approach of eternal day.”

God wants you to wash your robe in the blood of the Lamb so that you “may have right to the tree of life, and enter by the gates” of pearl “into the” eternal heavenly “city” (verse 14). The Holy Spirit through the inspired writers of the Bible invites you to “come” (verse 17). The members who make up Christ’s church body (the bride) that is “the pillar and support of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15) say “come”. “Let the one who is thirsty come” and “take the water of life without cost.” Jesus said to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:13-14).

Jesus says “come”: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) The “dogs…sorcerers…immoral persons…idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying” (verse 15) live “outside” of Christ, and “their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8), forever and ever and ever. That is no place for you to waste an eternity. You don’t want to go there, God doesn’t want you to be there, Jesus died so that you need not burn there. It is all so tragic and unnecessary to ignore the Lord’s loving invitation and forfeit a home in heaven. “Repent and…be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

Hear the invitation. Come whosoever will!

Please read Revelation 22:18-21 for tomorrow.

Have a great day!

-Louie Taylor

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