19:8Revelation 19:8

To her is granted a gift of grace to be clothed in fine linen clean and white at the marriage of the Lamb amid rejoicing that the Lord God omnipotent reigns and judges righteously.COL 421.2+4 The wife who has made herself ready is the church in close union with Christ, His faithful followers who watch for Him, serve Him, and seek to be acknowledged as His, while those who held the differing position teach the bride is the New Jerusalem and the church is the children of the heavenly family.8T 153.6+4 The fine linen is the righteousness of the saints, which is Christ's own spotless character imparted through faith to those who receive Him, have their sins washed away in His atoning blood, and reflect His image in purity, integrity and good works.ED 249.2–3+4 It is the only robe that can admit anyone to the marriage supper, for no covering of one's own righteousness will stand in the King's examination, and it must be put on in this life by inward cleansing and changed character, not after Christ comes.Lt 6, 1896, par. 17–18+4 Making herself ready means beholding the Lord and being changed by the Spirit into holy obedience, keeping His commandments and the faith of Jesus, with pure thoughts, loving deeds and a meek spirit, and those so clothed both have title to enter the King's presence and by life and labor invite others to the feast.19MR 27.2–3+4

The wife who has made herself ready is the church obeying God, His faithful followers and children who watch for the Lord, serve Him, live in close communion with Him, and seek to be acknowledged as His.8T 153.6+3 She is those made ready for the marriage of the Lamb, clothed in the granted fine linen that is the righteousness of the saints, and this is encouragement to hold firmly to the true faith.8T 153.6+2 Her readiness is having only one aim to labor together with God and thus be complete in Christ, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord and being changed from character to character by the Spirit, with character becoming like Christ — pure, peaceable, kind, good, loving, and truthful — measured by God's holy law.19MR 27.2–3+1 She is the children of God cherishing the blessed hope of uniting with the redeemed when Christ comes, watching and keeping the garments which are the righteousness of Christ's character lest they walk naked and be put to shame.Lt 89, 1897, par. 41–43+1 His faithful followers have served Him, lived in close constant communion with God as daily companion and familiar friend, reflected the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, have heaven in their hearts, and are prepared for the communion of heaven.Lt 89, 1897, par. 41–43+1 They catch the first light of His appearing and rejoice in the brightness and glory of the King in His majesty while the wicked flee, lifting their heads because redemption draws near and going forth to meet the Bridegroom as those who waited for God, and the close union of Christ with them is what the marriage represents.Lt 89, 1897, par. 41–43+1

In the teaching of those who held a differing position, the bride in this marriage is the New Jerusalem, not the church, while the church is represented as the children of the heavenly family.LS 119.1–120.3 The marriage of the Lamb is one event in heaven before Christ returns and before the resurrection of the just, and the bridegroom's coming to the marriage represents a change in the position and work of Christ the great High Priest in heaven in relation to that marriage.LS 119.1–120.3+1

Being arrayed in fine linen is granted to her as a gift of grace; though she has made herself ready, the clothing is given to her and signifies the righteous character of those made ready amid heaven's celebration that the marriage has come.Lt 266, 1906, par. 4–8+3 The fine, clean, bright white linen is the righteousness of the saints, which is Christ's righteousness and not a person's own righteousness, and those who despise it remain in their own clothes.Lt 266, 1906, par. 4–8+2 Receiving Christ's righteousness must shape practical life in right relation to God while helping others, shown in love for Jesus and for the people for whom He died.Ms 80, 1910, par. 2–3+1 The clothing is connected with having sins washed away and receiving a new heart, and with the call to keep one's garments in watchfulness and faithfulness.Lt 89, 1897, par. 41–43+1

The fine linen, clean and white, is the righteousness of the saints, worn by the holy ones in the setting of Satan's opposition to God and the final judgment where the faithful triumph.19MR 244.1–3+2 Through faith in Christ and His grace it is open to God's servants for sin to be ended in the heart and for robes of character to be washed white in the blood of the Lamb, but to stand before God in it they must overcome and stop cherishing anything offensive to God.Ms 21, 1896, par. 1–5+1 The 144,000 are pictured on Mount Zion clothed in this linen and ready for holy service, and those who follow the Lamb in heaven must first follow Him on earth in trustful, loving, willing obedience without guile or fickleness.AA 590.4–591.1+1 Those who stand before God in it have lives marked by purity, integrity, godly conduct, and good works, and faithful example and earnest effort help bring others to Christ.AA 590.4–591.1+1

