The Water of Life Freely Offered
“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.” Rev. 22:17. The greatest river in the world is the river of life. In vision John saw this river, “clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.” The life of God, represented by a river proceeding from his throne, is continually flowing out to all his created works. It is flowing through all the world, not as a river visible to the natural eye, but yet as real as the Mississippi or the Amazon. Men do not discern the water of life because their minds have been darkened and their spiritual faculties deadened by sin. They are continually receiving life from God, but it does not profit them spiritually, because it is not mixed with faith. By faith we continually receive spiritual life through the word of God. By faith we perceive God in his works, and glorify him as God in the gifts that come from his hands. By faith we hear the voice of the Spirit and the bride, saying, Come. Faith brings us now to the river of life, and enables us to partake of its waters freely. By faith we partake here of the pleasures of the world to come.