Introduction
Last time, we explored the founding vision of Call2Come—a vision rooted in the Spirit’s invitation to the Church to rise into her identity as the Bride of Christ. Just as Rebekah responded to the question, “Will you go with this man?” so too the Church is being called to follow the Holy Spirit into unfamiliar territory, leaving behind old paradigms and traditions. This journey is not merely about function or ministry, but about transformation—becoming who we truly are through intimacy with the Bridegroom. We learned that this transformation involves a confession of our identity, not just as servants or children, but as the Bride. And from this place of revelation, a cry begins to emerge from deep within—a longing for the Bridegroom’s return. This is the heartbeat of Call2Come: a bridal people who are no longer content to remain where they are, but are responding to the Spirit’s call with readiness and yearning. As we concluded the lesson, we were left with a challenge—to examine our hearts and ask ourselves, are we truly willing to go with Him, wherever He leads?
As we turn now to the final chapter of Scripture, Revelation 22, we’re invited into a breathtaking vision inside the New Jerusalem—a place where the curse is no more, where the Lamb reigns, and where the redeemed will see His face. We are provided with wonderful insights, like the eternal destiny and healing of nations and the provision of Divine light. It’s within this climactic scene that we hear the unified cry: “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come!’” This is not just a closing note to the Bible but sets the tone and last words of Jesus in Scripture.
Let’s take a minute to read the chapter:
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. 6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” 10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.” 12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you[fn] this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.” 17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. Revelation 22 NIV
What an amazing last chapter this truly is! Rich and profound, deep and prophetic. In this lesson, we will take time to unpack some key elements of this revelation, but first we’ll begin with verse 17:
“And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” – NKJV
This unified cry of the Spirit and the Bride is the word “Come”. It is the Greek verb “erchomai”, which carries profound significance. It’s used throughout Scripture to express the idea of arrival or coming, but with different nuances depending on the context. For example, in Revelation 1:7, it refers to His glorious, visible return to the earth, when every eye will see Him in His power and glory. Here, erchomai emphasizes divine presence breaking into human history in a way that will be undeniable and radical.
“Behold, He is coming (erchomai) with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7 NKJV
In John 14:3, Jesus uses erchomai when He promises:
“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come (erchomai) again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”
This is Jesus’ personal promise to return. The use of erchomai here carries the intimacy of a Bridegroom preparing a place for His Bride (echoing ancient Jewish wedding customs). It’s not just about physical return, but relational reunion—”that where I am, you may be also.”
Then, in Matthew 24:30, Jesus speaks of His triumphant return on the clouds of heaven.
“Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming (erchomenon) on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
Again, erchomai points to the majesty and authority of Christ, who will come not just as Saviour, but as Judge and King. Yet, in John 1:29, the same word is used to describe Jesus’ first coming—as the Lamb of God coming to redeem the world. This reveals the incredible depth of this simple word: coming is not just about physical arrival but carries within its meaning the aspects of prophetic fulfilment, bridal desire, glory, redemption and power.
When the Spirit and the Bride cry, “Come!” in Revelation 22:17, they are longing for the fulfilment of all God’s promises. It’s a cry for intimacy, glory, and the consummation of His eternal purpose. This cry is not new—it echoes through human history, like a golden thread woven through every generation. From the beginning, the Spirit has been calling, groaning, interceding, and drawing creation towards its destined union with the Bridegroom. The Spirit has always longed for the day when Christ would be fully revealed in His Bride. And now, at the end of the age, the Bride has been awakened to that same desire. When the Spirit and the Bride cry together, “Come!” it becomes the ultimate prayer of agreement—a united cry from heaven and earth in perfect harmony. This is not just a yearning for relief or escape, but a deep, mutual longing for union, for the return of the One whom our souls love. It is the crescendo of redemptive history, the final act of intercession and partnership with Heaven that will “hasten the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:12) and usher in the Bridegroom King.
I believe God was intentional that we find “erchomai” seven times within this final chapter. It’s incredible to think of the intricate attention to detail to ensure this number of completion, the number seven, equates to the total times “erchomai” is recorded for us in Revelation 22. Allow me to explain:
1. “Behold, I am coming soon (erchomai). Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” Revelation 22:7
Here, our Bridegroom calls us to vigilance and obedience. The blessing is not for the passive hearer, but for the one who keeps—who treasures, guards, and lives by the revelation. This first “I am coming” reminds us that readiness is marked not by knowledge alone, but by obedience rooted in love. The Bride is not merely aware—she is attentive, watching, and walking in alignment with the prophetic word.