The verse belongs to the scene when the marriage of the Lamb is come and His wife has made herself ready, amid glad rejoicing that the Lord God omnipotent reigns.COL 421.2+2 Those so clothed in a robe of character washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb are part of the great multitude crying Alleluia, glad and rejoicing and giving honor to Him, with all His servants small and great praising Him, for His true judgments in judging the great whore and avenging His servants.Lt 119, 1901, par. 1–2+1 Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb, for these are the true sayings of God, and this readiness and righteousness means loving Christ by having and keeping His commandments, not defiling the garments but walking with Him in white as worthy, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, doing His commandments to have right to the tree of life and enter through the gates into the city.COL 421.2+2 The chapter warns against enforcing worship of the beast and shows the judgment and defeat of the apostate persecuting powers, including the beast and false prophet.Ms 27, 1900, par. 38–40 It is the end of these things in the closing scenes of earth's history, when Christ shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied because God's people praise Him and the Lamb's wife has made herself ready.Lt 119, 1901, par. 1–2+1

The fine linen, clean and white, is Christ's own spotless, pure and unblemished character and righteousness, imparted through faith to those who receive Him as a personal Saviour.ED 249.2–3+4 Those who receive it wear it here as they open their minds to pure, loving thoughts and do loving, helpful deeds, with a practical life marked by love for Jesus and for those for whom He died.ED 249.2–3+2 Clothed in Christ's righteousness they reflect His image and are made fit for God's presence, beautiful and beloved now with title of admission to the King's palace and names kept in the book of life.ED 249.2–3+3 That righteousness is the righteousness of Christ, not a person's own, and the deeds reveal whether faith is genuine.ST Jun 15, 1915+2

It is the saints' only robe for meeting the Lord and entering the marriage supper, and no robe made by human hands is needed.GC 688.3+3 No covering of one's own righteousness can admit a person, and those who despise Christ's righteousness remain in their own clothes.Lt 6, 1896, par. 17–18+2 God knows whether a person has received this imputed righteousness and whether motives and manner of life are holy, so conduct and claims are tested and worldly advantage cannot hide sin.8MR 309.1–310.1+1 To be ready to wear it is to be clean and prepared to join the holy angels in the kingdom of glory and to sit at the marriage feast in heaven's family.8MR 309.1–310.1+1

The robe is washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb, a character cleansed from sin by Christ's atoning blood bringing purity of soul.Ms 4, 1885, par. 15+4 It is bought from Christ and given to overcomers who have not defiled their garments, who will walk with Him in white, so that even lack of food and clothing and nakedness does not separate God's children from Him because Christ clothes them with His righteousness.Lt 25, 1892, par. 4–10+1 It covers no unrepented sin, for Christ saves from sins not in sins, and only the holy who gain a changed character in this life can see a holy God, while those who continue in sin cannot be taken to heaven.Ms 4, 1885, par. 15+1 It lifts repentant sinners from ruin to stand with angels, joining justice and mercy while God remains just in justifying them.Ms 4, 1885, par. 15+1

At infinite cost to heaven this garment has been provided for all, purchased by Christ's blood and freely offered to every person, with full abundant provision of grace and sanctification of the Spirit beyond what is asked.ED 249.2–3+3 Wealth and earthly honor cannot give title to heaven's glory, but wearing this robe prepares a person to meet the Bridegroom and enter the marriage supper of the Lamb.Ms 68, 1895, par. 12+1 Yet most cling to old rags of self-righteousness and refuse to be uplifted and enriched with boundless love and eternal life, clinging to earth and choosing against Christ and the Father, to the amazement of the heavenly host at how few accept the gift.Ms 187, 1898, par. 23–25+1 The righteousness is inward purity, not outward clothing alone, for wearing white linen dresses to represent it, as fanatics did while deceiving and oppressing God's children, does not make conduct righteous.SG2 131.1–2+2 Likewise those who professed to long for Christ but returned to careless religion when He did not appear showed they lacked true preparation.SG2 131.1–2+1

