REVELATION 22:16-21 - Technology Ministries

10 REVELATION is NOT a Mystery—TEACHER’S GUIDE THE FUTUREnow become the “bride”; the “one who hears” is a believer using hisspiritual ears and the “one who is thirsty” is a believer who knows hisstrength comes from drinking the water of life. “Those who thirst” alsoencourages believers to long for the water of life to flow through them.Psalm 42 expresses this principle beautifully.PSALM 42:1, 2 As the hart panteth after the waterbrooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God. Mysoul thirsteth for God, for the living God: whenshall I come and appear before God?4) Without God’s Word believers become dried-up brooks. All fourterms in REVELATION 22:17 refer to believers, reminding ChurchAge believers not to neglect Bible study.5) A recurring assertion in Revelation is the high value of regular Biblestudy in the believer's life. In the final chapter, the importance of Biblestudy is emphasized one more time.6) Seven times in His letters to the seven churches (REVELATION 2and 3), Christ tells His children “He who has an ear let him hear whatthe Spirit says to the churches”. The way to hear what the Spirit says isto study the Bible. The Holy Spirit speaks to believers with spiritual earsthrough God’s Word. In the closing verses of Revelation, Jesus Christadvises anyone who longs to learn more about God, to consistently,persistently search His book and act on what they learn. Jesus stillspeaks personally to His Church through the Bible.Display the spiritual ears symbol.7) Spiritual ears can become deaf. Only the believer in fellowship keepshis ears open to what the Spirit says. With His parting Words, Jesusreminds His children “Since you are my children, continue listening towhat the Spirit teaches by studying My Word...until I return.”Read Matthew 11:28-29a.8) In fact, there is one thing about which believers legitimately may beproud. It is acknowledged by the prophet Jeremiah.JEREMIAH 9:24 ...but let him who boasts boast ofthis, that he understands and knows Me, that I amthe Lord who exercises loving kindness, justice,and righteousness on earth; for I delight in thesethings.” declares the Lord.9) Scripture teaches knowing and understanding God is a worthy goal or