Isaiah 61:10, commentary and pictures

God clothes His people with salvation and righteousness as a free gift, pictured as the splendid ornaments and jewels of a bridegroom and bride that bring beauty, gladness and joy. The robe is Christ's own righteousness, spotless and costly, woven in heaven with no human thread and never wearing out or decaying. The fitting response is great rejoicing and thanksgiving in the Lord, resting on pardon through His atonement and imputed righteousness, not on personal merit. It is received by saving faith and simple trust in Jesus, with repentance, confession and submission to His will, and not manufactured by hard trying or human strength. Wearing it cleanses from sin, imparts a new nature for obedience, transforms life to reveal Christ to the world, and prepares His people to stand before God and rejoice with Him forever after the victory is won.

Garments and Adornment

The garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness are gifts with which God clothes His people, and the ornaments of the bridegroom and the jewels of the bride picture the beauty, splendor, gladness and joy of that gift. The response they call forth is great rejoicing and joy in the Lord and in God, with praise that glorifies Him, and they belong to those who believe the Word, claim to be His children, and act as His helping hand. They belong to a promise of an everlasting covenant whose people will be recognized among the nations as blessed by the Lord, and the following image of righteousness and praise springing up shows God causing them to flourish before all nations. Those who saw Christ crucified and searched the Scriptures found in this promise hope of the free forgiveness provided through His mission.

The robe is Christ's own eternal righteousness placed to the account of every believing soul, received by the repenting, believing sinner through pardon by His atonement. It is costly, priceless and spotless, woven in the loom of heaven with not a thread of humanity in it, complete for all who come, and its texture never grows old or decays. No one can manufacture righteousness by hard trying, for it is woven by Christ and put by Him upon the sinner and over sins, while the old defiled citizen's garment is taken away. It is placed upon sinners by Jesus alone together with cleansing from all sin, covering defects, transgressions and nakedness, so that those united to Him are accepted in Him and the Father's acceptance of Christ and His atoning sacrifice extends to them. Being so clad comes through humiliation, heart-searching and crucifixion of pride, brings converting, reforming power felt in the heart, makes religious experience deep, thorough, lasting and joyful, and prepares believers to meet the Lord with differences laid aside. It is to be taken and put on right now in this life by those who must be purified, giving life that measures with the life of God, making a person an example of what Christ is and what humanity may become, manifesting God to a fallen world, and securing the crown of immortality and the blessed inheritance because Christ does not want anyone to perish.

The robe is the wedding garment provided at great cost as a free gift for the gospel feast and the marriage supper of the Lamb, wholly fitting for heaven and securing admittance to the palace of the King, so the one clothed in it can rest with assurance that God will keep the soul committed to Him. Those who come have no fitness for the banquet in their own common dress or citizen's dress, so fitting apparel is provided and must be put on before they are ready for what Christ has prepared. The feast gathers a mixed company of bad and good, including true believers and others who accept the invitation and appear to take their stand as believers but have never put on Christ and have not on the wedding garment. The church as Christ's bride, joined to Him as Leader, must wear the wedding garment rather than citizen's dress and must not defile the garments. It must be personally put on by receiving Christ as personal Saviour and bringing Him into the daily life, for mere assent to truth does not clothe a person, but truth received into the soul purifies the life and transforms habit and practice in the home and before family and neighbors. Receiving this white robe of character is contrasted with being drawn away from the Lamb's marriage supper by worldly amusements, and relying on one's own ideas, customs and practices instead of accepting the gift leaves people in old garments that cannot be treated as sufficient. Refusing the robe dishonors God and insults the Saviour, and God cannot accept those who remain unchanged, selfish, self-sufficient, Christless, without supreme love to God and love to neighbor, without true holiness, blinded by pride and iniquity to their own defects and to Christ's pure holy character; those clad only in rags of self-righteousness who wait unconcernedly will at His coming be found wanting, and standing face to face with the Judge in the light of God's law they will see the destitution of their souls, while only those who put on Christ's righteousness and become saints here through entire consecration of body, soul and spirit can be saints in heaven.

