I would like to bring to your attention that the parable of the wedding feast as read in Matthew 22:1-14 implies that there is a wedding feast / party awaiting all those who accept Jesus Christ as their lord and savior and there is a strict dress code for the feast, otherwise the master does not need to pay attention to anyone who was not in proper attire (Mat. 22:1-14 & Rev. 19:7-9).
Proper: The word ‘Proper’ has such synonyms as ‘correct’, ‘formal’, ‘official’, ‘appropriate’, ‘acceptable’, etc
Garment often refers to clothing, dress, what we put on to cover our nakedness and decorate ourselves.
Party / Feast: By party here we mean a pointer to the coming wedding feast of the Lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ being the groom while you and I (the saints) are the brides (Rev. 19:7-9). It is going to be a happy occasion.
Notice in Rev. 19:8 that the proper garment for the wedding feast is fine linen – signifying the simplest of all clothing materials, which in spiritual terms for the sake of this teaching we will refer to as ‘Righteousness or righteous living / character’. Righteous living is the simple garment that Jesus wants every Christian to put on. I call it simple because it is not our own, it is the righteousness of Christ; all we have to do is put it on as we receive it from Him by faith and grace (Philippians 3:9).
Let’s see what the garment looks like as shown in Ephesians 4:17-32: Here we see
Truth to one’s neighbor (vs. 25)
Giving (vs. 28)
Good and necessary words of edification (vs. 29)
Kindness to one another (vs. 32)
Forgiving one another (vs. 32)
The whole armor of God, a part of which is righteousness ( 6:11, 14)
The fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22-23)
Necessities:
This garment of holy character is one that we need to buy in advance (tomorrow maybe too late) - 3:18 admonishes us to buy from Jesus white garment
Wear the garment now because you are already in the kingdom of God – 14:17 says the Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace & joy in the Holy Spirit. Anyone who is waiting for the date of the wedding before putting on their garment will not be allowed to enter. The requirement to enter is the advance practice of righteousness, peace and joy now.
Keep the garment on before the day - 16:15 says blessed is the person who keeps his garment., that is, keep practicing righteous living before the Lord comes to take His own (Romans 12:1-2).
Do not allow your garment to be defiled or turned to street clothes as listed in Gal. 5:19-21
Advantage of keeping the garment clean:
You will participate in eternal life with Christ (Rev. 3:4-5)
Putting this garment on begins with repentance (Acts 2:38), believing Jesus as Savior (John 3:16) and love for God and mankind. Rom 13:14 says we should put on Christ. Now is the time to put Him on.
