Psalm 8:1, add 31:1-4, 20:1-4, 123:1-3, and 145:1-3

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures and laid me down in Revelation 22. Th4e closing prayer, the benediction, of the Holy Ghost is where the Mind of the Spirit engaged the spirit of my mind:

Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

When we talk about prayer we usually include worship. But essentially, prayer is asking (John R. Rice—1942, Prayer—Asking and Receiving, and a host of Scripture references that establish this truth). Therefore, when I say Revelation 22:17 reflects a Holy Spirit prayer to sinners, calling on them to Come, I’m not saying, nor am I implying any worship component to that “prayer.” He is pleading with sinners to Come.

This does raise an important insight into the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He intercedes for us with unutterable groanings (Romans 8:26). He draws all men to Christ (John 12:32; 16:7-11). And here we see Him concluding the Spirit inspired Bible (2 Timothy 3:16) with a final pleading with mankind to Come.

Along the still waters, I noticed that the Bride joins the Spirit in this “prayer”: “The Spirit and the bride say come” (Revelation 22:17). Then those who hear this call join in the pleading: “Come.” Those who “hear” refers to those who respond to the call of the Spirit and the bride.  And the message of the call is this: “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

This “prayer” of the Spirit, the bride, and all who hear is accompanied by two warnings: first, don’t dare alter His words, neither by adding nor by subtracting from them (Revelation 22:18-19); and second, He Who declares “I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star” promises, “Surely, I come quickly,” to which the beloved Apostle responds: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

It’s been about 1926 years since Revelation was penned (cAD 98) and that does not seem “quick” to us. Trust me, He that inhabited eternity views it as not more than and eye blink (Isaiah 57:15), and for those who “hear” the call, when you cross the threshold of this present world and enter into eternity with Christ, you’ll forget the travail of this life and regard it as not more than a millisecond. Like the mother forgets her travail almost as quickly as the baby is placed in her arms, you will forget this fleeting time in the shadow of death. It will feel, He came quickly, when He has come, though at times, with John, you yearn: “Even so, Come, Lord Jesus.”

In the valley of the shadow of death, He Who promised to “come quickly” met me and said, “If any many will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23; see Philippians 2:5-11).

At the table He prepared for us to dine with Him and He with us (Revelation 3:20-21), He anointed my head with His oil and stirred His grace into my overflowing cup. Goodness and mercy attended me as we went together into the harvest.

Praying for revival! 🙏