Are You Ready?
“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. Revelation 19:7-8
The whole purpose of the Lord dying on the cross is that He might have for Himself a beautiful, glorious Church. Jesus Christ is the Bridegroom and the Church is the Bride. The marriage of the Lamb and His wife is really the union between Jesus and His Church. But the second coming of Jesus will only take place when the Church has made itself ready. What do we mean by “being ready”? Revelation 19:8 says that the Bride is ready when she has put on her wedding garment. There are three important features about this garment:
(1) The garment is made of linen. Why linen? Linen is a material that is very comfortable to wear. Ezekiel 44:18 says, “They shall have linen turbans on their heads and linen trousers on their bodies; they shall not clothe themselves with anything that causes sweat.” What is sweat? Sweat is associated with the curse that has put man under labor (Gen. 3:19). There are two forms of righteousness: one by human works and another by God’s grace. The righteousness that is typified by linen speaks of the righteousness by grace. Christianity is unique among all other belief systems in the world in that it teaches a salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-9).
(2) The garment is clean. Cleanliness comes when you are washed by the Word of God (5:26). This means that your life must be governed by the Word of God. Not only does the Word cleanse you, it also sanctifi es you—making you holy unto God.
(3) The garment is white. Revelation 7:14 says, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” The color white speaks of the righteousness we have through the forgiveness of sins. And it is the precious blood of Jesus that washes us white as snow.
Are you ready to meet the Lord at His coming? Do you have the linen garment? Is it clean and white? Revelation 16:15 says, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” God doesn’t take away our salvation but we can lose it. There are two sides to the gospel: God’s side and our side. There is no problem with the former but it is the latter that we need to be careful about.
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thanks pastor! timely message!
Dear Pastor, thank u so much for your many postings. They have constantly kept my faith and consistently remind me to trust and rely on God’s strength and wisdom. Really appreciate your tireless effort.
On a side note, I’ve just finished reading Outliers by Gladwell. I hope tt you can enlighten me, because this book essentially account every human successes to secular and earthly means. e.g. cultural legacy, 10,000 hours, etc. How can I relate God to playing a part in all these? I find the book daunting after reading it.
I am a little bit confused :)
How do we know that we are wearing while and clean linen?
We are still sinning after we received Christ as our Lord and Savior, does it mean our linen is not clean/white anymore?
What about when Jesus come 2nd times, we are caught in a dirty linen? does it mean we are not saved?
What is the true teaching of ‘Grace” ?
The article is a bit different with the parable of the Prodigal Son. I think everyone know that when the younger son come back to his father, his robe is covered by dirt, he is smelly, etc. But in that parable, the father hug and kiss him.
My question is does our salvation depend only on God’s grace or our duty to keep our ‘linen’ clean? if the latter is the answer, i think it would be difficult to go to heaven. If I am wrong, please correct me. I just want to have clarification.. :)
Dear Pastor, thank u so much for i have great chance to read your daily devotional messages.
i believe that by the grace of God i have been saved through faith in Christ Jesus.
but i would like to know the same question as above our salvation depend only on God’s grace or our duty to keep our ‘linen’ clean?What about when Jesus come 2nd times, we are caught in a dirty linen? does it mean we are not saved? , Is it difficult to go to heaven. If I am wrong, please correct me. I just want to have clarification..
much admiration
Dear Noname,
After reading your comments:
Your comments:
[How do we know that we are wearing white and clean linen?]
As Pastor mention on the second features about this garment, cleanliness comes when the Word of God washes you (5:26). Which mean the Word of God is like mirror that reflect our spiritual life (Jas1:23 NLT). That is why we need to read the bible daily.
We do sin after we received Christ as our Lord and Savior as we are still not perfect. That is why we need to read the Word of God to direct us back to the right path.
“Grace” is not earn by man, it is “divine grace from heaven” ==> through the kindness or help of God
Your comments:
[The article is a bit different with the parable of the Prodigal Son. I think everyone know that when the younger son come back to his father, his robe is covered by dirt, he is smelly, etc. But in that parable, the father hug and kiss him. ]
When we repent, God will surely receive us and clean us. (Lk 15:22) – Best robe and put it on him.
My prayer for you is that you will experience a fresh encounter with God so that your faith can be deepened in the power of Christ.
God Bless!
LOL
Dear Pastor,
Great write up! Thank you!
LOL
Dear Pastor, thank you so much for your many postings.They have constantly kept my faith and consistently remind me to trsut and rely on God’s lovingkindness ,mercy ,goodness and truth.
By the grace(loving kindeness)of God,I have been saved through faith in Christ Jesus.I received the gift of God’s eternal life through Christ Jesus.I have a place in heaven and i can enter the kingdom of God and his Christ.God’s love and acceptance for me is unconditional when my walk of faith is strong or weak.
I am child of God and nothing can pluck me from his hand.
when i repent and come back to father God, even my robe is covered by dirt and smelly he hug and kiss me.
My wrongdoing is totally blotted out of his record.He casts my sin away.God forgiveness is totally complete for me and no one can bring back my sin,guilt,shame and mistake.
By the precious blood of Christ Jesus I am righteousness and white as snow through the forgivenes of sins.I am clean and washed by the word of God,my life must be governed by the word
of God to direct me back to the right path and I am ready to wait
the second coming of my bridegroom Christ Jesus.
much admiration
HONG HEE
THANK YOU.
iamled…James Paul Rhodes…HIS CHILD.