Being clothed means God removes the sinner's defiled, sin-stained and polluted garments, strips them away, takes away sin and guilt, washes clean, and clothes the person in salvation and righteousness. The human condition is helpless and hopeless without daily infinite mercy and pardon written against the name in the heavenly records, and only those who see and feel spiritual need will come to Jesus for the help He alone can give and so receive the robe. Jesus pardons repentant sinners personally and individually, His promises belong to every repentant transgressor, none are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity and righteousness in Him who died for them, strength and grace being provided through Christ to be brought by ministering angels to every believing soul, and He waits to put upon sinners white robes of righteousness, bidding them live and not die. Through Christ even the deeply corrupt can find strength, purity and righteousness when they turn from sin and seek God, and God rejoices over the one He saves. Through faith in Him as Substitute the penalty of the law is remitted, the sin of the whole world having been laid upon Jesus, so even the most guilty are pardoned, the transgressor is restored and accepted as a son of God returning to allegiance, and through His merits finds God's approval; faith unites the weak person to Christ as source of divine strength, and through obedience he becomes possessor of love, peace and joy, willing to obey, taking Christ's yoke and suffering as Christ suffered walking as a man among men.

This clothing was made possible because Christ laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown, His honor and glory, and clothed His divinity with humanity, coming in the guise of humanity to be an example, to be tempted in all points as humanity is tempted yet without sin, and to conquer. He clothed Himself with the robe of sorrow and by a life of obedience canceled guilt and showed man can obey God's commandments, so one soul saved proves false the declaration that man could not keep them and demonstrates the righteousness of God's law. He became poor to take away every sin and put His own robe upon believers and cover them, so fallen humanity could touch Him and receive power. Through the union of divine and human in Christ, humanity taking hold of divinity escapes corruption through lust, receives divine help to gain victories more and more every day, and every victory proves humanity through partaking of divinity can be obedient to all God's requirements, which brings joy in heaven. Being covered means having the nature cleansed from sin and having His righteousness imparted as people cooperate with Him and live in harmony with His law, His merits, power and virtue to be claimed and pleaded to become partakers of the divine nature and overcome corruption through lust. Receiving the robe means following where He leads in self-denial and cross-bearing, with humanity touching humanity and divinity laying hold upon almighty power, and sharing His humiliation and suffering in this life prepares for sharing His glory in the future life if confidence is held firm unto the end. Being thus clothed makes believers adopted into the heavenly family, gives right to inherit the mansions prepared for the obedient, and should make them the happiest people on earth.

Chapter Setting and People

The chapter is a testimony of the work Christ was to do and in fact did in His life and ministry. It is a prophetic description of His work to rescue those held under Satan's power and to set things right.

The rejoicing over being clothed with salvation and covered with righteousness, adorned like bridegroom and bride, stands within the rebuilding of old wastes and waste cities. Those so clothed serve as priests of the Lord and ministers of God, and the Lord names them to that service so their service brings glory to His name. They receive double for shame and everlasting joy under God's everlasting covenant, and will be recognized among the nations as blessed by the Lord. Their righteousness and praise spring forth before all nations as God causes them to flourish, like growth in a garden, with the earth's growth as an object lesson of that work. This salvation and righteousness is brought to humanity through medical missionary work as the pioneer work of the gospel, the gospel practiced and the compassion of Christ revealed, giving release from suffering, healing the sick, blessing poor suffering humanity, and entering new fields so the work of the ministry is after the Lord's order.

The clothed ones are those who believe the Word of God and claim to be His children, receiving the word with praise that glorifies God. They are people who have been forgiven and stand before God with guilt removed. They include those who act as God's helping hand and are willing to be used by Him, gaining a rich experience of His goodness. Those who belong to God move in the light of His grace as His purchased people, and Christians whose lives show goodness, love, and compassion may speak these words of joyful praise. God's servants so clothed reveal His goodness and mercy to others as the expression of His saving work for His people.

The chapter holds present truth for the people and is to be carefully studied and taken to heart. When its words are heeded, with complaint and evil work abandoned, the Lord manifests His power in the conviction and conversion of souls.

