Revelation 22:14

Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.

Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right ... Some scholars still prefer the KJV rendition of this as, "Blessed are they that do his commandments," which could well be correct. Recent generations of Bible translators are allergic to any mention of "doing" God's commandments. However, as regards this verse, it could not make the slightest difference. "Washing one's robes" and "doing his commandments" are synonymous terms. Either way, there's a lot of doing for the sinner who hopes to be saved. Oh no; he does not thereby earn or merit salvation; but there are nevertheless things to be "done" by the sinner before God will save him. This is one of the seven great beatitudes of Revelation. They are:

i

Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein (Revelation 1:3).

ii

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord (Revelation 14:13).

iii

Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame (Revelation 16:15).

iv

Blessed are they that are bidden to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).

v

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection (Revelation 10:6).

vi

Blessed is he that keepeth the words of the prophecy of this book (Revelation 22:7).

vii

Blessed are they that wash their robes, that they may have the right to come to the tree of life, and to enter in through the gates into the city (Revelation 22:14).

Barclay's comment on this seventh beatitude is excellent:

This shows man's part in salvation. It is Jesus Christ who in his Cross has provided the grace by which alone man can be forgiven; but man has to appropriate that sacrifice ... We can supply soap and water, but we cannot compel a person to use them.[63]

Mounce pointed out that, "The participle, they that wash is in the present tense, suggesting continuous action."[64] One is never through with washing his robes and striving to achieve through Christ that degree of holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. When all that Christ does for people is considered, man's part in redemption is not worthy to be compared with Christ's; but still, Christ has given man a role to play in his salvation; he must wash his robes. He gives the holy bride the glorious garments; but she must put them on (See under Revelation 19:7ff). Free grace gives the white robes to the sinner, but he must take care of the laundering!

[63] William Barclay, op. cit., p. 227.

[64] Robert H. Mounce, Commentaries on the New Testament, Revelation (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977), p. 393.