White, of course. There is no doubt that Jesus is coming back for a bride whose garments are spotless and are washed clean and white. In likening the church to the bride of Christ, Paul says in Ephesians 5:27 that Jesus wants a “glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”
A year ago, when we went into isolation, the Lord revealed that He was giving His church a chance to change her soiled and wrinkled clothes in her private chambers. Although disease was never God’s to give, He extended His grace in this season - grace to allow His bride to change her garments away from the scrutinizing eyes of the world. It seems like the garments of the bride had become soiled with the things of this world, sullied by sin and compromise. Like the Laodicean church, she had become blissfully ignorant of her own condition. Jesus reproached the lukewarm Laodicean church with these words: “You say ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.” (Revelation 3:17)
A compromising and lukewarm church is not only going to be spit out of God’s mouth, it’s not going to make it in these days to come. Jesus left His church, His bride, to represent Him on this earth, to bring His glory through a sacrificed life, and to gather as many as possible into the harvest. The bride is the victorious force on this earth, having been given Holy Spirit liberally, as One who helps and empowers. The bride must ready herself, not only for the coming King, but to fulfill her role on this earth before He comes.
It matters not where or how the soils have come upon the garments of the bride. It matters not how filthy they became in the last season; what matters is the decision that is made now, in private. 2 Corinthians 11:2 says that we have been betrothed to one husband, that we might be presented as a chaste virgin to Christ. The only remedy for impurity, and indeed, for all sin, is the blood of Jesus. In Isaiah 1:18, God says “Come now, let us reason together…though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” The bride must choose a path of repentance in order to exchange her garments before the chamber doors are completely swung open and her garments are revealed.
It takes a great deal of pause and humility, bathed in abandonment to Holy Spirit to accurately assess one’s condition. Jesus is not going to force this change of garment, and neither is He going to change His requirements. It is up to the bride to choose to be washed in the word according to Ephesians 5:26. The word of God not only sanctifies, or sets apart as holy, but transforms. So, every vice and force that stands between the bride and the Word must be eliminated.
As the season of privacy comes to a close, it is noted that the grace has been given, the strategies have been shown, the path has been laid and the call has gone out. The only thing left is for the bride to engage in the process so that she can emerge as Christ’s glorious bride. The greatest and finest hour for the church and the bride-in-waiting is at the doorstep. It’s time to trade in filthy rags for a beautiful spotless gown of pure white, and radiate His beauty while preparing for His coming.
By Nicola Ramitt
30-06-21