Revelation 19:8 - Exposition

And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white; and it was given unto her that she should array herself in fine linen, bright [and] pure. The double nature of the process is here set forth. "It was given her," the power comes from God (cf. Revelation 13:5 , etc.), and yet "she arrays herself;" the action is still voluntary. (On "white linen," see on Revelation 4:4 ; Revelation 7:9 ; Revelation 15:6 .) The following words are a sufficient commentary. This verse appears to contain the words of the writer, the heavenly song having ceased at the end of verse7. For the fine linen is the righteousness of saints; the righteous acts of the saints. That is, their former righteousness, exhibited in fidelity to God and hostility to the world, obtained and retained by the grace of God, now forms their chief glory. So "their works do follow them" ( Revelation 14:13 ).