Revelation 19
"'Let us rejoice, exult, and give [God] the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure'— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints." - Revelation 19:7-8
Just before Jesus returns to earth (v. 11) to destroy the antichrist and the kings who follow him (v. 19), a great wedding takes place in heaven, which includes what is called the marriage supper of the Lamb (v. 9). The bride, most probably the church, has made herself ready. God has granted her to clothe herself with bright and pure linen, which symbolises the righteous deeds of believers through the generations. It is a time to rejoice, exult, and give God glory.
Our righteous deeds matter. They are what will clothe us, the church, when we marry our bridegroom, the Lord Jesus. Jesus loves us. We are his fiancee, and he looks forward to his wedding day when he will marry us. When we do good works by the power of the Holy Spirit, it adds another thread to our wedding garment. We, the church, are becoming a pure and spotless bride with a gorgeous wedding dress. I'm looking forward to the fulfillment of John's visions, which I believe will take place just as the angels have revealed.
Father, we are not perfect or sinless, but our sins have been forgiven and washed away permanently, and we are secure because of what Christ has done for us. Thank you for the gracious privilege of being members of the bride of Messiah by grace through faith in him. Empower us by your Spirit to do the good works you have assigned us today, and may these works contribute to our wedding dress. Be glorified in our lives today, Father. In Jesus' name, amen.
- Jeff Coleman