I’m a big fan of weddings, for a number of different reasons, but one stands out: like everyone else, I love it when the bride comes down the aisle toward her adoring groom in a beautiful gown of white.
Along these lines, Revelation chapter 7 is the white robe chapter of the Bible. Other portions of Scripture mention a white robe also, but these are always angelic beings. Only one other chapter mentions white robes for believers, and that only one time – Revelation chapter 6. But chapter 7 pictures believers in white robes in three different verses, the first time in verse 9…
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10 (ESV)
What is the Significance of the White Robe?
It’s an incredible scene, isn’t it? An inestimable number of the faithful, all standing before the throne of God and all clothed in white robes. Glorious. But…what is the significance of this particular garment? Glad you wondered! One of the elders turns to the Apostle John and asks the same question…
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” Revelation 7:13 (ESV)
But the Apostle punts, turning the question back to the elder…
I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Revelation 7:14 (ESV)
The great question is, “How do I receive a white robe?” And the answer is clear – I must wash my filthy robe in the blood of the Lamb. Only His blood can cleanse my garment all soiled by sin.
Does She Deserve to Wear White?
Now, when it comes to weddings, the white, of course, is symbolic for the bride’s purity as she meets her groom. And I know that the cynical among us will say that many brides today do not deserve to wear white…but I will not join that unhappy throng. For the truth is this: no one on that Great Day before the throne will “deserve” their robe of white either.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.Oh! Precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.Robert Lowry (1876)
Entrusted with the Gospel 