garments

Keys to the Storehouse – Garments of Praise

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“Put on garments of praise for a spirit of heaviness.”

Isaiah 61:3

Part of Jesus’ mission on earth was “To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3 NKJV).

With such instability in our world at present, many people struggle with a feeling of heaviness and sadness. Often our prayers begin with “I feel … .” Fill in the blank – it may be confused, lonely, discouraged!

Someone once suggested: “Don’t start with ‘I feel’; start with ‘You are.’ ”

Often the root of our tumultuous feelings is that we forget who God is and our choice of sin is usually anxiety – a failure to remember that God is sovereign and that He is good. If we pray and say, “You are a good and all-powerful Father,” we are simply reminded that He is just and that He does provide for our every need. So what then do we have to be anxious about?

In David’s much-loved Psalm he said, “The Lord is my shepherd; …” a declaration of who God is. “I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). This should be our response to this character trait of God.

It is when we take our eyes off ourselves and take a deep look at the eternal, unchanging One that we find our problems and feelings will lose their significance in light of all He is.

Lord, You are great – David asked, “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle” (Psalm 24:8).

Lord, you are gentle and humble – Jesus said, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29 NKJV).
Lord, you are near the brokenhearted – David tells us, “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

Lord, you are tender – “He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor cause His voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth” (Isaiah 42:2, 3 NIV).

The praise goes on and on. The Lord is our Provider, our Healer, our Righteous Judge, our Loving Bridegroom, our Creator.

So whatever trouble you are facing—look up! The great galaxy-creating God is merciful and gracious, He is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Tell the great I AM who He is and remind your own fragile soul in the process.

Make this a constant discipline: whenever you feel overburdened and discouraged, set your heart to adore God. You will find that burdens lift. He has exchanged the spirit of heaviness for garments of praise. And we can be sure that one day, wearing those very garments, we will dance for joy in the presence of our Savior.

Father, You are our God. Without You we are nothing and nothing else matters, but with You we have hope, we have a purpose, and we have a future. Take control of everything in our lives that Your will be done because we trust You. Amen.

The Intercession Connection

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Verily, verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give [it] you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:23, 24.

Do we really understand the meaning of what Jesus is communicating to us in these texts? He says, “Ask the Father in my name.” By faith, we must grasp His intercession as the connection to our Father. By faith, we must comprehend His pleading for us, because it is through His name that we have access to God—just as in the Old Covenant the people said, “Moses, you talk to God and you talk to us, but do not allow us to talk to Him directly. We will die.” (Exodus 20:19.) We could not approach the Father, we could not come to the throne, without Jesus’ intercession and without going through the name of our Saviour. We are not just to say His name as a mindless repetition—“In Jesus’ name.” As we pray, we are to realize that Jesus, at that very moment, is pleading on our behalf, and it is through His pleading, through His name, that we can come to God.

Prayers as Sweet Incense

In Revelation 8:3, 4, we read: “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” By faith, we must see our prayers ascending to our Father, made fragrant by the righteousness of our Saviour. Without Jesus’ righteousness, without His intercession, our prayers could not even ascend to the Father. Jesus is our connection, the connecting link between God and man.

Ellen White wrote, “The incense, ascending with the prayers of Israel, represents the merits and intercession of Christ, His perfect righteousness, which through faith is imputed to His people, and which can alone make the worship of sinful beings acceptable to God.” Patriarchs and Prophets, 353. Christ’s perfect righteousness alone can make our worship acceptable.

Intercession of the Son

The story is told of a son, who, while serving in the Civil War, had sent a letter to his father. He explained that he had been found sleeping at his post of duty. He explained in the letter as to why it had happened—he had fulfilled his hours of duty and then had taken another comrade’s shift. As a result of serving a double shift, he had fallen asleep at his post, and the sentence was death. The father received the letter a day or two before the execution day. To save his son, he boarded a train to Washington, D.C., arriving there the very morning that his son was to be executed.

Hurriedly, he made his way to the White House. (At that time, there was no fence or security surrounding the White House.) Rushing to the front door of that majestic building, he approached a guard and said, “I must see the President. It is an emergency.”

The guard asked, “Do you have an appointment?”

“No,” the father responded.

“Then I cannot let you in,” replied the guard.

Although the father pled and pled at the door, there was no admission. Finally, he staggered out onto the lawn, and slumping beneath a tree, cried. Seeing the President was his only hope. As he sat there, a little boy came up to him and said, “Mister, what is wrong?”

Through his tears, he told the boy his story. When he had finished, the boy said, “Come on.”

The father hesitated, saying, “You cannot do anything. You are just a boy. You cannot let me in.” But the boy insisted.

When the father and the boy came up to the guard, the boy said, “This man wants to see the President.”

The guard replied, “He cannot. He does not have an appointment.”

The young lad began to cry, “Father, father.” Soon President [Abraham] Lincoln appeared at the door.

“Tad,” the President asked, “what do you need?” The father’s son was saved, through the intercession of the son of the President.

Intercession of Praise

As we think about that story in relation to Jesus’ ministry, it is through His intercession that we are connected to the throne of God. Through His intercession, we can even praise the Lord.

Hebrews 13:15 says, “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips, giving thanks to his name.” Notice this verse says, “Therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually.” How is the sacrifice of praise to God offered continually? The first two words of the verse give us the answer—“By him.” We cannot even acceptably offer the sacrifice of praise except through Jesus.

Just as the Israelites could not offer thank offerings in the Old Covenant without the intercession of the priests, we cannot offer praise offerings without the intercession of Christ. His intercession makes our prayers and our praise acceptable. Just as the priests gave guidance in the Old Covenant, so Jesus gives guidance in His intercession.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25. Our sins cannot be forgiven without the intercession of our Saviour. The Bible says, in Isaiah 53:12, that He “made intercession for the transgressors”—not just intercession for the righteous but intercession for the transgressors as well. Just as, in the Old Covenant, the priest had to officiate in the offering of the lamb, so the intercession of Christ is essential in saving us from sin.

Redeeming Blood

Jesus’ intercession is as necessary to us as is His redeeming blood. Both are essential to the plan of salvation. Notice Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:17: “And if Christ be not raised, your faith [is] vain; ye are yet in your sins.” How do we explain that? Through the intercession of our Saviour. Without Christ’s intercession, our faith is vain, and we are yet in our sins. Do not let anyone say that salvation was completed on the cross. Do not let anyone say that that was all there was to the plan of salvation.

We are not trying to lessen the importance of the cross, but simply showing that Jesus’ work right now is equally as essential as was His death upon the cross. If He is not interceding today, our faith is vain. If He is not interceding today, we are still in our sins. Our sins could never be forgiven without Christ’s intercession, because we could not approach the Father without Christ’s intercession. We could not repent and confess without Christ’s intercession. Christ’s intercession, as was the priest’s in the Old Covenant, is essential, but there is more to Christ’s intercession.

Most Holy Place

All of what we have looked at has referred to Christ’s administration in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary. There is more to His administration in the second apartment as well. In the ministration of the priest in the Most Holy Place, the blood was taken into the Most Holy Place, and we are told that it was sprinkled before and upon the Mercy Seat. (See Leviticus 16.) Once each year, that actually happened twice. One time, Aaron entered the Most Holy Place with the blood of a bullock for his sins. The next time, he entered in with the blood of a goat for the sins of the congregation. The focus was the sprinkling of the blood upon and before the Mercy Seat. That was not all. There were, of course, the scapegoat that was sent away, and then, at the very end, the burnt offerings of one ram for the congregation and one ram for Aaron. But let us look further at the importance of the sprinkling of the blood.

In the New Testament, we read, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” 1 Peter 1:2. Notice with what the sprinkling of the blood is associated—“the sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood . . . .” The sprinkling of the blood was representing, according to this verse, the necessity of complete, full sanctification and obedience.

Refiner and Purifier

In another passage, we read, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.” Malachi 3:1–3.

Verse 1 sets the stage and gives us the time frame to which these texts refer. It tells us about the Lord coming to His temple. It refers to 1844, when Jesus entered the Most Holy Place. “The coming of the Lord to His temple was sudden, unexpected, to His people. They wew not looking for Him there.” The Great Controversy, 424. It says His work there, in the Most Holy Place, is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap and that He sits as a refiner and a purifier to purify and to purge. In the Most Holy Place, Christ is administrating His blood to purge away our sins. “Thise who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God and their own diligent effort they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth.” Ibid., 425.

It tells us also, in verse 1, that this is to prepare the way before the Lord. This is the final step of preparation for the Second Coming—the sprinkling of the blood, the sanctification of the Spirit, the obedience, the final purifying from the stain of sin. It is the final purifying from selfishness, from pride, from covetousness, that we might be that vessel unto honor.

Filthy Garments Removed

The sprinkling of the blood is essential for the time when there is no more intercession for us. Zechariah 3:3–5 describes the process that takes place on the Day of Atonement as the blood is sprinkled. It says, “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by.”

The picture here depicted is of the filthy garments being removed. “When Satan seeks to cover the people of God with blackness, and ruin them, Christ interposes. Although they have sinned, Christ has taken the guilt of their sins upon His own soul…By His human nature He is linked with man, while through His divine nature He is one with the infinite God. Help is brought within the reach of perishing souls. The adversary is rebuked.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 169.

“All who have truly repented of sin, and by faith claimed the blood of Christ as their atoning sacrifice, have had pardon entered against their names in the books of heaven; as they have become partakers of the righteousness of Christ, and their characters are found to be in harmony with the law of God, their sins will be blotted out, and they themselves will be accounted worthy of eternal life.” The Great Controversy, 483.

