The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Remnant, #11

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness [righteous deeds] of saints. (Revelation 19:8)

The word "righteousness," as used above, is misleading. It should be translated righteous behavior . It is not referring to the imputed (ascribed) righteousness that has been assigned to us because of our faith in the blood of Christ. Rather it is speaking of the righteousness of deed, word, and thought that proceeds from our abiding in Christ. It is the fruit of righteousness, not the imputation (assignment) of righteousness.

Paul sought the power to live righteously:

O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24)

Christ has promised us the power to live righteously:

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

The "fine linen" of Revelation 19:8 is an important aspect of the resurrection from the dead, of the Day of the Lord. As we, through the Spirit, put to death the deeds of our physical body, a robe of white linen is being woven in Heaven. The robe of white linen is the power to live righteously. We shall be clothed with that robe at the coming of the Lord Jesus. The robe of righteous behavior is the garment of salvation.

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

Each time we, through the Spirit, overcome the pressures of a trial or the temptations of a sin, our robe of righteousness grows more glorious. When our robe is completed it will be reserved in Heaven for us, to be presented to us at the coming of the Lord Jesus.

In that Day the saint will be clothed in his righteousness and the sinner will be clothed in his sin (II Corinthians 5:10). We shall reap what we are sowing.

Our robe of righteousness, if we have woven one from the Substance of His Life (which is imparted to whoever calls on Him in the hour of need), will clothe our spirit, soul, and body so we are righteous in our behavior just as He is righteous. No longer will we be dragging around a physical body full of sin, or attempting to pray while being opposed by our fleshly mind, which is the enemy of God.

Instead, every atom of our being will be seeking to praise God and to do His will. Can you imagine anything more wonderful than this?

Our light afflictions are creating for us a house from Heaven, an exceeding and eternal weight of glory, a crown of righteousness which will be given us when the Lord Jesus returns in His Kingdom (II Corinthians 4:17).

Truly there is a reward for serving the Lord.

To be continued.