THE END-TIME CHURCH ENGAGED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
12 Behold, I am coming quickly...17 The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come!"...20 "Surely, I am coming quickly.
" Even so, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:12, 17, 20)
I. JOHN PROPHESIED OF THE SPIRIT’S WORK IN THE END-TIME CHURCH (REV. 22:17)
A. Rev. 22:17 is one of the most informative and significant prophecies in the Bible describing the End-Time Church.
John tells what will happen in the Church, in the generation the Lord returns. This prophecy describes the Church in deep
unity with what the Holy Spirit is saying and doing. What is the Spirit doing in this passage? He is interceding for Jesus to
come to His Church. What is the Spirit saying? He is revealing the Church’s bridal identity (who we are as Jesus’
cherished Bride). This prophecy tells us what the Spirit will emphasize in the End-Times.
B. This prophecy describes the highest function of the Church in 4 ways: 1). Anointed with the Spirit,2). Engaged
in intercession, 3). Established in our bridal identity and 4). Effective in the Harvest.
C. This will be the first time in history that the Church worldwide will be in dynamic unity with the Spirit. It will also
be the first time in which the Spirit will universally emphasize the Church’s identity as Jesus’ Bride. We will see the
Kingdom through the eyes of a wholehearted Bride with loyal devoted love. If we do not feel loved and in love, then
we more easily compromise.
II. THE BRIDEGROOM MESSAGE IS A CALL TO ACTIVE INTIMACY WITH GOD
10 The Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God...12 we have received...the Spirit...that we might know
(experience) the things that have been freely given to us by God. (1 Cor. 2:10-12)
A. God’s invitation is for us to experience the deep things of His heart (emotions, desire, affection and thoughts
about us). Thus, to enjoy active intimacy with Jesus includes understanding and feeling His heart. The Bridal message
speaks of experiencing Jesus’ emotions (affections).
18 You may be able to comprehend…the width and length and depth and height—19 to know (experience) the love
(affections or emotions) of Christ... (Eph 3:18-19)
B. As sons of God, we are in the position to experience God’s Throne as heirs of His power (Rev. 3:21; Rom. 8:17).
As the Bride, we can experience God’s heart (emotions, affections for us). Some men struggle with being Jesus’ Bride in
concluding it is a call to become less masculine.
III. WHAT IS THE BRIDEGROOM MESSAGE?
A. The Bridegroom message focuses on revealing Jesus’ commitments to us as a Bridegroom God.
B. Jesus the Bridegroom is filled with tender mercy – He is gentle with us even in our weakness. We often confuse
rebellion and immaturity. God is angry at rebellion, but He has a tender heart towards sincere believers that seek to obey
Him. He enjoys us even in our weakness.
19 He delivered me because He delighted in me. 35 Your gentleness made me great. (Ps. 18:19, 35)
C. Jesus had more gladness than any man in history. Many view God as mostly mad or mostly sad when He relates
to us. Jesus is mostly glad when He relates to us, even in our weakness.
9 God has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions. (Heb. 1:9)
D. Jesus the Bridegroom has fiery affections – He has burning desire and longing.
9 As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. (Jn. 15:9)
E. Jesus the Bridegroom possesses indescribable beauty – He fascinates our hearts (Ps. 27:4).
4 One thing I have desired of the LORD...to behold the beauty of the LORD... (Ps. 27:4)
IV. THE CHURCH’S 3-FOLD CRY FOR JESUS TO COME
A. The 3-fold intercessory cry for Jesus to come (breakthrough of power)
1. Come NEAR US in intimacy (individual breakthrough of our heart in God)
2. Come TO US in revival (regional or national breakthrough of the Spirit in revival)
3. Come FOR US in the sky (historical breakthrough by the Second Coming of Jesus)
B. The End-Time Church will be victorious and anointed in intercession and in our bridal identity.
7 The marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. 8 To her it was granted to be arrayed in linen,
clean and bright…the righteous acts of the saints. (Rev. 19:7-8)
C. The End-Time Church will walk in an unprecedented prophetic anointing. We must see ourselves in the midst of
God’s promises which describe the “story line of this generation.” This is your story.
28 I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and daughters shall prophesy… 29 On My menservants and
maidservants I will pour out My Spirit. (Joel 2:28-29)
D. The Holy Spirit is now raising up forerunners like David who will be shepherds after God’s heart in seeking to
obey the commands of God's heart, in studying the emotions of God's heart and in contending for the purposes of God’s
heart (praying for the full power of God in our generation). David’s primary identity (value/success) was established in
who he was spiritually in his intimacy with God. David felt successful because he was “loved by God and was lover of God.”
14 The LORD has sought for Himself a man (David) after His own heart… (1 Sam. 13:14)
15 I will give you shepherds according to My heart who will feed you with knowledge... (Jer. 3:15)
E. The end-of-the-age Church will walk without fear while living in the valley of the shadow of death as all things are
shaken (Heb. 12:26). We can live without fear because Jesus has the keys of hell.
26 He promised, saying, "Once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." (Heb. 12:26)
17 Do not be afraid…18 I am alive forever. I have the keys of Hades and of Death. (Rev. 1:17-18)
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me…5 You prepare a
table before me in the presence of my enemies… (Ps. 23:4-5)