Revelation 22:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Bride is the Church, and the Spirit dwelling in her says in our hearts, "Abba, Father," and calls for the coming of the Only-begotten Son of God. Likewise every believer who hears the teaching prays to God the Father, "Thy Kingdom come" (Mt 6:10). "And let him who thirsts come." Thirst for the drink of life is needed for the firm possession of what has been acquired. This is especially so because the gift is not given to those who are unworthy of its greatness, even if they labor somewhat, but to those who bring a good understanding, heated more than silver and gold, as well as bodily labor.

The Holy Spirit and the Church call all to come to salvation... And whoever keeps the words of this prophecy, which the Lord Himself entrusted, and hears it, is capable of being taught. Salvation is given without any payment or pledge. But he who desires to be saved will come and freely receive regeneration in baptism, or will be found worthy to receive the medicine of repentance without payment or gifts. The prophet speaks in a similar manner: "Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no silver, come, buy and eat" (Is 55:1).

We are commanded to hope in the second coming of the Lord, and also to pray for it. Certainly, the one who says to the Father, “Thy Kingdom come,” asks for the kingdom of Christ, which is also the kingdom of the Father and the Spirit.

“And let him who hears say, Come!” By this he says that everyone who hears these words, and you also, John, should offer prayer for the kingdom of Christ’s coming.

Saying this, he urges all toward righteous deeds and conduct. For let not the one who is not confident in his righteousness pray for the coming of Christ, at which an account will be demanded of how he has lived his life.

Why may the one who desires take the water freely, when He said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws him” (Jn 6:44), if not because, as we know, by divine inspiration the unwilling man becomes willing?

For if the words, “let him who desires take,” indicate free will, grace is proclaimed immediately: “the water of life freely.” That is, even if no good preceded it, a man is permitted to take the water of life freely.

For as the apostle says, “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Cor 4:7). Therefore we receive from God even the desire to come. Before this desire we have nothing whereby we might exist, much less be transformed from sinners into righteous men.

Cf. Jn 14:6.

The Head and the body of the Church call each of her members to faith. Everyone who has received the light of faith and love within the soul also calls others to it. Primasius and Caesarius of Arles likewise hold that the Spirit and the Bride refer to Christ and the Church.

The Church and the Holy Spirit living in her call for the coming of the Son of God. Every believer in His words must call for His coming, saying, "Thy Kingdom come." And all who thirst for His all-embracing grace and are worthy of it should go to Him, its Source, which is closed to no one in this life.

May He come. "Thy Kingdom come" (Mt 6:10), O King of glory, Bridegroom of immortality. First may Thy Kingdom come into our heart, and then may our heart come into Thy Kingdom. For this Thy Spirit intercedes in us with groanings too deep for words. For this Thy Church, Thy Bride, cries out. They also stir us to draw near to Thee, despite every hindrance. "And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come. And let him who hears say, Come" (Rev 22:17).