Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.
Revelation is full of imagery and cryptic language. Sometimes we are told clearly what the symbols stand for, and sometimes we have to read between the lines! This is one place where are pretty confident that the bride stands for the Church, and we're told that the linen stands for the "righteous acts of the saints" (19:8).
I noticed something about this fine linen that I hadn't previously thought of. The linen is given to the saints, it is the gift of God. At the same time, we are told that it is the "righteous acts of the saints." The linen is not just given to us to cover up our unrighteousness--it is given to us to replace our unrighteousness.
When we are saved, our sins are forgiven and we are seen by God as righteous. But even more then that, we are actually given righteousness. God's righteousness is not just imputed upon us, it is imparted to us. It's not just that God looks at us through rose-colored glasses and remembers our sins no more, He gives us "righteousness" to live out in our daily lives.
The Christian is not simply to live any way they like, but to live out the righteousness of God that is given to them. At the same time, we ought to remember that our righteous acts are not performed on our own strength--but they are the gift of God. We are not to boast in our righteousness, but rejoice in God's gracious gift to us.
Do you hear them coming, brother, thronging up the steeps of light,
Clad in glorious, shining garments--blood-washed garments pure and white?
'Tis a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
'Tis a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
- Ralph E. Hudson
Clad in glorious, shining garments--blood-washed garments pure and white?
'Tis a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
'Tis a glorious Church without spot or wrinkle, washed in the blood of the Lamb.
- Ralph E. Hudson
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