Page 53 - The Prophetic Word Newsletter Archive 2009

“I WILL GREATLY REJOICE EXPERIENCING EXPERIENCING “LET US BE GLAD AND
IN THE LORD, MY SOUL THE A REJOICE…
SHALL BE JOYFUL IN MY
GOD; FOR THE MARRIAGE
OF THE LAMB HAS COME,
FOR HE HAS CLOTHED ME
WITH AND HIS WIFE HAS
MADE HERSELF READY. AND
THE GARMENTS TO HER IT WAS GRANTED TO
OF SALVATION, BE ARRAYED IN FINE LINEN,
HE HAS COVERED ME WITH CLEAN AND BRIGHT, FOR THE
FINE LINEN IS THE RIGHTEOUS
THE ROBE OF
RIGHTEOUSNESS…” ACTS OF THE SAINTS”
Rev. 19:7-8
Isa. 61:10

Speaking of marriage, Jesus warned, “what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matt.
19:6). Concerning the diagram above, I would like to suggest that we also need to beware of joining
together what God has separated. I am using this play on words to emphasize the point that we all

2are called to “rightly divide the Word of truth”. If we fail to do so, we are in danger of being found

“ashamed before God” (2 Tim. 2:15). The two garments above must not be considered as one and the
same. It is true that both deal with the subject of righteousness. However, one is the justifying
righteousness of Christ while the other is the sanctifying righteous acts of the saints. The Amplified
makes it even more clear:

“-“JSFU-JSHFOUHSOESTRETR,HT,HAATHAANHSENSDEBDFBEFIGENEIGONENEONEDOLPDLOLPIELYFNIERYFNRETLMETNLMHIVNIHIETVIIIETTSNIISTSNESAG(EDAGS(I,DSINI,TGDINTTGDONETSONEESIDE(FDIDG(FDIRSEGIROS,EESO,ESS,ADSS,ADRN'SSRNI'EDNSIEPHDNPHRCFORCEFOOILNEOISLNNYSEENYENEDPN(DPTUE(RTUESORCAS)OCATP)DTTP,DLITH,LEAAIHEAA)ENN.)ENN”R.TD”RTD)IG)IRLGRRHILIRGHeINITGveNHTEE.vHEE.OTN1OTN19,US9:,UST8DS:T8DASNAAANANAEZmNEZSDmZpSSDZLIpS.NLII(.NNIT(GNTHGGHGWEWAEIAUNTIUNTPHDPHRDRGIWGGIWOGHHOHDHITDTI)T,TE),E- -

We must not join together what God has separated in His Word. Isaiah’s garment of salvation is not the
garment in which the Bride of Christ will be arrayed on her wedding day. We need to think carefully
about that statement. We are specifically told that the Bride of Christ will be arrayed in fine linen
consisting of her own righteous deeds as a follower of Christ. Perhaps that is why we do not find an
“Amen” at the close of the Book of Acts as we do in the epistles. I believe it is because the righteous
acts of the saints are still being recorded by God. They will be of significance in eternity for it is such
righteous acts that will clothe the Bride of Christ. There will be a great multitude in heaven that are
clothed with what Isaiah depicts as “robes of righteousness, garments of salvation”, but these are not
the garments that represent The Bride of Christ.

In using this illustration of two different garments, I am seeking to make a distinction between the act of
justification (“new birth”), and the on-going acts of sanctification (“new life”) that are to permeate the
life of the believer. These two garments represent the UNMERITED favor of God and the MERITED
favor of God. Although the Bible clearly presents both, many of God’s people are only being fed half
of the truth. Listen to Jesus Himself emphasize the importance of works of merit before God:

““BBEEHHOAOANLNLDDDD, ,RIRIEAENAMNDMDECERCOROTMTMOIONIENGEAGACSCSOHOHOOOONNNN,E,AEAJNUJNUDSDSTITIWSWSHHHHAARAALReTLLevTLvHB2HBI2R2SIR2IS:N1OI:N1O2GW2GWANMANMmYmApYACp.WC.WTATIAOIGOGNENESSSSAAAANNNNDDDDRHREHIEWSIWSAOAORWRWDNDSNSWWWWOITOIRTHRHKKMMMEMEE,ER,TRITOTIOT.”R.”REEPPAAYY

The two garments shown above also represent the difference between grace and works. We have
been well taught that we are “not saved BY works” (Eph. 2:8-9). However, the context of these verses
go on to state that we were “saved FOR good works” (Eph. 2:10). We must stop theologically “throwing
out the baby with the bath water” when it comes to grace vs. works. Jesus is measuring our works
(Rev. 3:2). I am suggesting to you that rightly dividing the Word of truth pertaining to these two garments
will properly prepare those who are presently in the Body of Christ for the Bride of Christ which is to
come in the after-life. Unto this purpose is this month’s newsletter dedicated.

“… NO LONGER BE CHILDREN….GROW UP IN ALL THINGS INTO HIM WHO IS THE HEAD-CHRIST…” Eph. 4:14-15