Those Robes Again by J. A. Oppy

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 16, 1885

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 16.

Those Robes Again.

By J. A. Oppy

WHEN on a visit to Illinois to see my parents, and in consultation with my father, a M. E. minister, he said: "The Adventists at Rensselaer, Indiana, in 1844 had their robes ready to go up when the Lord came." I asked: "Father, did you see the robes?" He said, "No." Then I replied, "How do you know they had any?" He said, "They told me they had them." I then replied that old Mr. They Say is as familiar as a proverb. This is about as near as anybody ever came to seeing the 1844 Adventists' robes.

But Adventists do not deny that they believe in wearing robes and having them ready, too, when the Lord comes. But we very seriously object to wearing robes which other people make for us. The robes we are anxious to wear are made and given to us—not by our enemies, however—but by the Lord Jesus Christ. "And white robes were given unto every one of them." Rev. 6:11. Our life-work is to wash our robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. The idea of making our robes white by washing them in blood—the blood of the Lamb—may seem as foolish as wearing robes, but we believe in washing and wearing. Such is our faith. And Paul says, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

We not only believe that we shall wear these robes "before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple," but we believe we shall ascend in them. Hark! "Behold I show you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." 1 Cor. 15:51.

The change here referred to takes place at the second advent of Christ. Proof: "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord." 1 Thess. 4:17. When Jesus told John on the lonely isle of Patmos, "Surely I come quickly," John said, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." John knew that when the Lord Jesus comes he will give him a white robe. Two years after this he wrote, "When He shall appear we shall be like Him." To be like Christ will be a satisfying portion to all of God's people, in all ages. The sweet singer of Israel said: "I shall be satisfied when I awake with Thy likeness."

The world is full of robes, but oh, how spotted they are; how like the leopard's spots, and the Ethiopian's skin!

"Not running brook, nor flood, nor sea, Can wash the dismal stain away." But, "There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel's veins; And sinners plunged beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains."

None but blood-washed robes will be worn in the kingdom of God. But those who do not believe in wearing robes and are so ready to make fun of those who want to have and wear white robes, are not the ones most likely to be found with robes on, and when the King asks them why they have on no "wedding garment," they will be "speechless."

And furthermore, that class of people who do not think it necessary to provide themselves robes, if I do not greatly mistake their state of mind, when the Lord does come, will feel much worse than the Adventists did in 1844 when the Lord did not come. Of course they were sadly disappointed in 1844, and though they did not see the Lord, he did come then, not to the earth, however, but to the "Ancient of days." Dan. 7:9, 13, 14.

"Little flock," be of "good cheer," we shall only "rest a little season," till our sins are blotted out, and then the Lord will not be ashamed to say of us, "They shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy." "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment." Is not the "white raiment" worth the overcoming? "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." J. A. OPPY.