Revelation 22:16-18 “I 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. And 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. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:” Root and the offspring of David - In Isaiah 11:10 we find the following; “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse (Jesse being the father of David Matthew 1:6), which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.” This was a Messianic prophecy pointing to Christ, as we see Paul applying this passage in Romans 15:8-12 as such. The root of any plant is what gives the plant its life, sustenance, and strength. The roots of the plant come first before the rest of the plant. Thus in this symbol we have shown the pre-existence of Christ or His deity, for He was before David and was the One that gave David his power, strength and life. But Christ was also known as the Branch. (Isaiah 11:1, Zechariah 6:12-13, Luke 1:78 branch, margin) The branch comes after the roots, and we have seen that Christ is of the offspring of David, (Luke 1:32) thus showing the humanity of Christ. So these 2 symbols show the kingship and deity of Christ, fullness of authority and fullness of power. The bright and morning star - The figure is probably taken from the prophecy of Balaam. (Numbers 24:17) Compare Peter's reference to Christ as the “day star.” (2 Peter 1:19) The messages to the churches of all ages can have no greater authentication than that here given. Spirit - The Holy Spirit, the one who energizes the Christian life of the believers, who gives them the strength to live the victorious life to overcome the devil and to go safely through the time of trouble. Bride - No doubt the same figure here as in Revelation 21:9-10. Say - Or “are saying,” or “keep on saying.” Come - Most commentators consider this a response to the promise of Jesus in verse 12, “Behold, I come quickly.” Christ is petitioned to fulfill His promise. This is a possible interpretation. It is possible also to understand the address as an appeal to the unbelieving world to accept the gospel. Him that heareth - The singular number designates the individual. Men will be saved as individuals and not as churches or congregations. Salvation is strictly personal. In the New Testament the word translated “hear” (akouo) generally carries the thought of hearing effectively, meaning obeying the message heard. Such is its meaning here. Only those who hear and accept the message are qualified to repeat the call. See Matthew 7:24. Let him - The singular suggests that each church member as an individual must add his cry of welcome, thus publicly displaying his eager longing for the second coming and his desire that others shall enjoy the blessings of Christ. Athirst - For the things of God. He who feels his need of salvation and is longing to drink of the living fountain. (cf. Revelation 21:6) See Matthew 5:6. Come - An exhortation for each needy one to take advantage of the promise of Revelation 21:6. Whosoever will - The offer is universal. No one is excluded from the possibilities of salvation. Christ is a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:2) The false doctrine that certain ones are elected to be lost is denied by the revelator's statement. (Romans 8:29) Water of life - Whosoever wishes to inherit immortality is invited to take of it. The living water is offered to all. (Revelation 21:6; cf. Isaiah 55:1-3) Freely - Or “gratuitously.” I testify - The speaker is Jesus. (see verse 20) His testimony must be accepted. Every man - Man's relation to God and His message is a personal matter. One cannot accept another's responsibility in such things. Heareth - Not a reference to the mere falling of the sound of the words of this book upon one's ear, rather an allusion to one who hears and studies the import of the messages. (see notes on Revelation 1:3) Of the prophecy - John is speaking of additions to the book of Revelation, though the same would apply to any book of the Sacred Canon. Add - Compare Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32. Jesus is authenticating this book of the Revelation. He warns against deliberate changes in the message of the book. God shall add - In justice, God can do no other than to give to each his due in harmony with his works.