The Marriage of the Lamb has come; His wife has made herself ready.
She was given a bridal gown of bright and shining linen.
Revelation19:7b-8 (NIV)
Recently, a young lady broke up with her boyfriend. No, scratch that. The guy broke up with her.
Before that, they’d talked often about the real possibility of marriage, having both felt sure they’d found the perfect match. Even in that, the break up happened.
But after deep introspection and a pretty radical change of heart, the guy humbly asked to date her again.
In their conversation he’d said,
“I still picture you in a white dress.”
I’d like to think his eyes got all misty.
Mine did when I learned of his sentiment.
The point of all this is not about whether or not said boyfriend will, in fact, enjoy the privilege of seeing the young lady come down the aisle dressed in a white dress, but about how God sees me.
You see, it’s the weight of guilt I carry over, well, any number of things, that makes me question God’s view of me. His unfailing love.
I messed up.
I didn’t do what You asked.
I did what You forbid.
I behaved selfishly.
I was dishonest. Honestly, I was.
And on and on it goes until guilt drags me under, drowning rock solid theology.
And I find myself asking… “Lord, do You still see me in a white dress?”
Yes, yes, He does!
Because He’s the one who dresses me, His bride, in the first place. In His righteousness.
Fond of I was at my ruffled, white satin wedding gown, there isn’t a more perfect gown to wear at God’s appearance.
The Revelation passage doesn’t mention the color of the Bride’s dress, only that the gown was made of linen, fresh and clean, bright and shining (The Message).
A little research on use of linen in biblical times suggests the dried fibers were bleached.
So, I’m going with white.
When I fall short, He doesn’t remove the wedding gown. It’s mine to wear at the marriage feast of the Lamb, an epic even which calls for a heavenly dress code.
I’m redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God and He sees me no other way.
Snow White’s anticipation of her prince to come has me thinking a little bit about the arrival of my Faithful and True Who’ll appear on His white horse (Revelation 19:11).
Someday.
Until that magical ‘someday’ I’m dressed and ready.
For fun, here’s a peek at the classic Disney film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Seems those tiny little men were intensely curious to know why Snow White wore the undeniable glow of a woman in love.
*Snow White: Once there was a Princess –
Doc: Was the Princess you?
Snow White: And she fell in love –
Sneezy: Was it hard to do?
Snow White: Well, it was very easy. Anyone could see the the Prince was charming. The only one for me.
Doc: Was he strong and handsome?
Sneezy: Was he big and tell?
Snow White: There’s nobody like him. Anywhere at all.
Bashful: Did he say he loved ya?
Happy: Did he steal a kiss?
Then Snow White broke out in song…
He was so romantic, I could not resist.
Someday my prince will come,
Someday we’ll meet again.
And away to his castle we’ll go
To be happy forever I know.
Someday when spring is here
We’ll find our love anew.
And the birds will sing and wedding bells will ring
Someday when my dreams come true.
Ah, my Prince.
You Tube video of Snow White singing to the Dwarfs