Joy in the Lord

The clothing calls forth great rejoicing and joyful gladness in the Lord and in God, with continual thanksgiving and praise that gives Him glory. It belongs to those who believe the Word and claim to be His children, who have been forgiven, washed of guilt, and dressed for celebration as splendidly as a bridegroom decked with ornaments and a bride adorned with jewels. The garments themselves are salvation and righteousness given by God, and their bridal beauty pictures the splendor, gladness, and joy of the gift. That rejoicing stands with rebuilding old wastes and waste cities, serving as priests of the Lord and ministers of God, receiving double for shame and everlasting joy under His everlasting covenant, with righteousness and praise springing forth before all nations like growth in a garden. The chapter holds present truth to be carefully studied and taken to heart, and this salvation and righteousness are brought to humanity through medical missionary work as the pioneer work of the gospel, the gospel practiced and Christ's compassion revealed in healing the sick, blessing poor suffering humanity, releasing from suffering, and entering new fields so ministry is after the Lord's order.

This joy rests on pardon through nothing less than Christ's atonement, on guilt removed, and on His eternal righteousness placed to the account of every believing soul, not on personal merit. It is the testimony of the repenting, believing sinner, for Christ pardons none but the penitent, yet whom He pardons He first makes penitent. The robe provided is complete for all who come, a costly spotless robe woven in the loom of heaven. When the sinner yields to the Holy Spirit and sees guilt and defilement in contrast with the holiness of the Searcher of hearts, and stands condemned as a transgressor, he need not despair because pardon has already been secured, and he may rejoice in sins forgiven and in the love of a pardoning heavenly Father. Receiving Christ as the sin-pardoning Saviour brings joy because He takes away sin and gives His own righteousness, clothing in garments of light so that accepting the promises brings heaven's brightness into life.

Living this truth day by day in strict integrity puts one on vantage ground with a calm and peaceful face, bringing calm, peace, strength, and joy in the One who never fails. That life walks carefully lest weak struggling souls be led astray, refuses cooperation with worldly men and principles, stands unmoved by temptation in equity and uprightness, and beholds the invisible by faith. The joyful testimony then enables comforting, encouraging, and giving hope to others, and makes service strong and efficient. It is taken by simply trusting God, looking and living and letting Him provide, rather than going back to hunt up past mistakes and defections, so that even the sick, loosing the grasp on this life and looking into the eternal world with a distinct view of personal imperfection, find strength with both weeping and rejoicing in Christ's worthiness and righteousness. Receiving the robe brings lasting peace, happiness, joy, honor, and life measured by the life of God, which the world can neither give nor take away, with gratitude for redemption, names in the book of life, access to grace, and hope of the Saviour's soon coming, needing constant renewal with first-love fervor.

God Himself rejoices over the one He saves, counting it His glory to encircle sinful repentant beings in the arms of His love, to bind up wounds, to cleanse from sin, and to clothe with salvation after removing defiled garments. He delights in those who serve Him wholeheartedly in holiness, beautifies them, makes them reflect the image of His Son, and brings them to stand without guile or fault before His throne.

Righteousness Christ Provides

Salvation and righteousness come as clothing God Himself puts upon the sinner, not as anything produced by hard trying, human strength, or self-righteousness. Christ Himself becomes the sinner's righteousness, weaving the robe in heaven's loom and laying it over sin while the old defiled citizen's garment is taken away, so the one clothed relies on the Lord's strength alone and makes mention of God's righteousness alone. To be so clothed is to have sins taken away, to have Christ's righteousness imputed, to receive free pardon of all transgressions, to have weak faith strengthened, to become a member of the royal family, and to find rest and peace rather than despair over past guilt. Those who looked to Christ crucified and searched the Scriptures found in this promise the hope of free forgiveness through His mission, with beauty, splendor, gladness and joy pictured by bridal ornament and jewels.

By imputation Christ bears the guilt of the whole world laid upon Him as Substitute, pardons the penitent and contrite whom He first makes penitent, remits the penalty of the law, and places His eternal, costly, spotless righteousness to the account of every believing soul. The pardoned therefore stand justified, faultless, innocent and accepted in the Beloved, with the Father's acceptance of Christ and His atoning sacrifice extended to them and His favor and approval resting upon them through Christ's merits. God accepts Christ's perfection and merits in the believer's behalf, adds His own perfection and sufficiency to humble lowly dependent service so it is accepted, and looks with pitying tender love upon those who with sincere will and contrite heart strive to live up to His requirements. Clothed thus, even those accused as sinful, imperfect and unworthy stand before the Father justified, and clothed in priestly vestments with the whole influence of Christ's righteousness on the suppliant's side, their prayers in Christ's name gain fragrance and power.