Pardon is possible through Jesus’ death and His intercession—His work of sprinkling the blood in the Most Holy Place. As we think about that work that has been going on for 160 years, we know that very soon it is going to conclude. Very soon the sins of those that have been repentant and have looked by faith to the intercession of Jesus are going to be blotted out. As we think of Jesus lingering over our names, is the blood being sprinkled on our lives? Are we experiencing that complete sanctification, that complete refiner’s fire, to purge not only the open sins but to purge the motives, to purge the feelings so we might be prepared to stand when there is no intercessor? We must want to choose to allow the Lord to burn the fire as hot as it takes, that our lives might be cleansed and prepared for the coming of the Lord, that our sins might be blotted out forever from remembrance. It is a daily acceptance of His intercession and ministration, not just in the Holy Place but also in the Most Holy Place. I pray that daily we each make that choice.

Cody Francis is currently engaged in public evangelism for Mission Projects International. He also pastors the Remnant Church of Seventh-day Adventist Believers in Renton, Washington. He may be contacted by e-mail at: cody@missionspro.org.

Are We Properly Clothed?

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Revelation 3:17, 18 says, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”

These startling words of Christ are spoken in love to those dwelling in Laodicea who profess to be among God’s remnant. Could it be possible that some of us could be deceived as to our spiritual condition? Such an alarming description given by our Saviour, who discerns the secrets of the heart, calls for some serious thinking.

“What is it that constitutes the wretchedness, the nakedness of those who feel rich and increased with goods?—It is the want of the righteousness of Christ. In their own righteousness they are represented as clothed with filthy rags, and yet in this condition they flatter themselves that they are clothed upon with Christ’s righteousness. Could deception be greater?” This Day With God, 228.

A Question

What is it going to take to awaken our sleepy heads from our deception that we may comprehend how God sees most of us? Ellen White wrote: “The knowledge of our state as God views it, seems to be hidden from us. We see, but perceive not; we hear, but do not understand; and we rest as unconcerned as if the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, rested upon our sanctuary. We profess to know God, and to believe the truth, but in works deny Him. Our deeds are directly adverse to the principles of truth and righteousness, by which we profess to be governed.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 84.

Sadly, rather than accepting Christ’s righteousness, many within the church today have done exactly as did Adam and Eve in their disobedience. “They have sewed together fig leaves to cover the nakedness caused by transgression. They have worn the garments of their own devising, by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable with God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 311.

Praise God! He is ready, if we are ready, to awaken all lukewarm believers and help them to see the necessity of changes that must be made in their lives if they will be properly clothed. This is no small matter. In fact, it is a life and death issue. “He [God] is waiting to strip them [believing souls] of their garments stained and polluted with sin, and to put upon them the white robes of righteousness; He bids them live and not die.” The Faith I Live By, 134.

Now, since God is just waiting to put upon us the white robes of Christ’s righteousness, why are we so reluctant to accept His precious gift? The Bible has the answer. Because we are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17.

Wretchedness

Have you ever really seen such a person? I have. On one of my visits to Africa, I was scheduled to spend 30 days in the Cameroons, visiting every outpost. As we started out by Volkswagen, we had some eight flat tires in just a few miles. Our tires were absolutely useless. I suggested we return to the capital city and try to find some other used tires, since new tires were unavailable. We searched for several hours through a huge pile of old, used tires until we finally found four that we hoped would do the job.

As these tires were being put on the car, I decided to see the little town. Believe me, it was only a few blocks in size. As I was walking slowly, looking in the shops, the smell was anything but pleasant, for beside the narrow sidewalk ran an open sewer ditch. Suddenly I smelled a stench I could hardly stand. But from where was it coming?

As I turned a corner, I almost bumped into him. I hesitate to describe what I saw. There he stood, about 6 feet 4 inches tall, dirty, and covered with mud and filth. I could hardly stand the odor, yet there he was stark naked, with not even a loincloth. On his stomach and sides were large ulcers, some as large as six inches across, with puss oozing from them. Some of his toes were missing, for he was filled with leprosy. I also noticed that half of his fingers had been eaten away. But when I looked at his face I was really shocked, for the leprosy had eaten away both eyeballs—only the sockets remained—and part of his nose was missing. What a shocking experience! I shall never forget this man who was in such a hopeless condition.

There is Hope

The Scriptures describe what God sees in many of us as believers today. Isaiah 1:5, 6 says, “Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.”

Yet there is hope. While we have failed to grasp God’s grace and strength provided through Christ, none are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity, and righteousness in Jesus who died for us. The True Witness not only points out our Laodicean spiritual disease, but He offers the remedy. We are invited to come to Him and buy the white raiment of His righteousness, that we might be clothed with the robes of His righteousness so that the shame of our nakedness will not appear.

How do we buy Christ’s white raiment? “When the work of repentance is earnest and deep, the individual members of the church will buy the rich goods of heaven. [Revelation 3:18 quoted.] Oh, how many behold things in a perverted light, in the light in which Satan would have them see.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 961.

Imputed and Imparted

If only we could see ourselves as God sees us, not as Satan wishes us to see ourselves, then through earnest repentance we could buy the remedy for the Laodicean condition. The True Witness exhorts us to “be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19. The white raiment of Christ’s righteousness is often referred to in inspired writings as a robe or as robes in the plural. In truth, Christ has only one righteousness, but His righteousness is applied to man in two different ways—imputed and imparted. These are given to man for two different purposes.

“The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven; the second is our fitness for heaven.” Messages to Young People, 35. Thus, the robes of righteousness that Christ provides for repentant man consist of 1) justifying righteousness and 2) sanctifying righteousness.

Robes of Righteousness

Inspiration often uses the plural noun when speaking of Christ’s robes of righteousness. A few of those references are given here. “Christ could stoop to raise unnumbered multitudes from the abyss of ruin and clothe them with the spotless garments of His own righteousness.” The Great Controversy, 415.

Revelation 16:15 says, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

“Only those who are clothed in the garments of His righteousness will be able to endure the glory of His presence when He shall appear with ‘power and great glory.’ [Luke 21:27.]” Sons and Daughters of God, 368.

We notice from these quotations that garments is in the plural. We might think of the imputed robe of Christ’s righteousness as being the foundation garment, for we must receive it first. This robe signifies that the believer has confessed, repented of, and forsaken his sins; that he has been forgiven or justified.

Immediately after we are clothed with this robe, Christ places upon man His imparted robe of righteousness. Christ enters his heart to dwell there by faith. Christ’s imparted righteousness signifies that the believer is being sanctified; that his character is being fitted for heaven. Christ, with man’s cooperation, is living out His life within. This outer garment of sanctifying righteousness is often referred to in inspired writings as “the wedding garment.” All who attain to these two robes of divine righteousness are properly clothed and ready for the coming of the bridegroom to the wedding. Without these two divine garments, no man can see God and live.

Man’s Part

The next Bible verse introduces to us a different part of God’s truth. It declares that man has a part to act in wearing the robes of Christ’s righteousness. In Revelation 7:14, we are told, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Now the questions arise, What robes does man wash? And how does he wash them? We need not wash the imputed robe of Christ’s righteousness, for it is spotless. “It is the righteousness of Christ that makes the penitent sinner acceptable to God and works his justification. However sinful has been his life, if he believes in Jesus as his personal Saviour, he stands before God in the spotless robes of Christ’s imputed righteousness.” The Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892.

Neither does man wash Christ’s robe of imparted righteousness, for it too is spotless. When it comes to sanctification, we find that during sanctification the imparted righteousness of Christ is to become part of man’s very own character, for it is the character of man that must be fitted for heaven. This is not done instantaneously. Verily, it is the work of a lifetime, be it long or short.

At the new birth, Christ imputes and imparts His righteousness to the believer. Both are spotless robes. The repentant one is now ready for Christ to come just as was the thief on the cross. But then, during sanctification, man’s character is to be developed to recognize and resist sin and temptation in its many forms, and to become more and more Christlike every day. This requires cooperation between Christ and man, for Christ does not furnish man with a ready-made, spotless character. God furnishes the talents and His imparted righteous building-blocks. But we build the character. For further study, I suggest you read Christ’s Object Lessons, 331.

Cooperation Needed

Please allow me to illustrate. For some years now I have been wearing one suit for preaching engagements. The other day, my wife told me it was time to get a new suit, so we went shopping for one. Fortunately, we found a department store that had a sale on men’s clothing. Surprisingly, the first suit that the salesman showed me was exactly what I wanted.

As I put the suit on, I felt there was a problem, probably necessitating the need for an alteration, for the suit felt slightly snug. But the tailor, after careful examination, said, “No, it does not need to be altered. The suit is a perfect fit exactly as it is, but you must lose about ten pounds.” I agreed and purchased the suit, and I am cooperating by reducing my weight; then the suit will fit properly.

This is a striking illustration of how we are to cooperate with God. He does not alter His character requirements; we must develop characters that fit His divine pattern. In our human, defective, stained, and polluted robes of character, we are to wash in the blood of the Lamb every day. As we continue to wash, God accounts our character as perfect in Christ. So, washing our garments is a very important work.

“The provision has been made for us to wash. The fountain has been prepared at infinite expense, and the burden of washing rests upon us, who are imperfect before God. The Lord does not propose to remove these spots of defilement without our doing anything on our part. We must wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb. We may lay hold of the merits of the blood of Christ by faith, and through His grace and power we may have strength to overcome our errors, our sins, our imperfections of character, and come off victorious, having washed our robes in the blood of the Lamb.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 183.

