“For it was given to her to cloth herself in fine linen, bright and clean;…”

How many times did our moms warn us to stay clean as we prepared to leave for church? That meant, as my Dad used to say to my dear little brother and I, “No rough housing boys,” It meant no provoking our siblings to anger where chasing us in tears would wrinkle not only our Sunday best but our backsides.

“It was given to her…”

Loved ones, WE have been given a responsibility. The Word says, WE must cloth ourselves in fine linen. (see reference below)

Do you know who provides that fine linen? We would say, “God of course.” Yes like in life typically, the Father pays for the wedding and the beautiful gown the bride wears.

Is it less true in the wedding God has planned for us than it is in life, doesn’t the bride still have to willingly cloth herself? Does she not willingly make herself the most beautiful she can be on this special day? If her perfection is possible is it not pursued for that day, for the sake of her eternal love?

That gown must be perfect and it is!

“…for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.” (Revelations 19:7-8 NASB)

So our adornment is righteous acts. “Michael, that sounds like works.” Any bride who considers putting on her wedding gown to be work, is not ready to walk down that isle.

Oh sure, the preparations for that moment are far more involved but that is the sacrifice she makes willingly. She is responding obediently and with understanding to the standard that she knows will bring her to such heights of adoration in the eyes of her beloved. He is waiting in anticipation of her arrival. She absolutely knows this and is totally motivated by it.

If this will to adorn is not in her heart, it may not be obvious to her, but it will be obvious to Him. In addition and equally so, the disappointment her Father will suffer at her not choosing to wear the robes of righteousness He provided may result in a breach that she brings upon herself. Dare she wear what is inappropriate? Is she going “clubbing?

Oh her Father loves her no doubt, but does she love Him and does she love the groom? “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 NASB) “Well Michael, she will not fail, the scripture says “His bride has made herself ready.”

Exactly. On a personal basis she will have made herself ready because SHE chose to do as is expected of her. No one has done it for her. It is the brides choice alone. She will not be there if she rejects what only she can choose.

The linen is righteous acts. We must seek to find our garment. We must know what righteous acts the Word is speaking of?

Jesus named many but only a few He named could cost us our eternal life if not obeyed. Look for them. They are there but not preached often. Be disciples not just listeners. Your eternal life depends on it. The scriptures I am referring to will prove it. If you want me to list more of them, do so through a comment.

Here are two helps in your dressing process. First, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you:…” Jesus is not talking about “sitting back and watching.” He is saying learn to and teach others by your example, to obey all that He commanded. Why? Why did He come but to show us the Way to THE LIFE, God wants for us, and then He opened the door via His death! Once opened, we must “walk” through. From that point WE must willingly adorn ourselves with what He provided in anticipation of that future date. (Matthew 28:19-20 NASB) Knowing and obeying His commandments (from the Father) out of love, is vital.

Second, “…even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Christ Jesus.” (Romans 5:21 NASB) There is no righteousness (in us) without grace reigning in us. Sure we (hopefully) are reconciled to God, washed and perfect by the death of His Son but there is more to it! (Romans 5:10 NASB)

If our gown is stained by someone else, we much wash it as only we can. This is the life teaching of Jesus. Once the gown is given through reconciliation to God, we must maintain it for That Day. We must avoid “rough housing.”

Nothing of someone else’s doing must be on our minds on our wedding day. Only we can make sure we are without spot or blemish, holy and blameless, in our souls. “It has been given to us to make ourselves ready.” (Revelation 19:8 paraphrased NASB)

If we embrace and implement grace, knowing the glorious wedding alter it leads to, grace will adorn us in the same righteousness, beauty and holiness as our beloved Groom. He proved it. It is all “through” Him. First reconciliation, then His life example and teachings. His Way is the “channel” to eternity. It is the linen of righteousness so radiant any bride would have no doubt in her heart of the perfection she has obediently chosen to wear,  perfection paid for by her Father, for the Bride a glorious gift for His Son. She now thinks like He does, speaks as He would, and will reign in total agreement with Him. They are to be One forever.

The linen of righteousness is found in the commandments of Jesus. Let God light the fire of revelation in your hearts over His Word.  It is a fire that redirects you even to the source of any great love you have experienced in this life. I know, I have experienced the most profound and perfect love through my late and beloved Janis. All along it was Jesus, in her, loving me. I can not think of her without thanking Him. She clothed me in righteousness by her grace, making it possible for me to be “Mr. Wonderful” in her heart. Was she in denial? No she was in magnificent grace through faith. A grace that set me free to be a better and better man over our 33 years. Isn’t this God? Don’t we hope God does the same for all of us? He does if we honor the gift of grace that delivers righteousness to us and from us to others. As grace reigns, so does righteousness, to eternal life, through Christ Jesus.

The coming times will demand our understanding. Preparing now is paramount.

PS: To all my young friends who will read this. Our God is not in a box. “All truth” as referred to by Jesus, is beyond what we already know, and it will change things we already know. Remember, the prophet of God forsakes the people for the sake of the people. Be clothed gloriously.

You are loved, He waits,

Michael

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