By impartation He also cleanses the nature from sin, renews for service, makes partakers of the divine nature, and makes obedience to all requirements and to the law possible. This is possible because Christ laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown and clothed His divinity with humanity, was tempted in all points as humanity is yet without sin, overcame as pattern for humanity, and opened union by which fallen humanity may touch Him, take hold of divinity, escape corruption through lust, and claim His merits, power and virtue. As people cooperate with Him and live in harmony with His law He cleanses their natures, forgives, renews, restores to serve God, quickens the soul to spiritual life by the vital breath of God, and works in them to will and to do of His good pleasure, so the clothed one does not continue in sin but perfects character after Christ's similitude and copies His character while laboring in His spirit. God has thus made every provision for both justification and sanctification, holding out the robe together with a crown of everlasting life to every overcomer in a race all may win, with a fountain opened by Christ's death in which all may wash their robes of character white.

The provision rests on Christ's infinite sacrifice, perfect obedient life of active obedience, precious blood, atoning death and resurrection, by which He paid all owed to God, satisfied justice and the demands of the law, ransomed sinners, washed them white in the blood of the Lamb, and gave His life so they need not perish. Clothed in that righteousness the ransomed have inward witness that they are precious to the Redeemer, with life hid with Christ in God and confidence that He who conquered death can keep what is committed to Him unto the resurrection and the second coming. Christ alone can so cover human imperfection and nakedness with His spotless robe, rescue sinners, set them on the right path, and offer to each person through His death on Calvary a covering to be received by casting sin from the heart, dying to self, and accepting truth whatever it costs.

The robe must be taken and put on now and worn continually, not as outward religious appearance, ornament or profession, but as inward adorning more precious than outward apparel — inward beauty and loveliness of pure character, pure words and clean heart covering self. It is the spiritual dress necessary for a place among the saints in light, preparing believers to stand spotless before the Father without condemnation and with assurance of salvation, keeping them from shame and spiritual nakedness and leading them to duties that glorify God. Fathers and mothers are to teach children to seek it with the same willingness and perseverance given to fashioning clothes after worldly standards, seeing God's love in every flower and looking from nature to nature's God.

One's own righteousness and the false robe of self-confidence and perfection are insufficient, stripped away in trial as summer foliage falls in winter while evergreens are discerned, leaving guilt, condemnation, shame and destitution when weighed in the light of God's law. Setting up a personal standard and forming character by own will, ideas, customs and practices is refusal of Christ's robe, producing a false religion that misrepresents His perfect character, deceives self and others, pleases Satan, leads souls into false paths, dishonors God and insults the Saviour, and ends with rejection and reward with the great deceiver. Mere assent to truth does not clothe; truth must be received into the soul to purify life and transform habit and practice in the home and before family and neighbors, and those clad only in rags of self-righteousness who remain unchanged, selfish, self-sufficient, Christless, without supreme love to God and love to neighbor, without true holiness and blinded by pride to their defects, will at His coming be found wanting and cannot be accepted. Without repentance and putting away of sin there is no covering, for the robe is the free wedding garment provided at great cost and required for the gospel feast and marriage supper of the Lamb.

Without the robe none can stand in God's presence, join the unfallen angels, or enter heaven, for worldly riches cannot give passport there nor earthly honor give title to heavenly honor and glory. With it those Christ raises from ruin are made fit to dwell in God's presence forever, restored to fellowship with Him, and enabled to dwell with Him and see His beauty. It is a bridal robe so white no fuller on earth can whiten it, provided and invited to all by Christ Himself, calling for speedy work now to have it on, to be among the saved glorified redeemed in the kingdom rather than the lost, and to be ready to meet the Bridegroom and go in with Him to the supper.

Receiving the Robe

The robe is received by saving faith and simple trust in Jesus as a personal Saviour, by coming to Him with griefs, pains and weakness, laying all guilt at Calvary, allowing no doubt, putting the hand in His hand, drinking from the fountain of living waters and resting in His love. No one can manufacture righteousness by hard trying, for the robe is woven by Christ in heaven's loom and put by Him upon the sinner over sins while the old defiled citizen's garment is taken away. To be so clothed is to have sins taken away, to have Christ's righteousness imputed, to receive free pardon of all transgressions, to have weak faith strengthened, to become a member of the royal family and to find rest. Overcoming sin requires looking to Jesus, beholding Him, abiding in Him, displaying His righteousness openly and courageously, and letting Him provide righteousness, rather than dwelling on the deformities and defects of character. Those who enter God's city enter as conquerors, and their greatest victory is victory over self, while beholding God changes them into His image, sanctifies the soul, invigorates, brings thoughts into obedience to Christ and makes His character visible in patient trust.

