Revelation 22:17 - Exposition

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. These words are best understood as uttered by the writer. The Holy Spirit working in the Church, through whom she is bound to Christ as his bride, and the Church herself, eagerly welcome the fulfilment of Christ's promise made in Revelation 22:12 . (On "come," cf. Revelation 6:1 .) And let him that heareth say, Come. The Church in her corporate capacity welcomes her Lord; so, also, let each member in his individual capacity, who hears this "testimony" ( Revelation 22:16 ), be desirous of the advent of his Master. And let him that is athirst come; athirst for the water of life (cf. Revelation 21:6 ). And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Omit "and." Again the active participle indicates the voluntary nature of the action; though the living water be freely given without money and without price, it is not enforced upon any.