The Bridal Garment—The Fine Linen

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready. 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. 19:7-8. This is how she appears before the Bridegroom. It is granted to her. In other words, she had received grace to appear like this, and that grace had not been in vain. 1 Cor. 15:10; 2 Cor. 6:1.

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”’” Rev. 3:1. The angel was alive for people but dead for Jesus. That was the righteousness of the Pharisees—whitewashed tombs. Matt. 23:27. “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Rev. 3:4-5. They were alive for God. Their acts were not defiled by eyeservice. They were perfect and had a righteousness that was fine linen, clean and bright. This was in stark contrast to the angel of the church in Sardis and to the righteousness of the Pharisees. A person cannot obtain such a righteousness without knowing “Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Phil. 3:10. To be cleansed from eyeservice is a tremendous victory.