It is given to the penitent and contrite, and Christ pardons none but the penitent, yet whom He pardons He first makes penitent. The joyful testimony of the repenting, believing sinner rests on pardon through nothing less than Christ's atonement, by which the sin of the whole world laid upon Jesus as Substitute remits the penalty of the law, so even the most guilty are pardoned, restored, accepted as sons of God and approved of God through His merits. Jesus Himself takes repentant sinners as they are, takes away iniquity so it passes from them as with Joshua's filthy garments changed for raiment and a fair miter, pardons every transgression and departure, imputes His own righteousness and records pardon in heaven. Receiving it requires repentance and faith, humiliation, sorrow for sin, confession, afflicting the soul, earnestly pleading for pardon through Jesus as Advocate, fixing attention on Him, and looking to Him for strength to exert every energy in overcoming and to obey all the commandments so as to stand without blame. Faith unites the weak person to Christ as the source of divine strength, and through obedience he becomes possessor of love and peace and joy, willing to obey, taking Christ's yoke and suffering as Christ suffered when He walked as a man among men.

Receiving the robe means submitting to Christ's will, accepting Him as Atonement and Surety, denying self, taking the cross and following where He leads, with perfect obedience to the law now rendered through Christ so the clothed one does not continue in sin but perfects a character after Christ's similitude. Christ presents obedient people before God clothed in His righteousness of active obedience, having pardoned the transgressor, taken away sin, borne the guilt and paid all owed to God, and He restores the moral image of God in those loyal to all the commandments amid Satan's temptations and deceptions, finishing the work begun in the plan of redemption. This covering belongs to the obedient genuine class in contrast to the disobedient counterfeit class, and to those who strive to obey God's holy precepts through faith in the Redeemer, who are not under the law's curse and are at peace with God. Clothing oneself with Christ's righteousness is the only hope, meaning never linking up with the world, taking the Word of the living God as Guide, keeping pure and holy the living truths of the law and pointing men to them, while disregarding God's precepts and uniting in council with worldly men leads into false paths and at last to stand with the apostate. God's servants are to teach this clothing by word and example, and when clothed give Him all the glory of salvation.

It calls for meekness and humility at the cross, for pride to be crucified through humiliation, heart-searching and humbling before God, for casting sin from the heart, dying to self daily, being washed clean and emptied of self, and for accepting the truth whatever it costs. The priceless robe clothes the soul when so humbled, bringing cleansing from iniquity, the converting reforming power of God felt in the heart, and a deep thorough lasting joyful experience that lays aside differences and prepares for holy gatherings as the gate of heaven. It is received in the great day of atonement through confessing sins, acknowledging mercy and love in pardoning transgression, thanking God for warnings that save from perverse ways, and revealing a changed life by honoring Him in obedience, for God permits reverses upon individuals, families and churches to reveal danger and lead to humble repentance, receiving the returning with tenderness and speaking pardon. Receiving it requires earnest prayer and seeking, secret meditation, and asking the Father for it as for daily bread, while Christ as the risen Sun of Righteousness waits to clothe His people, working with the human agent through the Holy Spirit by His infinite sacrifice.

Putting it on means putting off the earthly citizen's dress and worldly allegiance, withdrawing from all alliance with the world, living in loyalty, consecration and purity, and standing on truth and justice. The church puts on Christ's white robe of righteousness in this way, and is thereby made ready and waiting for the Lord's appearing. When she is loyal to God and obedient to His commandments and so clothed, the excellency of divine power dwells within her as God's agency for proclaiming truth, no power can stand against her, the enemy cannot overwhelm her, and God's promise to make her an eternal excellency and a joy to many generations stands fast. If she does this there lies before her the dawn of a bright glorious day that wonderfully changes the most hopeless outlook for spiritual regeneration for the glory of God's name.

