At the end of the book of Revelation, the Lord brings us back to Himself from the prophetic testimony which occupies most of our attention through the book. He says, "I Jesus.... I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." Rev. 22:1616I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. (Revelation 22:16). The moment He presents Himself as the bright and morning star, "The Spirit and the bride say, Come." This response is connected with Himself; the mention of Himself attracts and awakens the answer of the Spirit. God, in the love of His own heart, has associated the Church with Jesus, and the very mention of His name awakens the cry, "Come!" for it touches a chord which gives an immediate response. In this instance He does not, say, "Behold, I come quickly," for the question here is not when He will come, but that He Himself is coming.
We are for Himself, and shall be with Himself- it cannot be anything short of this, for He calls us "His body." What a glorious place we have, to be identified with the Christ of God! No explanation of prophetic scripture (however nice and true and useful as a solemn warning regarding this world) should ever usurp in the soul the knowledge of its living union with Christ and of the present waiting for Himself.
The mere explanation of His coming as a doctrine is not the proper hope of the saint. That hope is not prophecy. It is the blessed and sanctifying expectancy of a soul that knows Jesus and waits to see and be with Himself.
The bride alone hears the voice of the Bridegroom. She at once calls out the expression of her desire for His coming. To this He responds, assuring her of it, "Surely I come quickly." The Revelation closes with this as her own expectation. The Lord Jesus is represented as descending Himself to take His bride to be with Him. Afterward, when the world is saying, "Peace and safety," sudden destruction will come upon those who have rejected the gospel. They shall not escape.