To have made herself ready is to have one aim in life, to labor together with God and so be complete in Christ, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord and being changed into the same image from character to character by the Spirit.Lt 89, 1897, par. 41–43+1 It is to live in close constant communion with God as a daily companion and familiar friend, reflecting the light of the knowledge of His glory in the face of Jesus Christ, with heaven in the heart and fitness for the communion of heaven.RH Nov 13, 1913+1 It is to gain a yearning, hungering desire after God that produces cheerful, holy obedience to all His requirements, which alone He will accept.Lt 89, 1897, par. 41–43+1 That obedience is loving Christ by having and keeping His commandments, keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, doing His commandments to have right to the tree of life and to enter through the gates into the city, and watching and keeping the garments, which are the righteousness of Christ's character, lest one walk naked and be put to shame.Lt 89, 1897, par. 41–43+2 It is to walk with Him in white as worthy, not defiling the garments, and to go forth to meet the Bridegroom with uplifted head, rejoicing that redemption draws near and saying, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for Him and He will save us.Ms 143, 1898, par. 17–18+2

That readiness appears in holy fear of God, gratitude, faith, truth and confidence in God, purity of motive in all actions, care for souls, prayer, labor, and communicative goodness because Christ abides in the soul, with holy generous dispositions showing toward one another the heaven-born love He enjoined.19MR 27.2–3+1 It appears in pure loving thoughts and helpful deeds, in a meek and quiet spirit expressed in lives of holiness and self-denial, with outward dress in harmony with inward peace and holiness.19MR 27.2–3+1 It is character becoming like Christ — pure, peaceable, kind, good, loving, truthful — tried by the moral standard of God's holy law and measured day by day, with purity and righteousness as the character of His disciples.19MR 27.2–3+3 That righteous character is formed in those connected with God through grace, with clearness and force of understanding, faith with virtuous character added, a well-ordered life and godly conversation, despising foolish jesting, truth inwrought in the life, and light shining in good works that adorn doctrine.FE 91.2+1 It stands opposite to coldness, weakness of principle leading to extra adornment in dress, forced allegiance, and surliness and discourteous conduct toward brethren, which prove His grace is not in the heart.Ms 146, 1897, par. 19–20+1

The robe must be put on in this life by a changed character, not by one's own righteousness nor by a change made after Christ comes, for this is the only time to form fitness for the home prepared for those who obey His commandments.Ms 4, 1885, par. 15+2 Those who continue in sin cannot be taken to heaven, for only the holy can see a holy God.Ms 4, 1885, par. 15+1 That preparation requires careful daily examination of spirit, habits, temper, appetites and practice, discarding every defect as a builder discards rotten timber, daily correcting character to meet God's standard and becoming more like Christ in purity, peace, kindness, goodness, love and truth.Lt 10, 1897, par. 24–26+1 It requires following on to know the Lord without resting content with present capability and knowledge, receiving God and doing good as character is formed for eternity, and submitting to Christ so He keeps His people unspotted from the world.Ms 17, 1885, par. 12–13+1 So clothed with meekness, humility and truth, and kept clean and undefiled by living faith in the abundance of grace provided through heaven's infinite sacrifice, they are made ready to be accepted and join the faithful when Christ comes to receive them, to enter the marriage supper and stand in the judgment in the last days while all the universe watches.Ms 8, 1874, par. 6–8+2

Knowing truth as doctrine, theory, or outward reform is not enough, for those who hold it while living in unrighteousness are not fitted to wear the linen.Ms 7, 1885, par. 1–2+1 God's law must be written in the heart, and His truth must control the conscience and bring holiness, mercy and love into the life, with Christ's Spirit and principles taking root in the heart and governing conduct.Ms 7, 1885, par. 1–2+1 The heart must be cleansed of pride, impurity, selfish ambition and other defilement, with purity of thought and desire and earnest effort to meet God's standard.Ms 7, 1885, par. 1–2+1 Even one cherished sin defiles the soul and unfits for the company of the pure and holy.17MR 18.2–4+1 Entrance to the supper depends on receiving and practicing Christ's teachings rather than relying on human wisdom or knowledge, and the message to the church does its work in preparing a people to stand without fault before God.17MR 18.2–4+2

