EXTRACTS

“Blessed are they that wash their robes”—that is the proper rendering of Revelation 22: 14.

There is nothing more practical than this. No doubt most will have observed that washing is first ascribed to Christ in this book, chapter 1. Again, in chapter 7, there are those who have washed their robes—in the past tense. Here it is, “Blessed are they that wash their robes”.

That is, they are doing it. If it be one who seeks to walk with us, is it within our right to refuse? I doubt whether we have any right to refuse what is consistent with Christ only that which is inconsistent. This comes out in the washing, “that they may have right to the tree of life, and that they should go in by the gates into the city”. I am not saying there are not to be doorkeepers; but if the persons prove their right, acquired by the washing of

the robes, no true doorkeeper will keep such persons out. It is not simply that they are converted. That is an essential part, of course, but what are they doing now? The man who had his eyes opened by the Lord came immediately, seeing, but the next week the Pharisees talked to him, and he still says, “I see”. The washing of the robes, gives access to the tree of life, and to go in by the gates into the city, even though there be angels at the gates. Those who wash can go in directly—it is their right. It is very beautiful, the inherent dignity of one who washes. Let us not be devoid of it. The young people here may need this word, “Let us purify ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God’s fear”, 2 Corinthians 7: 1.

May the Lord grant us the blessedness of it, that we may be among those who have right to the tree of life, and enter by the gates into the city!

J. Taylor (Vol. 69, pp.377, 378)

Burial is a necessary part of our Lord’s vicarious work. The gospel includes it, as we see in 1 Corinthians 15. It is practically applied in Romans 6. Adam being guilty, the judgment of God required that he should return to the earth whence he came. The burning outside the camp of the sin offering when its blood was taken inside the veil points to this. Slaying was not enough. Christ was made sin—a thought but poorly taken in by us. The forsaking expressed God’s wrath, but this would not be a public matter had the Lord not uttered the cry.

His death and burial were public, answering as a testimony to God’s judgment against sin which was required from the outset.

J. Taylor (Vol. 89, p.446)

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