It was another exciting time in the Word of God, as we studied what it means to be watchful and what the robes of righteousness are all about. The true believers in Rev. 3:4-5 — the “few names which had not defiled their garments” are the picture of personal sanctification through obedience to the truth. It is important to understand this simple, but profound doctrinal truth.
When someone accepts Jesus Christ as their personal savior, they are washed in the blood of the lamb. Isaiah 1:18 is an Old Testament picture of the spiritual reality of being born again…”though you sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow…” The robes that Jesus mentions in v. 4 are the robes of personal righteousness that a believer aquires through daily sanctification, and seeking to be conformed to Christ in their daily walk. Paul instructed the church at Ephesus to “walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love: endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3
This is how we keep our robes of personal, practical righteousness undefiled. If we live each day as if it could be our very last day on this earth, making sure that what we do and say brings honor and glory to Jesus Christ, always looking for the appearing of the Lord to snatch us away to be prepared for the marriage of the Lamb, God has laid up a reward for such commitment. (2 Timothy 4:6-8) The warnings given to us are more than enough evidence that there will be brothers and sisters in Christ who will experience shame at the Bema judgment.
1Cor 3:15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
2 Corinthians 5:8-10 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
1 John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, even as 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.
Our personal, practical righteousness is based upon our daily cleansing / sanctification that each of us commit to the Lord. Jesus said in Luke 5:36-38 that you do not sew new cloth to an old garment and you do not put new wine into old bottles. You are new in Christ!
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Paul instructs us to “put off the former conversation the old man whcih is corrupt, and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Eph 4:17-32
My dear beloved Bible study partners, God has so much to accomplish in each of us. Should we not give Him our very best? I do not want to be found naked and ashamed at the rapture of the church!