Work of Leaders

In this process, there is a work for God’s ministers and leaders to do. “We should teach those who are filthy how to cast away their old, sin-stained garments of character, and how to put on Christ’s righteousness.” The Southern Work, 27. We should also teach men that if they cooperate with the divine, the divine will cooperate with them, and they will come off victoriously.

“The whole purpose in giving His Son for the sins of the world is that man may be saved, not in transgression and unrighteousness but in forsaking sin, washing his robes of character, and making them white in the blood of the Lamb. He proposes to remove from man the offensive thing that He hates, but man must cooperate with him in the work. Sin must be given up, hated, and the righteousness of Christ must be accepted by faith. Thus will the divine cooperate with the human.” Testimonies, vol. 4, 632.

Repentant sinners also need to be informed that God has given detailed instructions for them as to how to wash their robes. In The Signs of the Times, August 1, 1878, Ellen White declares, “Here is a work for man to do. He must face the mirror of God’s law, discern the defects in his moral character and put away his sins, washing his robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. Envy, pride, malice, deceit, strife, crime will be cleansed from the heart that is recipient of the love of Christ, and cherishes the hope of being made like him when we shall see him as he is.”

In the Review and Herald, August 5, 1887, she wrote, “The Lord would have us wash our robes of character now, remove every stain in the blood of the Lamb. . . .

“We need to have higher and more distinct views of the character of Christ, to lead us to copy his example. We need to better understand what constitutes a pure religious life. We must learn to be Christlike in disposition and character.”

In these quotations, we are told how to wash our robes, for God would have us 1) face the mirror of God’s Law, 2) identify our sins, 3) put our sins away, and 4) learn to be Christlike in character. When must this be done? Now! Day by day!

“A probation is granted us in which to wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Who is doing this work? Who is separating himself from sin and selfishness?” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 960.

Again we read, “Now we have the precious opportunity of washing our robes of character in the blood of the Lamb till they are spotless in his purity.” The Signs of the Times, December 22, 1887.

Wedding Garment

We will quickly note that the wedding garment and our robes of character are one and the same thing. “The wedding garment in the parable is represented as a pure, spotless character which Christ’s true followers will possess.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310. The wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding. “The parable of the wedding garment opens before us a lesson of the highest consequence.” Ibid., 307.

What happens to the man who comes to the wedding feast without a wedding garment? These are “they who would not put off the garment of earth in order to be clothed with the robe of heaven.” Ibid., 318. In Matthew 22:13, we read of the king who declares of these, “Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

How different the experience will be for those who have put on the wedding garment. Revelation 19:7, 8 says, “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.” These are qualified to become the bride of Christ.

“Clothed in the glorious apparel of Christ’s righteousness, they have a place at the King’s feast. They have a right to join the blood-washed throng.” Ibid., 315. Why? Because they have washed their robes of character, their wedding garments. They are a blood-washed throng.

So we see that this parable of the wedding garment, as told by Jesus, contains a lesson of the highest consequence. “The wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding.” Ibid., 307. After the marriage, these fit guests will have a home with their King forever and ever.

“If we now wash our robes of character at this fountain, God will give us a place in the mansions that are being prepared for those who love Him.” The Signs of the Times, November 22, 1905.

Inspiration asks some very serious questions which each of us must, sooner or later, be prepared to answer. Are you keeping your garments unspotted from the world as you read in James 1:27? “Have you been washing your robes of character and making them white in the blood of the Lamb; or are you defiling your robes of character with moral pollution?” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 442.

Fullers’ Soap

We will now turn back to the topic of our preparation for the glorious coming of our King to the wedding. The prophet Malachi brings to light a time of special preparation for God’s people who are to face the exceedingly turbulent times of the end. God will give them special help for this special time. As they are washing their garments of character in the blood of the Lamb, God will come to their aid even as a refiner’s fire and as fullers’ soap. This glorious promise is recorded in Malachi 3:1–3: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”

Most of us seem to understand what is meant by the refiner’s fire—the process whereby gold and silver are refined and purified. But just what is the significance of the fuller’s soap? In Bible times, a fuller was a person who laundered, or whitened, cloth or clothing. Webster’s Dictionary states that fuller’s soap is extracted from a certain type of clay. “Fuller’s earth is a highly absorbent substance composed of clay and silica material, either natural or artificial, used for taking grease out of cloth. Fuller’s herb,” says Webster’s, “is a plant formerly used for taking stains out of cloth.”

In several places in the Scriptures, a fuller’s field is said to be located “at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field.” Isaiah 7:3. The field was located in a place where the fuller could get not only the necessary detergent, clay substance, and needed bleach and herbs, but also an abundance of pure water. It was thus that he was able to achieve fantastically white, bright, spotless cloth and clothing.

We can readily appreciate what a great help fullers’ soap, God’s special cleansing grace, would be in the washing of our garments and character. Mark vividly describes, in Mark 9:3, the garment of Jesus on the Mount when He was transfigured before some of His disciples. “And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.”

We can scarcely imagine the whiteness of Christ’s garment! However, Jesus has opened an abundant fountain of His blood for us in which to wash our garments of character. He promises to supply fullers’ soap in abundance. Praise His name! His provisions are complete. We need only to cooperate.

Time of Judgment

We are now in the time of the judgment. In the Review and Herald, May 9, 1893, after penning the three verses in Malachi, previously quoted, Ellen White explains: “The coming of Christ which is here referred to is not his second advent to this earth, but his coming to the investigative judgment in the most holy place of the sanctuary in heaven. Thus the message is especially to us, who are living in the time of the judgment.”

For emphasis, permit me to repeat that last phrase, “The message of Malachi is especially to us who are living in the time of the judgment.” That time is now! The time of the judgment spoken here, that began in 1844, had a two-fold purpose: 1) to accomplish the investigative judgment, and 2) through a special work of putting away sin, to prepare a people to be able to stand when Christ appears.

To the members of God’s church, I will say that we are the modern sons of Levi, brought to life in Malachi. If we are to abide the day of His coming, our garments of character must be refined, purified, and purged. Why? So that we may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Read from The Great Controversy, 425. In the first paragraph, Ellen White quotes Malachi 3:1–3; then she follows with this vivid description: “Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God, and their own diligent effort, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14.

“When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for His appearing. ‘Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.’ Malachi 3:4. Then the church which our Lord at His coming is to receive unto Himself will be a ‘glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.’ Ephesians 5:27. ‘Then, she will look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.’ Song of Solomon 6:10.”

What a solemn time in which to live! A time when a whole group from among God’s professed people, through the grace of God and their own diligent efforts, must be conquerors in the battle with evil. For it will be necessary for them to stand before God during the time of final trouble without a mediator in the heavenly sanctuary. This means that if they were to sin, there would be no forgiveness available. No other people will have lived under such a condition as this, but we need not be discouraged, for God is our Helper. What a Saviour is our Lord!

Get Ready

What a glorious future we have to look forward to! Preceding each of the following passages, Ellen White first quotes Malachi 3:1–3:

“Soon every man will be judged according to his deeds. Wake up, my brethren, before Christ comes to your name in the record books of heaven, and passes judgment upon every unchristlike word and deed.” The Kress Collection, 95.

In the Review and Herald, December 1, 1896, in connection with these verses, Ellen White declares, “A message which is as a two-edged sword must be given to the people, to clear away the evils that are seen among them. A living testimony that will awaken the paralyzed conscience is to be borne.”

But alas, at such a time when Jesus wants to come to take unto Himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, as we read in Ephesians 5:27, what is the condition of this people? He finds them in a condition of self-deception, thinking that they are properly clothed when they are actually wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Rather than being among those who are deceived and spiritually paralyzed, let us determine to be one of God’s messengers to bear His special awakening message, though it may be as unflattering as the Laodicean message and as piercing as a two-edged sword.

With Ellen White, let us sound the alarm, “Wake up, my brethren, get ready! get ready! get ready!

“In a view given June 27, 1850, my accompanying angel said, ‘Time is almost finished. Do you reflect the lovely image of Jesus as you should?’ Then I was pointed to the earth and saw that there would have to be a getting ready among those who have of late embraced the third angel’s message. Said the angel, ‘Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye will have to die a greater death to the world than ye have ever died.’ I saw that there was a great work to do for them and but a little time in which to do it.” Early Writings, 64.

Properly Clothed

Permit me to give one more important point. All need to understand the answer to the question, What does it actually mean to be clothed in the garments of Christ’s righteousness; to be clothed in the white raiment that is offered in Revelation 3? I will let Inspiration answer: “When we submit ourselves to Christ the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged to His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garments of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, nor the nakedness and the deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 312.

When the Lord dwells in our hearts, we think the thoughts of God and do the works of God. After reading these inspired messages, let us ask ourselves, Am I properly clothed? If we are not, we need to heed the words of the angel, “Get ready, get ready, get ready.”

For over 60 years Pastor Lawrence Nelson served as an evangelist and minister for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Of that time, he served 13 years as the director of evangelism for youth at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Upon retirement from the General Conference, he continued to pastor, but when, as a result of his stand for truth, he was denied the opportunity to continue his pastorate, he started Keep the Faith Audio Tape Ministry, recording his sermons and making them available to individuals. Before his retirement from this ministry in 2004, over 18,000 audio tapes were being sent around the world each month.