2. “Behold, I am coming soon (erchomai), bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.” Revelation 22:12
This second declaration is sobering. The Bridegroom is also Judge, and His coming carries reward. There is both promise and accountability. The Bride does not fear His justice, for she is hidden in His righteousness, but she lives with holy reverence, longing to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” This “I am coming” stirs us to faithful stewardship and enduring hope.
3. “And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come! (erchomai)” Revelation 22:17a
This verse is familiar to the church and yet as a whole is not seen as something that requires any particular response or application today but rather is seen as a statement of what will be when Jesus returns. After all, how can the Bride call “Come” if she is not yet ready? Can the Bride only pray this prayer once she is fully dressed? Or have we missed something which has major significance and implications for the church today? But notice, it is not in the future but the present moment the Spirit and Bride are saying “Come”. As we explored in Lesson 3, the early Church embedded this bridal longing within their greeting “maranatha” meaning “Our Lord has come” but also “Our Lord Come”.
4. “And let him who hears say, “Come! (erchomai)” Revelation 22:17b
There is a change in focus within this statement. We move from a generic portrayal of the ultimate agreement between heaven and earth when the Spirit and the Bride say come to an instruction—an invitation for those “who have ears to hear to say what the Spirit is saying to the churches” to say “Come”.
This answers the question can we pray this prayer today? Clearly, we can not only pray this prayer, but we are also instructed to do so. With this then comes a new mandate, a new responsibility upon the Bride to respond back to the Lord with the plea of a longing heart. We discover that the response He is looking for when we learn more of who He is, is to ask Him to come. Why would we pray anything else, when He has shown us that He is the One who will make everything new, who will destroy the enemy and overthrow the reign of evil and darkness and usher in a new Kingdom of pure love and triumph? All other human endeavour is simply swallowed up and diminished by the One who is Alpha and Omega, who invites us to Holy union in a marriage that is the ultimate love story in which we shall reign together with the Lord for all eternity.
By asking the Lord to come we activate something within our hearts. It is releasing that which is present already within the believer’s heart because it is embedded within every child of God by the Holy Spirit who has always been saying come. When we pray Come, we are aligning ourselves with the Holy Spirit and positioning ourselves before the bridegroom in a way that cannot happen any other way. By doing so we are allowing the Holy Spirit greater access to the inner most parts of our being, where He fashions our hearts as that of a bride in readiness for the bridegroom. In this way, calling come becomes a necessary process in the bridal preparation.
5. “And let him who thirsts come (erchomai). Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17c
There is both an upward response from earth to heaven, from bride to bridegroom, from beloved to lover, but also now the invitation is to those who themselves are thirsty and have not yet taken the free gift of the water of life. This call to ‘Come’ carries a missional invitation—for the thirsty, the seeking, the lost. In fact, when the Church lives out her bridal identity, something powerful happens. She becomes adorned with the beauty that flows from pure devotion to her Lord. There is also a visible unity among her members, demonstrated by the love they have for one another. She is clothed in pure garments of righteousness.
This kind of Church is deeply attractive to those who are thirsty. They see in her something that feels instinctively like home — the very place God created them to belong. Her presence disarms the usual objections. Why? Because they can sense she is not a counterfeit. She is a living reality that can only exist because God Himself is real
6. “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon (erchomai).’” Revelation 22:20a
This final erchomai from the mouth of Jesus is a seal upon the testimony of the entire book. The word “surely” adds weight and certainty. It is a divine affirmation, an unshakeable promise. There is no doubt. The coming of Jesus is a certainty. The Bride clings to this hope, especially in seasons of delay, hardship, or persecution. This “I am coming” becomes her anchor, her comfort, and her song in the night.
In the final chapter of Scripture, Jesus takes centre stage, speaking directly to us through the revelation given to His servant John. Every time He speaks in this chapter, He unveils something vital—either about the manner of His return or the glory in which He will come. It’s as though we are hearing His closing argument, like a summation in a courtroom where the key points are laid out with clarity and weight. This is not just a conclusion; it is a call to respond.
Here, we find the last recorded words of Jesus in the Bible—words that set the tone for how the Church is to live, what her vision must be, and what should pulse at the very heart of her being. These final words are not just historical; they are embedded in the Church’s DNA even now.
“Surely I am coming soon (or quickly)” set a prophetic tension that would span the entirety of church history. Jesus’ repeated declaration, “I am coming,” echoes like a drumbeat through Revelation 22. This statement is not up for discussion or interpretation. It is not speculation to be weighed against public opinion or theological trends. It is a declaration of intent, absolute and final. Spoken by the One who is Faithful and True, it carries the full weight of divine authority. It’s not an invitation to speculate—it’s a call to align, to awaken, and to respond. These words were never meant to be diluted by doubt or lost in the margins of Christian doctrine. They are front and centre, ringing with urgency, because they come from the One who has never broken a promise and never will.
