Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Revelation 19:7-9
Brothers and sisters, fellow pilgrims in this walk of faith, we are called to remain focused amidst the distractions of a challenging world. It is our duty to ensure that if distractions are increasing, we must increase and improve our own focus upon Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith.
The central theme of our discussion today draws a link from a previous sermon, “A white linen seen through different lenses,” emphasizing that the restored or revealed Word of God is not a new thing, as the foundation has already been laid. However, different people look at this truth—this white linen or garment—through various lenses. Some view it through the lens of legalism, others through idolatry, or through perspectives imported from their former denominations, which cloud their vision.
The crucial point is this: if the lens through which you see the revealed truth today is different from coming back directly to the Bible, then the problem lies not with the message but with the lens you are using.
The True Identity of Jesus and Righteousness
We must strengthen our resolve to believe that what the Lord has called us out to believe is distinct from denominationalism. While some argue that we are all just talking about the same Jesus, the Bible teaches that we know no man after the flesh. The Jesus you must accept is the revealed word of God. It is not a physical or emotional relationship, but one based upon believing the word of God. If you mention Jesus but disobey His word, you risk hearing Him say, “I know you not,” because Jesus is the Word of God, and you cannot separate Him from His word.
In Revelation 19:8, we learn that the garment the bride wears is the righteousness of saints. The garment always represents righteousness. Drawing back to Adam and Eve in Genesis 2:25, they were naked and unashamed until they disobeyed God’s word. Your righteousness is the full obedience to the revealed word of God. It is not merely the knowledge of the word, but the obedience to it that serves as your covering.
Distinction in Garments: White Robes vs. White Raiment
The Bible consistently makes a distinction between the garments that different groups of people wear. If you believe there is nothing called “the bride,” you are greatly mistaken, as the Bible discusses this distinction in different portions of the Book of Revelation.
1. White Raiment (The Overcomer’s Garment)
This is the clothing promised to the bride—the overcomers—in the various church ages.
In the Sardis church age (Martin Luther’s time, the first calling out), Christ promised that those who had not defiled their garments would walk with Him in white, “for they are worthy.” The promise is: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment.”
Overcoming, in the Sardis age, meant moving out of the falsehood of Roman Catholicism to believe the revealed word given to Martin Luther. It was not about simply moral behavior but moving out of falsehood.
The Laodicean Age and Nakedness
The description of the Laodicean church age perfectly types the condition of the last age we are currently in. Christ describes this church as lukewarm, wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. The Prevailing Plague of Laodicea is Materialism: The church says, “I am rich and increased with goods and need nothing.” Materialism and the prosperity gospel are major issues unique to Laodicea. This spirit makes prosperity synonymous with being a good Christian. The devil’s strategy is to shift focus away from spiritual wealth (the gold tried in fire) toward increasing goods and materialism, which stains the garment. The pursuit of material wealth (chasing riches) stabs people “with many sorrows.” Contentment coupled with godliness is of great gain and represents true financial independence.
The Counsel to the Laodicean Church: The message from the messenger of this age counsels the church to “buy of me gold tried in the fire” (true riches) and “white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness does not appear.”
The Foundation and the Bride’s Garment
The White Raiment is the complete revelation of Jesus Christ. To wear this garment, you must align with the foundation laid by Paul, who is the light to the Gentiles.
We look to the 24 Elders in Revelation 4:4 as the template for the bride. They are sitting on smaller thrones, clothed in white raiment, and wearing crowns of gold.
These elders are not angels, because God never told any angel to sit on a throne; angels are ministering spirits—servants at our disposal. The elders are the 12 apostles and the 12 patriarchs, representing the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
To wear the white raiment that these 24 elders wear, you cannot believe in anything different from what they believed in. This includes having the correct revelation of one God (not three gods).
Furthermore, if your understanding of baptism is in any name other than the name of Jesus Christ, you are naked. We who have been baptized onto Christ have “put on Christ”—and that is the word of God, the revealed word of God.
2. White Robes (The Foolish Virgins and Servants)
The Bible describes other groups wearing “white robes,” which are distinct from the “white raiment” of the elders.
- Revelation 6 (Fifth Seal): Under the altar, the souls of those slain for the Word of God were given white robes. These are understood to be the Jewish martyrs, slain for the Word of God (Moses and the prophets). They are referred to as “fellow servants” and cried for revenge, confirming they were not under the shed blood of Christ, which speaks better things (forgiveness/pardon).
- Revelation 7 (Great Multitude): This group, a great multitude of all nations, kindred, people, and tongues, stood before the throne clothed with white robes. An elder identified them as those who came out of great tribulation, having washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
These people are not naked; they are saved and have eternal life, which is why they are called virgins. However, their robes were stained or defiled by the doctrines of men. The washing of their robes will occur when they are given the opportunity to take a stand for truth against the Antichrist during the Great Tribulation.
The Call to Overcome
Nobody who is not an overcomer will be part of the bride. You must overcome the prevailing plague and works of darkness of your age. The strategy of the devil for this age is materialism, which defiles the garment.
Your righteousness is your full obedience to the revealed word of God, which is your white raiment. We must not let any doctrine of men smear or defile this garment. We must cherish the gold that is tried in fire more than material wealth.
If you know who you are in Christ Jesus—a child of God, destined to sit on thrones and judge angels—you will overcome more battles. You must attain a full realization of who you are and maintain that cherished gold.
We must continually pray for the desire to keep our white raiment clean, increase our focus on the Word, and have victory over the spirit of materialism that governs this church age. If you have not yet put on the Lord Jesus Christ by way of correct baptism (in the name of Jesus Christ), you are still naked.
The distinction between White Raiment and White Robes is key: The White Raiment is granted through the full revelation of Jesus Christ and complete obedience to the revealed word, marking the Bride who overcomes the prevailing falsehoods of the age. The White Robes belong to those who are saved but whose understanding was stained by doctrines, requiring them to wash their robes through tribulation and a stand for truth.
We shall continue in the next sequel. Shalom