The Revelation of Jesus Christ - The Herald

"They will, no doubt, be greatly dismayed when they afterwards realize that the Bride has
been completed and united to the Lord, and that they, because so listless and overcharged,
have lost that great prize; but the beauty of God's Plan, which they will then begin to
discern as one of love, both for them and for all the world of mankind, will quite overcome
their grief, and they will shout 'Alleluia! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be
glad, and rejoice, and give honor to Him, for the Marriage of the Lamb is come, and His
Wife hath made herself ready.'--Rev. 19:6,7."
"And it was given her that she should be clothed with fine linen, bright and pure; for the
fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints."--Ver. 8.
The change in the translation of the word "righteousness" in the Common Version to that
of "righteous acts" in the Diaglott and other translations, conveys a different meaning to
the expression. The words, "And it was given her" (evidently at the time of her marriage),
implies a reward. The symbol of "fine linen," when applied to the Church during the
period of her espousal, refers to the imputed righteousness of her Lord, Christ. In this
verse it is explained differently.
What a wonderful reminder and fulfillment we have described here of the words of the
Apostle in his letter to the Hebrews--"God is not unrighteous to forget your work and
labor of love which ye have shewed toward His name, in that ye have ministered to the
saints, and do minister." God has observed and noted the little services that have been
performed by His saints as unto Him. He speaks of them in this vision as "righteous acts."
This has reference to their faithfulness, while here on earth, to Him and to the Truth. It is a
reminder of the days when they suffered with Him, when they labored on in faith to help
His little ones, His brethren; a reminder of the little sacrifices made with a desire to serve
His cause--of the hours spent in visiting and ministering to His sick, His suffering, His
helpless ones. Any little service, no matter how small, prompted by the motive to please
Christ, is in these words that come forth from the throne, among those called the
"righteous acts of the saints." Whatever of filling up of the sufferings of Christ for His
Body's sake, the Church; whatever of weariness in toil to please Him, is now remembered
as that of Mary's service--"she hath done what she could," or of the "widow's mite"--"she
hath given all that she hath." These and all other acts which are done as unto Him, are not
forgotten, are carefully recorded. How precious the thought! How encouraging to know
that those eyes so keen to detect evil, are as keen to see all that is done for Him. All these
things are what will bring to His Bride, her future glory; not one thing of the old nature,
the old life, will make up her glory, but all of Christ. "Nothing of a reformed man reaching
up to higher manhood," will add to her glory; rather it is all the works of the new man--
"created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should
walk in them." "For the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints."
Invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb
"And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper
of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."--Ver. 9.