He who testified to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. -- Revelation 22:21
John picks up the vivid imagery of betrothal and marriage at the end of Revelation. Already he has made allusion to the coming wedding. He tells us he has heard the redeemed multitude singing their hallelujahs because "The wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready" (Rev. 19:7). Indeed, "fine linen, bright and clean" has been given her to wear (19:8).
Already, too, the interpreting angel has said to John, "Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb" (19:9). And John has also described the New Jerusalem as "coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband" (21:2, 9).
But where is He? He is nowhere to be seen! It is not for the bride to fetch her bridegroom; it is for the bridegroom to go and fetch his bride. She has made herself ready. She is dressed and bejeweled. Now she can do no more than wait for him to appear--except she takes the liberty of expressing her longing for him: "The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!'" (22:17)
For the supreme ministry of the Holy spirit is to bear witness to Christ, and the supreme desire of the bride is to welcome her bridegroom.
It is thus that the Book of Revelation ends. It leaves the church waiting, hoping, expecting, longing--the bride eagerly looking for her bridegroom, crying out for him, clinging to his threefold promise that he is coming soon, and encouraged by others who echo her call: "Amen. Come, Lord Jesus."
Meanwhile, she is confident that his grace will be sufficient for her (v. 21) until the eternal wedding feast begins and she is united to her bridegroom forever.
--- From John Stott
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