The marriage of the Lamb comes after more than eighteen hundred years of waiting on the promise of His coming, when His wife has made herself ready and is granted to be clothed in fine linen clean and white which is the righteousness of the saints.Lt 89, 1897, par. 41–43+2 Blessed are those called to the marriage supper of the Lamb, for these are the true sayings of God, and they who are with Him are called and chosen and faithful with the Lord of lords and King of kings.COL 421.2+4 His wife who has made herself ready is His faithful followers and children of God who cherish the blessed hope, who have served Him and lived in close constant communion with God as a daily companion and familiar friend, reflecting the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, having heaven in their hearts and prepared for the communion of heaven.Lt 89, 1897, par. 41–43+2 They catch the first light of His appearing and rejoice in the brightness and glory of the King in His majesty while the wicked flee, lifting up their heads because redemption draws near and going forth to meet the Bridegroom saying this is their God for whom they have waited and He will save them.RH Nov 13, 1913+1 Making herself ready means having only one aim to be laborers together with God and thus complete in Christ, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord and being changed into the same image from character to character by the Spirit, watching and keeping the garments which are the righteousness of Christ's character lest they walk naked and be put to shame, keeping garments spotless while waiting for His return to receive the kingdom from the Father and to receive them.Lt 89, 1897, par. 41–43+2 Those so clothed join the great multitude crying Alleluia for the Lord God omnipotent reigns, glad and rejoicing and giving Him honor, while in the great day when every case is reviewed before God and it is too late for anything to be changed, those who would not come to Christ for life see their unlikeness to Him amid the joyous shouts of the clothed.Lt 119, 1901, par. 1–2+1

Together with Revelation 18 and 19 the verse belongs to testing truths for this time that all should read and understand, forming the last call of mercy to be given more fully to the world as a solemn sacred message of warning to all.Ms 57, 1903, par. 6+1 That warning includes the warning against enforcing worship of the beast and shows the judgment and defeat of the apostate persecuting powers, while in mercy and long forbearance God holds back His judgments until the warning has been sounded.Ms 57, 1903, par. 6+1 The marriage supper of the Lamb is the last call to be given to everyone in the last days of earth's history, to be proclaimed in the most difficult fields and in the most sinful cities and in every place where the light of the third angel's message has not yet dawned.Lt 218, 1908, par. 9 Preparation for that supper is now to be made by giving the gospel message everywhere, in the highways and hedges to high and low, rich and poor, by house-to-house work and soul-saving effort, without letting commercial interests absorb the mind and cause the proclamation to be neglected.Lt 218, 1908, par. 9+1

All who enter the city God has prepared are pure and undefiled, arrayed in clean white linen, and those who accept Christ's restraint and learn of Him, whatever their past habits, become men and women God is not ashamed to call brethren and are made fit to enter.Lt 99, 1897, par. 14–16 The 144,000 are pictured on Mount Zion clothed in this white linen which is their righteousness, ready for holy service, because those who follow the Lamb in heaven must first follow Him on earth in trustful loving willing obedience without guile or fickleness.AA 590.4–591.1+1 The young also are pictured clothed in Christ's righteousness as spotless robes of righteousness, standing around His throne and sharing in the song of victory.FE 91.2 The redeemed gather in the city of God around the great white throne, clothed in white robes which are the righteousness of Christ, singing triumph and victory and praise to God and to the Lamb, with no more sorrow and no more separation, dwelling in peace and happiness and glory throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.7MR 222.1–3

