Come

Revelation 22:17-21 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

‘The Spirit and the bride say, Come’ two that call to repentance: The Holy Spirit (John 16:7-11) and the bride – those who are married to Jesus Christ in every generation and who will go to live in the New Jerusalem, which is the bride, the Lamb’s wife (21:2, 9-10).

‘And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely’ three classes are invited to come here; those who hear, those who are thirsty and those who will come. All people are thus invited to come and partake of the water of life freely.

If man were not a free moral agent, God would be entirely responsible for all sin, the effect of sin, rebellion, sickness, and the damnation of people, demons, and angels. Man has no choice about coming into the world, but after he is here and old enough to be responsible, he is held accountable for his salvation or damnation (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 13:3, 5). Man has his own will to exercise in this matter (John 3:16; 6:37; 7:17). It is God’s will that all people who will to be, shall be saved (John 3:16; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9). People are commanded to choose God (Jos. 24:15; Luke 13:3, 5). People are to be cursed if they do not choose God (Pro. 1:29-33; Isa. 66:3; Mark 16:16). It is impossible to serve God and satan at the same time (Matt. 6:24; John 8:32-36; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:12-13). Promises are given to people upon the basis of their choice (Matt. 16:24-25; Mark 3:35; 16:16; John 3:16; 5:40; 7:17; 9:31; 12:26). In over 4,000 scriptures where “choose,” “will,” and other words expressing volition are used, not one suggests that God forces any man to accept Him and do His will. Man’s relationship with God is entirely on a voluntary basis (22:17; Mark 16:16; John 3:16; 7:17; 1Pet. 5:2) No man recognizing that endless decisions are necessary to daily life can deny the fact of free acts and conduct, for he knows he has freedom of action – moral action – concerning right and wrong, and that he is responsible to God for his every act. If one can deny these facts, he can deny his very existence and prove it on the same basis he tries to prove that he is not a free moral agent. That he is and that he is free to choose his own destiny and daily moral actions are facts known to sane beings.