With each repetition, the emphasis grows. His coming is not only imminent, but also personal and purposeful. It’s not simply a doctrinal truth to affirm, but a living reality to shape the Church’s vision, her passion and posture. This final chapter of Scripture is not just about the promise of His return, but about the response it demands. It is the Bride’s cue to awaken, to prepare, and to echo His words back in agreement. The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.”
7. Amen. Even so, come (erchomai), Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20b
This is the only right response, and it reflects the deep cry of John’s heart for his Lord. This is John—the disciple whom Jesus loved. John, who walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, saw both His humanity and His divinity up close. John, who stood at the foot of the cross and took Mary, the mother of Jesus, into his home. For more than sixty years after the ascension, he lived as the apostle of love, and now, exiled on the island of Patmos, he receives this final revelation. John knew Jesus intimately—perhaps more than anyone. He carried the heartbeat of Christ and understood that the hope of the Church, her victory and fulfilment, rests not in institutional power or theological ideas, but in being ready as the Bride.
He knew that Jesus must return—not symbolically, not spiritually, but personally and bodily—to establish His throne in Jerusalem. That is what Heaven is waiting for: the Wife to make herself ready. Not a surrogate rule through a triumphant church left to reign in His absence. Not a “Kingdom Now” theology that attempts to replace the Bridegroom with a proxy. No—such post-millennial thinking would have been unthinkable to John or the early church fathers. The only hope was the return of the King Himself—Jesus, crowned with many crowns, coming to overthrow the kingdoms of darkness, to destroy the antichrist and the false prophet, and to establish His millennial reign, during which Satan would be bound for a thousand years.
This is the blessed hope that we should hold so dear to our hearts, the hope of His glorious appearing, that Jesus who promised will come back, shall return soon. So when Jesus said He was coming quickly, what else could John say? What else can we say, if Jesus says He is coming soon, what should our response be? Should we say, not yet Lord, I haven’t finished what I wanted to do, not yet Lord the church is still growing, not yet Lord we haven’t established your kingdom in every nation and sector of society. No, the call to come is the right and honouring response that can only be made by the Bride.
Did you notice the Bible doesn’t say the Spirit and the Church say Come! But it is the Spirit and the Bride who say ‘Come’. For the church without her bridal identity will continue to go through an endless cycle of reformation and reset until she can finally agree with Spirit and Call Come as the Bride. It is this call to come, that breaks that cycle and aligns us with our destiny and it is this call that Heaven is waiting to hear as a sure sign that the Bride is getting ready, and more than anything else that her desire is for Him.
Conclusion – A Lesson From the Song of Songs
“(13) [The Beloved] You who dwell in the gardens, The companions listen for your voice–Let me hear it! (14) [The Shulamite] Make haste, my beloved, And be like a gazelle Or a young stag On the mountains of spices.” – Song of Songs 8:13-14 NKJV
As we conclude this lesson, there’s one final insight we must not miss. Until now, we’ve focused solely on the final chapter of Revelation, but there is a beautiful and significant parallel found in the final verses of the Song of Songs. These last two verses of Scripture’s great Bridal love song echo, in stunning harmony, the same call and response we’ve seen in Revelation 22.
In Song of Songs 8:13, it is the Beloved who speaks: “You who dwell in the gardens, the companions listen for your voice—Let me hear it!” This is not just poetic language. It is a prophetic picture of Jesus yearning to hear the voice of His Bride. Her companions—perhaps the great cloud of witnesses, perhaps the angels, perhaps even the saints on earth—are listening for her response. And so is He.
Then, in the very next verse, the Shulamite answers. She doesn’t hesitate or hold back. She says, “Make haste, my beloved...” Her cry mirrors John’s in Revelation 22:20: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Do you see the divine symmetry? The voice of the Bride is the response Jesus longs to hear, both in the Song of Songs and in Revelation. This is more than poetry—it is prophecy. More than romance—it is an insight into the heart and longing of God. The Call to Come is not just a prayer, it is a declaration of intent. A cry not open for debate, or opinion, or even timing—it is the rightful voice of the Bride, knowing who she is, and knowing who she longs for.
Such is the relationship we are invited into: a love that is personal, passionate, and prophetic. A love that doesn’t just wait for His return, but calls for it, hastens it, and prepares the way for it. This is why, at Call2Come, we believe this is the cry Jesus longs to hear more than any other. It is why we exist. To proclaim this message. To awaken the Bride. To join in the Spirit’s call.
“Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!”
