The bridegroom entered the room and gazed upon his radiant bride, who had been waiting in eager anticipation to be united forever with the love of her life. Dressed in a pure white, flowing gown, free from any blemish, her face glowed as she welcomed her groom with joy. The long-awaited moment had finally arrived.
Bride of Christ
John had a similar vision of the Church of God, symbolized as a bride prepared to meet her groom: “And I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). This vision portrays the redeemed both as the beautiful city of Jerusalem and as a bride: “Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife” (v. 9). Like a bride adorning herself to please her husband, the true Church seeks to please Christ alone. Christ loved the Church, His bride, so much that He gave His life to “sanctify and cleanse it…that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:26-27). Paul spoke of the bride of Christ as a “chaste virgin” espoused to one husband, Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2).
May the Lord open the eyes of the blind so they may behold the true beauty of God’s one Church. Like a virgin bride, the Church should have allegiance to Christ alone and fix her eyes only on Him. Her desire should be to live and conduct herself in a manner worthy of the Son of God.
Marriage of the Lamb
The final union of Christ and the Church at the end of time is often depicted as a marriage. Revelation 19:7-8 captures the beauty of the bride: “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.” The bride, who has made herself ready, is adorned in clean, white linen, symbolizing righteousness—purity, virtue, moral uprightness, and all that is right and just. Righteousness is the inner condition and behavior that is given and approved by God. Every individual believer must prepare themselves as the bride, living in a manner pleasing to God. The righteousness of the saints is made possible by the atoning work of the blood of Jesus Christ and the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit.
Many professing Christians have stained their garments with sin and worldliness, but God’s true people are preparing themselves in purity and godliness. Those who overcome sin will be “clothed in white raiment” (Revelation 3:4-5), a symbol of purity and innocence. Only those who keep their spiritual garments clean on this earth will enter eternal glory, for only the pure will be in Heaven (Revelation 7:9).
Pure in Heart
Jesus came and sacrificed His life so that His people might serve Him in “holiness and righteousness” (Luke 1:75). True righteousness is not merely external but an inward purity of heart. God’s people must live in righteousness. 1 John 3:6-8 clearly teaches that those who abide in Christ do not live in sin, for Christ came to “destroy the works of the devil.” Believers are called to live as Christ lived—in righteousness. “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness…now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness” (Romans 6:18-19).
Call to Righteousness
Scripture repeatedly calls people to pursue righteousness over the fleeting pleasures of the world and the desires of the flesh. Jesus said to seek the “kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Christians are urged to flee from sin and to “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love…”
(1 Timothy 6:11). Many people claim to follow Christ while living in sin and unrighteousness. Paul exhorts the Church in Ephesians 4:24-25 to “put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Righteousness comes only through God’s divine work and is lived out in everyday choices and decisions.
Paul’s message to the Church remains relevant today: “Awake to righteousness” (1 Corinthians 15:34). Many are spiritually asleep, allowing their garments to be contaminated by the world. Christians need discernment to know what is righteous and what is unrighteous. Scripture was given for “instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16), yet many ignore God’s word, succumbing to the influences of this evil generation. Truth exposes the enemy’s deceptions, and judgment must be the line and righteousness the plummet (Isaiah 28:17) by which all things are measured.
The Bride and the Harlot
John’s visions in Revelation contrast two churches. In chapter 12, the true bride of Christ is depicted as being clothed with the sun, radiating truth and purity. In chapter 17, another type of woman is described, arrayed in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold and precious jewels. This woman, who had committed spiritual fornication, was called a harlot. She represents Babylon, a symbol of false Christian religions that, while proclaiming Christ as Lord, lives in unholiness and permits sin. She pollutes the pure doctrine of the Bible to appease the people. To which church do you belong—the one which is pure and spotless or the one that looks alluring with her fine speeches, programs, and charisma, yet tolerates sin and uncleanness?
Isaiah 1:21-22 exposes the children of Israel as once being a faithful city but having become a harlot. Though righteousness and judgment once dwelt within their walls, they began to mix idolatry and false doctrine with truth. Many professing Christians today are in a similar state, unfaithful to the bridegroom and no longer clothed in God’s righteousness.
Promises to the Righteous
To live clothed in robes of righteousness is a wonderful and blessed existence. Many promises are given for the righteous. “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12). “He that feareth him [the Lord], and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him” (Acts 10:35). “If ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye” (1 Peter 3:14). “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Most importantly, there is a crown of righteousness and eternal life in Heaven promised to those who have fought a good fight and lived according to God’s Word (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Exhortation to Righteousness
Jesus is coming soon, like a thief in the night. This earth will be destroyed, and all will stand before the judgment seat of God. Knowing this, and knowing that Christ is returning for a pure and holy people, “What manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness”
(2 Peter 3:11). This call to holiness encompasses every area of life—our spirit, attitudes, ambitions, words, actions, things we listen to and watch, clothes we wear, places we visit, relationships, and even the doctrines we hold. Are these things aligned with righteousness in your life? Are they holy and pure? Do they reflect the chaste bride of Christ? Peter continues in verse 14: “Be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.”
In what condition is your wedding garment? Are there wrinkles of worldliness or spots of sin? Are you adorning yourself to please Christ or to please yourself and those around you? It is possible to live a righteous life through the power of Jesus Christ.
If you are not adorned with the righteousness of God, submit yourself to God and ask for His divine work in your heart. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
(1 John 1:9). Let us live every day ready to meet Christ, for He is coming soon. ■
