The Fine Linen in Jesus' Tomb VS The Fine Linen at the Lamb's Wedding Feast"
John 19:38-42 "Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there."
Revelation 19:7-9 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.) Then the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'"
Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Aspect |
Fine Linen in Jesus' Tomb |
Fine Linen at the Lamb's Wedding Feast |
---|---|---|
Typology |
Old creation, old man |
New creation, new man |
Significance |
Symbolizes the old creation that was crucified and buried |
Symbolizes the righteous acts and victorious life of the saints |
Distinction |
Left behind in the tomb |
Worn by the saints at the Lamb's wedding feast |
Explanation |
Evidence of Jesus' resurrection, proving He has departed from the old creation |
Condition for saints to participate in the Lamb's wedding feast |
Example |
The linen used by Joseph and Nicodemus to wrap Jesus' body |
The robe of righteousness obtained by saints through faith and righteous living |
Application |
Reminds believers to put off the old self and put on the new self |
Encourages believers to pursue holiness and prepare for the Lord's return |
Relevant Scriptures |
John 20:5-8 "He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus' head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed." |
Matthew 22:11-14 "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, 'How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?' The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' For many are invited, but few are chosen." |
This comparison illustrates the significance of Jesus' resurrection and how believers should prepare themselves for the Lord's return. The fine linen in Jesus' tomb represents the old creation that He has departed from, while the fine linen at the Lamb's wedding feast represents the new life of believers who are justified by faith and live out righteousness. This reminds us to continually pursue holiness, prepare ourselves for the Lord's return, and participate in the Lamb's wedding feast