It is freely offered to everyone willing to receive it, high and low, purchased by blood, bringing cleansing, refinement, ennoblement, rest, peace and joy. This clothing is offered to Black people as fully as to white people and does not depend on color of skin, for Christ makes souls clean and white in the blood of the Lamb, all so clothed will be honored equally in the heavenly kingdom, will shine with the brightness of Christ when His face shines upon the righteous, and reward is given according to cleanness of heart. Children and youth put it on as they make peace with God and give their hearts to Him, knowing by personal experience the joy of being His children, living with His approval, showing heaven's light, with Jesus as their strength and righteousness clothing them with salvation in joy and hope. Christ has prepared this wedding garment of His own righteousness, spotless and pure, for men of the world, holds it out to sinners as a free gift and the richest gift that can be bestowed on mortal man, to be urged upon the wealthy and worldly, and securing it requires giving whole attention to accepting it because it makes heaven appreciated and fit to enter. Jesus reveals Himself to those willing to be clothed with it, including ministers and workers.

It will never be placed upon a person whose sins remain unconfessed and unrepented, and it is not given to cover dishonesty and other past wrongs while they are left unrighted. It cannot cover selfish unconsecrated workers who continue in sin or in a wrong course, proud self-sufficient untruthful people clinging to garments of self-righteousness, nor the rich man after probation has ended whose former wealth and fine clothing cannot supply it or preserve from spiritual poverty. It does not conceal continued sin or excuse uncontrolled passion, for those clothed with it hold passion under control. Putting it on requires deeper consecration, earnest faith, transformed character, candid self-examination, confession of sin, humiliation and sorrow over departures from righteousness and their influence on others, breaking the yoke of habit, ceasing to do evil, integrity in everyday life, reformation and making past wrongs right with humble confession that cleanses the soul temple. Without this thorough work sins remain registered, unpardoned, to stand to account in the day of final account and execution of judgment, the name is blotted out of the book of life, and in the time of test garments of self-righteousness fall away leaving shame, nakedness and condemnation before Him who sees every falsehood, so those feeble in moral power and lacking Christ's grace have no right to claim pardon and put on the robe.

Transformed Life and Service

The covering transforms life so that Christ's own character, grace and love are revealed in the believer, and His people are thereby distinguished from the world as His witnesses in light. It replaces erroneous ideas and objectionable traits of character with robes of character washed clean and made white, requiring a faith and love that work to purify the soul and perfect Christian character. The robe is put on by opening the heart to its beams and learning to wear it gracefully, a learning more necessary than all book knowledge and worldly learning, for learning may be gained and heaven still lost, while character God approves carries into the future immortal life.

It is shown in righteous words and actions that create a holy influence and reflect Christ's likeness. It brings the sweetness and fragrance of Christ's character into practical life in kind Christian courtesy that has a saving influence on associates and business contacts, holding right principles so as to produce the peaceable fruits of righteousness rather than a disagreeable manner and a spirit of criticism, by daily sanctification and molding into a vessel unto honor. It is put on in kind, courteous, loving conduct toward others, with happiness seen in the looks and a smile for those around, because everyone connected with the believer is the purchase of Christ's blood. Worn inwardly it means Christ dwells within, passions are brought under control, thoughts are brought into obedience to Christ, and the life bears the fruits of Christian character, enabling patient trust, open courageous display of Christ, and blessing of others without counting the work great or noble.

Wearing it brings lasting peace, joy, honor and happiness that the world cannot give or take away, and life measured by the life of God. It is the richest gift to mortal people, spotless and pure, held out freely to sinners and to men of the world, making heaven appreciated and fit to enter, and calling for whole attention to accept it. God has made every provision for justification and sanctification, pardoning all sins and putting the white robe upon the trusting soul, who then honors God by resting in His love rather than trusting feeling and remains in His keeping as a witness never left nor forsaken. The robe is the reward held out before the overcomer together with a crown of everlasting life to be won in a race where all may win and a warfare where all may conquer, given to those who have fought the battles of the Lord and kept the faith, for whom a crown of life is laid up for the day when life and immortality shall be given to all who have not denied the Saviour's name, and being among the saved glorified ones in the kingdom is being among those who have it on, which calls for speedy work now.

