WORDS OF LIFE SERIES 53
Every true believer appeals to every
BIBLE STUDY NOTES GREAT STATEMENTS OF THE
GOSPEL
by Francis W. Dixon
Study 10 THE CLOSING APPEAL OF THE BIBLE
(Key verse: Revelation 22:17)
Our key verse is found in the very last chapter of the Bible and it constitutes
what may be called the closing appeal of the Bible. We rightly attach much
importance to the last words of men, and we should take note of the closing
words of God’s inspired Word. It seems as though the Holy Spirit said to John,
‘Now, John, before the book closes and before we solemnly warn the reader
about taking away from or adding to the Word, we must give one final appeal to
the sinner to come to the Saviour’ – and this appeal is in verse 17. If we study
Revelation 22:17 carefully we shall notice that seven reasons are given as to
why the sinner should come to the Saviour – it is a seven-fold appeal to the
sinner to be reconciled to God. Why should you, if you have not already done
so, come to Christ and put your trust in Him?
1. Because the Holy Spirit invites you to come
Our verse begins, “The Spirit says, ‘Come!’” The Holy Spirit is the third Person
in the Godhead. What is the work of the Trinity today? God the Father planned
the work of redemption; the Lord Jesus (His Son) came and procured our
redemption by His death and resurrection; but what is the Holy Spirit doing? He
is in the world seeking to bring the sinner to the Saviour, seeking to unite the
sinner to the Saviour. It is His voice you hear speaking to you through God’s
Word – for example, Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 55:1. It is the Holy Spirit who has
recorded the invitations of Christ Himself – for example, Matthew 11:28;
Revelation 3:20. Then, He speaks to us sometimes through our joys and at
other times through our sorrows. He compels men and women to pause, to stop
and think. It is the Holy Spirit who does this. Maybe He is speaking to you now
and is saying, “Come!” – look up Hebrews 3:7 and compare Hebrews 12:25. It
is a very serious thing to refuse the voice of the Holy Spirit because you cannot
be saved without His ministry. Jesus said this in John 6:44.
2. The Church invites you to come to Christ
Our verse tells us that “the bride says, ‘Come!’” In the New Testament the bride
represents the Church, and the appeal of the true Church to the sinner is “come
to Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20) The presence of the Church, the bride of Christ,
in the world today is one big invitation to the sinner to come to the Saviour. The
Church says “Come!” by its ministers. Think how many of Christ’s servants
around the world are constantly, day after day, proclaiming the gospel and
inviting sinners to come to the Saviour. The Church also says “Come!” by its
many members scattered far and wide.
sinner to be reconciled to God. Again, the Church says “Come!” by its
ordinances – whether baptismal services or meeting around the Lord’s Table.
3. The individual Christian says “Come!”
Our verse says, “Let him who hears say, “Come!” Perhaps you can cast your
mind back to a time when someone appealed to you to become a Christian,
someone who heard for himself, who believed on the Lord and experienced His
salvation, and who then came to you and said “Come!” You might ask, ‘Why is it
so important?’ – our verse goes on to tell us the answer to this question.
4. You need to come to Christ
Notice the words “Whoever is thirsty, let him come”. Here is someone who is
conscious of a deep need, which only Christ can meet – compare John 4:14;
John 7:37-38. Do you not feel the need of His pardon (Mark 2:5), His peace
(Romans 5:1), His power (Philippians 4:13), His provision (Psalm 34:10), and
Paradise (Luke 23:43)? We are restless until we find true rest in Christ, and He
is the only One who can give this – Matthew 11:28-30.
5. There is no excuse for not coming
That is to say, you can offer no valid reason for not coming. The invitation is so
wide because it incorporates people of every race, age and condition; and all
may receive His great salvation – look up Romans 10:12-13.
6. The way to come to Christ is so simple
If you ask the question in Acts 16:30, the answer in our key verse is simply,
“Take!” Salvation is offered, and all you have to do is to take it. God gives, and
we take. God gave (John 3:16) and we receive His gift (Romans 6:23). Could
anything be simpler than that?
7. There is nothing to pay
Notice the words “free gift” in our key verse. Salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:8-
9), and to benefit from a gift all you have to do is to accept it, to receive it – look
up Isaiah 55:1-2.
So we have seen in this, our last study of the series, seven reasons why the
sinner should come to the Saviour, why you should come to Christ and put your
trust in Him – and please notice that whether or not men and women are saved
depends upon whether or not they are willing to be saved. How clearly this is
stressed in our key verse. Finally, look up the Saviour’s wonderful “I will” in
Revelation 3:20, and then give Him your reply.
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