Fine Linen, Clean and Bright

Fine Linen, Clean and Bright

“And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” Rev. 19:8.

If it had said that the bright linen was Jesus’ works in which the believers were arrayed, then it would possibly have been understood better. Nevertheless, many people do read it with that understanding. They say that Jesus has woven the bridal garment for us and that it is ready, and they refer to the parable of the wedding of the king’s son—to the person who did not have a wedding garment. Thus they confuse the wedding garment with the bridal garment. The guests were supposed to wear wedding garments, but the bride was dressed differently; you can be sure of that. No one goes to the wedding unless he has first partaken of Jesus’ righteousness that is accounted to him by faith. Rom. 4:5. And no one can be the Lamb’s wife unless he has followed the Lamb. 1 Pet. 2:21; Rev. 14:4.

The bridal garment is not finished, but the works that make up the bridal garment have been prepared beforehand so that the bride can walk in them. Eph. 2:10. She must be molded in Christ Jesus to do these works. We read that it was granted to her to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright. These good works are not given to you to do unless you are being molded. Paul says it like this: If anyone cleanses himself from a vessel for dishonor he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Tim. 2:21.

Many people pray: “Use me in Your ministry.” Yet they do not receive a ministry. It is only given to pure vessels that are sanctified to serve God. It was granted to the bride to do good works. These works became fine, clean, and bright linen for her in which she could array herself on her wedding day. She never got tired of such words as obeying, doing, striving, laboring, etc.—words that the harlot hates and calls bondage.

When we think of works as fine, clean, and bright linen, then most people think of special works such as visiting the sick, giving to the poor, traveling with the gospel, being an elder or the leader in an assembly, etc., and they sigh in their hearts and say, “I haven’t got much of a chance.” The major portion of people’s lives is spent in striving for their own and their family’s upkeep. The housewife strives and toils from morning till late at night, and everything she does is eaten up and worn out. The husband also toils all day long to earn money for things that will be eaten up and worn out. At the same time it bears mentioning that the root cause of much toil and striving is vanity and greed. God-fearing people usually have ample time to seek God and do good works. We can learn something about this from Israel. When they were God-fearing they had ample time to go and keep the feasts. And if the Lord did something special for them, they proclaimed that day a holiday when no one should work. However, whenever they fell away from the Lord, they didn’t even have time to keep the Sabbath.

However, these special works are not the linen. Listen to what the Scriptures say: “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; . . . And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus . . . .” Col. 3:12, 17. Then the apostle takes some examples concerning husband and wife, children, parents, and servants. “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men . . . serve the Lord Christ.” Vs. 23-24. This is where everyone has an equal opportunity. Whenever the husband, wife, children, servants, and employers did everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father through Him, they were blessed at home and at their place of employment. They were to do their work in these virtues of Christ. Then stirring the pot, washing the floor, darning and mending, digging ditches, carpentering and writing—everything becomes fine, clean, and bright linen. Here we can see how rich the gospel of Christ becomes for everyone in his particular situation.

There is one virtue that is stressed in particular concerning Christ and the bride: “Nor was guile found in His mouth . . . .” 1 Pet. 2:22. “And in their mouth was found no guile . . . .” Rev. 14:5. When guile and lying are removed, then the works become pure. Many people work for God’s cause, but their motivation can be honor-seeking, the craving for power, the love of money, etc. You give away fifty dollars anonymously, but you still wished that someone knew about it. Many works seem to shine, but there is lying and guile behind them. They do not serve the Lord Jesus.

To the pure all things are pure. Whatever he does becomes fine linen, clean and bright. However, to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; even their mind and conscience is impure. Tit. 1:15-16. Even though they give away all their possessions to the poor, and though they visit the sick or hold meetings, none of it will become their bridal garment.

Jesus says, “A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” Matt. 7:18. And James says, “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?” Now we can make use of John’s word: “And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3.