Isa 1:21, Rev 19:7-8 | Barnes

Isaiah 1:21

Revelation of John 19:7-8

Verse 7. Let us be glad and rejoice. Let all in heaven rejoice--for all have an interest in the triumph of truth; all should be glad that the government of God is set up over an apostate world.

And give honour to him. Because the work is glorious; and because it is by his power alone that it has been accomplished. Rev 5:12.

For the marriage of the Lamb is come. Of the Lamb of God--the Redeemer of the world. Barnes on "Re 5:6". The relation of God, and especially of the Messiah, to the church, is often in the Scriptures represented under the image of marriage. Isa 54:4, seq. Isa 62:4, Isa 63.5; 2Cor 11:2, Eph 5:23,seq. Compare Jer 3:14, 31:32, Hos 2:19-20. The idea is also said to be common in Arabic and Persian poetry. It is to be remembered also, that Papal Rome has just been represented as a gay and meretricious woman; and there is a propriety, therefore, in representing the true church as a pure bride, the Lamb's wife, and the final triumph of that church as a joyous marriage. The meaning is, that the church was now to triumph and rejoice as if in permanent union with her glorious head and Lord.

And his wife hath made herself ready. By putting on her beautiful apparel and ornaments. All the preparations had been made for a permanent and uninterrupted union with its Redeemer, and the church was henceforward to be recognised as his beautiful bride, and was no more to appear as a decorated harlot--as it had during the Papal supremacy. Between the church under the Papacy, and the church in its true form, there is all the difference which there is between an abandoned woman gaily decked with gold and jewels, and a pure virgin chastely and modestly adorned, about to be led to be united in bonds of love to a virtuous husband.

(b) "marriage" Mt 25:10 (c) "ready" Isa 52:1 Verse 8. And to her was granted. It is not said here by whom this was granted, but it is perhaps implied that this was conferred by the Saviour himself on his bride.

That she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white. Rev 3:4; Rev 3:5, Rev 3:,18; Rev 7:13. White has, perhaps, in all countries been the usual colour of the bridal dress--as an emblem of innocence.

For the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. Represents the righteousness of the saints; or is an emblem of it. It should be remarked, however, that it is implied here, as it is everywhere in the Scriptures, that this is not their own righteousness, for it is said that this was "given" to the bride--to the saints. It is the gracious bestowment of their Lord; and the reference here must be to that righteousness which they obtain by faith--the righteousness which results from justification through the merits of the Redeemer. Of this Paul speaks, when he says, (Php 3:9,) "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." Compare Rom 3:25 Rom 3:26.

(d) "arrayed" Rev 3:4, Isa 61:10 (1) "white" "bright" (e) "righteousness" Ps 132:9