And it is granted to her that she should clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure. For the fine linen are the justifications of saints.

— Revelation 19:8

and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

— Philippians 3:9

I will rejoice greatly in the LORD, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom wears a priestly headdress, as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

— Isaiah 61:10

4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

5 For if we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.

— Romans 6:4-5

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

John in Revelation 19:8 clearly pointed out the bride of the Lamb should clothes herself with linen, bright and pure, the “righteous acts”, that is granted to her as a gift from the Bridegroom, the Lamb, not by human merit. From first to last , salvation is God’s gift. God clothes His people “with garments of salvation” and “a robe of His righteousness. The amazing gift of salvation compels the Lamb’s bride to make herself ready, demonstrated by her righteous deeds that compose her wedding garment. Believers’ most ordinary activities such as prayers and acts done for Christ through the Holy Spirit, though imperfect, become the fine linen that adorns the Lamb’s eternal bride.

Christ and His people live in a real, spiritual union, marked by the pure obedience, and costly commitment. Intimacy cultivated with Christ spills over into a fruitful, joyful life. Like a period of betrothal or engagement, the life believers enjoy with Christ now will develop a hunger for the wedding day and the full reality of eternity. Christian marriage offers a reflection of the beauty of believers’ union with Christ. Tenderness and joy in lifelong marital commitment show the world Christ’s love for His Church and mirror the delight of belonging to Him.