Clothing has always been a person's business card. Whatever we might think or imagine about this question, our first impression is created by our appearance and facial expression. Sometimes you can determine a person's occupation by their clothes. A person's clothing silently tells us a lot.
Among the Heavenly goods Jesus offers us is white clothing that covers my shameful nakedness. And I understand that this clothing is not literal but symbolizes something very important in the spiritual world, something that Heaven desires to see on me. Everything else is simply unacceptable. I cannot imagine how I would stand before the Holy God in an undressed state. How could I claim any privileges then?
At many formal events, there is a dress code that all attendees must comply with. Any deviation from this protocol is a gross violation of etiquette and an expression of disrespect to the event organizers. You might simply be denied entry or asked to leave the gathering. But while the world sometimes has exceptions, or fashion can change clothing styles, Heaven has a specific standard for everyone.
The Bible describes God clothed in white garments (Daniel 7:9). Further, you can read about Jesus' transfiguration on the mountain, where He was clothed in white clothing, as light (Matthew 17:2), which was white as snow (Mark 9:3). The angels present at Christ's resurrection and ascension were also dressed in white garments (John 20:12, Acts 1:10).
In the message to Sardis, the Lord says (Revelation 3:4) that there are several people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with Him in white, for they are worthy. And further, He gives the assurance that the overcomer will be clothed in white garments (verse 5).
After this, we read in the message to Laodicea that Jesus advises us to buy this white clothing. Then John describes a great multitude in white garments standing before the throne (Revelation 7:9). And one of the elders explains who these people are and why they are in white garments (Revelation 7:14): "...these are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
What does the symbol of "white clothing" mean in the address to Laodicea? It is something that has nothing to do with literal things but represents a special divine garment of a person's character. We read the explanation in Revelation 19:7-8: "...for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready. It was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints."
We first encounter the expression of righteousness in Genesis 15:6: "And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness."
And in the Mosaic law, we find such a definition in Deuteronomy 6:25: "And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this commandment before the Lord our God, as he commanded us."
But the prophet Isaiah declares that, ultimately, all our righteousness is like a polluted garment (Isaiah 64:6).
After Christ's death and resurrection, everything became clear, and the apostle Paul provides an explanation of righteousness in his epistles. We read in 1 Corinthians 1:30: "And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." And further in Philippians 3:8-9: "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."
And this very "righteousness by faith", which is "Christ's Righteousness" and which Jesus Himself calls white clothing, He offers to buy in exchange for my righteousness, which in His eyes represents me as naked, and in the prophet Isaiah's eyes – as soiled.
What significance does this transaction have for me? It implies that in Heaven's eyes, I become righteous through Christ's merits, by faith in Him, and His righteousness is imputed to me, which moreover becomes part of my character and represents a new way of thinking of a righteous person and a new heart, changed by God Himself according to my desire and faith in Jesus.
Righteousness has always been imputed by faith, but in the last time, the Lord combined it with His Agape love through the Holy Spirit, so that in these gifts He can fully act in my heart and mind and accomplish His plans for this perishing world through me.
Because of lawlessness, I lost understanding of righteousness by faith and decided to seek it in the law and in my good deeds, but God cannot accept such obedience, for any of my sins cancels out all my good deeds and condemns me to death. Only by faith in Jesus, through His shed blood and sacrifice for me, can I have justification. And this is exactly how the Lord wants to see me, offering His goods.
Righteousness by faith is imputed to me upon my turning to Jesus as my Savior, and then it is bestowed upon me as I spiritually grow in faith and knowledge of the One True God and Jesus Christ whom He sent.
White clothing is not something new; it is a necessary quality of soul for the people of the last time. I need not only to have it but also understand what it is and what advantage it gives me. If God Himself wants to see me in this clothing, I should not interfere.
Such a garment is not given to me over my unclean clothing but is given in exchange for my indecently dirty things. It is painful. My entire soul, my understanding of holiness, all my ambitions and achievements are invested in this garment. And I must remove and give it to Christ? Yes, this is exactly what the Lord desires from me. And I should also wash myself. And the best cleansing agent is Christ's Blood.
Humanly, I do not very much want to do this, but my new heart desires precisely this. It draws me to Jesus.
White clothing, together with gold, makes me belong in Heaven's eyes. And I am left only to anoint my eyes to understand and see this.
I stock up on all this Heavenly blessing for the future battle and for current struggles, and already boldly look forward, knowing who I am, believing that I am special in God's eyes because I am in Him, and He is in me. And Christ Himself comes every day into the house of my heart to teach me how to correctly represent His power in this world, how to preserve everything I have acquired by faith in Him, and how to multiply God's blessings and talents for His glory.
And I learn. I dress in Christ, clothe myself in His love, and go into the world in which I still live, to be tested and established in love.
Reflection Questions for this Chapter
1. What was revealed to you in this chapter?
2. What is Christ's righteousness, and how do you see it in your life?
3. Why does Jesus specifically advise Laodicea to buy white clothing?
4. What is the relationship between white clothing and agape love? Why do they come in one package?
5. What is the "shame of your nakedness"? How can I understand if I have it?
6. How can I determine if I have white clothing?
7. Please read Genesis 3:10; Matthew 22:10-14; Zechariah 3:1-5; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 5:8 in light of this chapter.