White Robes of Righteousness, Part II

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From the Scriptures, we read that God desires His people to be perfect, without spot or blemish: “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 11 Peter 3:13, 14.

“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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 5:25-27.

“Not one of us will ever receive the seal of God while our characters have one spot or stain upon them. It is left with us to remedy the defects in our characters, to cleanse the soul temple of every defilement. Then the latter rain will fall upon us as the early rain fell upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 214.

“Those who, through faith in the merits of the blood of Christ, have clean hands and a pure heart, will receive the white robe, the crown of righteousness, and the life that will run parallel with the life of God. There is no limit to the blessings that we may receive in answer to sincere, fervent prayer. The love of God to fallen man is measureless, and if our Father sees that we will not be lifted up with the blessings he has power to bestow upon us, but will receive them with humble and grateful hearts, he will abundantly grant unto us our requests. He says: ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’ [Matthew 7:7, 8.]” The Signs of the Times, December 23, 1889.

Soul Made White

“He [the Lord] desires us to seek for a pure, clean soul, a soul washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. It is the white robe of Christ’s righteousness that gives the sinner admittance into the presence of the heavenly angels. Not the color of his hair, but his perfect obedience to all God’s commandments, opens to him the gates of the Holy City.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 920.

“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3:3, 4. Although Sardis specifically was asked to not defile their garments, this also pertains to all of God’s people. He is requesting that we walk with Him in white, to overcome, and to be clothed in white raiment. If we do this, our names will be retained in the book of life. Praise the Lord! The Lord’s white raiment is retained without one spot, defilement, or blemish. This is Christ’s righteousness and eternal life.

“Angels of God are weighing moral worth. They are watching the development of character in those now living, to see if their names can be retained in the book of life. A probation is granted us in which to wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Who is doing this work? Who is separating from himself sin and selfishness?” Ibid., 960.

For Eternity

The Laodicean Church is described in Revelation 3 as being lukewarm, having need of nothing, feeling that they are okay. However, God tells them they are wretched and naked. (Verse 9.) They are not clothed with the white raiment of Christ’s righteousness. In verse 18, Jesus Himself appeals to them, “Buy of me . . . white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed.” These verses say much more, but we are dwelling only on the subject of raiment—not to be naked, but clothed in Christ Jesus. Christ continues, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Verses 21, 22. God is pleading with His people, with the church of Laodicea, to listen, to hear Him. “I love you,” He is saying, “and I desire you to be with Me for eternity.”

“The gold of faith and love, the white raiment of a spotless character, and the eyesalve, or the power of clear discernment between good and evil¾all these we must obtain before we can hope to enter the kingdom of God. But these precious treasures will not drop upon us without some exertion on our part. We must buy¾we must ‘be zealous and repent’ [Revelation 3:19] of our lukewarm state. We must be awake to see our wrongs, to search for our sins, and to put them away from us. . . .” Our High Calling, 351.

“Again and again has the voice from heaven addressed you. Will you obey this voice? Will you heed the counsel of the True Witness to seek the gold tried in the fire, the white raiment, and the eyesalve? The gold is faith and love, the white raiment is the righteousness of Christ, the eyesalve is that spiritual discernment which will enable you to see the wiles of Satan and shun them, to detect sin and abhor it, to see truth and obey it.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 233.

Those who are lukewarm are not in a hopeless state. There is a chance to remedy their state. “The Laodicean message is full of encouragement; for the backslidden church may yet buy the gold of faith and love, may yet have the white robe of the righteousness of Christ, that the shame of their nakedness need not appear. Purity of heart, purity of motive, may yet characterize those who are halfhearted and who are striving to serve God and mammon. They may yet wash their robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Review and Herald, August 28, 1894.

“Now He [Jesus] stands at the door of the heart as a heavenly merchantman; He says, ‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.’ [Revelation 3:20.] ‘Open unto me; buy of me the heavenly wares; buy of me the gold tried in the fire.’ Buy faith and love, the precious, beautiful attributes of our Redeemer, which will enable us to find our way into the hearts of those who do not know Him, who are cold and alienated from Him through unbelief and sin. He invites us to buy the white raiment, which is His glorious righteousness; and the eyesalve, that we may discern spiritual things. Oh, shall we not open the heart’s door to this heavenly visitor?” Bible Echo, January 15, 1892.

“The gold that Jesus would have us buy of Him is gold tried in the fire; it is the gold of faith and love, that has no defiling substance mingled with it. The white raiment is the righteousness of Christ, the wedding garment which Christ alone can give. The eyesalve is the true spiritual discernment that is so wanting among us, for spiritual things must be spiritually discerned.” Review and Herald, April 1, 1890.

“The counsel of the true Witness is full of encouragement and comfort. . . . Purity of heart, purity of motive, will characterize every one who is washing his robe, and making it white in the blood of the Lamb.” Ibid., July 24, 1888.

“Let thy garments be always white.” Ecclesiastes 9:8. Solomon understood living in the Lord and lived to His glory during the last years of his reign. For years he had lived in sin, and he had learned that it was all vanity. He returned to the Lord in his old age, appealing to God’s people to keep their garments white, which is for eternity¾part of heaven and Christ’s righteousness.

The Dark Days

It would perhaps be helpful to review briefly the dark days of the 1260 year period mentioned in Daniel 11:29-36. We cannot here discuss the details of the horror for God’s people or the innumerable martyrs during this period of the papal rule, but read verse 35: “And [some] of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make [them] white, [even] to the time of the end: because [it is] yet for a time appointed.” Yes, some fell. The faithful were tried and purged of sin and worldliness. Purification followed; they were cleaned and made “white” until the time of the end. The 1260 years ended in 1798.

All of God’s faithful faced tribulation and purging. Praise God! They were clothed in white robes of Christ’s righteousness.

“Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 12:10. Here again it is mentioned that during the 1260 years (see verses 7, 9) many would be purified and made white by trials and tribulation. They were wise and understood.

Twice Daniel mentions the details of the 1260 years: God’s people understood the trials and the purging; they were tried, purged or purified, and made white. Was it worth it? Millions of God’s faithful understood and were made white.

John the Revelator, speaking of Jesus, said: “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.” Revelation 6:9-11.

John also reveals during the fifth seal how God’s people were martyred, slain for the Word of God. They pled, “How long” will this continue, in verse 10. Ultimately, they all received a gift white robes and rested in the grave for a while, waiting for the resurrection to be robed in white for eternity.

Now is the Time

Now that we have arrived at and passed the “time of the end”¾1798 and on¾it definitely appears that the “end of time” has arrived. Mrs. White, through the Holy Spirit, pleads with God’s people that now is the time: “It is now that we must keep ourselves and our children unspotted from the world. It is now that we must wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. It is now that we must overcome pride, passion, and spiritual slothfulness. It is now that we must awake and make determined effort for symmetry of character. ‘Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.’ [Hebrews 3:15.] We are in a most trying position, waiting, watching for our Lord’s appearing. The world is in darkness. ‘But ye, brethren,’ says Paul, ‘are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.’ [1 Thessalonians 5:4.] It is ever God’s purpose to bring light out of darkness, joy out of sorrow, and rest out of weariness for the waiting, longing soul.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 215, 216.

In the final hour, just before probation closes, a trying situation will occur among God’s people. “The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out¾the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. . . . The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 911.

Now that God’s people, after much preparation, have washed their robes of character and made them white in the blood of the Lamb, they are ready for the final hour. The remnant are waiting, watching, and longing for the Lord’s appearing. They are without spot or stain of sin and exhibit the beauty of holiness.

Finally an announcement is made that the marriage of the Lamb “is” come, and His wife, the church, hath made herself ready, and that she is clothed in fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of the saints. “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.” Revelation 19:7, 8.

Now that the saints have fully acquired the fine linen, clean and white, which is the righteousness of Christ, and made herself ready, Jesus is coming to gather the remnant of His wife, the church, to that eternal home.

“God is the husband of His church. The church is the bride, the Lamb’s wife. Every true believer is a part of the body of Christ. Christ regards unfaithfulness shown to Him by His people as the unfaithfulness of a wife to her husband. We are to remember that we are members of Christ’s body.” Ibid., 985.

“The church is the bride, the Lamb’s wife. She should keep herself pure, sanctified, holy. Never should she indulge in any foolishness; for she is the bride of a King. Yet she does not realize her exalted position. If she understood this, she would be all-glorious within.” Ibid., 986.

“The church is the bride of Christ, and her members are to yoke up with their Leader. God warns us not to defile our garments.” Ibid., 986.

Humanity in Heaven

John the Revelator saw something that was pleasing to his experience with the vision. “I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” Revelation 7:9. He saw God’s people from all the ages before the throne. They were clothed in white robes with palms in their hands.

“The palms signify that they have gained the victory, and the white robes that they have been clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Thank God that a fountain has been opened to wash our robes of character, and make them as white as snow.” Ibid., 970. What a victorious people dressed in white!

“And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Revelation 7:13.

One of the elders (verse 11) asks, “Who are those dressed in white?” “And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” Verse 14.

Yes, God’s dear people from earth are finally in heaven before God’s throne, victorious, dressed with white raiment, washed in the blood of the Lamb. They are clothed with God’s garments of white righteousness, holiness, purity, and godliness forever. In this final hour, pray that we may wear the robe of righteousness made white as snow by the blood of the Lamb.

‘“Those with whom Christ dwells will be surrounded with a divine atmosphere. Their white robes of purity will be fragrant with perfume from the garden of the Lord. Their faces will reflect light from His, brightening the path for stumbling and weary feet.” Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 135.