The marriage at Cana was set to represent the marriage supper of the Lamb, meant to serve as a symbol as perfect as possible with all the objectionable features that usually attend a marriage festival dropped out and left out.Ms 36, 1899, par. 4+1 What Christ does is fully done, and the provision His grace and righteousness makes is full and abundant, more than is required, so those who come to Him for the bread of heaven and the water of salvation will always be supplied exceedingly abundantly above all that can be asked or thought.10MR 187.3–188.3 The marriage institution is sacred, endorsed by Christ's presence at Cana, and as marriage vows unite husband and wife as one, belief in Christ should make them one in Him.10MR 187.3–188.3

The fine linen is a robe of character washed white in the blood of the Lamb, and it must be put on in this life, for this is the only time to form fitness for the home prepared for those who obey the commandments.Lt 119, 1901, par. 1–2+1 When the marriage of the Lamb is come and His wife has made herself ready, to be arrayed in it is granted, and blessed are those called to the supper, who join the great multitude crying Alleluia because the Lord God omnipotent reigns.Lt 119, 1901, par. 1–2 Having that robe is the question of greatest importance, received when grace comes into the heart and fills it with love so that a person can see Jesus and meet the Saviour in peace.Lt 296, 1903, par. 6 It is a life shaped by living connection with God, receiving from Him and doing good as character is formed for eternity, and those who wear it enter the supper and are on the right side when the door is shut.Ms 17, 1885, par. 12–13

No covering of one's own righteousness can admit a person, for the wedding garment is a righteousness God provides for His guests, and conduct and claims are tested so that worldly advantage cannot hide sin.Ms 130, 1906, par. 18–19 Those who hold firmly to truth show the excellence of consistent principles, even when others admire that conduct without following it.Ms 130, 1906, par. 18–19 Rejecting truth and clinging to infidel ideas and theories leaves a person without the garment and therefore without entrance to the supper.Lt 51a, 1895, par. 12 Those who think they can come in mere profession or slothful service will find no place in heaven, but will be on the wrong side when the door is shut.COL 319.1+1 In the great day when every case is brought up in review before God, when it is too late for anything to be changed, those who would not come to Christ for life will see their unlikeness to Christ while around them are heard the joyous shouts of those clothed in this righteousness.Lt 119, 1901, par. 1–2

A man can think he has clothed himself in garments of righteousness while his boasting, self-exaltation, and condemned course make his greatness worthless in heaven.Ms 184, 1905, par. 2–8 Should he come thus clothed to the supper, his clothing is seen for what it is, the dress of a civilian, unfit and unacceptable.Ms 128a, 1903, par. 10+1 Every one redeemed by blood is granted to disrobe himself of that civilian's dress and put on the robe of Christ's righteousness for Christ's sake and for the sake of the Christian name, so that honor is brought to God's character and not to man's, and matters are brought up to the Christian standard.Ms 128a, 1903, par. 10 Humanity not combined with divinity cannot enter, for that civilian dress is unfit for the supper.Ms 184, 1905, par. 2–8 Most cling to old rags of self-righteousness and refuse to be uplifted and enriched with boundless love and eternal life, clinging to earth as if fearful of becoming inhabitants of heaven, to the amazement of heaven though every facility has been given to do the works of God.Ms 28, 1897, par. 46–48

Receiving the white robe of character formed in righteousness, which is the righteousness of Christ, is linked to accepting the call to the marriage supper of the Lamb.RP 14.2+4 Worldly amusements and entertainments can distract people from that call and keep them from receiving the robe.RP 14.2+4 A life centered on display and worldly pleasure lacks the inward character the robe represents, in contrast to the granted gift that forms Christ's righteousness in character.14MR 122.2–123.1 Outward display and fashionable dress cannot take the place of this spiritual clothing for having a place with the saints in light.STMW10 19.2 Extra adornment in dress, using means to flatter vanity, and living to please self are opposite to having the wedding garment on, which means denying self, taking up the cross daily, following Christ, and working as He worked to save others.Ms 146, 1897, par. 19–20+1

