How can we "wash their robes" to enter the city gates today? The Meaning of “Washing Robes” in Revelation 22:14 “Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter by the gates into the city.” (Revelation 22:14) • “Wash” is present-tense: an ongoing, intentional act. • “Robes” picture our standing before God—either stained by sin or made pure. • The result: access to the tree of life and unhindered entry into the New Jerusalem. Christ’s Blood—The Only Cleansing Agent • Revelation 7:14: “They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” • 1 John 1:7: “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” • Hebrews 9:14: the blood of Christ “will cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God.” • 1 Peter 1:18-19: redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.” Christ’s perfect sacrifice is the sole means by which anyone’s “robes” can be made white. No self-effort, ritual, or moral striving can substitute for His blood. How We “Wash” Today: Responding to the Gospel 1. Hear and believe the good news (Romans 10:17). 2. Repent—turn from sin toward God (Acts 3:19). 3. Trust in Christ alone for forgiveness (Ephesians 2:8-9). 4. Confess Him openly (Romans 10:9-10). 5. Be baptized as an outward testimony of the inward washing already accomplished (Acts 22:16). At conversion the “robe” is washed once for all; yet believers keep short accounts with God through continual confession and reliance on Christ’s cleansing (1 John 1:9). Living in Washed Robes: Daily Practices • Abide in Scripture—let its truth purify thinking (John 17:17). • Walk by the Spirit—He empowers holy living (Galatians 5:16). • Gather with other believers for encouragement and accountability (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Partake of the Lord’s Supper, remembering the blood that purchased us (1 Corinthians 11:26). • Serve in love; good works are the fruit, not the cause, of clean garments (Ephesians 2:10). Guarding Our Garments: Persevering Until the Gates • Revelation 3:4-5—those who “have not soiled their garments” will walk with Christ in white. • Revelation 16:15—“Blessed is the one who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he will not go naked.” • Jude 24—He “is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless.” Keep trusting the Lamb, keep confessing sin, keep surrendering to the Spirit. In this way we continually “wash” our robes and move confidently toward the day when we will enter the city gates, welcomed by the King whose blood made us clean. |
    |