In the Ancient Near East, clothing is a metaphor or picture of one’s standing before God (Genesis 3:21). When God clothed Adam and Eve, it was not merely to cover their physical nakedness but to serve as a reminder that their sin needed to be covered. When God slaughtered and shed the blood of animals to make their clothes, He also demonstrated how to make atonement for sin. Something or someone had to die and shed its blood. Later in Genesis 35:2 and Exodus 19:10-14, the people were commanded to wash and put on clean clothes before entering into a covenant with God. The act of wearing clean clothes symbolized the inner purity of the people. Later, Joshua the High Priest was guilty of wearing filthy clothes, symbolizing his sin (Zechariah 3:6-7). God removed his filthy clothes and gave him clean clothes.
Clothing also identified one’s right to attend a wedding. In the parable of Matthew 22:1-14, Christ recounts how an individual attended a wedding without the proper attire. Because the man was not properly attired, the host had the man cast out of the wedding into outer darkness. Christ used the parable to explain that anyone who tries to attend the wedding of the Lamb and His Bride, without right standing will be cast out into the Lake of Fire. One can only attain right standing by repenting of their sin and placing their faith in Christ’s salvific work.
Jesus used this metaphor of clothing to describe the Holy Spirit.
Jesus promised the disciples that they would be clothed with power from on high. The term on high (húpsos) refers to Heaven. Thus, the source of this clothing is Heavenly. The verb clothed (endúō) meaning to dress is in the passive voice meaning that believers do not clothe themselves but are clothed by someone else. Believers will be clothed with power. The power is the one promised by the Father and sent forth by Jesus.
Thus, believers are clothed with the Holy Spirit. As such, they have right standing with God. That they are clothed with the Holy Spirit identifiers them as being atoned to God. As well, it guarantees that believers will welcomed into the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
Clothing also identified one’s right to attend a wedding. In the parable of Matthew 22:1-14, Christ recounts how an individual attended a wedding without the proper attire. Because the man was not properly attired, the host had the man cast out of the wedding into outer darkness. Christ used the parable to explain that anyone who tries to attend the wedding of the Lamb and His Bride, without right standing will be cast out into the Lake of Fire. One can only attain right standing by repenting of their sin and placing their faith in Christ’s salvific work.
Jesus used this metaphor of clothing to describe the Holy Spirit.
- And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed (endúō) with power from on high (húpsos). - Luke 24:49
Jesus promised the disciples that they would be clothed with power from on high. The term on high (húpsos) refers to Heaven. Thus, the source of this clothing is Heavenly. The verb clothed (endúō) meaning to dress is in the passive voice meaning that believers do not clothe themselves but are clothed by someone else. Believers will be clothed with power. The power is the one promised by the Father and sent forth by Jesus.
- But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. - John 14:26
Thus, believers are clothed with the Holy Spirit. As such, they have right standing with God. That they are clothed with the Holy Spirit identifiers them as being atoned to God. As well, it guarantees that believers will welcomed into the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
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