Heaven is Waiting

God the Father, Jesus Christ our Redeemer, the heavenly angels, the 24 elders around the throne of God, and even the symbolic horses of Jesus’ second coming are all white as snow. Now, heaven is waiting for humanity to possess the garments of heaven¾the clean, white raiment.

“Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation 16:15. This shame happened in the Garden of Eden; may it not happen in this final hour. May we reveal the character of God and His righteousness to the world with our white raiment of true primitive godliness, total purity, holiness, and righteousness with the character of Christ perfectly reproduced in us.

“God places before him [the ambitious man] the highest objects of ambition a spotless white robe, a crown studded with jewels, a scepter, a throne of glory, and honor that is as enduring as the throne of Jehovah. . . .

“Jesus presents a white robe, a crown of glory richer than any that ever decked the brow of a monarch, and titles above those of honored princes. The recompense for a life devoted to the service of Christ exceeds anything that the human imagination can grasp. Christ does not call upon men to lay aside their zeal, their desires for excellence and elevation, but He would have them seek, not for perishable treasure or fleeting honor, but for that which is enduring.” That I May Know Him, 91.

“The life of God in the soul is Christ in you a well of water springing up into everlasting life. This springing up into life will refresh all who connect with you. If your character is such that God can approve, it will be a complete Christian character filled with grace that is not assumed, but that has a natural growth. If your affections are obedient unto Christ your motives pure, there will be in your life, in your every day deportment, lessons of instruction to all around you. You will be living epistles known and read of all men. Your connection with God will lift you above every thing that has a debasing tendency, your pure and uncorrupted life will be ever pointing your . . . associates upward to God and heaven saying to them you must seek peace and purity and happiness from above. Jesus is the source of your comfort strength and fortitude, amid vexation, trials and grievous temptations. . . . They need to wash their robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.” The Signs of the Times, February 7, 1878.

The songs of our hearts should be those of George Jackson, “A Heart Like Thine,” and Elisha A. Hoffman, “Are You Washed in the Blood?”

I want, dear Lord, a heart that’s true and clean;
A sunlit heart with not a cloud between.
A heart like Thine, a heart as white as snow;
On me, dear Lord, a heart like this bestow.
When the Bridegroom cometh will your robes be white?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Will your soul be ready for the mansions bright,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Lay aside the garments that are stained with sin,
And be washed in the blood of the Lamb;
There’s a fountain flowing for the soul unclean,
Oh, be washed in the blood of the Lamb!
Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

May it be our desire in this final hour to be clothed in the white raiment, the robe of Christ’s righteousness, which we will wear and possess for eternity in our characters.

[All emphasis added.]

A real estate broker in Collegedale, Tennessee, for 15 years, Bill Humeniuk decided to retire early so he would be able to spend more time in Bible study and working for the Lord. Five years ago, he started Advent Hope Ministries, Inc., which is primarily a “Bibles for Africa” project. He may be contacted by e -mail at: adventhope@hughes.net or at: http://www.biblesforafrica.org.

The Filthy Garments

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Many people believe that in the end we are all going to the same place, but the Bible does not teach that. Revelation 20:15 says, “And if anyone was not found with his name written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.”

Revelation 21:27 identifies the ones who will be allowed into the holy city: “There shall in no case enter into it anything or the one doing abomination or making a lie. Rather those having been written in the book of life of the Lamb.”

How do you get your name written in this book? How do you keep your name from being taken out of this book? The tragedy is that in this modern world there are so many in the last generation who will think they are going to be saved, but they will learn at the end that they are lost.

A Prophecy

In this article we will study about our eternal destiny. We will begin with a prophecy concerning the spiritual condition of God’s people just before Jesus comes.

In Matthew 22, we read about the man who did not have on the wedding garment; he was not allowed into the wedding. The prophecy in Zechariah 3 shows that we do not have on the wedding garment. It is a most startling prophecy, because nobody can go to the wedding feast without having on the wedding garment, a garment of character that has no spot or wrinkle.

“And he showed me Joshua the great priest standing before the messenger of Jehovah, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him.” Zechariah 3:1. The word Satan is one of the few words in the English language that is a direct transliteration from the Hebrew word satan. The Hebrew name Satan, which means “the adversary,” was given to Lucifer after he fell. He is God’s adversary, and if you are a follower of God, he is your adversary. The different names Satan has in the Bible are significant.

Jesus said that the devil was a liar, but when the devil came to the angels in heaven and to Adam and Eve, he mixed error and truth together. To really be effective at deception, one must tell the truth most of the time. What we see in Zechariah is that the accusation the devil brought was true! “And Jehovah said to Satan, Jehovah gives a rebuke to you, Satan. Jehovah, the one who is choosing among Jerusalem, rebukes you. Is not this a brand that is plucked from the fire?” Verse 2.

Who is this brand that is plucked from the fire? It is you and me. What does it mean when it says that it is “a brand that is plucked from the fire”? That means this is a person who, because of his or her sins, is about to be destroyed, but the Lord says, “I am going to pull you out of the fire.”

Filthy Garments

Joshua had been pulled out of the fire, but notice his condition in verse 3: “And Joshua was clothed in filthy garments.” Now, stop right there. Can you go to the wedding feast in filthy garments? No, you cannot, but this is a description of God’s people. Ellen White wrote much about this. (See Testimonies, vol. 5, 467–476, “Joshua and the Angel.”) Those in filthy garments apply with particular force to God’s people at the end of time, right before probation closes.

We can cover ourselves any way we choose; we can make ourselves look as nice as possible, but God knows what is in the heart, and He tells us that our garments are filthy. You see, all through Scripture, from the fig leaves to the Book of Revelation, garments symbolize character. (See Revelation 19:7, 8.)

This is the crux of what is known as the shaking. The shaking occurs when we realize that we have on filthy garments, and if a miracle does not happen in our lives, we are lost.

“And he answered and said to those standing by him, Take away the filthy garments from him. And he said to him, ‘See I have caused to pass away from you your iniquity, and you shall be clothed in a royal robe.’ ” Verse 4. Taking away the filthy garments means that our iniquity is taken away. (Continue to read through Zechariah 3:7.) God’s children are to have their filthy garments taken away.

Cause of Defilement

What is it that causes God’s people to be clothed in filthy garments? Obviously, a garment that is filthy is a garment that is not pure. It is a garment that is polluted, defiled. In the law of God is spelled out the cause for a man or a woman to become defiled or polluted. That is the first thing that is done in the Bible. The first five books of the Bible explain that explicitly, so we will not make a mistake.

If we are clothed in filthy garments when probation closes, we will be lost. In Revelation 22:11, 12, it says that the one who is filthy is going to stay that way, but those that are saved will have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14.

Diet

We can be clothed in filthy garments because of the way we eat. Leviticus 11 details the clean and unclean foods, and in verse 44, the Lord said to the children of Israel, “You are not to defile yourselves by eating these things. I am holy so you are to be holy.”

Our Protestant friends may say that this is not in the Ten Commandments, and the law was nailed to the cross. Well, the clean and unclean foods in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 have nothing to do with the ceremonial system of the sanctuary. It has nothing to do with the Levitical priesthood.

Isaiah 66:15–17 talks about the time when the Lord is going to come to this world with wrath to judge the people because of their wickedness. It talks about different classes of people that are going to receive God’s wrath, and it mentions that those who are eating swine’s flesh and the mouse are going to receive the wrath of God.

We need to understand that we can be clothed in filthy garments because of what we eat.

Lewdness

Leviticus 18 talks about lewdness, immodesty; it takes in everything having to do with pornography in all its forms—whether dress, music, reading, or whatever it is. Leviticus 18:24 says, “Do not defile yourselves in any of these things, because in all these things the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you.”

We are living in a time which has become more and more deeply involved in lewdness and immodesty and pornography of all kinds. All such things cause a person to wear filthy garments.

Drama

There was a time when Seventh-day Adventists did not believe in going to the movies.

There are several things wrong with watching drama—whether it is movies in the theater, on the television, or on the video or DVD, or attending a live dramatization in a theater or elsewhere.

Dramatization involves people acting a part. The person who is acting is actually telling a lie. If we watch movies or other drama presentations, we are watching somebody act out a lie. It has become so bad that men take parts where they are acting the part of Jesus Christ. Think about the blasphemy! They take parts as well where they are acting the part of evil spirits.

The movie industry has played a significant part in our society in introducing more and more immodesty of every kind. The people who watch this and who listen to the music with immoral lyrics are clothed in filthy garments.

Restraint

In Exodus 32, God said to Moses, “Your people have corrupted themselves.” “Moses saw the people, that restraint was removed, because Aaron had removed the restraint.” Verses 7, 25.

What restraint was removed? It was the restraint that God ordained should exist between men and women. Men are to keep their hands off women. Ellen White wrote that it is permissible for a preacher, or anyone else, to shake a woman’s hand. But, she cautioned that a woman’s hand should not be held too long or she could be caused to sin. Even the minister or other individuals could sin. (See Testimonies, vol. 5, 598.)

The restraint that God ordained should exist between men and women was removed in the experience in Exodus when they were dancing around the golden calf. It is removed in the dancing that is done today.

Familiarity in speech and in touching is causing God’s people to be clothed in filthy garments.