Those clothed become channels of blessing, strong to help the needy, with power to prevail with God for souls, putting aside self and relying on Christ's righteousness so that even the lowliest service done to carry out the Master's will and promote His glory is accepted. This salvation and righteousness is brought to humanity through medical missionary work as the pioneer work of the gospel, the gospel practiced and the compassion of Christ revealed, giving release from suffering, healing the sick, blessing poor suffering humanity, and entering new fields so the work of the ministry is after the Lord's order. The heavenly dress is the spotless robe, not earthly dress and fashion to be set aside as trifling, to be talked of with friends together with the truth and the requirements of God's Word, and Christ longs to clothe with it the church He bought with His own blood and made keeper of His doctrines and holy truths, to make her share His glory in earnest sympathy and love, especially churches ready to die and merely struggling for existence. Criticizing others while neglecting to put on this garment leads to rejection.

The church puts on the robe by loyalty to God, obedience to His commandments, and withdrawing all alliance and allegiance from the world. When she does this there is before her the dawn of a bright, glorious day, wonderfully changing the most hopeless outlook for spiritual regeneration for the glory of God's name. She is thereby made ready and waiting for the Lord's appearing, made an eternal excellency and a joy to many generations by a promise that stands fast, with the excellency of divine power dwelling within her as God's agency for proclaiming truth, so that no power can stand against her and the enemy cannot overwhelm her.

Putting on the beautiful garments now is urgent preparation for coming trials and for meeting the Saviour and Bridegroom in peace, a matter of life or death with no time to lose. It is done by genuine conversion and walking in the light instead of turning away, hesitating, and being unreliable with flickering light, by yielding soul, body and spirit to God and seeking Him day and night until He is found to the joy of the soul, with a heart filled by His grace and love. It is the wedding garment needed for entrance into the heavenly city and for reaching the heavenly haven, requiring reconsecration, watchfulness, cleansing of character rather than dwelling on others' faults, and preparation for translation while probation remains before the angel steps down from the mercy seat and it is too late, while Christ prepares heavenly mansions. Putting it on means being true Christians, receiving grace to impart to deserted unworked places, proclaiming the warning message in clear distinct lines, entering the crusade against Satan bearing aloft the bloodstained banner of the cross, overcoming his temptations through perfect obedience and noble determined effort to comply with the conditions of the Word, and keeping the name in the book of life.

Final Fulfillment and Hope

In its fullness the verse belongs to the time after the battle has been fought and the victory won, when the will of God is done on earth as it is done in heaven. Then the nations of the saved will own no other law than the law of heaven, and all will be a happy, united family clothed with the garments of praise and thanksgiving. Those garments of salvation are the robe of Christ's righteousness covering them in the kingdom of peace and joy and everlasting righteousness. Even now while the church is militant in a world in darkness almost wholly given to idolatry, this joy is to be entered by faith, enduring as seeing the Invisible, with reward not all reserved for final deliverance, yet shared by faith now in the Saviour's joy.

Then all nature in surpassing loveliness will offer constant praise and adoration, and the world will be bathed in heavenly light. The light of the moon will be as the light of the sun and the light of the sun sevenfold greater, the years will move on in gladness, the morning stars will sing together and the sons of God will shout for joy. God and Christ will unite in proclaiming that there shall be no more sin and no more death.

The redeemed will gather in the city of God around the great white throne, clothed in the white and spotless robes of the righteousness of Christ. He longs to save the young and rejoices to see them there, fitted for immortality for time and eternity, saved from destruction and prepared to stand in victory. They will receive the crown of life and join the song of victory and triumph, singing praise to God and to the Lamb and ascribing honor and glory and majesty to God and the Lamb. There will be happiness with no more sorrow and no more separation, dwelling in peace and happiness and glory as children of God and members of the royal family through the infinite sacrifice of the Saviour throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.

Being clothed with salvation and covered with righteousness means the helpless ruined race plunged by sin into the pit of ruin is rescued, healed of wounds, given refuge and complete care, lifted from ruin and brought back into connection with the infinite God. The Son of God left His Father's throne and joined divinity to humanity to break the power and bands of Satan, died to redeem them so they need not perish, and opened heaven to men with revelation of the presence chamber where God unveils His glory. Having endured the divine test through faith in the Redeemer, they receive Christ's righteousness as a covering through His work of redemption, are restored to fellowship with God, made fit to dwell in His presence and join the unfallen angels, acknowledged as His representatives, united with one another and with Christ by cherished love, and exalted to His throne.