Revelation 19:8

8 And it was given to her, that she cover her with white fine linen shining; for why fine linen is the justifyings of saints. [And it is given to her, that she cover herself with white bisso shining; forsooth bisso be the justifying of saints.]

Revelation 19:8 Meaning and Commentary

Revelation 19:8

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine
linen
Or "Byssine": the "Byssus", of which fine linen is made, is said to grow on a tree, in height like to a poplar, and its leaves like a willow, and to be brought out of Judea into Egypt, which the Egyptians used in most of their holy things ^F17. A dress neat and modest, and not like the attire of the whore of Rome, ( Revelation 17:4 ) and this is said to be

clean and white,
and is interpreted in the next clause:

for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints,
or "righteousnesses"; not good works, or their own righteousness; for though these are evidences of faith, by which the saints are justified, and are what God has prepared for them, that they should walk in them; yet these are not comparable to fine linen, clean and white, but are like filthy rags, and cannot justify in the sight of God; but the righteousness of Christ is meant, and justification by that; for that is the only justifying righteousness of the saints: and though it is but one, yet it may be called "righteousnesses", or "justifications", in the plural number; partly because of the several seasons in which the act of justification passes, first in God's mind from eternity, next on Christ as the surety, when he rose from the dead, and on all the elect in him, and then in the consciences of the saints when they believe, and the sentence of it will be notified and declared to men and angels at the last judgment; and partly because of the many persons that are justified by it, as also because of the excellency of it; so the Jews use the word in the plural number: the Targumist on ( Zechariah 3:4 ) paraphrases the text, "I will clothe thee" (Kwkz) , "with righteousnesses" ^F18; upon which words Jarchi has this note,

``change of beautiful garments is all one as if it had been said (twykz) "righteousnesses": and because sin is like to filthy garments, righteousness is like to garments beautiful and white.''

Christ's righteousness may be compared to fine linen, clean and white, because of its spotless purity; those that are arrayed with it being unblamable and irreprovable, and without spot and blemish, and without fault before the throne; with this the Jewish church will be clothed; all the Lord's people will be righteous, they will have on the best robe, and wedding garment, which was despised by the Jews in Christ's time, who refused to come to the marriage feast; and their being arrayed with it will be owing to the grace of Christ, who grants it; and so Christ's righteousness is called the gift of righteousness, the free gift, and gift by grace, and abundance of grace; and faith, which receives it, and puts it on, is the gift of God, ( Romans 5:15-17 ) ( Ephesians 2:8 ) . Not only the garment is a gift of grace, but the putting of it on is a grant from Christ, and what he himself does, ( Isaiah 61:10 ) ( Zechariah 3:4 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 Philostrat. Vita Apollon. l. 2. c. 9. Vid. Apul. Apolog. p. 225. Pausan. l. 5. sive Eliac. p. 294.
F18 See Isa. lxi. 10. & Targum in Hos. x. 12.

Revelation 19:8 In-Context

6 And I heard a voice [as] of a great trumpet [And I heard a voice as of a great trump], as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of great thunders, saying, Alleluia; for our Lord God almighty hath reigned.

7 Joy we, and make we mirth [Enjoy we, and glad we], and give glory to him; for the weddings of the lamb came, and the wife of him made ready herself.

8 And it was given to her, that she cover her with white fine linen shining; for why fine linen is the justifyings of saints. [And it is given to her, that she cover herself with white bisso shining; forsooth bisso be the justifying of saints.]

9 And he said to me, Write thou, Blessed be they that be called to the supper of the weddings of the lamb. And he said to me, These words of God be true.

10 And I felled down before his feet, to worship him. And he said to me, See thou, that thou do not; I am a servant with thee [And I fell down before his feet, for to worship him. And he said to me, See, that thou do not; I am thine even-servant], and of thy brethren, having the witnessing of Jesus; worship thou God. For the witnessing of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.