Honesty

In the Bible, the Lord talks about the stones that we have in our bags. (See Deuteronomy 25:13–15; Leviticus 19:36; Proverbs 16:11; 20:10, 23; Micah 6:11.) In ancient times, when individuals went to buy something, there would be a scale; upon one side of the scale the seller would place his or her weight, and the buyer, on the other side, would place whatever was being bought so the scale would balance. Of course, people who did a lot of buying and selling learned how to work things to their advantage. They had two bags of stones—the heavy bag was used for buying; the bag filled with stones that were light was used for selling.

The Lord counseled that we are not to have two kinds of stones in our bags—a heavy bag and a light bag. We are to have a just weight and a just balance. In other words, we are to be strictly honest.

If we take advantage of one another, we are clothed in filthy garments.

Seven Abominations

Revelation 21:27 tells us that no one will enter into the holy city who works an abomination. An abomination is something that is hated, especially something that God hates. In Proverbs 6:16–19, Solomon identifies seven things God hates: a proud look, a haughty look; a deceitful tongue; hands that shed innocent blood; a heart devising wicked plots or plans; feet that hurry to do evil; a deceitful mouth, a false witness; and one who brings about strife among brethren.

The people involved in these kinds of things have on filthy garments.

Anger, Lust, Hatred

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus showed that the filthy garment begins in the heart. Even if we do not say or do anything, we have hearts that are filthy and polluted.

For example, in Matthew 5:21, 22, we are told, “You have heard that it was said by them of old time, you shall not murder, but I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment.” Jesus was not telling us that we could be angry if we have a cause, but if we do not have a cause we cannot be angry, because almost everybody who gets angry has a cause! (See Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 55–57.)

In Matthew 5:27, 28, we are cautioned against lust. Lust has to do with the mind. That is where sin begins. I have heard some people say that we can think whatever we want, just do not do it. That is one of the devil’s lies. Jesus tells us that if we are lusting in our minds, but we do not ever take action, we are still in filthy garments.

Then, in verse 43, Jesus spoke specifically of hatred: “You have heard that it is said of them in old time to love your neighbor and hate your enemies.” Hatred comes from the heart.

If we have a problem with anger, lust, or hatred, we are in filthy garments.

Take Them Away

What does it mean to take the filthy garments away? It means to have our iniquity taken away. It happens at the end of the Day of Atonement.

The Lord says, “In my ways you will go. If my charge you will keep, you will govern my house and keep my courts. You will be men wondered at.” Zechariah 3:8. Those who will be wondering are the people who are not saved, who do not have on the wedding garment.

You see, some of the people who are not saved are claiming today that having on a garment without spot or wrinkle is not possible. But, according to the Bible, there will be some people who have on a garment or character without spot or wrinkle, and they are the only ones going to heaven.

“To the marriage supper of the Lamb will come many who have not on the wedding garment—the robe [Christ] purchased for them with His lifeblood. From lips that never make a mistake come the words, ‘Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment?’ Matthew 22:12. Those [thus] addressed are speechless. They know that words would be useless. The truth, with its sanctifying power, has not been brought into the soul, and the tongue that once spoke so readily of the truth is now silent. The words are then spoken, ‘Take them out of My presence. They are not worthy to taste of My supper’ (cf. Luke 14:24).

“As they are separated from the loyal ones, Christ looks upon them with deep sorrow. They occupied high positions of trust in God’s work, but they have not the life insurance policy that would have entitled them to eternal life. From the quivering lips of Christ come the mournful words of regret, ‘I loved them; I gave My life for them; but they persisted in rejecting My pleadings, and continued in sin.’ ” The Upward Look, 301.

Friends, the filthy garments must be removed.

Pastor John Grosboll is Director of Steps to Life and pastors the Prairie Meadows Church in Wichita, Kansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: historic@stepstolife.org, or by telephone at: 316-788-5559.

Heavenly Laundry

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And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people’ ”(Leviticus 23:26–30).

“Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.” Early Writings, 55.

What does it mean to “keep” something? Is it possible to keep something if it is not in your possession in the first place? No, in order to keep it, it must be in your possession. So, what does this sentence mean, “keep your garments spotless?” To answer that we need to put the phrase into context. This phrase is taken from a vision Ellen White was given sometime before 1851, when it was first published.

“Then Jesus rose up from the throne, and the most of those who were bowed down arose with Him. I did not see one ray of light pass from Jesus to the careless multitude after He arose, and they were left in perfect darkness. Those who arose when Jesus did, kept their eyes fixed on Him as He left the throne and led them out a little way. Then He raised His right arm, and we heard His lovely voice saying, ‘Wait here; I am going to My Father to receive the kingdom; keep your garments spotless, and in a little while I will return from the wedding and receive you to Myself.’ Then a cloudy chariot, with wheels like flaming fire, surrounded by angels, came to where Jesus was. He stepped into the chariot and was borne to the holiest, where the Father sat. There I beheld Jesus, a great High Priest, standing before the Father. On the hem of His garment was a bell and a pomegranate. Those who rose up with Jesus would send up their faith to Him in the holiest, and pray, ‘My Father, give us Thy Spirit.’ Then Jesus would breathe upon them the Holy Ghost. In that breath was light, power, and much love, joy, and peace.” Early Writings, 55.

This phrase, “keep your garments spotless” was spoken by Jesus to His faithful ones as He moved from the Holy to the Most Holy Place. That took place in 1844. Let’s turn to an historical account of His true people at that time.

“Those who sincerely love Jesus can appreciate the feelings of those who watched with the most intense longing for the coming of their Saviour. The point of expectation was nearing. The time when we hoped to meet Him was close at hand. We approached this hour with a calm solemnity. The true believers rested in a sweet communion with God—an earnest of the peace that was to be theirs in the bright hereafter. None who experienced this hope and trust can ever forget those precious hours of waiting.

“Worldly business was for the most part laid aside for a few weeks. We carefully examined every thought and emotion of our hearts, as if upon our deathbeds, and in a few hours to close our eyes forever upon earthly scenes. There was no making of ‘ascension robes’ for the great event; we felt the need of internal evidence that we were prepared to meet Christ, and our white robes were purity of soul, character cleansed from sin by the atoning blood of our Saviour.” Life Sketches, 56, 57.

Here is the key to that phrase “keep your garments spotless.” That work of purification, of cleansing, had been done prior to when Jesus moved from the Holy to the Most Holy Place! “Through the grace of God and their own diligent efforts” they had become conquerors in the battle with sin. Then Jesus says to them as He moves from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place, “Keep your garments spotless.”

That is still His instruction to us today. This is the unique, compelling, singular message of the Most Holy Place. Is this possible? The answer is a resounding, glad, and triumphant Yes. If it were not, God would never require it of us, and is it required? Again, the answer is a resounding Yes.

Long ago God said, “Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of the ambitious, world-loving man or woman. It will never be placed upon the forehead of men or women of false tongues or deceitful hearts. All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 216.

Also, from Leviticus 23:26–30, in studying the “shadow” that was to teach us of the realities of the “true tabernacle” in heaven we read the following:

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the Lord. And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the Lord your God. For any person who is not afflicted in soul on that same day shall be cut off from his people. And any person who does any work on that same day, that person I will destroy from among his people.’ ”

It is so clear here that during the typical Day of Atonement, God required His people to humble themselves, to afflict their souls through deep soul searching. This was so important that those who did not do this were “cut off.” God said “that person I will destroy from among his people.” Here is revealed the destiny of those who do not “keep their garments spotless.” That is serious my friends. This is the true Most Holy Place message. This is present truth.

“Many seem to think that it is impossible not to fall under temptation, that they have no power to overcome, and they sin against God with their lips, talking discouragement and doubt, instead of faith and courage. Christ was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin. He said, ‘The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me’ (John 14:30). What does this mean? It means that the prince of evil could find no vantage ground in Christ for his temptation; and so it may be with us.” Selected Messages, Book 3, 192.

“If you would be a saint in heaven, you must first be a saint on earth. The traits of character you cherish in life will not be changed by death or by the resurrection. You will come up from the grave with the same disposition you manifested in your home and in society. Jesus does not change the character at His coming. The work of transformation must be done now. Our daily lives are determining our destiny.” The Adventist Home, 16.

Does God ever lie? No, God cannot lie. He has laid out before us His expectation. He has outlined explicitly how this is to be accomplished. The real question is, Is heaven truly where your heart is?

“The true Christian’s joys and consolation must and will be in heaven. The longing souls of those who have tasted of the powers of the world to come and have feasted on heavenly joys, will not be satisfied with things of earth. Such will find enough to do in their leisure moments. Their souls will be drawn out after God. Where the treasure is, there will the heart be, holding sweet communion with the God they love and worship. Their amusement will be in contemplating their treasure—the Holy City, the earth made new, their eternal home. And while they dwell upon those things which are lofty, pure, and holy, heaven will be brought near, and they will feel the power of the Holy Spirit, and this will tend to wean them more and more from the world and cause their consolation and chief joy to be in the things of heaven, their sweet home. The power of attraction to God and heaven will then be so great that nothing can draw their minds from the great object of securing the soul’s salvation and honoring and glorifying God.” Early Writings, 112, 113.

Friends, have you studied, have you infused into your heart, the true Most Holy Place message? Is your character clean? Are your garments spotless? Are you keeping them that way? God is calling us to be a pure and holy people that we may be ready to stand?

Is your laundry done?

Brenda Douay is a staff member at Steps to Life. She may be contacted by email at: brendadouay@stepstolife.org.

Are We Properly Clothed?