The fine linen, clean and white, is holy fear of God, gratitude, faith, truth and confidence in God, purity of motive in all actions, care for souls, prayer, labor, and communicative goodness because Christ abides in the soul, with holy generous dispositions revealing toward one another the heaven-born love enjoined by Christ.Ms 146, 1897, par. 19–20 Coldness, weakness of principle leading to extra adornment, forced allegiance, and surliness and discourteous conduct toward brethren prove the grace of Christ is not in the heart.Ms 146, 1897, par. 19–20 Making ready means gaining a yearning, hungering desire after God that produces cheerful, holy obedience to all His requirements, which alone will be accepted.Ms 146, 1897, par. 19–20

To share in the feast is to accept Christ as personal Saviour and open the heart to Him to receive His righteousness as God's free gift, since no one can save himself.ST May 22, 1884+2 That distinguishing dress is truth as it is in Jesus, the clean pure character worn by those who come to the marriage supper, putting off the old life lived in ignorance with changed speech and conversation in altogether another line.Ms 143, 1898, par. 6–8+1 It must be put on to be accepted and to make ready, preparing people for Jesus' coming in a life shaped after the divine Pattern, kept spiritually alive by faith, clothed with meekness, humility and truth, and joined to Christ's work for the salvation of others.ST May 22, 1884+2 Honoring Him by coming when all things are now ready is what it means to be a welcome guest at the marriage supper of the Lamb.ST Dec 19, 1892+1

Wearing that linen makes a person beautiful and beloved now and fit for God's presence, with title of admission to the King's palace that wealth and earthly honor can never give.ED 249.2–3+2 It is Christ's own spotless unblemished character imparted through faith, bought from Him and granted to overcomers who have not defiled their garments, who open their minds to pure loving thoughts and do loving helpful deeds and walk with Him in white.ED 249.2–3+2 It is the only covering by which anyone can be admitted into heaven, to meet the Bridegroom and enter the marriage supper, to do duty in this life to God's glory, to have right to the tree of life and entrance through the gates, to stand with confidence before His throne, and to have the name kept unblotted in the book of life.ST Jun 15, 1915+2 Even suffering lack of food and clothing and nakedness does not separate God's children from Him, because Christ clothes them with His righteousness, and outward dress is to be in harmony with the inward imperishable beauty of a meek and quiet spirit in holiness and self-denial.Lt 25, 1892, par. 4–10+1

Those who wear it both bear the message of redemption through Christ's atoning death that prepared the feast and by their lives invite others to it.Ms 124, 1898, par. 40–41 Wearing it means not living to please self nor using means to flatter vanity, but denying self, taking up the cross daily, following Christ and working as He worked to save others.Ms 124, 1898, par. 40–41 The clothed church appears before the world in beautiful garments demonstrating saving truth in character building and in a self-sacrificing spirit to save perishing souls, acting as laborers together with God and channels through whom Christ's religion is made known to publicans and sinners, living out peace and goodwill toward men and glory to God in the highest.Ms 143, 1898, par. 6–8+1 Righteousness formed through grace shows in clearness and force of understanding, faith with virtuous character added, a well-ordered life and godly conversation, despising foolish jesting, truth inwrought in the life, and light shining in good works that adorn doctrine, so that righteousness goes before and the glory of the Lord guards behind, with a place before His throne granted to those who honor Him, many being gathered as sheaves to the Master by faithful example and earnest effort in purity, integrity, godly conduct and leading other souls to divine truth.Ms 22, 1886, par. 10–11+1

The gift comes with high privileges, the great plan of redemption, access to the mercy seat to cast all care on Christ, and the blessed hope of Jesus soon appearing to receive His people to Himself where He is.Ms 49, 1898, par. 3 Receiving the robe is reason for rejoicing, gratitude, thanksgiving, praise, talk, song and prayer around His throne, along with having the name written in the Lamb's book of life and belonging to the Lord.COL 298.4–299.2+1 It is received from heaven's fullness by living faith through the infinite sacrifice, asked from God to prepare for the coming of the Son of man and to stand in the judgment of the last days while all the inhabitants of the universe watch.Ms 21, 1903, par. 5–6 It is kept clean, spotless and undefiled by watchfulness and faithfulness, by being joined to Christ the Leader and wearing His garment rather than citizen's dress or one's own, by submitting so He keeps His people unspotted from the world, and by following on to know the Lord without resting content with present attainment.20MR 63.1+3