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Revelation 3:17, 18 says, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”

These startling words of Christ are spoken in love to those dwelling in Laodicea who profess to be among God’s remnant. Could it be possible that some of us could be deceived as to our spiritual condition? Such an alarming description given by our Saviour, who discerns the secrets of the heart, calls for some serious thinking.

“What is it that constitutes the wretchedness, the nakedness of those who feel rich and increased with goods?—It is the want of the righteousness of Christ. In their own righteousness they are represented as clothed with filthy rags, and yet in this condition they flatter themselves that they are clothed upon with Christ’s righteousness. Could deception be greater?” This Day With God, 228.

A Question

What is it going to take to awaken our sleepy heads from our deception that we may comprehend how God sees most of us? Ellen White wrote: “The knowledge of our state as God views it, seems to be hidden from us. We see, but perceive not; we hear, but do not understand; and we rest as unconcerned as if the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, rested upon our sanctuary. We profess to know God, and to believe the truth, but in works deny Him. Our deeds are directly adverse to the principles of truth and righteousness, by which we profess to be governed.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 84.

Sadly, rather than accepting Christ’s righteousness, many within the church today have done exactly as did Adam and Eve in their disobedience. “They have sewed together fig leaves to cover the nakedness caused by transgression. They have worn the garments of their own devising, by works of their own they have tried to cover their sins, and make themselves acceptable with God.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 311.

Praise God! He is ready, if we are ready, to awaken all lukewarm believers and help them to see the necessity of changes that must be made in their lives if they will be properly clothed. This is no small matter. In fact, it is a life and death issue. “He [God] is waiting to strip them [believing souls] of their garments stained and polluted with sin, and to put upon them the white robes of righteousness; He bids them live and not die.” The Faith I Live By, 134.

Now, since God is just waiting to put upon us the white robes of Christ’s righteousness, why are we so reluctant to accept His precious gift? The Bible has the answer: Because we are “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17.

Wretchedness

Have you ever really seen such a person? I have. On one of my visits to Africa, I was scheduled to spend 30 days in the Cameroons, visiting every outpost. As we started out by Volkswagen, we had eight flat tires in just a few miles. Our tires were absolutely useless. I suggested we return to the capital city and try to find some other used tires, since new tires were unavailable. We searched for several hours through a huge pile of old, used tires until we finally found four that we hoped would do the job.

As these tires were being put on the car, I decided to see the little town. Believe me, it was only a few blocks in size. As I was walking slowly, looking in the shops, the smell was anything but pleasant, for beside the narrow sidewalk ran an open sewer ditch. Suddenly I smelled a stench I could hardly stand. But from where was it coming?

As I turned a corner, I almost bumped into him. I hesitate to describe what I saw. There he stood, about 6 feet 4 inches tall, dirty, and covered with mud and filth. I could hardly stand the odor, yet there he was stark naked, with not even a loincloth. On his stomach and sides were large ulcers, some as large as six inches across, with puss oozing from them. Some of his toes were missing, for he was filled with leprosy. I also noticed that half of his fingers had been eaten away. But when I looked at his face I was really shocked, for the leprosy had eaten away both eyeballs—only the sockets remained—and part of his nose was missing. What a shocking experience! I shall never forget this man who was in such a hopeless condition.

There is Hope

The Scriptures describe what God sees in many of us as believers today. Isaiah 1:5, 6 says, “Why should ye be stricken any more? Ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head [there is] no soundness in it; [but] wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.”

Yet there is hope. While we have failed to grasp God’s grace and strength provided through Christ, none are so sinful that they cannot find strength, purity, and righteousness in Jesus who died for us. The True Witness not only points out our Laodicean spiritual disease, but He offers the remedy. We are invited to come to Him and buy the white raiment of His righteousness, that we might be clothed with the robes of His righteousness so that the shame of our nakedness will not appear.

How do we buy Christ’s white raiment? “When the work of repentance is earnest and deep, the individual members of the church will buy the rich goods of heaven. [Revelation 3:18.] Oh, how many behold things in a perverted light, in the light in which Satan would have them see.” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 961.

Imputed and Imparted

If only we could see ourselves as God sees us, not as Satan wishes us to see ourselves, then through earnest repentance we could buy the remedy for the Laodicean condition. The True Witness exhorts us to “be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19. The white raiment of Christ’s righteousness is often referred to in inspired writings as a robe or as robes in the plural. In truth, Christ has only one righteousness, but His righteousness is applied to man in two different ways—imputed and imparted. These are given to man for two different purposes.

“The righteousness by which we are justified is imputed; the righteousness by which we are sanctified is imparted. The first is our title to heaven; the second is our fitness for heaven.” Messages to Young People, 35. Thus, the robes of righteousness that Christ provides for repentant man consist of:

  1. justifying righteousness, and
  2. sanctifying righteousness.

Robes of Righteousness

Inspiration often uses the plural noun when speaking of Christ’s robes of righteousness. A few of those references are given here: “Christ could stoop to raise unnumbered multitudes from the abyss of ruin and clothe them with the spotless garments of His own righteousness.” The Great Controversy, 415.

Revelation 16:15 says, “Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed [is] he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.”

“Only those who are clothed in the garments of His righteousness will be able to endure the glory of His presence when He shall appear with ‘power and great glory.’ [Luke 21:27.]” Sons and Daughters of God, 368.

We notice from these quotations that ‘garments’ is in the plural. We might think of the imputed robe of Christ’s righteousness as being the foundation garment, for we must receive it first. This robe signifies that the believer has confessed, repented of, and forsaken his sins; that he has been forgiven or justified.

Immediately after we are clothed with this robe, Christ places upon man His imparted robe of righteousness. Christ enters his heart to dwell there by faith. Christ’s imparted righteousness signifies that the believer is being sanctified; that his character is being fitted for heaven. Christ, with man’s cooperation, is living out His life within. This outer garment of sanctifying righteousness is often referred to in inspired writings as “the wedding garment.” [Matthew 22:11, 12.] All who attain to these two robes of divine righteousness are properly clothed and ready for the coming of the bridegroom to the wedding. Without these two divine garments, no man can see God and live.

Man’s Part

The next Bible verse introduces to us a different part of God’s truth. It declares that man has a part to act in wearing the robes of Christ’s righteousness. In Revelation 7:14, we are told, “These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Now the questions arise, What robes does man wash? And how does he wash them? We need not wash the imputed robe of Christ’s righteousness, for it is spotless. “It is the righteousness of Christ that makes the penitent sinner acceptable to God and works his justification. However sinful has been his life, if he believes in Jesus as his personal Saviour, he stands before God in the spotless robes of Christ’s imputed righteousness.” The Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892.

Neither does man wash Christ’s robe of imparted righteousness, for it too is spotless. When it comes to sanctification, we find that during sanctification the imparted righteousness of Christ is to become part of man’s very own character, for it is the character of man that must be fitted for heaven. This is not done instantaneously. Verily, it is the work of a lifetime, be it long or short.

At the new birth, Christ imputes and imparts His righteousness to the believer. Both are spotless robes. The repentant one is now ready for Christ to come just as was the thief on the cross. But then, during sanctification, man’s character is to be developed to recognize and resist sin and temptation in its many forms, and to become more and more Christlike every day. This requires cooperation between Christ and man, for Christ does not furnish man with a ready-made, spotless character. God furnishes the talents and His imparted righteous building blocks. But we build the character. For further study, I suggest you read Christ’s Object Lessons, 331.

Cooperation Needed

Please allow me to illustrate. For some years now I have been wearing one suit for preaching engagements. The other day, my wife told me it was time to get a new suit, so we went shopping for one. Fortunately, we found a department store that had a sale on men’s clothing. Surprisingly, the first suit that the salesman showed me was exactly what I wanted.

As I put the suit on, I felt there was a problem, probably necessitating the need for an alteration, for the suit felt slightly snug. But the tailor, after careful examination, said, “No, it does not need to be altered. The suit is a perfect fit exactly as it is, but you must lose about ten pounds.” I agreed and purchased the suit, and I am cooperating by reducing my weight; then the suit will fit properly.

This is a striking illustration of how we are to cooperate with God. He does not alter His character requirements; we must develop characters that fit His divine pattern. In our human, defective, stained, and polluted robes of character, we are to wash in the blood of the Lamb every day. As we continue to wash, God accounts our character as perfect in Christ. So, washing our garments is a very important work.

“The provision has been made for us to wash. The fountain has been prepared at infinite expense, and the burden of washing rests upon us, who are imperfect before God. The Lord does not propose to remove these spots of defilement without our doing anything on our part. We must wash our robes in the blood of the Lamb. We may lay hold of the merits of the blood of Christ by faith, and through His grace and power we may have strength to overcome our errors, our sins, our imperfections of character, and come off victorious, having washed our robes in the blood of the Lamb.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 183.

Work of Leaders

In this process, there is a work for God’s ministers and leaders to do. “We should teach those who are filthy how to cast away their old, sin-stained garments of character, and how to put on Christ’s righteousness.” The Southern Work, 27. We should also teach men that if they cooperate with the divine, the divine will cooperate with them, and they will come off victoriously.

“The whole purpose in giving His Son for the sins of the world is that man may be saved, not in transgression and unrighteousness but in forsaking sin, washing his robes of character, and making them white in the blood of the Lamb. He proposes to remove from man the offensive thing that He hates, but man must cooperate with him in the work. Sin must be given up, hated, and the righteousness of Christ must be accepted by faith. Thus will the divine cooperate with the human.” Testimonies, vol. 5, 632.

Repentant sinners also need to be informed that God has given detailed instructions for them as to how to wash their robes. In The Signs of the Times, August 1, 1878, Ellen White declares, “Here is a work for man to do. He must face the mirror of God’s law, discern the defects in his moral character and put away his sins, washing his robes of character in the blood of the Lamb. Envy, pride, malice, deceit, strife, crime will be cleansed from the heart that is recipient of the love of Christ, and cherishes the hope of being made like him when we shall see him as he is.”

In The Review and Herald, August 5, 1887, she wrote, “The Lord would have us wash our robes of character now, remove every stain in the blood of the Lamb. …

“We need to have higher and more distinct views of the character of Christ, to lead us to copy his example. We need to better understand what constitutes a pure religious life. We must learn to be Christlike in disposition and character.”

In these quotations, we are told how to wash our robes, for God would have us:

  1. face the mirror of God’s Law,
  2. identify our sins,
  3. put our sins away, and
  4. learn to be Christlike in character. When must this be done? Now! Day by day!

“A probation is granted us in which to wash our robes of character and make them white in the blood of the Lamb. Who is doing this work? Who is separating himself from sin and selfishness?” “Ellen G. White Comments,” Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 7, 960.

Again we read, “Now we have the precious opportunity of washing our robes of character in the blood of the Lamb till they are spotless in his purity.” The Signs of the Times, December 22, 1887.

Wedding Garment

We will quickly note that the wedding garment and our robes of character are one and the same thing. “The wedding garment in the parable is represented as a pure, spotless character which Christ’s true followers will possess.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 310. The wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding. “The parable of the wedding garment opens before us a lesson of the highest consequence.” Ibid., 307.

What happens to the man who comes to the wedding feast without a wedding garment? These are “they who would not put off the garment of earth in order to be clothed with the robe of heaven.” Ibid., 318. In Matthew 22:13, we read of the king who declares of these, “Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast [him] into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

How different the experience will be for those who have put on the wedding garment. Revelation 19:7, 8 says, “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.” “Clothed in the glorious apparel of Christ’s righteousness, they have a place at the King’s feast. They have a right to join the blood-washed throng.” Ibid., 315. Why? Because they have washed their robes of character, they are a blood-washed throng.

So we see that this parable of the wedding garment, as told by Jesus, contains a lesson of the highest consequence. “The wedding garment represents the character which all must possess who shall be accounted fit guests for the wedding.” Ibid., 307. After the marriage, these fit guests will have a home with their King forever and ever.

“If we now wash our robes of character at this fountain, God will give us a place in the mansions that are being prepared for those who love Him.” The Signs of the Times, November 22, 1905.

Inspiration asks some very serious questions which each of us must, sooner or later, be prepared to answer. Are you keeping your garments unspotted from the world as you read in James 1:27? “Have you been washing your robes of character and making them white in the blood of the Lamb; or are you defiling your robes of character with moral pollution?” Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, 442.

Fullers’ Soap

We will now turn back to the topic of our preparation for the glorious coming of our King to the wedding. The prophet Malachi brings to light a time of special preparation for God’s people who are to face the exceedingly turbulent times of the end. God will give them special help for this special time. As they are washing their garments of character in the blood of the Lamb, God will come to their aid even as a refiner’s fire and as fullers’ soap. This glorious promise is recorded in Malachi 3:1–3: “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”

Most of us seem to understand what is meant by the refiner’s fire—the process whereby gold and silver are refined and purified. But just what is the significance of the fuller’s soap? In Bible times, a fuller was a person who laundered, or whitened, cloth or clothing. Webster’s Dictionary states that fuller’s soap is extracted from a certain type of clay. “Fuller’s earth is a highly absorbent substance composed of clay and silica material, either natural or artificial, used for taking grease out of cloth. Fuller’s herb,” says Webster’s, “is a plant formerly used for taking stains out of cloth.”

In several places in the Scriptures, a fuller’s field is said to be located “at the end of the conduit of the upper pool in the highway of the fuller’s field.” Isaiah 7:3. The field was located in a place where the fuller could get not only the necessary detergent, clay substance, and needed bleach and herbs, but also an abundance of pure water. It was thus that he was able to achieve fantastically white, bright, spotless cloth and clothing.

We can readily appreciate what a great help fullers’ soap, God’s special cleansing grace, would be in the washing of our garments and character. Mark vividly describes, in Mark 9:3, the garment of Jesus on the Mount when He was transfigured before some of His disciples. “And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.”

We can scarcely imagine the whiteness of Christ’s garment! However, Jesus has opened an abundant fountain of His blood for us in which to wash our garments of character. He promises to supply fullers’ soap in abundance. Praise His name! His provisions are complete. We need only to cooperate.

Time of Judgment

We are now in the time of the judgment. In The Review and Herald, May 9, 1893, after penning the three verses in Malachi, previously quoted, Ellen White explains: “The coming of Christ which is here referred to is not his second advent to this earth, but his coming to the investigative judgment in the most holy place of the sanctuary in heaven. Thus the message is especially to us, who are living in the time of the judgment.”

For emphasis, permit me to repeat that last phrase, “The message of Malachi is especially to us who are living in the time of the judgment.” That time is now! The time of the judgment spoken here, that began in 1844, had a two-fold purpose:

  1. to accomplish the investigative judgment, and
  2. through a special work of putting away sin, to prepare a people to be able to stand when Christ appears.

To the members of God’s church, I will say that we are the modern sons of Levi, brought to life in Malachi. If we are to abide the day of His coming, our garments of character must be refined, purified, and purged. Why? So that we may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.

Read from The Great Controversy, 425. In the first paragraph, Ellen White quotes Malachi 3:1–3; then she follows with this vivid description: “Those who are living upon the earth when the intercession of Christ shall cease in the sanctuary above are to stand in the sight of a holy God without a mediator. Their robes must be spotless, their characters must be purified from sin by the blood of sprinkling. Through the grace of God, and their own diligent effort, they must be conquerors in the battle with evil. While the investigative judgment is going forward in heaven, while the sins of penitent believers are being removed from the sanctuary, there is to be a special work of purification, of putting away of sin, among God’s people upon earth. This work is more clearly presented in the messages of Revelation 14.

“When this work shall have been accomplished, the followers of Christ will be ready for His appearing. ‘Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.’ Malachi 3:4. Then the church which our Lord at His coming is to receive unto Himself will be a ‘glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing.’ Ephesians 5:27. ‘Then, she will look forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.’ Song of Solomon 6:10.”

What a solemn time in which to live! A time when a whole group from among God’s professed people, through the grace of God and their own diligent efforts, must be conquerors in the battle with evil. For it will be necessary for them to stand before God during the time of final trouble without a mediator in the heavenly sanctuary. This means that if they were to sin, there would be no forgiveness available. No other people will have lived under such a condition as this, but we need not be discouraged, for God is our Helper. What a Saviour is our Lord!

Get Ready

What a glorious future we have to look forward to! Preceding each of the following passages, Ellen White first quotes Malachi 3:1–3:

“Soon every man will be judged according to his deeds. Wake up, my brethren, before Christ comes to your name in the record books of heaven, and passes judgment upon every unchristlike word and deed.” The Kress Collection, 95.

In The Review and Herald, December 1, 1896, in connection with these verses, Ellen White declares, “A message which is as a two-edged sword must be given to the people, to clear away the evils that are seen among them. A living testimony that will awaken the paralyzed conscience is to be borne.”

But alas, at such a time when Jesus wants to come to take unto Himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, as we read in Ephesians 5:27, what is the condition of this people? He finds them in a condition of self-deception, thinking that they are properly clothed when they are actually wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Rather than being among those who are deceived and spiritually paralyzed, let us determine to be one of God’s messengers to bear His special awakening message, though it may be as unflattering as the Laodicean message and as piercing as a two-edged sword.

With Ellen White, let us sound the alarm, “Wake up, my brethren, get ready! get ready! get ready!”

“In a view given June 27, 1850, my accompanying angel said, ‘Time is almost finished. Do you reflect the lovely image of Jesus as you should?’ Then I was pointed to the earth and saw that there would have to be a getting ready among those who have of late embraced the third angel’s message. Said the angel, ‘Get ready, get ready, get ready. Ye will have to die a greater death to the world than ye have ever died.’ I saw that there was a great work to do for them and but a little time in which to do it.” Early Writings, 64.

Properly Clothed

Permit me to give one more important point. All need to understand the answer to the question, What does it actually mean to be clothed in the garments of Christ’s righteousness; to be clothed in the white raiment that is offered in Revelation 3? I will let Inspiration answer: “When we submit ourselves to Christ the heart is united with His heart, the will is merged to His will, the mind becomes one with His mind, the thoughts are brought into captivity to Him; we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garments of His righteousness. Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, nor the nakedness and the deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the law of Jehovah.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 312.

When the Lord dwells in our hearts, we think the thoughts of God and do the works of God. After reading these inspired messages, let us ask ourselves, Am I properly clothed? If we are not, we need to heed the words of the angel, “Get ready, get ready, get ready.”

For over 60 years Pastor Lawrence Nelson served as an evangelist and minister for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Of that time, he served 13 years as the director of evangelism for youth at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Upon retirement from the General Conference, he continued to pastor, but when, as a result of his stand for truth, he was denied the opportunity to continue his pastorate, he started Keep the Faith Audio Tape Ministry, recording his sermons and making them available to individuals. Before his retirement from this ministry in 2004, over 18,000 audio tapes were being sent around the world each month.